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Family leave everything behind to start a new life aboard a bus

When Alex and Ashley Morris sold their home to move into a 45-foot Greyhound bus with their two young children, they had thought it would bring the family closer, and give them the precious time with each other that they felt they were lacking. However, the benefits weren’t to stop there for the young family, with the Morrises now reporting that they’ve cut down their living expenses. As Ashley explained in a video to their Instagram account, “it's actually more affordable than living in our house was.” She went on to note that they aren’t paying mortgage, rent, or any of the other fees associated with homeownership. And while they are also saving on electricity and heating, as they live off grid and their home runs on solar power with a 75 gallon (284 L) water tank, she maintains that “you don't have to be rich to live a life of freedom and adventure.” The pair made the decision to move their family into their unique living arrangements in 2019 when Alex lost his job, and they left their home to live in a trailer with their two kids. And despite living the supposed ‘American Dream’ before Alex’s job loss, Ashley told Insider that things were actually far from perfect, and that they “were both working full-time jobs, so our kids were pretty much being raised by a nanny. “We just wanted that time with our kids." It’s time they now have in abundance, after making their new lifestyle permanent in 2020, using Alex’s severance pay to secure their first wheeled abode. As Alex told Insider, “Ashley was like, 'let's go live on the road,' because she'd been trying to convince me for years up until that point.” Alex has since returned to work, but does so from home, with his very own office space near his shared bedroom with Ashley. And while they may cross time zones in their travels, his work days typically end while the sun is still up, and their children are homeschooled, leaving them with plenty of time to experience the world as a family of four. Ashley again circled back to this idea when she explained that “you get such a short window of time while your kids are little, and we felt like we were missing out on it.” “We didn't want to miss out on it anymore,” Alex added. The pair expanded on their decision-making process in another video posted to social media - where they often share life and bus updates with their followers - with the caption “why did we sell everything, leave our ‘perfect’ life, and move into an RV?” The video cycled through snippets of their adventures and day-to-day routine aboard their bus, with text across the screen to detail their journey so far, before they confessed that they knew something needed to change - for their kids. “We wanted to give them the most we possibly could,” they said. “The most of us, the most out of life, and the most experiences possible.” They explained that their family and friends “thought we had completely lost our minds”, but that they jumped in headfirst anyway, and it had all worked out “for the best”. Images: Instagram, Youtube

Real Estate

All aboard Ed Sheeran's unusual new holiday home!

Ed Sheeran is the proud new owner of a $1.13 million antique train carriage. The British singer and his wife have splurged on the Victorian-era carriage located on a block in Romney Marsh Kent which overlooks the English Channel. The 31 year-old hitmaker and Cherry Seaborn, aged 30, have added the two-bedder to their impressive real estate portfolio. The carriage looks humble and is very small. The mattress abuts the front and back walls of one of the bedrooms - but it has been fitted with plenty of mod cons, and looks to be the couple's new beach house. Floors have underheating and it has been extended at the front and the rear. Sliding doors open onto pavers and windswept grass. The living room and kitchen, and bedrooms at the rear, are modern extensions to the original structure. In the antique carriage is a wood-burning fire and it has been kept true to its rustic roots throughout this middle section. The contemporary living area is open plan and the kitchen is new, L-shaped and small, and overlooks a windswept garden that backs onto the Channel. Even with all the modern day comforts and conveniences, this home is far less flashy than Sheeran’s main family address. He and his wife bought the carriage last year but the sale has only just come to light. Image: Domain

Real Estate

The long-haul mask hack frequent fliers swear by

When travelling, it is recommended that switching to disposable masks (either P2 or KN95) in the airport or on the plane will give you the best protection against viruses and other nasty particles. These game changing masks are not cheap, but $45 for a packet of 25, but these PPE Tech disposable P2 masks, are Australian made and owned, and come with one genius attachment. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/05/Mask-hack2.jpg" alt="" width="674" height="337" /> When traveller Jen Hewit opened the box for the first time, she found a small packet of plastic hooks inside, before she had her ‘aha’ moment. Jen had realised these hooks are, in fact, little ear-loops that allow you to hook the straps through so that they sit at the back of your head, rather than your ears. And if you prefer to wear a cloth mask, then you can still use these hooks with your own reusable one, given that the straps are stretchy enough. If you find yourself stuck on a long-haul without them, Jen recommends using her Dad’s own secret DIY hack: place the mask straps over the speakers on the airline’s headphones and your ears won’t feel like they’re about to fall off. Will you give this trick a go? Let us know on your next trip abroad. Image: Getty

