Worldwide Rail Holidays 2023/24 - The Railway Touring Company

Dear Customer,

Welcome to our Worldwide Rail Holidays Brochure 2023/24

We are continuously planning, preparing and organising our Worldwide programme for 2023/24 and we are very pleased to be able to share our 2023/24 Brochure with you.

The World is a fascinating place, offering a variety of countries, cuisines, culture, and historic landmarks that are not to be missed or forgotten.

The scenery and landscapes are truly spectacular. Many of our tours include privately chartered steam trains, dinner cruises and mountain rack railways. Often visiting multiple countries during a single holiday.

We have an exciting new tour for 2023:

Czech and Polish Steam Safari – Thursday 5th October to Sunday 15th October 2023

We have also extended our Rail and Fjords of Norway tour for this year, to now include extra time in Oslo and Stavanger.

We are also very excited to announce the return of our Colorado and Rocky Mountains Steam tour, where the swingin’ saloons, ornery gunslingers, and Gold Rush all come to life as you visit the heart of the Old West on stunningly scenic railways. Also a reintroduction to our Canadian holiday, where you can travel on the famous ‘Ocean’ and ‘Canadian’ trains and watch as the vast and beautiful country unfolds before our eyes.

We feel that our programme for 2023/24 truly offers something for everyone and we hope that you are as excited as we are as we move towards 2024 to what we hope will be another very memorable and fulfilling year for everyone.

With 26 years’ experience providing high-quality holidays, we are sure that we can give you an experience to remember for many years to come.

Enjoying those once in a lifetime moments and making treasured memories that will last a lifetime. We are members of the Travel Trust Association and ATOL so you can rest assured that by booking with us you will have financial protection.

Why not take a moment and begin planning your 2023/24 Worldwide getaway. My team and I are here to help and assist you every step of the way.

I look forward, very much, to welcoming you on board with us..

Kelly Osborne

Managing Director

The Railway Touring Company.

Worldwide Rail Holidays 2023/24

Highlights of Germany in Summer –Steam in Berlin and the Harz Mountains

Monday 14th August to Thursday 24th August 2023

Enjoy a late summer holiday to Germany for relaxing river cruises, vintage transport in the vibrant capital Berlin and the famed steam trains of the Harz Mountains.

• Enjoy steam by land and water, as you first cruise on the river Havel in Potsdam aboard the vintage 1908 steamboat “Gustav”, then storm up Mount Brocken on the iconic 2-10-2 tank engines to the highest point in Northern Germany.

• Take a steam train journey at the Wulheide Park Railway in Berlin, travel on the heritage tramway in Woltersdorf and sample five different river cruises at scenic locations around the capital, including Berlin Mitte, Köpenick, Potsdam, Brandenburg and Szczecin, Poland.

• The short sidestep to Poland with a daytrip rail excursion to the historic port city of Szczecin (Stettin) with a cruise on the River Odra adds geographic variety to the holiday.

• This relaxed holiday takes place after the peak period of the German school holidays, when the Harz Mountains are less busy, but still have the most intensive ‘Plandampf’ steam timetable in operation.

• Spend 3 days in the Harz Mountains with an unlimited 3-day rover ticket, valid on all the famed “Plandampf” steam services.

Monday 14th August

London to Berlin by high-speed rail

With Eurostar and ICE services via Brussels and Cologne. Accommodation at a centrally located 4-star hotel in Berlin. Meet your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant. (D)

Tuesday 15th August

Berlin Technical Museum, Time at leisure, Museum Island Sunset Cruise

After a leisurely breakfast, you collect your complimentary multi-day public transport rover ticket, which allows you full flexibility and individual travel in the city. You then visit the Technical Museum in western Berlin, which has

one of the finest collections of old locomotives, aircraft, cars and stationary steam engines in Europe. The museum is built around an old freight yard and two former roundhouses. The guided excursion there will allow you to get familiar with Berlin’s layout and public transport network. Following the visit, you will have free time to discover the city at your own pace. In the evening you rejoin the group for a sunset dinner cruise with complimentary drinks on the River Spree in the city centre, passing all the major landmarks and the famed museum island on a vintage ship. (B D)

Wednesday 16th August

Woltersdorf heritage tramway and Köpenick cruise

Today you take an overground S-Bahn service to Woltersdorf, a charming village on the eastern edge of Berlin, which is noteworthy for its heritage tramway that leads to a small lake. You have a private charter tram ride on a classic tram dating from 1913, which unusually has no enclosed cabs, allowing the driver to stand on the open balcony. You visit the tram depot, before enjoying time at leisure in Berlin. You then depart on another evening dinner cruise, along the Eastside Gallery, Ostbahnhof, famed turret bridge at Warschauer Strasse to the

historic Köpenick District. (B D)

Thursday 17th August

Potsdam Palaces, vintage tramway and steamboat cruise in River Havel to the “Bridge of Spies”

This morning you have free time and the opportunity to see the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag or Checkpoint Charlie, all of which are in close proximity of your hotel. In the afternoon you take a DB double-deck train to nearby Potsdam for a vintage tramway ride through the historic Dutch Quarter, past the Russian Colony and famed old town gates. To cap the day, you once again enjoy a dinner and sunset cruise, travelling on the River Havel aboard the genuine tall-stacked steamboat “Gustav” from 1908. The scenic cruise will take you to the “Bridge of Spies”, where prisoner exchanges were made between East and West during the Cold War. You will also see the site of the 1945 Potsdam Conference, where Churchill, Stalin and Truman met. (B D)

Friday 18th August

Rail excursion to Szczecin Poland, private charter cruise on River Odra, sightseeing by vintage tramway

Today you add some international flair to the holiday, by making the railway trip from Berlin north-east to the historic Baltic port city of Szczecin in Poland. This will allow you to sample Polish railways, see the city’s historic old town on a privately chartered tramway, before making a private harbor cruise on the River Odra, seeing all of the city’s principal landmarks and expansive port facilities from the water. In the early evening you return to Berlin by service train. (B L)

Saturday 19th August

Steam at the Wulheide Park Railway and leisure in Berlin

In the southeast of Berlin, the Wulheide district features one of the largest park railways in Germany, built with 600 m gauge. For today’s steam running, you visit the railway and travel over the full length of the network. Like other cities in Central or Eastern Europe, the railway’s stations are operated by Children, under the supervision of adults. Following this delightful steam excursion, you have a final evening to make the most of Berlin and all that Germany’s vibrant capital has to offer. (B)

Sunday 20th August

Brandenburg River Cruise, arrival to Wernigerode and the Harz Mountains

Today the time has come to transfer from the city to the countryside, as you make your way to the Harz Mountains and the charming town of Wernigerode. While your luggage is directly transferred and forwarded to the next hotel by coach, you travel by rail and pause along the way in the historic city of Brandenburg for a lunch time cruise on the River Havel. You then continue by rail via Magdeburg and Halberstadt to the beautiful town of Wernigerode, famed for its well preserved old town, rows of colorful timber-framed houses and impressive hilltop castle. Dinner will be served at the hotel, after arrival (B L D)

Monday 21st to

Wednesday 23rd August

Steam, nature and culture in the Harz Mountains

For the next 3 days you are free to enjoy maximum steam, natural beauty and cultural heritage in the unique setting that is the Harz Mountains. You will have a 3-day unlimited rover ticket, allowing you to travel on all steam services in the Selke Valley and to Mount Brocken. Best of all, standard gauge transfer tickets from Quedlinburg to Wernigerode are also included. Storm to the summit of Mount Brocken as often as you like, enjoy trainspotting and railway photography at the Wernigerode yard with unique observation tower or storm over the steep embankments from Gernrode to Alexisbad. Your Tour Manager will be pleased to advise you of all the timetabled services and best connections, so you can maximize steam or individualize the excursions to best suit your taste. Every evening, dinner will be included back at the hotel in Wernigerode. (B D)

Thursday 24th August

Return to London by high speed rail

The time has come to return to London. You first have a direct and fast coach transfer from Wernigerode to Hannover Hbf, where you board an ICE service westbound to Cologne. From there you continue by high speed train via Brussels to London St. Pancras. (B)

Tour Summary

First Class £2275

Standard Class £1975

Single supplement £295

Ground only £1775 (Berlin – Wernigerode) Transfer to Hannover Hbf is also available.

Price includes:

• High Speed train travel from London to Berlin and from Hannover to London

• 10 nights accommodation with Breakfast at 4-star hotels in Berlin and Wernigerode

• 8 dinners and 2 Lunches

• All specially chartered steam trains, rail journeys and boat cruises as detailed in the itinerary

• All seat reservations and transfers

• Public transport rover tickets

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Please be advised that First Class travel will be allocated in Standard Premier carriages on Eurostar services.

Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner August 2023

Swiss Bernese Oberland

Wednesday 6th September to Wednesday 13th September 2023

Discover the outstanding natural beauty of Switzerland on this tour to the Bernese Oberland, famed for its shimmering lakes and soaring Alpine peaks, including the towering Jungfrau and the magnificent Eiger.

• Based in the mountain village of Wengen, you’ll explore the Bernese Oberland on Switzerland´s outstanding railway system.

• Enjoy extensive scheduled travel on famous mountain rack railways, including the Brienz Rothorn Railway and Jungfrau Railway to the ‘Top of Europe’.

• Discover the Swiss capital Bern on a two-hour steam tram tour, and enjoy peaceful boat cruises on Lake Brienz and Lake Thun.

• There’s also a thrilling excursion to the Schynige Platte mountain area to enjoy, famous for its outstanding views and wildflower gardens.

• Experience unrestricted travel on Swiss trains, trams and buses in tour free time thanks to your complimentary Bernese Oberland Regional Pass.

Wednesday 6th September

Fly London to Basel –Basel to Wengen by Rail

You have a morning flight from London Heathrow to Basel in Switzerland. You transfer by local bus to Basel Main Station to join a high-speed rail service to Interlaken Ost, before continuing on the narrow-gauge lines of the Bernese Oberland Railway (BOB) to Lauterbrunnen and the Wengernalp Railway (WAB) to the mountain village of Wengen. Here you check into the 4-star Sunstar Alpine Hotel, your base for the tour. A light dinner will be served at your hotel this evening. You’ll also receive your 6-day Bernese Oberland Regional Pass for easy exploration of the surrounding areas. (D)

Thursday 7th September

Free day for exploration in and around Wengen

After breakfast, you can either relax at the hotel and make use of its wonderful facilities or take a stroll through the village where the British allegedly ‘invented’ downhill ski racing. A more energetic option is to hike to one or more of the incredible local viewpoints. Another alternative is to use your Regional Pass to visit the Trümmelbach Falls, a series of ten illuminated glacier-waterfalls inside a mountain, accessible only by a tunnel-lift. Yet another option is to visit the car-free village of Mürren by cable and mountain railway from Lauterbrunnen, with views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Dinner is served at your hotel this evening. (B D)

Friday 8th September

Lake Brienz Cruise; Steam on the Brienz Rothorn Railway

This morning you travel by train to Interlaken to enjoy a leisurely steamship cruise on Lake Brienz to Brienz at its eastern end. You join a steam train on the 800mm gauge Brienz Rothorn Railway (BRB), Switzerland’s oldest rack railway and climb 1,678 metres (5,505 ft) from Brienz to Rothorn Kulm Station, just below the summit of Brienz Rothorn Mountain. After free time at the summit to enjoy lunch, you return to Brienz for an exclusive visit to the BRB depot to view the locomotives and workshop facilities there. In the afternoon you return to Wengen by train where you can relax before dinner is again served in your hotel restaurant. (B D)

Georg Trueb Georg Trueb

Georg Trueb

Saturday 9th September

Excursion to Jungfraujoch and the ‘Top of Europe’

A real tour highlight awaits today on a trip to the famous Jungfraujoch and the ‘Top of Europe’. You’ll travel on a WAB train to Kleine Scheidegg before joining a JB train en route to the highest railway station in Europe. The train stops twice at points where there are large windows in the rock face for passengers to admire the views. The ‘Top of Europe’ itself is a high-altitude building connected to the underground Jungfraujoch Railway Station by a tunnel. There’s a choice of restaurants in which to take lunch, and a permanent exhibition about the Jungfrau Railway and the Alps. For the return back to Wengen you can either travel the same route by train from Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen or travel from Kleine Scheidegg on to Grindlewald at your own leisure, then make your way back to Wengen via Lauterbrunnen. On your return dinner will be served at the hotel. (B D)

Sunday 10th September

Bern Steam Tram; Cruise on Lake Thun

Today you travel by train to the Swiss capital, Bern, for a two-hour tour of the city by legendary steam tram. The metre gauge 0-6-0 tramway locomotive pulls a classic wooden carriage with open-ended balconies. You’ll pass many of Bern’s historic landmarks, including the famous Zytglogge clock tower. In the afternoon there’s time to visit the shops along the arcaded walkways, or the famous Bear Park and nearby River Aare. Later, you’ll take a service train to Thun to board a boat for the onward journey. Cruising along Lake Thun you have uninterrupted views of famous mountain peaks like the Niederhorn, Niesen, and Jungfrau. You then disembark at Interlaken West Railway Station and return by train to Wengen via Lauterbrunnen.

