The Palace On Wheels, India

Though times have changed and the winds have shifted, the Palace On Wheels cruises along in royal style, the kind only the Maharajas of yesteryears could have perpetuated and enjoyed.

The exquisite and exclusive Palace On Wheels has luxurious cabins, wall to wall carpeting, a well stocked bar, two dining cars and a very personalized service… in fact, almost everything that could compromise of heaven on earth for seven days!

The Orient Express

The Orient-Express experience has always been something more than a mere train journey. Ever since 1883, when the Orient-Express made its first journey from Paris to Istanbul, it has captured the imagination of the world. Throughout, the train has been the temporary home of aristocrats, royalty, spies, film stars and writers – as well as, of course a certain fictional Belgian detective.

Today, the glamour lives on, and, in an age that too often reduces travel to speed and convenience, the experience is more alluring than ever. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express now visits some of Europe’s most evocative destinations: Paris, Rome, Venice, Vienna, Budapest, Prague and Istanbul. The sheer romance of the on-board experience is entirely undiminished. Enjoy the uncompromising luxury of the authentic period carriages, and the finest quality of service, amid some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe.

Following the success of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the Eastern & Oriental Express made history as the first ever train to transport passengers directly from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok and is now the ultimate centrepiece of a visit to the Far East. A subtle balance of Eastern culture and cuisine and Western comforts means that you can enjoy the best of everything.

With its inaugural voyage in January 1996 the Road To Mandalay marked a new venture for the famed Orient-Express. Few places on earth remain untouched in their natural beauty and charm from one century to the next. The ancient land of Burma, now known as Myanmar, is however, an exception to the rule, and on board the Road To Mandalay there is no doubt that the visitor gets the very best vantage point of this fascinating, unspoilt country. Staying afloat but much closer to home shores Orient-Express now operate a small flotilla of luxury canal barges on the waterways of France. What better way is there to appreciate the richness of the French countryside, her vineyards and her gastronomic wonders than aboard a fully serviced river boat.

The Blue Train, South Africa

The Blue Train is a unique and memorable experience. Combining the luxury of the world’s leading hotels with the charm and romance of train travel. An all inclusive luxury rail cruise with an opportunity to view South Africa’s spectacular landscapes and visit interesting tourist attractions along the way.

Take a journey into a timeless world of grace and elegance, where spectacular scenery stirs your imagination and luxurious comfort soothes your body and soul. Sit back and enjoy being pampered while travelling in endless, five-star splendour.

By day the train’s elegantly furnished private suites provide a generously comfortable lounge. As night falls they become subtly lit, en-suite bedrooms, with fine cotton linen. Room service is on hand at all times, provided by the professional butlers who attend to each carriage.

A sophisticated, opulent atmosphere in the dining car, complimented by a gourmet menu and the finest South African wines sourced from boutique vineyards, make dining onboard a magnificent experience.

A journey of a lifetime for those who appreciate the finer things in life.

The Royal Scotsman, Scotland

To step aboard The Royal Scotsman is to step into a different world. Here luxury, civility and gracious hospitality evoke gentler times; the romantic age of travel when getting there was as much fun as arriving.

It is an effortless way to experience Scotland in absolute luxury with just a few fellow travellers, in an environment where you can give yourself over entirely to the care of the crew. With a maximum of only 36 guests aboard at any one time, you have plenty of space, time and encouragement to do as you please. Enjoy the company of others, sit idly with a good book or simply let the beauty passing by your window wash over you. On your journey, there’ll be time enough to enjoy something a little more active.

Seen from the comfort of the Observation Car, the contrasts of the changing landscape are magnified a hundredfold, across sweeping glens, past towering peaks and black mirrored lochs.

From the moment the piper welcomes you aboard in Edinburgh, to the moment you return to this historic city, you’ll be in the very best of hands, on the very best of trains.

With world class service, accommodation and cuisine, you and your guests will enjoy the unique atmosphere aboard the most luxurious train in the world.