Travel Tips

Heartbreaking final words from mother aboard lost flight

A chilling message from a mother travelling with her children on Saturday’s deadly Indonesian flight SJ182 has been revealed by authorities. Rathi Windania posted pictures of two laughing children before boarding the Boeing 737 that crashed into the sea which carried 62 passengers and crew members just minutes into the flight. “Bye bye family. We’re heading home for now,” she wrote with two emojis blowing kisses. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839429/chilling-post-tragedy.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/61d899f1742e421cbf0864b035b2adc3" /> Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182 flew from the Indonesian capital on Saturday bound for Pontianak, on the Indonesian side of Borneo, when it lost contact at 2.40 pm local time. Ms Windania’s brother Irfansyah Riyanto posted a picture of his sister and her children with the words: “Pray for us.” He had rushed to Soekarno Hatta Airport on Saturday night in an attempt for more information about the flight that carried his sister and other family members, including his parents. The aircraft carried 62 passengers and crew members. It “disappeared” from radar screens minutes into the flight. Bodies and pieces of wreckage were found on Sunday floating in the Java Sea, Indonesian authorities said. Irfansyah, Ms Windania’s distraught brother, told reporters: “We feel powerless. We can only wait and hope to have any information soon.” He revealed his family had planned to take an earlier flight, but charged plans for reasons unknown to him. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839427/chilling-post-tragedy-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b963f70a7c2b4606bf7104f9002eeebc" /> The flight path of the plane. “I was the one who drove them to the airport, helped with the check-ins and the luggage … I feel like I still can’t believe this and it happened too fast,” he said. The aircraft dropped 3000m in a little less than just 60 seconds. Locals report hearing two explosions before they went and found debris floating in the sea. The Indonesian navy has sent 11 vessels to hunt for the plane’s wreckage underwater. The brother of the co-pilot Diego Mamahit revealed he had been asked for blood samples at the police hospital. Authorities are asking for dental records and other information in order to find the victims of the deadly flight. “I believe my younger brother survived, these are just for the police procedure,” Chris Mamahit said. “Diego is a good man, we still believe Diego survived.” Diego’s LinkedIn profile had a bittersweet description of his role flying the Boeing 737 planes, with the words, “I really love to fly.”

News

“Hell” for Aussies aboard cruise ship stranded off South America

Sue and Mort Leburn from the Gold Coast were two of the 129 other Australians on board the virus riddled Zaandam cruise ship which is currently isolated in waters off South America. Over 150 of their fellow travellers are showing flu-like symptoms but the ship was denied docking at several points. It wasn’t until Monday that they were taken off the plagued ship, which has seen four deaths from COVID-19, and transferred to its sister ship the MS Rotterdam. Mr Leburn is undergoing cancer treatment but aside from that the couple are in good health and not experiencing any symptoms of coronavirus. However, they feel unsupported and forgotten due to the lack of information being given by the Australian Government. “We’ve been in strict isolation since 22nd March. We’ve been outside once for half an hour [and] we only open our cabin door for meals three times a day,” they told 9News. “Other than that we don’t have any contact with other people apart from through social media or our friends that are on the boat that we can ring up. “We haven’t had a great deal of advice from the government, we’ve looked on the smart traveler website and contacted our state and federal MPs who sent us replies but they have been fairly generic,” said Ms Elburn. Their son Colin waved them goodbye a month ago from Queensland, and doesn't know when he'll get to see his parents again. He says they had already encountered difficulties as they tried to come from Chile. “They were supposed to dock somewhere in Chile. But the Chilean Government denied them after they had gone out of their way to get there,” he said. “Then they were told midnight, then midnight came and [they were told] no you can’t dock.” The current plan for those aboard the Rotterdam is to disembark in the United States. But Colin is anxious about the roadblocks his parents may encounter in their attempt to return home. "They keep getting hand-balled around from person to person and when you're on board a boat with extremely slow internet and limited access that's the other thing... you can't just pick up the phone and call people," he said. "I think what it comes down to is communication, and Mum and Dad just want to communicate with our Government to find out what's happening and are they going to be able to come home. "We're really lucky they've been given safe passage through the Panama canal so that was the next thing I was really worried about for Mum and Dad that they were going to get denied access. "Now we don't know what's going to happen once they get to America."It is understood passengers who were showing signs of COVID-19 remain on the Zaandam cruise ship which Colin described as a "floating coffin". "I feel for the poor people that are left aboard the Zaandam because there on a floating coffin basically and the Government is doing nothing to help them," Colin Elburn said.

