Jump on the trend, use the silver screen as a springboard, and become a Set-Jetter with our 2023/24 picks:

Don’t Cry For Me…

The stunning Hungarian capital, Budapest, has served as the backdrop for many silver screen hits. Possibly one of the most iconic and influential came in 1996, with the Golden Globe winning drama, Evita.

Director Andy Vajna suggested Budapest as the filming location as the cities historic grandeur and architectural extravagance perfectly captured the prosperity and grandiosity of Buenos Aires during its pomp.

Enjoy a visit to the “Queen of the Danube” with our New Year in Vienna and Grand Alpine Express voyages. Alongside a two-night stay in the exquisite Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, enjoy a tour of some of Budapest’s most revered spots, including: the magnificent neo-classical architecture of St. Stephen’s Basillica, and the picturesque Gellért Hotel and Baths.

Grand Alpine Express
New Year in Vienna

Captivating Castles

Filmed throughout the Transylvanian region, Netflix’s chart topping series, Wednesday, perfectly captures the mythical grandeur of this beautiful region. Tim Burton’s reimagining of the classic, “The Addams Family” plays out against a stunning backdrop of gothic Romanian castles, hauntingly vast forestry and whimsical cobbled streets.

Follow in the footsteps of this much loved anti-hero with our Castles of Transylvania voyage. Highlights include a visit to Sighisoara, the rumoured birthplace of Dracula (a mythicised figure even Wednesday Addams would fear!) and the opportunity to enjoy a sumptuous gala dinner at the magnificent Bran Castle.

Castles of Transylvania

The House of Dubrovnik

Step inside the Capital of the Seven Kingdoms, with a visit to the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s finest and best-preserved medieval cities, it is easy to see how the magical old town became the picture-perfect filming location for the smash hit series – Game of Thrones.

Visit this stunning city with our Venice to Istanbul (Balkan Explorer) voyage. Alongside a fascinating walking tour of the city, and a delicious lunch overlooking the Adriatic, there will be the opportunity to enjoy some free time…and maybe see how many Game of Thrones scenes you can recognise! We recommend a visit to the iconic “Red Keep” (filmed at the beautiful St Lawrence Fortress), and Ploce Gate (the background for Cersei’s infamous “Walk of Shame”.)

Venice to Istanbul (Balkan Explorer)

The post Are you a Set-Jetter? appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Elaborating on the fine dining, gastronomic moments onboard, Edenedo added:

“My favourite area of the Danube Express train was the dining car. Stepping inside, I felt like I was the star of my own classic movie — traveling great distances, shrouded in intrigue and solving matters of grave importance in the casual elegance of those velvety, emerald-green booths; aged, dark-wood panels; and spotless white tablecloths.

The food onboard the Danube Express was as unforgettable as the dining car it was served in….The food they prepared was delicious; I often felt as if I were in a Michelin-starred restaurant.”

Our 2023 departures are filling up fast. Explore our Golden Eagle Danube Express voyages and secure your place now to avoid disappointment.

One Continent. Many Voyages. Where will 2023 take you?

The post ‘A MICHELIN STAR EXPERIENCE!’ appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Read on for more information about these exciting voyages, and our nostalgically appointed, Golden Eagle Danube Express which will transport you along these indulgent explorations.

Alternatively, take the opportunity to book a consultation with
our team of luxury travel experts. 

Golden Eagle Danube Express

Fully en-suite accommodation

Intimate, indulgent, and inimitable, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains provide the ultimate travel experience. Evocative of the refinement and sumptuous elegance of a by-gone era, our trains capture the vintage charm of the golden era of travel.

The Golden Eagle Danube Express is your private, hotel-on-wheels. Carrying up to 64 guests, the Danube Express combines first-class customer service with a romantic and intimate exploration of some of Europe’s most remarkable sites.

View Train

View Itinerary

Venice to Istanbul (Balkan Explorer)

April 29 – May 10, 2023
Oct 18 – Oct 29, 2023

Discover the fascinating history, vibrant culture and medieval relics of this enchanting region, as we venture through the lush landscapes of the Balkan states and their neighbouring countries, aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express.

View Itinerary

Grand Alpine Express

May 15 – May 25 2023

Dramatic mountain scenery and beautiful lakes provide the continual backdrop for this magnificent tour by rail. Soak up inspiring lakes and mountains scenery as we travel by private train through the stunning Alpine region

The post Slovenia: Star of the 2023 Vacation Bucket List appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Grand Alpine Express

BUDAPEST – VIENNA – SEMMERING PASS – LAKE ACHEN – INNSBRUCK –ZURICH – ST GOTTHARD PASS – LAKE COMO – MILAN – VERONA -TRIESTE – LAKE BLED – LJUBLJANA – VENICE

May 15 – 25, 2023  | 11 days

The post Lake Como: Hollywood’s Italian Paradise appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Ljubljana – Slovenia’s capital – is often referred to as “Plečnik’s Ljubljana”. It is hard to walk down a street in this beautiful city without encountering a structure designed by the famous architect, Jože Plečnik.

Plečnik’s work is considered to be one of the 20^th Century’s most important oeuvres – so much so that Ljubljana’s landmarks have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Following the breakdown of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Plečnik contributed to the city’s redesign, in a uniquely “human centred urban design” – blending the medieval identity of the city, with an emerging need for public, green spaces and institutions.

Notable examples of his work include the Triple Bridge, Žale Cemetery, and enchanting market buildings along the Ljubljanica River.

Golden Eagle Danube Express

Fully en-suite accommodation

Intimate, indulgent, and inimitable, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains provide the ultimate luxury travel experience. Evocative of the refinement and sumptuous elegance of a by-gone era, our trains capture the vintage charm of the golden era of travel.

The Golden Eagle Danube Express is your private, five-star hotel-on-wheels. Carrying up to 64 guests, the Danube Express combines first-class customer service with a romantic and intimate exploration of some of Europe’s most remarkable sites.

View Train

Istanbul to Venice (Balkan Explorer) April 29 – May 10 2023 (SOLD OUT – Waitlist Available) 19 – 29 October 2023 Discover the fascinating history, vibrant culture and medieval relics of this enchanting region, as we venture through the lush landscapes of the Balkan states and their neighbouring countries, aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express. View Itinerary

Grand Alpine Express

May 15 – May 25 2023

Dramatic mountain scenery and beautiful lakes provide the continual backdrop for this magnificent tour by rail. Soak up inspiring lakes and mountains scenery as we travel by private train through the stunning Alpine region.

View Itinerary

The post Explore UNESCO’s newest World Heritage Site appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Created between AD 450 and 750, the enthralling labyrinth of caves feature detailed sculptures of deities, and an intriguing network of aisles, porticoes, and pillars.
A testament to India’s rich religious and cultural history, the caves are dedicated to both Hindu and Buddhist deities.

Adorned with incredibly detailed and imposing sculptures – looming over the caves at an impressive height of 7 metres – it is not surprising that local belief rumours that these mythical monoliths were not built by the hands of men.

The rock cut caves are nationally revered as replete with “Rasas” – an Indian aesthetic which translates as “nectar, essence or taste” connoting an artistic creation which evokes an emotion that cannot be described…. Much like the phrase “Je ne sais quoi”.

You will have the opportunity to explore these celestial caves aboard our Madras Mail and Darjeeling Mail voyages. During our stay in Mumbai, we will enjoy a short cruise from the iconic “Gateway of India” to this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Read on to find out more information on our unique and exclusive India itineraries.

Alternatively, take the opportunity to book a consultation with our experts and begin a journey that extends the boundaries of luxury train travel in India.

Darjeeling Mail

November 2023

A sensational journey across Northern India by private luxury train

MUMBAI – UDAIPUR – JAIPUR – DELHI – FATEHPUR SIKRI – AGRA FORT – AGRA (TAJ MAHAL) – VARANASI – DARJEELING
– KOLKATA

Our stunning voyage aboard the Deccan Odyssey train travels coast to coast, from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal.
Highlights include Darjeeling, with its old-world charm and breath-taking views from the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway’s ‘Toy Train’. Plus, experience the sunrise on the sacred Ganges at Varanasi; and visit the amazing sights of Agra, including the incomparable Taj Mahal.

View Itinerary

Madras Mail

October 2023

Discover the mysteries, diversity and traditions of Southern India in style

MUMBAI (BOMBAY) – GOA – OOTY – KOCHI (COCHIN) – TRIVANDRUM – KANYAKUMARI – MADURAI – PONDICHERRY – CHENNAI (MADRAS) – HYDERABAD

Feed your wanderlust with our tailor-made luxury voyage of Southern India. From palatial temples to tropical beaches, India is a treasure trove of unrivalled diversity. From the opulent grandeur of the Deccan Odyssey, the Madras Mail meanders through the bustling hubs of Mumbai (Bombay) and Chennai (Madras), before sinking into a tropical, more tranquil India.

View Itinerary

The post The Ethereal “City of Caves” appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

The Grand Rail Adventure Begins…

The Grand Rail Adventure Begins…Day 4

The Grand Rail Adventure Begins…Day 5

The Grand Rail Adventure Begins…Day 6

The post Follow the adventure… appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

An exclusive itinerary for 2022 – Istanbul to Venice.

The post Luxury Beloved By Legends appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

With a history that dates back to antiquity, Judaism was one of the first foreign religions to arrive in India.

Visit our YouTube channel to learn more about this intriguing but often overlooked feature of Indian culture.

Watch the Video 

View the Train

View Itineraries

An aromatic adventure awaits aboard the opulent, Deccan Odyssey

Our Top 7 India Experiences

The post The Jewish Community of India appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Wolmar notes the opulent interiors of the Deccan Odyssey and remarks that our India itineraries are “a truly unforgettable adventure through one of the world’s most seductive countries.”

Click the links below to read more about the majestic Deccan Odyssey and our acclaimed Indian Itineraries.

Further resources:

View the Train

View Itineraries

An aromatic adventure awaits aboard the opulent, Deccan Odyssey

Our Top 7 India Experiences

Read the Article

The post Majestic Deccan Odyssey featured in The Telegraph appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

The post Find Solace in the Solo appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Emerging as the antidote to the “time poor” phenomenon of modern life and the generic, whistle-stop European minibreak – slow travel is not just about the destination, but the voyage.

Often, we are so focused on our arrival, that we miss the beauty of our journey. Here at Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, we feel that the train window is the ultimate lens to enjoy the splendour of the European vista.

“On board a train, time is suspended. Landscapes roll past, inspiration comes, discussions start, until, suddenly, you reach your destination, just as if time had flown.”  Hervé Marro, 2021.

Savour every moment of the unparalleled beauty of Switzerland’s panorama in luxury and style, with our exclusive rail adventure – the Swiss Rail Spectacular III. 

