The magnificent Expreso Maya train transforms a journey into an experience of a lifetime. This is a wonderfully relaxing way to tour the Mayan ruins and colonial cities of the Yucatan, and to travel deep into the Chiapas jungle to visit the spectacular archaeological site of Palenque. During the journey you'll be treated to delicious meals in the dining car, lectures on Mayan architecture and culture in the bar, and will be attentively served by the smartly dressed staff throughout.

Two full days of leisurely train travel link the famous ruins at Palenque with the vibrant capital of Merida. On the tour you'll visit the archaeological site of Uxmal and the fortress city of Campeche en-route, staying overnight at a seaside hotel in Campeche. From Merida the journey continues to the most well known of the Mayan cities, Chichen Itza, and then by road to the Riviera Maya where you have the chance to relax on the magnificent beaches.

You can make the same trip by car or bus of course, but that would be to miss out on the pleasures of luxury train travel - a rare opportunity in Mexico. The pace is leisurely (around 25 miles an hour) and so there's no danger of the landscape passing by in a blur. One of our favorite aspects of this trip is the chance to witness the daily life of the region - children playing in the schoolyards, women on their way to the markets, farmers working on the land.

Adults and children alike stop to watch the train pass by and respond enthusiastically to a wave or greeting. They too are captured by the magic and romance of the train - the key elements of this unforgettable journey on Expreso Maya.