Take a luxury train ride on a romantic rail cruise through southern Spain. With its elegant coaches painted in rich brown, ivory and gold and its regal opulence within, the Al Andalus Express is the only way to travel through Andalucia and experience Spain’s Moorish south. This is a cruise on rails, the brass glitters from nostalgic table and wall lamps, wood panelled walls are an echo of times past, the glass panes in the door are finely etched in intricate patterns, gossamer curtains waft at the windows and there are fresh flowers on every table. It is a captivating picture that takes the traveller back to the golden “fin de siecle” days of the Belle Époque.

With its elegant coaches painted in rich brown, ivory and gold and its regal opulence within, the Al Andalus Express is the only way to travel through Andalucia and experience Spain’s Moorish south. This is a cruise on rails, the brass glitters from nostalgic table and wall lamps, wood panelled walls are an echo of times past, the glass panes in the door are finely etched in intricate patterns, gossamer curtains waft at the windows and there are fresh flowers on every table. It is a captivating picture that takes the traveller back to the golden “fin de siecle” days of the Belle Époque.

The Al Andalus five star grand luxury sleeping cars were constructed in France in 1929 to provide King Edward VII of England with all the comforts of home on his annual summer journey, through France and down to the Cote d´Azur. Yet there was no more space at His Highness disposal than there is for passengers today. King size is definitely not the word that comes to the mind when talking about the sleeping cabins. But not to worry- the compartment is after all only for sleeping in. The four society cars on this sleek express train offer the passenger room enough to experience the splendour of the “fin de siecle”. There is the aristocratic Medina Azahara, the only Spanish contribution to this historical train. Constructed in Bilbao in 1929, this wagon with its comfortable chairs and gaming tables offers the most seductive ambience as do the French Built Giralda bar car and the dining cars. Alhambra and Gibralfaro, both constructed in France and Britain and restores in 1985 on original lines. In 1988 the fine tuning took place; a new chassis, air conditioning as well as heating was installed. The A train was ready to go.

Seventy guests check each other out getting to know each other for this lovely trip to come, during the welcome drink of sherry and tapas in the Giralda. The pleasant on board hospitality chief makes her welcome speech. The musicians start playing the clarinet and the piano, with soft Spanish music. It is only noon, by now the diesel locomotives have already speedily pulled the nostalgic express out of the cool Santa Justa Station, Sevillas high speed connection to the world, and the train is headed in the direction of Cordoba.

Part two of the series will come next week as our journey begins

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