A train of the Royal Canadian Pacific.

It’s probably because I’m too young to remember the train that used to service several towns in Malta that rail travel is an exciting prospect for me.

The fact that I don’t rely on trains to get me to work and back on a daily basis is likely to be another reason for my affection towards railways.

I think travelling by train is fun. I like the fact that you can sit and gaze out of the window at the passing landscape without the starting and stopping you experience on a bus, for example.

If you travel by train regularly then you probably don’t want to jump on my ‘travelling by train is fun’ bandwagon, but, just perhaps, these luxury train travel trips could possibly persuade you to change your mind.

There is a market out there for luxury train travel that isn’t anything like the hustle and bustle of King’s Cross Station that no one wants to get caught up in (unless there’s the Hogwarts Express leaving, in which case, I’m jumping right on!).

Experience Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Laos while sipping on afternoon tea surrounded by strikingly exotic interior décor

This is all about indulgence, beauty, opulence and treating yourself to a lavish holiday. T.S. Eliot described it perfectly: “The journey, not the arrival, matters.”

If the charms of the East beckon, then the renowned Eastern and Oriental Express (www.orient-express.com) is just the ticket. Experience Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Laos while sipping on afternoon tea surrounded by strikingly exotic interior décor.

The Eastern and Oriental Express has three types of luxury cabin accommodation: Pullman Cabins, State Cabins and Presidential Suites. Whichever you opt for, they all share a common feature – luxury.

Apart from the sleeper cabins, the train offers a dining car where all sorts of scrumptious delicacies are on offer; the bar car which allows you to sip your brandy while contemplating just how good life is; and the observation car that allows you to marvel at the beautiful scenery outside.

The Eastern and Oriental Express offers many different journey options, whether you’re looking to travel from Bangkok to Singapore or Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Alternatively there’s the thrilling Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express (www.gwtravel.co.uk) that runs across Russia and some of the former Communist states from Moscow to Vladivostok.

The trip covers 6,000 miles and eight time zones. It takes two weeks as you’ll be hitting the following places: Moscow-Kazan-Yekaterinburg-Novosibirsk-Irkutsk-Lake Baikal-Ulan Ude-Ulaan Baatar (Mongolia) and finally Vladivostok; you’ll have plenty of chances to experience these places and book yourself on various tours.

Once again, this train features state-of-the-art sleeping cars with all the amenities that one could require, and a few extra luxuries too.

Furthermore, the Golden Eagle prides itself on its restaurant car, where delicacies from Russia using the freshest of ingredients are prepared by their chefs. While all meals are complemented by wines from around the world, you can be sure there will always be vodka present too.

Once you’ve finished from your culinary delights, a stop at the bar car for a night cap is the perfect way to wind down the evening. For 2013, this trip is scheduled for set dates between May and August.

Two weeks on a train might sound like too long a time for some, so a few days on one of the Royal Canadian Pacific (www.royalcanadianpacific.com) trains might just be ideal.

Queen Elizabeth II was a passenger on the Royal Canadian Pacific many years ago when she still held the title of Princess, so if travelling like royalty is what you’re accustomed to, then this is right up your street, or palace estate!

There are three itineraries to choose from: you can experience the quintessential Canadian Rockies on a tour starting and ending in Calgary. It will focus on the culture and heritage of the great north, while travelling through breathtaking scenery and rugged terrain.

Or the Royal Pacific Express, which travels from Calgary to Vancouver following the same route that was travelled way back in 1886.

Or if fly-fishing is your thing, there’s the Royal Fly-Fishing Adventure train, which leaves from and returns to Calgary, giving you the opportunity to fish in pristine trout fishing rivers in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.

For something a bit closer to home, the Royal Scotsman (www.royalscotsman.com) is a must. This beautiful and majestic train travels along the wondrous scenic routes of the Scottish Highlands, through glens and past lochs.

There are various routes to choose from. The train leaves from Edinburgh Waverley station and stops at stations according to the planned itinerary of your chosen route, be it beautiful golf courses or warm whisky taverns, eventually returning to Edinburgh.

Perhaps travelling by train for meetings and appointments can be incredibly tiring and frustrating, but a luxury train holiday is definitely a break from routine.