Slip into the tranquillity of Switzerland’s breath-taking landscapes in a selection of exquisite trains including the Orient-Express-style Prestige Continental Express and the Glacier and Bernina Pullman Express

Escape the tourism burnout and enjoy a journey which weaves together a magical celebration of Switzerland’s historic trains and majestic Alpine railways.

4 July – 17 July, 2023 | 14 days

The post Rediscover the Luxury of Time with the Swiss Rail Spectacular III appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Travelling on the magical Gold Ring tour, guests explored the revered Russian Golden Ring route, traversing through the opulent delights of historic cities and rural towns.

Inside the ornate Bar Lounge Car, guests entered the New Year in style with music, dancing and zesty cocktails prepared by the specially trained Bar Staff.

Alongside a fun-filled evening of festivities, guests enjoyed exquisite dishes, prepared by our Chef, Pavel Zelenin. Seated within the sumptuously styled Restaurant Car, travellers are transported back to the luxury of a bygone era – lacquered wood frames the interior and the delicate tinker of crystal flutters in the air.

As we enter 2022, we look forward to a year of exciting journeys and awe-inspiring adventures. We have an array of journeys to join, click the link below to browse our selection.

View journeys

If you have any questions, why not arrange a virtual consultation with our team of travel experts. With over 25 years of experience, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains are the pioneers of all-inclusive luxury train travel.

Book a virtual consultation

The post Ringing in a Golden New Year appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Castles of Transylvania

The post Exclusive Castles of Transylvania tour celebrated by renowned travel writer. appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Not only a sensational journey across India, our stunning voyages aboard the Deccan Odyssey train, are an unrivalled gastronomic exploration of Indian cuisine, to delight even the most travelled Bon Vivant.

Aboard the luxurious Private Train, the Deccan Odyssey, guests experience authentic Indian food, sourced locally, and prepared by our specialist onboard chefs. Our chefs are passionate about providing the ultimate dining experience for guests, serving both Indian and International dishes to please all palettes.

“Taste of water changes every hundred miles”

In India, it is said that the “taste of water changes every hundred miles” – as the language, dress and food is as dynamic and unbound as the Indus River which runs through the Country.

Capturing this fluidity,  every menu prepared onboard the Deccan Odyssey is unique. Our menus are based on the local produce and seasonal offerings – meaning each day is a new and fresh dining experience.

One of the best ways to experience the variety of India Cuisine is with a Thali. The Hindi word for large plate, Thali involves a large platter of small bowls, filled with a variety of dishes. Whilst aboard the Deccan Odyssey, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy Thali and experience the incredible complexity and uniqueness of regional Indian cuisine.

Popular regional dishes:

Mirchi bada – a popular dish in the Rajasthan region.
This spicy snack, sometimes known as Mirchi Pakoda, includes deep fried fluffy cauliflowers bites, served with a tangy mint and tamarind chutney.

Puri and Sabzi – a breakfast dish enjoyed in the North of India.
Guests may have the opportunity to enjoy this warming vegetable dish served with puffed bread in cities like Delhi, Agra and Varanasi.

Uttapam with Sambhar – a rich and nourishing meal enjoyed in Sothern India.
Enjoyed by passengers aboard the Madras Mail, this local delicacy includes a warming vegetable-lentil stew, served with a crisp pancake and refreshing chutney.

Moreover, such culinary excitements are not confined to the train. Interwoven with your exploration of the magical chaos of crisscrossing Rickshaws in Mumbai, the lavish palaces of Jaipur and ornate temples of Chennai – guests will also have the opportunity to visit renowned restaurants and taste local dishes.

Whilst in Mumbai, guests have the opportunity to visit the Krishna restaurant, where locally sourced succulent crab meat, emerges from the kitchen, glistening with butter and garlic. Or, taste the sumptuous Bhapa Doi in Kolkata, a rich baked dessert, infused with warming spices and tantalisingly adorned with zesty pomegranate and fragrant rose.

Click the links below to start your own taste adventure.

Darjeeling Mail

Madras Mail

The post An aromatic adventure awaits aboard the opulent, Deccan Odyssey appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Transylvania Treasures

Famous botanists like John Akeroyd have hailed the wildflower meadows of Transylvania as an inspiration and way forward for biodiversity. Not surprisingly the area boasts the largest supply of organic honey in Europe. The medieval looking countryside with villages scattered across the hills and valleys is full of activity especially in summer.

The farmers are busy working the hay in the fields, using methods passed down for hundreds of years. With their deep respect for nature, these village communities have a lot to teach us and the generations ahead. The environmentally friendly farming, the value and benefits of organic ingredients and eating in season, spending time outdoors, hard work, focus and relentlessness no matter the hardships, energy and good humour are things you can find in the rural communities.

Tastes of Transylvania

Tourists flock to Bran Castle and Sighisoara hoping to learn more about Dracula. He is the stuff of legends but the local folklore is full of beliefs and superstitions, especially in the countryside. One way of keeping evil spirits away is to put garlic in doorways. Garlic is a great remedy for colds as well. It can be made into a paste (mujdei) when mixed with oil and salt, great with grilled meat. It’s quite a popular plant.

Highly recommended are the local soups, highly diverse and influenced by the various cultures that have crossed this land throughout history. The soup menu in a restaurant can be just as long as the mains list. From clear soups, to meat or semolina dumplings, to ‘ciorba’, a thicker broth-type soup made sweet with potatoes, tomatoes and meat, they are all delicious. Signature dishes include stuffed cabbage leaves ‘sarmale’, polenta and sour cream ‘mamaliga’, and for celebrations walnut rolled cake ‘cozonac’.

Architectural Treasures

The area around Sighisoara has a high concentration of fortified churches built between the 13th and the 16th century and with varied architecture. Saxon settlers arrived here in the Middle Ages to guard the border from Ottoman invasions. They embraced the local life and developed trade in the area, setting up 15 guilds in Sighisoara alone.

Sibiu is one of the most popular destinations since becoming 2007 European Capital of Culture. There are events throughout the year and the medieval Old Town and Great Square are excellent backdrops for your pictures. Due to the mix of cultures in Transylvania, you will see churches of several denominations within minutes of each other. This is quite normal in all of Transylvania, a mix of Saxons, Hungarians, Romanians and other minorities. On the outskirts of the city is also Romania’s largest outdoor museum, celebrating vernacular architecture and village life. An idea for your next trip!

Transylvania is rich in so many ways, a great destination for international travellers. Golden Eagle Luxury Trains’ Castles of Transylvania Tour and their new Dalmatian Express Tour will take you through its enchanting countryside aboard the luxurious Golden Eagle Danube Express train. Tour highlights include Bran Castle, Peles Castle, Sighisoara and Sibiu.

Diana Pop Comsa is the author of the hardback travelogue “Secrets of Transylvania”, a Transylvanian-born who now calls London home. Through her personal experiences and her family’s multi-generational knowledge, Diana lifts the lid on age-old traditions that permeate the rural world. Secrets are unveiled that only locals understand, thus creating a richer experience for the curious wanderer.

Photography by Gabriel Motica, extracts from “Secrets of Transylvania” available at Amazon UK and Euro-zone Amazon sites.

The post Secrets of Transylvania appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Over the 30 years Golden Eagle Luxury Trains has been operating its private train journeys, we have been lucky to meet so many inspiring individuals who have left lasting impressions on our Company and our guests. These are the people that bring our tours to life and help make our journeys unforgettable, so while we are unable to introduce you to them in person for the time being, we are bringing their inspiring stories to you virtually.

In the words of Company President, Tim Littler

First impressions

Our 2003 Silk Road tour was in Bukhara on 7th April. On board was our Marketing Manager, Megan. After a tour of the 2,500 year old city she called me to say she had just met an incredible 12-year old girl called Sabina selling postcards in the street, who could speak 13 languages, and tenaciously (but politely) suggesting that some of our guests visit her mother’s small pottery shop. Megan spoke Italian and German fluently and said Sabina was able to converse perfectly well in either language as well as English. When she asked where Megan came from, and Megan replied Kansas, Sabina went on to state so many facts about Kansas – facts Megan said most American kids her age wouldn’t know – that she speculated that if Sabina were American, she could rise to become President! While touched, thinking it was a nice story, I soon forgot about it.

Fast forward to October 2005 – I was in Bukhara myself with another Silk Road tour. The group got off the bus at the first stop to tour the Ark Fortress and were followed by a small group of girls selling postcards for $1. From the Ark we drove to the Old City, where the girls met us again and I noticed one girl who was politely talking to our guests in whatever was their native language and Megan’s phone call came back to me. I said to the girl, ‘Are you Sabina?” And she said, ‘Yes – and you are Mister Tim, the big boss of the train.’ She took me to her mother’s small pottery shop nearby and gave me a small piece of pottery as a present.

Sabina’s father had died in 1994 at 32 years old, leaving her 29-year-old mother with four children and no income. Then 4-years old, Sabina, who’s birth name is Muhammad Rozoqov, picked flowers and gave them to foreign tourists and discovered that they started giving her money, the following year she started selling postcards for $1. In addition to helping her family to survive in the difficult times after the Soviet Union broke up after her father’s death, after a few years she had managed to save $10,000 which allowed her mother to acquire a half share in a pottery shop.

Sabina’s English was perfect, and I know from several other people that she spoke just about any language that she was spoken to in. I was so impressed that I said to her that, when she was older, we would be interested in employing her but how would we contact her? Unexpectedly, she said ‘email’ (at that time only one hotel in town had Wi-Fi) and wrote her address on a scrap of paper.

September 2009 was my next visit to Bukhara and before leaving the UK, I sent Sabina an email to advise our date of arrival. The email however, bounced back with a message saying it did not exist. When we arrived to Bukhara we were surrounded by the usual polite children selling goods and I thought one of them was Sabina, however when I asked her she informed me that she was her sister and that Sabina had left Bukhara and gone to England (Sabina later told me that she wanted to go to England to learn how to write English, but her mother refused to let her go. Apparently, a French tourist offered to lend her the money for her trip and she successfully worked in London for over 3-years from 2007 to 2010).

From a street stall to a growing business empire

In October 2012, I travelled with our first Caspian Odyssey tour from Yerevan to Almaty. On this trip we were honoured to have on board Princess Michael of Kent and her friend Lady Cawdor as guests. In Bukhara I decided to go into town by myself after lunch and was strolling down the main street of the Old Town when one of our guides came out of a carpet shop and asked if I would like to come inside, as that was where our Golden Eagle group was. Having been in many carpet shops and enjoying the atmosphere wandering the old streets by myself, I declined. The guide persisted and said I should come inside and meet the owner who could speak 17 languages. I stopped and said, ‘What’s her name?’, ‘Sabina’ was the reply. Intrigued, I went inside and found a very proficient young lady explaining to our group how Bukhara carpets were made and showing the various designs. At the end of the presentation I went over to say hello and she said, after your group has gone, can you stay as I want to show you something? After a few sales, our group left. Sabina gave instructions to the staff and we made our way outside into the late afternoon heat.

