Travel Agent - May 12, 2008 - (Page 66)

TR ANSPORTATION RAIL DINING and Dashing The Royal Livingstone Express lets passengers enjoy the Zambezi Valley and a gourmet meal at the same time BY JENA TESSE FOX THE FIVE-STAR ROYAL LIVINGSTONE HOTEL IN ZAMBIA (www.suninternational.com) recently began running the Royal Livingstone Express, an antique train that serves a six-course dinner as it glides through the Zambezi Valley. Visitors to the hotel, or others in the Valley, can enjoy a rich landscape, incredible wildlife and a spectacular sunset from the comfort of the train while enjoying a gourmet meal. “With the length of stay of our guests being on average three or more nights per visit, we felt we needed to add another dining offering, which would prove as memorable as dinner under the Monkey Tree or in The Dining Room at The Royal Livingstone Hotel,” recalls Joanne Gorman, general manager operations at Sun International Zambia, the parent company of the Royal Livingstone Hotel. “When Bushtracks approached us with the idea of a joint venture in the form of a steam train, we were intrigued immediately, as the romance and nostalgia of steam travel fit in so well with the colonial refinement of The Royal Livingstone Hotel.” Old-Fashioned Luxury “The train’s objective,” Gorman continues, “is to enhance our guests’ experience in Zambia, and offer an off-site dining experience, which echoes the luxury and comfort of the resort.” To that end, the train is no ultra-modern silver bullet, but an elegant antique model that had been displayed in the 1924 British Empire Exhibition in London and later pulled logging carriages. As the Royal Livingstone Express, the locomotive now consists of two dining cars (which can seat 92 guests), a kitchen car, a lounge car and a panoramic observation car. The dining car features individual lamps, crystal glassware, silver cutlery and damask linens, all designed to create an aura of old-fashioned luxury. “We wanted The Royal Livingstone Express to almost be an extension of The Royal Livingstone Hotel,” Gorman says, “and provide a complete experience—gracious hospitality, good food and wine, breathtaking scenery, the nostalgia and history of steam travel and a piece of Zambian history (some of the carriage windows still have RR for Rhodesian Railways engraved on the glass). The locomotive dates back to 1922 and travels along the historic Mulobezi line.” The excursion, which is available Wednesdays through Saturdays, costs $150 per passenger (children also pay full price), and includes all wine, beer and soda, as well as the six-course dinner prepared by Royal Livingstone Hotel chefs. The train’s 12-mile course runs through the MosiOa-Tunya National Park and over the Sinde River, giving the passengers ample opportunity to see vistas and wildlife not visible from their hotel. Gorman says that guests of the hotel, and of other hotels in the area, have been taking advantage of the service, and responding with strong enthusiasm. “The ambiance and entire experience receives superb feedback, and the service and food receive accolades daily,” she says. “We believe The Royal Livingstone Express adds another CONNECTING YOU unique attraction to the For more information on tourism and region, which, together hotels in Africa, visit www.travelagent with the Victoria Falls, will central.com/africa become a ‘must.’” I The Royal Livingstone Express travels along the historic Mulobezi line The dining cars are appointed with such amenities as damask linen and fine crystal 66 | TravelAgent May 12, 2008 http://www.suninternational.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/africa http://www.travelagentcentral.com/africa

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Travel Agent - May 12, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Europe: Bruges Might be One of Belgium’s Best-Kept Secrets Hawaii: Condo Resorts Provide a Plethora of Vacation Choices Pacific/Asia: Manila has Plenty to Offer Visitors of Every Taste Alaska: Icy Strait Point Offers Authentic Alaskan Adventure Pacific Northwest: Airplane Buffs and Wine Aficionados Enjoy Washington Las Vegas: Let Your Hair Down at Some of these Casual Bars Central & South America: History and Culture Beckon in Guatemala Caribbean & The Bahamas: Recent Renovations Have Made the Westin Aruba Resort a Jewel of the Island Cruises: A New Musical is Making Waves on Disney Wonder San Diego Becomes a Major Cruise Port Cover Story: Top Tips for Selling in a Down Economy Rail Travel: Sightseeing and a Gourmet Meal on the Royal Livingstone Express Hotels: There is Plenty to Do at Ski Resorts in the Summer Tours: Photos from the 33rd Annual Mountain Travel Symposium Agent: Eric Ardolino has Won the Technology War Customer Relations: Ensemble Agents use CRM tools Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Luxury Travel Expo Jamaica Will License Casinos Enormous Cruise Ships are Planned ResortQuest Hawaii Continues to Grow 2008 TMU Conference Recap In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - May 12, 2008

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