Oberoi MS Vrinda Kerala, India

The picturesque backwaters of Kerala are one of India’s most enchanting holiday destinations – and The Oberoi, Motor Vessel Vrinda is the perfect way to experience them.

Vrinda is an exclusive cruiser with 8 deluxe air-conditioned cabins. All of these are luxuriously and elegantly decorated with wooden flooring, king sized beds, and windows overlooking the water. Each cabin has its own private bathroom and shower. Comfortable furniture with a TV and DVD player ensures that guests can rest and relax each evening in preparation for an active day’s sightseeing. Every cabin is also provided with an electronic safe for guests’ valuables.

The Restaurant on board The Oberoi, Motor Vessel Vrinda is located on the Upper Deck, along with the Lounge and Bar, and offers a selection of both international and local Kerala cuisine.

The 4 night / 5 day Vrinda experience combines 2 nights in Cochin with a splendid 2 night cruise aboard The Oberoi, M V Vrinda, where guests discover the rich heritage of Kerala and it’s fascinating backwaters.

Hebridean, The Small Cruise Ship Company

In a world of mega cruise liners, Hebridean’s small ships give the ambiance of a private yacht. With a maximum of 49 guests on Hebridean Princess and 80 on Hebridean Spirit and a near one-to-one guest to crew ratio, Hebridean’s personal approach means superior service and complete relaxation.

As only truly small ships can, Hebridean’s ships visit places well off the beaten track – allowing guests to enjoy little-known gems in areas of great natural beauty.

Hebridean Princess visits the castles, gardens, small bays and sea lochs of Scotland’s dramatic Highlands and Islands, while Hebridean Spirit offers a private view of palaces, vineyards, fortresses and tropical islands, voyaging in summer months to Norway, the Baltic and Mediterranean, then in winter, through the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean.

Hebridean’s all-inclusive cruise tariff means that you never need to dip your hand into your purse or pocket because prices encompass all shore trips, gratuities, meals, house wines and spirits and, for Hebridean Spirit’s summer programme, even private charter flights to the overseas ports.

The Ritz

Few other places can summon such an immediate atmosphere of unparalleled style, sophistication and elegance. Opened in 1906, The Ritz today still retains the personal feel of a French country house whilst offering all the glamour, excitement and graceful living that are synonymous with this legendary, World famous hotel. To this day it remains the only hotel in London to have been awarded a Royal Warrant.

When it comes to the position of the hotel, like all property the adage ‘Location, location, location’ is fundamental and no London hotel can really compete. Situated in St James’s, the fashionable heart of London, The Ritz overlooks historic Piccadilly and Green Park, one of London’s prettiest Royal Parks. The shops and galleries of Bond Street, Cork Street and the Burlington Arcade are all within easy walking distance, as are Christie’s and Sotheby’s, the private clubs of St James’s and the exclusive Gentlemen’s outfitters of Jermyn Street and Saville Row. And once the exploration of the Capital is over the hotel offers a welcome retreat with elegant communal halls, enticing restaurants and of course the famous Rivoli Bar.

The Ritz is a hotel on a grand scale for patrons who appreciate a good dose of nostalgia. All 95 bedrooms and 38 suites were meticulously and lovingly restored to their original glory as part of an exhaustive eight year period of renovation that finished in 2003. The antique Ritz bedroom furniture as well as the original light fittings and chandeliers have been repaired and restored where possible, otherwise replaced by copies or adaptations of the originals

Inverlochy Castle, Scotland

Nestled within the woods and fields that lie in the shadow of the mighty Ben Nevis, the internationally renowned Inverlochy Castle Hotel sits amidst what is surely some of Scotland’s finest scenery. The beauty and tranquillity of the Castle’s setting is remarkable and, in keeping with the grandeur of its surroundings, the Castle itself is a very fine building, wonderfully crafted and richly decorated.

Inverlochy was built in 1863 by the first Lord Abinger, near the site of the original 13th century fortress.

In September 1873 during a trip to Balmoral, Queen Victoria spent a week at Inverlochy sketching and painting where she wrote in her diaries ‘I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot’.

