Slowing down is a leisure, and much more, a luxury, in these five railway trains covering well-loved routes in Asia. Sit down, lay back, and indulge in a journey of a lifetime without missing a beat of nature’s best landscapes.

Travel like the old-world Rajasthani

With fabled luxury fit for a king, India’s leading luxury train Maharajas’ Express pierces through the royal districts with its crown-printed, ruby-rain body, as it passes along the steel paths. With the cities of Rajasthan and Central India in its map, the train covers more than 10 destinations in its 4-circuit route, immersing guests into the famous Taj Mahal, whimsical Jodhpur, Pink City of Jaipur and the glorious landscapes of Udaipur. Welcome ceremonies are held every stop. Passengers are treated to equally stunning locations in between sites—such as the glowing Thar Desert and the Ajanta Caves.

Few countries in the world are as scenic as Switzerland, where majestic mountains, verdant valleys, flowing rivers, and frozen glaciers are only some of the natural features to be seen in this land of exceptional Alpine scenery. In a superbusy, urbanised world, the chance to replace concrete with mountains is one much enjoyed by visitors to Switzerland, where languages, cultures, terrains, and microclimates meet as if attending one of the many international conferences hosted in this cosmopolitan land in the centre of Europe. Some of those events even take place on board trains while passing through what many people consider to be the world’s most beautiful country.

Scotland’s luxury sleeper train invites one to journey under the stars

An adventure of a lifetime, an adventure in the highland: Belmond Royal Scotsman introduces bespoke excursions that sweep one off their seats and into the starlit landscapes of Scotland. Traversing in pleasurable comfort has always been the train’s mantra, but this new itinerary brings out a magical side of travelling never been seen before: Scotland under the dark, glittery sky.

In this new adventure, one is lured to stroll by the Cairngorms, hike by the steep gorges of Aviemore or float on a canoe along the glassy surface of Loch Ness, breathing in the remarkable beauty of nature reflected in the shadowy shades of blue and indigo.

The art of slow-travel is a vastly underappreciated one, but with Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express, a luxurious train that recalls the golden age of railway travel, serves as a reminder to travellers that every experience is worth savouring.

The Rocky Mountaineer is a luxury rail service running on four routes in western Canada. Journeying on the train is a comfortable way of seeing the region’s landscapes and wildlife. This year, with Canadians celebrating 150 years since Confederation — the act that united Britain’s North American colonies and is regarded by residents as the birth of their nation — rail travel seems a particularly fitting as a way of exploring this vast and scenic country.

Bagpiper plays in front of Rocky Mountaineer

Some people speculate as to whether British Columbia would today even be a part of Canada if it wasn’t for the Canadian Pacific Railway. It could well have joined the United States of America, rather than the Dominion of Canada, if politicians in the eastern Provinces hadn’t agreed to the enormous undertaking of financing its construction.

Cisco Crossing over the Fraser River

In the late-19th century, an age when powered air travel was still a distant dream, the railway represented the only feasible method of rapidly transporting people and goods across the continent. Even today it takes four-and-a-half hours to fly the 3,350 kilometres that separate Vancouver and Toronto. Rail aficionados may prefer to cover the ground between the two cities with a journey aboard The Canadian, the train that takes just shy of three-and-a-half days to cover that distance.

The Rocky Mountaineer began operating in 1990 and now carries well over 100,000 passengers a year. It has become recognised as one of the world’s great train journeys and is an aspirational travel experience. The First Passage to the West skirts a scenic, 600-kilometre route between Vancouver and Banff over two days.

Looking down Banff Avenue in the town of Banff

It passes numerous points noteworthy for rail enthusiasts, including the Cisco Crossing, where both the Canadian Pacific and the Canadian National Railway lines cross the fast-flowing Fraser River. Arguably the most significant is Craigellachie, in British Columbia, the place where the final metal spike was ceremonially hammered into the track to complete the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway on 7 November 1885.

