TICKET TO RIDE
Prestige Malaysia|November 2024
Luxury train travel is back in vogue. We head off on two enchanting rail journeys through Malaysia and Vietnam that revive the nostalgia and romance of the golden era in train travel.
- DAVID BOWDEN
TICKET TO RIDE

Train travel is all the rage again with luxury train journeys across the globe, including overnight sleeper trains in Europe, and multiday excursions that include indulgent dégustation meals, vintage wines, and sleeping arrangements befitting renowned hotels.

Forget any preconceived ideas you may have of travelling on trains, as many now offer luxurious services for passengers seeking to travel in style. Trains such as the elegantly furnished Eastern & Oriental Express and The Vietage by Anantara offer the highest levels of panache, recalling classic rail journeys of yesteryear but with contemporary amenities.

While Asia is underserviced by luxury trains, they do exist, and recently, I travelled on these two trains to be immersed in opulent surroundings complemented by five-star service. The Vietage in Vietnam and the Eastern & Oriental Express in Malaysia are two of the most indulgent travel prospects in the region, although they are very different propositions. The former journey lasts from half a day to one day, while the latter typically offers a longer four-day, three-night journey.

MEANDERING THROUGH MALAYSIA

On my first evening on the train, plump rain droplets trickled down the windows of the restaurant car as I dined on a dish of roast duck and pineapple, green grapes, baby aubergine, and tangy sauce while sipping a vibrant Jouffreau-Hermann Cahors Clos de Gamot wine from the finest crystal glassware. There was little to see in the Perak darkness, but the gentle movement of the train added a new dimension to Chef Andre Chiang’s localised dining experience. Just beyond my elegantly set table, I caught glimpses of the kitchen staff and was impressed that such sumptuous meals could be prepared in the confined space.

この蚘事は Prestige Malaysia の November 2024 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は Prestige Malaysia の November 2024 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

PRESTIGE MALAYSIAのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
PARTY TIME
Prestige Malaysia

PARTY TIME

Whether it's partying to forget, cultural enrichment, or a new wellness routine, we're right there with you on bringing forth 2025.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2024
HOLIDAY CHEERS
Prestige Malaysia

HOLIDAY CHEERS

With the season of togetherness upon us, it's only natural that these latest releases are born from collaborations that celebrate unity and shared sentiments.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2024
STILL THE ONE
Prestige Malaysia

STILL THE ONE

With a distinctive design including an off-centre dial, outsize date, and an asymmetrical layout, the Lange 1 stood out from the horological pack when it was launched in 1994. It continues to do so even today, three decades on.

time-read
2 分  |
December 2024
'TIS THE TRAVEL SEASON
Prestige Malaysia

'TIS THE TRAVEL SEASON

Whether a white Christmas beckons your name or a holistic retreat calls as 2025 looms, here are our picks for ending the year on a high.

time-read
2 分  |
December 2024
A HEART FOR GIVING
Prestige Malaysia

A HEART FOR GIVING

Whether it's for coral reef rehabilitation or to be a voice where there is none, to leave the world a better place is a daunting task that these titans are ready to uphold.

time-read
8 分  |
December 2024
BEHIND THE STILLS WITH ...STUART FEAR
Prestige Malaysia

BEHIND THE STILLS WITH ...STUART FEAR

Having made a career out of sharing his love for scotch, Stuart Fear is a Keeper of the Quaich and regional ambassador for Brown-Forman, dedicating his life to spreading the joy of whisky across Asia. Here, he reflects on the craft, the culture, and what makes a good dram.

time-read
4 分  |
December 2024
MASCULINE ELEGANCE
Prestige Malaysia

MASCULINE ELEGANCE

With its gracefully simple exterior lines penned by Studio De Voogt and interior design by Paris-based Gilles & Boissier, known for their work on New York's Baccarat Hotel, Dutch shipbuilder Feadship's latest megayacht, One, offers luxury and comfort in equal measure.

time-read
2 分  |
December 2024
PLAYING IT FORWARD
Prestige Malaysia

PLAYING IT FORWARD

In sport, victory isn't measured only on the scoreboard, but also by its impact beyond the game. Six sport philanthropists share their experiences of using their platforms to champion change and uplift the community by promoting an active and mindful lifestyle.

time-read
10+ 分  |
December 2024
A LIFE INCOMPLETE
Prestige Malaysia

A LIFE INCOMPLETE

Nicholas Shakespeare has penned the ultimate authority on the life and work of Bond author, lan Fleming. PRESTIGE heads out to the Rajasthan desert for a clandestine one-on-one with the writer of one of this year's must-read books.

time-read
8 分  |
December 2024
TIME WELL SPENT
Prestige Malaysia

TIME WELL SPENT

With the Rado Captain Cook High Tech Ceramic Skeleton and the Centrix Open Heart, every second becomes a reminder of what it means to live fully and appreciate the finer details of time.

time-read
2 分  |
December 2024