Sabina (now 22) explained that she wanted to buy a hotel that was available for sale for $1 million and very soon we were on our way to see it. The staff were very respectful as Sabina walked in and we had a look around a 50-room hotel in the old town. How quickly things can change!

I needed to get back to the train but suggested that she joined us for dinner that evening as the train was staying in Bukhara station until late that evening. I went back to the train and told Princess Michael about Sabina and it was suggested that she joined them for dinner.

My next visit to Bukhara was in November 2016. I did not go into town but Sabina came out to the Golden Eagle train. She said that the hotel project had not worked out but that she was now planning to take over and renovate a hotel called the Shahriston, located in a converted Madrasa and the only hotel in the old town, not far from her carpet shop.

Earlier in the year she told me that a few important people had visited her shop. In addition to the Japanese Prime Minister’s wife, the President of China and his wife visited at the start of a State visit to Uzbekistan.

When I returned in October 2019, the Shahristan Hotel had recently opened, and Sabina took me to see the beautifully renovated building. She informed me that Christine Lagarde, former head of the IMF and current head of the ECB, had checked out that very morning!
I was also impressed to see that the original Bukhara Silk Carpets shop had been expanded and now employs 200 carpet weavers. A dress shop has been recently opened next door and there are plans for a restaurant and jewellery store in the same block which Sabina and her family now own entirely.

From a street-seller in 2003 to running a growing empire in Bukhara 17 years later is quite an accomplishment and it is not the end of her extraordinary story. At 29-years old, Sabina has also found time to have six children (the most recent was born earlier this week) and has recently been appointed Deputy Mayor of the city. With all this going on, I’m not sure she could find the time to also become President of the United States!

Written by Tim Littler (10th May 2020)

If you would like to visit Bukhara on one of our private rail journeys, the city features in our Silk Road , Republics of Silk Road, Taste of Silk Road and Caspian Odyssey itineraries.

The post Nothing Short of Extraordinary: Meet Sabina appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Learn a new recipe

Indulge in cultural experiences by cooking foreign cuisine at home. Look to the internet for new recipes you can try or dig out old recipe books. You can also look to our food blog for inspiration from the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Learn a new language

For those spending more time at home over the coming months, there is an opportunity to learn a new skill. For the frequent travellers missing out on their adventures, learning a new language can allow you to experience a different culture from home and it also gives way to host of benefits to the mind. There are many ways to learn a language during your staycation, from app-based learning with Duolingo to a more immersive experience with Rosetta Stone.

Take a virtual tour

Many museums now have virtual tours online, allowing you to explore the likes of The Louvre and the British Museum from the comfort of your own home. What’s more, Google has recently partnered with the National Park Service to offer virtual tours of stunning parks throughout the USA. You can also tune in to live cams at various zoos across the world, including one at Wolong Grove’s panda enclosure in China.

Ask us about our exciting new tours for 2021

Many travellers will be disappointed to see their plans fall through this year. However, much of the excitement of travelling comes from planning the trip itself! While travel may be limited at present, look to the future and the travel opportunities that will be available past this current period. We have some incredible tours planned for 2021, including the Trans-Siberian Winter Wonderland by Steam and the Caucasian Explorer. Contact us for more information or to secure your place.

Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages

We will continue to inspire your travels plans by posting our favourite images from around the world, along with articles of interest and news updates from Golden Eagle Luxury Trains. Additionally, we love hearing from our guests and welcome any images or travel stories you may have from one of your trips with us. Please contact anna@getrains.com to share your experiences.

Header image by Kyle Glenn.

The post Staycation: Exploring the World From Home appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Notions surrounding luxury rail travel began in earnest in the mid-1880s. In Britain up until the late decade there had been some railway company experimentation, but the notion of civilized travel arrangements had hardly moved on from the early 1860s when new Anglo-Scottish expresses were made up of primitive four and six-wheeled non-connecting carriages. These remained the norm (and on many other principal routes) before the use of two four-wheeled (and later six-wheeled) bogie stock eventually caught on. In fact, whilst some pre-grouping railway companies like the Midland Railway were true trailblazers, many others remained unconvinced of the benefits they delivered citing they were heavier, required more powerful locomotives, and a prerequisite for greater investment on capital expenditure they were loath to spend on. However, for travelling passengers’ advantages were self-evident.

The launch of the Orient Express in October 1883 provided a pivotal moment in the development of the luxury train concept. The initial service linking many European capitals ran with two sleeping car saloons and a dining carriage sandwiched between the two fourgons or luggage cars. However, it was the idea of a better travelling experience that caught the media’s eye. The launch event and the celebration of cuisine delivered by a small band of chefs working in cramped conditions was universally received with journalistic plaudits and especially with British audiences. The inclusion of local and regional foods on the train’s menus, reflecting the routes and tastes of the of the countries the train ran through, was first curated by the head Burgundian chef later described as a genius. The outward and return journey lasted eleven days, but clearly demonstrated Georges Nagelmackers’ uncanny ability to negotiate complex travel arrangements involving national institutions and myriad railway companies across the pockets of European states. Railway route expansion conveniently fitted this concept as deluxe first-class trains emerged as a product of these times largely driven by competition amongst railway companies across Britain, Ireland and Europe.

The 1890s marked a significant step-change in Britain and how railway companies saw their customers, belatedly realizing passenger expectations surrounding the quality of travel and services was clearly evolving. It was a decade of rapid and bewildering change as science and technology transformed the country, giving rise to the modern world and Britain’s (then) role as a superpower. The bigger railway companies were a key lever of industrial expansion altering everything around us forever. Britain’s railways were one of the country’s leading industries; locomotive, carriage and freight vehicle construction, railway building expertise, operational technologies and brains were exported around the globe.

Whilst railway companies possessed an infrastructure to effect change, society as a whole was knocking on their doors demanding transformation. An educated and moneyed upper and middle-class, benefiting from the professionalization of society (on both sides of the Atlantic), demonstrated cultural ambition, self-confidence and a willingness to tap into life’s better things. Railway companies and shipping lines were the new conduits of better ways to travel.

The end of the Victorian age was discernable as a period of decadence and interest in arts, popular culture and the written word altering the travel landscape and demand for luxury products and services. Frequent and short breaks were now on travel agendas – railways got you there fast. Domestic and overseas travel became cornerstones of Victorian and Edwardian life. Notions surrounding adventure, walking, outdoor pursuits, culture and heritage registered ever more prominently on peoples’ radars. From the 1890s decadent places to stay, restaurants, eateries and new concepts surrounding the luxury floating palaces of trans-Atlantic liners and their accompanying boat trains were on architect and designer drawing boards but constructed to mirror society’s accepted class segregation.

Into this mix a profusion in the number of new magazine titles targeting upscale readers was a particular feature with the amount of space given over to attracting a female audience. Specialist weekly women’s magazines such as the Lady and Vanity Fair were launched as the ‘lady in the house’ was beginning to exercise significant influence on family travel plans which increased substantially in later years. The idea of ‘travelling in style’ undoubtedly caught on. See my blog here.

So how did all of these ideas transform themselves into better ways to travel by rail? Well certainly increased use of longer and spacious bogie carriages provided improved passenger comfort and facilities. Gangway/corridor connected stock with compartments and lavatories became the norm. Some railway companies invested in raised clerestory roofed coaches providing more natural light; elliptical shaped roofs became the standard form from Edwardian times when aided by new electric lighting technologies. This came about in 1894 when dynamos were attached to bogey wheels; dimly lit coaches on premier services were consigned to the past. One of the first benefactors were the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway’s (LBSCR) Brighton Pullmans and Newhaven boat trains. It was the beginning of ‘Pullman and Deluxe train travel’ whispered in the same breath as the British Pullman Company came under new ownership.

Improved gas technologies also provided safer environments for both lighting and food preparation and cooking areas, although in the event of collision and derailment, seeping gas was always a potential fire hazard. High-quality dining cars provided cultured ‘food on the move’ rail travel for both first and third-class passengers. It was more complex on the Continent as second-class travel still existed. Such were British food service developments new third-class diners were akin to first-class of other railway companies. And similarly, first-rate sleeping car services on long-distant runs were ever more pleasant especially on consortia led Anglo-Scottish expresses. Ideas of ‘hotels on wheels’ entered everyday language. After a difficult start in Britain, The Pullman Company gradually gained a foothold on LBSCR and South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR) services providing some of the first named luxury trains such as the Southern Belle. By Edwardian times the numbers of affluent first-class passengers increased substantially; the new Southern Belle Pullman service described as ‘The Most luxurious Train in the World’ when launched in 1908.

From the turn of the twentieth century, the idea of the named train helped evolve railway company thinking surrounding the routes they served and destination and place branding ideas. Nowhere benefited more than Scotland. On the Anglo-Scottish routes, named trains entered the everyday lexicon; the Flying Scotchman – future Flying Scotsman and the Midland Scotch Express were amongst some of the best premier expresses of their day. Railway companies working in collaborating with local authority and private sector partners, created specific products targeting affluent visitors e.g. golf destinations, spa, coastal and seaside resorts. The Great Western Railway (GWR) were in fact one of the earliest adopters of highly sophisticated destination marketing programmes working hand in glove with various partners. In 1904 the GWR produced its ‘Historic Sites and Scenes of England’ marketing campaign specifically targeting the American market. The Sphere magazine pronounced the publication:

‘As a most admirable specimen of how a railway company can best utilise its forces. This is no mere puff. It is a handsome volume of 128 pages, very elaborately illustrated with everything of interest that can be seen on the great railway’s excellently managed system. The writer has a keen sense of those literary and historic associations which appeal with full force to the American pilgrim.’

This coincided with the launch of the Cornish Riviera brand and the company’s accompanying express of the same name – also known by GWR as The Limited – but indisputably one of the delights of refined West Country Edwardian travel.

Nowhere was the idea of luxury first-class service more noticeable than on cross-channel boat trains. From late Edwardian times SECR provided Dover/Folkestone Pullman boat trains. On the other side of the English Channel, French operators – Etat, Nord, PLM and Wagons-Lits – were just as active as their British counterparts providing exquisite travelling environments for period travellers. This also extended to far improved places to stay at the end of a journey. Grand Hotels based on the American model were an ever-increasing feature of European city landscapes. During the late Victorian period British railway companies responded with not just stylish first-class passenger offerings, but also the building and running of a succession of quality hotels and especially that of the Midland Railway. Their Gothic style Grand London Hotel was one of the finest in the world, run by the former manager of the Victoria Hotel in Venice, equipped with every luxury, even to a telephone system for listening to live concert performances. Such were the high international standards; the hotel was featured in Bedecker’s Guide with services comparable to the Ritz.

