Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, established in 1989 as GW Travel Ltd and rebranded in 2012, is widely recognised as one of the world's leading operators of exclusive, all-inclusive long-distance rail journeys. Founded by Tim Littler – a former wine merchant whose passion for rail travel stretches back decades – the company operates private luxury trains across Europe and Central Asia. The Champagne Express was a 12-night epicurean tour running between Venice and Paris (or in reverse), taking place each October at the height of Europe's grape harvest season. It was crafted to combine the romance of slow rail travel with immersive access to celebrated wine estates, Michelin-starred dining, and some of the most beautiful cities on the continent.
The Champagne Express followed two directional itineraries – westbound from Venice to Paris, and eastbound from Paris to Venice. Guests on the westbound journey began with two days exploring Venice before boarding the train and travelling through northern Italy, the French Riviera, the Rhone Valley, Burgundy, and the Champagne region before arriving in Paris. The eastbound route traced a complementary path through the Moselle Valley in Germany, Alsace, Florence, and Verona. Both itineraries were timed to coincide with autumn harvests, giving passengers the rare opportunity to visit vineyards during one of their most active and atmospheric periods.
The Champagne Express was designed as much for the table as for the track. Key experiences included tastings at the Moët & Chandon estate and the prestigious Krug cellars in the Champagne region, a visit to the Drouhin family estate in Burgundy, and wine tastings at Soave vineyards near Verona. Passengers dined at Michelin-starred restaurants along the route, and the tour referenced in the source brochure highlighted the Bruno Restaurant in France and wine tasting at the Paul Jaboulet Aine estate in the Rhone Valley. The medieval hilltop village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence was also a featured stop on the westbound journey.
The Champagne Express ran on the Golden Eagle Danube Express train – a sleeper train equipped to the standard of a luxury hotel. Cabins came with personal attendants, and an onboard doctor travelled with every departure. All meals, wines, excursions, and expert guiding were included in the fare, with prices starting from around $12,495 per person. The fully escorted format meant that every detail, from border crossings to restaurant reservations, was handled by the Golden Eagle team. The company has been featured in Forbes, Conde Nast Traveller, The Times, and The Telegraph.
Beyond the Champagne Express, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains operates a range of European rail tours, including:
The company also operates ambitious long-distance journeys across Central Asia on the Silk Road Express, reaching destinations including Samarkand, Bukhara, and Lhasa.
Yes. Golden Eagle Luxury Trains Ltd remains active and continues to operate departures on its European and Central Asian routes. The company is headquartered in Altrincham, Cheshire, England. The Champagne Express as a specific named tour was offered in particular seasons, so you should check the company's current timetable for equivalent wine-region itineraries.
The Champagne Express was a seasonal itinerary offered by Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, last confirmed running in October 2018. The company periodically introduces, suspends, and relaunches themed journeys; the wine-region routes through France and Italy have featured in various forms across different departure years.
European tours including the Champagne Express ran aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express – a private sleeper train with en-suite or connecting cabins, a restaurant car, a bar car, and a lounge. The train is staffed with personal cabin attendants and an onboard doctor for every journey.
Pricing varies by itinerary, duration, and cabin grade. The Champagne Express was priced from approximately $12,495 per person for a 12-night journey, which included all meals, wines, excursions, and guiding. Current pricing for active tours is available directly from Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.
Golden Eagle Luxury Trains is a UK-registered company and has historically held ATOL protection for its tour packages that include flights. For the most current information on financial protection and booking terms, check directly with the company before making a reservation.
The Champagne Express itinerary covered several of France's most celebrated wine regions, including Champagne (with visits to Moët & Chandon and Krug), Burgundy (Drouhin family estate), and the Rhone Valley (Paul Jaboulet Aine). The eastbound route also included the Moselle Valley in Germany and the Soave and Chianti regions of Italy.
This brochure is part of the Catalink archive and may no longer be available to order. The information above describes Golden Eagle Luxury Trains and its Champagne Express tour. For current details, visit the company's official website.
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