Travellers on the train are unable to disembark to visit the Last Spike Gift Shoppe and memorial cairn, but they can snap photos of visitors waving at the train, whose distinctive gold and blue livery makes it popular with photographers as it rolls through the countryside.

Guests travelling from west to east are invited to board the train at a dedicated terminal on the edge of Vancouver. A smartly turned out gentleman in Scottish national dress, complete with kilt and sporran, plays the bagpipes, piping passengers aboard. As the train accelerates away from the station non-travelling members of the Rocky Mountaineer’s staff form a guard of honour to wave off guests — a scene that prompts many onboard to reach for their cameras and click the first of many photos during the journey.

Park Canada views over Banff National Park

Travellers can choose between two levels of onboard service — SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf. Selecting SilverLeaf means travelling in a single-level carriage and being served food at the seat allocated for the journey. GoldLeaf carriages, by comparison, have two floors. Meals are served in the dining carriage on the lower level. Reclining leather seats are ranged beneath dome-windows on the upper level, offering elevated, panoramic views over the landscape through which the train traverses. Those windows, incidentally, are cleaned prior to each day’s travel, to minimise the chance of flecks impinging views or being recorded in photographs.

Kamloops Brownstone Restaurant

An enhanced Deluxe GoldLeaf service guarantees the most luxurious guestrooms in hotels. That means staying in an executive suite at the Fairmont Olympic hotel in Seattle, while travelling on the Coastal Passage route, and overnighting in either the five-star Fairmont Chateau Whistler or a deluxe room at the 291-room Four Seasons Resort Whistler while on the Rainforest to Gold Rush route, running between Vancouver and Jasper.

Turkey burger served in the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Guests alight at the end of each day’s journey. For those travelling through the Canadian Rockies, on both the First Passage to the West and Journey Through the Clouds routes, that means spending a night in a comfortable hotel in downtown Kamloops. The four-star Sandman Signature Kamloops Hotel overlooks the town’s Riverside Park, by the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers. The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kamloops is another of the properties where Rocky Mountaineer guests can lie down for the night.

Seats aboard the train have lots of leg room, but one of the joys of undertaking a rail journey is that it’s possible to get up to walk around at any point. The carriages have open vestibules at their rears. Keen photographers tend to enjoy spending time out on the vestibule as it means being able to lean out and record images without catching reflections on the inside of windows. It also means being able to breathe in air laden with the fresh scent of pine or spruce while travelling through areas of dense forestation.

Seafood at Granville Island

One of the disadvantages of spending time on the vestibule is that the rush of air and clacking of the track make it tricky to hear the informative commentaries provided by members of the guest services team as the train passes points of interest or wildlife along the route. Intermittently, the team takes turns to use a microphone to provide travellers with advice when the train is approaching photo opportunities, and recount anecdotes providing insights into the heritage of landmarks. An onboard radio system means that the driver can relay information regarding wildlife sightings, so that guests are ready to photograph animals such as bighorn sheep, bald eagles and grizzly bears — including The Boss, the 250-kilogram male who inhabits territory on the edge of Banff National Park. Though the guest services team commit to memory a lengthy script, they adapt and enhance it according to their personal interests. That means some providing knowledgeable insights into railway history while others give commentaries about the behaviour and lifecycle of grizzlies.

Smiles and cookies during a guided walking tour of Kamloops

Like the mighty bears, who pull leaping salmon fresh from the rivers of western Canada, guests travelling in the GoldLeaf carriages can tuck into locally sourced fish for lunch. The team of chefs working aboard the fleet of Rocky Mountaineer trains sends out around 500,000 plates of exquisitely presented food each year. The cuisine is designed to meet the demands of discerning diners who are no strangers to cruising or fine-dining establishments. The menu includes vegetarian and gluten-free dishes and evolves each season. But old favourites — such as the short ribs, made with Alberta beef — have featured on the menu for years.