One of the major drivers to the extension of luxury facilities enjoyed by period travellers was the value and numbers of American tourists coming to Britain and Europe. The impact of the US source market in shaping luxury travel agendas in Britain and the continent was a significant signature of the times. New classes of trans-Atlantic liners, particularly from White Star Line could be found from the 1890s reflecting the value of American visitor economy to Britain and Europe. This influence was quite profound. One American travel writer Blanche McManus suggested in 1911 there were some 80,000 of her fellow countrymen either visiting or on longer-term stays in London, Paris and Berlin at any one time. Rome similarly had a significant Anglo-American community in permanent residence. They were recognised for their high-spending potential; travel providers – railway companies, shipping lines and hoteliers went out of their way to provide the best.

The London and North Western Railway (LNWR) and London and South Western Railway’s (LSWR) open and compartment ‘American Boat Trains’ were some of the most advanced and comfortable luxury trains ever built – they were the equivalent of the ‘floating palace on wheels’. Americans in their droves frequented them. Some eighty percent of travellers trooping off luxury steamers at New York were returning Americans. Such was the scale of the American ‘Army of Invasion’, it was estimated by the outbreak of the Great War, some 150,000 US travellers were arriving in Britain annually. Little surprise railway companies went to such lengths to secure prosperous patrons.

Martyn Pring is the author of the book ‘Luxury Railway Travel: A Social and Business History’ published by Pen and Sword. This fascinating book on luxury trains can be purchased via Casemate IPM (US) or Pen and Sword (UK).

The post A History of Luxury Trains appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Despite the icy climes, exploring Siberia and the Arctic Circle during the winter months is a magical opportunity. From King Crab fishing to horse-drawn sleighs, our tours offer unforgettable experiences. To enjoy such adventures fully, the key is to prepare a packing list of winter clothing in advance to ensure you remain warm and cosy throughout your trip.

In this guide, we shall answer the most frequently asked questions regarding weather and clothing requirements for the tour, including what will be provided to you on arrival.

What will the weather be like?

As you may expect, Siberia is cold throughout the winter months. In some areas, temperatures outside can drop as low as -13˚F (-25˚C). This is also true of Kirkenes, the Norwegian town we visit during our Arctic Explorer tour.

Such temperatures may seem daunting, although the weather overall is generally dry, calm and sunny and on board the train is always well heated.

What is the dress code on the train?

During the day, the dress code on and off the Golden Eagle is casual, although we suggest smart casual for the evenings. Despite the cold temperatures outside, the train itself is always well heated and normal indoor clothing can be worn.

What type of footwear is required?

Since every tour requires some walking, we recommend that passengers pack some comfortable walking shoes. A rubber sole is recommended to avoid possible slipping. For our winter tours, we recommend warm boots with thick socks to ensure you are comfortable.

Does Golden Eagle provide any winter clothing?

We provide scarves, hats and gloves to wear during the off-train excursions. We will also be able to provide some warm felt boots for you to wear (don’t forget to let us know your shoe size!) You will receive these items on arrival on board the Golden Eagle and are welcome to keep them as souvenirs.

Valenki – These are traditional Russian woollen shoes. We will provide one pair of these per passenger. They have rubber soles which will give you grip but we generally don’t recommend them for walking long distances or for entering museums, restaurants or theatres.

Mittens & Socks – We will provide one pair of mittens and socks. They are woollen in material.

Ushanka – We will provide one of these per passenger. They are Russian synthetic fur caps with ear flaps that can be tied up to the crown of the cap, or fastened at the chin to protect the lower face from the cold. There will be a style in white for female passengers and a dark blue style provided for male passengers.

Scarves – Each passenger will receive one scarf each. They are all one size and come in one style.

On our Arctic Explorer tours, you will also be given Norway Arctic Suits. These will be provided on arrival in Kirkenes and are returnable each day to the Snow Hotel who provide them. They are designed to protect your own clothes while also providing an additional layer protecting against the cold for the specific activities of King Crab ice fishing, snowmobiling and husky dog sledging.

What other winter clothing should I bring?

We recommend you bring the following items with you as essentials:

• A ski jacket, winterproof jacket or similar
• At least one pair of light winterproof trousers suitable for a short time outside (up to 30 minutes)
• Microfleeces or woollen sweaters
• Thermal underwear such as long johns.
• Gloves

On some of our winter tours, there may be an opportunity to experience a Russian Banya (sauna), so you may wish to include some swimwear in your luggage. Check with us first to see if the sauna is an option on your journey.

For more information and advice on our Arctic Explorer or Trans-Siberian Express Winter Wonderland tours, please contact us here. 

The post Clothing Guide: Preparing for your Winter Trip appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

What is slow travel?

The ‘slow movement’, as it is now known, began in Rome in the 1980s. When McDonald’s opened its first Italian outlet in the heart of the city, thousands of people rallied outside Piazza di Spagna to protest. After all, as a nation renowned for its gastronomy, corporations like McDonald’s threatened an intrinsic part of Italian culture. While the outlet remained in the square, so did the sentiment of protecting Rome’s culinary heritage. It was this incident that led one of the protesters, Carlo Petrini, to establish the Slow Food movement, which aims to preserve the value of local food and traditional cooking methods.

Today, this cultural movement has progressed to inspire the notion of ‘slow travel’, fuelled further by Greta Thunberg’s stance against travelling by plane (now dubbed ‘flygskam’ or ‘flight shaming’) and the desire for slowing down the pace of life in a world where things to be endlessly accelerating. For those who embrace slow travel, the journey itself is no longer seen as an inconvenience between the start and end point. Slow travel is about enjoying the journey just as much as the destination, like a car driver taking the scenic route even though there may be a much quicker way of getting to point B.

Airplanes can feel like time machines in how they transport us from one side of the world to another in lightning speed. Slow travel reverses this progress in technology and returns us to an era where the journey was indulged in, where we experienced places along the way that an airplane would have simply passed over at 30,000 feet. It’s about taking the time to explore these forgotten locations, experiencing authentic local life and making genuine connections with the people and places we encounter.

How can I do it?

Beginning your slow adventure in the small but culturally rich continent of Europe offers a fantastic opportunity to tick a number of items off your bucket list in a relatively short space of time. Of course, the best way to do this while maintaining the leisurely pace that slow travellers live by is to take the train.

In line with the growing trend of slow travel, journeys by train are continuously changing and improving. Gone are the days where the only option may have been a cramped compartment with shared bathroom facilities. Trains like the Golden Eagle Danube Express are fully en-suite, providing a hotel on wheels for your adventure through Europe. Luxuries that once seemed confined to 3,000 passenger cruise ships can now be found in a more intimate setting aboard a luxury train, coining the term ‘rail cruise’.

This is not to say that the charms of traditional train travel have been lost in our vision. Regional wines in plentiful stock and fine foods prepared with locally sourced ingredients give an authentic taste of the countries we pass through. The social heart of the Danube Express is the Bar Lounge Car, a great place to settle into the unhurried pace of life on board. Small passenger numbers allow for an intimate setting where guests can enjoy afternoon tea or adjourn for a nightcap after dinner.

After all, part of the joy of slow travel is to revive the romance of travel from a bygone era, to evoke nostalgia for a time when the journey was something to be indulged in. As Maggie Shipstead, a writer for Travel + Leisure Magazine, eloquently put it: “Sometimes the train’s throwback elegance made me feel like a visitor from another era; sometimes the scenery gave me a sense of traveling through another time.” Certainly, when we ask our passengers what they most enjoyed about their trip, many say their favourite part was simply being on the train, watching the ever-changing landscape unfold outside their cabin window.

Which journey should I choose?

Our tours tend to begin in cities that are easily accessible before travelling by train to charming but remote areas that are difficult to reach by other means. A unique experience and the best way to explore the corners of Europe that flight plans have wrongly allowed us to forget! Here are our favourite journeys to embrace slow travel.

Castles of Transylvania

7 days | Istanbul to Budapest | 1 – 7 July 2020

Key highlights: medieval history and legends

Our start point is Istanbul, which opens the door to the medieval towns and mystical castles of Europe that are best reached by train. Delve into literary legends as you enjoy a gala dinner within the walls of Bran Castle in Romania, a 14th century castle which owes its fame to its imposing towers and turrets as well as to the myth created around Bram Stocker’s Dracula.

View details of the full tour here.

Balkan Odyssey

10 days | Budapest to Venice | 17 – 26 June 2020

Key highlights: cultural experiences and spectacular views

Enjoy a traditional Serbian lunch in a local restaurant. Wander through ancient Bosnian bazaars collecting traditional handicrafts. Take in the view from your cabin window as the train twists and turns over the Carpathian Mountains and threads its way through the dramatic landscape with crystal clear mountain streams.

View details of the full tour here.

Balkan Explorer

11 days | Venice to Istanbul | 23 June – 3 July 2020

Key highlights: off the beaten track and must-sees for 2020

Discover the hidden gems of Europe on this fantastic rail voyage though the Balkan nations. One highlight is North Macedonia – this extraordinary country has earned a spot on our must-see destinations list for 2020 and for good reason. Escape the tourist crowds as you explore the little-visited Skopje, a city where the Ottoman influences are still strong and give an insight into the turbulent past of the Balkans.

View details of the full tour here.

The post Slow Travel: Reviving the Romantic Rail Journey appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

1. Silk Road

First on our list must be the Silk Road, crowned the number 1 region to visit in 2020 by Lonely Planet. The Silk Road has been growing in popularity in recent years and with good reason. One of the most important trading routes of ancient civilisation, the Silk Road was once travelled by such legendary figures as Alexander the Great and Marco Polo. Merchants and adventurers from across the globe journeyed through harsh landscapes trading silk, perfumes and spices, bringing an eclectic mix of rich cultures to this fascinating region. From stunning architecture in Uzbekistan to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors in Xian, there is a plethora of extraordinary places to explore.

View our remarkable Silk Road journeys here.

2. Kyrgyzstan

Adventure travellers are always searching for somewhere off the beaten track. In a world where even the most remote places are becoming more accessible, this is no easy task. Described by Conde Nast Traveller as a ‘true off-grid escape’, Kyrgyzstan may be the hidden gem you’ve been looking for. From culturally rich Silk Road market towns like Osh to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the sacred Sulayman Mountain, there is plenty to inspire even the most experienced traveller. Kyrgyzstan also boasts natural beauty in the form of awe-inspiring lakes and mountainscapes; in the countryside you can still find Kyrgyz nomad traditions such as eagle hunting used in practice today.

Explore Kyrgyzstan on our Republics of the Silk Road tour.

3. Kochi, India

India’s unique blend of history and culture have enticed travellers for centuries and in 2020, the city of Kochi takes the spotlight. A part of Southern India’s dramatic coastline, the distinctive giant Chinese fishing nets that billow from massive teak and bamboo poles along the beautiful natural harbour are still in use today. However, while Kochi maintains strong links to its past, it has also proven itself to be forward thinking. In 2015, more than 46,000 solar panels were installed at Cochin International Airport, making it the first fully solar-powered airport in the world and gaining the city a UN Champions of the Earth award.

