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Travelogger

We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.

Epic Train Journeys: The Blue Train

September 1, 2006 By Zahir


Africa is one continent I have yet to explore – imposing mountains, vast plains and of course the big 4 in their natural habitat – it all just seems so wild and mysterious.

Maybe its my penchant for colonial elegance ( think White Mischief), but I do believe that one of the best ways to see this magnificent continent is through the famous and ultra-luxe Blue Train of South Africa.

The transport of choice of kings and heads of state, the Blue Train is really akin to being a 5-star hotel on wheels. Instead of a rickety hard carriage seat, picture yourself in a gorgeous suite furnished with a spacious bed complete with fine cotton linens and a goose down duvet. The sweltering African heat outside is a non-issue with individually-controlled air conditioning, as well as under-floor heating in both the bathroom and bedroom for when things do get chilly.

And the bathrooms! For a train (and perhaps even a hotel on land), the bathrooms here are incredibly indulgent (bordering on the ostentatious) with gold-fitted baths and marble vanities.

When away from your private sanctuary, you can unwind (what else would be there to do?) in the chic lounge car reminiscent of a smart gentleman’s club, and play bridge or read a book from the train’s library with a frothy cappucino.

Dining naturally, is also an experience in itself. There’s a strict dress code for dinner (jacket and tie for the gents, evening dress for the ladies), and quite rightly so. You wouldn’t want a heathen in ripped jeans and flip-flops to ruin the ambience while you tuck into your gourmet meal, would you?

To top it all off, you’ll have a personal butler and a little boutique stocked with elegant African mementos to take back home. Main routes stretch from Pretoria to Cape Town and vice-versa, or from Pretoria to Durban. Other routes include stops at game reserves, and special chartered journeys are also easily managed for those who want to really splash out in style.

Filed Under: Adventure, Africa, Gourmet, Historical, Luxurious, Romantic

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