Scotland’s Harry Potter train takes you through epic Highland scenery
In the Harry Potter movies, Harry, Ron and Hermione travel from London’s King’s Cross Station Platform 9 3/4 to Hogsmeade Station aboard the Hogwarts Express. Luckily for Potter fans, a real-life Hogwarts Express exists! The Jacobite steam train features as the ‘Harry Potter train’ in the movies. Running from Fort William to Mallaig in the Highlands, the 84-mile trip aboard the Jacobite passes some of Britain’s most impressive scenery. And several of the train’s carriages are those that were used in the films, too, so fans can ride in a real-life film! [goodhousekeeping.com]
Amtrak’s private rooms offer safe and satisfying travel experiences
Amtrak’s private rooms check off all the boxes for a safe vacation. Hearkening back to an older and slower style of travel, a private room aboard a train can provide a relaxing way to take in the scenery while ensuring physical distancing. The rooms, available on more than a dozen Amtrak routes traversing all corners of the country, feature two seats that can be converted into beds, free WiFi, and a wide private window to watch the world go by. Some rooms come with an in-room toilet and shower, and all sleeping accommodations include meals. [travelandleisure.com]
Commuting – and confronting history – on a remote Canadian railway
Named after the Innu word for “wind of the north,” the Tshiuetin line, the first railroad in North America owned and operated by First Nations people, is a symbol of reclamation and defiance for the communities it serves. Its southern terminus, The company operates on the 360-mile line between Sept-Îles, a city on the northern shore of the Saint Lawrence River, and Schefferville, a remote town on the verge of the tundra in Quebec. [nytimes.com]
Get ready to rumble: South Africa’s Blue Train is back on track
Hailed as one of the most luxurious trains in the world, South Africa’s Blue Train is back on track as the country’s ban on interprovincial travel is lifted. Combining the luxury of the world’s leading hotels with the charm of train travel, the Blue Train offers an unrivalled experience. The train has two routes. The Pretoria to Cape Town route includes a stop in Kimberley where travellers can explore the once-famous diamond mining town. The second travels to South Africa’s Limpopo Province, which is home to the world-renowned Kruger National Park. [thesouthafrican.com]