View onto Lake Louise from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

A 10-day tour, aimed at gourmet travellers, is being added to the array of packages offering adventure experiences and sightseeing opportunities before and after journeys on the Rocky Mountaineer. The First Passage to the West Culinary Exploration includes a guided culinary walking tour of Granville Island or the expansive Chinatown district of Vancouver, plus two six-course tasting menus paired with wine. One of those is in the Eden Restaurant at The Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff, which holds one of the American Automobile Association’s coveted Five Diamond ratings.

View of Banff seen from the Banff Gondola

Anybody wishing to learn more about the cuisine served in British Columbia can participate in one of the newly introduced guided walking tours of Kamloops, run by ACT Adventures. A local guide points out heritage locations around the city. A gold rush and, of course, the railway played roles in establishing Kamloops. A memorial to the first settlers of European origin, who walked from Winnipeg, stands opposite Brownstone Restaurant, where popular dishes are given a gourmet twist. The starters include poutine — traditionally a comfort food of French fries topped with gravy and curds — featuring wild mushroom, truffle oil and roast chicken. The main courses include locally caught rainbow trout and breast of duck from nearby Brome Lake. The renowned poet Robert Service worked in the heritage building now occupied by Brownstone’s while it was still used as the Canadian Bank of Commerce.

The Last Spike Gift Shoppe at Craigellachie in British Columbia

Banff, the First Passage to the West’s eastern terminus, stands in Canada’s oldest national park and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The national park was established in 1885 to encourage tourism to geothermal springs that were discovered, by chance, while railway construction workers took a break on Sulphur Mountain in 1883. The Banff Gondola now runs to the summit of that mountain, where a rooftop observation platform offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Tours of the Cave and Basin National Historic Site are a way of learning about the discovery of the springs. Bathers who enjoy high-end experiences might prefer a trip to the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel’s Willow Stream Spa. The grand hotel has 764 guestrooms and is built in the style of a Scottish manor. Reputedly haunted, it is a national heritage site because of the significance of its role in attracting rail travellers to the national park, over which it has commanding views.

Dining with a backdrop of mountain scenery is also an option at nearby Lake Louise, which was named in honour of the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria — Princess Louisa Caroline Alberta — after whom the province is also called. Sitting in the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s Walliser Stube, where fondue is served, provides views onto the lake and the steep slopes of the Canadian Rockies that rise above it, forming one of the country’s most popular ski resorts.

Rocky Mountaineer

Winter sports continue to draw visitors to the mountainous region outside of the season from April until October, when Rocky Mountaineer trains roll across the landscape of Canada’s West.

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Back when air travel was still uncommon even for the wealthy, travellers used to go around in style via trains and ships. Now that the vast majority have mastered the art of flight, there comes a certain je ne sais quoi in rails and sea excursions. It could indeed be the definition of ‘leisurely pursuits’; to do away with time constraints and immerse in the means that ruled supreme during simpler times. Experience the world the old-fashioned way as we present to you the best and most luxurious trains and cruise experiences. All aboard!

I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train. – Oscar Wilde

The Shongololo Express (Southern Africa)

A great Safari experience doesn’t necessarily translate to roughing it in a tent. Journey through South Africa in style aboard the Shongololo Express and experience the region’s rich culture in all its glory. The luxury train’s 16 coaches were recently refurbished with splendid interiors and opulent furniture to ensure all its 72 guests’ comfort. Its spacious Gold and Emerald suites offer double beds or twin beds and feature a lounge area and en-suite bathrooms with showers, a luxurious necessity onboard a train.

Dinner at the dining car every evening is a social event to look forward to, combined with authentic African cuisine. An observation car allows guests to relax, read a book, or simply soak in the awe-inspiring vistas as the train rolls through the vast countryside. Tours span from 12 to 15 days, passing through Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and the kingdom of Swaziland.

Beginning from Cape Town, the Shongololo Express will take you to different wildlife sanctuaries such as the Etosha National Park in Namibia, the Hluhluwe Wildlife reserve, and the Augrabies National Park; diamond mines in Kimberley and Kolmanskop, and other historical sights that you just can’t miss in South Africa. www.shongololo.com

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)

The elegant cabin of Venice Simplon Orient Express

Cellular phones and selfies seem out of place in this train’s old-world glamour, but we’re taking photos nonetheless. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express transports its guests decades back to the golden age of train travel while taking you to the romantic cities of Europe.

