How delightfully curious...I was recently on The Scottish Highlands rain for a week (Northern and Western) and it was
Transformational.
Trans-Siberian is my next desire.
See you on the Platform in either Moscow or Vladivostok...
So tell us how your trip was transformational...
First, knowing that you are actually on "The Old Sod" really takes hold, once you are there. Edinburgh is where the trip embarks, and it is a magical city. The architecture, the trolley, the Castle towering on the hill, even the Cemeteries are filled with magic and mystery, and some pretty big names. and it is old old old right out of central casting old. Wonderful! It is a place of life as it is a place of rest for the departed. The smells and visuals truly transform one into a different time and place. Once you are actually in the cemetery, you cannot see anything of modernity without really trying. It is you and the interred and the Castle overhead. You can hear the horses and smell the earth.
The train itself is magnificent. Brochure and on-line pictures do not do it justice. It sits at Gate 9 3/4 (no) and there is a formal procession to it from the lounge, led by an authentic Bagpiper. It is a very formal affair, so all are dressed like nobody dresses any more. Ah. You board to Chefs special concoctions and nibbles, and your luggage is waiting in your room. First, the Club Car. Every sense reacts to the visual and fragrant appeal of the carpet and window dressing, and chairs and sofas. Elegance and Refinement are the order of the day, and the Head Steward gives you an overview of what to expect, and an introduction to the prescient, ubiquitous staff. You, of course are enjoying one of the literally 100 single-malt scotches available, and nibbling world class level nuts and snacks. Single Malt not your cup of tea? no worries, they have EVERYthing else you could want.
By now you have forgotten where you came from and could not care less about "that." You are getting to know your fellow passengers, Movie Producers, Haute Couture shop owners, Parisian government officials and who we finally decided was either a remnant KGB General, or a son of a Politburo honcho. It was fun making up stories. Oh, did I mention? Only 24 people on this train.
Food and Drink and Conversation Food and Drink and Conversation...
Yes it was transformational, however, the views and visits to the land were the thing. I remember being in the Highlands, looking up at some hills. I strained to see what I thought were some goats at the top. These were no hills. Those were no goats. The train runs through a cut between these "hills." The goats were people waaaayyyy up at the top on walking paths. The scale of the whole place is mindblowing. Hills and fields and colors and majesty. Even bays and rivers and waterfalls. All very transformational. Experienced before, but not like this. Not on this scale or in this way. Now the experience is way inside you.
Stopovers in little towns for visits and hiking and touring. Easy as you please. The train is one of the few that you stay on overnight for the whole trip. And also one of the few en suite. It is true what they say, clickity-clack clickity-clack clickity-clack...zzzzzzzz
Like a baby you will sleep.
Also true is that the train stops on the curve of the Harry Potter bridge, and the Porter comes and takes your cameras so you have a picture. It really is a magnificent bridge, and you can almost see Hogwarts right around the bend.
But sometime, too soon, you have to get off the train. They had to pry me out of that club car, as I was screaming, "you can have me off this train when you get this glass of single malt out of my cold dead hand!"
Take this trip if you ever have a chance.
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Those suckers ain't cheap!
