The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
WIDER WORLD
ASIAN SAFARI
From February, Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express returns to Singapore’s Woodlands Station after a long hiatus – and with a fantastic new addition: the art deco train will amble towards Taman Negara National Park for leopard and tiger spotting in virgin Malaysian rainforest. (Top tip: the al fresco Observation Car has photography opportunities aplenty.)
Wexas (020 7838 5892; wexas.com) offers a nine-night Eastern & Oriental Express: Wild Malaysia package from £4,960 per person, including flights, transfers, three nights in Singapore and three nights on the train.
MIAMI TO MICKEY
America’s newest rail route is the recently expanded Miami to Orlando Brightline. Taking just three and a half hours to travel between those cities, the train calls at West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale – and certainly beats sitting in Florida traffic. All passengers can take advantage of fast, free Wi-Fi and plush leather seats, while a Premium upgrade bags you free drinks, snacks and lounge access.
Brightline (gobrightline.com) tickets cost from $6.50/£5.10 for short hops or $79/£62 to ride the entire line.
A NEW SIDE OF JAPAN
In March, the Tokyo-to-Kanazawa Shinkansen bullet train expands to Tsuruga, a city famed for Zen temples and forest hikes, pausing at Kanazawa – known for its samurai district and tea houses – en route. Travelling in Gran Class is akin to a private jet, with warm towels, slippers, locally sourced bento boxes, and the constant attention of your train host. To really go off the beaten track, disembark in Kaga Onsen, a spa town dotted with thermal springs.
InsideJapanTours (0117 244 3380; insidejapantours.com) offers the new 14-night Hidden Zen trip for £6,024 per person which includes a luxurious ryokan spa stay.