The original sleeping cars of the 20’s and 30’s are part of the train, along with three dining cars and a lavish bar with a baby grand piano. Polished wood, antique trinkets, and elegant curtains add a ritzy vibe to the carriages. There are single or twin cabins, or a luxury suite for guests to choose from.

The elegant cabin of Venice Simplon Orient Express

The combination of design and innovation is impeccable: a washbasin comes out of a wood cabinet and plush sofas are transformed into berth beds. Three Grand Suites – Venice, Paris, and Istanbul – will make their debut in March next year with double beds, ensuite bathrooms, and a living area.

Dinner is a dress-up event, so ladies, don’t forget your dinner gowns and gentlemen your tuxedos. The champagne bar carries vintage champagnes served in Lalique glasses, while culinary master Executive Chef Christian Bodiquel conjures the most delectable European and international cuisine. www.belmond.com/trains

Presidential Train ( Portugal)

A pianist serenades the guests of the Presidential Train

Journey on coaches where kings and queens of Portugal once travelled in. Before it halted operations in the 70’s, the Presidential Train was used to transport Portugal’s royal family for more than a century, as well as visiting heads of state including Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Pope Paul VI. The train rested at the National Railway Museum in Portugal until its stunning restoration in 2010.

Its original furniture were retained to preserve the history and charm of the royal train. It now traverses the lush forests and majestic views towards the Douro Valley, a protected wine region. The Presidential Train is also renowned for its nine-hour gastronomic expedition. World-famous and Michelin-starred chefs such as Vasco Coelho Santos, João Rodrigues, and Dieter Koschina take the helm in the kitchen for exceptional multi-course meals with wine pairings.

Other Michelin-starred chefs who lent their talent aboard are Vitor Matos, Miguel Rocha Vieira, and Pedro Lemos. While indulging in a world-class gourmet experience, a pianist serenades the guests with classical music as a troubadour roams the carriages for enjoyable strummed music. The Presidential Train’s trips take place only 25 times a year, thus it is strongly advised to reserve a seat in advance. www.thepresidentialtrain.com

Belmond Andean Explorer (Peru)

Belmond Andean Explorer chugs along Peruvian scenic spots

The Belmond Andean Explorer, South America’s first luxury sleeper train, will literally take your breath away. It is one of the highest train routes in the world, climbing at 14,000 feet and starts from Cusco to the city of Arequipa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In its three-day journey, the Andean Explorer stops by several utterly bewitching locations such as the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable water in the world; the ancient Sumbay Caves; the Colca Canyon; and the Incan ruins in Raqch’i.

Bask in the delightful sceneries of the altiplano’s snow-capped mountains, herds of alpacas, llamas, and vicunas, and a scattering of remote villages inhabited by indigenous tribespeople. The Peruvian culture is showcased in the interiors of the train by vibrant colours and natural hues. The Lounge Car houses a baby grand piano for live music entertainment (and the sporadic sing-alongs), while the Observation Car is ideal to enjoy the mountain views with a glass of Pisco Sour, a South American classic.

Its deluxe double bed cabins have an intimate seating area and ensuite showers. Due to the high altitude the train travels in, all of its 25 cabins are furnished with oxygen tanks and an onboard nurse is present throughout the trip. This Peruvian journey through the Andes is set to be one exhilarating adventure. www.belmond.com/trains

Silver Muse

Silver Muse in a port of call

The understated elegance of Silver Muse started churning the waters this year and is already hailed as one of the most luxurious cruises in the world. It provides a hotel-like experience in the sea through its all-suite offering and signature service. The most lavish suite aboard is the Owner’s Suite, a 129-square feet cabin that has a teak veranda, a dining and living area, a walk-in wardrobe, and marble bathroom with a separate shower.

