There's also an undeniable romance to this particular form of 'slow travel', although if you find yourself on board a Japanese bullet train speeding along at 200 mph the epithet 'slow' might not really apply.

In addition to simply savouring the joy of a leisurely pace (in most cases), there are the environmental benefits of train travel to shout about, too. With the increasing awareness of the impact of travel on the planet, as a society, we are becoming ever more conscious of travelling with a conscience. Enter the train. With tracks across the world connecting some seriously cool destinations via some seriously scenic routes - and all with a fraction of the carbon footprint of a flight - getting to where you're going has never been more elegant, or guilt-free.

We know the finest rail routes - many involving stupendous feats of tunnel and bridge engineering - in our favourite destinations around the world and can talk you through which elegant compartments to book on the most luxurious trains. Settle back, watch beautiful scenery drifting by, order a drink from the passing waiter and enjoy travel at its most civilised.