(B D)

Monday 11th September

Free day to use your Regional Pass; Optional visit to the Schilthorn

Today is free to use your Regional Pass. Your first option is a trip to the summit of the Schilthorn, overlooking the valley of Lauterbrunnen and reached by a cable car from the village of Mürren. At the summit there’s a panoramic revolving restaurant, Piz Gloria, once the location of a James Bond film, and free entrance to the Bond World interactive exhibition. A mountain excursion surcharge is payable for this trip but if booked in advance you can take advantage of our special discounted price. The second option is a visit to Lucerne. The city is located on Lake

Lucerne, in sight of Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi in the Swiss Alps. You’ll get to Interlaken using WAB and BOB trains from where metre gauge Zentralbahn express trains go direct to Lucerne, a great experience in itself. The route follows the scenic Brünig Line beside Lake Brienz and the River Aare to Meiringen, where the train reverses and climbs over the Brunig Pass using a rack system. The terminus station at Lucerne is opposite the landing stage from which passenger boats, including paddle steamers, serve lakeside communities. The Chapel Bridge is a landmark of Lucerne and the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe. Other places of interest include the Old Town of Lucerne, the Lion Monument, and the Swiss Museum of Transport. (B D)

Tuesday 12th September

Excursion to Schynige Platte

Today you enjoy an excursion to the Schynige Platte mountain area, famous for its wildflower gardens and views of the majestic mountain scenery. You travel by WAB train to Lauterbrunnen and BOB train to Wilderswil, the junction for the 800mm gauge Schynige Platte Railway from 1893, one of Switzerland’s pioneering lines. The cog train climbs at a sedate 12 kph up to Schynige Platte, passing many panoramic viewpoints overlooking Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, eventually revealing the glistening giants of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains to the south. (B D)

Wednesday 13th September

Return to UK

After breakfast in the hotel, it is time to say your farewells and take local trains to Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken. You then travel by express train from Interlaken to Basel before taking the local bus to Basel Airport. There you have an evening flight back to London Heathrow (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price £1795

Single supplement £115

Optional extra £45

Mountain excursion surcharge to visit ‘The Schilthorn’

Price includes:

• 7 nights half board at Sunstar Hotel including complimentary beverages from the minibar (beer, mineral water, soft drinks, refilled daily) and free use of hotel facilities including WiFi, swimming pool, sauna and steam bath

• Fly from London Heathrow –Basel and Return

• A standard class Regional Pass valid for days 2 to 7 for travel around the Bernese Oberland

• Travel by train from Basel main station to Wengen and return

• All rail, tram and boat trips as detailed in the itinerary

• All escorted visits as detailed in the itinerary

• All seat reservations and transfers (except on free days)

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner September

Georg Trueb Georg Trueb

The Black Sea Express

Thursday 14th September to Sunday 24th September 2023

Travel in style on the Royal Train from Sofia to the Black Sea and back on this luxury steam tour in magical Bulgaria. This is an ideal holiday tour both for rail enthusiasts and those wanting to experience steam travel and tourism in a country that remains one of Europe’s hidden gems. A light lunch with drinks is provided when on the Royal Train.

• The Royal ‘Corona Express’ Train hails from the time of King Boris III, and your luxurious coaches will be hauled by a variety of powerful locomotives as you travel to the coast in style.

• Enjoy overnight stays in top class hotels in Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Velingrad, Bansko and Burgas on the Black Sea Coast, with a crossing over the high Balkan Mountains.

• Experience two days of steam on the scenic narrow-gauge Rhodope Mountains line hauled by the impressive 2-10-2T loco 60976 and visit the Rila Monastery, the most famous monastery in Bulgaria.

• Travel a total of 870 km steam hauled by FIVE iconic locomotives, including the 2-8-2 Swiss-built loco 01.23 and the 2-100 16.27, as well as the world’s largest working tank engine 46.03!

• Enjoy visits to the famous old town of Veliko Tarnovo or the Gorna Orjahovitsa loco depot and Asenovo Steam Reserve, and a sightseeing tour of Sofia before discovering the Black Sea Coast on a day trip to the sea resort of Nesebar, the ‘Pearl of the Black Sea’.

Thursday 14th September

Fly to Sofia; private tram tour

You fly from London Heathrow early morning with British Airways direct to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. You check in to your city centre hotel before enjoying a private tram tour of the sights. Marvel at the onion-domed churches, Ottoman mosques and Red Army monuments in a city that boasts many of Bulgaria’s finest museums, galleries and restaurants. A welcome dinner will be served at your hotel this evening. (D)

Friday 15th September

Suburbs of Sofia tour by Royal Train

Today you experience the Royal ‘Corona Express’ train for the first time, consisting of

specialized cars and historic carriages of King Boris III (1894 –1943), today hauled by the recently restored 0-8-0 freight locomotive 26.26 (Henschel 1908). After a circuit of the outer Sofia suburbs you take the short branch line to Bankya, a small town located on the outskirts of the city, returning to Sofia after a short break. Dinner and accommodation are at your hotel this evening. (B D)

Saturday 16th September

Steam with the Royal Train to Gorna Orjahovitsa; bus transfer to Veliko Tarnovo

Today you travel in the Royal Train from Sofia to Pleven Zapad behind the 2-8-2 No 01.23

locomotive (made in Switzerland in 1935), before the powerful 2-10-0 16.27 (WLF 1948) takes over to haul you to Gorna Orjahovitsa, the biggest railway centre in Northern Bulgaria. From here you have a short bus transfer to your hotel in Veliko Tarnovo, where you stay for the next two nights. (B D)

Sunday 17th September

Tour of Veliko Tarnovo OR visit the Gorna Orjahovitsa depot and Asenovo Steam Reserve

Today you have two options, the first being a guided walking tour of the old town of Veliko Tarnovo. Discover the medieval capital of Bulgaria, with houses in the old town over 200

years old. You’ll also visit Veliko Tarnovo’s most significant monument, the medieval fortress Tsarevets, sited on a hilltop overlooking the town and surrounded on three sides by the river Yantra. Your second option today is a must for railfans, a trip by bus to first visit Gorna Orjahovitsa locomotive depot to see some old and some active steam locomotives, and then to Asenovo Steam Reserve to see the preserved rare steam locomotives stored there. Whatever option you take, dinner is served back at your hotel in Veliko Tarnovo. (B D)

Monday 18th September

Across the Balkan Mountains to Dabovo on to Burgas and the Black Sea

After breakfast you steam across the Balkan Mountains on the Royal Train, hauled by your rugged 2-10-0 16.27 steam locomotive from Veliko Tarnovo to Dabovo. Enjoy the rich and diverse landscape as you travel across hilly plains, river valleys and the high Balkan Mountains. From Davovo your Royal coaches will be hauled by diesel or electric to Burgas, on the Black Sea, for a two-night stay. (B D)

Tuesday 19th September

Trip along the Black Sea Coast to Nesebar

Today you’ll enjoy a bus trip to Nesebar on the Black Sea, where you can sightsee this ancient city. The ‘Pearl of the Black Sea’ is one of the major seaside attractions on the Black Sea Coast. It consists of two parts separated by a narrow man-made isthmus with the ancient part of the settlement on the peninsula and the more modern section on the mainland side. Afterwards you return to your hotel in Burgas for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Wednesday 20th September

Burgas to Septemvri and on to Velingrad

Today your Royal train travels from Burgas to Septemvri hauled by an electric loco, before a bus transfer to the spa town of Velingrad in the Rhodope Mountains for a two-night stay. (B D)

Thursday 21st September

Narrow-gauge highlight in the Rhodope Mountains with steam loco 60976

After breakfast you travel from Velingrad to the 760 mm narrow-gauge line at Septemvri (either by service train or bus) with the choice of an optional Septemvri depot visit. You then join a special steam charter hauled by 2-10-2 tank engine 60976, built by Chrzanow in Poland in 1949 and one of the most powerful of its gauge in the world. The initial 39 km of the 760 mm narrow-gauge line from Septemvri to Velingrad

first opened in 1926. When the line reaches Varvara, it enters the gorge of the Cepina river and climbing starts with several photo opportunities. At Dolene the line crosses the river, makes a 180 degree turn and heads along a side valley, eventually reaching Velingrad where you enjoy a second night in your hotel. (B D)

Friday 22nd September

Narrow-gauge to Dobronishte behind 60976; on to Bansko

Today you continue your exploration of the last remaining public narrow-gauge line in Bulgaria hauled by 60976 over the summit of the Rhodope Mountains from Velingrad to Dobronishte. Due to its superbly engineered spiral tunnels, this branch line has been called the ‘Rhaetian Railway of the Balkans’. As the tank engine battles the steep gradients, plenty of steam spectacle is on offer, although some diesel assistance is required to climb through the tunnels up to the summit at Avramovo station, 1267 metres above sea level and the highest station in Bulgaria. The line then passes Razlog and Bansko, before reaching the terminus at Dobrinishte. You return to Bansko by coach and check in to your hotel, for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Saturday 23rd September

Visit to Rila Monastery; Steam back to Sofia

Today you visit the Rila Monastery by bus, before travelling again on your private train from Dupnitsa to Sofia hauled by 2-12-4 tank loco No 46.03, the only standard gauge 12-coupled steam loco working in the whole world. Rila Monastery is the most famous monastery in Bulgaria, now under UNESCO protection. The 4-floor residential part of the complex consists of 300 monks’ cells, 4 chapels, an abbot’s room, a kitchen, a library and guestrooms for donors. The exterior has high stone walls cut through by small windows. It’s also worth visiting the monastery’s museum, which hosts the famous Raphael’s Cross, made of a whole piece of wood (81cm x 43cm) and named after its creator. On reaching Sofia you check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Sunday 24th September

Optional visit to Sofia locomotive depot; afternoon flight to London Heathrow

This morning you have the option of a visit to the Sofia locomotive depot or some free time to explore Sofia further before a midday flight on British Airways to London Heathrow, arriving in the early evening. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price £2795

Single supplement £325

Ground only £2625 (Sofia – Sofia)

Price includes:

• Flights from London Heathrow to Sofia and return

• Accommodation in excellent hotels with breakfast and evening meals

• Light lunch on train operating days

• All train and coach travel as detailed in the itinerary, with all transfers

• Services of UK and Local guides

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner September 2023

Autumn Steam in Saxony

Thursday 21st September to Wednesday 27th September 2023

Enjoy inspiring landscapes, spectacular autumn colour and exhilarating steam travel on land and water on this magical holiday tour in Eastern Germany.

• Based in a centrally located 4-star hotel in Dresden for the tour duration.

• Enjoy steam travel by land and water in and around the city on narrow-gauge trains and genuine paddle steamers.

• Ample time to enjoy Dresden and its stunning landmarks and ambience using a complimentary issued travel rover ticket.

• Experience German ‘Plandampf on 4 different narrow-gauge railways on 2 different gauges, including the re-opened Weisseritztalbahn to Kurort Kipsdorf.

• Private steam charter at the 15-inch Dresden Park Railway with an iconic ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive.

• See the famed national park in the heart of ‘Saxon Switzerland’ on a private charter on the scenic Kirnitzschtal tramway.

