Some journeys are about the destination. A Belmond train is about the hours in between — the polished marquetry, the white-glove service, and the landscapes unrolling past your window at a pace the modern world has all but forgotten.
Belmond operates a small fleet of the world’s most storied luxury trains, from the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to the brand-new Britannic Explorer. At Tasteful Voyages, Virtuoso advisor Joan Qualls books these journeys for discerning travelers and pairs them with the luxury cruises, river voyages and active tours that turn a single train ride into a complete, seamless itinerary.
Belmond is one of the world’s leading luxury travel brands, and its trains are the jewels of its collection. Each one is a set of restored heritage carriages — part five-star hotel, part fine-dining restaurant, part private members’ club — designed so the travel itself becomes the highlight.
Today Belmond runs seven luxury trains across Europe, Southeast Asia and South America. Four travel through Europe and the UK; three carry guests through Malaysia and the Peruvian Andes.
| Train | Where it travels | Journey style | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venice Simplon-Orient-Express | Paris to Venice & Italy | Overnight, Art Deco cabins | First-time luxury rail, romance, golden-age glamour |
| Britannic Explorer (new) | England & Wales | Multi-night sleeper | Seeing Britain slowly; wellness-focused travel |
| The Royal Scotsman | Scottish Highlands | 2–7 night sleeper | Whisky, castles, wild scenery |
| British Pullman | England (day trips from London) | Single-day excursions | A taste of Belmond with no overnight |
| Eastern & Oriental Express | Malaysia / SE Asia | Multi-night sleeper | Tropical, exotic, culinary travel |
| Hiram Bingham | Cusco to Machu Picchu, Peru | Day journey | An add-on to a Peru or South America trip |
| Andean Explorer | Peru (Cusco–Titicaca–Arequipa) | Sleeper | High-Andes scenery; South America’s first luxury sleeper |
The most famous luxury train in the world. Restored 1920s Art Deco carriages carry guests overnight from Paris toward Venice, with cabins that feel like intimate hotel suites and dining that rivals any grand restaurant. For 2026, Belmond has introduced its “Villeggiatura by Train” journeys, linking the train with its legendary Italian hotels and adding a first-ever route from Paris to Pompeii.
Joan often pairs this journey with a Bordeaux river cruise or a Backroads walking-and-cycling tour through Provence or Tuscany.
Belmond’s newest train, and the first luxury sleeper ever to travel through England and Wales. The Britannic Explorer is built around slow, immersive touring, with a dedicated Wellness Suite, an elegant Bar Car and refined sleeping accommodation. It’s the natural choice for travelers who want to see Britain beyond London, at an unhurried and deeply comfortable pace.
A multi-day sleeper through the Scottish Highlands, running journeys of roughly two to seven nights. Think tartan-and-tweed interiors, distillery visits, castle and country-estate excursions, and even a Dior Spa car for onboard treatments. The scenery — wild, remote and ever-changing — is the real luxury.
The most accessible way to experience Belmond. Departing from London Victoria, these beautifully restored 1920s Pullman carriages run single-day excursions into the English countryside: fine-dining lunches, steam-hauled trips, visits to stately homes, and special-event journeys. No overnight required, which makes it a perfect first taste or a standalone treat.
Belmond’s tropical sleeper, winding through Malaysia in glossy green-and-cream carriages. Expect a Dior Spa, immersive cultural stops, and acclaimed dining led by chef André Chiang.
The celebrated day train from Cusco through the Sacred Valley to the gates of Machu Picchu — champagne brunch on the way up, cocktails and dinner on the way down. An essential flourish for any luxury Peru or wider South America itinerary.
South America’s first luxury sleeper train, climbing through the high Andes between Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa, with an open-air observation car built for the region’s kaleidoscopic scenery.
A Belmond journey brings together, in one place, things almost nothing else can:
A Belmond train is even better as one chapter of a larger journey. Joan designs itineraries that move seamlessly between rail, river, ocean and trail:
Joan Qualls is a Virtuoso travel advisor — which means more than expert guidance. It means access. Booking your Belmond journey through Tasteful Voyages gives you:
A Belmond train is one of the most memorable ways to travel anywhere in the world. Whether you’re drawn to the Orient-Express gliding toward Venice, the Royal Scotsman in the Highlands, or the Hiram Bingham climbing to Machu Picchu, Joan Qualls will design every detail around you.
Contact Tasteful Voyages today to begin planning your Belmond train journey.
What trains does Belmond operate?
Belmond runs seven luxury trains: the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, British Pullman, Royal Scotsman and the new Britannic Explorer across Europe and the UK, plus the Eastern & Oriental Express in Southeast Asia and the Hiram Bingham and Andean Explorer in Peru.
Which is the newest Belmond train?
The Britannic Explorer — the first luxury sleeper train to travel through England and Wales, featuring a Wellness Suite and Bar Car.
What’s included on a Belmond train journey?
Private cabins or suites, gourmet regional dining, white-glove service from dedicated stewards, and curated off-train excursions. Exactly what’s included varies by train and journey.
Can I combine a Belmond train with a cruise?
Yes. Tasteful Voyages specializes in pairing Belmond journeys with luxury river cruises, Bordeaux river cruises, ocean sailings and active Backroads tours to create one seamless itinerary.
How do I book a Belmond train?
Through a specialist advisor like Joan Qualls at Tasteful Voyages, who can secure preferred cabins, add Virtuoso benefits, and build the train into a complete trip