most scenic train rides in the world

Northern Europes highest railway overlooks some of the most pristine glacier carved fjords in Norway. The seven hour train crosses the high mountain range between Oslo and Bergen, then runs across the windswept, barren Hardangervidda mountain plateau, the largest protected wilderness area in Europe. Later it descends through lush valleys to the Hanseatic city of Bergen.

Travel from St. Moritzs icy alpine glaciers to the swaying palm trees of Tirano, Italy, on one of the steepest stretches of track in the world, built without rack rails, pinions, or cables. In the summer, travelers ride for two hours in an open air carriage; its the perfect opportunity for photography without the impediment of glass.

We British love trains. We invented them, have written poems about them, and adore films featuring them. As long as its not the 8.10 commuter train into London Bridge, trains make us feel timelessly elegant. Such is the transformative power of travel in reality I may be just another scruffy Brit carrying too many bags but, in my head, Im Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot, mincing down the platform with a ukulele. The Kyushu Seven Stars aims to rival luxury train journeys such as the Orient Express, and theyve thrown everything at it. Theres handcrafted woodwork and delicate art throughout. There are musicians, magicians and on board staff who have spent a year in pre launch training. There are showers lined with aromatic hinoki cypress wood, ceramic sinks inspired by Satsuma porcelain, bamboo blinds and shoji, Japanese paper screens.