“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” – Henry Ford
The blogging team came across this insightful article on the Integrity Property Investment website and we have gained their approval to publish it here so our readers can enjoy and learn from it too!
The worst thing you can do is start out convincing yourself that you cannot succeed. What I’ve learned over the years that has served me well is that we are all allocated the same resources: a human body with its brain and its brawn, and 168 hours of time per week. How we use these resources is the difference between those who are successful and those who are not.
Success has nothing to do with the circumstances you were born into, nothing to do with race, religion and cultural values. It has everything to do with the conscious decisions you make on how you spend your time and the actions you choose to take. Psychology and mindset are critical in this – you must believe in yourself and that you are capable of achieving success. It really is that simple.
If another human being has done it, you can do it too!
Close the gap between their knowledge and yours by finding out how they achieved success and what knowledge they have, then educate yourself and take action – do the same things they did to get to that level of success. It has never been easier to educate yourself than now with access to the internet and all the online resources it provides.
You simply need to stop making excuses and copping out. Put down the gossip magazines, stop playing computer games and turn off the mindless TV shows and start investing in yourself and your own education by searching online for videos, books and courses. Start taking action! Do something now so that you can have the life you truly dream about for yourself and your family, whether that’s the family you have now or the family you plan on having in the future.
Your retirement savings / pension / super is not enough
Learn to think like the wealthy 1%
The fluctuations of property markets
Understanding property finance
Growing your property portfolio from scratch
Finding the right investment property
Calculating the costs of acquiring and holding a property
Property contracts
Risk management
Personal finance fundamentals
Paying off your house faster
The levels of wisdom about debt
Building your team of experts
Starting your property investment journey
Most people keep their money in a metaphorical bucket. It’s usually a bucket with a few holes in it. Wealth Through Property will show you how to fix the holes and create a variety of money buckets to serve different purposes to grow your wealth.
Real estate is a very expensive teacher if you make a mistake and do the wrong thing. Rather learn from the mistakes of others, let me show you how!
~ Daimien Patterson
The NCSGI Team have had several readers ask about mould in homes, its potential dangers and how to get rid of it. On consulting a specialist, here are some insights for our readers.
A few brief facts on mould…
Nothing is more natural than mould. Mould is a fungus and there are thousands of different moulds on the planet. Like all living things, mould needs moisture to grow and survive. Outside in nature moulds job is to digest and breakdown natural vegetation. As a rule of thumb, mould outside of the home is good, mould inside the home is bad.
How does mould from the outside get inside your house?
Mould releases thousands and thousands of microscopic spores that easily float through the air and into a home through open windows and doors. It also enters the home or apartment by people and pets who track these spores inside. Tiny mould spores are impossible to keep out of your home. What really determines if mould will grow in your home is one key ingredient, and that’s moisture.
Mould spores, a food source, plus moisture, equals a lot of mould growing in your home. Mould finding their way indoors likes to eat paper & wood products. Some even the glue that holds paper and glue together! Mould also likes to eat building and finished materials. Many of our possessions can serve as mould food if moisture is added to even furniture, clothing and toys. Mould can grow on just about anything if it stays wet or damp.
One of the most common problems affecting indoor air quality is mould. So many people have mould in their house, and everyone wants to keep themselves and their family members safe from it. Mould is ubiquitous, meaning that it’s everywhere and we are constantly breathing it in. However, when you have a moisture event like a flood, heavy rain or a leak in your home, they are drawn to it because that’s what they feed off of.
When mould grows inside your home, it’s unsightly, as it smells and if left untreated it can do sever damage to your property and can have a big impact on the resale value of your home.
Persistent exposure to mould in the home can lead to irritated eyes, ongoing nasal congestion and sinuses initially. Ongoing mould can lead to more serious symptoms such as asthma and upper respiratory infections.
Mould affects people differently!
One person in the home may not be effected by the mould that has slowly travelled up the wall, whereas another person in the home could be severely affect. The best approach to mould is to treat is as if it could harm the entire family, because you don’t want a situation where someone could get sick months later.
