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South Africa – Travel back in time Rovos Rail

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Author: Marek Mazur

South Africa – Travel back in time Rovos Rail

For many years I was going to make the journey, but there’s always been something in the way. Some other idea, a sudden change of plans, God knows what else. Already last year, everything was ready, but professional matters effectively thwarted my plans. Finally, it happened! I went to South Africa!

Probably most of this African adventure is associated with safaris, untamed nature, wildlife and limitless desert. I, however, in spite of this wanted another taste of South Africa. So I read a lot about it, so many of the stories I heard. As the safari, tracking cheetah and following the trail of the lion are not alien to me and many times I had the opportunity to participate, this time I decided to learn this slightly different direction. By no means was I bored and Africa surprised me once again. My journey started from one night at the Saxon Hotel in Johannesbourgu. At one time Nelson Mandela lived there, frequent guests include Bill Clinton (known lover of cigars, on the occasion of U.S. President), Oprah Winfrey and many other celebrities. In the evening, at the invitation of my friends from Johannesbourga, we went to dinner at one of the restaurants in the galleries downtown. If you want to eat a real tasty steak – it’s just in Africa!

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The next day, after a holiday in the Saxon Hotel, a comfortable limousine transported me to a distance of less than an hour’s drive, Pretoria. There began the most exciting stage of my adventure. Slightly off the beaten track, in a little industrial environment, there is a small, very charming and unique railway station. Only one train departs from it, but what! The most luxurious train in the world, Pride of Africa – Rovos Rail. I had just got out of the car and a smiling lady in impeccably tailored uniform, was waiting for me with a glass of champagne. My luggage immediately was taken up by the butler, and I was in a good mood, I went to the building of the station. In the cozy and beautifully furnished waiting room, furnished like a luxury hotel lobby, waiting for the other participants already traveling. A fortunate few maybe up to 72. Thus, reservations for travel on this train is best done a few months earlier. As for long, 9-or 14-day itinerary for at least one year in advance! Travel is not cheap and so it should not be. Volunteers for years are always more than the seats on the board.

My adventure was to last, unfortunately only three days. This is one of the shortest and yet most common routes. The aim was to Cape Town. I was put in a deluxe cabin with a comfortable and big double bed. It is decorated very elegantly and stylish. I had to have all facilities that can offer a suite of a luxury hotel. Naturally, a private bathroom with a shower. All in slightly smaller proportions than usual in hotels, but very comfortable. You should not forget the important fact that if there was, it’s a train. For the forgetful taken care of toiletries and hygiene products daily, packaged in an elegant beautician logo Rovos Rail. My luggage was already waiting for me in the cab. You can unpack, hang your stuff in the closet, and give you shirts to the Butler for ironing, which I naturally did. Shortly after this I came to see me the same chef, accompanied by a smiling lady with manual carefully noting my culinary preferences. I felt like I was the only one, the most important guest aboard the magnificent hotel on wheels. All the time, even for a moment left me with awareness and excitement for the fact that I participated in something special. You could see the faces of other participants on the trip that they also gave up the atmosphere. What else fascinated me about it was that travelers were a real mix consisting of many nations, and of very diverse ages. I did not feel neither strange nor too young or too old. Lovers of journeys with Rovos Rail come from all continents.

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Believe me that this trip is a unique form of exploring Africa (and not just, like trains on other continents offered by Luxury Travel). The train overcomes the distance at night to the next morning guests can wake up in a new place. During the trip interesting stops are organized, tours, safaris with wild animals in national parks, golfing, cultural evenings and many other attractions. All this depending on the selected route. You can visit the disused, once the world’s largest diamond mine with the biggest “hole” in the ground, made by human hands – Big Hole. It’s a very interesting place with an incredible history. It was the cause of many tragedies, has many legends but there was also the nucleus of countless fortunes, joy and tears of happiness. There you can see in the treasury beautiful, real diamonds and replicas of the most famous and largest ever managed to get out. But the train ride itself is also an amazing experience. Fascinating, moving tableaux behind the window suites or the observation car, in the middle of a la convertible version. On the way we pass the animals, endless steppes and savannas, beautiful vineyards but also cities, villages and slum settlements. We have the opportunity to observe the beautiful natural circumstances and daily life, homes, some modern and comfortable but also the poor and dingy.

From the windows of Rovos Rail we could see Africa, what really is. Colorful, picturesque and joyful, beautiful and friendly, but also her sad and dark side. There is in this film censors, on the screens of our windows we know something that we are not able to provide with any movie or guide – we can see the true soul of this fascinating and mysterious country and continent. It is Extremely nice to be traveling by train Rovos Rail these observations and experiences while sitting in a comfortable chair with a glass of good cognac and, if we like, savoring the taste of perfect cigar. This and many other luxury accessories will ensure professional and very friendly train service. All for one purpose – to make our trip perfect!

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Because of my further plans for exploration of Africa, I was on board the Rovos Rail for only three days. I was able to take a trip to the Big Hole and visit the most charming, colonial settlement along the route, with a nice sounding name – Matjesfontein. The rest of the time I spent relaxing in one of the two restaurants of the train, serving exquisite and extremely tasty dishes. At my disposal are also two well-stocked bars, two lounge areas and a lounge for smokers. During these few days, I finally managed to find a moment for myself, think about a few things, something a note, make plans for the following purposes my luxury trips. It’s so trite, it seemed to be – but how much time do we have such moments in our daily lives? Jobs, responsibilities, continuous pace. Rovos Rail and is so wonderful and luxurious “time machine”. It allows us to go back to another era and feel the charm of colonial Africa, but also to simply be alone with you or your loved one, a group of friends. It’s also a great place to make new international friends, experience a fascinating adventure and amazing experience. I highly recommend you this journey back in time!

After three days we got to Cape Town. After the ceremonial farewell to the service of the train, waiting for me was a personal driver, with whose friendly company I went to the next stage of my journey. But you write next time. For the impatient hand – just call or write to me with pleasure to tell you what happened afterwards.

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