Maharajas’ Express: the most expensive train in India

Photo by:  Simon Pielow, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Operating since January 2010, Maharajas’ Express is the newest luxury train of Indian Railways and easily one of the most expensive in Asia. For eight days, this pan India train takes guests on a ride across the best and the most prominent destinations of the country—the Taj Mahal, the Khajuraho temples, wildlife environs of Ranthambore, Fatehpur Sikri and the holy bathing ghats of Varanasi. The cheapest rate per person per day is a whopping US$ 800 for a deluxe cabin. The next two slabs are US$ 900 and US$ 1,400, and the presidential suite comes for US$ 2,500.

This train is solely owned by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The tour is being promoted as ‘luxury travel like no other’ and not without reason. Maharajas’ Express will have 88 passengers (a normal III AC coach packs in 72) living in suites fit for a prince. All food and drinks are complimentary.

Photo by:  Simon Pielow, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

The train comprises 24 carriages, which include accommodation, dining, bar, lounge, generator and store cars. Each guest carriage has been designed to recreate the opulence of maharaja-style living. Elegantly decorated, the interiors of the cabin exude the finesse of exquisite workmanship. Sylvan parquets, intricate carvings and palette of soft hues characterise the interiors of the train. All cabins have individual temperature control, LCD television sets, DVD players, direct dial telephones, internet, even live television and electronic safe-deposit box.

Photo by:  Simon Pielow, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Carriages are fitted with panoramic windows to offer the vista of rolling landscape as train travels through some of the most fascinating landscapes and countryside of India. The train also has an observation lounge called the ‘Rajah Club’ with a private bar. Besides these cars, the train also has two elegantly appointed dining cars that offer an array of sumptuous cuisines to guests. The bar of the train serves an eclectic mix of wines from across the world in a serene and relaxing ambience. A high-end boutique in the train houses some perfect memorabilia to cherish this royal sojourn for a lifetime.

Unfortunately, one of the best Android phones isn’t coming to the UK

Unfortunately, one of the best Android phones isn’t coming to the UK
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The Droid Turbo is one of this year’s best Android phones, and although we had long suspected that we wouldn’t get it here in the UK, we still held out hope that maybe, just maybe, Motorola would change its mind.

Those hopes have now been dashed with Motorola France revealing on Twitter that the Droid Turbo won’t be launched in any European markets.

It’s a real shame as the Droid Turbo is an excellent Android smartphone with a Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM, 5.2-inch QHD screen and a 21-megapixel rear camera.

But it’s also an exclusive to the Verizon network in the US (though it is also sold as the Moto Maxx in certain Central and South American countries). Our hopes for a similar situation in Europe is now off the cards, so all we can do is watch enviously from across the Atlantic.

Maybe you should opt for Motorola”s flagship Moto X instead