Delve into Kochi’s culture for yourself on our Madras Mail tour.

4. Armenia

Armenia’s capital city, Yerevan, has a rich history; it was occupied as early as 6,000 BC and was seized by a succession of conquerors, passed back and forth between the Turks and Persians until being taken by Russia in 1827. It became the capital of Soviet Armenia in 1920 and, following the demise of the Soviet Union, the capital of the new nation of Armenia. Today, the city boasts a delicious food scene with bookshop cafes and traditional restaurants in abundance. Outside of the city, extraordinary mountains, medieval monasteries and a huge, dazzling blue lake make Armenia one of our top destinations for 2020.

Armenia is a highlight on the Caspian Odyssey.

5. Slovenia

Nestled in the Alpine region of Europe, Slovenia is often overlooked in favour of classic Italian destinations and the increasingly popular Croatia to the south. However, from the enchanting Lake Bled to the delightful city of Ljubljana, Slovenia shines as a holiday destination in its own right. A combination of ancient architecture and modern charm, Ljubljana is a must-see on your 2020 travel list. One of the greenest cities in Europe, there is a restriction on car traffic in the city, so pedestrians and cyclists are plentiful. A quiet, tranquil visit is an almost certainty.

Join us on the Balkan Odyssey to see the best of beautiful Ljubljana.

6. North Macedonia

This year saw the end of a decades-old dispute between Macedonia and Greece as the former agreed to change its name to ‘North Macedonia’ in a bid to separate itself from the Greek region of the same name. In return, Greece have agreed to drop their objections to the nation’s entry in the European Union. Aleksandar Donev, Macedonia’s former director of the Agency for Promotion and Support of Tourism said of the change: “It sets us free to be present with a much clearer and positive vision for our future.” Indeed, North Macedonia has now not only caught the attention of the press but also of travellers seeking somewhere fresh to explore. Visitors will find untouched urban spaces amongst a wealth of natural beauty, with the capital city, Skopje, offering an Old Town with tiny shops amongst mosques with ceramic-tiled interiors.

Tick North Macedonia off your list with us on the Balkan Explorer.

7. Bratislava, Slovakia

Often overlooked, Slovakia boasts castles, mountains and a capital city emerging as a bucket list item for travellers through Europe: Bratislava. Marvel at the city’s blend of medieval and Gothic old town energised by creative locals opening new boutiques. Expect lively bars and quaint cafes as you stroll through the cobbled streets of 18th century pastel buildings and take in the stunning Bratislava Castle perched high above the city on a hill overlooking the Danube. A sure blend of historical interest and modern vibrancy awaits in this increasingly popular city.

Join the Central European Classics tour to explore Bratislava for yourself.

8. Romania

Rapidly increasingly in popularity – and the fastest growing holiday destinations for UK travellers – the very mention of Romania conjures up images of Transylvanian legend and Dracula. Indeed, looking up at Bran Castle, perched high atop a 200-foot-high rock, there is an air of mystery surrounding this infamous 14th century castle. Further north is the city of Sighisoara, rumoured to be the birthplace of Dracula. However, Sighisoara has more to offer than myth and legend. It is a World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved fortified medieval towns in Europe, with colourful houses and ornate churches lining its cobbled streets.

Uncover the myths and legends with us on Castles of Transylvania.

9. Switzerland

Of course, travellers today are increasingly concerned with finding destinations that are environmentally conscious. Switzerland has long been considered ‘green’ and with these sentiments in mind, the country finds itself in the spotlight as a holiday destination for 2020. Its efforts surrounding clean air and climate concerns mean it has topped the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), produced by the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. The city of Zürich is consistently recognised as one the world’s most liveable cities, maintaining a balance of natural beauty with its pristine river alongside a thriving urban scene as a global centre for banking and finance.

Take in the tranquil beauty of Zurich on our Grand Alpine Express journey.

The post Our Top Destinations for 2020 appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

A Lifelong Passion

Tim’s love of rail travel dates back to 1958 when, as an eight year old school boy, he and his friends would visit Altrincham railway station to watch the procession of steam hauled trains on their journeys to and from London and the south. In January 1963, aged twelve, Tim took over the operation of Altrincham Grammar School’s Railway Society and in 1966 he successfully operated his first rail tour, carrying 350 passengers from Manchester to Edinburgh. As an adult, Tim transformed his hobby into a business when he launched GW Travel Ltd in 1989, concentrating on providing specialist steam tours in Eastern Europe.

When Russia finally opened its doors to foreigners in 1992, Tim began operating rail tours through the Caucasus and Crimea. It was the exquisiteness of this region that made Tim believe it deserved greater recognition. He says: “It soon became apparent that regions like the Caucasus were simply beautiful and deserved to be seen by tourists.” Indeed, GW Travel, as Golden Eagle Luxury Trains was once known, was a pioneer in developing tourism in Russia away from the main centres of Moscow and St Petersburg. In 1992, when the first tour in the North Caucasus took place, the concept of a private train in Russia was still a novelty.

Of course, this meant there were some challenges to overcome. On this first tour, Tim remembers being pleased that the train was equipped with showers. However, it soon became apparent that they didn’t work. When he questioned this, the response was “the contract says there are showers – it doesn’t say anything about water!”

Steaming Ahead

In a mammoth record-breaking event, GW Travel Ltd operated the very first private Trans-Siberian Express tour on 25th May 1996. The train was hauled entirely by steam, using seventy two locomotives. It travelled over 13,000 kms in 28 days, departing from Berlin and ending in Vladivostok. Despite this massive undertaking – and “logistical nightmare”, as Tim recalls – the train was still only 10 minutes late arriving into Vladivostok!

Our pioneering rail journeys continued with another record-breaking journey in 2000 from St Petersburg via the Baikal Amur Magistral (BAM), to the coast at Sovietskaya Gavan, to Vladivostok. Five days were then spent on Sakhalin Island covering their rail network, before returning via the Trans-Siberian to Lake Baikal and Irkutsk. From Irkutsk the train was electric hauled back to Moscow. The trip ran for 42 days from June 30th 2000 and covered 15,926 miles (25,630 km). It was the longest rail tour ever to be completed – a record that is never likely to be exceeded.

Recognising the increasing worldwide demand for luxury rail travel, the portfolio was extended. At the beginning of 2006 the company unveiled the Darjeeling Mail using the Deccan Odyssey, the first luxury train to traverse the Indian sub-continent between Bombay and Calcutta. As part of our 30th Anniversary celebrations in 2019, we are returning to offering private rail tours across India for the first time since 2012.

The announcement of our first departure in February 2019 of the Darjeeling Mail, a journey from Mumbai to Kolkata, proved enormously successful and sold out in a matter of weeks. Our exclusive President’s Tour, the Madras Mail, is currently underway and is joined by Tim and special guest speaker Christian Wolmar, an award-winning broadcaster, journalist and author of several railway history books. Christian will deliver insightful lectures on the construction and history of railways in India, guiding guests on an incredible journey through this vibrant subcontinent.

The Golden Eagle and Beyond

In 2007 a long-held ambition was achieved with the launch in Moscow by HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO of our flagship train, the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express. A $25m, 21-car purpose built train with all 66 guest cabins having fully en-suite facilities, it was the first of its kind in Russia.

In June 2012, we changed the name GW Travel to Golden Eagle Luxury Trains Limited to better reflect our core business. Since then, the company has continued to grow and in an exciting move, it took over the operation of the Danube Express in 2015. The Golden Eagle Danube Express has opened up an exciting range of rail journeys through Central and Eastern Europe and into the Middle East and we are continuously developing new ideas for journeys.

More recently, we were pleased to learn that Russia would be hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup. We were even more delighted to announce that our Golden Eagle train would feature in the BBC Match of the Day opening titles, which proved a great opportunity for us to present our newly refurbished bar and restaurant cars. In fact, with Russia in the spotlight and travellers taking a greater interest in the region, 2018 proved to be our most successful year on record!

With the growing demand for new experiences amongst adventure travellers, our guests quite rightly have greater expectations. It will be up to us to not only meet these high expectations but exceed them. Looking forward to 2020 and many years beyond, we intend to continue in our mission to innovate, surprise and delight with a selection of pioneering journeys by private luxury train.

The post Celebrating 30 years: A Look Back on Our History appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

It wasn’t possible to reach Lhasa by train before 2006. But everything changed when a new section of the line was completed. This miracle of modern engineering has cut through the mountains by creating a series of tunnels, the longest and highest in the world. Almost half of the track has been elevated above the unstable permafrost, where ammonia heat exchangers keep the temperature of the ground – and thus the ground itself – stable.

After your train has been climbing across the Tibetan plateau through the night, dawn breaks shortly before you arrive at Tanggula, at over 5068 m, now the highest railway station in the world. On board it’s train travel, but not as you know it. The carriages have been specially built to protect passengers from the extreme environment.

Human beings can succumb to altitude sickness from altitudes as low as 2500m, but the chances of this happening at over 3500m are much higher. You might have no symptoms at all, but knowing that it is common to feel a bit under the weather, even if just a headache and a loss of appetite, it’s worth taking advantage of the comfort food that Golden Eagle provide and things that are easy to drink. Carbohydrates are supposedly more effective to convert to energy at high altitude, but with no appetite you might prefer to have a supply of chocolate and goodies. If you don’t want to eat, be prepared to start adding sugar to your tea, and remember to keep hydrated, which significantly reduces the risks and effects of being at high altitude.

Don’t forget to talk to your doctor and understand the medical advice given before you set off. There are specific drugs available that can help minimise the effects of benign acute mountain sickness (AMS), the most well used being Diamox (acetazolamide).

Oxygen is pumped into the train as a matter of course, but people who are unwell are given a higher flow rate through a mask. One advantage of being on a train, rather than climbing, is that it is easy to carry plenty of oxygen to treat any unwell passengers. The train is not pressurised like a jet aircraft, but O2 is added to the ventilation system of the compartments to help simulate a lower altitude, perhaps 2000-3000m, rather than the 5000m outside. It can be hard to sleep at high altitude, as you often have rather weird dreams and can find yourself waking up panting. This is quite normal; it’s to do with acclimatising to the thinner air. However, if you are concerned, you will have the benefit of Golden Eagle’s on board doctor to consult with.

It’s good to keep busy and not let your weakened condition get on top of you mentally. Get off at stops, enjoy the scenery and visit the restaurant carriage to drink tea and talk to people. If you feel too unwell to do this, then stick to your berth and read a book. Writing a diary or a blog with a record of your trip can be a useful distraction and creates a positive mental focus. Photography is also great to keep your brain engaged with your surroundings.

The train is by no means luxurious, but it is well worth the challenges it brings. It has been built to keep its passengers safe and as comfortable as possible in massively challenging environment. It’s a long train and always busy, carrying farmers, pilgrims and tourists across the Tibetan Plateau. There is a reasonable restaurant carriage on board, but many travelers choose to bring their own food. A samovar at the end of each carriage provides safe boiling water. Fresh fruit and instant noodles are the order of the day. At the other end there is usually an open plan washroom and one or two basic toilets, which Golden Eagle’s cabin attendants actively keep clean for their guests, including provisions of much needed toilet paper!

