The entire trip of 2,000 miles (3,220 km) starts in the tropics of the Northern Territory, in Darwin and leads you through the red desert and Alice Springs, all the way to the green and plentiful province of South Australia and its capital Adelaide. The trains are comfortable and equipped with a dining car; many off-train experiences at stopovers are included in ticket prices.

Over a century old, the Speicherstadt is the world's largest integrated complex of warehouses. Visitors to Hamburg will discover a picturesque setting of Wilhelmine era Gothic architecture rendered in red brick, featuring unusual gables and towers. Precious commodities are stored at controlled temperatures behind the massive walls: coffee, tea, cocoa, spices, tobacco, and the world's largest collection of Oriental rugs. If you're pressed for time or wish to give your feet a rest after exploring the city, consider taking a one-hour evening boat tour. The Speicherstadt looks particularly enchanting at sunset.

Tōfuku-ji Temple is one of the oldest and most famous Zen temples in Kyōto for its wonderful and extensive gardens. The original buildings were burnt down but rebuilt faithfully to the original in the 15th century. In 1881, a blazing fire destroyed the Buddha hall, which was never again rebuilt. The complex' main gate is the oldest sanmon in Japan and a National Treasure. Today, the temple welcomes thousands of visitors throughout the year; to make their experience even more unforgettable, it offers regular Zen meditation sessions for beginners (only in Japanese). Note that the temple is overcrowded during autumn as a favourite haunt to witness kōyō (the falling of colourful leaves).