Thursday 21st September

London to Dresden

Travel by train from London St Pancras via Brussels and Frankfurt to Saxony’s capital city Dresden. On arrival you check in to a 4-star city centre hotel, which is your base for the tour. On arrival you’ll receive a complimentary public transport ticket, valid on all local trains, trams, buses and ferries for the duration of your stay. (D)

Friday 22nd September

Paddle steamer cruise to Pillnitz Castle; Vintage Monorail in Loschwitz

You’ll enjoy a sightseeing cruise of Dresden on a 19th century paddle steamer. You steam upstream on the River Elbe to Pillnitz Palace, En route you pass vineyards, villas and the 1893 ‘Blue Wonder’ Loschwitz steel bridge. Stopping at Loschwitz on the way back you take the local funicular to the summit for views of the city. You

descend back to Loschwitz by mountain monorail dating back to 1901. Afterwards you have time to explore Dresden’s local tram network using your public transport ticket or to visit the local museums and sights. (B)

Saturday 23rd September

Steam at the Dresden Park Railway and at the Lössnitz Narrow Gauge Railway

Today you visit Germany’s premier 15-inch line, the Dresden Park Railway. Travelling behind a classic 1920s 4-6-2 ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive covering the entire 5.6 km long circular line within the ‘Grosser Garten’ park, pausing for several run-pasts. The visit concludes with a guided tour of the shed and workshop. After free time in the city you visit the nearby 16.5 km Radebeul-Radeburg steam railway just outside Dresden, which passes the Moritzburg castle. The local vineyards offer wonderful autumn colours at this time of year. At the Radeburg

terminus, your locomotive takes on water before travelling back to Radebeul, continuing to downtown Dresden on either the scenic overland tramway route or by frequent DB service train. In late afternoon and evening you have time at leisure in the city. (B)

Sunday 24th September

Steam at the at the Weisseritz Valley Railway

Another steam highlight awaits today on an excursion to the re-opened narrow-gauge Weisseritz Valley Railway. You’ll be steam-hauled through the region’s ‘canyon’ landscape from Freital-Hainsberg to Kurort Kipsdorf along the River Weisseritz, passing cliffs, narrow bridges and lakes on the way. Enjoy the panoramic views from the your open-top observation car. After the full round-trip you return to Dresden, with free time to enjoy and explore the city once more. (B)

Niels Kunick

Niels Kunick

Monday 25th September

Narrow-gauge steam in Zittau

Another narrow-gauge highlight awaits today on the Zittau steam railway in Saxony, on the German border with Poland and the Czech Republic. From Zittau the 12.2 km branch line runs to the resort town of Kurort Oybin. There’s also a short 3.8 km long stub from the junction station of Bertsdorf to Kurort Jonsdorf to enjoy. Using a complimentary day-long rover ticket you can explore both lines and film the double departure from Bertsdorf. Impressive 2-10-2 tank engines run every day on the Zittau network with two or three in steam. Rocky cliff formations frame the line around Oybin. You return in late afternoon to Dresden by service train. (B D)

Tuesday 26th September

Heritage Tramway in the ‘Saxon Switzerland’ National Park at Bad Schandau

This morning you make a quick transfer on a direct train to Bad Schandau and enjoy a private charter journey on the Kirnitzschtal tramway. Travelling on an original 1920s tramway, the route runs from the spa town of Bad Schandau to the waterfalls at Lichtenhain. Along the way there’ll be several photo stops staged in the Saxon Switzerland National Park. To cap the excursion, you enjoy a guided shed visit in Bad Schandau, before returning to Dresden on the scenic main line from Bad Schandau via Königstein on a direct service train. (B L D)

Wednesday 27th September

Return to London

You return to London St Pancras, travelling on high speed trains via Frankfurt, Cologne and Brussels. (B)

Tour Summary

First Class £1595

Single supplement £195

Ground only £1295 (Dresden – Dresden)

Price includes:

• First Class travel from London to Dresden and return

• 6 Nights accommodation in a 4 -star hotel with breakfast

• 3 Dinners and 1 Lunch

• Complimentary 7-day Dresden public transport ticket included

• All rail trips and excursions as detailed in the itinerary

• Paddle steamer cruise

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Please be advised that First Class travel will be allocated in Standard Premier carriages on Eurostar services.

Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Autumn in Alsace

Thursday 5th October to Thursday 12th October 2023

Enjoy the famous wine-making region of Alsace in full autumn splendour by steam train on this enchanting holiday in eastern France.

• Based in the vibrant city of Colmar, you’ll explore the region on privately chartered steam trains on all the preserved railways in Alsace and a forest railway in nearby Lorraine.

• Tour highlights include excursions into nearby southern Germany and a visit to the impressive steam Abreschviller Forest Railway in Lorraine, hauled by an 0-4-4-0T Mallet type steam locomotive.

• Discover the mediaeval heart of Strasbourg on a sightseeing cruise aboard a stylish vintage vessel.

• There’s also a visit to the city of Mulhouse to savour, with the excellent French National Railway Museum, Museum of Electricity and the one-of-its kind Bugatti Museum are located there.

• Short transfer distances from Colmar to all the featured attractions make this a truly relaxed and engaging tour, the perfect opportunity to see France with a completely new perspective.

Thursday 5th October

London to Colmar

You travel by Eurostar from London St. Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord, before a transfer to Paris Gare de l´Est for the onward journey by TGV express to Strasbourg, where you change onto a regional service to Colmar. You check in to your elegant, centrally located hotel in the heart of this picturesque town. The rest of the day is free to explore and discover the timber-framed houses and quaint canals of historic Colmar.

Friday 6th October

Scenic river cruise, tramways and sightseeing in Strasbourg

This morning you transfer by locomotivehauled French Railways (SNCF) service train to Strasbourg, the attractive capital of Alsace. You

then enjoy a sightseeing tour of this vibrant city aboard a privately chartered, stylish motorship. Lunch-time refreshments and complimentary drinks aboard are included. After the cruise there’ll be free time to explore the beautiful city centre by tram, using your complimentary public transport day ticket. This allows you to take tram line D across the border Germany. In the late afternoon you return to Colmar by SNCF service train. (B L)

Saturday 7th October

Steam along the Rhine; free time to enjoy Colmar

After breakfast you travel by road coach to visit the Chemin de Fer Touristique du Rhin, located in the nearby town of Volgelsheim. This standardgauge railway operates both French and German steam locomotives hauling Austrian carriages

with balconies. You’ll traverse the 13 km (8 mile) line from Volgelsheim to the Sans Souci Quay at Marckolsheim, where the River Rhine and canal separate. Afterwards you return to Colmar by road coach. For the rest of the day you are free to relax in Colmar and further discover this outstanding destination with its ornate buildings and tranquil canals. (B D)

Sunday 8th October

Steam on the Thur Doller Railway; scenic cruise in historic Breisach

Today you visit the enchanting Train Thur Doller Alsace, which operates a 13 km (8 mile) long standard-gauge branch line from Cernay to Sentheim, along the foothills of the Vosges Mountains and crossing the River Doller. The railway features a number of authentic photogenic coaches dating from the late 19th

Georg Trueb

century. A powerful early 20th century steam tank locomotive hauls you over this preserved line on a privately chartered train at a time when there is no regular traffic, so numerous run pasts can be staged. A typically French buffet lunch will be served at the station building in Burnhaupt, where you’ll visit the shed and see the railway’s extensive collection of historic rolling stock. At the end of the return journey you travel by road coach to Colmar via the ‘Alsatian Wine Route’ on the way to the historic town of Breisach, Germany, where you board a stylish motor vessel for a welcome sunset cruise on the River Rhine, with coffee and cake included. (B L)

Monday 9th October

Steam in the Black Forest of Germany; visit to historic Freiburg

The German theme continues today as you visit the Kandertalbahn, located on the very tip of Southern Germany, near Basel. This 12.9 km (8 mile) long branch line runs through rural scenery in the Kander Valley. Your train comprises an early 20th century German steam tank locomotive with matching period carriages, and a buffet lunch of regional delicacies will be served when you reach the end of the line at Kandern. There will be plenty of photo opportunities before returning to Colmar by road coach later, stopping to visit the historic city of Freiburg im Breisgau, a German city noted for its medieval university and cathedral. (B L)

Tuesday 10th October

Museums and trams in Mulhouse

Today you travel by train to Mulhouse, famous for its outstanding museums, especially the ‘Cité du Train’ and ‘Cité de l’Automobile’, respectively the largest railway and automobile museums in Europe. You’ll receive a rover ticket for the city’s urban tram network, which you’ll use to travel to the ‘Cité du Train’, the national railway museum of France and one of the largest and most amazing collections of technically unique steam locomotives in the world. The Electropolis Museum is also an option available where you can immerse yourself in the great adventure of electricity. The vast collection of classic cars in the nearby ‘Cité de l’Automobile’ is also worth a visit. The remainder of your time in Mulhouse will be free to explore its medieval city centre, with both French and Swiss architecture, the pedestrianised Place de la Réunion main square, and St. Stephen’s church. In the evening you return to Colmar by service train. (B)

Wednesday 11th October

Steam at the Abreschviller Forest Railway

Today you make a side-step from Alsace and visit nearby Lorraine. At Abreschviller you will find a remarkable ‘hidden gem’ in the form of the local forest railway, which operates steam locomotives on the unusual 700 mm gauge. You are comfortably accommodated on the railway’s ‘Belle Epoque’ luxury coach and hauled by a 0-4-4-0T Mallet type steam locomotive dating from 1906. Running through dense forests and crossing the Red Saar River, the train will pause for photos and run-pasts near the village of Grand Soldat. At the terminus of the line, you will also see an old saw mill. Once back in Abreschviller, you still have time to visit the local steam shed and see the other stored steam locomotives, before returning to Colmar. In the evening you have a farewell dinner at the hotel.

(B L D)

Thursday 12th October

Colmar to London

You say a fond ‘au revoir’ to Alsace today and return to Paris by TGV express train. You transfer from Paris Gare de l´Est to Gare du Nord and board a Eurostar service to London St. Pancras International. (B)

Tour Summary

First Class £1995

Includes First Class on Eurostar, TGV and other SNCF service trains.

Single supplement £225

Ground only £1575 (Colmar – Colmar)

Price includes:

• 7 nights accommodation with breakfast

• 5 lunches and 2 dinners

• All specially chartered steam trains as detailed in the itinerary

• All rail, road, tram and boat trips as detailed in the itinerary

• All visits as detailed in the itinerary

• Rail travel from London to Colmar and back

• Rover ticket for the Mulhouse urban tram network

• All seat reservations and transfers

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Please be advised that First Class travel will be allocated in Standard Premier carriages on Eurostar services.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Czech and Polish Steam Safari

Thursday 5th October to Sunday 15th October 2023

The historic cities of Prague and Brno and the rural landscapes of the Czech Republic create a superb backdrop to this unique tour, packed with main line and narrow-gauge steam highlights.

• Sample an eclectic line-up of unique steam locomotives, including big tank engines that have only just returned to service after decades out of use.

• Experience lots of ‘rare track’ excursions with private charter train trips on scenic countryside routes and unusual branch lines.

• Visit the huge collection at the Czech railway museum in Luzna u Rakovnika before embarking on a main line steam charter on the remote branch line from Luzna to Kralovice.

• Visit the Kolin, Mladejov, Zbysov and Osoblaha narrow-gauge railways on private steam charters, using the largest tank and tender locomotives available on both lines.

• Explore the Polish narrow gauge steam railways at Rudy and Bytom, where steam has only recently been reintroduced.

Thursday 5th October

Arrival in Prague

Following a direct flight to Prague you book into your central hotel for a welcome lunch. The rest of the day you are free to explore this fascinating city. A complimentary public transport rover ticket makes getting around by tramway or underground easy and enjoyable. (L)

Friday 6th October

Classic Prague by luxury tram and steam at the Kolin Sugar Beet Railway

This morning you board a luxury tram for a sightseeing tour of Prague, inclusive of onboard drinks. See the city’s premier landmarks while criss-crossing the River Vltava on its famous bridges. In the early afternoon you transfer to Kolin in Central Bohemia, where you ride the entire length of the re-opened 600 mm

narrow gauge railway, including the most recent extensions. Upon arrival, refreshments will be served, including drinks. This delightful railway runs through fields and forests and will also pause for run-pasts. Motive power is provided by a rugged industrial tank engine and, weather permitting, your private charter train will be formed of semi-open ‘fresh air’ summer coaches. After a visit to the local steam shed, you return to Prague by service train to spend the evening at leisure in the city. (B L)

Saturday 7th October

Steam in Southern Moravia at the Zbysov heritage railway

Today you make a day-trip to southern Moravia, travelling in First Class on a comfortable main line express from Prague to Brno, before changing onto the connecting local train to

Zastavka u Brna. Here a private steam charter awaits you for the journey on the 600 mm heritage railway to the Zbysov museum and steam centre. Your train will be hauled by a CKD-built tank engine and pause for run-pasts. Once at Zbysov, lunch will be served. In the afternoon you return to Brno for a private sightseeing tram tour, before catching an early evening train back to Prague in First Class. (B L)

Sunday 8th October

Steam in Central Moravia at the Mladejov narrow-gauge railway with giant Krauss No. 5

Today you visit the Mladejov heritage railway on a day-trip from Prague. You arrive in the town of Mladejov by service train and visit the local industrial museum, which holds an impressive range of tank engines, including the giant Krauss

Andrew Thompson

Andrew Thompson

Andrew Thompson

No. 5, the largest 600 m gauge locomotive in Central Europe. The Mladejov railway features an 11 km long 600 mm narrow-gauge railway, on which you’ll enjoy a private charter in semi-open summer coaches. You make the full-length return journey, pausing for run-pasts along the way. In the late afternoon you return to Prague by service train. (B L)

Monday 9th October

Main line steam in Central Bohemia from Luzna to Kralovice

This morning you board a service train departing from Prague’s grand old Masaryk station, one of the oldest terminus stations in Europe, which first opened in 1845. Travelling by service train, you reach Luzna u Rakovnika, home to a large collection of steam locomotives at the Czech Republic’s premier railway museum. You have time to visit the roundhouse and see the collection, before a private steam charter takes you on the unusual line via Rakovnik to Kralovice. You have lunch at a typical Czech countryside inn and pause for photo stops.

