Private Jet Lifestyle: Exquisite Rail Journeys

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You’ve seen the world’s wonders from above in your private jet. Now it’s time to see them up close while on some of the most exquisite rail trips available in Europe, Asia, Africa and India. Here’s a look at some of the best:

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

The Orient Express is synonymous with luxury travel. While the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits no longer operates the original railway, the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express of the Orient-Express Hotels offers the same premium experience with the original carriages used in the 1920s and 1930s. During your trip, travel through Europe and western Asia on one of the six-day, five-night trips through Istanbul, Bucharest, Budapest and Venice or Paris. Book a cabin suite, which combines two private interconnecting cabins so you can have a private lounge and a separate sleeping cabin complete with a washbasin, luxury towels and 24 hour steward service. During your trip, you’ll enjoy in-cabin breakfasts, lunches and dinners in the opulent dining cars and transfers to luxury hotel when you arrive to destination cities. In each city, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in private guided tours.(http://www.orient-express.com/web/vsoe/venice_simplon_orient_express.jsp)

The Royal Scotsman

The Royal Scotsman is the only luxury sleeper train to roll through the UK. In 2013, this rail line features the Classic Whiskey Journey beginning in April, Classic Golf Journey in September, Country Homes & Gardens Journey in June and the Grand Tour of Great Britain in July. During each journey, you’ll have the opportunity to tour estates and castles (e.g., Glamis Castle, the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth), gardens, golf clubs and historic sites. For your trip, book an Edwardian-style double State Cabin. The ample cabin offers lower beds, private lavatory, full-length wardrobe, dressing tale, individually controlled temperature setting and windows that open. To ensure a good night of sleep, the train stops at night in a quiet station or siding. Formal and informal dinners alternate nightly, and men are encouraged to wear a tuxedo or kilt on formal nights. The Royal Scotsman offers kilt rentals and Highland dress purchases by Kinloch Anderson, kilt-maker to the royal family. (http://www.royalscotsman.com/web/rs/the_royal_scotsman.jsp)

Rovos Rail Pride of Africa

Start in Pretoria, South Africa and make your way to destinations like Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Durban, Swakopmund, Dar es Salaam and, in 2014, Cairo aboard Rovos Rail, one of the most activity-filled luxury train journeys in the world. Depending on the journey that you choose, your trip can last between four and 28 days as you make recreational and sightseeing stops to go on safari, visit museums, hike and enjoy sports like golf. Book your trip early so you can get a 16-square-meter Royal Suite, which takes up half a carriage, comes with a private lounge and a full en-suite Victorian-style bathroom. The suite also gives you access to 24-hour room service, personal safe and plenty of storage for your luggage and belongings. If you the Royal Suites aren’t available, the slightly smaller Deluxe Suites won’t let you down. (http://www.rovos.com/)

Deccan Odyssey

Charter a private jet to India and take a round-trip journey along the Konkan route inside the Deccan Odyssey. The trip starts in Mumbai and takes you through Sindhudurg-Tarkarli Beach, Goa, Vasco, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Ajanta and Nashik. On this journey, you’ll visit ancient temples, cashew factories, antiques, old churches, shrines, spice farms, palaces and other historic sites. The five-star hotel on wheels features a bar, two restaurants, sauna, health spa, a business center and amenities by the Integral Coach Factory. When you book your journey, ask for the 191-square-foot Presidential (Maharaja) Suite, which you can get with single to triple occupancy. The suite takes up half a train car, has separate sleeping and lounge areas and two en-suite bathrooms. You’ll also find a small lounge at the end of each sleeping car. (http://www.deccan-odyssey-india.com/)

To check out more luxury and first-class trains, take a look at the Society of International Railway Travelers’ latest list of the “World’s Top 25 Trains.” (http://www.irtsociety.com/trains.php)









About Solairus Aviation:

Solairus is a US-based private aviation services company whose core business is assisting aircraft owners with the safe, reliable, and efficient management and operation of their aircraft. Our services are customized to meet the client’s individual travel and financial requirements, and to support their flight operation with the highest standards of safety and personalized service, regardless of the location of the aircraft.

Solairus was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Solairus has over twenty-five base locations across the United States, Europe and Asia, employing more than two hundred flight crew and support personnel to operate a fleet currently numbering over fifty aircraft. Solairus is an Aviation Research Group/US Platinum-Rated and Wyvern Wingman certified charter operator. Solairus has also received the NBAA Commercial Business Flying Safety Award and is an IS-BAO stage two certified company. Solairus offers a full range of services in addition to aircraft management, which includes aircraft charter sales, aviation support services, and consulting. For more information about Solairus Aviation, visit www.solairus.aero or call 800-359-7861.

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