Amazing Train Journeys

Welcome to Angola. Philippe Gougler sets out to discover this little-known African nation and its truly unique railway lines. Along the way, he meets the nomadic Mucabal tribe—who live alongside and for their cattle—and the Mumuila people, known for their distinctive hairstyles. His journey takes him to the mysterious, abandoned Tiger Island and on to the capital, Luanda, on the Atlantic coast, with a stop at the spectacular yet little-known Kalandula Falls.

Philippe Gougler’s journey begins in Fort Myers aboard the Murder Mystery Train, an immersive theatrical train where passengers turn into investigators for the duration of the trip. Next, he heads to Daytona Beach to discover a "drive-in church," where worshippers attend services from their cars. The journey continues on the Brightline, a high-speed train connecting Orlando and Miami. He then sets course for the Everglades, an ecosystem unique in the world; there, he meets the Miccosukee tribe and learns their techniques for approaching alligators. In Orlando, he immerses himself in the futuristic world of the Walt Disney World Resort monorail—a true aerial artery. Before wrapping up his journey in the Florida Keys, Philippe steps into the shoes of an astronaut during a visit to Cape Canaveral.

Malaysia is a fascinating land of adventure. Deep in the jungles of Borneo—amidst orangutans and proboscis monkeys—small railway lines cut through the rainforest. Along these tracks, one encounters "motorized trolleys": simple wooden platforms on wheels, propelled by motorcycles. It is a unique and authentic mode of transport that allows locals to get around with ease.

In winter, Kazakhstan is a land of vast white expanses and temperatures that can plummet to -40 degrees. Philippe Gougler begins his journey in the east of the country with a surprising encounter: along a frozen river, a group of people has gathered for a cold-exposure club. Bundled up warmly, Philippe watches these outdoor enthusiasts take dips in the river and roll around in the snow. While on a night train to the capital, Astana—the second-coldest capital in the world—Philippe meets a fellow passenger who tells him about some rather surprising Kazakh traditions.

When traveling to Montenegro on the Adriatic coast, people usually go for a holiday—for the beaches, mountains, lakes, and charming villages—but what interests Philippe Gougler, our globe-trotting train enthusiast, is, of course, the trains! One thing is certain: the trains departing from the capital, Podgorica, have retained a distinctly Soviet feel... On the agenda for this episode: the extraordinary Ostrog Monastery—carved into the rock and seemingly suspended over the void—an unlikely nap contest, the magnificent Lake Skadar, and Kotor, the city of cats.

Here is a city… unlike any other. And for good reason: it straddles two continents! Europe on one side, Asia on the other, and in between… flows the Bosphorus. It is a bustling, vibrant global metropolis that Philippe Gougler sets out to explore by rail. His journey begins with the historic T2 tram—heading to Taksim Square, the beating heart of Istanbul—and the tiny F2 funicular, one of the smallest in the world, which climbs one of the city’s many hills in just two minutes flat. This rail network allows Philippe to traverse Istanbul, discover the amazing "rope-poured" tea technique and the practice of ear-cleaning with fire, and reach the sprawling Grand Bazaar, home to carpet sellers who are masters at backgammon. Not to mention the YHT—Turkey’s high-speed train—which Philippe boards to travel to the major city of Konya in the southeast, the birthplace of the famous Whirling Dervishes and their hypnotic dance.

The most charming way to travel to Singapore is by train—but not just any train. Meet the Eastern & Oriental Express, a legendary train featuring carriages over 50 years old; it is a veritable luxury hotel on rails. It offers a rail journey through the heart of the rainforest, taking our globetrotting traveler all the way to the city-state of Singapore.