Traction today will either be provided by a Class 354 4-6-2 tank engine or a Class 423 2-8-2 tank engine. After arriving at Kralovice, you return by steam train to Luzna, before taking a regular train back to Prague. (B L)

Tuesday 10th October

A day at leisure in Prague

After several busy days chasing steam, today is simply designed to allow you to relax in Prague and enjoy all that this amazing city has to offer. (B)

Wednesday 11th October

On to Ostrava, city sightseeing by private tram charter

After breakfast, you transfer to Ostrava on a Czech Railways service train, arriving in the capital of Moravian Silesia by late afternoon. You check into your centrally located hotel, where you will be based for the remainder of the tour. In the afternoon you benefit from a sightseeing tour of the city taking you to all the principal sights in the fascinating industrial city. In the evening, dinner is served at the hotel. (B D)

Thursday 12th October

Double-headed steam in Moravian Silesia on the Osoblaha narrow gauge railway

A special narrow-gauge railway trip is in store today, as you take a Czech Railways service train from Ostrava via Opava to Tremesna to board a private steam charter on the idyllic line to Osoblaha. This remote yet serene railway

runs through gentle fields and soft rolling hills, framed by church towers and dotted villages. The railway will put on a spectacular doubleheader including both the “Blue Behemoth” 0-10-0 tender locomotive U57.001 and the rugged Romanian Resita 0-8-0 tank engine. You will pause for pictures and run pasts at the most scenic locations, as lunch refreshments are served on the train. After a good day out by steam and a full return journey on the 20 km long branch line, you return to Ostrava where dinner is served in the hotel restaurant. (B L D)

Friday 13th October

Narrow gauge steam in Poland at Rudy Raciborskie

This small village in the countryside of Upper Silesia features one of the best preserved and most attractively rebuilt narrow gauge steam centres in Poland, including giant water tower and red-brick shed. The 7 km of reconditioned track is ideal for run-pasts and photography. The line’s 0-4-0 tank engine is in mint condition and the friendly crew will attractively pose it at various sites. After the steam round-trip by private charter, you continue to nearby Gliwice to visit the landmark radio tower and historic old town, where World War II started in Europe in September 1939. In the evening you return to Ostrava and arrive in time for dinner at the hotel (B L D)

Saturday 14th October

Steam and Tramways in Bytom

You return for one more day in Poland and today ride the amazing tramways in Bytom and Chorzow, enjoying a private charter through the streets of these historic cities. Then you visit the Bytom Karb yard, the largest narrow gauge marshalling yard in Poland and have a private steam charter for the full length of the Bytom narrow gauge railway to Miasteczko Slaskie, passing through the Tarnowskie Góry standard gauge yard. You pause for photos and run-pasts on a line that crosses what was the complicated border between Germany and Poland during the Interwar Years. Lunch is once again included today in Poland and dinner back at the hotel in Ostrava (B L D)

Sunday 15th October

Train to Prague, return flight to London

After breakfast at the hotel, you board a service train back to Prague, once again enjoying First Class amenities. At the Prague Main Station you have a direct and easy bus transfer onward to the airport for a return flight back to London. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price £1995

Single supplement £395

Ground only £1845

(Prague – Prague)

Price includes:

• Flights from London to Prague and return

• 10 nights hotel accommodation with breakfasts

• 8 lunches and 4 dinners

• All specially chartered steam trains as detailed in the itinerary

• All specially chartered trips on heritage trams and vintage ships

• All train and road coach travel as detailed in the itinerary

• All transfers and visits as detailed in the itinerary

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner October 2023

Steam and Christmas Markets in Germany

Thursday 30th November to Friday 8th December 2023

Discover the festive splendour of Christmas Markets in Germany, including the romantic Rhineland and enchanting Harz Mountains. Enjoy a unique steam holiday exploring historic towns and cities in a Winter Wonderland landscape.

• This all-new winter tour is based in the vibrant city of Bonn and the picturesque town of Wernigerode. It offers travel refinement and a relaxed holiday experience for the seasoned traveller or Christmas Market newcomer alike.

• You’ll steam on different gauges, while sightseeing historic cathedral cities and rural landscapes.

• Enjoy a ride on the Drachenfels rack railway above the River Rhine, cruise in Frankfurt on the River Main as the city and its stunning skyline sparkle for nocturnal illumination and experience the large steam locomotive collection at the Frankfurter Feldbahnmuseum.

• A private charter on the metre gauge Brohltalbahn with its giant, green Malle steam locomotive is a special railway highlight.

• In the Harz Mountains you can experience steam to the summit of Mount Brocken as often as you like, with a complimentary network rover ticket.

Thursday 30th November

London to Bonn by rail

Travel from London to Bonn by Eurostar and high speed rail. Arrive Bonn by late afternoon, in time to enjoy a mug of mulled wine and sample the culinary delights of the local Christmas Market, right next to the landmark cathedral. You are based here for the next 4 nights.

Friday 1st December

Steam in the Rhineland with giant Mallet at the Brohltalbahn and Bonn Christmas Market

Today you sample the famed ‘Vulcan Express’ on the Brohltbahn heritage railway, which runs for 18 km from Brohl to Engeln in the heart of the beautiful Rhineland. The star attraction is the mighty 0-4-4-0 Mallet tank engine No. 11,

which will haul your privately chartered steam train and along the way pause for run-pasts. Coffee, cake and mulled wine will be served on the train. On the return to Bonn, the former capital of West Germany, you are free to enjoy the local Christmas Market, which is near the main station and attractively framed by the impressive cathedral. Here you may once again embark on a culinary journey of discovery and sample typical festive fare. (B)

Saturday 2nd December

Steam in Frankfurt and River Main

illuminations cruise

After breakfast you take a DB ICE on the high speed line directly to Frankfurt am Main. You then transfer to the local steam railway at the Frankfurter Feldbahnmuseum by tramway.

This delightful narrow gauge railway has one of the largest 600 mm gauge (two foot) steam locomotive collections in Europe and also runs through a charming park. You will have a private steam charter, which will include numerous run-pasts and photo stops, skillfully organized by the volunteer crew. In the afternoon you venture to the Old Town of Frankfurt where you enjoy refreshments at the city’s famous Christmas Market. Then, as the nocturnal illuminations commence, you enjoy a sightseeing cruise on the River Main, taking in the spectacular scenery of Germany’s tallest skyline. The cruise includes complimentary mulled wine, beer and other nonalcoholic beverages. In the evening you return to Bonn on the high speed line by ICE. (B)

Tony Streeter Ian Baker

Sunday 3rd December

At leisure in Bonn and Drachenfels scenic rack railway

You may use the tranquil hours of Sunday morning to sightsee in Bonn or use your complimentary public transport ticket to travel on the city’s extensive tramway network. In the afternoon you take a service train to Königswinter to ride the famed Drachenfels (Dragon’s Rock) rack railway high above the River Rhine. This impressively engineered line is just one of four rack railways in Germany. Originally opened in 1883, the Drachenfelsbahn is only operated by vintage electric trains and from the top offers sweeping views of the Rhineland. You return to Bonn in the late afternoon with more time for leisure and discovery in the city. (B)

Monday 4th December

Steam at Mühlenstroth, arrival in the Harz Mountains

The time has come to leave the Rhineland and head east to the Harz Mountains in Central Germany. You take a DB ICE from Köln Hbf to Bielefeld, where a private coach picks you up for the short transfer to Mühlenstroth railway, where you will enjoy a private steam charter on the preserved 600 mm railway. Cared for by dedicated volunteers, this railway boasts a formidable collection of impressive tank engines. During your private steam charter there, numerous run-pasts and photo stops will be staged. Then return by coach to Bielefeld for a visit to the local Christmas Market, with a chance for mid-day refreshments. From Bielefeld you proceed directly to Wernigerode, arriving there in the early evening. After a hearty dinner at the hotel, you are free to wander to the formidable Wernigerode steam shed for night-time observation of the steam locomotives simmering outside, making great use of the attractive viewing tower. (B D)

Tuesday 5th December to Thursday 7th December Steam and leisure in the Harz Mountains

For the next three days you are free to make the most of your complimentary HSB rover ticket, which will allow you to travel the length of Germany’s largest narrow gauge railway network. Enjoy unlimited steam in the snow to the summit of Mount Brocken, an experience that never gets old, or ride on the long trunk line to Eisfelder Talmühle. On one of these days you are also free to use your 5-day Interrail pass and could take advantage of it to reach the attractive nearby towns of Goslar, Halberstadt, Quedlinburg, Magdeburg or Halle by standard gauge train. These destinations are steeped in history, feature rows of timber-framed buildings as well as other impressive sights in attractively pedestrianised town centres. The choice is yours and your Tour Manager will be happy to advise you of the connections. Each evening a hotel dinner is included. (B D)

Friday 8th December Return to London

In the morning you have a comfortable and convenient coach transfer from Wernigerode to Hannover, where you board DB ICE to Cologne. From there you continue by high speed rail to Brussels, where you connect on to Eurostar back to London. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price £2195

Single supplement £225

Ground only £1945 (Bonn – Wernigerode)

Price includes:

• First Class travel from London to Bonn and from Wernigerode to London

• 8 Nights accommodation, 4 nights in Bonn and 4 Nights in Wernigerode

• 8 Breakfasts and 4 Dinners

• HSB 3-day network rover

• 5-Day First Class Global Pass with one free day to use during your stay in the Harz Mountains

• Private charter steam trains as per program

• River Main illuminations cruise

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Tony Streeter

Tony Streeter

Tony Streeter

Christmas and New Year in the Swiss and Italian Alps

Friday 22nd December 2023 to Tuesday 2nd January 2024

Make it a Christmas and New Year to remember as you spend the holiday in a genuine Winter Wonderland, surrounded by the snow-capped Swiss Alps and enchanting Italian lakes.

• The tour includes a 15-Day Swiss Pass rail rover in First Class as well the extra journey on the world famous mountain railway to the Gornergrat, where you will see glaciers, the Matterhorn and unrivalled high altitude landscapes.

• Celebrate Christmas Day in style with a festive steamboat cruise with a refined 4-course dinner on Lake Lucerne. Additional paddle steamer cruises on Lake Thun and Lake Geneva are possible with the Swiss Pass.

• Make the most of your First Class Swiss Pass on 6 free days of the tour for individual discovery of the countless mountain railways, such as the Golden Pass, Glacier Express route and many more.

• Enjoy the best of Northern Italy during a trip on the iconic Centovalli narrow gauge railway through 100 valleys from Domodossola to Locarno, then relax in the Italianate towns of the Swiss Ticino.

• This tour is running on a half-board basis, with breakfast and dinner included every day at your centrally located, quality hotels in the mountainous towns of Brig and Bellinzona, thus providing excellent value and ideal comfort.

Friday 22nd December

London to Brig by high speed rail

You travel from London to Brig via Paris on Eurostar and TGV services. On arrival you check in to the 3-star Hotel Victoria, located directly across the street from the railway station. A welcome dinner will be served at the hotel this evening. (D)

Saturday 23rd December

Along the Glacier Express route to Zermatt, Gornergrat rack railway and Matterhorn

Your tour starts with a real highlight as you take the scenic narrow gauge railway to Zermatt, following along the route of the famed Glacier

Express. Then you transfer to the Gornergrat Railway, ascending to 3089 metres. It’s Europe’s second highest railway, eclipsed only by the Jungfrau. From this high Alpine summit, enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding glaciers and a front view of the Matterhorn. After refreshments at Gornergrat you can descend back down to Zermatt, with ample time to explore the car-free village centre that is lined by typical Swiss chalets. This initial group excursion will allow you to get familiar with the Swiss railway system, giving you useful insights on how to best use your Swiss Pass for individual trips on successive days. In the afternoon, there is still free time for individual discovery, before dinner back at the hotel in Brig. (B D)

Sunday 24th December

Freedom of Switzerland with your

First Class Swiss Travel Pass

Today is the third day of validity for your 15-Day First Class rail rover. This allows you to travel anywhere in Switzerland on the extensive network of standard gauge and narrow-gauge railways, and includes travel on buses, trams, ferries and some mountain railways. The choice of where to go is yours, with highlights ranging from worldfamous panoramic railways to ‘best kept secrets’ in the hinterland. Discover for yourself why Switzerland is so much fun to explore by public transport, with frequent, clockwork connections and easy, seamless interchange at all stations. Your Tour Manager will be happy to advise you

about attractive options and specific connections.

