With travelers expected to embrace more immersive and so-called "slow travel" experiences post-pandemic, luxury operators continue to add more options for exploring Europe and North America by rail.
Belmond, which operates the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express that is synonymous with luxury train travel, recently announced new routes and three new grand suites.
The company said it has added five new boarding points in Rome, Florence, Geneva, Brussels and Amsterdam. Itineraries include one-night journeys from Florence and Rome through the Italian lakes and snowy Swiss mountains, a Geneva-to-Venice ride through the Brenner Pass and a tour of Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam on its new Venice-to-Amsterdam route.
It is also offering two-to-six-night packages from Florence with stays at two Belmond sister properties, the Belmond Villa San Michele in Florence and Belmond Castello di Casole in Tuscany.
The company said the train also has three new grand suites in the train's oldest carriage, which was built in 1926. The new Vienna, Prague and Budapest suites feature private bathrooms with showers, double beds and a living area with underfloor heating. Amenities include a personal 24-hour cabin steward, free-flowing champagne, in-suite dining and private transfers to and from the train.
Also this year, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is scheduled to launch its first river-rail trip in partnership with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.
The 12- and 14-day itineraries are offered in conjunction with its Venice-based northern Italy river cruises, taking travelers through Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.
Uniworld CEO Ellen Bettridge says the company in 2022 will also offer Cruise & Rail itineraries through Hungary, Italy, Turkey, Romania, Austria, Switzerland, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Bulgaria.
Additionally, the company recently announced the launch of luxury train trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express from Moscow to Vladivostok, Russia.
North America will also see new luxury train options this year when Rocky Mountaineer expands from Canada into the U.S. with a Rockies to the Red Rocks journey between Denver and Moab, Utah, overnighting in Glenwood Springs, Colo.
The company is also working with local suppliers to create custom vacation packages inclusive of tours, activities and stays in Denver and Moab.