Luxury Train Travel for 70th Birthday

I researched taking a luxury train vacation in India that looked wonderful. It was expensive.
Not aware of any in Europe. Not sure the Orient Express route is active anymore.

The Trans Siberian Railway might have something.

I have taken the super fast train from Paris to Lyon that was nice.

The UK has several steam train rides for short distances that are fun.

Thank you for your response.

In hindsight, if I am not concerned about the destination perhaps a journey through the UK would be better? I hadn't considered the UK if I am honest.

I will look further into UK journeys as a possibility.

Do you know if there are any sleeper journeys available within the UK or is the distance not far enough to warrant a journey this long?

Ron,
I know that there is a night train from London to Edinburgh that probably has a sleeper.

There's luxury train touring in Canada. It's a bit of a splurge.

Might also take a look at some of the train treks offered by Road Scholar: https://www.roadscholar.org/. There are several there that might be of interest.

Many thanks all for your replies.

I will be sure to look into all your suggestions further.

Scotland and Ireland both have luxury train trips.

Another to consider is the Canadian Rocky Mountaineer. It's not a sleeper and frankly I think that is better. Most are two day train trips that stop in Kamloops where they take you to a hotel for sleep then back on the train the next day. A typical tour would be Vancouver - Kamloops - Banff/Lake Louise. They give you two service options on the train and lots more on hotels and follow on touring.

Here's their website
https://www.rockymountaineer.com

YouTube also has several videos posted by the company and other travelers.

If you're looking at journeys within the UK, the Belmond British Pullman and the Northern Belle are both definitely options for you. Both of those are generally day trips that start and finish in the same place.

Even if the carriages are luxury, are you and your wife able to sleep on moving vehicles? It won't be a luxurious trip if you don't sleep very well. (Some luxury train trips have you sleep on board a stationary train, or even in a hotel, at night, so look carefully at the itinerary.)

Another one to look at is El Transcantabrico in Spain.

You can make a return journeynon the Venice Simpson Orient Express if you like.

The fare for the eastbound journey (London or Paris to Venice or Verona) is €9975 per person. The return is much less, at £2250 each. I would think you have to do the outbound trip to get that lower-priced return.

Be aware that bathroom facilities on the Orient Express are not ensuite They are at the end of the cars..

There is a luxury train in South Africa. It's called The Blue Train.

I haven' taken either.

Ron, nobody so far has mentioned The Jacobite, which is a steam train that runs through Scotland. Info here: https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/steam-train-trip

You say "from London across Europe." - be aware that neither the Orient Express nor any other luxury train goes through the Channel Tunnel. Those trains are old, have a lot of wood in them and do not comply with the safety regulations for the Channel Tunnel. The only passenger train from London to mainland Europe is the Eurostar, a "normal" modern High Speed train.
I think the Orient Express company takes you through the Channel Tunnel on a bus.

There are a number of luxury trains in many European countries. Most are daytime trips only, no overnight accommodation.

Are these return journeys? My instinct is to think they are not.
If they are not return journeys, do I have to buy a second ticket to return from the end destination or is this not possible?

AFAIK most are sold as one-way trips. They operate in both directions, that would count as two separate bookings with possibly an overnight at the destination in between. The normal way to return would be to buy a ticket on a normal train, or if it was far enough (like London to Venice) fly back.
These trains normally operate on routes which have a normal regular train service for those who just want to get from A to B without the luxury.

I agree, the West Highland Line/Jacobite is a worthwhile trip, but fairly short, depending on whether you start from Glasgow or Fort William.

Most of these appear to be fairly short also:
The 10 best slow trains through Europe

I suspect most people use a luxury river barge now, rather than a train.
https://www.fodors.com/cruises/news/8-top-river-and-canal-cruises-in-europe-5509

The Royal Scotman, operated by Belmond (the link you posted) does return to its starting destination (it is round-trip so to speak), Edinburgh. Fuill, private (though obviously compact) bathrooms for each cabin. All inclusive, and guests traditional leave an advised reasonable gratuity for the service team.
Belmond also operates a similar train in Ireland.

Watch coastal trains with Julie Walters for uk train itineraries.
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/coastal-railways-with-julie-walters/episode-guide/

Also there is a show in Canada called mighty trains and some of them are unique train journeys in different countries. Some luxury train routes
https://www.discovery.ca/Shows/Mighty-Trains

I took the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express to Venice about a decade ago. Obviously not the traditional train ride of movie/book/nostalgia fame but still very much an incredible experience. Simply do it!

Oh- for an instant taste just search out YouTube videos.

Thank you all for your replies, you have all been most helpful!

I feel I may need to do more research! I had no idea there were so many choices.

Europe may not be the easiest of journeys it sounds with the logistics of going back the same way.

I didn't consider Scotland, and the 'Royal Scotsman' journeys do look marvellous. I had hoped to depart from London purely for ease but a flight North wouldn't be too much bother.

I thank you all once more.

Hi
If you are willing to consider options outside of Europe , Canada has a luxury train from Toronto to Vancouver.
It's called the Canadian and it's operated by Via rail ( Canada's rail service).
https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/trains/rockies-and-pacific/toronto-vancouver-canadian
If you wish, you may add the Rocky Mountaineer that cj-traveler mentioned on his post.
Happy travels

The Jacobite is not what I would call a luxury service. It's old-fashioned, but not luxurious.