Global travel trends highlight UAE rail and sleeper trains

A roundup of global travel and architectural trends highlights several notable developments. The United Arab Emirates has launched its first national passenger rail network, an express system designed to connect 11 cities across the desert region.

In Namibia, a trend of “invisible architecture” is emerging, where upscale retreats are designed to blend into remote desert environments to provide exclusivity. Additionally, the Vatican Observatory continues its long-standing work at the intersection of astronomical research and religion.

Regarding rail travel, sleeper trains remain a popular romantic transport option across six continents, ranging from luxury hotel-style trains near the Taj Mahal and Machu Picchu to transcontinental routes in Canada and the United States. The interest in such travel has been bolstered by the release of the biopic “Tony,” which features chef Anthony Bourdain’s 2014 journey on Russia’s Grand Express between Moscow and St. Petersburg.