Latest news with #luxurytrain
The Independent
13 hours ago
- The Independent
Is there a luxury train from Paris to French locations?
Q I was told that there is a luxury train going from Paris in September to different places in France. It's first class and the journey is for around six days. Susan Barr A Le Grand Tour, as the venture is known, talks a good game. The plan is for a six-day 'immersion in the French wonders'. Passengers will travel a total of 2,500 miles around France, packing in a host of sites. The experience starts at Paris Gare de l'Est, which I regard as the most elegant of the capital's stations. Day one takes in Reims for lunch (and presumably some champagne), continuing to Beaune in Burgundy, where a private tour of the ancient almshouse awaits. Day two: Avignon, with a rooftop tasting 'of the region's finest wines and produce'. On the same day, the train will reach the southwest city of Carcassonne. For the third day, the first destination is, oddly, Pau: a second-division historical city, though with a decent view of the Pyrenees. In the afternoon, the Bay of Arcachon will improve humours, with a visit to the Dubourdieu shipyards and a boat trip. Maritime appeal continues on day four, with handsome La Rochelle in the morning and a private tour of Chenonceau, the 'Château des Dames' later on. The finale appears to happen on day five. To quote the marketing: 'Le Grand Tour ends with a spectacular journey back in time at Puy du Fou.' This is a historical theme park southeast of Nantes. The sell continues: 'Over the course of a day, history blends with legend to come alive again until nightfall, when the grand spectacle of the night shimmers under the stars.' You might think this an unusual choice of location for the climax (presumably day six is a trundle back to Paris to offload one set of passengers and take on the next lot). But it makes sense when you learn that the trip is promoted by the Puy du Fou enterprise itself. The plan was set out in 2022 and little appears to have happened since. I have checked putative departures up to 2028 and can see none confirmed. So while a first-class trip around France in September sounds like a grand idea, get a first-class Interrail pass instead. Q Our flight from Venice was delayed overnight. Who is responsible for sourcing our accommodation? Ellen Saville A Under air passengers' rights rules, anyone whose flight is delayed overnight is entitled to be provided with a hotel room and meals commensurate with the length of the delay. In addition, the Package Travel Regulations specify: 'Where the organiser is unable to ensure the traveller's return as agreed in the package travel contract because of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, the organiser must bear the cost of necessary accommodation, if possible of equivalent category.' Both sets of rules point to the same outcome. Often when a flight in connection with a package holiday is delayed by 24 hours, your stay at the hotel will simply be extended by a night. But the airline or holiday company (which, in your case, are basically the same entity) may move you to a different property, such as an airport hotel, if necessary. I think it highly unlikely that you will be left to sort out the problem yourself; but if you are, pay for the extra stay and meals and present the receipts to the company. Q We are heading to North Macedonia and Albania this summer. My wife is worried about the driving. Is it bad? Richard V A Your wife is right to be concerned. I have consulted the Albanian traffic accident statistics for the past decade. They are tragically high. The average death toll on the roads is more than 200 per year. Adjusted for population, that is about 2.5 times the fatality rate in the UK. In terms of road miles, the accident rate is worse still, since Albania is a small country (the size of Wales) and long journeys are commensurately rare. While I haven't studied the North Macedonia statistics, my observation from travelling around is that driving and road standards are equally poor. The reasons: bad driving (fuelled by alcohol in one in 25 accidents, the statistics relate), inadequate policing and some dangerous roads. Rail travel is not a viable option in either country. In these circumstances, it is wise to rely on professional drivers. In both countries, I travel longer distances by bus or minibus, and make shorter journeys by taxi. This works out better than you might imagine. On arrival at Tirana airport, coaches are usually waiting to run into the capital – or, less frequently, to Durres on the coast. Coaches or minibuses run between larger towns and cities – many minibuses run on demand, departing when full. Crossing between North Macedonia and Albania is straightforward. For shorter journeys, you can flag down a taxi (the North Macedonian capital also has Bolt, which is similar to Uber) or take a local bus. If you plan an excursion taking in three or four locations in the day, your hotel will know some reliable drivers who will offer a fair price. I should stress that I am a non-car owner and a poor driver, and therefore always prefer it when someone else is driving. You can enjoy the many spectacular views – and meet interesting locals.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Britain's most luxurious new train has been cancelled (again)
