Top 10 Train Trips

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This list of top train trips around the globe will put you on the fast track to an “I-think-I-can” rail trip that we assure you not only can embark on, but absolutely should.

1. The Bergen Line
Northern Europe's highest railway, it passes through scenic fjord inlets, and past snow-capped mountains and glaciers, on a 300-plus mile journey between the culturally-rich city of Bergen in western Norway and its capital at Oslo.

2. The Blue Train
This veritable five-star hotel on wheels offers refined features and operates a handful of itineraries from Pretoria of which our favorite is the one-night excursion to Cape Town, stopping at an old diamond rush mining town along the way.

3. Denali Star Train
Passengers can chug along on a memorable 365-mile route of scenic unspoiled backcountry between Anchorage and Fairbanks, catching glimpses of towering Mt. McKinley and wildlife, from eagles soaring overhead to moose grazing in the distance.

4. Eastern & Oriental Express
The classy Eastern & Oriental Express offers several itineraries to major Southeast Asian cities in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Laos. Our favorite is the three-night journey between elegant Singapore and the bright lights of Bangkok.

5. The Ghan
Travel from the wine capital of historic Adelaide, brushing north past red sandstone cliffs, gorges, waterholes, and rock formations, keeping watch for wild camels, dingoes, brumbies and kangaroos along the way.

6. The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express
Glides from Moscow, through the surprisingly beautiful Siberian tundra, to Vladivostok in 14 days. Passengers soak up benefits such as plasma screen TV’s and DVD/CD players; en suite bathrooms with power showers and underfloor heating; and dining delicacies.

7. Hiram Bingham Train
This luxury rail ushers travelers to and from the steps of the sacred site from Cusco six days a week, in sheer class – and in just 3.5 hours. Uncover stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape as you glide along through the lush Sacred Valley.

8. Napa Valley Wine Train
Savor a gourmet lunch in one of its lavishly restored 1915-1917 Pullman dining cars before hotfooting it to the wine-tasting car, where a choice of 100 wines compensates for the fact that you can’t disembark at the wineries you fancy along the route.

9. TER Méditerranée
Straddles the French Riviera coastline as it rolls from the port city of Marseille (accessible from Paris in just 3 hours by TGV train) to Ventimiglia, Italy, stopping at the Riviera capital of Nice, the resort towns of Antibes and St. Raphael, film-famous Cannes, and high-rolling Monte Carlo along the way.

10. Tokaido Shinkansen
Reduces the 320 miles between the bustling urban metropolis of Tokyo and temple and shrine-speckled Kyoto to a mere 131-minute journey, traveling at speeds of an astonishing 168 miles per hour (and accelerating to 186mph just beyond Kyoto). On a clear day, you’ll catch glimpses of majestic Mt. Fuji as you zip by the mix of urban and bucolic landscapes.

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