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Luxury train journeys: Discover the world in a new light on a voyage through spectacular scenery

Agatha Christie once said: ‘Trains are wonderful… to travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns and churches, and rivers, in fact, to see life.’ She was right. Here we round up some of the world’s most spectacular rides. GOING, GOING, GHAN The shiny, stainless-steel carriages of The Ghan – pictured – sweep across the immense dusty red-soil plains of Australia The 54-hour, 1,851-mile journey between Darwin and Adelaide — or vice versa — on The Ghan, is superb. Shiny, stainless-steel carriages sweep across immense dusty red-soil plains, stopping in Alice Springs, which is a springboard to see the famous sandstone monolith of Uluru. The Ghan is a shortening of The Afghan Express, the name given to Afghan camel herdsmen who crossed the Outback in the 1800s. INTO INDIA India’s Shimla service from Kalka is nicknamed the ‘toy train’, with a twisty 60-mile route through 107 tunnels There are more than 68,000 miles of rail tracks in India, making it a wonderful country to explore by train. Some of the finest rides are along narrow-gauge lines into the former hill stations of British colonial rule at Darjeeling and Shimla, both in the foothills of the Himalayas. The Shimla service from Kalka is nicknamed the ‘toy train’, with a twisty 60-mile route through 107 tunnels. NO-RUSH RUSSIA Preparing to dine in luxury on the Trans-Siberian Express. Traveling on the railway gives you an idea of the sheer enormity of Russia Crossing from Moscow to Vladivostok on the Trans-Siberian Railway, you get an idea of the sheer enormity of Russia — the ride covers 5,752 miles. The service also runs from Moscow to Beijing, either through Mongolia (4,735 miles) or Manchuria (5,623 miles). In Siberia, vast pine forests spread out, interrupted by cities with great smokestacks and villages with simple abodes. ON A SWISS ROLL Carriages on the Glacier Express (pictured) have panoramic windows so you can see all the peaks Join the Glacier Express in winter to see the snow-capped mountains of the Swiss Alps rising all around. The route covers 181 miles from Zermatt to St Moritz. Carriages have panoramic windows so you can see all the peaks. SPEED IN JAPAN Zip along coastlines and between mountains on Japan’s Shinkansen trains. Above, the bullet train passes Mount Fuji Japan’s Shinkansen (bullet) trains reach 186mph and are famous for their punctuality. Zip along coastlines and between mountains. Many tours begin in Sapporo in the north and finish in Hakata in the south. PERFECT PYRENEES Climb aboard the Little Red Train (pictured above) for a 38-mile journey between Rivesaltes and Axat Slide along the narrow-gauge tracks of the French Pyrenees aboard the Little Yellow Train, rising from an altitude of 427 meters in Villefranche de Conflent to Bolquere-Eyne, France’s highest railway station at 1,592 meters. The 39-mile route passes through 22 stations. In good weather, passengers can sit in open-sided carriages. Join the Little Red Train for a 38-mile journey between Rivesaltes and Axat, drinking in views of vineyards and chateaux. STEAM DREAM Sip champagne on the Northern Belle as it passes through the Pennines and Yorkshire Dales, with the impress Ribblehead Viaduct, pictured, one of the highlights Enjoy a ride on the Northern Belle train along the 73-mile Settle-Carlisle line. The route takes you through the Pennines and Yorkshire Dales, with highlights including the impressive Ribblehead Viaduct. Expect a Pullman dining car, champagne, and fine dining. ANDES ADVENTURE Ten-day ‘Peru by Rail’ trips with the Belmond Andean Explorer and Hiram Bingham trains Inside the five-star Belmond Andean Explorer, which is a grand sleeper train Travel between the ancient Inca capital of Cusco and Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, before continuing to the whitewashed city of Arequipa, on the five-star Belmond Andean Explorer, a sleeper train. This three-day journey takes in magnificent mountain scenery, including the El Misti volcano rising near Arequipa. From Cusco, a day trip on the Hiram Bingham train takes you to the Inca ruins at Machu Picchu. ACROSS AFRICA Enjoy an odyssey across Africa’s great plains on the ‘Coast to Coast – African Kingdoms’ tour, pictured, with the possibility to stop for safaris How about a coast-to-coast ride across Africa? Join a ‘Rovos Rail — Pride of Africa’ luxury train on the Katanga-Benguela route across Angola into the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The route links up with tracks into Zambia and Tanzania on a 2,650-mile odyssey across great plains, through remote valleys, and along mighty rivers, with the possibility to stop for safaris. You’ll ride in comfortable 1950s vintage carriages, plus there’s a swanky restaurant car. ROCKY RITUAL Take to the tracks between Denver in Colorado and Moab in Utah on a new, two-day Rocky Mountaineer service. Following the swirling waters of the Colorado River, the train snakes into canyons and crosses a desert-like landscape. Some carriages have panoramic glass roofs. It goes slowly so you’ll be sure to get lots of super snaps. TOP TRAIN TRAVEL TIPS Read up about where you will be passing by — it adds to the enjoyment. Always investigate the dining carriage — you might bump into interesting people. Watch the scenery (not a smartphone screen). Enjoy a sundowner if you are traveling by sleeper train. Take a pack of cards (and/or Scrabble or your favorite game) for evenings. Dress up for dinner on luxury trains — it all adds to the Agatha Christie-ish atmosphere (minus any murders, hopefully).
