While they don?t have the advertising budgets of their most luxurious cruise line counterparts, the luxury railways of the world take their passengers to places the cruise ships will never see, in a style and elegance reminiscent of rail travel?s Golden Age. The sound of your train?s whistle as your journey unfolds will transport you, both body and spirit, back to days gone by!

North America: The Royal Canadian Pacific Rail Tours out of Calgary were named The World?s leading Luxury Train at the 2006 World travel Awards. Operating since 2000, the RCP Rail Tours accommodate their passengers on antique railcars restored to their 1920s levels of luxury, with modern appointments like 21st century plumbing in their ensuite staterooms. The dining car has tuxedoed waiters, linen table coverings, crystal and fine china, and word-class cuisine with wine included. The six day journey through the Canadian Rockies passes through both Yoho and Banff National Parks. Visit Luxory Rail Tours for more information.

GrandLuxe Rail Journeys, North America: If the RCP journey doesn?t sate your appetite for National Park scenery, follow it with a nine-day tour of the Great American West on the GrandLuxe, formerly the American Orient Express. On the GrandeLuxe you?ll once again be traveling in meticulously restored vintage railcars, with staterooms offering individual climate control. You?ll not only see the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon; you?ll disembark for fun and sightseeing in Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Sedona, and Salt Lake City. Visit their official site for more information.

The Blue Train, South Africa: No list of the world?s most luxurious train trips would be complete without a mention of the Blue Train route from Pretoria to Durban. While the journey itself provides two nights of superb dining, service, and sleeping accommodations, passengers can choose to extend their escape with two days at Durban?s five-star Zimbali Lodge and golf resort in a nature reserve overlooking the Indian Ocean. For information available at Blue Train’s official site.

The Orient Express, Istanbul to Venice: The Express? six-day Birthplace of Empires tour includes travel through astonishingly beautiful European countryside and stops for tours in five of the world?s great cities: Istanbul, Vienna, Venice, Bucharest, and Budapest. Each passenger is pampered by a personal steward in restored vintage rail cars, but to maintain historical authenticity, the train lacks showers and washing is restricted to basins with hot and cold water. See the Orient Express official site for special packages.

Palace on Wheels, India: Spend a week traveling in the royally-appointed fourteen-car train of the Palace on Wheels, to destinations including the Taj Mahal (also read about sunsets in Taj Mahal) and the Pink City of Rahasthan. Ride an elephant at the Amber Fort, and see the remarkable fa?ade of Jaipur?s Palace of the Winds. The Palace of Wheels is completely air-conditioned and each stateroom has a bathroom with shower. More information about Palace on Wheels train tours available on their official site.

The Royal Scotsman, the Trans Siberian Railroad, Australia?s Ghan, South Africa?s Rovo?s Railway, and PeruRail?s Magic of Peru luxury railway journeys will take you to other exotic destinations, as you are enveloped in the scenery of the surrounding countryside. The world?s most luxurious train trips aren?t like cruises, and they aren?t like air travel. They are a return to a slower time when travel meant the journey as much as it did the arrival, and they make every minute of the journey something to savor for years to come! Visit the Royal Scotsman official site for trip details.