Cruising

“Never ever again”: Passenger slams British Airways for serving inedible food aboard flight

A businessman travelling with his family has slammed British Airways for serving food that made him ‘wretch’ as he claims to have been given ‘burnt chicken nuggets’ and substandard meals on his flight home from Mauritius. Adam Ball posted photos of the disappointing food on his social media, claiming that it was ‘truly awful’ and ‘inedible’. Mr Ball would have paid around $4,400 for return tickets to Mauritius. The images, which were posted on August 12, show three meals all appearing as unappetising as the next. Burnt chicken nuggets, vegetable lasagne and sausage, egg and burnt beans were all part of the menu. Mr Ball, who runs a plumbing and heating firm in Surrey, England said that the chicken nuggets were a part of the children’s meal and that he doesn’t think it’s "appropriate to feed to a dog let alone children". The vegetable lasagne was so terrible that it almost made Mr Ball vomit as was the sausage, egg and burnt beans. After filing a complaint with British Airways, Mr Ball said that he received a generic response from customer services and that he will "never ever again" fly with British Airways after this shocking experience. But the food wasn’t the only thing wrong with the flight, as Mr Ball claimed that there were "countless other problems with our recent long-haul BA flight." The comments on the British Airways Facebook page seemed to agree with his sentiment as the airline's social media is flooded with countless complaints. “The sad thing is, we are paying such extortionate prices for these flights – flights are often delayed, and service is terrible,” said Facebook user Dianne Gornall. Other users have pointed out the lack of communication from the airline as Debbie Leung asked: “Does BA actually respond to any complaints? We travelled with them in January from Hong Kong to London, cabin crew was rude, and the air quality was awful.” A spokeswoman from British Airways has said: “We pride ourselves on the quality of the meals we offer on board and have recently launched a multi-million-pound investment programme into our World Traveller catering. “Our team of expert chefs from around the world develop new menus every month to ensure our meals are full of flavour at 35,000ft. “We are sorry that our standards fell below our customer’s expectation on this occasion. “Feedback is always passed on to our catering teams who check the quality of the food we serve on board every week.” Have you ever had a terrible in-flight experience? Let us know in the comments below.

Travel Trouble

Aboard Australia’s only country music cruise

The Australian country music cruise, Cruisin’ Country, is back for its eighth consecutive year. Departing from Sydney in October 2018, the seven-night cruise has an impressive line-up of the best Aussie country musicians. The cruise will be on luxury liner Radiance of The Seas and will travel to Noumea and the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia. Artists who will perform on the cruise include John Williamson, Troy Cassar-Daley, Graeme Connors, Gina Jeffreys, Sara Storer, Tania Kernaghan, Anne Kirkpatrick, James Blundell and Amber Lawrence. But the country music isn’t the only treat lined up for guests. The cruise will also have activities such as dancing lessons, workshops, bush poetry and open mic sessions. This cruise, which is part of the Choose Your Cruise brand, has seen more than 38,000 passengers embark on this Aussie country escape since 2009. Choose Your Cruise’s Caitlin Manov said: “The minute you get onboard – even if you are travelling alone – you are part of 2000-plus country fans who are onboard for the very same reason as you, a shared passion for music.” “In many cases, if you were to go to a concert or music festival at home, it isn’t that often that you would strike up a conversation with the person next to you, as you are usually there to see the artists and then move on to your next destination. The great thing about Cruisin’ Country is that everyone feels so relaxed being on holiday, it creates an atmosphere that you want to be part of every year,” she said. “There is something very special about the country music industry in Australia,” she added. “It comes down to the fact that artists and punters alike are genuine, good people. There are no egos or rock stars in country music, there are just people with a story to tell and new friends you are yet to meet that are there to listen. “This welcoming attitude is what made Cruisin’ Country a possibility for us. We dreamed of creating an inclusive atmosphere where artists and guests could be entertained and enjoy some time away from the real world. “Luckily, this dream was able to become a reality by the incredible artists we have onboard, who are more than happy to stop for a chat after a show, or stop for a photo by the pool. The intimacy that comes with being on a ship with your favourite artist is something you will not find at any concert or music festival elsewhere and we are very proud of that. We love our Cruisin’ Country family.” The family cruise takes place from the 9-16 October and <a href="https://chooseyourcruise.com.au/cruises/cruisin-country-8/" target="_blank">tickets are now on sale.</a>