Mould Prevention
The first rule of mould prevention is to keep the home or apartment dry. If there’s no moisture, then there’s no way for mould spores to grow.
There are five general ways for moisture to accumulate inside a house or apartment:
1/ Rain can invade your home through leaks. Roofs leak, window leaks, door leaks.
2/ A wet crawlspace under a home can add a whole lot of moisture to your home as damp air rises through cracks around plumbing and wiring in the walls.
3/ Plumbing leaks inside the home are another unwanted water source.
4/ Be sure to check for leaks or condensation coming from drainpipes, washing machine supply hoses.
5/ A significant source of moisture comes from within the home itself. From people and their everyday activities. Every time we exhale we are adding water vapour to the air. So can taking a shower, running the dishwashing on or boiling water on the stove.
The best way to prevent water from entering your home is to do regular visual inspections to identify issues early.
Relative Humidity
The amount of moisture in the air is called relative humidity. When moist air comes in contact with a cool surface it condenses back into liquid water. That’s what causes the outside of your favorited beverage to sweat when it’s humid outside. Inside your home it’s easy to see moisture condense on a window but not so easy to see on a cool bedroom wall. Most people don’t notice the condensation on the wall until the mould starts growing. Using humidity gauge in your home can tell you how full the air is with moisture. You can find a humidity gauge in most electronic stores. In general 30-50 humidity is a healthy range for your home. The higher the relative humidity the more likely you’re going to get to condensation that can lead to mould. Mould can grow out of sight behind furniture placed against a cool exterior wall, or under carpet and padding.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation is key. Bringing fresh outside air into your home lets the moist inside air leave your home. Moisture can also be controlled with good bathroom fans and kitchen range hoods. Using exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms will capture and remove large sources of moist air before it can escape into the house. A simple test for your fan is to see if it can hold up a piece of tissue paper. Letting a bathroom fan run until the bathroom is dry is essential. It will also assist if you briefly open all your windows to allow outside air to flush out stale moist air trapped inside a bathroom or kitchen.
Final Thoughts
The first step in getting rid of mould is to see what caused the mould and fed it. The next step is to decide if you clean or discard the mould, and that really depends. Slick surface items can probably be thoroughly washed clean. Porous items may need to be cut out and thrown out. If you’re not sure about you’re sensitive to mould, it’s a good idea to consider professional mould removalists. For small amounts of mould on slick surfaces, you can mist with soapy water then scrub it off. Bleach isn’t recommended. If you smell mould, but don’t see it, you may need to get aggressive with your inspection or call a professional.
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If you are in Sydney, the blogging team recommends you contact The Third Hand who are experts in removing mould in homes, apartments and rental properties across New South Wales.
The Third Hand Confirm Importance of Mould Inspections
The Third Hand is a Sydney base property management company and in an exclusive interview with Metro Cities Media confirmed the importance of regular mould inspections.
The Third Hand, in their interview when interviewed by Metro Cities Media, confirmed the importance of home mould inspections, especially before committing to an investment property purchase. They note that once the purchased property is tenanted, the occupants place less importance on reporting what they consider a minor mould outbreak, before it has rapidly spread and is too late.
Mr Angelo Boliaris Founder of The Third Hand said this , “Property investors get structural and termite inspections completed before a purchase, but do not consider getting a mould inspection done prior or during their ownership for the presence of potentially killer mould. The heartache of finding a mould infestation and the substantial remedial costs of removing the mould could be avoided by getting a simple pre-purchase and regular mould inspection done by a specialist building biologist. They can also check for other biological pollutants & contaminants at the same time.”
Mould is a type of fungus that is found everywhere in nature, indoors and outdoors. They grow on surfaces that have been damp for more than 24 hours, especially on organic substances such as wallpaper, timber, ceiling tiles, carpeting and insulation. In humid environments the growth of mould can be rapid, eventually causing damage to materials it has colonized as well as producing mycotoxins. These can lead to serious health issues of occupants of rental properties if left unchecked.
