Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

Take an Exclusive Steam Train Tour Around Great Britain in 2018

By

Diehard train travel fans, it’s time to cash out a chunk of your 401K and splurge on what will prove to be the most epic and luxurious cross-country rail tour of this century. Golden Eagle Luxury Trains has just announced an exclusive steam train tour of Great Britain for 2018. With less than 40 spots, it’s almost guaranteed to sell out.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The sole departure of the Tornado 10th Anniversary Tour of Great Britain on October 14, 2018, will begin in the Highlands near Edinburgh, Scotland. It will journey more than 2,200 miles in total through some of the United Kingdom’s most popular cultural destinations. Stops along the way include Chester, Oxford, Stonehenge, and Bath before arriving in Penzance. Specific highlights include dining in Scottish castles, meeting with local royalty, a private tour and tasting at the Glenfarclas Distillery, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle for a private banquet dinner, and first-hand glimpse of the Scottish Crown Jewels.

BELMOND ROYAL SCOTSMAN-1
Image used with permission by copyright holder

But, as with every great trip, it’s less about the destinations and more about the journey. For this tour, the train will be pulled by the famed Tornado, a main line, coal-fired steam locomotive. In April of this year, it made railway headlines as the first steam locomotive to hit 100 miles-per-hour on British tracks in more than 50 years. This trip will mark only the second time the locomotive has been used to pull a sleeper train. In 2012, its first such duty was to haul the Royal Train with HRH Prince Charles aboard.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The 10 sleeper cars are part of the widely acclaimed Belmond Royal Scotsman (sister train to the Venice-Simplon Orient Express). All are intricately designed in the classic Edwardian style with the world’s highest standards of luxury. Inspired by classic Pullman coaches, each cabin is awash in plush bedding, tartan furnishings, and mahogany cladding, plus en-suite baths. Additional carriages include a first-class Observation car, two formal dining cars, and a Bamford Haybarn Spa car.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Clearly, this is not your average dinner train trip. This is an exclusive trip of a lifetime for classic rail travel enthusiasts. The price tag? Just $39,995 per person. That includes 14 days of tours, transfers, nine nights aboard the train, luxury hotel accommodations in Edinburgh and St. Ives, all meals, porterage, and gratuities. They even throw in most drinks.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Should you go hiking in sandals? It depends
Hiking in sandals: When to do it and how to find the best fit
Man hiking in sandals

Have you ever trudged through a trail, feet sweaty from unbreathable shoes? I certainly have. Believe it or not, sandals aren't just for the beach. They're actually a legit hiking option if you have the right pair and use them in the right scenarios. Honestly, I'm more of a trail running shoe or hiking shoe kind of gal, but there are specific scenarios when I might be tempted to trade them for a pair of sandals. And there are times when wearing sandals while hiking makes sense and times when they don't. Here's everything you need to know about hiking in sandals and how to find the best pair for your hiking needs.
Here's when hiking in sandals makes sense
Warm and dry conditions

When I lived in Arizona, hiking with my hiking boots or even my precious trail running shoes was a bit uncomfortable. For one, warm and dry conditions left my feet feeling confined and, ultimately, gross. One of the best parts of the day was heading home and washing my feet. That's when I was first introduced to the idea of hiking in sandals. Sandals will keep your feet ventilated, letting sweat evaporate fast. You may even find that you get fewer blisters throughout the season. Just make sure that you apply sunscreen so you don't get an unintentional tattoo of your sandal straps.
Wet conditions
While there's nothing wrong with wearing good water-repellant shoes while hiking in wet conditions, they can get soggy and take forever to dry if you end up accidentally stepping in too deep a puddle. Sandals tend to dry much faster than hiking boots or sneakers, so bring them on trails where you can expect stream crossings or coastal paths.
Low-impact trails
If you're planning on going on a low-impact hiking trail, particularly a paved one, you won't need heavy-duty hiking shoes. Sandals will be lighter on your feet, and the trail is easier, so there's less of a need for support or protection.
Here's when wearing sandals for hiking doesn't make sense

Read more
Tacoma’s food scene is quietly thriving — here’s where to start
Here's where to eat in Washington's third-largest city
Chez Lafayette, Tacoma, Washington

The Evergreen State has so much to offer, from high desert expanses and exciting American Viticultural Areas to ocean beaches and the new Seattle waterfront. In between, there are some Washington gems that can get overlooked, Like Tacoma, a good-sized city with an above-average culinary presence.

Set just outside of Seattle, Tacoma boasts about 230,000 people, a charming downtown, and beautiful views of the Puget Sound. It's a convenient day trip from the Emerald City or Portland and is also a great respite from traffic, should you just be passing through. Either way, a stop in Tacoma is in order, if only for an outstanding meal.

Read more
This Italian town will fine you $2,800 if you wear flip flops
Leave the sandals at home when visiting this Italian region
Cinque Terre

Are you thinking about visiting Italy's Cinque Terre this summer? This string of centuries-old seaside villages on the Italian Riviera coastline is beloved for its colorful houses, fresh seafood, and cliff-hugging hiking trail.

But before you lace up your plans, make sure you're not slipping into the wrong shoes, literally. Hikers who show up in flip flops or flimsy sandals could end up paying more than they bargained for. As part of a safety initiative first introduced in 2019, Cinque Terre National Park has started cracking down harder on ill-prepared walkers. The fine? Up to €2,500 (about $2,800 USD) for inappropriate footwear.

Read more