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The Ins and Outs of Trading: A Comprehensive Guide for Investors

Trading refers to the exchange of goods, assets, or securities with the aim of generating a profit. With the rise of technology and the internet, trading has become increasingly accessible, allowing individuals to invest in the stock market and trade various financial instruments from the comfort of their own homes. It’s important to understand the different types of trading available, such as stock trading, options trading, and Forex trading. Stock trading involves buying and selling shares of publicly traded companies, while options trading involves buying and selling options contracts for stocks, indices, commodities, and currencies. Forex trading, on the other hand, involves the exchange of one currency for another with the goal of making a profit from changes in currency exchange rates. It’s also essential to understand the key concepts and terms used in trading, such as bulls and bears, support and resistance levels, and technical analysis. Bulls refer to a market condition where prices are rising, while bears refer to a market condition where prices are falling. Support and resistance levels are price points that prevent the price of a security from moving higher or lower, while technical analysis involves the use of charts and other tools to identify trends and make predictions about future price movements. In addition to understanding the basics of trading, it’s important to have a solid investment strategy in place. This might involve a combination of fundamental analysis, which involves evaluating a company’s financial health and future growth potential, and technical analysis. It’s also important to have a clear understanding of your investment goals and risk tolerance, as well as to diversify your portfolio to minimize risk. Finally, it’s crucial to keep up-to-date with the latest news and market developments. This might involve following financial news sources, attending trading seminars and workshops, and seeking advice from experienced traders or financial advisors. Trading can be a great way to generate income and build wealth, but it’s important to approach it with caution and to have a solid understanding of the markets and the tools available to you. With the right knowledge and strategies in place, you can become a successful trader and achieve your financial goals. The Advantages and Risks of Online Trading Online trading is a form of investment that allows individuals to buy and sell financial instruments, such as stocks, bonds, and currencies, through the internet. With the rise of technology, online trading has become increasingly popular, providing individuals with a convenient and accessible way to manage their investments. One of the main advantages of online trading is convenience. You can trade from anywhere with an internet connection, making it easy to stay on top of your investments, even when you’re on the go. Online trading also offers access to a vast array of financial instruments, including stocks, bonds, currencies, and commodities, allowing you to diversify your portfolio and minimize risk. Another advantage of online trading is the speed and efficiency of the trading process. You can execute trades quickly and easily, and receive real-time updates on your investments, helping you to make informed decisions in fast-moving markets. However, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved with online trading. The markets can be volatile, and the value of your investments can fluctuate quickly. It’s also essential to understand the potential impact of online fraud and hacking, as well as the security measures in place to protect your investments. To minimize risk, it’s important to conduct thorough research and to have a solid investment strategy in place. This might involve seeking advice from experienced traders or financial advisors, and keeping up-to-date with the latest news and market developments. It’s also important to choose a reputable online broker, with a proven track record and strong security measures in place. This might involve checking their credentials and regulation, as well as reading reviews from other traders. Online trading can offer a convenient and efficient way to manage your investments, but it’s important to approach it with caution and to be aware of the risks involved. With the right knowledge and strategies in place, you can take advantage of the many benefits of online trading and achieve your financial goals. Choosing the Right Online Trading Platform Online trading platforms have revolutionized the way individuals invest, allowing them to buy and sell financial instruments, such as stocks, bonds, and currencies, from the comfort of their own homes. With the rise of technology, the number of online trading platforms available has increased, making it challenging for investors to choose the right one. When choosing an online trading platform, it’s important to consider several key factors, such as fees, regulations, and security. The fees charged by different platforms can vary greatly, so it’s essential to compare the costs of different platforms and choose one that offers a good balance of low fees and high-quality features. Another important factor to consider is regulation. Choose a platform that is regulated by a reputable financial authority, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), to ensure the safety of your investments. The security of your investments and personal information is also crucial. Look for platforms that use strong encryption and secure servers to protect your data and investments from online fraud and hacking. In addition to the above factors, it’s important to consider the range of financial instruments available, the quality of research and educational resources provided, and the level of customer support offered by the platform. Some platforms may specialize in specific financial instruments, such as stocks or Forex, so choose one that aligns with your investment goals. It’s also essential to choose a platform that provides access to reliable research and educational resources, such as market news, analysis, and tutorials, to help you make informed investment decisions. The level of customer support offered by the platform is also important, so choose one that provides prompt and helpful support, in case you need assistance. Choosing the right online trading platform is crucial for >>Read more
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If I can’t pay my premium, what should I do?

