created with AI assistance for The Earth & Flame
Airports can be chaos. Especially for parents with younger children. With commercial airlines mired in strikes, technical outages and staffing shortages, delays plague thousands of travellers. First class, once a coveted experience, now often delivers little more than a stale croissant and a crying baby three rows back.
Meanwhile, across continents and cultures, luxury rail travel is having a revival. For entrepreneurial families, creatives and seasoned travellers who have grown weary of the conveyor belt of flying, the rails offer something rare. Elegance in motion.
From the golden-age glamour of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to the contemporary refinement of Japan’s Seven Stars in Kyushu, the world’s finest trains now rival five-star hotels. These carriages are not merely a means of transport but destinations in their own right.
Luxury Without the Layovers
Many premium rail journeys offer multi-day itineraries complete with onboard chefs, private sleeping compartments and curated off-train excursions. South Africa’s Rovos Rail winds through game reserves and vineyards, while the Maharajas’ Express in India delivers palace-like interiors and opulent heritage stops.
Europe remains a goldmine for luxury rail experiences. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, with its Art Deco design and champagne bars, remains iconic. But newcomers such as the Orient Express La Dolce Vita in Italy, Le Grand Tour de France, and Al Andalus in Spain are gaining traction among modern luxury travellers. France also offers the Train Bleu, once frequented by Coco Chanel and Picasso, while Switzerland’s Glacier Express remains one of the most scenic rides in the world.
Even the United States is beginning to rediscover the art of refined rail. Rocky Mountaineer now offers luxury itineraries from Colorado to Utah, complete with panoramic domes and gourmet dining. Amtrak’s private rail charters, though lesser known, are beginning to cater to executive travellers and private groups wanting an off-grid luxury experience with full service.
For families, the difference is stark. No tray tables digging into knees or overtired children squashed into tight seats. Trains offer space to move, compartments to rest and scenic landscapes that double as entertainment. Some services provide family suites, while others host storytelling sessions or curated off-train stops suitable for younger travellers.
Farm to Table at 80 Kilometres per Hour
Dining aboard luxury rail has become a culinary journey in itself. Scotland’s Royal Scotsman features seasonal menus with local game, shellfish and single malt pairings. The Andean Explorer in Peru partners with chefs who forage along the route. In France, Le Grand Tour features rotating Michelin chefs onboard, each focusing on regional specialities as the train traverses from Bordeaux to Épernay.
Expect truffle risottos, heritage wines, rare cheeses and menus tailored to the landscape outside your window. Some trains offer wine pairings and onboard tastings while others bring chefs into the lounge cars for live demos, turning the journey into a moving gastronomy masterclass.
Wi-Fi, Workspaces and the Entrepreneur in Transit
More trains are now catering to those who work on the go. High-speed Wi-Fi, privacy doors and concierge-level assistance make it possible to take client calls while crossing the countryside. Japan’s Train Suite Shiki-shima offers quiet carriages with tailored services for business-class passengers, while Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express in Southeast Asia allows guests to blend leisure and productivity seamlessly.
Families combining travel with global schooling or entrepreneurship will find this especially useful. Trains provide a rhythm that supports creative flow. Children can journal, sketch or film their travels while parents take calls, prepare presentations or write from elegant writing desks nestled in private suites.
Routes to Watch
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe): The classic. Paris to Venice, now with new routes to Istanbul, Amsterdam and the Alps.
Train Suite Shiki-shima (Japan): Ultra-exclusive, with immersive design and stops in lesser-known Japanese towns.
Le Grand Tour (France): Newly launched, featuring onboard Michelin chefs and stops at wine châteaux and historic estates.
Royal Scotsman (Scotland): Highland castles, spa carriages and whisky pairings at dusk.
Belmond Andean Explorer (Peru): South America’s first luxury sleeper with panoramic views, fine dining and spa services.
Eastern & Oriental Express (Thailand–Malaysia–Singapore): Jungle routes, colonial elegance and Southeast Asian cuisine in motion.
Maharajas’ Express (India): Rich in colour and detail, offering routes from Delhi to Rajasthan and beyond with all the majesty of a royal procession.
Rocky Mountaineer (USA & Canada): Panoramic glass domes, gourmet regional meals and wildlife sightings from Denver to Moab or through the Canadian Rockies.
Orient Express La Dolce Vita (Italy): Launching soon, promising 1960s glamour, Italian cuisine and bespoke stopovers across Rome, Venice, Palermo and beyond.
Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian (Russia–Mongolia): One of the longest rail journeys in the world, crossing eight time zones with lectures, vodka tastings and imperial-style service.
As global travel pivots towards slower, more meaningful experiences, luxury rail is no longer just a nostalgic indulgence. It is a strategic return to elegance, intention and presence.
