Inside Track: November Offers for Train Travelers

Is everybody ready to party? Great! Because the season to celebrate is right on track and rail operators are cutting loose with recession-busting savings and seasonal good cheer.

For November, RailEurope is celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall with an incredible German Rail Pass package... and the living is large with an Eastern & Oriental Express tour that includes a free night's stay in a five-star hotel in Singapore or Bangkok! Stateside, Amtrak gives train lovers plenty of reasons to celebrate with up to 25% off fares between popular Northeast cities. When you're ready to kick off the holidays, do it in style with a champagne toast aboard one of dozens of Orient Express day trains that will criss-cross Britain this December... or rail off into the sunshine by kissing winter goodbye and celebrating Summer Down Under with a Rail Australia Austrail Pass.

Celebrate the Fall of the Berlin Wall (and Save!)

It's been twenty years since the Berlin Wall came down and RailEurope is celebrating. That means you get 20% savings on a 4-day German Rail Pass plus a Berlin sightseeing tour at no additional cost. Take four days over a 30-day period to explore Germany from Hamburg to Heidelberg to Harz, then enjoy an insider's view of Berlin thanks to your free sightseeing tour aboard a double-decker bus.

To take advantage of these savings, rail passes must be purchased by 20 November 2009 and travel must be completed within six months of purchase date.

Pass choices include first or second class travel for adults or kids (6-11 years) with extra discounts for adults traveling in pairs. Special second class travel passes available for youth (12-25 years). All passes include 4 days travel within one month and Berlin sightseeing tour. All orders are also eligible for free shipping and may qualify for 6-month delayed billing. For details and reservations go to RailEurope.com/deals or phone 1-800-622-8600 in the USA, 1-800-361-724 in Canada.

Singapore/Bangkok Luxury Rail Tour

Even without a free night's luxury hotel accommodation, the allure of a deluxe rail tour through Southeast Asia is compelling. Operated by Orient Express, the 3-day/2-night Eastern & Oriental Express rail itinerary links Singapore and Bangkok via tropical rain forests; the UNESCO World Heritage site at George Town, Penang; and the infamous Bridge on the River Kwai. Exquisite on-train accommodations and dining are included.

Now, E&OE is offering its guests the opportunity to extend any Singapore-Bangkok or Bangkok-Singapore journey departing in 2010 -- with one free night at a five-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel in either Singapore or Bangkok. Offer must be booked before 15 December 2009 and some conditions apply.

To book your 3-day/2-night tour, visit the Orient-Express EasternandOrientalExpress.com website, select Special Offers, and apply promo code EPS1 for one free night at the Mandarin Oriental Singapore; EPB1 for the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.

Amtrak's Northeast is Going for Up to 25% Less

Catch a major league game, a world-class museum, or an all-star show. Or tackle that Christmas shopping list head on. Summer may be over but, thanks to Amtrak's extended offer, The Northeast is Going for a Great Price promotion is still going strong. So Amtrak-ers can still get in on savings of up to 25% on one-way coach travel up or down the Northeast Regional Service corridor. Destinations include world-class cities like Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC as well as hip regional hubs like Providence and New Haven. And up to two young travelers -- ages 2-15 -- may accompany each adult for just half the discounted fare.

Some conditions apply. Purchase is required at least 14 days prior to travel and tickets must be purchased no later than 2 December 2009, with travel completed on or before 16 December 2009 (excluding 24-25 and 28-30 November 2009). To book online visit Amtrak.com/deals; or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Discover the Wonder of Summer Down Under

It's a big country but somebody has to see it all -- and Rail Australia's Austrail Pass gives you a full six months to discover the world's biggest, most exotic island continent.

So hop the legendary Ghan and take aim at the Outback's sizzling Red Centre. Tackle the arid Nullarbor Plain aboard the Indian Pacific and quench your thirst at a wine bar in Perth. Coast out of Melbourne, through Sydney to Brisbane on the speedy XPT. Then Tilt Train up the Sunshine Coast to Cairn where you can ride on Kuranda's rainforest railway and check out the Great Barrier Reef.

Austrail Pass holders are entitled to specified coach services for six consecutive months of unlimited travel on Great Southern Rail, QR Traveltrain and Countrylink trains. Passes are available to non-Australian passport holders only and are available through your travel agent. Some conditions apply. For complete details visit RailAustralia.com.au

Yuletide Outings Across England

'Tis the season for making memories! Each glimpse from the elegantly restored dining coach of your Orient-Express British Pullman Lunch Train reveals the quiet charm of the wintry countryside. Inside, amid laughter and clinking champagne glasses, you and your guests spend the afternoon enjoying a sumptuous full-course lunch, including fine wine and liqueur.

Prefer to make a day of it? Highlights range from carol concerts in cathedral cities to seasonal shopping in Christmas markets. Days out start with Bellini and brunch; return trips include full-course dinner with champagne and wine.

British Pullman Christmas Lunch Trains and Day Trains depart London Victoria. Services are limited so reserve early to avoid disappointment. Orient Express also operates Northern Belle Christmas Lunch Trains from selected cities across Britain. For information go to Orient Express BritishPullman.com and follow the Departures and Prices link to Christmas and New Year.