Flight Centre Cruise Expert Lisa Chow shares her top tips for choosing the perfect combination holiday.

Why is rail and sail so popular?

A rail and sail holiday is a great way to see the world. Cruising allows you to see the famous ports of call by sea or river, and rail allows you to cover longer and larger distances on land. They complement each other as it enables you to see more of one destination and really immerse yourself in everything that country has to offer. Rail-and-sail itineraries means you are more relaxed and can spend more time exploring the sights.

Where are the best places for a rail-and-sail holiday?

Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer rail journey with an Alaskan cruise is one of the iconic combinations. Some others include the Trans Andean Railway with a Galapagos cruise, a trip from Memphis to New Orleans with Amtrak linked to a Caribbean cruise, and Oslo to Bergen on the Begensbanen with a Norway cruise. In
our own backyard, we have The Ghan or Indian Pacific rail journeys, which you can link to a cruise out of Fremantle, Sydney, Adelaide or Darwin.

Tell us about your favourite rail-and-sail experience?

My favourite so far was the Rocky Mountaineer followed by an Inside Passage cruise; the landscape was so different on both styles of travel. The rail journey took me through the beautiful Canadian Rockies, and the cruise then took me to parts of Alaska that are difficult to access by road.

What train is best for a luxurious journey?

A Rovos Rail journey in Africa would be my pick. I haven’t had the pleasure of doing this yet but it’s on the bucket list. This is like a hotel on tracks – everything is luxurious and beautifully furnished. The public areas look inviting and comfortable, and I can’t think of a better way to see the different landscapes of Africa than on this train journey.

Cruise Expert Lisa Chow is based at Flight Centre Castlecrag, NSW. Visit flightcentre.com.au or call our dedicated cruise line on 13 70 79.