Arrivals & Departures Romance on rail in South-East Asia

Passing through cities, alongside rural villages and gleaming pagodas, train travel through South-East Asia offers a leisurely view of fascinating places. Teamed with Eastern and Oriental Express' promise of cocktails, fine dining and “convivial company”, it’s quite the vision.

The rail service has released a number of new activities on its Bangkok to Singapore (and vice-versa) three night journeys.

Beginning next month, there will be three options to choose from in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, which in addition to the classic tour guests have the option of instead choosing a culinary tour or cycling tour.  

The culinary tour takes in a wet market and rice noodle house before guests board a river raft for a traditional Thai cooking class on the River Kwai.

The cycling tour is a hour-long bike ride through rice fields, visiting a local farm.

Next year excursions at Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia, will give the city tour a miss and instead head for a rural village for a traditional village experience or hill trek.

Fact File

• A three-night journey (Singapore to Bangkok or vice versa) costs from $US2960 ($3734) per person during September.
• Guests are not required to choose their choice of excursion prior to travel; this will be handled at check-in.
• For more information or reservations call 1800 000 395 or visit belmond.com.