India’s latest luxury rail journey gives you plenty of reasons to get on board. Following the same route as its 16-year-old sister train, the Palace on Wheels, the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels (91-11/ 4286-6600; royalrajasthanonwheels.co.in; doubles from US$699 per night, including all meals and excursions) takes guests on eight-day tour of the largest state in the republic, allowing plenty of time for exploring Rajasthan’s storied countryside. Leaving Delhi, the train rolls west through erstwhile princedoms, past forts and palaces and across deserts before stopping at Agra’s Taj Mahal on the final leg. Inside, 14 suite-sized compartments offer opulent diversions of their own: jewel-toned silk bedspreads, velvet draperies, carved wooden writing desks, and spacious bathrooms. There’s even a spa car to keep you pampered like a maharani while on the rails. –DT

Originally appeared in the April 2009 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Gypsy Tales: Making Tracks”)