For the second time in a month, the luxury train operator Belmond has pulled the plug on the inaugural run of the newest addition to its fleet, the Britannic Explorer. The new train – which costs from £11,000 per double cabin for a three-day trip – had been due to journey to Wales via the west of England and the Cotswolds, departing from London Victoria at 3.45pm today. But late last night passengers were informed that 'with a heavy heart' the company had decided to cancel the journey. Train cancellations and severe delays? In Britain? Well, yes, even for this most well-heeled operator – running a trip which, ironically, was designed to 'showcase the very best' of modern England and Wales. No immediate reasons were given for the latest setback, but the scrapping of the trip to Wales follows a similar decision to cancel what had originally been planned as the launch of the train: a three-day journey to Cornwall scheduled to depart on July 4. At that time, it was said that the train needed further maintenance checks before being cleared for departure, with the date of the inaugural journey put back to July 21 and the route changed to the Welsh itinerary. Of the original delay, a company spokesman said: 'The adjustment to the schedule was due to final refinements being made to ensure the train operates at the highest possible standard.' The company had hoped that the maintenance issues with the train would have been smoothed out in time for the Wales departure but in the end pulled the plug on it with just hours to go. 'This decision was not taken lightly,' the email to passengers late Sunday night stated. 'We deeply regret any inconvenience caused.' At the time of the first cancelled trip, Belmond said passengers were offered a full refund 'including associated travel costs'. With passengers expected to be drawn from, in addition to Britain, a range of countries in Europe, Asia and North America, the cancellation costs could be high. Over the past 40 years, Belmond has acquired a well-earned reputation for providing train journeys at the most luxurious end of the spectrum, particularly with its flagship Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE). This reputation was cemented in the 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards when the company – which is owned by the French luxury goods giant LVMH – was named best rail holiday company. In addition to the VSOE, Belmond operates the Eastern & Oriental Express in Malaysia, the Hiram Bingham and Andean Explorer in Peru and the Royal Scotsman in Scotland. What the Britannic Explorer will offer (when it finally leaves the station) Feeding on the growth in demand for slower, more mindful but also extremely luxurious train travel, the company decided to branch out this year with a new train – the Britannic Explorer – which for the first time would offer this kind of top-end experience on routes in England and Wales. Three routes were devised aimed at celebrating some of the countries' most scenic regions: Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia National Park (Eryri) in Wales; the Cornish Riviera; and the Lake District (including the glorious stretch of track between Settle and Carlisle). The train itself represents a brand new departure, a totally revamped version of the Grand Hibernian train operated by Belmond in Ireland between 2016 and 2021. Rather than recreating the classic look and feel of the Hercule Poirot-style VSOE, the new train, largely a creation of the London-based Albion Nord designers, combines a modern feel with vintage elements drawing on the natural world and the creative forces (and materials) of the areas it travels through. The aim has been to create a feeling of 'contemporary nostalgia' in expansive suites and grand suites (all with private bathroom) and dining spaces inspired by the herbs and flowers used in British cooking. The meals themselves have been masterminded by Michelin-accoladed British chef Simon Rogan drawing heavily on his farm-to-fork culinary ethos and reflecting local specialities and artisan suppliers en route. The social hub of the train is the Observation Car, an expansive, stylish space which comes complete with armchairs, banquettes and a bar backlit with amber glass discs inspired by the 'timeless charm of Victorian apothecaries'. Off-train, the trips have been designed to incorporate visits to galleries, rugged hikes and wild swims, yoga sessions by the sea and a range of gastronomic experiences coupled with the opportunity to learn how to pull a pint in a Cotswolds pub. 'We're offering some unique experiences, things people can't do themselves just driving up to these places,' said Gary Franklin, Belmond's senior vice-president, trains & cruises. 'We are showcasing a modern England with incredible artisans, artists and produce.' A modern England with severe train delays too...
