Archive for March, 2010

including kids and grandchildren……youngest will be 18months…..
ideas so far have included Tea at the Ritz (dont like that) and trip on orient express (not bad)
anyideas plz!

my family went for a day at the races for my dad’s 65th. We found a course that has a creche and will take kids for two hours – does not sound much – but a welcome break for us and kids (4, 3, 18mths and 9 mths – three high chairs). We made a big day out of it and booked a table and dinner in the top resturant the Hennesy something, we had a wonderful view of the course, were able to walk around, had a bookie taking bets in the restaurant and the use of the table all day. We all really really enjoyed it and I we had several wins on the gee gees. People might think race track not suitable for children, but they dont know about gambling, but most kids love horses and you can get up close to them and by the time they’ve had lunch and then two hours in the creche, go to see the horses the day is gone and the grown ups have had a good day too. And by coincidence we were 16 too.
We did not send the youngest to creche, but the 18mth, had not even started nursery but loved this creche, she had her two cousins and did not even turn to say goodbye to mum, who I think was a little disappointed at that… but needless to say the kids had fun.


2 Amtrak American Orient Express on the Grand Canyon RailwayAmtrak 116 on point of the American Orient Express in Williams, Arizona on the Grand Canyon Railway.

Duration : 0:3:4

Read the rest of this entry

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , ,

2 Great Railway Journeys: Hong Kong to Ulaanbaatar P2About: Copyright 1994 BBC/PBS.

Clive Anderson takes a humorous look at the contradictions and confusions of present-day China as he makes his way from Hong Kong, via Shanghai, Beijing and the Great Wall, to end up in Ulaan Baatar in Mongolia.

GRJ Season 2 Ep3
Part 3:

Duration : 0:10:6

Read the rest of this entry

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

image thumb2 Why The Orient Express Day Trips Are Fun and Convenient When we speak of distance travel, the first mode of transportation that comes to your mind is no other than the train. Did you know that in the past, the Orient Express trips were too popular? Well, there have been too many accounts claiming that the train itself was filled with an air of mystery and intrigue. Add to it the fact that Agatha Christie authored a murder mystery novel with reference to her personal experience and a lot other people’s experience aboard the railcars of the Orient Express.

Anyhow, ever since the original owners gave up on the business up to the time that things have been restored by no other than James Sherwood, the same luxurious service has gotten the people from all over world hooked into the fun and excitement provided by the train ride.

These days, the Venice Simplon Orient Express runs on different routes on the continent. It is the successor of the authentic train line and is the product of all the painstaking efforts of the entrepreneur and rail aficionado Mr. Sherwood. Apparently, the same train line continues to boost the European tourism. People from all over the world up to now enjoy the legendary ride as they come to the continent for a visit.

Reviving the Past
As one boards the train, he or she can’t help but reminisce the old times of the original legendary train. Luxurious and high-end at all costs, the passengers are provided a wonderful opportunity to weave through the scenario in the olden days and relive them in their minds. More so, they also get a glimpse of the wondrous pictures of the countryside as the train cuts through the routes.

Meeting and Socializing with People

Being on any of the Orient Express trips doesn’t mean that you will be a lonely soul if you are traveling by yourself. It also doesn’t mean that you will just confine with the members of your team. Because there are sumptuous meals served, fine wines to taste, and coaches to share, there is no stopping you from mingling with other individuals.

During dinner or tea time, you can always catch up with the other passengers. Get to know them. Start building friendships. The train passengers are nonetheless a mixture of people from various nationalities and backgrounds. Hence, you can likewise swap stories remembering the legends that surround this famous train.

Routes to Take

Prior to boarding the train, you first have to decide on your route. Where do you want to go? How long do you intend to stay? It is but wise to plan your trip ahead and come up with your timetable. The good news is that the Venice Simplon Orient Express can take you to a myriad of destinations like London, Paris, Bucharest, Florence, Monte Carlo, Rome, and Italy.

What is more to marvel at is the fact that the Orient Express trips have likewise expanded to cover more destinations such as Bangkok and Singapore in Southeast Asia, Machu Picchu in Peru, and several other UK areas. So, be sure to take the train as you visit these places!

Technorati Tags: ,

Was it the Orient Express? The City of New Orleans? I want to take the trip from Chicago to Washington(Seattle?) across the northwest, through the Rockies & the Cascades.

I took the Amtrak from San Francisco to Boston and back again, stopping in Chicago both times. On the trip out, from California to Chicago we went via a southwestern route, and on the trip back from Chicago to California we went through the Rockies. It was amazing, a really nice trip.

I couldn’t afford a sleeper car, so I rode coach, sitting up the whole way, but it was actually fairly comfortable. I packed food in a small cooler, peanut butter, rolls, jam, that sort of stuff, so I didn’t have to spend much in the diner car. Make sure you bring yourself plenty of drinking water and reading material.

Spend plenty of time in the view car, I forget what they call it, but it has a glass roof and HUGE windows and seats that are turned toward the windows.

They show videos most nights in that car.