For families and founders alike, it may well be the golden ticket out of the clouds and back to earth, in style.
Europe
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: While it’s more of an adults-only vibe onboard, some of the new itineraries include extended stops in places like Vienna, Innsbruck or Verona where families can explore gardens, historic squares or take horse carriage rides. Still, this train is more for older children or teens who enjoy refinement over running.
Royal Scotsman (Scotland): Excellent for active kids. Stops include visits to castles, guided countryside walks, archery sessions, and even clay pigeon shooting (for older kids). Some packages include outdoor excursions with ghillies (Scottish guides).
Le Grand Tour (France): Stops at vineyards and historic towns — great for older kids who enjoy architecture or food experiences. Some rural stops allow for short hikes or chateau garden exploring.
Glacier Express (Switzerland): Not luxury in the sleeper sense, but extremely scenic and very kid-friendly. Stops include places with access to alpine walks, toboggan runs, and cable car rides. You can break the journey up and book family-friendly activities between Zermatt and St. Moritz.
Asia
Train Suite Shiki-shima (Japan): Some excursions involve art islands, bamboo forests and temple visits. While not “run wild” stops, they are immersive and offer space for children to move and explore. Japan also makes everything work like clockwork, so transitions are smooth.
Eastern & Oriental Express: Yes. Stops include guided bike tours in rural villages, market visits, and short jungle walks (usually optional). Perfect for curious, energetic children.
Maharajas’ Express (India): Stops at forts, elephant sanctuaries, and bustling city markets. Some itineraries offer jeep safaris and cultural performances that kids may love.
South America
Belmond Andean Explorer (Peru): High-altitude journeys mean the pace is slower. Stops include Lake Titicaca and remote Andean villages. Great for educational and scenic experiences, but not ideal for toddlers needing lots of movement.
North America
Rocky Mountaineer (USA/Canada): Daytime only — no overnight sleeping. Trains stop at national parks and mountain towns. Perfect for families. Kids can hike, visit wildlife centres or go rafting, depending on the stop.
Amtrak Private Charters: Fully customisable. You can choose stops and design your own family adventure with longer breaks and activity-based detours.
Good to Know:
Spa carriages or lounges are sometimes off-limits to children, but staff will often help suggest alternatives.
Some trains offer family cabins, larger suites or interconnecting compartments.
A few include children’s activity packs, storytelling sessions, or even private nannies, though these are rare and typically only on chartered or group trips.
Best for Families: Luxury Rails That Keep Kids Moving
🚂 Royal Scotsman (Scotland)
Castle visits, archery, countryside walks and a true Hogwarts feel for magical little minds. One of the best for active children.
🌿 Eastern & Oriental Express (Thailand to Singapore)
Jungle stops, floating markets, and bicycle rides through villages. A sensory adventure for the curious and high-energy crowd.
🌄 Rocky Mountaineer (USA & Canada)
Stops in national parks with options for hiking, rafting and wildlife spotting. Family cabins available on select routes.
🎨 Shiki-shima (Japan)
Art islands, temple strolls and seamless transitions. Ideal for older children or creative teens who love aesthetics and nature.
🚒 Glacier Express (Switzerland)
Scenic, smooth and full of breakable segments. Add sledding or cable car fun between legs of the journey.
🏠 Le Grand Tour (France)
Grand châteaux, vineyard gardens and historic towns. Best for tweens and up who enjoy culinary moments and storybook backdrops.
✨ Bonus Tip:
Consider booking adjoining suites or full compartments for privacy and playtime. Some trains allow stopover flexibility with advance planning.
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If you travel with intention, whether as a private club member, entrepreneurial traveller or luxury-minded parent, I would be interested to hear how you have travelled En Route. Private or semi private aviation, luxury rail, yacht or chauffeur driven car. Share your experience below.
If your property or experience champions culture and the quiet art of hospitality, I welcome conversation. The Earth and Flame collaborates with hotels and services that support intentional travel and uphold the standards of discreet, private-club level hospitality, with coverage created on location through itineraries, guides and editorial features.
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The Earth and Flame collaborates with private clubs, hotels and refined travel services that value culture, discretion and the quiet art of hospitality. Coverage is created on location through itineraries, guides and editorial features written through the lens of Luxury Single Parent Travel and global entrepreneurial life. Each partnership is shaped with intention and respect for heritage, design and the experiences that make a place worth returning to.
If your property or service aligns with intentional travel and private club standards, I welcome conversation.
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I writl and global entrepreneurial life. Work spans food, heritage, design and the rhythm of intentional living, with a focus on places and experiences that honour craft and character. From farm-to-table traditions and world coffee culture to destinations that support refined family travel, each feature is approached with curiosity and depth.
For properties that align with private club standards and thoughtful travel, or for stories that honour intention and elegance are always worth a conversation.
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