Monday 25th December

Festive Lake Lucerne steamboat cruise with Christmas lunch

For Christmas Day, the memorable highlight is a gala cruise on the vintage 1901 paddle steamer ‘Uri’. A festive 4-course Christmas meal will be served to you in the ornate Belle Epoque salon of the ship, as you cruise over stunning Lake Lucerne with Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi in full view. Watch the big steam engine push the bright red paddle wheels, as the steamer gently glides over the water. After the cruise, you’ll have free time in Lucerne to explore this elegant city. Then you could use your Swiss Pass to travel back to Bern and Brig on a different railway route than in the morning, either travelling through the Emmental or over the Brünig Pass. In the evening, a light dinner will be served at the hotel. (B L D)

Tuesday 26th, Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th December

Freedom of Switzerland with First Class Swiss Travel Pass

For the next three days you have total freedom to discover all that Switzerland has to offer. Aside from attractions like the nearby Bernese Oberland or Lake Geneva, you can explore the less-famous railway lines in the serene Gruyere region or make a side-step to Chamonix, France on the Mont Blanc Express, all offering iconic ‘little trains’, towering viaducts and mountain views. Excursions over the Oberalp Pass to the Rhaetian Railway are also possible. Each night, dinner is served at the hotel in Brig. (B D)

Friday 29th December

Mountain magnificence in the Bernese Oberland

Today you may join your Tour Manager for a guided excursion to the world famous Bernese Oberland. After arriving to Interlaken by SBB service, you can explore the countless ‘Little Trains’ of the region and travel by scenic train to such famed mountain villages as Grindelwald, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen and Mürren, where you will be rewarded with the most amazing views of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. In case you would like to follow in the footsteps of James Bond, you can make the optional excursion to the summit of Mount Schilthorn, the filming location of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. (B D)

Saturday 30th December

Journey on the Centovalli Railway in Northern Italy, Lake Maggiore in Locarno and Ascona; Arrive in Lugano

The time has come to venture further south to Italy as well as Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. While your luggage is directly forwarded by SBB’s excellent transfer service from hotel to hotel, you take a direct EuroCity train along the legendary Simplon Railway south to Italy. You change trains in Domodossola and then take the stunning Centovalli narrow gauge railway past 100 valleys and over numerous towering viaducts to Locarno. After ample time to explore Mediterranean Locarno with its spacious piazza and a side-step to the adjacent lakeside village of Ascona, you take an SBB train to nearby Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino, Switzerland’s Italian speaking canton. Check-in to your centrally located hotel, where you will stay for the next three nights. On arrival, dinner is served in the hotel restaurant. (B D)

Sunday 31st December

and Monday 1st January

Railways and Funiculars of Ticino; along the Gotthard Railway and Swiss Riviera in Locarno and Lugano

The mountain railways of Ticino are particularly exciting, as are the lakeside cities of Locarno and Lugano with their Mediterranean flair. For all railway enthusiasts, the busy border station of Chiasso is also a must. You first make a group visit to the Madonna del Sasso funicular, for spectacular views from this Italianate basilica high above Locarno. Then you are free to travel the length of breath of the Ticino railway network for the next two days, including the Gotthard summit route with its winding horseshoe curves, the Ponte Tresa narrow gauge railway or the main line along Lake Lugano towards Italy. You could even make good use of the 57 km long Gotthard base tunnel and make an easy day-trip to the Mount Rigi rack railway at Arth-Goldau. On both evenings you have dinner at the hotel in Lugano. On New Year’s, complimentary drinks are included with your dinner to celebrate the New Year. (B D)

Tuesday 2nd January 2024

Return to London

After your exhilarating Christmas holiday you return to London via Paris by TGV and Eurostar services. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price £2695

Single supplement £245

Ground only £2400 (Brig – Lugano)

Optional Schilthorn excursion £45

Price includes:

• 11 nights half board at centrally located quality hotels (opposite the station) in Brig and Lugano

• First Class rail travel from London to Switzerland and back (seats are reserved in standard premier carriages on Eurostar services)

• A 15-Day Swiss Travel Pass national rail rover in First Class

• Gornergrat mountain railway excursion

• Festive Lake Lucerne Christmas Day Cruise with 4-course meal

• SBB luggage transfer from Brig to Lugano

• Train tickets in Italy for excursion on Centovalli Railway

• New Year’s Eve 3–course dinner with drinks included

• All seat reservations and transfers (except on free days)

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

December 2023 – January 2024

Highlights of Germany – Harz Mountains, Saxony and Baltic Coast

Tuesday 9th January to Tuesday 23rd January 2024

Journey through a genuine Winter Wonderland on our ever-popular tour to Eastern Germany. Timber-framed houses, fairy-tale castles and romantic steam trains all add to the enchantment of this seasonal holiday.

• Discover first-hand the charm and culture of Central, Eastern and Northern Germany, staying in such fine cities as Erfurt, Dresden, Görlitz, Stralsund and Rostock.

• Ride on the famed ‘little trains’ that circulate on the renowned narrow-gauge networks of the Harz Mountains, Saxony and along the Baltic Coast.

• Visit iconic locations such as Drei Annen Hohne and Mount Brocken.

• Experience legendary German ‘Plandampf’ on eight different narrow-gauge steam railways, all with their own • unique character.

• Enjoy private charters on wonderful heritage tramways in the historic cathedral cities of Erfurt and Görlitz, and a trip on the 1901 ‘dingle-dangle’ mountain monorail in Dresden.

Tuesday 9th January

London to Erfurt

Travel by Eurostar, Thalys and ICE high speed services from London St Pancras via Brussels and Frankfurt to Erfurt. On arrival check into your quality, centrally located hotel in the heart of Erfurt’s Old Town, where a welcome dinner will be served. (D)

Wednesday 10th January

Sightseeing and Heritage Tramways

in historic Erfurt

Located in the heart of Germany, Erfurt has countless spacious squares, proud Burgher Houses, old bridges and pedestrianised alleys. This morning you explore its sights before an early afternoon private charter trip on a heritage

tramway replete with photo stops. You’ll have an opportunity to see the landmark cathedral and beautiful main market square with its characteristic spires before some more leisure time in the late afternoon and a free evening. (B)

Thursday 11th January

Steam in the Harz Mountains from Norhausen to Mount Brocken

This morning you take a DB service train from Erfurt to Nordhausen before departing Nordhausen steam-hauled north to the junction station of Drei Annen Hohne. You travel steam-hauled over the long trunk line of the Harz narrow gauge network before a different steam locomotive takes over for the ascent up Mount Brocken. Following refreshments and

photo opportunities at the summit, you descend back to Drei Annen Hohne and then return to Nordhausen, completing over 130 km of steam travel for the day. Once back in Erfurt, dinner will be served at your hotel. (B D)

Friday 12th January

On to Dresden; Sightseeing by Vintage Tram, Historic Funicular and Mountain Monorail

This morning you take a DB Intercity Express (ICE) service from Erfurt to Dresden, where you check in to your 4-star hotel. Here you’ll receive a complimentary public transport rover ticket, valid for the duration of your stay. You embark on a sightseeing tour of the city by privately chartered vintage tram, concluding at the ‘Blue

Wonder’ Loschwitz Bridge. You then ride the ‘dingle-dangle’ mountain monorail from 1901 before taking the adjacent 1895 funicular to the Weisser Hirsch summit terminus. From there a direct tram line takes you back to the city centre. The rest of the afternoon is for leisure in Dresden, before dinner is served at your hotel.

(B D)

Saturday 13th January

Steam to Radeburg with a Saxon VII K locomotive and Leisure in Dresden

After breakfast, you visit the local narrow-gauge railway at Radebeul, where a 2-10-2 Saxon VII K tank locomotive takes you down the 16.5 km long line to Radeburg, pausing at Moritzburg Castle. The train returns to Radebeul by midday, from where you return to Dresden Hbf on a DB service train. You can then explore Dresden at your own pace and make good use of your complimentary public transport rover ticket to ‘bash’ the extensive tram network. (B)

Sunday 14th January

Steam at the at the Weisseritz Valley Railway to Kurort Kipsdorf

Today you have a morning excursion to the recently re-opened narrow-gauge Weisseritz Valley Railway. You’ll be steam-hauled through Saxony’s ‘canyon landscape’ from FreitalHainsberg via Dippoldiswalde to Kurort Kipsdorf, along the river Weisseritz. Enjoy the panoramic views from the open balconies of your vintage carriage. You return to Dresden in the early afternoon, with time to further explore its many attractions. (B)

Monday 15th January

Steam in the Ore Mountains from Cranzahl to Oberwiesenthal

You travel on DB service trains from Dresden to Cranzahl, and board a steam train to travel over the iconic Fichtelbergbahn for the journey to Oberwiesenthal, the ‘St Moritz of Saxony’. After free time in this resort town and photo opportunities with steam trains passing over the

railway viaduct by the station, you return from Oberwiesenthal to Cranzahl by steam train in the afternoon and from there continue to Dresden on DB service trains. (B)

Tuesday 16th January

Vintage Tramways in Görlitz

After morning leisure in Dresden, a service train takes you over the scenic line via Bautzen to Görlitz, Germany’s easternmost city, a popular location for major film productions. Görlitz also boasts a pocket-sized tram network and you’ll explore the city on a privately chartered 1920s heritage tram. In the evening, a buffet dinner will be served at your comfortable hotel, located in an historic building near the station. (B D)

Wednesday 17th January

Steam in Zittau

Today you travel from the city of Zittau on the 12.2 km narrow-gauge branch line to the resort town of Kurort Oybin. You’ll receive a day-long rover ticket to explore both lines and film the exciting double departure from Bertsdorf. Impressive 2-10-2 tank engines run every day on the Zittau network and the historic town centre of Zittau is also worth a visit. In late afternoon you return by service train to Görlitz, crossing twice into Poland along the way. Another buffet dinner is served at your hotel tonight. (B D)

Thursday 18th January

Steam at the Muskau Forest Railway and Pückler Park Visit

Today you have an exciting private steam charter on the 600mm gauge Muskau Forest Railway near the Polish frontier. You’ll cover the two different branch lines to Bad Muskau and Kromlau, with run-pasts along the way. At lunch time, there’s time for refreshments in the namesake town of Bad Muskau with its charming local chateau and the famous UNESCO World Heritage Pückler Park. In late afternoon you return from Weisswasser by train to Görlitz (B L D).

Continued overleaf.

Tour Summary

Tour price £2395

Single supplement £325

Ground only £2195

(Erfurt – Rostock)

Price includes:

• First Class High speed train travel from London to Erfurt and from Rostock to London

• 9 dinners and 2 lunches

• 14 nights accommodation with breakfast

• All seat reservations and transfers

• Public rover rail ticket

• 15 Day First Class Global Interrail Pass

• The services of a tour manager

Please note that ground only does not include rail or flight services from the UK and return or any transfers to or from your hotel(s) on the first and last day of your holiday. You will be responsible for arranging these yourself.

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner January 2024

Friday 19th January

Via Berlin to Stralsund on the Baltic Coast

This morning you transfer cross-country to north-eastern Germany on secondary railway lines. From Görlitz you take a regional train to Cottbus, changing onto an electric double-decker for the fast run into Berlin. At Berlin’s main station you can use your validated Interrail ticket travel day on the city’s elevated Stadtbahn or Ring Railway on DB S-Bahn services. Alternately you can sightsee the nearby Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate. In mid-afternoon you continue on a DB Regional Express service to Stralsund, arriving by late afternoon. On arrival at your centrally located hotel a buffet dinner will be served. (B D)

Saturday 20th January

At leisure in historic Stralsund; or individual discovery of the Baltic Coast with a Rail Rover

You relax today in Stralsund, with the option of visiting the nearby university city of Greifswald or using your complimentary rail rover today to travel over the entire standard gauge network on the island of Rügen. Alternately, you can travel

to the island of Usedom and cover the branch lines to Peenemünde and Swinoujscie, Poland. Your tour manager will be happy to advise on options. In the evening, a buffet dinner is served at the hotel (B D).

Sunday 21st January

Steam on the Island of Rügen

German Plandampf is centre stage today as you travel by service train to Putbus and then experience the island’s famous narrow-gauge ‘Racing Roland’ railway. The 24 km long line runs via Binz to the seaside terminus Göhren. After lunch you return to Putbus behind a different steam locomotive and continue by regular service train to Stralsund. Dinner is once again served at your hotel. (B L D)

Monday 22nd January

Steam at the Molli Railway along the Baltic Coast

Today you visit the 15.4-kilometre-long resort railway ‘Molli’. Famous for its street running section in Bad Doberan, this 900 mm gauge railway boasts lots of rugged German tank engines. You’ll have reserved seats for the northbound journey to Kühlingsborn on the

Baltic Coast, before returning to Bad Doberan to film the street running there. In the afternoon you continue to nearby Rostock for a final night at a centrally located hotel. (B)

Tuesday 23rd January

Return to London

From the convenient, more westerly location of Rostock, you catch a mid-morning DB Intercity train directly to Cologne. From there it’s high speed rail onward to London St Pancras via Brussels. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price £2395

Single supplement £325

Ground only £2195

(Erfurt – Rostock)

Price includes:

• First Class High speed train travel from London to Erfurt and from Rostock to London

• 9 dinners and 2 lunches

• 14 nights accommodation with breakfast

• All seat reservations and transfers

• Public rover rail ticket

• 15 Day First Class Global Interrail Pass

• The services of a tour manager

Please note that ground only does not include rail or flight services from the UK and return or any transfers to or from your hotel(s) on the first and last day of your holiday. You will be responsible for arranging these yourself.