Cruising

Crossing Australian aboard The Ghan

Great Southern Rail's Ghan train is epic. Traversing 2979 kilometres over three days and two nights on a magnificent and almost 1km-long snake of a train from Darwin in the Northern Territory to Adelaide in South Australia is a wondrous experience. Within half an hour of our departure from the lush greenery of Darwin I am talking to fellow punters in the Outback Explorer Lounge over a fine wine or beer. Dave and Sharon and Mal and Ros drove from Adelaide to Darwin for a "fun adventure" and now they are "relaxing in luxury for the return trip". With their cars safely locked up in The Ghan's transport carriage for the ridiculously cheap price of $300 a car, the four friends are happily viewing the scenery, and clinking glasses to celebrate. And celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Ghan track stretching from Alice Springs to Darwin, Great Southern Rail has included dining in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, where gold and platinum-class travellers enjoy quality Australian wines, beers, base spirits, soft drinks, tea and coffee, complementing three-course meals. Guests sharing travelling experiences in the Outback Explorer Lounge enjoy the same refreshments. Proving popular, this initiative by GSR is to continue. Three options are available on The Ghan to heighten your experience. For the young at heart or budget-conscious, red class provides day-nighter reclining seats, cabinet food, meals and drinks for purchase. Gold-class passengers relax in private cabins that include big windows, a two-seater sofa (foldaway bed) and en suite. <img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/29259/image__498x245.jpg" alt="the ghan (1)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Platinum contains a double bed and en suite and views from both sides of the exclusive carriages. Whatever class you choose, the focus is on relaxation and enjoyment as The Ghan journeys through the vast and diverse Australian landscape. Cynics of long train journeys often shout "Take a book", but time passes quickly and after our departure from Darwin at 9am, The Ghan reaches its first exciting stop at picturesque Katherine in just over three hours. Katherine is true adventure territory and the majestic 292,000-hectare Nitmuluk National Park is the gem of the region. With various excursions on offer, including a cultural experience, I choose the Nitmuluk Gorge cruise, which is a gentle journey through two gorges. Bordered by 60-metre-high sandstone cliff faces, designer-like fracture lines caused by erosion quickly become a visual treat. Amid the serenity, it is time to leave the boat and walk. With flat rocks laid into the pathway, wooden bridges and glistening, crystal-clear pools scattered along the trail and sub-gorges in the distance, it is well designed to evoke the natural beauty of Katherine, and one feels happily lost in another time and place. Back on board The Ghan after more than four hours absorbing the delights of Katherine, a refreshing shower enhances thoughts of dinner. In the plush Queen Adelaide dining car, we are seated at tables for four, and immediately conversation beckons. With crisp white tablecloths supporting wine glasses and plates, diners are happily invited to choose from the richly inspiring three-course menu. Entree is minestrone soup or my personal choice, blue swimmer crab, poached and served on sourdough with spiced avocado and topped with pickled ginger and cucumber. It was divine. For the main I chose grilled saltwater barramundi – delightful. Our table of four chose the decadent Belgian chocolate muntries pudding, dripping with chocolate sauce. <img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/29258/image__498x245.jpg" alt="ghan (1)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Sipping red wine, it is hard to believe diners are seated on a train, and that is the thing about the journey on The Ghan. Viewing plush greens and then the rusty hues of