TORONTO — Goway Asia’s 2017-2018 lineup looks stacked thanks to new rail, cruise and foodie tours, plus three brand new countries for the company.

The new 14-day ‘Legendary Silk Road’ private rail journey of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is especially significant, says General Manager Diane Molzan, because the company has wanted to “introduce Central Asia for a long time.” Calling it an ideal choice for globetrotters, Molzan says the journey includes expert guided tours of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites and added touches like tasting sessions of local vodka and Uzbek wine. Prices start at $6,643 with more details found on page 12 of the company’s new Asia brochure.

“These countries are uncomfortable and awkward to traverse by bus. We wanted to offer a journey in which travellers could relax, settle into their first class train cabin, and soak up the fascinating landscapes and local culture,” she adds.

Capitalizing on the popularity of boutique cruising, Goway is also offering five new journeys in Myanmar, Laos, China and India with an emphasis on off-the-beaten track encounters. ‘The Strand Cruise’ builds on the iconic brand of The Strand Hotel, Yangon, and sails the Irawaddy River between the ancient capitals of Bagan and Mandalay. Four- or five-day departures are priced from $1,209.

Also available are four- or five-day voyages on the newly restyled, 62-cabin Yangzi Explorer, which travels through some of central China’s most captivating landscapes. Prices start from $1,805.

Rounding out the new cruises are the six-day ‘Laos Adventure’ priced from $1,329, the 15-day ‘Laos to China via the Mekong priced from $8,492 *available in 2017 only), and the eight-day ‘Mighty Brahmaputra’ cruise in India priced from $3,256.

Lastly, two new foodie tours have been added to the lineup as well: the four-day ‘Bangkok for Foodies’, priced from $638, and the five-day ‘A Taste of Singapore’, priced from $627.