For travellers looking for the ultimate in epic luxury rail travel on some of the world's greatest railways, the list below might provide enough inspiration to inflame the imagination.

Lhasa to Hong Kong aboard the Shangri-La Express

Rail tours between Tibet's capital Lhasa and Hong Kong take in a breathtaking sweep of natural wonders and culture. The Shangri-La Express is a luxury first-class locomotive and well-equipped for such a journey.

The journey is one of contrasts - not only do travellers get the chance to visit the 6,000 Terracotta Warriors of Xian but also to witness Giant Pandas in the wild in Yunnan Stone Forest, the 'First Wonder of the World'.

The experience begins Lhasa, where travellers are given the chance to explore Jokhang Temple, Tibet's holiest shrine. On the third day, travellers are given a tour of Norbu Lingka, the Dalai Lama's Summer Palace.

For four nights, travellers get to stay on a luxury river cruiser as it glides through the world-famous Three Gorges.

The Silk Road aboard the Trans Siberian Express

Retracing one of the most important trading routes of ancient civilisation, this tour follows in the footsteps of such legendary figures as Alexander the Great and Marco Polo.

Crossing Russia and China as well as some of the former Soviet republics, this journey takes in countless sights from the ancient world. The Tran-Siberian Express is the ultimate in luxury transportation.

The trip begins in Moscow, then on to Volgograd for some fabulous sightseeing opportunities.

The Kara Kum desert is followed by the amazing 2,500 year-old cities of Khiva and Bukhara -- then onto Samarkand, 'Rome of the East'. Samarkand is home to Registan Square, a space considered to be one of the most inspirational sights in central Asia.

After crossing the border into China, the tour bypasses the Figuren Magao Thousand Buddha cave complex, the Jiayuguan fortress and the Terracotta Warriors, an army of 6,000 statues.

The Arctic Circle by Steam

The Arctic Circle by Steam is an incredible steam-hauled 7,000km, 13 day journey from Moscow to St Petersburg and on to Murmansk, inside the Arctic Circle. Followers of luxury rail travel will delight to the sight and sound of steam engines juxtaposed with all the conveniences of modern travel.

The journey begins in Moscow, where travellers spend a day touring Russia's vibrant capital, including Red Square and the Kremlin. At Leningradski station guests join a private train.

The train is then hauled from Moscow by Europe's largest operating steam locomotive, GWT's P36.0032. The train departs north towards Saint Petersburg and the Arctic Circle.

Then it's on to Pavlovsk where the itinerary includes a visit Catherine's Summer Palace in Pushkin. The next day travellers are given a guided tour around the ancient city of Pskov.

A highlight of the journey is in Kem where guests are transferred to a small boat bound for Solovetsky Monastery on beautiful Solovetsky Island in the White Sea.

The Canadian Rockies aboard the Royal Canadian Pacific

Step aboard a Canadian Pacific Railway vintage business car for the ultimate in luxury rail vacations. The spectacular Canadian rocky mountain scenery, five-star hospitality and comfortable accommodations onboard the Royal Canadian Pacific ensures the journey of a lifetime.