Australia's red centre, residing in spacious cabins and absorbing interesting and funny tales from fellow travellers, it is more like being in a plush hotel – on steel wheels. Everything is taken care of. Beds are turned down when guests are at dinner and we arrive back at our cabins with handmade chocolates on the beds. Encouraged to sleep by the comforting rhythm of the rails, we awake the next day refreshed and eager to venture into our second stop, Alice Springs. Pyndan Camel Tracks (a family business) transport eight of us to its ranch-style acreage. We are novices at riding camels, but Marcus "The Camel Man" Williams beckons us towards the kneeling camels and explains that when seated, "Lean back in the seat and hold on as you will be lurched forward". The camels, including Doc, Ruby and Saleh, rise slowly, but the power in their back legs certainly propels one forward. Happy with our camel trail loosely roped together, we set off around the property for a surprisingly comfortable dusty-trail ride. Atop a camel on a gorgeous 25-degree morning lazily surveying the West MacDonnell Ranges, one feels totally at ease and wishes the camel trail would just go on and on. Camels can live until age 50 and are capable of carrying at least 300 kilograms. While other Alice Springs excursions, including the Alice Explorer and the Alice Springs Desert Park are inclusive, Pyndan Camel Tracks, subsidised by GSR, costs $40, and punters agreed it was THE choice. Relaxing in the Outback Explorer Lounge, Robert and Annette are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. Annette says Robert surprised her with a ticket and she is "loving every moment". The Ghan crosses its only two watercourses – the rivers Hugh and Finke – but they are rivers of sand. The Finke River features rocky riverbeds that date back 300 million years. The history and timelines realised during this journey are astonishing. After dinner, travellers reflect on their favourite parts of the trip. Peter was impressed with sighting the freshwater crocodiles almost disguised in the sand at Katherine, while Judy says riding a camel at Alice Springs has prompted her to buy a book called Tracks, by Robyn Davidson, who with four camels and a dog trekked 2700km across the Australian desert in 1977. <img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/29257/image__498x245.jpg" alt="the ghan" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Davidson's story has recently been made into a major film titled Making Tracks, starring Mia Wasikowska. On our final morning we awake to the staggering surrounds of the Flinders Ranges, which stretch more than 430km. Our final destination, Adelaide, is now only a few hours away and morning tea is provided, with selections of sandwiches, slices and muffins. From the railway town of Port Augusta and later the wind farms of Snowtown, suddenly acre upon acre of yellow fields fill the windows announcing (rapeseed) canola oil crops. Within the next few minutes the vista turns deep green, church steeples are seen in the distance and suddenly The Ghan has arrived in Adelaide. On arrival, it is hard to believe we have journeyed 2979km through the heart of Australia fuelled by comfort, fine food and new friends. The Ghan is a unique experience and one that richly rewards in many memorable ways. Have you ever taken The Ghan? Or have you been on one of the other great Australian train journeys? Let us know in the comments section. Written by Steve Scott. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>. Image credit: Great Southern Rail Related links: <a href="/travel/international/2016/07/the-cheapest-way-to-travel-from-venice-to-paris/">The cheapest way to travel from Venice to Paris</a> <a href="/travel/international/2016/07/10-views-you-can-only-experience-from-a-train/">10 views you can only experience from a train</a> <a href="/travel/international/2016/06/crossing-australia-in-style-aboard-the-indian-pacific/">Crossing Australia in style aboard the Indian Pacific</a>