If unexpected expenses come up and you can’t pay your life insurance premium, you should know the possible consequences. The effect depends on the type of policy and coverage you have and the policy terms and conditions. Term: If you stop paying premiums, your coverage lapses. Permanent: If you have this type of policy, you will have the following choices: Cash out the policy. This means that you can stop paying the premium and collect the available cash savings. You will no longer be covered by life insurance, but you will at least save some of the proceeds of the policy. You may, however, have to pay taxes on some of the cash value if the sum exceeds what you have paid in premiums. Non-forfeiture options. There may be a “reduced paid-up” option. This means that you can stop paying premiums completely in return for a reduced death benefit and no cash saving. You may also be able to convert the permanent policy to an extended term policy for a time period based on the accumulated cash savings in the policy. Policy will lapse. If this happens, see if the policy can be reinstated. Some insurers may allow this if you do it within five years of lapsing. You will most likely have to pass a physical examination for the reinstated policy and pay back the premiums you would have paid plus interest. Annual premiums for the reinstated policy may be lower than those for a new, comparable policy.
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The biggest video games of 2022: Starfield, Elden Ring, Gran Turismo 7 and more

2022 is gonna be a huge year for video games. Last year wasn’t terrible for video games, but it wasn’t the year it was meant to be. Games in the middle of development when the pandemic hit were disrupted, leading many to be delayed into 2022. But what was bad news in 2021 is now 2022’s good fortune: this year looks like it could be an all-timer. It starts in January with the release of Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and from then there’s a steady stream of highly anticipated and potentially fantastic games to look forward to. This isn’t an exhaustive list of every game coming out in 2022, and it doesn’t account for the many sleeper indie hits that are sure to come. These are all the big games coming next year that you should know about. Pokemon Legends: Arceus Release date: Jan. 28. Pokemon Legends: Arceus is many things. It’s a new Pokemon game developed from the ground up for the Nintendo Switch. It’s a prequel to Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, which hit the console in November. And, perhaps most importantly, it’s being developed by Game Freak, the studio that’s made all of the mainline Pokemon games since Red and Blue. Pokemon Legends: Arceus is set in the Sinnoh region, same as Diamond and Pearl, but set in a distant history that predates the mingling between humans and Pokemon. Gameplay snippets from trailers show the playable characters sneaking up on Pokemon and trying to catch them in real-time, as well as turn-based combat that the series is known for. It looks like Arceus may give longtime players what they’ve been clamoring for: something different. Rainbow Six Extraction Release date: Jan. 20. Rainbow Six Siege was released in 2015, yet it remains one of the most played and streamed games in the world. Ubisoft is following up with a spinoff, Rainbow Six Extraction. Whereas Siege had you teaming up with a squad to take on other players online, Extraction is all about cooperation against parasitic aliens known as Archaeans. Sifu Release date: Feb. 8. Sifu is a fighting game from the developers behind Absolver, a charming martial arts game released back in 2017. Sifu takes the water-color art design and unique martial arts gameplay from that game and adds a new aging mechanic on top. You play as a kung fu student who needs to avenge his family by killing five assassins, but each time you die you’re revived slightly older. You get stronger as you age but have less health. You’ve got to avenge your family before father time takes you out. Horizon Forbidden West Release date: Feb. 18. Horizon Forbidden West is 2022’s first AAA blockbuster. A follow-up from the excellent Horizon Zero Dawn, Forbidden West is unfortunately timely: Aloy has to investigate a mysterious plague that infects and kills almost everything it comes across. The adventure will take her through to America’s post-apocalyptic west, across California, Utah, and Nevada. If you’ve played its predecessor, you know how great this is likely to be. If you haven’t played Horizon Zero Dawn, go ahead and do that. Elden Ring Release date: Feb. 25. For many, Elden Ring is the most anticipated game of the year. It’s notable for many reasons. First, it’s a major new release by FromSoftware, the developers behind Dark Souls. Second, it’s the first From Software game to integrate an open-world setting. Third, its world and lore was created with the help of George R.R. Martin. There’s a lot going on here, and it’s bound to be a hugely ambitious and rewarding title — for those resilient enough to make it through. Gran Turismo 7 Release date: March 4. In November Microsoft was able to show off its racing chops with the outstanding Forza Horizon 4. In March, it’ll be Sony’s turn. Like many titles on this list, Gran Turismo 7 was originally scheduled for a 2021 launch. That didn’t end up happening, but PlayStation 4 and 5 owners in need of a graphically beautiful and realistic driving sim have much to look forward to in March. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Release date: March 25. Those who have been hungry for more Borderlands will get their fix with Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. It’s a spinoff from Gearbox’s popular series and a sequel of sorts to Borderlands 2 DLC Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep. Tiny Tina takes the franchise in more fantasy, RPG direction, but they’re still bringing out the big guns: Andy Samberg, Will Arnett, and Wanda Sykes will all provide voice acting for the game. Forspoken Release date: May 24. In Forspoken, you play as Frey. She’s a woman living in New York who one day finds herself transported into a distant and unknown magical land. Don’t you hate it when that happens? Said magical land is ruled by a group called the Tantas, and it’s up to you to use your newfound powers to save the land and make it back home. Forspoken, previously known as Project Athia, is being developed to show off the PlayStation 5’s power — so will be a treat to look at if nothing else. Saints Row Release date: Aug. 22. Saints Row is getting a reboot. The fifth game in the series will simply be known as Saints Row. It’ll have the same open-world sandbox that the series is known for — set in an approximation of the US’ southwest — but will strike a more serious tone than the wild and wacky Saints Row IV. Starfield Release date: Nov. 11. This could end up being the game of the year. Starfield is a new IP from Bethesda, the creator of Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, and has been described as “Skyrim in space.” This likely means you could spend over 100 hours playing it and still not see everything. It’s set about 300 years from now following a bloody war between two factions, and you play as a humble space explorer. Starfield will only be >>Read more
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Do “empty nesters” need life insurance?

10 reasons to own life insurance after your kids have left home There are several reasons to continue having a life insurance policy even after your children are financially independent. 1. To meet goals If your children are in college and/or not completely financially independent, life insurance can help “finish the job.” Although you may have saved enough for tuition, the kids’ living expenses (e.g., room and board, laundry, entertainment/activity costs, etc.) continue, but not Social Security benefit payments for the surviving spouse and children—they stop when the kids leave high school. 2. To support other dependents If you have parents, disabled adult children, or others who depend on you for financial support, life insurance would continue this support if you die before they do. 3. To cover the Social Security “blackout period” A recent study showed that 5 percent of married women ages 51-64 were poor, but 20 percent of widows that age were poor. This happens because many people don’t plan for life insurance to pay income to the surviving spouse after their kids are grown. As noted above, Social Security pays nothing from when the youngest child leaves high school until the surviving spouse applies for benefits based on the deceased spouse’s record (minimum age for eligibility is 60). This interval is called the “blackout period.” 4. To offset reduced Social Security survivor’s benefits If a survivor begins receiving Social Security survivor benefits earlier than the full-benefit age (66-67, depending on when the survivor was born), the Social Security benefit amount is permanently reduced. Moreover, because of the deceased’s early death, he or she didn’t get salary increases that might have boosted Social Security benefits further. A life insurance policy can help offset the effect of these “lost” raises. 5. To offset other “lost” retirement savings Also, because of the deceased’s early death, he or she didn’t get salary increases that might have boosted employer pension benefits and/or IRA contributions. A life insurance policy can help offset the effect of these reduced retirement savings. 6. To meet commitments based on two incomes Most two-earner couples make financial commitments (e.g., home mortgage, loans, leases, etc.) based on their combined income. Life insurance on each earner enables the survivor to continue to meet those commitments. 7. To pay unplanned expenses caused by an early death Young people don’t generally plan to have savings available to pay for funeral and burial costs, final medical expenses, estate administration and transfer costs, and federal and state income and estate taxes. Life insurance can cover these costs, which can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars. 8. To create a financial “safety net” Conventional wisdom says each household should have an “emergency fund” equal to about half a year’s income, to meet surprise unavoidable outlays. If the household does not already have an emergency fund, the post-death family will be even more financially vulnerable without one. Furthermore, it might also be somewhat more difficult for the survivors to obtain credit. Life insurance can solve this problem. 9. To offset lost income if a spouse dies after beginning Social Security retirement benefits When a couple retires and begins receiving Social Security retirement benefits, each one receives an income. The earner with the larger pre-retirement income gets a benefit based on that income, and the person with the smaller (or no) pre-retirement income gets either a benefit based on his or her own earnings record or half of the spouse’s Social Security benefit, whichever is greater. When one spouse dies, the larger retirement benefit continues but the second benefit stops—in effect, a 33 percent income reduction. Life insurance can offset this income drop. 10. To provide bequests to heirs and charities If you want to be sure that your heirs and/or favorite charities get money after your death, you can designate some or all of your life insurance benefits to go to them. This is particularly useful if, without the life insurance, your executor would have to liquidate other assets to meet this objective.
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