Track 25

It’s almost unheard of.

Rovos Rail’s coveted Cape Town – Dar es Salaam tour, normally sold out up to a year in advance, has one Pullman and two Deluxe cabins available on its Sept. 26-Oct. 10 two-week excursion.

“Lots of people ask us: What’s your favorite destination? What’s your favorite train?” says IRT Society President Eleanor Hardy.

“That’s like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. Except in our case, it’s our World’s Top 25 Trains,” Mrs. Hardy says.

But at the risk of hurting her other “children’s” feelings, Mrs. Hardy says Rovos Rail’s Cape to Dar and Dar to Cape journeys stand out for their adventure, excitement and connection with the local people.

IRT Traveler Gary Ellman at his favorite spot: on the rear, outdoor platform during 2011 Cape-Dar tour. IRT Photo by Owen Hardy

“These two-week treks started out being just twice a year – once north, and then south. But they became very popular. People who went on Rovos Rail for just one night or two frequently came back to do the Dar trips – and they came back often,” Mrs. Hardy says.

“There’s even a group of guests who are called ‘Repeat Offenders.’ They’ve traveled on the train many times.”

IRT traveler Jeff Grinspoon surrounded by well-wishers in Mlimba, Tanzania. IRT Photo by Owen Hardy

Now the train has several DAR departures each year, but demand almost always exceeds supply, she says. Except for this fall.

Here’s Mrs. Hardy’s advice:

1. Book more than a year in advance for the greatest selection of cabins and dates. The IRT Society already has blocked space for its guests for next year and 2017. If a particular date looks attractive, grab it, she says.
2. If you can make this fall’s trip, don’t wait. These last three cabins will go fast.

IRT Society President Eleanor Hardy. IRT photo by Owen Hardy

“Life’s too short to hem and haw,” Mrs. Hardy says.

“I’ll never forget the big smiles of our clients on the rear, open-air deck one sunny afternoon, descending the spectacular pass to Mlimba, Tanzania,” Mrs. Hardy says. “One of them said it was the ‘best railroading I’ve ever done in my life.’ ”

For details on the Cape-Dar dates, pricing and itinerary, click here. For more on Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa train, click here. To book now, click here, call (800) 478-4881 or email tourdesk@irtsociety.com.

Pascal Deyrolle, General Manager, VSOE

Planning a gala celebration on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) with its new Champagne Breakfast?

Here’s additional info from last week’s report, provided by VSOE General Manager Pascal Deyrolle:

Reserve your spot with your cabin steward once on board. Those in cabin suites will get priority booking.

The only itinerary offering this at the moment is the southbound London-Paris-Venice journey. Dine more informally at the bar, with seating for 10. Or opt for a table.

VSOE Champagne Breakfast menu (click to enlarge)

The Champagne Breakfast is served in an intimate space in dining car Côte d’Azur, which the VSOE calls the “Champagne Bar.” There are 5 tables seating a maximum of four guests each.

“However, as most of these tables are used by couples celebrating, my expectation is to welcome 10 guests” at the 5 tables, Mr. Deyrolle says.

While the special breakfasts are served only on the southbound London-Paris-Venice route, the Champagne Bar is open on all routes except the annual Istanbul journeys.

The Champagne Bar serves only champagne; no other drinks. There are no changes in the VSOE’s glamorous bar car, which includes a baby grand piano.

Guests of The Society of International Railway Travelers® starting in 2015 receive additional perks through our membership in the Bellini Club®. The Club is an exclusive group of the top travel agencies with special ties to Belmond, operator of the VSOE as well as the Royal Scotsman, the Eastern & Oriental Express and other luxury trains.

The Society of IRT’s membership in Virtuoso®, the world’s largest luxury travel group, also translates into VIP treatment and valuable, exclusive benefits for our clients.

For the latest info on the VSOE, including 2016 dates and prices, please click here.

Dining car on S. Indian's "Golden Chariot" deluxe train Photo: Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation

Sloth bears and elephants are on display in their natural habitats during a special summer itinerary just announced by the Golden Chariot, a tourist train run by south India’s Karnataka State Tourism Development Corp.

The 7-night, 8-day summer package, “Pride of the South,” departs April 16. The Golden Chariot’s season normally operates September-March.

The tour covers Karnataka’s best-known tourist destinations, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and wildlife sanctuaries.

The special offer includes dinner at Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel, located at the foothills of Chamundi, Mysore, after a special cultural show that showcases Karnataka’s rich culture, the tourism department says.

The itinerary includes “Hampi by Night,” a program featuring specially illuminated monuments.

Guests also visit the nearby Daroji Bear Sanctuary, Asia’s first and biggest dedicated to the sloth bear.

As reported in The Hindu, the special Golden Chariot itinerary also includes an elephant interaction program at Kabini, special cultural shows inside the train and complimentary spa services.

April 12 is the cut-off date for booking. Per-person cost for the tour is about  $2,800 (single); $2,100 (double) or $1,660 (triple).

For more information, please email tourdesk@irtsociety.com or call (800) 478-4881 within the U.S. or Canada; elsewhere, please call (502) 897-1725.

Note: The Society of International Railway Travelers® has not had an opportunity to ride the Golden Chariot, although we hope to do so before the end of the year. We will publish a detailed report after that time.