Step off the Blue Train and into South Africa's Diamond mining history at the Kimberley Big Hole Museum. It was hand-dug by over 30 000 miners who only used picks and shovels. The crater reached 215 metres and produced nearly 13.6 million carats of diamonds.
#BlueTrain #KimberleyBigHole #VisitSouthAfrica #seatatyourtable26
Dining aboard the Blue Train is nothing short of abundance. Evenings unfold in elegant dining cars, where tuxedos and gowns meet the sweet notes of a live saxophone. A six-course tasting menu dazzles with smoked salmon, silky cauliflower velouté, sorbet palate cleansers, seabass and fillet with dauphinoise potatoes; concluding in cheesecake perfection. South Africa’s finest wines elevate every bite, curated by staff who make pairing effortless. By morning, breakfast is a ritual of charcuterie, pastries and divine eggs benedict, while afternoons bring leisurely four-course lunches. Every plate astonishes, crafted in a compact kitchen on a moving train – proof the journey itself is the destination.
Read all about my experience in the full article (link is in my bio)
@shotleft@thebluetrainsa@visitsouthafrica.global
#SeatAtYourTable26 #TravelWiseMzansi #ItsMySouthAfrica #ShotLeft #TheBlueTrain
Stellenbosch, last week with @shotleft & South African Tourism 🇿🇦
Music, food, good people and a reminder that we have such beauty echoing through the Western Cape Winelands 🍷 🥹….
Grateful. Imagine I got to jam with @tswyza ☺️
📸: @masterpicv
The journey ends, but the celebration begins. After three unforgettable days on the @thebluetrainsa we take our seat at the table at @houseofjcleroux where every chair invites connection, every toast sparks laughter, and every shared bite turns moments into memories. Here, a seat at the table isn’t just a place, it’s where stories, friendships, and celebration come alive. 🥂
#seatatthetable26
Step inside my luxury suite aboard the Blue Train 🚂💙🇿🇦 @shotleft@thebluetrainsa
Where in Mzansi are you travelling to next? Easter holidays are just around the corner. If you can afford this absolute spoil, do treat yourself to a luxury train experience. To more of the slow life, spending time enjoying the places and people of South Africa (of course, along with good food and wine 😜) 🇿🇦🥂
#SeatAtYourTable26 #TravelWiseMzansi #ItsMySouthAfrica #ShotLeft #TheBlueTrain
@visitsouthafrica.global@visitsouthafrica@visitsouthafrica.africa@southafrica
All aboard! My first day on the Blue Train was pure luxury, from the stunning views to the amazing food by Chef Ester, the first female chef on the train! Come experience this 5-star adventure with me. #BlueTrainExperience #LuxuryTravel #seatatthetable26 #shotleft
My sho't left experience aboard the iconic @thebluetrainsa was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we stepped on board, it was pure 5-star luxury. The journey blended entertainment, games, relaxation and incredible hospitality.
One of my highlights was the exquisite cuisine prepared by Chef Ester, the first female chef on the Blue Train. Every dish was a masterpiece.
But beyond the luxury, what meant the most to me was having a seat at the table. Being part of this journey reminded me how important it is to create spaces where stories, creativity and culture can be shared. It was a moment of reflection and gratitude and to be present, to experience, and to represent.
Our journey also took us off the train to explore some beautiful parts of South Africa. We visited Kimberley’s famous Big Hole and learned about the powerful history behind it. Another memorable stop was the charming little town of Matjiesfontein, where we enjoyed a wonderful guided tour through its historic streets.
For me, the magic of the Blue Train was also in the stillness , slowing down, being present, and truly enjoying every moment. The train is as entertaining as it is relaxing and restful.
We ended this incredible journey with a spectacular visit to @houseofjcleroux in Stellenbosch, where we enjoyed live performances, traditional cuisine and beautiful sparkling wine.
Overall, it was a 10/10 experience for me minus nothing.
Thank you to @travel2sa@shotleft for the invitation and for hosting us so beautifully.
#ShotLeft #TheBlueTrain #JCLeroux #seatatthetable26 #capetown
As you can tell, the Blue Train caters to foodies like myself. It explores South African flavours from pan-seared sea bass Florentine (my favourite meal of the trip) to herb-crusted Karoo lamb loin and beef fillet drenched in a red wine jus. Think chargrilled king prawns slathered in guacamole and smoked salmon sprinkled with caviar. Even the pastries on board are freshly baked by chef Thandazo Khumalo. And the selection of meals change much like the landscapes passing the gold-tinted windows of the dining carriage.
The dining experience extends beyond the plate, as the train stocks some 30 South African wines and MCCs, alongside dessert wines and premium spirits. The Journey's End V1 Chardonnay was one for my books. And to top things off, the Club Car serves digestifs alongside three kinds of Cuban cigars — all included in the fare.
If you too would like to experience all that the Blue Train offers, send me a message for discounted local/SADC rates. 🚆 #shotleft #seatatyourtable26 #itsyoursouthafrica #travelwisemzansi
There's a certain sense of space and place that comes with putting down your phone as you watch Pretoria fade away into the horizon as it transforms into the Karoo that soon enough melts into the winelands.
In a world obsessed with speed and instant gratification, travelling by rail for leisure has become somewhat of a rare occurrence, even more so in South Africa when compared to other parts of the world.
Blue Train has been around since the 1920s.
Originally called the Union Limited, the train earned its name from the fact that it was painted a deep blue during a time when South Africa's trains were painted khaki-brown. The colloquial moniker "those blue trains" stuck and in 1946 it was formally renamed The Blue Train.
To this day it epitomises the golden age of rail. Get dressed up for the wine-paired fine dining, expect all-inclusive drinks and cigars in the lounge carriages, and 24/7 butler service throughout the 54-hour journey that spans 1 600 kilometres.
As a travel advisor, I can help you book discounted rates for locals and SADC residents (outside of high season) that you won't find on their website. Pop me a DM if you’d like to experience South Africa from a different perspective on an all-inclusive trip across the country.
Hosted by @shotleft@thebluetrainsa #ShotLeft #ItsMySouthAfrica #SeatAtYourTable26 #TravelWiseMzansi #BlueTrain