“This is a silent, but massive issue and spring is a good time to tackle it, especially when a property is vacant. We recommend and hire to landlords commercial dehumidifiers that remove many litres of water from the walls which in turn helps resolve the mould growth and paint peeling issues.” said Angelo Boliaris
There are two types of mould, toxic or allergenic. Toxic moulds can produce mycotoxins that cause health problems such as skin irritation or allergic reactions like shortness of breath and wheezing (allergic rhinitis). Allergic rhinitis is also known as hay fever and can be caused by moulds.
The Third Hand
The Third Hand is a property company first and foremost. Looking after the bricks and mortar, along with the best interests of tenants & owners. They have combined property management & property maintenance, giving clients one port of call for everything.
SEO. Button on Modern Computer Keyboard. Internet Concept. 3D Render.
Sharing is caring!
In order for a business to succeed on the internet, there needs to be a sound marketing strategy in place and that strategy needs to be carried out effectively. There are a lot of elements that go into devising and carrying out a successful campaign. Most firms that provide digital marketing agency services also specialise in SEO (search engine optimisation), which helps drive organic (not paid) traffic to specific sites on the internet. By contacting an SEO Agency, businesses can obtain insights into the range of services available and the pricing of each.
It is not uncommon for an SEO Company to offer guarantee’s with the Quote. Most firms can generate results, but the ‘guaranteed’ results being offered need to be meaningful. The business must determine the results it needs and wants to see from the online marketing campaign. Guaranteeing the overall results would be more meaningful than just getting on page one of a long not searched for key word phrase. So be careful to investigate fully what guarantees are bing offered and the true value of them. More often than not they are gimmicks to close deals with the unsuspecting.
It is important to do some background checking on firms being considered for the job. The business needs to make sure the SEO Company can deliver on what it promises. Ask the SEO Company to provide references and ask around with other businesses in your industry for reputable SEO firms they know of.
Learn more about getting started doing your own SEO from Google here: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/seo-starter-guide
Getting An ROI On Your SEO
Return on investment (ROI) is simply described as the net return achieved on the funds employed to produce revenue in a venture. Return on marketing investment (ROMI) is the contribution to profit attributable to marketing (net of marketing spending), divided by the marketing ‘invested’ or risked. ROMI is not like the ROI metrics because marketing is not the same kind of investment. Instead of money that is ‘tied’ up in plants and inventories (often considered capital expenditure or CAPEX, marketing funds are typically ‘risked’ and typically expensed in the current period as operational expenditure or OPEX.
The idea of measuring the market’s response in terms of sales and profits is not new, but terms such as marketing ROI and ROMI are used more frequently now than in past periods. Usually, marketing spending will be deemed as justified if the ROMI is positive. In a recent survey of nearly 200 senior marketing managers, close to half responded that they found the ROMI metric very useful.[1]
The purpose of ROMI is to measure the degree to which spending on marketing contributes to profits. The rising costs of running a business are causing business owners to be more and more pressured to “show a return” on their marketing activities. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) falls into this ‘marketing spend’ and some say this should be quantified in terms of ROMI.
The blogging team have had great experience getting their many articles found high in the Google search results using Australian based SEO Solutions. They are a boutique team offering exceptional value for money for their 20 plus years of experience in optimising websites around the globe and the results we get.
View the website of this SEO agency by clicking here, you will see the array of clients that have done due diligence on their methods prior to engagement are as big as Club Med in Paris, Trip.com in China, David Bowie Foundation in the UK, Australian Bond Exchange in Australia, Singapore biotech company Invitrocue, ASX listed Zoono through to local cosmetic dentists, surgeons and importers of fine champagne! There are numerous Australian mum and dad businesses as clients also, all in a variety of niches.
On all matters, clients deal with the founder & principal, as he does the technical SEO work and nothing is outsourced. They have transparent pricing that is extremely competitive, reflecting the lower over heads they have and the desire to deliver great value to all clients with a first class offering.
