Published 24th Sep. 2025
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Two hundred years ago, the world’s first passenger train chugged into motion. To celebrate that milestone, we’ve put together The Right Track – our latest brochure, celebrating the world’s finest rail journeys. Train travel has a way of opening a window into a country’s soul, and our latest stories capture that magic. And now, after centuries of evolution, train travel is experiencing a remarkable resurgence. Across Europe, countries are reintroducing sleeper trains and investing heavily in rolling stock and rail infrastructure, making rail travel more luxurious and appealing than ever. Coupled with a growing desire to travel more cleanly and greenly, it’s no wonder that we’ve reported a huge rise in bookings and enquiries for trips by train. Our new brochure is designed to capture this momentum, offering a window into the world’s most epic rail journeys…
The Right Track is packed with articles on some of the most epic journeys around the world, featuring Italy, India, Peru, South Africa, South Korea and Central Asia, plus an incredible trip from the Black Sea to the Arctic Circle, covering eight countries and 2,400 miles. From joining locals aboard Rajasthan’s cosy carriages to arriving at Machu Picchu 1920s-style, our lovely long reads show why it’s all about the journey. The brochure also features our top picks of the world’s most beautiful rail routes, an overview of Europe’s new sleeper services, useful maps, planning tools and even suggested reads (for when you can tear your eyes away from the ever-changing views).
Image by Nika Lerman / Fotolia
Tom Barber, Co-Founder of Original Travel and self-professed train enthusiast, says: ‘At Original Travel, we will always suggest taking a train over a plane; it’s a rare opportunity to slow down, plus a much better way to immerse yourself in the country because you see so much more of the landscape. It’s the definition of the adage that travel is as much about the journey as the destination, so we’re thrilled to see – and service – this travel trend.’
This trend is set to accelerate, too. From Europe to Asia, Africa and beyond, 2026 is shaping up as a landmark year for luxury rail: the legendary Orient Express returns to the Paris–Istanbul route in restored 1920s carriages; Spain’s Al Andalus debuts a new weeklong itinerary from Seville to Madrid; and Saudi Arabia introduces its first ultra-luxury sleeper, Dream of the Desert.
Image by ROVOS
In Britain, Belmond expands with the Britannic Explorer, while in Asia, the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express makes a comeback, alongside a new Vietnam journey and Thailand’s boutique Blue Jasmine. Africa’s Rovos Rail extends its iconic Cape Town–Dar es Salaam run, North America’s Canyon Spirit adds Salt Lake City to its route, and in Australia, The Ghan, Indian Pacific and Great Southern launch opulent new Aurora and Australis suites.
Ready for all things rail? Your glossy copy is just a few clicks away. The brochure is available online here, and in Eurostar lounges in Paris, London and Brussels.
Header image by Pia Riverola
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