International Travel

Crossing Australia in style aboard the Indian Pacific

There are faster ways to cross Australia – and definitely cheaper ones. But for sheer indulgent grandeur, nothing matches the Indian Pacific. It's one of the world's great train journeys, and the mere mention of it can jolt even the most jaded rail commuter out of their daily lament. This isn't a train trip – it's five-star luxury on rails. The destination is largely incidental because it's the journey that really matters. The Indian Pacific is about seeing the best of this great big, sunburnt land with a nod to the romance of a by-gone era. But the comfortably-appointed Gold Kangaroo class cabins, the lounge car and dining car are really just the supporting act to the scenery – relentless, vast, inspiring and calming all at the same time. The colours of the land, the sky, the wildlife and the random signs of man are hypnotic. Throughout the miles and miles of gently changing scenery the fear of missing something is constant. The verdant ranges of the Blue Mountains give way to the vivid reds of the outback, and even the harsh dryness of South Australia has its own special beauty. The Nullarbor Plain enthrals with its oversized scale, the run into Kalgoorlie sees the return of trees to the landscape and then, on waking on the last morning, it's time to wind through the undulating hills leading to Perth through the Avon Valley. Visitors to Australia often comment on the sky here, and anyone making the trip from Sydney to Perth on this train will likely feel moved to do the same. In the dry heat of Broken Hill the sky was cloudless, and the most beautiful blue, while it was grey, brooding and threatening to pour on the stormy humidity of Adelaide. Across the Nullarbor, the sky and land meet in an almost perfectly horizontal line, although the shimmer of the heat haze can confuse the eye. Emus and kangaroos seem to have grown accustomed to the 30 or so sleek, silver carriages rolling by periodically and they were therefore less interested in us than we were in them. The mark of man on the landscape varies wildly from the urbanisation of Sydney and Perth to the lonely length of outback fence, where it's hard to see what purpose it serves. And then there are the places – like the Nullarbor – where the land seems entirely devoid of human touch as far as the eye can see. Dallas Kilponen, a fellow passenger and veteran of six trips on the Indian Pacific, likened the Nullarbor to a campfire. It's a good analogy because of the way the bush draws you in. The plain makes you wonder who or what survives out there. At the point you are thinking there can't be anything in the vast expanse, another wedge tail eagle swoops into view in breath taking fashion. The Nullarbor also surprised – it is less desert like than I had imagined, though it's a long way from lush. Low growing shrubs and grasses break through the hard-baked earth all along the track. The scenery is a major selling point for the route's operators, Great Southern Railways, but it is much more than eye candy for passing tourists. The sparsity of human landmarks can fool you into thinking the bush is a wasteland, but there are people making a go of it, even if they are far apart from each other. All have chosen to remain in or move to the outback for their own reasons, much like 18-year-old jackaroo Cori Powell, who I spoke to on a brief stop at Rawlinna on the western fringe of the Nullarbor. "I moved over to WA, and I was living in Bunbury, and you know, I'm from a small country town, and it wasn't going too well for me in the city," he said. "I was working in an abattoir, and I just thought I've got to get out of here, I've got to do something different, otherwise I'm going to end up getting in trouble. "I came back to the country because it's a great lifestyle and it just feels right." The Indian Pacific features two classes – Red Kangaroo, beloved by backpackers and those too frightened to fly, and Gold Kangaroo, which delivers a luxurious experience for those a bit more flush. The Gold Kangaroo cabins sleep two people in comfortable single beds, and each has its own ingenious en suite bathroom. The fold out toilet and hand basin don't take much getting used to, while train staff deal with the beds. Choosing a meal always proved hard because of the variety of options, including vegetarian and lactose free. The food, drink and comfortable surroundings go a long way towards ensuring guests don't suffer cabin fever. So engaging was the effortless progress of the landscape that I didn't even open the books I brought. GSR Guest Services Manager Ewald Eisele said: "Typically we get people who want a different, a unique holiday experience. We don't hare along at a million miles an hour. The trip is not about getting from A to B, it's about the whole experience of travelling by train and capturing some of the romance of a bygone era." Australia is such a huge country it is sometimes hard to grasp the scale, but after this journey I feel I know my home a little better, and that I have a little more pride in it. The feeling of wonderful surrender that comes from putting yourself in the hands of a dedicated bunch of people onboard a train like the Indian Pacific is quite rare. Add to that the unpredictability of mobile phone reception and the mateship of your travelling companions to make this the most Australian of experiences. Have you ever caught the Indian Pacific? Perhaps you’ve tried one of Australia’s other great train journeys, or one of the train experiences in Europe? Share your story in the comments below. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/05/french-train-carriages-turned-into-art/">French trains turned into moving art galleries</a> <a href="/travel/international/2016/06/worlds-longest-train-tunnel-to-open-under-swiss-alps/">World’s longest train tunnel to open under Swiss Alps</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/05/managing-mobility-issues-while-travelling/">Managing mobility issues while travelling</a>