Once the sun has crept back over the mountain tops you are actually already descending, as Lhasa is lower than the Tanggula Pass. You have successfully passed through the highest railway station in the world. When you reach your destination later in the day, the stunning temples and shrines immediately transport you back in time. Those slightly uncomfortable few hours on the train are quickly forgotten. The year here could be 1619 or 2019; you feel that nothing has changed.

As you climb cobbled paths, holy men ring bells and blow their horns, clouds of juniper incense wafts out of doorways, and above you the powerful sun in a cloudless sky illuminates and warms the whitewashed walls. I stop every few minutes, not just to take in the views, but to let my heart rate recover. Pilgrims easily climb past you in the thin air, spinning the prayer wheels, some in a trancelike state. Monks dressed in dark red robes and yellow hats welcome visitors to the monastery, some walking, others making the final part of their journey prostrating themselves at each step. When I finally reached the top of the Potala Palace, I was introduced to a nun who saw that I was wearing glasses and offered to fix my eyesight. It wasn’t an offer to be turned down, and I’m looking forward to seeing the results when I next visit the optician.

You can read about more of Matthew’s adventures in his other blog posts, including time travel on the Trans-Siberian Express and a journey through Moscow’s Cold War past.

An extract from The Railway to Heaven

Other than a mild headache and heavy breathing, I feel fine. A cup of hot sweet tea gives me the energy to go for a wander down the corridor to consult the altimeter: 4950 metres. I am as high as I was at school camp on Mount Kilimanjaro, but without having had any time for my body to acclimatise from the near-sea level of Beijing. And we’re still climbing. I have read somewhere that the extra oxygen-enriched air being pumped in will keep our carriage at an equivalent altitude of around 2000 metres, rather like a jet plane. But the carriage isn’t pressurised like a plane, so I’m not sure how this can be possible.

As the sun creeps above the mountainous skyline I have my first view of the plains of frozen lakes punctuated with the nomadic tents of isolated farmers. And then my first sighting of a yak, an animal that I will come to depend upon for sustenance in the days ahead. This is surely an I-Spy book cliché́: how many points for both a yak and yurt?

Thinking through my memories of the night spent tossing and turning in my berth, I recall someone joining us at one point. My memory comes back to the surface when I next peer in through the gap in the door of our compartment. My cabin mates are both sitting up in their beds, dressed in their puffa jackets and breathing from oxygen nose-tubes. They look far worse than I feel. I think they must have called for help in the night, but I must have been comatose or delirious at the time. I don’t remember anyone offering me any oxygen. I smile at them and make a thumbs-up sign. Andy does his best to look happy, but they are clearly both miserable. They decline my offer of tea, but that’s understandable; what self-respecting Chinese person would trust a westerner to make their tea?

The Railway to Heaven by Matthew Woodward is published by Lanna Hall in paperback at £8.95 and Kindle at £3.99. Find Matthew on Twitter @OnTheRails

The post Life on Board the Z21 to Lhasa appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

When I asked one of the Golden Eagle train managers, who hails from the Siberian city of Irkutsk, if people dreaded the coming of winter, she looked at me with mild surprise. Why would they? Snow is part of the cycle of their lives. In fact they enjoy it: they go cross country skiing, they go hiking with snow-shoes, they go dog-sledding – and they get to wear lovely fur coats. (PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – hasn’t made it to Siberia, and would have little hope of converting people if it did!)

And Siberia is certainly at its most beautiful in the winter. I spent so much time staring out of the train windows at the fabulous landscape that all of the books I had brought with me sat unread on my cabin table.

Taking the Trans-Siberian in winter gives you a tremendous feel for what life is like for these people most of the year. Siberia constitutes 60% of the Russian territory and is way too large to have the same climate throughout, but even in the more temperate central area traversed by the Trans-Siberian Railway, summer only lasts three to four months. I am a veteran of summer Trans-Siberian trips; for five years I have been traveling with Golden Eagle as Guest Speaker. But I longed to see the ‘real’ Siberia – at least, as I remembered it from David Leans’ 1965 film of Pasternak’s novel, Dr. Zhivago! I wanted to ride in a troika (a sledge pulled by three horses). I wanted to see snow-covered birch trees race past the train windows. I wanted to see all those cities I was so familiar with, coated in a soft white blanket. Above all, I wanted to see the magnificent Lake Baikal frozen solid with blue transparent ice. Finally I got my chance in February 2019.

Fear of the cold puts many people off Golden Eagle’s Winter Wonderland trip, so the numbers are much smaller than on the summer Trans-Siberian tours. We had 22 clients on my trip; on the summer trips there can be as many as 90. While the large groups are fun, with so many new people to meet, a small group inevitably develops a much greater sense of intimacy. This was helped by the fact that the larger groups have two dining cars, while we winter Trans-Siberians had just one. Although people in the large groups are encouraged to use both dining cars, they generally eat in the car nearest their own cabins, and so to some extent the group splits into two. Conversely, those of us on the Winter trip ate all our meals together, and got to know each other really well. We also bonded over our complementary Golden Eagle clothing! We were supplied with a number of cold-weather essentials – furry Russian hats, thick woollen mittens, socks, scarves, and – best of all – the wonderfully warm Russian felt boots, valenki. My pair still have pride of place on my shoe rack at home, and I am looking forward to showing them off to my neighbours come the next English winter.

So what is travelling on the Trans-Siberian Express like in the winter, and how does it differ from the summer trip? Firstly, I should confess that the winter of 2018-19 was unusually mild. There had been a prolonged cold spell just before we arrived, when the temperature remained well below minus 30 Celsius for some 10 days, but this was now just a conversation topic. (‘You should have come a week ago! That was the real Siberian winter!’) Our morning temperatures were generally around minus 22; my fingers and face tingled, but rather pleasantly. By the mid-afternoon it was up to an almost balmy minus 9. We were able to stay outside for hours on excursions and be in no danger of frostbite, or even of discomfort. Golden Eagle manager Tatiana assured me that they have never had to cancel any parts of the programme; if people are adequately dressed, they are in no danger. But my group had all the beauty of a Siberian winter without much of the inconvenience. My one regret was that it was nowhere near cold enough for us to take selfies of our ice-encrusted eye-lashes and eyebrows – I thought I would have the ideal photo for my home-made Christmas cards! But the trip gave me plenty of other Christmas card possibilities.

There is something undeniably gorgeous about snow. Our city tours were for the most part the same as those on the summer trips, but while I know all of these Siberian cities really well by now, I felt I was seeing them as if for the first time, and as they should be seen – preening themselves under thick white robes. The guides cautioned us to be careful in case the pavements were slippery, but I didn’t find them so. I did have a hiking stick with me, and some of us had brought spikes, also available from hiking shops, which can be attached to the bottoms of boots. These proved really useful, and I would advise anyone thinking of doing a winter Trans-Siberian to bring them.

Two days of the trip were very different on the winter Trans-Siberian. One was the day spent on Lake Baikal. This is one of my favourite days on the summer tours. The train makes its first stop at a tiny station called Polovina, where the bravest souls swim in the lake. Even in mid-summer the water temperature is rarely more than 8 degrees, but is so refreshing and rejuvenating that you feel you have sliced 20 years off your age. The train is pulled by a steam engine around the southern shore of the lake, and does a drive-past, whistling and hooting, which provides the most wonderful photo opportunities. At the next stop, Port Baikal, the train is parked, and we go by ferry to Listvyanka, where, after visiting an excellent museum about the lake’s geography and geology, one of our options is a hike up Mount Chersky, where we have the most beautiful view of the lake, of Port Baikal, and of our train having its snooze. The day finishes with a final stop at a BBQ site overlooking the lake, where we get to sample a fish found nowhere else in the world, the omul. Could this day be any better?

In the winter, it arguably is. Of course there is no swimming or hiking, but what we did instead was absolute magic. From Listvyanka we went by hovercraft over the frozen lake, making a brief stop to watch someone fish through a hole he had carved in the ice, then carrying on through what seemed to be deep Siberian wilderness to find, in the middle of nowhere, the luxury we had come to expect from Golden Eagle: a table carved from ice, covered in ice glasses and bottles of ice-cold vodka, and bowls full of icy Siberian berries; ice sculptures, including a train – what else! – and an ice sledge; a wooden hut in which lunch was later served (which included the glorious omul fish); and best of all – and this really was straight out of Dr. Zhivago – two sledges drawn by teams of huskies who raced us across that blue transparent ice. And if that was not enough, there were also snowmobiles: we could either drive ourselves, or be driven by fur-clad Siberians who looked as if they had just walked off a Dr. Zhivago set. And we still had the steam train drive-past when we got back to Port Baikal. This was – as many of us enthusiastically declared at the time – one of the best days of our lives.

Another activity which marked the Winter Wonderland trip from the summer Trans-Siberian took place during the Irkutsk excursion. The city was fully explored in all its wintry glory, but we were also taken to a forest on the edge of town to take turns in a troika. This was another Dr. Zhivago moment, though with a twist: the horses were determined to be extra helpful. When the driver hopped off to fetch something, leaving our first four clients sitting in the troika and the horses calmly waiting for him, they suddenly got it into their heads to save time by setting off by themselves. The driver chased after them, but to no avail; they did their usual circuit of the forest, and pulled up happily at the right place at the end of their little tour.

The trip to Mongolia was also different, at least in one respect. On the summer trips we go to Mongolia in our Golden Eagle train; customs and passport control take place on the train while we are stopped at the border. In the morning we arrive in the capital, Ulaan Baatar, and after a full day’s touring we return to the train after dinner and set off back to Russia. On the Winter Trans-Siberian we went by chartered plane from Russia to Mongolia, and had a real treat – a night in the exquisite Shangri La hotel in Ulaan Baatar. The touring programme was much the same, and anyone concerned that the plane ride would mean they had not done the Trans-Siberian railway in full can rest assured. We returned to our train where we left it, in Ulaan Ude, and continued on the normal Trans-Siberian route.

Having sung the praises of the Winter Wonderland trip, does this mean that I would recommend it over the summer Trans-Siberian? This is not necessarily the case; they both have their merits. Summer in Siberia is a precious time, and locals are determined to enjoy it. One year it turned out that on each of the three tours I did, we arrived in Irkutsk on the weekend, and the main square, Ploshchad Kirova, was hosting a different festival each time. There were amateur folk groups performing Siberian songs; there were troupes of dancers; there was an exhibition by organic vegetable growers, some of whom had decorated their hats and dresses with vegetables and fruit; there was a children’s talent contest, in which one little girl took the microphone and read out her own poem about her beloved Irkutsk and the jewel in its crown, Baikal. In each of these festivals the sense of civic pride was palpable. I got the impression that winter was welcomed not only for the skiing and snow-shoeing and fine fur coats, but also because it gave people the chance to practice and hone the talents and skills they would show off in these summer festivals.

