Around the World in 80 Trains
Winner of the National Geographic Traveller Award for Best Travel Book and shortlisted for the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year Award, this remarkable account charts an extraordinary expedition by rail across the globe. From Tibet's breathtaking Qinghai line to the opulent carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the narrative celebrates what makes train travel magical: the unhurried pace that lets you truly absorb your surroundings. Rajesh sets off with rucksack and fiancé in tow, starting at London's St Pancras and traversing some of Earth's most stunning landscapes. The itinerary spans Russia's vast steppes, Mongolia's wilderness, North Korea's secretive terrain, Canadian vastness, and Kazakhstan's remote regions. What unfolds is part travelogue, part character study. The author captures the chaos and charm of life onboard, bringing to life the eccentric, frustrating, and oddly loveable fellow passengers who populate each leg of the voyage. Witty observations punctuate tales of unexpected friendships and shared stories, whilst the prose itself seems to sway with the rhythm of the rails. It's a spirited, irreverent exploration of our world, filtered through the unique lens of someone who understands that the real journey lies not in reaching destinations, but in savouring every moment between them.
- Author: Monisha Rajesh
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
- Genre: Cooking & Culinary Arts
- ISBN: 978-1408869772
- Pages: 336 pages