For over half a century South Africa's Blue Train has enjoyed an international reputation as one of the world's pre-eminent travelling experiences. Recently voted the world's leading luxury train by some 250,000 travel agents in 181 countries at the World Travel Awards, the Blue Train has undergone a thorough refurbishment which matches the renewal of this exciting new country.
Traversing South Africa's varied landscapes along four alternative routes, the train combines all the comfort and luxury of a five-star hotel with a globally unparalleled journey.
The uncompromising elegance of the train is now enhanced by a new observation and conference car, fully-equipped to provide a unique meeting facility for gorups of up to 22 people.
The Blue Train offers the discerning traveller a choice of journeys into a timeless world of grace, elegance and romance, where some of the world's most dramatic scenery stirs the imagination and luxurious comfort soothes body and soul.
History
The Blue Train, for decades one of the world's most renowned passenger trains, owes it origins to the Union Limited and hte Union Express, which - from 1923 - linked Johannesburg with the mailships departing from Cape Town for England. Ordinary coaches were used until 1927, when articulated saloons were imported. The two Union trains travelled the distance in 30 hours and introduced a new standard of luxury.
In July 1937 it was announced that twelve air-conditioned, all-steel sleeping coaches had been ordered fromt he Birmingham firm of Metro-Cammell at a cost of some R19,000 each. A later order called for all-steel lounge coaches and dining cars, kitchen-cars and a baggage van. The coaches were delivered at the start of the Second World War, but the service was suspended in 1942 and was only resumed in February 1946, from which year it formally bore the name "Blue Train". During this period it was used for a few State journeys.
In 1997 a new Blue Train was introduced and its traditional route between Cape Town and Pretoria was extended northwords to Victoria Falls. In the following year, a second identical train came into service, allowing the Blue Train to add to its destinations Hoedspruit on the western edge of the Kruger National Park, and Port Elizabeth at the eastern end of South Africa's Garden Route.
Cuisine
The Blue Train provides fine wining and dining by carefully selecting the best South African wines to complement gourmet cuisine.
Our wine list has consistently, for the past few years, received the Annual Diner's Club Award for Approval.
The a la carte and vegetarian menus are prepared using only the freshest ingredients according to the seasons, and the areas through which the train travels, to introduce our guests to the best of South African cuisine.
In keeping with the classically romantic ambience of the 42-seater dining car, lunch is an elegantly causal affair, while dinner is more formal.
Tours on the Train
Definitive South Africa
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reprinted with permission of the Blue Train
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