Learn more about SEO Solutions by visiting their website here: www.seosolutions.com.au
SEO. Button on Modern Computer Keyboard. Internet Concept. 3D Render.
Sharing is caring!
In order for a business to succeed on the internet, there needs to be a sound marketing strategy in place and that strategy needs to be carried out effectively. There are a lot of elements that go into devising and carrying out a successful campaign. Most firms that provide digital marketing agency services also specialise in SEO (search engine optimisation), which helps drive organic (not paid) traffic to specific sites on the internet. By contacting an SEO Agency, businesses can obtain insights into the range of services available and the pricing of each.
It is not uncommon for an SEO Company to offer guarantee’s with the Quote. Most firms can generate results, but the ‘guaranteed’ results being offered need to be meaningful. The business must determine the results it needs and wants to see from the online marketing campaign. Guaranteeing the overall results would be more meaningful than just getting on page one of a long not searched for key word phrase. So be careful to investigate fully what guarantees are bing offered and the true value of them. More often than not they are gimmicks to close deals with the unsuspecting.
It is important to do some background checking on firms being considered for the job. The business needs to make sure the SEO Company can deliver on what it promises. Ask the SEO Company to provide references and ask around with other businesses in your industry for reputable SEO firms they know of.
Return on investment (ROI) is simply described as the net return achieved on the funds employed to produce revenue in a venture. Return on marketing investment (ROMI) is the contribution to profit attributable to marketing (net of marketing spending), divided by the marketing ‘invested’ or risked. ROMI is not like the ROI metrics because marketing is not the same kind of investment. Instead of money that is ‘tied’ up in plants and inventories (often considered capital expenditure or CAPEX, marketing funds are typically ‘risked’ and typically expensed in the current period as operational expenditure or OPEX.
The idea of measuring the market’s response in terms of sales and profits is not new, but terms such as marketing ROI and ROMI are used more frequently now than in past periods. Usually, marketing spending will be deemed as justified if the ROMI is positive. In a recent survey of nearly 200 senior marketing managers, close to half responded that they found the ROMI metric very useful.[1]
The purpose of ROMI is to measure the degree to which spending on marketing contributes to profits. The rising costs of running a business are causing business owners to be more and more pressured to “show a return” on their marketing activities. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) falls into this ‘marketing spend’ and some say this should be quantified in terms of ROMI.
The blogging team have had great experience getting their many articles found high in the Google search results using Australian based SEO Solutions. They are a boutique team offering exceptional value for money for their 20 plus years of experience in optimising websites around the globe and the results we get.
View the website of this SEO agency by clicking here, you will see the array of clients that have done due diligence on their methods prior to engagement are as big as Club Med in Paris, Trip.com in China, David Bowie Foundation in the UK, Australian Bond Exchange in Australia, Singapore biotech company Invitrocue, ASX listed Zoono through to local cosmetic dentists, surgeons and importers of fine champagne! There are numerous Australian mum and dad businesses as clients also, all in a variety of niches.
On all matters, clients deal with the founder & principal, as he does the technical SEO work and nothing is outsourced. They have transparent pricing that is extremely competitive, reflecting the lower over heads they have and the desire to deliver great value to all clients with a first class offering.
Krishnamurti is regarded globally as one of the greatest thinkers and religious teachers of all time. He did not expound any philosophy or religion, but rather talked of the things that concern all of us in our everyday lives, of the problems of living in modern society with its violence and corruption, of the individual’s search for security and happiness, and the need for mankind to free itself from inner burdens of fear, anger, hurt, and sorrow. He explained with great precision the subtle workings of the human mind, and pointed to the need for bringing to our daily life a deeply meditative and spiritual quality.