In short, Siberia is a magnificent place to visit in both summer and winter, and I feel extremely fortunate to have experienced it in both seasons. Winter does bring some inevitable inconveniences; even if it is relatively mild, you still do have to wear a lot of extra clothes, and putting them on and taking them off can be tedious. Surprisingly, however, the weather in the summer can be more irritating, because it sometimes rains – and sometimes heavily. While Golden Eagle provides huge umbrellas to keep us dry, rain is always a nuisance. And the same liquid which comes out of the sky in the summer takes the form of that beautiful Dr. Zhivago white stuff – sneg! – in the winter.

You can view all our journeys aboard the Golden Eagle, including the Trans-Siberian Express and Winter Wonderland tours, by clicking here.

The post The Trans-Siberian Express: Summer or Winter? appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

While travelling on the Trans-Mongolian Express trip from Moscow to Ulaan Baatar this summer, I had an amazing experience I want to share with you.

A group of 35 of us started and ended the trip together, but an additional two people from China joined us later in the journey. It was upon getting to know the new arrivals over lunch in Irkutsk that a remarkable thing happened.

I had just finished an authentic banya experience adjacent to the Dacha, where the resident hosts treated us to time in their home. It was now time for lunch, so I went to the dining area, found the one empty seat at a table and sat down across from the two Chinese guests.

During our conversation, we addressed the question of whether any of us had ever been to China and if so, where? If not, were we planning a visit?

Everyone told their stories and then I shared that in 1980, I had been part of the Lindblad Travel Group, which was the first foreign group to be allowed into China. I was carrying small American flags and a Polaroid camera. In one area we visited, the local villagers were lined up to witness their first Caucasian visitors. I gave an American flag to a young boy, took his picture and gave the photo to him to keep.

Suddenly, Wen, the Chinese man sitting directly across from me, shouted: “I still have that picture!” He proceeded to tell me that he’d kept the photo on his wall for all these years and had just recently taken a picture of it on his cell phone before taking it down to move house. He found the photo on his phone and showed it to me – there he was, about 6 ½ years old, holding the American flag.

We were both absolutely amazed at the fact that after 40 years, we just “happened” to meet, sitting across the table for lunch in a Siberian Dacha! So much synchronicity had to occur for our meeting again this way after 40 years.

Of course, we had our picture taken standing together holding his phone with the photo on it.

I have no idea if we’re destined to meet again, but this meeting has left me in absolute awe and wonder at how a chance meeting so long ago may have had some impact on another’s life story.

The post Six Degrees of Separation? appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

1. THE BAIKONUR COSMODROME, SOUTHERN KAZAKHSTAN

The Baikonur Cosmodrome was originally constructed in the 1950s as a base for the Soviet Union’s space programme. Since then, it has become a place of historical significance. Not only was it the launch spot of Sputnik 1 in 1957, it was also the site of the launch of the first human, Yuri Gagarin, into space in 1961. Gagarin was merely 27 years old at the time but triumphed with a flight lasting 108 minutes, circling Earth for one orbit before returning to the ground as a hero. Still today, his accomplishment is proudly celebrated in space museums across Russia and his remains are buried at the Kremlin in Moscow. We visit the launch station of his mission into space on our visit to Baikonur and learn more about the site’s fascinating history.

2. OSH, KYRGYZSTAN

Osh may be unfamiliar to many travellers but it should by no means be overlooked. Not only is the city home to the sacred Sulayman Mountain, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, it is one of the Silk Road’s oldest market towns. Standing at a crossroads on this ancient route, modern day Osh has been inspired by the multitude of international visitors that have passed through, influencing both the culture and the cuisine. As such, Osh is a popular destination in Kyrgyzstan for food lovers and as part of our Freedom of Choice touring, you can take part in a traditional bread making class. Bread is an important part of the local diet and across Kyrgyzstan it not only varies by its shape, but also by its taste and the unique way in which it is baked. Once made, you will enjoy your delicious creation in the local style with a traditional sour cream called ‘kaimak’.

3. MARGILAN, UZBEKISTAN

Although the term ‘Silk Road’ wasn’t coined until the 19th century, it is of course related to what was considered a precious commodity at the time when this ancient trading route was active: silk! We discover the history and meticulous process behind the production of this material in Margilan, a city renowned in Central Asia for its production of silk, which is considered by many to be the finest in the region and is in demand worldwide. Here we will visit the Yodgorlik Margilan Factory, the only one of its kind in Uzbekistan. The factory takes pride in preserving a manual, traditional method of making silk and produces 6,000 metres per month. We will discover the entire process behind the finished product, from the mulberry trees used to feed the silkworms to the hardworking staff who painstakingly hand weave the colourful ikat fabric on traditional looms.

4. DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN

Our journey through the Southern Republics of the former Soviet Union brings us to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Wandering through the city you will find a number of charming parks, museums and pastel coloured buildings. It is also home to the world’s second tallest dam, found on the Vakhsh River. During our time here, we will enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent Kohi Navruz Palace with a local expert guide, who will tell us the fascinating story of this teahouse turned palace. Each of the 12 halls within the building has been decorated with its own unique style, displaying the incredible efforts of the artists and designers who came together to create this majestic palace. After the tour, we will absorb the atmosphere and grandeur of the palace while enjoying tea and local delicacies.

5. LAKE ISSYK-KUL, KYRGYZSTAN

Our Silk Road tour brings us to Kyrgyzstan, a country boasting natural beauty in the form of awe-inspiring lakes and mountainscapes. We spend the afternoon enjoying a guided tour of the open-air Museum of Petroglyphs at Lake Issyk-Kul, a sacred site used by the Saka priests for sacrifices and other rites to the sun god. Some of the petroglyphs date as far back as the Bronze Age, with later engravings dating to the 10th century. Afterwards, we will be treated to a breathtaking flight demonstration of Eagle Hunting. This Kyrgyz tradition can be traced back 4,000 years, when the nomads began to tame birds of prey to help them survive in the vast wilderness. While hawks and falcons are traditionally used in other cultures, the Kyrgyz nomads considered the Golden Eagle to be the strongest and most powerful. Indeed, these eagles are capable of hunting foxes, wolves and have even been known to attack full grown deer. You will learn the story of eagle hunting, the characteristics of the majestic Golden Eagle and more fascinating details of this Kyrgyz nomadic tradition.

You can read the full itinerary for Republics of the Silk Road by clicking here. We hope you will join us on what promises to be a fantastic voyage!

Photo Credits: Petr Sevcovic, Vladimir Ivanov

The post Republics of the Silk Road: Top 5 Highlights appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

1. Borsch

Authentic beetroot and vegetable soup served in an earthenware pot with a shot of Piertzovka (chilli vodka).

Of course, the distinctive red colour of the soup comes from the main ingredient – beetroot. Combining this with a range of vegetables brings a sweet and sour taste and with a dollop of sour cream and a slice of freshly baked bread, this dish is perfection. The soup is delectable with or without meat. We use beef in this recipe, although as with all food on board, a vegetarian alternative is available.

2. Herring in a fur coat

Our chef’s take on the traditional Russian salad of herring, beetroot, carrots, onion and potatoes.

The origin of this dish is disputed, as many argue that the Russians have merely adapted a long-standing Scandinavian recipe combining salted fish with boiled vegetables. Still, the legend goes that the version we know today was created in the early 1900s by a Russian innkeeper called Anastas Bogomilov. Tired of drunken fights, he created a food that was very filling and prevented guests from becoming intoxicated too quickly. Nowadays, the dish is popular at parties, particularly at New Year’s.

3. Olivier Salad

Original recipe from Lucien Olivier of the 19th century. Roasted duck meat, gherkins, boiled veal tongue, quail eggs, capers and homemade mayonnaise.

Another traditional Russian salad created in the 1860s by Lucien Olivier, after which the dish is named. Olivier was head chef at one of Moscow’s most famous restaurants, Hermitage. Although now published, the recipe remained a secret for many years, much to the envy of other local chefs. Unfortunately, Hermitage did not survive the Russian Revolution but the original recipe for Olivier Salad, along with several variations, lives on.

4. Chicken Kiev

Stuffed chicken coated with seasoned flour, made to a traditional Russian recipe.

The name ‘Kiev’ suggests that it is Ukrainian but the origins of this classic dish are somewhat of a mystery. Some contest that it was created by Russian chefs inspired by French cuisine in the 19th century. Apparently, it originally carried a French name to make it fashionable to diners in Moscow. The reason for the change is disputed, with some suggesting that the anti-bourgeoisie feeling in the Soviet Union called for food to adopt simpler, more accessible names, while others argue that the name ‘chicken Kiev’ was created in New York as a way of enticing Russian immigrants to local restaurants.

5. Smoked omul

A Baikal delicacy, this fish is hot smoked over the barbecue ashes.

A consistent highlight for passengers on the Trans-Siberian Express is our Lake Baikal barbecue. Prepared by our own chefs, guests enjoy meat and vegetable shashlyk as well as freshly smoked omul fish. What makes this fish so special is that it is unique to Lake Baikal – like 80% of the species living here, omul cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Food enjoyed on board is often a highlight of the Golden Eagle experience and a particular delight our flagship train is our beautifully appointed restaurant car, a delightful venue in which to enjoy these delicious meals. You can read more about dining on board the Golden Eagle by clicking here.

The post Gourmet Traditions on the Golden Eagle appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

Snow, powdery and dry crunching and squeaking underfoot, settling unmelted on clothes; snow, outlining branches, hanging heavily on the endless trees that follow the railway north to Murmansk. Snow, occasionally shed from weighed down pine branches in powdery flurries. Snow, turning a heap of rubble in the streets of St Petersburg into a fairy mountain landscape; snow, covering the frozen Neva, removing the distinction between water and land; snow lightly falling, softening the lights shining from the Hermitage to pastel shades across the ice. Snow that settled like dust in the corridor joining the carriages, where for a moment we were exposed to the outside cold, the glimpse of rail, the hiss of wheels and the groan of couplings as we made our way to dinner. Darkness and half light, briefly relieved by a pink sunrise that never came but turned into sunset two hours later, as we crossed the border into Norway.

Snow and darkness were the background themes of the train trip I made with my niece Reneira, on the Arctic Explorer tour, where I was the guest lecturer. Themes that could be best appreciated, when contrasted with the warmth of our compartment and the bars and dining rooms on the train.

Ren and I arrived in Moscow just in time for the opening dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel. Afterwards, although it was late, we took a stroll around the corner into Red Square, bright with the lights of the winter fair and full of cheerful young people.