International Travel

All aboard! Classic rail journeys around the world

Sure it’s quicker to fly, but nothing has the glamour of old school train travel. Cross countries and continents in style with these classic rail journeys.Trans-Siberian Railway, RussiaThe most iconic rail journey in the world covers over 10,000 kilometres across eight time zones, traversing Russia from Moscow to Vladivostok (and vice versa). The full journey takes 13 days, crossing over the Ural Mountains, through the bleak Russian steppes and past the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal. There are a number of trains operating on the route ranging from very (very) basic seating to carriages with sleeping berths and shared bathrooms, and all the way up to ultra luxurious private cabins with butler service. It’s a long journey, so it will probably be worth spending a little more for some creature comforts.Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, EuropeThe very name conjures up a feeling of glamour, romance and intrigue. The Orient-Express journey was made famous by Agatha Christie in her 1934 novel Murder on the Orient-Express. The original route ran from Paris to Istanbul, though this ceased operating in 1977, and the main route now stops at Venice. The luxury train that runs on the route is made up of meticulously restored 1920s carriages and liveried butlers will cater to your every whim. If you want the full experience, once a year the train runs the full journey to Istanbul. The passengers really get into the spirit with many of them dressing up in full 1920s regalia and there are plenty of celebrations onboard.The Ghan & Indian Pacific, AustraliaAustralia is bisected along both axes by two of the greatest train journeys in the world; The Ghan and the Indian Pacific. The Ghan, named after the Afghan cameleers who blazed the original trail, runs from Adelaide to Darwin with a stop in Alice Springs. The Indian Pacific travels more than 4,300 kilometres between Sydney and Perth, an epic transcontinental journey that passes through the desolate Nullarbor Plain. The trains that operate on both routes are very plush with ultra luxe private cabins available, though there are more economical options that still make for a comfortable journey.Rocky Mountaineer, CanadaThis is easily the best way to see Canada’s spectacular Rocky Mountains. There are more than 40 journeys that wind through the mountains in British Columbia and Alberta. Starting in Vancouver, the train passes through the ski fields of Whistler and the lush wilds of Jasper, past the icy blue water of Lake Louise, scales the heights of the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson, and into the beautiful mountain community of Banff. The train has huge windows in all classes but if you want the best views, splash out for GoldLeaf class for the unique glass domed coach.Maharajas’ Express, IndiaIndia has a great history of train travel and it is still the most popular way to get around the country for just about everyone – though the Maharajahs’ Express is certainly the most comfortable way to do it. Five journeys run around the north of India, departing either Delhi or Mumbai, passing through the ancient city of Agra (and the Taj Mahal), Varanassi, Jaipur, Udaipur and Ranthambore, home to India’s endangered tigers. There are just 88 guests onboard the train at a time and each cabin has a private washroom and butler service. If you’ve got money to burn, take out the two-bedroom Presidential Suite that covers an entire carriage.

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Family leave everything behind to start a new life aboard a bus

All aboard Ed Sheeran's unusual new holiday home!

The long-haul mask hack frequent fliers swear by

Heartbreaking final words from mother aboard lost flight

“Hell” for Aussies aboard cruise ship stranded off South America

“Never ever again”: Passenger slams British Airways for serving inedible food aboard flight

Aboard Australia’s only country music cruise

Crossing Australian aboard The Ghan

Crossing Australia in style aboard the Indian Pacific

All aboard! Classic rail journeys around the world

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Family leave everything behind to start a new life aboard a bus

All aboard Ed Sheeran's unusual new holiday home!

The long-haul mask hack frequent fliers swear by

Heartbreaking final words from mother aboard lost flight

“Hell” for Aussies aboard cruise ship stranded off South America

“Never ever again”: Passenger slams British Airways for serving inedible food aboard flight

Aboard Australia’s only country music cruise

Crossing Australian aboard The Ghan

Crossing Australia in style aboard the Indian Pacific

All aboard! Classic rail journeys around the world

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