With the guests’ wellness of paramount importance, Silver Muse is furnished with a one-of-a-kind concept spa, the Zagara. Their holistic approach to health and wellness allows guests to personalise their own spa experience. Guests can choose from different holistic therapies partnered with treatments such as a seaweed body wrap, a hot stone massage, the Amethyst Crystal Sound Bath Healing Treatment, BIOTEC facials, and the ELEMIS Thousand Flower Detox Wrap.

Chill in their Mood Room with customized lighting, music, and video while enjoying a massage. Silver Muse partnered with London’s House of Elemis to provide the highest level of pampering for everyone on deck. Its fitness centre carries Technogym equipment and has personal trainers on-hand. This is truly a floating wellness haven, and with a guest capacity of 596 and a crew of 411, you can ensure a more detailed and attentive service. www.silversea.com

Crystal Esprit

Crystal Esprit’s C-Explorer 3 sub prepares to submerge

Who says you can only stay above water when on a cruise? For those who are not big fans of scuba diving, the Crystal Esprit luxury yacht has a much better alternative: a submarine. The C-Explorer 3 is a $2.9-million submarine that can carry a pilot and two passengers down under and submerge approximately 1,000 feet into the ocean. It can stay underwater for 16 hours, but guests are only offered up to 30 minutes excursions to soak in the spectacular views of the Indian Ocean from a once-in-a-lifetime vantage point thanks to a 360˚ acrylic hull.

Temperature, pressure, and humidity are adjusted to appropriate levels, and the inside of the sub is comfortable enough that it will not feel cramped. Guests who want to try their hands on this exhilarating underwater adventure will attend a 15-minute safety briefing on board, then transfer to a Zodiac that will take them to the C-Explorer 3, several thousand feet away from the Esprit. Once submerged, guests can experience the Indian Ocean’s reefs and catch sight of different species of fish, sea turtles, and glide along white tip sharks.

Don’t worry, the sub’s Plexiglass is tough as nails, so it will not shatter if a shark headbutts the sub. Crystal Esprit is the first vessel in Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Yacht programme. It can carry 62 passengers and a crew of 91. www.crystalcruises.com

All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveller is unaware. – Martin Buber

Crystal Symphony

Pleasing pops of colour at Crystal Symphony’s Silk Kitchen & Bar

After a month-long break, Crystal Symphony has returned to the seas from its beauty sleep and upped the ante in the game of luxury cruises. Its mid-ship entertainment hub was redesigned to offer the best visual and amenities where guests can enjoy dancing and indulge in their favourite cocktails. The old production Welcome Aboard is out, in comes the new show Crystal in Motion starring the repertoire of the Crystal Ensemble.

It will showcase live performances of songs and dance numbers in different genres. The Crystal Ensemble will also serenade diners in The Starlite Club along with other forms of entertainment, from comedians, ballroom dance groups, and songs by the Crystal Show Band. Crystal Symphony is now home to spacious Penthouses and Penthouse Suites with their own butler service, such as the 12 new Seabreeze Penthouse with verandah and 28 new Seabreeze Penthouse Suites.

Because of these refurbishments, the ship’s capacity is reduced to an intimate 848 guests whereas the number of crew remains the same, giving way to a better crew-to-passenger ratio and bringing the emphasis on personalised service. Technological enhancements were also installed, which means faster Wi-Fi for everyone while out at sea! www.crystalcruises.com

Seven Sea Explorer

An aura of elegance at the Seven Sea Explorer’s Lounge

Many claim to be the world’s most luxurious cruise ship in the world, but none of them have walls adorned with US$7 million worth of art, a US$10,000 a night suite, or an incredible chandelier made of 6,000 pieces of crystal looming over a double staircase and an inlaid marble floor. Amidst the rolling waves of the sea, Seven Seas Explorer emerges as a grand dame among the world’s greatest luxury cruise ships.

The entire ship houses more than 2,500 works of art, including pieces by Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall. Its Regent Suite, which occupies a whopping 412 square metres, has two bedrooms and three marble bathrooms, a comfy US$150,000 bed, a custom Steinway piano, its own spa, and, for a truly extravagant stay, two Picasso lithographs. A personal butler and a private car with a driver is also available at every port.