Krishnamurti belonged to no religious organization, sect or country, nor did he subscribe to any school of political or ideological thought. On the contrary, he maintained that these are the very factors that divide human beings and bring about conflict and war. He reminded his listeners again and again that we are all human beings first and not Hindus, Muslims or Christians, that we are like the rest of humanity and are not different from one another. He asked that we tread lightly on this earth without destroying ourselves or the environment. He communicated to his listeners a deep sense of respect for nature. His teachings transcend man-made belief systems, nationalistic sentiment and sectarianism. At the same time, they give new meaning and direction to mankind’s search for truth. His teaching, besides being relevant to the modern age, is timeless and universal.
Krishnamurti spoke not as a guru but as a friend, and his talks and discussions are based not on tradition-based knowledge but on his own insights into the human mind and his vision of the sacred, so he always communicates a sense of freshness and directness although the essence of his message remained unchanged over the years. When he addressed large audiences, people felt that Krishnamurti was talking to each of them personally, addressing his or her particular problem. In his private interviews, he was a compassionate teacher, listening attentively to the man or woman who came to him in sorrow, and encouraging them to heal themselves through their own understanding.
Religious scholars found that his words threw new light on traditional concepts. Krishnamurti took on the challenge of modern scientists and psychologists and went with them step by step, discussed their theories and sometimes enabled them to discern the limitations of those theories. Krishnamurti left a large body of literature in the form of public talks, writings, discussions with teachers and students, with scientists and religious figures, conversations with individuals, television and radio interviews, and letters. Many of these have been published as books, and audio and video recordings.
More information about Krishnamurti’s life can be found in the biographies written by Mary Lutyens and Pupul Jayakar.
Kindle Book Details
ASIN : B003SE7ZGW
Publisher : HarperOne; 1st edition (31 August 2010)
For those wanting to learn and be guided on Meditation, Toby Maguire provides one on one online coaching on meditation anywhere in the world and our team recommend him to you.
Toby coaches on how to manage your mind, gain clarity of your goals in life and experience greater joy and satisfaction in your professional and personal life. To learn more about his services, visit the website here: https://www.tobymaguire.com/
Krishnamurti is regarded globally as one of the greatest thinkers and religious teachers of all time. He did not expound any philosophy or religion, but rather talked of the things that concern all of us in our everyday lives, of the problems of living in modern society with its violence and corruption, of the individual’s search for security and happiness, and the need for mankind to free itself from inner burdens of fear, anger, hurt, and sorrow. He explained with great precision the subtle workings of the human mind, and pointed to the need for bringing to our daily life a deeply meditative and spiritual quality.
Krishnamurti belonged to no religious organization, sect or country, nor did he subscribe to any school of political or ideological thought. On the contrary, he maintained that these are the very factors that divide human beings and bring about conflict and war. He reminded his listeners again and again that we are all human beings first and not Hindus, Muslims or Christians, that we are like the rest of humanity and are not different from one another. He asked that we tread lightly on this earth without destroying ourselves or the environment. He communicated to his listeners a deep sense of respect for nature. His teachings transcend man-made belief systems, nationalistic sentiment and sectarianism. At the same time, they give new meaning and direction to mankind’s search for truth. His teaching, besides being relevant to the modern age, is timeless and universal.
Krishnamurti spoke not as a guru but as a friend, and his talks and discussions are based not on tradition-based knowledge but on his own insights into the human mind and his vision of the sacred, so he always communicates a sense of freshness and directness although the essence of his message remained unchanged over the years. When he addressed large audiences, people felt that Krishnamurti was talking to each of them personally, addressing his or her particular problem. In his private interviews, he was a compassionate teacher, listening attentively to the man or woman who came to him in sorrow, and encouraging them to heal themselves through their own understanding.
Religious scholars found that his words threw new light on traditional concepts. Krishnamurti took on the challenge of modern scientists and psychologists and went with them step by step, discussed their theories and sometimes enabled them to discern the limitations of those theories. Krishnamurti left a large body of literature in the form of public talks, writings, discussions with teachers and students, with scientists and religious figures, conversations with individuals, television and radio interviews, and letters. Many of these have been published as books, and audio and video recordings.