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner January 2024

Mark Osborne

Highlights of Switzerland in Winter

Thursday 1st February to Thursday 8th February 2024

Experience the white splendour of the Swiss Alps on this seasonal holiday to a genuine winter wonderland. Trips on Switzerland’s most iconic mountain railways are conveniently included, giving you a chance to sample ‘the best of the best’.

• Initially based in the Swiss Riviera town of Vevey on Lake Geneva and then in the historic cities of Brig and Chur, you’ll stay in top-quality hotels featuring typical Swiss hospitality.

• Discover Switzerland’s spectacular mountain railways from west to east, including the Rochers-de-Naye, Golden Pass, Glacier Express, Gornergrat, Oberalp Pass, Rhaetian Railway, as well as the UNESCO designated Albula and Bernina lines.

• Travel aboard opulent ‘Belle Epoque’ Pullman Cars over the Golden Pass, plus enjoy private accommodation in the 1930s Art Deco Pullman coaches of the Rhaetian Railway for trips to Arosa and Tirano.

• Sample the amazing BLS ‘Blue Arrow’ on a private charter run in the Bernese Oberland. Journey back in time aboard this wonderfully dynamic streamliner dating from 1938, allowing you to sit next to the driver.

• See impressively engineered railways up close and get the best high-altitude views of the Matterhorn from the Gornergrat summit station.

• Go ’peak-hopping’ on rack railways, funiculars and aerial cableways, whilst exploring local towns and castles with complimentary public transport rover tickets.

Thursday 1st February

London to Vevey

Travel on Eurostar and TGV via Paris to Geneva, then by SBB service train to Vevey, on the northern shore of Lake Geneva. Here you check in to the 4-star Hotel Astra, conveniently located opposite the station. A welcome dinner will be served at the hotel tonight. (D)

Friday 2nd February

Golden Pass in Pullman coaches; Blue Arrow railcar in the Bernese Oberland

Today you travel in style from Montreux via Gstaad to Zweisimmen over the Golden Pass in elegant ‘Belle Epoque’ Pullman coaches on the

Golden Pass Classic train. The line climbs to the highest point, near Saanenmöser, at 1279 metres. In Zweisimmen you board the vintage 1938 BLS ‘Blue Arrow’ with luxurious passenger accommodation and open cab vestibules, allowing you to sit or stand beside the driver. The route winds through the Simmental Valley to Spiez and along Lake Thun to Bern. You’ll have free time to visit the medieval city of Bern, before travelling back to Lake Geneva via the Gruyere foothills and Lausanne. Back in Vevey you’ll have a free evening to enjoy dinner at a lake-side venue of your choosing. (B)

Saturday 3rd February

Railway

You start your day by exploring Vevey and Lake Geneva’s famed ‘Swiss Riviera’. You catch a funicular to the terraced vineyards high above the lake, reaching a formidable observation point at the summit of Mont Pelerin. Later on, you can use your complimentary, public transport rover ticket to take the trolleybus route to Montreux and see the medieval Chillon Castle. Early afternoon you board a rack railcar for the steep journey from Montreux to the summit of Rochers de Naye, 2042 metres above sea level. From the top there are panoramic views of the

Swiss Riviera and Mont Pelerin Funicular; Rochers de Naye Rack

Georg Trueb

Georg Trueb

Markus Blatter

French and Swiss Alps. You return to Montreux, for a further look around town or ride on another local funicular before returning back to Vevey. Dinner will be served at your hotel this evening. (B D)

Sunday 4th February

Glacier Express route to Zermatt; Gornergrat Railway; the Matterhorn

This morning you board an SBB service train from Vevey station to Visp, where you’ll travel on a panoramic narrow-gauge train for the final section of the Glacier Express route. This scenic railway line winds through rocky valleys and over steep inclines to reach Zermatt. Here you transfer to the Gornergrat rack railway, ascending to 3089 metres above sea level. It’s Europe’s second highest railway, eclipsed only by the Jungfrau. From this high Alpine plateau, enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding glaciers and a fabulous front perspective of the Matterhorn. After refreshments at Gornergrat you can film the passing trains in their characteristic chocolate-brown livery, before riding back down to Zermatt. You’ll have some time to look around car-free Zermatt, with its rows of wooden chalets and stone churches. Then you board another panoramic narrow gauge train for the onward journey on the Glacier Express route to Brig. You’ll spend the night in this historic, elegant city, which has become famous as a major railway junction and gateway to nearby Italy. Your hotel is conveniently located near the railway station and dinner will be served at the hotel restaurant.

(B D)

Monday 5th February

On the Glacier Express and via the Oberalp Pass to Chur

A true highlight awaits, as you step aboard the legendary Glacier Express and travel in First Class accommodation on one of the world’s most famous trains! Enjoy the sleek dome cars with their grandiose windows as well as the refinement of on train catering, for the half-day journey from Brig to Chur. The Glacier Express initially traverses the narrow valleys of the Obergoms, before travelling through Andermatt and climbing up to the breath-taking Oberalp Pass. From there you descend through the Surselva region and along the Rhine Gorge, arriving in Chur, one of Switzerland’s oldest cities. You check into a centrally located hotel with free time to explore, before dinner is served. (B L D)

Tuesday 6th February

Rhaetian Railway from Chur to Arosa

by private Pullman Coach; Ascent to the Weisshorn

Today you experience the famous Rhaetian Railway in a privately chartered, original 1930s Pullman car. Aside from the luxury of deep cushioned chairs, large panoramic windows give fine views of the mountainous landscape, as you traverse the impressively engineered 25 km branch line from Chur to Arosa. The route climbs 1155 metres via tunnels and bridges, including the 284-metre-long Langwieser Viaduct, first opened in December 1914. On arrival in Arosa you take the cableway to the summit of the 2653 metre Weisshorn, where majestic views await. You return to Arosa in the early afternoon, with ample time to explore the town and stroll along the picturesque lake. Later, you reboard the RhB train and private Pullman car for the return trip to Chur. You have the evening to explore the heart of the medieval old town.

(B)

Wednesday 7th February

Albula Railway to Pontresina; Bernina Railway to Tirano by private Pullman coach

Another signature attraction awaits, as you journey over both the UNESCO-designated Albula and the Bernina railways. From Chur you take an express train over the beautiful Albula line to Samedan and Pontresina. This allows you to ride over the iconic Landwasser Viaduct and experience the countless horseshoe curves that make the Albula line renowned around the world. In Pontresina you change onto the Bernina Railway and are once again accommodated in a private Pullman coach for the journey over the wonderful Bernina pass, the only Swiss trans-alpine railway that climbs over the ridges between north and south without using a tunnel.

Enjoy the ascent to the summit at Alp Grüm and the spiralling descent to Poschiavo, before the famed circular viaduct is reached at Brusio and you finish your journey amidst palm trees in Italy. In Tirano, you stop for lunch (wine included) and have time for a stroll to the basilica, before continuing back north in your Pullman coach. On returning to Pontresina you travel back to Chur over the Albula line aboard another RhB express service. A farewell dinner is served at your hotel. (B L D)

Thursday 8th February

Return to London

Today you return to London from Switzerland, travelling via Chur, Basel and Paris on RhB, SBB, TGV and Eurostar trains. (B)

Tour Summary

First Class £2695

Travel from London St. Pancras

International to Vevey and return from Chur. First Class travel within Switzerland where possible.

Single supplement £325

Ground only £2445 (Vevey – Chur)

Joining the group at the hotel. First Class travel throughout Switzerland, where possible.

Price includes:

• 3 Nights accommodation with breakfast at 4-star Hotel Astra, Vevey

• 1 Night accommodation with breakfast at 4-star Hotel Ambassador, Brig

• 3 Nights accommodation with breakfast at 4-star Hotel ABC, Chur

• 2 lunches and 5 dinners

• All privately chartered vintage trains as detailed in the itinerary

• First Class travel on Golden pass panoramic train (Montreux to Zweisimmen)

• First Class travel on Glacier Express including lunch on-board (Brig – Chur)

• All train travel and transfers

• SBB luggage transfers from hotel to hotel

• Seat reservations (where possible)

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner February 2024

Railways

and World War

II

History in Italy and Switzerland

Sunday 24th March to Thursday 4th April 2024

Embark on a genuine Roman Holiday by train, visiting some of the fascinating WWII sites in Italy, including the Ghetto and Jewish Museum in Rome, the beaches of Anzio and the hilltop monastery at Monte Cassino. This tour combines history, First Class railway travel, a scenic river cruise on the Tiber and visits to Commonwealth cemeteries.

• This tour takes you to the cities of Olten, Milan and Rome.

• Make a side-step to Switzerland on the historic Gotthard summit railway in Ticino to visit the impressive artillery fort in Vitznau, one of the Réduit (National Redoubt) fortresses the Swiss Army built during WWII as an extensive deterrent to an Axis invasion.

• Stay at quality hotels near the stations with free time to see the historic and cultural attractions.

• First Class travel on Eurostar, TGV and Italian “Frecciarossa” high speed services. Your Interrail ticket provides flexible travel on local and regional trains around Rome and Milan.

• Privately chartered river cruise in Rome, complimentary public transport tickets for tramways and metros in Milan & Rome.

Sunday 24th March

London to Olten by rail

You travel from London St Pancras by Eurostar to Paris Nord, before continuing to Olten via Basel. You arrive in charming Olten and check into a hotel near the station, where a light dinner will be served. (D)

Monday 25th March

Cruise on Lake Lucerne and Vitznau fortress visit

This morning you enjoy the Swiss Alps with a cruise from Lucerne to Vitznau, passing Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi. At Vitznau, you visit the artillery fort of the Swiss Army, which until 1995 was a secret site, well concealed deep inside the mountain. Purpose-built during WWII as part

of the Réduit national fortification programme under General Henri Guisan. You will see hidden artillery casemates with 4 inch guns, crew quarters and associated infrastructure. Lunch will be served in the soldiers’ cozy mess hall. You return back to Lucerne by boat and Olten by train. This historic city is the main junction of the Swiss railway network and features an attractive station area located right on the River Aare. There is also a famed covered wooden bridge right outside of the hotel, which provides inviting opportunities to explore the old town of Olten. (B L)

Tuesday 26th March

On to Milano, with leisure and 1920s tramways in the city

After breakfast, you board a EuroCity train to Milano via the Gotthard Base Tunnel (the world’s longest railway tunnel). You check in to your hotel for a light lunch before a day at leisure. You‘ll be given a complimentary public transport ticket, offering the best “hop-on, hop-off” experience aboard the distinctive Ventotto heritage trams dating from late 1920s early 1930s. You will be able to see the landmark Duomo (Cathedral), turreted Castello (Castle) and the glass-domed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II from 1867. (B)

Wednesday 27th March

A day in the Italian Alps, Caproni Aviation Museum in Trento and a visit to Lake Garda

Today you travel from Milano to Trento by high-speed train,changing in Verona onto the scenic Brenner railway. In Trento you have a coach transfer to visit the aviation museum of the Italian plane-builder Gianni Caproni, with one of the best collections of historic aircraft from both World Wars. Aside from wooden biplanes, a preserved Savoia Marchetti bomber is also on display. Afterwards, you transfer to Riva del Garda, a famous lakeside town in the Italian Alps, where you enjoy refreshments. Followed by a scenic drive to Verona, returning to Milano by high-speed train. (B L)

Thursday 28th March

Milano to Roma by High Speed Rail, Roma Ghetto Visit and River Tiber Cruise

This morning you take the ‘Frecciarossa’ (Red Arrow) high-speed service from Milano Centrale to Roma Termini. At around mid-day you check into your centrally located hotel. You‘ll receive a week-long public transport rover, providing full access to Roma’s Metro and tramway. In the afternoon you visit Rome’s old Jewish Ghetto, museum and Great Synagogue. To cap the day, you embark on a private sunset cruise on River Tiber with drinks and refreshments. (B L)

Friday 29th March

WWII sites in and around Rome

After breakfast, you walk past the Roman Colosseum to the Piazza Venezia. Here you’ll see the famed balcony on which the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini made speeches to assembled crowds. You then transfer by minivan to the Commonwealth War Cemetery, where British, Australian and other Allied soldiers were buried, following the liberation of Rome in June 1944. Carrying on to the Ardeatine Caves and EUR exhibition grounds, built in 1938 for the planned 1942 Universal Exhibition that never took place due to the war. At the EUR grounds some of the most prolific and monumental architecture from Mussolini’s reign can still be seen. You end the day at the Museum of the Liberation of Rome, located in the former Gestapo headquarters. (B)

Saturday 30th March

The beaches of Anzio

This morning you travel to the seaside port of Anzio, famous for the Allied landings that took place there in early 1944. Delight in this typically Italianate town, with its war monuments and the

dedicated Anzio Beachhead Museum. Following lunch at a typical trattoria, you return to Rome (B L)

Sunday 31st March

Visit to the famed Monte Cassino monastery and battle site

Today you visit another iconic location steeped in WWII history. As a defensive strongpoint along the Axis´ Gustav Line, Monte Cassino was the site of a fierce battle of attrition, lasting from January to June 1944. Once the Allied forces managed to overcome this barrier it cleared the way for the Liberation of Rome. You take an FS service train to Cassino. Before transferring by coach to the hilltop Benedictine Abbey, where you can visit the famous crypt, basilica and war memorial with attached museum. You take lunch in the main piazza before returning to Rome. (B L)

Monday and Tuesday 1st and 2nd April

At leisure in Rome

Make the most the Eternal City with your inclusive public transport rover to visit the Colosseum, St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City and many other famous monuments. Alternatively, your Interrail Pass gives you two days to explore Italian railway lines and go ‘track bashing’. (B)

Wednesday 3rd April

By rail from Rome to Olten, Swiss Air Force Museum in Dübendorf

This morning you travel on high-speed services via Milano to Olten, Switzerland. Where you check into your hotel near the station. You make a private visit to the Swiss Air Force Museum in Dübendorf, where countless Allied bomber pilots often sought to escape after making bombing runs in southern Germany and unable to return safely to Allied-held territory, due to their aircraft being damaged by German air defenses. Today, the Swiss Air Force museum has an exceptional collection of 20th century aircrafts, including British and American-built planes from WWII and the Cold War. Dinner is served in the Museum’s restaurant before returning to the hotel. (B D)

Thursday 4th April

By rail from Olten to London via Paris

After breakfast, you travel from Olten to Basel and then continue to Paris by TGV high-speed service, before changing onto your Eurostar service from Paris back to London St Pancras.