The Independent
08-07-2025
- The Independent
Launch of Britain's new luxury sleeper train set back
The Britannic Explorer, a new luxury sleeper train for England and Wales, has had its maiden passenger journey postponed from Friday to 21 July. The delay was attributed to the need for final operational fixes, with a report in The Telegraph indicating the train was diverted for repairs near Southampton. Belmond, the hospitality operator, confirmed the schedule adjustment was made to ensure high operational standards and an extraordinary experience for guests. Passengers booked on the initial journey received full refunds, reimbursement for associated travel costs, and assistance with rebooking. The luxury train offers fine dining, 18 sleeper cabin suites, spa treatments, and off-train excursions, with a three-night trip starting from £11,000.
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE To passengers for the maiden voyage of a new luxury sleeper train, we're sorry to announce this service has been cancelled! Rail fans who paid up to £55,000 for three-day trip to Cornwall have journey canned
With a three-day rail trip to Cornwall costing more than a holiday to Venice on the Orient Express, you might expect Britain's newest luxury sleeper train to run on time. But to the dismay of its well-heeled passengers – who had forked out a minimum of £22,400 for a 'curated' luxury weekend tour of the West Country – the maiden voyage of the refurbished Britannic Explorer has hit the buffers. Guests had celebrated the launch of the rebranded 1970s train with a glitzy three-hour champagne-fuelled launch party headed by actress Keira Knightley at London Euston station last Thursday, with the inaugural trip originally scheduled for departure the following day. Instead, the ten-coach train, rebranded with bespoke fitted carpets, plush furnishings and commissioned artworks, was returned to a depot near Southampton for 'final refinements'. Some passengers are understood to have paid upwards of £50,000 for a three-night stay in one of the train's three 'grand suites'. Train operator Belmond, which also runs the Orient Express, says it offered passengers a full refund 'including associated travel costs', but refused to say why the Britannic Explorer's maiden journey from London's Victoria station to Penzance had been derailed. One enthusiast who spotted the train, which has a top speed of 75mph, at the Euston station launch party said: 'By anyone's standards this is a really expensive train trip in the UK. 'There's obviously been some complications. But I tell you what, if I'd paid 55 grand – which is what the most expensive cabin was for the trip – and then been told it was cancelled, I'd probably be a bit cheesed off. Guests celebrated the launch of the rebranded 1970s train with a glitzy three-hour champagne-fuelled launch party headed by actress Keira Knightley (above) at London Euston station last Thursday Some passengers are understood to have paid upwards of £50,000 for a three-night stay in one of the train's three 'grand suites' 'There was this big, noisy launch party on platform 16, screened off so regular travellers couldn't see in. By Friday morning the train had gone from Euston back to the Eastleigh works near Southampton.' Train enthusiasts spotted Britannic Explorer when it was brought up to Victoria station for a test run on June 13 and noticed there was a problem with its retro-fitted automatic doors. Belmond, which is owned by French luxury goods giant LVMH, says on its website that the Britannic Explorer will now be 'introduced' on July 21 with a journey from London to mid-Wales. A company spokeswoman said: 'The adjustment to the schedule was due to final refinements being made to ensure the train operates at the highest possible standard.
The Independent
04-07-2025
- The Independent
How much a ride on the UK's new luxury sleeper train will cost you
Belmond, known for its Royal Scotsman, is launching the Britannic Explorer, a new luxury sleeper train for England and Wales. The Britannic Explorer is set to make its maiden journey on 21 July, offering three-night itineraries from London to Cornwall, the Lake District, and Wales. The train features 18 luxury suites, fine dining by multi-Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan, an onboard spa, and a botanically-inspired bar. Passengers can enjoy optional guided excursions at each destination, including coastal activities in Cornwall, wild swimming in the Lake District, and lavender farm visits in Wales. A trip on the Britannic Explorer starts from £11,000 for a double cabin, which includes the three-night itinerary, excursions, meals, and alcoholic beverages.
