Luxury European Rail and River Trips Trending

The trend reflects a broader shift toward "slow travel," where the journey is valued as much as the destination, a counterpoint to the rush of air travel. This revival sees significant investment in refurbishing heritage carriages and elevating onboard service to the level of a boutique hotel on wheels. The La Dolce Vita Orient Express is a new luxury sleeper train aiming to capture the glamour of 1960s Italy. A project between Arsenale and Orient Express, its 12 carriages feature interiors by Milan's Dimorestudio, with 18 suites and 12 deluxe cabins. Onboard dining is curated by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck. The Royal Scotsman, operated by Belmond, offers an intimate experience with a maximum of just 36 to 40 guests, ensuring a high staff-to-passenger ratio. Its nine re-designed 1960s Pullman cars include an open-air observation deck and the only onboard spa on a European luxury train. For guest comfort, the train stables at a quiet siding or platform at night rather than traveling continuously. These journeys are largely all-inclusive, with prices for the Royal Scotsman starting around £4,500 per person for two nights and rising to over £13,000 for a seven-night tour. Fares typically cover all meals, alcoholic and other beverages, and a variety of off-train excursions like private castle tours and whisky distillery visits.