(B)

Tour Summary

Tour price £2995

Single supplement £495

Ground only £2700 (Olten – Olten)

Price includes:

• 10 breakfasts, 3 dinners, 5 lunches

• 10-Day in 1-Month Global Interrail Pass

• Complimentary public transport rover tickets in Milano and Rome

• All highspeed (Eurostar, TGV, Frecciarossa), Intercity and EuroCity train travel and transfers with seat reservations as detailed in the itinerary

• The services of a tour manager

Please note: In Italy this covers all local, regional and regional express trains, but for High Speed and Intercity services an additional reservation has to be made. On all the days where we make organized group trips or transfers, these high-speed or IC seat reservations are included, but on the two free days in Rome, you would need to secure the reservations at your own cost, should you wish to go track-bashing on high speed, IC or EC trains.

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Colorado and the Rocky Mountains Steam Tour

Friday 25th August to Sunday 10th September 2023

The swingin’ saloons, ornery gunslingers, and Gold Rush all come to life as you visit the heart of the Old West and on stunningly scenic railways. This extraordinary and breath-taking tour is the only way to see all these vintage Wild West highlights together, in one holiday of a lifetime.

• You’ll start in Denver, with a visit to the Colorado Railroad Museum, as well as a tour of the Rocky Mountain National Park.

• Travel on the Georgetown Loop and Leadville Railways.

• Visit Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway – the highest cog railway in the world and the ‘Garden of the Gods’ National Natural Monument.

• More highlights include Canon City, with a trip on Royal Gorge Scenic Railroad, and journeys with the narrow gauge Cumbres and Toltec Railroad.

• The holiday continues with a visit to the Sand Dunes National Monument.

• You continue your adventure in true Wild West style as you’ll explore historic Durango and travel on the Durango and Silverton Railroad.

• You then follow the ‘Million Dollar Highway’ to Grand Junction and return to Denver via one of America’s greatest train trips with the Amtrak ‘Californian Zephyr’.

Friday 25th August

Fly to Denver

You take an afternoon flight from London Heathrow to Denver, the capital of Colorado. You’ll be based in Denver for the next five nights at you centrally located hotel. The rest of the day you can relax at your leisure.

Saturday 26th August

At leisure in Denver and a visit to Colorado Railroad Museum

This morning you enjoy a relaxing breakfast and can recover from any jet lag by enjoying the historic sights of this fine city. In the afternoon we travel by coach to the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, with time to explore the

exhibits before enjoying a ride on a Galloping Goose No. 7 railcar. You return to your hotel in Denver where the evening is free for you to explore and sample one of the many restaurants for dinner. (B)

Sunday 27th August

Sightseeing at Rocky Mountain National Park

Today you’ll travel up to almost 12,000 feet above sea level whilst enjoying a guided sightseeing tour to the Rocky Mountains National Park, which features the highest paved road in the US and over 350 miles of trails. A buffet lunch will be included today. (B L)

Monday 28th August

Steam at the Georgetown Loop Railroad

Following breakfast at the hotel you transfer by coach to the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Completed in 1884, this spectacular stretch of three-foot narrow-gauge railroad was considered an engineering marvel of its time. A giant Shay locomotive will haul you, departing late morning from Silver Plume. This journey will be in standard class with open carriages/coaches for better views of the Clear Creek Valley. Afterwards you’ll visit a mine and have free time to visit the gambling saloons in Georgetown. Late afternoon you return by coach to the hotel in Denver. (B)

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson

Tuesday 29th August

Leadville Railroad

After breakfast today you travel by coach 75 miles west of Denver to the legendary former frontier mining town of Leadville, situated in the mountains at a lofty perch of 10,430 feet! On arrival you’ll have time to explore and find some lunch before enjoying a trip on the scenic Leadville Railroad. You return to Denver in late afternoon. (B)

Wednesday 30th August

Visit to Garden of the Gods; Steam and Saloons in Cripple Creek

This morning you say goodbye to Denver as you travel south by coach to Colorado Springs. En route you will visit the 1,367-acre ‘Garden of the Gods’. It’s one of the most famous and popular parks in the US, a unique biological melting pot where the grasslands of the Great Plains meet the woodlands of the American Southwest and merge with the mountain forest of Pikes Peak. After your visit you continue by coach to Cripple Creek, a gambling town located at the end of a narrow valley. There you experience your next authentic steam journey, as you board the Cripple Creek and Victor Railroad for a journey out into the rugged mountain wilderness. Back in town, you might want to visit one of the many local saloons and go at it with a ‘One Armed Bandit’ or simply relax with afternoon refreshments. From Cripple Creek you carry on to Colorado Springs, where you check into your hotel for the next two nights. The evening is yours to explore and find dinner.

(B)

Thursday 31st August

Pikes Peak Cog Railway and charming Manitou Springs

After breakfast, you transfer by coach to Manitou Springs to travel up Pikes Peak Cog Railway, at 14,115 feet the highest cog railway in the world. The train winds past waterfalls and through aspen and pine forest on a special track, sometimes hitting a grade of 24%! There will be some free time to enjoy later in the attractive centre of Manitou Springs, a town noted for its 11 natural mineral springs. In the late afternoon you then return your hotel in Colorado Springs. (B)

Friday 1st September

Royal Gorge Scenic Railroad, on to Alamosa

After breakfast you transfer by coach to Canon City, for a trip on the Royal Gorge Scenic Railroad, there’ll be a midday departure from Canon City with lunch included on board, hauled by a streamlined, world-famous ‘F-Unit’ diesel loco following the winding, tumbling Arkansas River deep within the soaring, 1,000-foot granite cliffs of Colorado’s Royal Gorge. You’ll travel in Vista Dome class, seated in enclosed, glassdomed iconic carriages with full access to the open-air gondola car, which is ideal for superb sight lines and unrestricted photography. After your trip you continue by coach to Alamosa and check-in to your hotel for the next three nights. (B L)

Saturday 2nd September

Cumbres & Toltec Railroad and San Luis Valley Brewery Visit

After breakfast you have a morning departure from Antonito on board the train to Osier, there’s a chance to take photos here as run pasts will be staged. You’ll enjoy lunch at Osier Station. Returning to Antonito you’ll then visit San Luis Valley Brewery and Restaurant for dinner. (B L D)

Sunday 3rd September

Steam at the world famous Cumbres and Toltec Railroad

This morning you experience the Antonito Excursion at the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad. First you transfer by specially arranged motorcoach from Antonito to Chama stopping at Osier for lunch. Afterwards, you board the train from Chama and travel back to Antonito. You travel to Antonito by steam train with allocated seating, enjoying the panoramic views of the authentic Western scenery. Overnight accommodation is again in Alamosa. (B L)

Monday 4th September

Sand Dunes National Monument; on to Durango and relaxation/ photography there

You make an early morning visit to the amazing Sand Dunes National Monument, just north of Alamosa. You will have time to gaze at the stunning mountain vistas of the San Luis Valley, before you’ll continue by coach via some of the most scenic roads in the Rocky Mountains, with plenty of opportunity for nature viewing and photography. You arrive in the afternoon in time to film steam trains arriving on the narrow-gauge railroad and at the roundhouse in Durango, the

Tour Summary

Tour price £5495

Single supplement £695

Ground only £4995 (Denver – Denver)

Price includes:

• Scheduled flights from London Heathrow to Denver and return

• 15-nights accommodation in quality hotels

• 15 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 1 dinner

• All train travel, transfers, visits and tours as detailed in the itinerary

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

largest town in southwest Colorado. Afterwards, you will check-in to your hotel for the next two nights. Dinner tonight is at your own leisure. (B)

Tuesday 5th September Steam at the Durango and Silverton Railroad

After breakfast you have a morning departure from Durango to Silverton, for a round trip adventure on a line originally constructed to haul silver and gold ore from Southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountain. Relive the sights and sounds of yesteryear on this spectacular Narrow-Gauge Railroad, travelling in 1st Class which provides complimentary morning pastries, non-alcoholic beverages and custom first-class amenities. You’ll arrive back in Durango late afternoon. (B)

Wednesday 6th September Durango Yard Tour, then ‘Million Dollar Highway’

Today you have a relaxing breakfast and morning in Durango, allowing time for a guided tour of the roundhouse, with full behind-the-

scenes access and time for some steam train photography as the morning trains leave for Silverton. You’ll then travel by coach over the breath-taking ‘Million Dollar Highway’ north via Silverton where you will have a break for lunch. After lunch you continue along the San Juan Skyway to Ouray. Overnight accommodation is in Ouray tonight. (B)

Thursday 7th September Grand Junction

You rejoin your coach this morning and continue northwards to Grand Junction, with time en route for plenty of photography and nature watching. Officially U.S. Route 550, this is one of the roads on the Trails of the Ancients Byway. There will be a short stop at Ridgway to see the Galloping Goose No. 1 in the Railroad Museum there. Afterwards you check into your centrally located hotel in Grand Junction for your overnight accommodation. (B)

Friday 8th September

Amtrak ‘California Zephyr’ to Denver

This morning after breakfast you’ll travel on the Amtrak ‘California Zephyr’, departing Grand Junction at mid morning, reckoned one of the greatest train trips in all of North America. You’ll climb through the heart of the Rockies, and then further west through the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas. Other route highlights include the Moffat Tunnel and Colorado’s Gore, Byers and Glenwood Canyons. This is one of the top Amtrak Routes in America, and your seating is in coach class on the upper deck. You arrive at Denver Union Station in the early evening for accommodation reserved at the same hotel as at the start of the tour. (B)

Saturday 9th September

Fly back to UK

After breakfast, you have some free time to relax in Denver before you transfer to the airport for your evening flight back to the UK. (B)

Sunday 10th September

Arrival in London

You arrive back in London at midday.

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson

Tour Summary

Tour price £5495

Single supplement £695

Ground only £4995 (Denver – Denver)

Price includes:

• Scheduled flights from London Heathrow to Denver and return

• 15-nights accommodation in quality hotels

• 15 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 1 dinner

• All train travel, transfers, visits and tours as detailed in the itinerary

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson

Canada by Rail and Alaskan Inside Passage Cruise

Monday 4th September to Monday 25th September 2023

Travelling by train is one of the finest ways to see Canada. We travel on the famous “Ocean” and “Canadian” trains and watch as this vast and beautiful country unfolds before our eyes. Can there be a better way to see the wide open spaces of the Prairies or cross the world famous Rocky Mountains, where the railway routes are amongst the most beautiful in the world? Our tour includes time spent in the cities of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. We cruise the Inside Passage between Vancouver in British Columbia and Juneau in Alaska. This is a coastal route for ocean going vessels along a network of passages which weave through the islands on the Pacific Coast of North America. Cruise ships using this world famous waterway provide unrivalled views of the rocky coastline; allow glimpses of the world’s most undisturbed landscapes; take you wonderfully close to glaciers; and offer opportunities to see rare wildlife such as whales, eagles, porpoises and bears. This is a trip of a lifetime!