You won’t find a regular room here as all of Seven Seas Explorer’s accommodations are all-balcony suites. The service is outstanding with 542 crew members attending to only 750 guests. Other jaw-dropping features include a US$200,000 chandelier made of hand-blown glass at the main dining area, glass ceilings, an impressive 3-ton prayer wheel, and, of course, exotic destinations and ports-of-call in different parts of the world. www.rssc.com

MS Europa II

Europa II’s pooldeck with natural light

There are 500 guests aboard the Europa II, but you won’t see large crowds in restaurants and lounges or lines for a particular amenity anywhere. Why? This luxury liner has the highest space-to-passenger ratio of any cruise ship. This award-winning all-suite ship lives up to the highest standards of service.

MS Europa II’s theatre hosts vaudeville performances and shows

The best home in the ocean happens to be in the form of Europa II’s Owner Suite with a separate living and dining area, a walk-in wardrobe, a minibar, a steam sauna in the shower, and a whirlpool in the en-suite bathroom. To make your stay hassle-free, a personal butler is available to attend to your every need as well as a travel concierge for personal travel arrangements while on dock. Its bar, Collins, carries an impressive variety of 45 brands of gin from around the world.

The onboard entertainment also received a glow up including a 3D cinema; Sansibar, Germany’s famous beach bar; a theatre that hosts Vaudevilles, solo performances, acrobats and Club 2, a high-ceilinged club with nightly live performances. Olympic ski champion Maria Höfl-Riesch is on board to demonstrate her fitness programme and tailor it to the fitness goals of the guests in selected cruises. For golf enthusiasts, there are PGA golf professionals to assist you in improving your swing and golf simulators onboard with integrated video analysis to practice before the real tee off once docked. www.hl-cruises.com

Eye of the Wind

Eye of the Wind in all its glory

Built in 1911 as a schooner, the Eye of the Wind is one of the most resilient ships sailing until today: it is one of the last traditional vessels in the 21st century. This impressive two-masted ship counts 106 years of history on its deck and homeports in Germany. It has been a cargo vessel in Denmark, participated in a round-the-world voyage for scientific exploration, starred in films such as The Blue Lagoon and Nate & Hayes until its full restoration in 2000.

It now cruises along the Mediterranean Sea, the North Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea, the Baltic, and the North Sea with a maximum of 12 passengers. Its tan sails are striking from a distance, and inside is a maritime-themed interior made of teak, tropical wood, and brass. A traditional seafaring charm buzzes about on deck inspired by the ship’s classic facilities.

Eye of the Wind offers a real seafaring experience, perhaps one of the principal reasons why guests prefer to sail with her. The crew, or the sailors, practice the traditional trade on a daily basis. Passengers get to experience manning the helm and lookout; watchkeeping; and handling of lines, ropes, sails, and fenders. Having successfully circumnavigated twice, the Eye of the Wind is currently organising its third World Circumnavigation project. www.eyeofthewind.net

I wanted freedom, open air and adventure. I found it on the sea. — Alaine Gerbault

Sea Cloud

Sea Cloud’s Owners’ Cabin, where the rst owner, Marjorie Merriweather, stayed

The resplendent condition of the Sea Cloud now shows no signs of its 86 years of existence. No one would’ve thought that this four-masted barque, built in 1931, has been to war, became a prominent venue of glamorous parties of American socialites, and was transformed into a presidential yacht of Dominican Republic in the ‘50s.

Sea Cloud’s bridge is truly a blast from the past

Now, the Sea Cloud is a vessel that exudes elegant charm where a maximum of 64 guests can enjoy the nostalgic vibe of a bygone era underneath 30 white sails. The accommodations and amenities match that of a 5-star cruise ship while the design takes inspiration from a phenomenal windjammer. The blue lagoon, the promenade deck, and its restaurants radiate an ambience of timelessness, perhaps because of the beautiful teak wood benches, the golden taps, the curated antiques, or simply the history that this ship has seen.

