Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: A train ride back to Europe's golden age
There is arguably no better train journey in Europe than Belmond's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. In 2021, Orient-Express will launch four new routes with boarding points in Rome, Florence, Geneva and Brussels or Amsterdam.
Operating from March to November, the world's newest train will have an overnight route but its departure from Tuscan Italy is unique as it incorporates a stay at the Belmond property.
To complete the experience on this brand new train, travelers can start their journey with a night in the peaceful countryside of Castello di Casole or Villa San Michele, a hotel renovated from an ancient 15th-century monastery with views of the beautiful city of Florence. Moreover, when traveling on the Orient-Express, travelers can also admire the beauty of the majestic mountains in Switzerland before reaching Paris.
Composed of 17 Art Deco carriages, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a tribute to rail travel in the past. Three new VIP rooms will be launched in 2021. Each room has a double bed instead of the old bunk beds and a private bathroom. In addition, the spacious lounge area and free-flowing champagne make you feel like you are traveling back to the 20s of the high-class and elegant aristocracy.
Colorado Rockies to the Red Rocks: America's Magical Railroad
Starting in summer 2021, you'll be able to see a magical train with a custom-designed golden dome travel through the vast canyons of the American Southwest.
The 2-day Rocky Mountaineering to Red Rocks itinerary takes you through Moab, Utah and Denver, including an overnight stay at the Glenwood Springs, Colorado hotel. This is the first rail trip in the United States operated by Rocky Mountaineer, a Canadian rail tourism company in Western Canada.
Not only does this world's newest train offer a spectacular route, it also serves delicious food and has operators knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna as well as the indigenous communities of the area.
Sightseeing Cruise 36+3: Cruise to Japan's remote Kyushu island
The 36+3 sightseeing train is one of the world's newest trains, having just launched in Japan last fall. Unlike other ordinary trains, the 36+3 connects to hot springs and world-famous ramen stalls to serve the needs of tourists.
In addition, the train has also added 5 new lines to take passengers to the remote island of Kyushu in the southernmost part of Japan. The 36+3 train rumbles around the island, with each stop located in a different prefecture.
For example, every Thursday, the train departs from Hakata, taking visitors to the breathtaking scenery of the East China Sea coast. On Sundays, the train departs from Beppu, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the beauty of Beppu Bay and the mountainous Oita Prefecture.
Goldenpass Express: Panoramic views of Swiss ski resorts
Switzerland has many beautiful rail lines, but for panoramic views of the ski resorts of Montreux, Gstaad and Interlaken, only the Goldenpass Express - the world's newest train, scheduled to open in December 2022.
The locomotives, designed by Pininfarina – the Italian company famous for its Ferrari and Maserati supercars – can easily switch between narrow gauge and standard gauge, meaning passengers won’t have to change trains at Zweisimmen station.
Another plus point for the Goldenpass Express is the floor-to-ceiling glass windows with anti-reflective technology for optimal photography. This promises to give passengers impressive views of the Bernese Alps and is the most anticipated train ride of 2022.
The Red Sea to the Mediterranean: Explore Egypt's Ancient Ruins with Ease
The Red Sea to the Mediterranean is the first high-speed railway line, expected to be completed in 2023. When officially put into operation, the world's newest high-speed train will help visitors explore Egypt's ancient ruins with ease.
The new train will connect the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, making 15 stops along the way. This means passengers will not have to take domestic flights or change trains when travelling from Luxor to the Giza Pyramids or via the resort town of Hurghada.
Siemens Mobility, a German industrial manufacturing company, will be carrying out the project. The new production line will also help the project stay on schedule and the Red Sea to the Mediterranean cruise will operate as planned, said Michael Peter, CEO of the company.
