Luxury trains provide a cushion to the traveling civic, offering attractive rail packages to travelers covering tourist and pilgrim circuits. The Society of International Railway Travelers (SIRT), an international organization of sophisticated travelers who prefer going by rail, celebrates its 25th year in 2008 and has determined a select group called ‘The World’s Top 25 Trains.’ The list includes a few over-the-top luxury trains, including the Russia’s ‘Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express,’ Rovos Rail’s ‘Pride of Africa’ and India’s ‘Deccan Odyssey.’ Others in the list entertain the commuters with most stylish and comfortable way to see less-developed locations, such the world’s newest private train, the Danube Express, which offers week-long, rail-based rides through Central Europe. Per-person prices for these mostly private-train tours range from $2,895 for a week in Mexico’s Copper Canyon aboard the Sierra Madre Express to $26,500 for a 16-day Vancouver-Montreal excursion aboard the Royal Canadian Pacific, which hosted the likes of Sir Winston Churchill, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and Bill Gates. Here goes the list:

North America:

1) Canadian (Canada)
2) Royal Canadian Pacific (Canada)
3) Canadian Rockies Steam Express (Canada)
4) Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)
5) GrandLuxe Express (US)
6) Sierra Madre Express (Mexico)

South America

7) Andean Explorer (Peru)
8) Hiram Bingham (Peru)

Africa:

9) Blue Train (South Africa)
10) Pride of Africa (Rovos Rail) (South Africa)

Asia/Indian Subcontinent:

11) Palace on Wheels (India)
12) Eastern & Oriental Express (SE Asia)
13) ShangriLa Express (China/Tibet)
14) Toy Train (India)
15) Deccan Odyssey (India)

Europe:

16) Danube Express (Central Europe, Turkey)
17) Al Andalus Express (Spain)
18) El Transcantabrico (Spain)
19) Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express (Russia)
20) Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)
21) Glacier Express (Switzerland)
22) Royal Scotsman (Scotland)

Down Under:
23) Ghan (Australia)
24) Indian Pacific (Australia)
25) Sunlander (Australia)
The World’s Top 25 Trains are based on our SIRT’s experience and that of its writers, editors, members and staff.

Via PRweb168581