2 Agatha Christie   Murder on the Orient Express (Trailer 1)For more information visit

http://www.adventurecompanygames.com/motoe/

http://www.agathachristiegame.com

The world-famous mystery novel Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie, comes alive in this all-new exciting video game adaptation. Murder on the Orient Express is filled with spectacular twists-and-turns and also includes a surprise ending that is different from the original novel.

Aboard the historic Orient Express, as Antoinette, a new character introduced in the game, you must help the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot solve the puzzling murder of Mr. Ratchett. Is the victim really who he claimed to be? What motive would any of the passengers have that would bring them to commit this heinous crime?

It’s up to YOU to find out!

For more information visit

http://www.adventurecompanygames.com/motoe/

http://www.agathachristiegame.com

Duration : 0:1:43

Read the rest of this entry

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

2 Great British Railway Journeys with Michael Portillo (BBC)In this weeks episode Michael visits a 4000 year old man. Orders a pullover to help identify a dead body and samples the delights of a scarborough hotel

Duration : 0:6:18

Read the rest of this entry

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

image thumb Discovering Indias Palace on Wheels Aboard Orient Express Ever heard of India’s Palace on Wheels? It is a renowned place in India that has always been described as an exotic adventure. What makes it an especially exotic place is the collection of mysteries abounding this very old land. So, if you haven’t attempted to go on a truly wonderful and exciting exotic adventure by trains, particularly the Orient Express, well, you must try Palace on Wheels in India. This voyage through India is considered to be really one of the most out of the ordinary rail tours in the world!

Learning the Rajasthan Culture

The Palace on Wheels lets the travelers explore the obscurity of this antique land as well as learn and understand the Rajasthan culture which is evident with the textile decorations and adornments you will see while all aboard the carriages. This as well as the itinerary they designed displays the significant landmarks and spots linked with the Rajasthan culture. Even the cuisine of Rajasthan curries on board, you will surely enjoy!

This journey to Palace on Wheels takes seven nights and eight days for the entire trip covering the cities of India’s origin city, the New Delhi, as well as Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaislmer and several other cities in India. Hop into the Orient Express and let their posh and luxurious carriages hurl you away to the mystique of India. At the same time, be pampered by very accommodating and courteous service staffs of the Orient Express making you feel like a true member of the Indian royalty.

image thumb1 Discovering Indias Palace on Wheels Aboard Orient Express

Overnight Slumber at the Palace Wheels

Just after passengers get on the Orient Express on the first day. They are immediately hurled to New Delhi where they are in for a sleep over at Palace on Wheels. It is such a great and exciting experience to acclimatize themselves to the lavish and out of the ordinary surroundings of their cubicles.

Day two of the journey is heading to Jaipur which is known to be the Maharajas’ land. Passengers will get off the train and tour the city going to a number of palaces including the Amber Fort where passengers get to experience riding an elephant. Passengers also get to see the City Palace, and other famous landmarks which make this trip a remarkably amazing one!

Day three, the Orient Express train will reach destination in Jaisalmer City, situated at the very heart of Thar Desert. It is where they will set forth for a tour to Jaisalmer Fort and have fun riding a camel’s back over some sand dunes. There will also be a repertoire of cultural programs to look forward to while staying at a nearby five-star hotel and after a while surrendering to the train to call it quits for the night.

And on the fourth day of this voyage, the Orient Express will take on the journey to the city of Jodhpur which is very unique due to its surroundings of very tall stone walls and seven gates. All these, as well as the seven castles where passengers can also visit Jaswant Thada and the Fort of Meherangarh are really exciting places to be.

Technorati Tags: , ,

Transiberian? Orient Express? Ghan? Let me know, I am hoping to travel soon and this could be a big factor. Thanks for taking the time to answer.

Best? That sort of depends on what your idea of "best" is, and what you value in a train trip. The longest possible train trip is on the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok, Beijing, or Pyongyang (North Korea, by special arrangement only). See http://seat61.com/Russia.htm .
The most luxurious trains I would say are the Venice-Simplon Orient Express trains. Orient Express offers various packages, notably between London and Istanbu, as well as other luxury trains around the world. See http://seat61.com/Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express.htm and http://www.orient-express.com/collection/trains/trains.jsp .
Another very luxurious train is the "Blue Train" in South Africa. See http://seat61.com/SouthAfrica.htm and http://www.bluetrain.co.za/ .

In my opinion, the most scenic train in the world is "The Canadian" from Toronto to Vancouver (in Canada). This is relatively cheap compared to other luxury trains, but full bedrooms are available with complete meals included. Beautiful views of Canada’s varying landscapes from the back alleys of Toronto, to the unending wilderness of Northern Ontario, to the rolling hills of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, to the vast planes and prairies of Alberta, to the famous Rocky Mountains of British Columbia. You can watch it all through the panoramic observation dome on the train. See http://seat61.com/Canada.htm and http://viarail.ca

Orient Express

2 Orient ExpressA look back at the Orient Express roller coaster at Worlds of Fun.

Duration : 0:2:55

Read the rest of this entry

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , ,

 Page 1 of 3  1  2  3 »

Bad Behavior has blocked 28 access attempts in the last 7 days.