More information about Krishnamurti’s life can be found in the biographies written by Mary Lutyens and Pupul Jayakar.
Kindle Book Details
ASIN : B003SE7ZGW
Publisher : HarperOne; 1st edition (31 August 2010)
For those wanting to learn and be guided on Meditation, Toby Maguire provides one on one online coaching on meditation anywhere in the world and our team recommend him to you.
Toby coaches on how to manage your mind, gain clarity of your goals in life and experience greater joy and satisfaction in your professional and personal life. To learn more about his services, visit the website here: https://www.tobymaguire.com/
Creative abstract railroad travel and railway tourism transportation industrial concept: scenic summer view of modern high speed passenger train on tracks with lake or sea and mountains in background with motion blur effect
We hope our readers find it as interesting as we did!
Concerns about health and the climate have seen alternative forms of travel grow in popularity over the last year. To avoid the hassle and crowds of a busy airport, many are now choosing to holiday by train instead.
Though you might think of planes and cars as simply a means to an ends when it comes to your summer break, on a train trip the journey is all part of the experience. All sorts of experiences are available, with everything from panoramic views and gourmet dining carts to bespoke tour guides and your own personal host.
“Unlike planes, when you travel by train you are able to see the ever-changing landscape rolling by,” says Estelle Giraudeau, managing director of Club Med.
“You’ll be able to enjoy the views of the French Alps or the Canadian Rockies from the comfort of your seat.”
To find the best luxury rail routes, the travel and tourism company took a look at train journeys from around the globe. Club Med ranked the best train trips using average ticket price, reviews from Trip Advisor, Instagram and Pinterest popularity as well as the number of sights you’ll see along the way.
Half of the top 20 routes can be found in Europe, while others wind their way through countries including Peru, Japan and Australia:
20. Golden Eagle Danube Express, Europe
19. Blue Train, South Africa
18. Maharajas’ Express, India
17. The Transcantabrico Gran Lujo, Spain
16. Seven Stars: Kyushu, Japan
15. The Belmond British Pullman, Europe
14. Deccan Odyssey, Asia
13. Golden Eagle, Russia
12. The Canadian, Canada
11. Indian Pacific, Australia and New Zealand
10. Belmond Andean Explorer, Peru
9. Golden Pass Panoramic Express, Switzerland
8. The Presidential Train, Portugal
7. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, London to Venice
6. Rovos Rail, southern and eastern Africa
And here are the top five luxury train journeys in the world.
5. Bernina Express, Europe
The highest railway in the Alps, the Bernina Express takes passengers from Chur in Switzerland across the mountainous border to Tirano in Italy. You’ll travel through 55 tunnels, across 196 bridges and up to the highest point in the route at 2,253 metres above sea level. The section of the line between the stop in Thusis, Switzerland and Tirano even has UNESCO world heritage status.
Large glass windows provide spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains and a digital travel guide offers stories about the route as you speed through breathtaking scenery.
Prices start at just €9.30 per person per leg of the journey and you can find information on how to book this trip across the Alps here.
4. The Ghan, Australia
Stretching from Adelaide in the south all the way to Darwin in the north, The Ghan has been carrying passengers across Australia for more than 90 years. These days it has more to offer than just a way of getting between these two cities, however, with sumptuous dining experiences and private cabins available.
Along the way, there are also “off train” experiences including excursions into the outback, seeing sunrise at world-famous Uluru and seafood dinners in Darwin harbour.
You can book your Australian rail adventure here with prices starting from around €1,170.
3. Flåm Railway, Norway
Snaking across Western Norway, this luxurious train journey takes passengers up from sea level at the end of Aurlandsfjord all the way up to an altitude of 867m in the mountains at Myrdal station. The construction of the 20km long line is said to be one of the greatest engineering feats in the entire country.
The train also makes a five minute stop to allow you to take a photo at the impressive Kjosfossen waterfall. Local legends say to watch out for Huldra, beautiful mythological creatures with long hair wearing a red dress.