The next day, after trips to the Kremlin, St Basils, the Tretiakov Art Gallery and the Moscow Space Museum, we all gathered in the Imperial waiting room at the Kazansky Station and boarded the train. While Ren unpacked, I walked the length of our 19 carriages, to see the two, 4-8-4 steam locomotives, one blue, one green, that would double head us out of Moscow.

Trains are gracious, they start to move imperceptibly out of grand stations. Dining on them is a special luxury, eating while looking out of the window at an ever changing scene of endless snow draped forest, passing through settlements and across roads, where for a fleeting moment you catch the eye of someone, carrying a shopping bag, who you will never see again, living a life far removed from your own. And the final luxury after dinner, of returning to a crisp freshly made bed.

At night, waiting for sleep, I listen, to the heavy four wheeled bogies, shuffling beneath the carriage, to the changing rhythms of the track, sometimes the old fashioned clickety-clack, sometimes the hiss and roar of the modern welded rails. We get used to the occasional bunch and snatch of the carriages, that make lecturing an athletic experience. Then there are the moments of perfect silence, as we wait for another train to pass, giving the carriage attendants the chance to get down with their crowbars and hack ice off the under frame.

Before the trip, I was concerned about space in our compartment, but Ren had brought a bag small enough to fit and open in the bottom of the cupboard. I kept only my immediate needs in our compartment, storing the rest in my case at the end of the carriage. An arrangement that worked well.

The first night on board, while we dined and slept, we travelled from Moscow to Vladimir via Nizhny Novgorod. A total trip of over 600 km just to get the 180 km from Moscow to Vladimir, in order to conform to a Russian Railway’s requirement, about how far we must travel before we can take on water.

Leaving the train in Vladimir, we took the bus to Suzdal, where the monasteries and buildings, lay serene under their blanket of snow. We walked through snow, listened to the bells and the choral singing and visited the collection of wooden buildings in the open air museum. After lunch, we returned to Vladimir. As darkness fell we went inside the Cathedral of the Assumption, which stands high on its ridge overlooking the country to the south east. Outside was a Christmas market, with stalls for clothes, food and drink and a group of little ponies for children to ride, that Ren could not resist.

Today, was New Years eve and after a Champagne and Caviar dinner on board the train, we got back on the bus and drove to Bogolyubovo, where the solitary Church of the Intercession, founded in 1158, stands on the banks of the Nerl River.

The floodlit church surrounded by snow stood starkly white against the enfolding darkness. Inside, the church was bathed in candle light and we were given candles to hold. The priest blest us, while choristers sang from the balcony above. After a few moments of private meditation, we placed our candles on the brass candle stands and went back outside, conscious that we had shared something memorable and meaningful.

It was snowing as we climbed into sledges and rode across the field to a floodlit patch of snow, where after a few vodkas, folk dancers had us all dancing. Shortly after greeting the new year, we walked across the snow on to the platform and joined our train, which had arrived a few minutes earlier. At 00:15 our train pulled out of the station heading east, then turned north towards Volgoda, arriving at Malenga close to the White Sea the following night and finally reaching our next stop at Kola at lunch time the day after that, 1700 km from Vladimir.

After brunch on New Years Day, I gave my first talk about the Aurora. I gave four talks on the train, all given twice to accommodate the Smithsonian group who had their own lectures. As well as the aurora, I talked about frontiers in modern astronomy, the origin of the elements and the birth and death of Stars and finally whether or not we are the only conscious observers of our universe.
Ren woke at 6am to mark our crossing the arctic circle.

After lunch on the train at Kola, we drove into Murmansk. Darkness fell as we visited the nuclear icebreaker Lenin, the local museum and the war memorial, which stands above the city. There snow started to fall in passing showers, partly obscuring the city. On our way back, we stopped at the monument to the ‘Waiting Women’. She stands facing the driving snow, in her scanty summer dress with her arm raised, her eyes covered by snow and icicle tears, waiting for her man to return. I still have to tell my feminist friends at the Institute of Astronomy, of this wonderful female role model!

That night we glimpsed the aurora from the train, a wispy ghost of light, too faint to see any colour but definitely there. Nikel stands at the end of the railway line, a nickel smelter surrounded by dead trees, made more lonely and dystopian by the blanketing snow. Here we left the train and headed by bus for the Russian border. We showed our passports four times; at the pre-border border, at the gate to the border, at emigration at the border and at the gate leaving the border, before arriving at the Norwegian border, where all was straightforward and quick. There was an unspecified problem with the bus, but this was resolved and we were through in 3 hours.

In Kirkenes we visited the Snow Hotel and drank vodka. There, encouraged by the bar tender, I did something I have always wanted to do; smash my glass and then I smashed all the other used vodka glasses. The barman happily swept the fragments onto the floor. The secret? The glasses were made of ice.

There was crab fishing and crab eating; delicious, meaty and fresh. There was dog sleigh riding across the dark frozen fjord. With the dogs pulling hard and eager, we sat and half lay in the small sledge, close wrapped against the stinging wind, making sure we did not fall out as we swished over the snowy ice. Another magical moment!

It was snowing as we boarded the bus. It was snowing as we climbed out of the bus, but there was a star and then more stars and a faint white glow that we thought might be green. A ten second exposure showed green shafts of light shining between the clouds. We had seen the aurora.

After two nights in Kirkenes we recrossed the border, joined the train at lunch time and headed south for Petrozavodsk, arriving there at mid afternoon the next day, Russian Christmas Day. In navigable contact with St Petersburg in summer, via lakes Onega and Ladoga, Petrozavodsk was the site chosen in 1703, by Peter the Great for his iron foundries, run by a Scotsman, to equip his new built fleet with cannon and anchors. We were entertained to folk dancing and saw some beautiful icons in the local art museum.

In the evening we dressed up and celebrated our last night on the train with a farewell dinner and at 8am the next morning we arrived at the Vitebsky station in St Petersburg. I was sorry not to be better prepared, as the station is an architectural gem. Dating from 1901 and recently restored it stands on the site of Russia’s first railway, built in 1837 to take the Tsar to his palace at Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin).

We drove from the Station to the Catherine Palace at Pushkin. Like the Hermitage, which we visited early the next morning, it is a Baroque orgy of gold leafed opulence and wonderful floors, filled with spectacular works of art.

Late in the afternoon we checked in to the Four Seasons hotel. For Ren and I this hotel was the climax of luxury and location, also known as the Lobanov-Rosyovsky Palace, guarded by two Medici lions and facing both the Admiralty and St Isaacs Cathedral. Before sitting down to our farewell dinner, we were treated to a ballet performance of extracts from the Nutcracker Suite.

The following day, after visiting the Hermitage Museum, before the public were admitted and watching the peacock display its tail on the enormous British made clock, we visited St Isaacs Cathedral. The Cathedral, like so much in Russia, is on the grandest scale, has 48 columns at ground level, each 45m long, weighing 114 tons and each made of a single piece of granite. The dome is covered in 100 kg of gold, that cost 60 lives from mercury poisoning, while the interior was decorated with another 300 kg of gold.

After the visit, as daylight faded, Ren and I went for an evening walk across the bridge beside the Admiralty, through the Peter and Paul Fortress and along the banks of the Neva, coming back over the Troitsky Bridge. Snow fell, softening the city lights and beside us the Neva was white and silent. The next morning, before leaving for the airport and home, we had another snowy walk from the hotel, around St Isaacs, along the canal, past the Stroganoff palace, past the Kazan Cathedral and along the canal to the Church of the Spilled Blood, built over the site of Alexander II’s assassination. There, we turned towards the river and walked across the square in front of the Hermitage, back towards our hotel. Just around the corner from the hotel is an excellent little gift shop, with a fine collection of Putin mugs, where Ren bought some gifts. As we left Reneira and I both decided that St Petersburg has to be one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Find out more and plan your own adventure on Arctic Explorer: The Quest for the Northern Lights here.

The post Adventures in Snow on the Arctic Explorer appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

There is quite a story behind this historic locomotive. It was first allocated to the main Saint Petersburg – Moscow – Ryzan route in 1963, moving on the infamous gulag line to Vorkuta, north of the Arctic Circle. After working trains over the central portions of the Trans-Siberian from 1966 to 1973, it was put into the reserve at Magocha depot when it was just 19 years old. In 1982, P36.0032 was transferred to be used as a stationary boiler at the Kadala lumber plant on the outskirts of Chita, where it was discovered derelict by Tim Littler and Marina Linke in 1996. The locomotive was purchased from Kadala in 1997 along with spare parts from P36.0103.

Having secured the locomotive, it had to be moved 7,000km (4,350 miles) to Saint Petersburg for restoration. Unfortunately, two (opposing) groups of Russian enthusiasts arrived and managed to drag the locomotive over 7,000kms to the Ukraine before this could happen. It seems remarkable that they were able to move 175 tonnes of scrap metal by rail without permission and smuggle it into the Ukraine – but at the time Russia was the ‘wild east’ and anything was possible. Tim and Marina assumed it was lost forever until 1999 when the Ukrainian tax police confiscated the locomotive as property without owner and put the locomotive up for sale. The decision was made for Golden Eagle to buy it (again).

At last, the locomotive arrived in Saint Petersburg in early 2000 and, once it was made sure that ownership was correctly registered with the appropriate Russian authorities, restoration started in early 2001. This was no easy venture. It took fourteen fitters and engineers working 7 days a week for 3 months to bring the P36 back to running order. On 17th April 2001, the senior engineer blew the chime whistle, pushed the regulator and P36.0032 moved under its own steam for the first time in 26 years.

On 28th April a three day trip around Lake Ladoga took place and the locomotive ran faultlessly throughout the 577 mile trip, a great tribute to the engineers who had laboured long and hard though the winter. Then, on 15th June, the locomotive hauled its first revenue train when it took the Eastbound “Trans-Siberian Express” out of Saint Petersburg for the first 100kms on its journey to Vladivostok. Until recently, it has featured on short sections on some of our departures, usually departing from or arriving into Moscow.

On 26th April 2007 the locomotive stood at the head of the company’s new $25 million ‘Golden Eagle’ as it was launched by HRH Prince Michael of Kent and Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways. Prince Michael even drove the P36 twice around a 3km test track at the Sherbinka Railway Institute in Moscow. A few months later, during a speech at the Dorchester Hotel in London, the Prince said that in his life he had been fortunate to take the controls of a Soviet supersonic fighter jet and a Formula 1 racing car but neither had given him the feeling of sheer power that he got from driving the P36.

The Russian National Railway have plans to give the P36 a new lease of life, restoring it to full working order so that it can run on Russian railways once again and hopefully for many years to come. Kubarev Igor, Deputy Head of Traction Directorate, said of the gift: ‘This is not only an act of friendship in relations between the countries, where cannot be any barriers, if there is a devoted passion for history on both sides, but also a very serious replenishment of the national collection of operating locomotives created by JSC Russian Railways’.

You can find out more about the history of Golden Eagle Luxury Trains here.

The post A New Lease of Life: Our P36 Locomotive appeared first on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.