Ride the Blue Train

Sit back and relax onboard the Blue Train, a five-star hotel-on-wheels that ranks as one of the world's greatest - and most sumptuous - rail experiences. Warm birch paneling, luxurious leather seats, and full silver service at gourmet five-course dinners befit the 19th-century British diamond and gold magnates who expected the highest level of luxury, and this train voyage remains one of the most opulent.

The Blue Train runs between Pretoria and Cape Town, staying on board for two nights. While the service and furnishings are excellent, the sight outside the windows will take your breath away: cactus-dotted desert, rugged mountains, vineyard-dotted slopes, verdant valleys, and a front-row seat to Africa's legendary sunsets. Meals, beverages, Monte Cristo cigars, and even a personal butler are all expensive. For those on a tight budget, the Trans-Karoo Express provides a comparable experience at a lower cost, missing the golden hues and soft leather upholstery. Book your Blue Train trip during the low season (November-August) to get drastically discounted rates.