Prices for a spot on this impressive rail journey start at around €47 and more information about the packages available can be found here.
2. Glacier Express, Switzerland
Connecting the two major mountain resorts of Zermatt and St Moritz, this route offers stunning panoramic views of the Alps along the way. On your eight hour journey, you can enjoy meals prepared on board the train accompanied by wines from vineyards you’ll pass along the way.
Ticket prices for this trip are reasonable too at just €268 for a first-class ticket from St Moritz to Zermatt. You can book your journey here.
1. The Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
The best luxury train journey in the world winds its way through the Canadian Rockies with the option to visit nine different destinations along the way. Ranked as one of the most Instagrammable options on the list, The Rocky Mountaineer train company is known for its multiple day trips that show off the best of this rugged landscape.
As part of the luxury experience, there is an expert to guide you through the sights you’ll see from specially designed glass-domed coaches – and even an outdoor viewing area.
It isn’t cheap, with an average ticket price of around €1600 euros, but the remote vistas and exceptional staff make it worth the cost. Book your experience here.
Creative abstract railroad travel and railway tourism transportation industrial concept: scenic summer view of modern high speed passenger train on tracks with lake or sea and mountains in background with motion blur effect
We hope our readers find it as interesting as we did!
Concerns about health and the climate have seen alternative forms of travel grow in popularity over the last year. To avoid the hassle and crowds of a busy airport, many are now choosing to holiday by train instead.
Though you might think of planes and cars as simply a means to an ends when it comes to your summer break, on a train trip the journey is all part of the experience. All sorts of experiences are available, with everything from panoramic views and gourmet dining carts to bespoke tour guides and your own personal host.
“Unlike planes, when you travel by train you are able to see the ever-changing landscape rolling by,” says Estelle Giraudeau, managing director of Club Med.
“You’ll be able to enjoy the views of the French Alps or the Canadian Rockies from the comfort of your seat.”
To find the best luxury rail routes, the travel and tourism company took a look at train journeys from around the globe. Club Med ranked the best train trips using average ticket price, reviews from Trip Advisor, Instagram and Pinterest popularity as well as the number of sights you’ll see along the way.
Half of the top 20 routes can be found in Europe, while others wind their way through countries including Peru, Japan and Australia:
20. Golden Eagle Danube Express, Europe
19. Blue Train, South Africa
18. Maharajas’ Express, India
17. The Transcantabrico Gran Lujo, Spain
16. Seven Stars: Kyushu, Japan
15. The Belmond British Pullman, Europe
14. Deccan Odyssey, Asia
13. Golden Eagle, Russia
12. The Canadian, Canada
11. Indian Pacific, Australia and New Zealand
10. Belmond Andean Explorer, Peru
9. Golden Pass Panoramic Express, Switzerland
8. The Presidential Train, Portugal
7. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, London to Venice
6. Rovos Rail, southern and eastern Africa
And here are the top five luxury train journeys in the world.
5. Bernina Express, Europe
The highest railway in the Alps, the Bernina Express takes passengers from Chur in Switzerland across the mountainous border to Tirano in Italy. You’ll travel through 55 tunnels, across 196 bridges and up to the highest point in the route at 2,253 metres above sea level. The section of the line between the stop in Thusis, Switzerland and Tirano even has UNESCO world heritage status.
Large glass windows provide spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains and a digital travel guide offers stories about the route as you speed through breathtaking scenery.
Prices start at just €9.30 per person per leg of the journey and you can find information on how to book this trip across the Alps here.
4. The Ghan, Australia
Stretching from Adelaide in the south all the way to Darwin in the north, The Ghan has been carrying passengers across Australia for more than 90 years. These days it has more to offer than just a way of getting between these two cities, however, with sumptuous dining experiences and private cabins available.
Along the way, there are also “off train” experiences including excursions into the outback, seeing sunrise at world-famous Uluru and seafood dinners in Darwin harbour.
