All Aboard: The New Golden Age of Train Travel

Opulent chandeliers cast a warm golden glow over plush carpets, ornate light fixtures, rich velvet upholstery and polished brass fittings. World-class musicians fill the intimate dining carriage with a symphony of soft jazz. Platters of caviar are passed around, the delicate iridescent pearls shimmering in the light. Bubbles of free-flowing champagne and a first-class menu that offers a feast for the senses: succulent lobster, seared scallops and Confit de Canard, and to finish, the finest desserts. And of course, a front-row seat to the canvas of picturesque landscapes, as the world blurs by with a smooth stroke.

Once upon a time, there was an undeniable romance to leisure travel. For a time, travelling by train was all about the experience: five-star dining, sumptuous cabins, awe-striking entertainment and even barber shops. Previously reserved exclusively by a select few (and perhaps more resembled a hotel on wheels), travelling by train was an art in itself as a practical mode of transport for those to get across the country, or continent, at phenomenal ease. With the rise of modernisation, came the fall of decadence, turning trains from flamboyant to functional, and leeching the elaborate design and luxury factors the 1900s introduced to us. But it seems, not all is lost…

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As we finally dust off the last cobwebs of our ‘no travel’ setback, luxury train journeys are again once more, giving us a glimpse into the golden age of travel with indulgent experiences that remind us the voyage can be just as enjoyable as the destination. Since travelling by plane has become far less luxurious in the age of sustainability and low-cost airlines, trains may be the last respite of luxury. Thanks to quicker boarding, extra legroom, scenic views and a lower carbon footprint, a renewed love for this timeless mode of transport is becoming the formidable choice of our generation.

But with luxury travel stepping back into the spotlight, comes the demand for a dependable companion to accompany you and house all your precious belongings. Just as your mode of transport is basked in elevation, the luggage you embark with should be just as eloquent, durable and dependable. So where does one find a forever travel bag?

All aboard the new Liberty’s Iphis Travel Collection. Designed to go the distance, quite literally, the Iphis Travel collection takes you on a voyage into discovery, with our forever bags reinvented to meet all your packing needs, whether it be a weekend trip to the country or interrailing across Europe. Destined in our most coveted colourways, the Plaza Weekender Bag, the Strand Mini and Large Vanity Case and the coordinating Travel Wallets ensure you’re prepared for any journey with ease and timeless style.

When travelling on a sleeper train cocooned in grandeur, lugging a suitcase is no easy feat, nor will it match your surroundings aesthetic, but you may need more clothes than can fit in your run-of-the-mill tote alone. Start building your new travel collection with the Weekend Bag, the perfect carry-on that’s roomy enough to fit a few days’ worth of necessities. The meeting point of substance and functionality, it has the slick aesthetic you’ve come to expect from the Iphis family, made from durable and lightweight coated canvas with soft leather trims, straps and handles to get you from A to B and back again. And as for your overnight beauty essentials stow your full regime in the Iphis Strand Large Vanity Case, a coordinating carrier that practically organises itself.

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For those only hopping on board for an overnighter at the coast or simply needing somewhere to keep the components of their in-flight routine, the Iphis Strand Mini Vanity case might be a more suitable companion, with its long cross-body strap for hands-free ease. And finally, no traveller should leave home without the Iphis Travel Wallet, a place to keep all cards, tickets and valuables tucked away safely. Bon voyage!