Its cabins are well-appointed and opulent. The Luxury Owner’s Cabin, once occupied by the original owner Marjorie Merriweather herself, has a spacious seating area, a Louis XIV-style bed, a marble fireplace, a walk-in closet, and a bathroom with its own tub. Bask in the sophistication and grandeur of this historical luxury vessel. www.seacloud.com

S.S. Joie De Vivre

The Stateroom aboard S.S. Joie de Vivre marries beauty and romance

Cruising along the River Seine aboard S.S. Joie de Vivre is a Parisian love affair. On this 128-passenger river cruise, every evening is magical with a romantic mood brought by handcrafted furniture, works of art, lovely antiques, and trinkets inspired by the roaring 20s. Marble-clad bathrooms, an Art Deco theme, plush sofas and beds, and beautiful pieces from Sotheby’s on display will take you back to the 19th century France.

Its ten staterooms have fantastic river views, luxurious made-to-order Savoir of England beddings, a flat screen TV with an infotainment centre, a built-in closet, and underfloor heating, while the Presidential Suite has a separate living room, bathroom, and a rain shower and tub. Wellness area Club L’Esprit houses the onboard spa that will keep you pampered with a number of treatments. There is also a heated pool, a resistance pool, a fitness centre, and space to do your yoga.

At night, savour delicious hors-d’oeuvres and signature cocktails at Claude’s while enjoying live music, watch a French film in its cosy and intimate cinema, or wine and dine at Le Restaurant Pigalle and Cave de Vins. For your art fix, visit the Salon de Beaux Arts lounge to marvel at the antiques and fine arts collections. www.uniworld.com

Golden Eagle Danube Express

Europe has an abundance of charm – there is always something new and delightful to behold, and one of the best ways to experience the region and its flavours is through the Danube Express’ railroad journeys. Explore the Balkans and other fascinating parts of Eastern Europe as you visit medieval towns steeped in history, decades-old churches, buildings that still bear the scars of world wars, and several UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Be pleasantly surprised with an eclectic mash of old and new: stone manors and cobbled streets with pockets of trendy designer boutiques, hipster cafes, modern art galleries, and exceptional gastro experiences. Danube Express’ off-train adventures are meticulously taken care of by a tour manager, while every guests’ needs on the train are attended to efficiently by a friendly and attentive staff.

The Superior Deluxe Cabins, numbered only four per departure, have their own cabin attendant for a more relaxed ride. Additionally, a king size bed and en-suite bathrooms with cubicle showers make for a more commodious stay. The onboard restaurant and the Bar Lounge hosts language lessons and brings in experts to familiarise interested guests about the destinations’ history and culture. www.danube-express.com

Genting Dreams

Genting Dream’s Zouk Beach Club for a fun- filled night

For premium cruisers, the Genting Dream is the preferred way to sail in South East Asia, with port of call in Kuala Lumpur, Thailand, Bali, and Surabaya, and exclusively homeports all year in Singapore. This 18-deck luxury ship accommodates 3,352 passengers and is decked with an impressive array of facilities and activities.

Genting Dream’s Club Casino

A gastronomic experience onboard awaits with more than 35 restaurants and bar concepts such as Bistro by Mark Best, Silk Road, Umi Uma while Johnnie Walker House is the place to be to try their famous whiskeys. Its Dream Suites and Garden Penthouse are well-appointed, while the dedicated Dream Palace is where one would find executive living, a private clubhouse with a European butler concierge service ready to simplify the onboard experience.

Fun activities are courtesy of a large water slide park, a gaming arcade, rope courses, rock climbing wall, and a mini-golf. The Genting Dream is also home to Zouk at Sea, an energetic club that has an indoor dance area and an outdoor party deck. It is also set to bring in some of the world’s best DJs and performers. Guests will even get to have “The Dream Experience,” a 45-minute theatrical representation of the first “China’s Got Talent” in the ship’s Zodiac Theatre. www.dreamcruiseline.com

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