You can book your Australian rail adventure here with prices starting from around €1,170.
3. Flåm Railway, Norway
Snaking across Western Norway, this luxurious train journey takes passengers up from sea level at the end of Aurlandsfjord all the way up to an altitude of 867m in the mountains at Myrdal station. The construction of the 20km long line is said to be one of the greatest engineering feats in the entire country.
The train also makes a five minute stop to allow you to take a photo at the impressive Kjosfossen waterfall. Local legends say to watch out for Huldra, beautiful mythological creatures with long hair wearing a red dress.
Prices for a spot on this impressive rail journey start at around €47 and more information about the packages available can be found here.
2. Glacier Express, Switzerland
Connecting the two major mountain resorts of Zermatt and St Moritz, this route offers stunning panoramic views of the Alps along the way. On your eight hour journey, you can enjoy meals prepared on board the train accompanied by wines from vineyards you’ll pass along the way.
Ticket prices for this trip are reasonable too at just €268 for a first-class ticket from St Moritz to Zermatt. You can book your journey here.
1. The Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
The best luxury train journey in the world winds its way through the Canadian Rockies with the option to visit nine different destinations along the way. Ranked as one of the most Instagrammable options on the list, The Rocky Mountaineer train company is known for its multiple day trips that show off the best of this rugged landscape.
As part of the luxury experience, there is an expert to guide you through the sights you’ll see from specially designed glass-domed coaches – and even an outdoor viewing area.
It isn’t cheap, with an average ticket price of around €1600 euros, but the remote vistas and exceptional staff make it worth the cost. Book your experience here.
We hope our readers find it as interesting as we did!
A new study has shown that sexting was associated with depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and compulsive sexual behaviors. The study is published in the peer-reviewed journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.
Sexting is defined as sending a sexually explicit image of oneself over text messaging. Sexting can include sending only, receiving only or “reciprocal” (sending and receiving) use of messages.
Nicholas C. Borgogna PhD, from Texas Tech University, and coauthors, found that participants who had only ever sent (but not received) sexts reported more depression, anxiety, and sleep problems than the other groups. They also reported a possible connection between sexting, marijuana use, and compulsive sexual behavior.
“While sexting may not necessarily be a causal factor of negative mental health outcomes or substance use, some meaningful covariation clearly exists,” stated the investigators.
“Over 50% of adults report sending a sext, while women are up to four times more likely than men to report having received nonconsensual sexts. Many individuals reveal they enjoy consensual sexting and feel it empowers them and builds self-confidence. Nonconsensual sexts, however, can result in feelings of violation and awkwardness,” says Editor-in-Chief Brenda K. Wiederhold, PhD, MBA, BCB, BCN, Interactive Media Institute, San Diego, California and Virtual Reality Medical Center, La Jolla, California.
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A new study has shown that sexting was associated with depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and compulsive sexual behaviors. The study is published in the peer-reviewed journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.
Sexting is defined as sending a sexually explicit image of oneself over text messaging. Sexting can include sending only, receiving only or “reciprocal” (sending and receiving) use of messages.
Nicholas C. Borgogna PhD, from Texas Tech University, and coauthors, found that participants who had only ever sent (but not received) sexts reported more depression, anxiety, and sleep problems than the other groups. They also reported a possible connection between sexting, marijuana use, and compulsive sexual behavior.
“While sexting may not necessarily be a causal factor of negative mental health outcomes or substance use, some meaningful covariation clearly exists,” stated the investigators.
“Over 50% of adults report sending a sext, while women are up to four times more likely than men to report having received nonconsensual sexts. Many individuals reveal they enjoy consensual sexting and feel it empowers them and builds self-confidence. Nonconsensual sexts, however, can result in feelings of violation and awkwardness,” says Editor-in-Chief Brenda K. Wiederhold, PhD, MBA, BCB, BCN, Interactive Media Institute, San Diego, California and Virtual Reality Medical Center, La Jolla, California.
