7 Luxury Trains with Next-Level Dining Cars
"Another Belmond train, the Royal Scotsman really is all about the journey and giving guests one of the most memorable experiences of their lives. Leaving from and returning to Edinburgh's Waverley Station by way of the Scottish Highlands, the uber-indulgent ride places a strong emphasis on its dining offerings as well as the libations, with some 30 fine wines, liqueurs, and malt whiskies to tickle guests’ fancy throughout the day. There are two dining cars, Raven and Swift, appointed with mahogany-paneled walls and on-brand tweed upholstery (you are in Scotland after all), stark white linen, and fine china. The best of Scottish produce from both land and sea makes up the menu created by head chef Mark Tamburrini, with plenty of Scottish specialties featuring at each meal—think smoked salmon, kidgeree, spiced roast halibut and pigeon salad. At breakfast, the Full Scottish is a must-try if you like meat—it’s a hefty combination of eggs, back bacon, sausage, black pudding, and haggis (a type of pudding composed of the liver, heart, and lungs of a sheep). But it’s not just about the food. Together with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the Royal Scotsman also does a five-day Scotch Malt Whisky Tour that—besides three-course lunches and four-course dinners (which you get on the regular trips as well)—comes with tasting opportunities and distillery visits. And when it’s time for a little R&R, you can either head to the recently unveiled Dior Spa Royal Scotsman, the only spa on rails in the UK, or book yourself into one of the new ultra-luxe Grand Suites set to debut for the 2024 season. Tickets start at around $7,000 per person for two nights in a twin cabin."