Sheen Falls Lodge, Ireland

An exquisitely decorated country house hotel standing against the impressive backdrop of the Caha Mountains, Sheen Falls Lodge enjoys a superb reputation as one of Ireland’s finest 5 star hotels. It has been awarded accolade after accolade, including ‘AA Hotel of the Year 2003’, the only hotel in Ireland to have received this prestigious award twice. Located on the banks of the River Sheen, the hotel basks in the splendour of the Sheen Falls. Foam splashed tidal waters tumble over stones creating a restful sound to greet our guests.

Sheen Falls Lodge offers a variety of activities. One can choose to explore the 300-acre estate, visit the stables, fish in the Sheen, or play golf at a nearby golf course. Explore the picturesque town of Kenmare, with its countless shops, pubs and restaurants. For those who want to really indulge, the Health Spa offers an abundance of health and beauty treatments. Guests can partake in a truly elegant dining experience in “La Cascade” – the main dining room overlooking the floodlit falls of the Sheen River. Alternatively, guests may dine in “Oscars Bistro” with its more informal setting.

Four Seasons George V, Paris

Just footsteps away from the Champs-Elysées, with private terraces that command all Paris; 17th-century tapestries, lovingly restored; and a spirit that lives on in thoroughly reborn, highly advanced spaces, Four Seasons George V Paris redefines service in the City of Light. Discover a legendary palace hotel, with the city’s largest guest rooms – many with balconies, 21st-century comfort and convenience, stellar dining and the finest luxury spa in the chic 8eme Arrondissement.

George V Paris, an eight-storey landmark 1928 building, offers 245 guest rooms and suites, all with unique architectural details and many featuring private terraces overlooking the world’s most romantic city. Located on the eighth floor, the Honeymoon Suite boasts pure romance in the heart of Paris with views of the city’s most famous monuments, including a romantic, direct terrace view of the Eiffel Tower.

With beautiful views of the Hotel’s courtyard and garden, Le Cinq is a very elegant dining room, dressed in grey and gold. The table cloths, china and silver were all created specifically for the hotel’s reopening. In 2003, barely three years after opening, Le Cinq received it’s third Michelin star.

Dressed in restful, muted colours and decorated with 18th-century prints, The Spa offers a true retreat in the vibrant heart of the city – and the finest, most luxurious hotel spa in Paris. With exclusive couture shops nearby, and the enchantments of Paris minutes away in any direction, the Four Seasons’s George V epitomises hospitality.

Hotel de la Cite, Carcassone

The walled city of Carcassonne stands high on a hill above the River Aude, overlooking the valley of Lauragais and the lush Minervois vineyards. It is Europe’s largest fortified citadel, each stone a mute witness to its romantic past.

Standing between two historic landmarks, the Roman Château Comtal and the Gothic Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, the Hôtel de la Cité is set in its own glorious gardens. With its solid stone walls, wood panelling and stained-glass windows, the hotel offers luxurious hospitality. This unique character, is reflected in the 42 guestrooms and 19 suites, each of which is individually furnished and decorated with more than a dash of aristocratic style.

Traditional style is of course matched by modern comfort, and all rooms feature the most up-to-date facilities, including air conditioning and sound-proofing. The rooms in the Hotel de la Cité are not all identical, varying in shape, layout and interiors. Several of the rooms and suites have balconies and terraces allowing spectacular views of Carcassonne and the ramparts of the medieval Citadel, as well as the Castle.

Close to picturesque villages, Cathar castles and historic sites, the Hôtel
de la Cité provides easy and close access to a wide range of activities.

Reid’s Palace, Madeira

The world famous hotel with breathtaking views, wrapped in beautiful gardens, and offering the finest service. Set on the cliff tops overlooking the Bay of Funchal and the Atlantic, Reid’s Palace Hotel has, for over 100 years, been a standard-bearer for excellence on Madeira and beyond. Madeira is the closest subtropical island to northern Europe at a distance of only three and a half to four hours’ flying time from London.