Monday 4th September

Flight to Halifax, Nova Scotia

We take a flight from London Heathrow to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and arrive in the mid afternoon. We transfer to the city and check in to our hotel for the next two nights. Halifax has one of the world’s great natural harbours which has given it a rich maritime history. (D)

Tuesday 5th September

Free day in Halifax

Spend the day enjoying all that Halifax has to offer. (B D)

Wednesday 6th September

“The Ocean” to Montreal

This morning we board a luxury train at Halifax Station for the journey to Montreal. “The Ocean” has operated for more than a century along a

very scenic route in eastern Canada. We can relax and enjoy the superb scenery as we travel through Nova Scotia, the forests of eastern New Brunswick, and the lower St. Lawrence River valley. Our accommodation will be in sleeper cabins. (B L D)

Thursday 7th September

Montreal

We arrive in Montreal in the morning. Today you will have a free day to enjoy Montreal and explore the many attractions and sights of this vibrant city. Check-in to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Friday 8th September

Montreal to Toronto

Today, you will board a high speed connection to Toronto. We travel in comfort with spacious

seating and along a route following the St. Lawrence River valley and to the west of Lake Ontario. Light meals and refreshments are available to purchase during the journey. We have a mid afternoon arrival in Toronto where we transfer to a hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Saturday 9th September

Niagara Falls

Today, a real highlight awaits, you board a morning train and depart to Niagara Falls. Travelling through the Canadian countryside to one of the most famous destinations in the world. Niagara Falls is made up of three waterfalls and spans the border between the Province of Ontario and the State of New York in the United States. Spend the day immersed in the wonder and beauty of this iconic location.

Via Rail

Via Rail

Afterwards, you board a service train and travel back to Toronto. Where you will once again enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B D)

Sunday 10th September

The Canadian

After breakfast, you will board Canada’s premier train “The Canadian”, travelling Sleeper train. We sleep on the train for four nights in double bedrooms which feature a large window with blind, two chairs, and a private washroom with small WC and sink. (B L D)

Monday 11th September

Crossing Canada

“The Canadian” is a transcontinental passenger train operated by Via Rail Canada which crosses four time zones on it’s 4,466 km (2,775 miles) journey. After breakfast, we spend the day relaxing on the train as it travels through spectacular scenery where the sheer size and drama of the landscape makes it much more than ‘countryside’. This is big country, empty but for scattered small communities like Gogama which is typical of the settlements along this section that were created in order to service locomotives. We stop at Hornepayne, which began as a railway town but where today the major industry is wood. We eat on-board “The Canadian” and spend another night in our cosy on-board bedrooms. (B L D)

Tuesday 12th September

Winnipeg

We are now in the Central Time zone and cross the border from Ontario into Manitoba before reaching its capital Winnipeg. The city was originally the hub of the Canadian fur trade due to its strategic location at the junction of three rivers. Today the “Peg” is a city as diverse as the whole of Canada and a destination for architecture, rivers, history, arts, and museums. Leaving Winnipeg we travel westwards crossing the Prairies, the huge undulating plains that span the three provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. (B L D)

Wednesday 13th September

The Rocky Mountains

During the night we pass into the Mountain Time zone and early in the morning our train arrives at Edmonton. Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, is located in the beautiful North Saskatchewan River valley. We continue our journey passing through rolling countryside before climbing into the Rockies and arriving in Jasper. Here we have a short break to stretch our legs before we continue our journey to Vancouver. (B L D)

Thursday 14th September

Vancouver

Our train arrives at Vancouver Station today. Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is surrounded by mountains. You will check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation for the next two nights. Spend the rest of the day exploring this vibrant city.

(B D)

Friday 15th September

Free Day in Vancouver

Today you have a free day in Vancouver. Spend the day exploring the many sights and attractions that Vancouver has to offer. Overnight accommodation will once again be at your hotel in Vancouver. (B D)

Saturday 16th September

Cruise – The Inside Passage Alaska

We transfer to the harbour later in the afternoon and board the Holland America Line cruise ship MS “Koningsdam” for the voyage to Alaska. We shall navigate the Inside Passage, a world famous waterway which is sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by a host of little islands and only accessible by sea and air. (B D)

Sunday 17th September

The Inside Passage

The fabled Inside Passage is one of the most scenic sea-lanes in the world, and one of the few where deep-draft vessels can sail close to steep mountain walls. We spend a relaxing day cruising the Inside Passage viewing rugged capes, cliffs, glaciers, fjords, forests and never-ending dramatic scenery along the two thousand miles of channels, passes, straits and islands. Late in the evening we navigate the tight passage of the Seymour Narrows and the Grenville Channel between Pitt Island and the mainland. (B L D)

Monday 18th September

Juneau, capital of Alaska

This morning we cruise into Tracy Arm Fjord where seals and whales make their home and the shoreline is spotted with waterfalls created by melting snow-caps. The dramatic Sawyer Glaciers at the end of the fjord are framed by mountains and are habitat for bears, wolves, deer and moose. Shortly after lunch time we arrive in Juneau, the capital of Alaska. The city is unusual in that there are no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska, it can only be accessed by air or water. It is known for the surrounding glaciers and lush rain forest that make up the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the USA. Juneau is known for its adventure activities

Tour Summary

Tour price £7495

Single occupancy £10995

Ground only £6895

Single occupancy £10395 (Halifax – Vancouver)

Price includes:

• Scheduled flights from London to Halifax and from Vancouver to London

• 8 nights bed and breakfast accommodation in quality hotels

• A days rail travel with overnight accommodation on “The Ocean”

• A visit to Niagara Falls

• 4 days on “The Canadian” with overnight accommodation on the train

• Other meals as shown

• 8 days Inside Passage cruise (see breakdown)

• All transfers

• The services of a tour manager throughout

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

2023

and one of its top attractions is the massive Mendenhall Glacier which is about 19 km (12 miles) long. Our ship departs after dinner. (B L D)

Tuesday 19th September

Skagway; White Pass and Yukon Railway

We arrive at Skagway and spend the day in the historic Gold Rush town that was the gateway to the Klondike. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park tells the story and preserves some of the original structures. Today there is an option to ride on the White Pass and Yukon Railway to White Pass summit (at extra cost). Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railway is one of the most scenic in the world, offering a breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels and historic sites. Our ship leaves Skagway late in the evening. (B L D)

Wednesday 20th September

Cruise Glacier Bay

Today we cruise in Glacier Bay where the spectacular scenery and wildlife make it a highlight of the cruise. The marine wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, includes tidewater glaciers, snowcapped rugged mountains, wild coastlines, and deep sheltered fjords. We shall see a temperate rainforest of spruce trees growing to 120 feet high and our ship will spend time in front of a glacier. Glacier Bay has more actively calving

tidewater glaciers than anywhere else in the world. It is an incredible experience to watch a colossal chunk of ice split off from a glacier and thunder into the sea, the impact shooting water hundreds of feet into the air. (B L D)

Thursday 21st September

Visit to Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a major port located on Revillagigedo Island and surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. The area contains deep water fjords which were created by retreating glaciers, leaving granite cliffs towering thousands of feet above the sea and countless waterfalls plunging into placid waters. Ketchikan clings to the shores of the Tongass Narrows, with many shops and houses built right out over the water. The town calls itself the ‘Salmon Capital of the World’ and a salmon stream flows past the town’s historic Creek Street. The town is home to many museums, galleries and shops and its main attractions are the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park with its display of native Indian totems, and Saxman Village. Our ship sails in the early evening. (B L D)

Friday 22nd September

Cruise the Inside Passage

Today we continue to cruise the Inside Passage on our journey south. (B L D)

Saturday 23rd September

Return to Vancouver

We arrive back at Vancouver in the morning

after your unforgettable Alaskan cruise. This evening we stay in a centrally located hotel for your final night in Canada where you will enjoy dinner with your fellow passengers. (B D)

Sunday 24th September

Free time in Vancouver

There will be free time to explore Vancouver this morning, a city of rich cultural diversity where North America and Asia meet. An integrated transport system of buses, rapid transit (SkyTrain) and passenger ferry (SeaBus) serve the three parts of the city: the Westside, the Eastside and city centre. Gastown (Chinatown), the market area of Granville Island, the beaches of Stanley Park, and the Strait of Georgia are all of note. In the afternoon we transfer to Vancouver airport for the flight back to London Heathrow. (B)

Monday 25th September

Arrival in the UK

We arrive at London Heathrow in the afternoon.

MS Koningsdam – Cruise Ship

• The elegant Dining Room

• Pinnacle Grill

• Lido Market

• Swimming pool, ocean spa and fitness centre

• Casino and movie theatre

• Accommodation is in E or C Ocean-view staterooms (approx. 175 sq ft)

• Meals are included and are available on board (drinks are not included outside of meal times and will need to be purchased separately). Normally only water is provided during mealtimes in the restaurant)

• All shore excursions are not included

The Ocean – Luxury Train:

• Breakfast, lunch & dinner are included whilst on board (alcoholic drinks are not included)

• All cabins are equipped with a toilet & washbasin some with showers. For those cabins without a shower, there are separate showers in the carriage

The Canadian – Luxury Train:

• Breakfast, lunch & dinner are included whilst on board (alcoholic drinks are not included)

• All cabins are equipped with a toilet & washbasin. There are no ensuite shower facilities in the cabins, these are outside in the carriage

All of the cabins on The Ocean and The Canadian for double occupancy are twin cabins with stacked single beds.

Please note, there is no Observation Car on The Ocean.

Tour Summary

Tour price £7495

Single occupancy £10995

Ground only £6895

Single occupancy £10395 (Halifax – Vancouver)

Price includes:

• Scheduled flights from London to Halifax and from Vancouver to London

• 8 nights bed and breakfast accommodation in quality hotels

• A days rail travel with overnight accommodation on “The Ocean”

• A visit to Niagara Falls

• 4 days on “The Canadian” with overnight accommodation on the train

• Other meals as shown

• 8 days Inside Passage cruise (see breakdown)

• All transfers

• The services of a tour manager throughout

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

2023

Golden Triangle with Shimla

Thursday 11th January to Thursday 25th January 2024

Thursday 8th February to Thursday 22nd February 2024

Thursday 7th March to Thursday 21st March 2024

Discover the enchanting delights of British colonial history on this magical tour across Northern India.

• Enjoy broad-gauge steam behind the world’s oldest locomotive The Fairy Queen, and a steam-hauled adventure over a myriad of aqueducts and bridges on the narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla ‘Toy Train’.

• Discover Delhi, with plenty of sightseeing among the greatest monuments in Indian history to enjoy, including the National Rail Museum, the ‘Red Fort’ and India Gate.

• Explore Shimla, in the Indian Himalayas. You’ll see all the landmark sights, including the famous Gaiety Heritage Theatre and the impressive Christ Church.

• In Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’ you’ll visit the iconic Temples and Palaces of a city famous for its extravagant gems and jewels, including Amer Fort, City Palace Museum, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal Palace, sites that truly reflect the royal character of a bygone era.

• Other tour highlights include a visit to the Taj Mahal – one of the seven Wonders of the World, the World Heritage Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary and Agra Fort – all yours to discover and enjoy on this once-in-a-lifetime trip to the enigmatic East.

Thursday Depart for India

You board an overnight flight from London Heathrow to Delhi.

Friday Arrive Delhi; Visit to National Rail Museum

After a traditional welcome at New Delhi International Airport with fresh marigold garlands you transfer by air-conditioned coach to your hotel. In the afternoon you discover the unique rail heritage of India on a visit to the National Railway Museum, with its many steam and electric exhibits. Dinner is served at your hotel this evening. (D)

Saturday

Excursion to Heritage Rewari Steam Centre

After breakfast, you transfer to Delhi Cantonment railway station to board the main line train steam-hauled by either Fairy Queen (EIR No. 22), the world’s oldest locomotive, or a WP locomotive. You photograph the loco and meet the crew members who run this heritage steam train before it takes you through Delhi’s western outskirts to Rewari Junction. It’s a short walk from there to the heritage Steam Centre, where up to 9 steam locomotives of broad and metre gauge are on show. In the afternoon you enjoy a laid-out buffet lunch on the relaxing lawns of the centre in the sunshine. In the late

afternoon, you board a regular service train from Rewari Junction to Delhi Cantt railway station. You’ll be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. (B L D)

Sunday Old Delhi cycle rickshaw ride and other highlights

This morning you enjoy a guided tour of historic Delhi. Tour highlights include: A Cycle Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi exploring the narrow lanes on a journey through the old part of the city, showcasing the magnificent havelis and wholesale trading of almost everything you can think of; Raj Ghat - a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. A black marble platform marks the spot

Amit Chopra

Amit Chopra

Amit Chopra

of his cremation on 31 January 1948, a day after his assassination; Bangla Sahib Gurudwara – enjoy a calming visit to one of the famous temples of Sikhism; a drive past the India Gate –the 42-metre high Arc-de-Triumph-like archway which commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I; President House – The Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India. After your fascinating tour, you return to your hotel for a welcome dinner. (B D)

Monday

Ride on the Main Line Express broadgauge to Chandigarh City

This morning you have an early morning check out from your hotel before transferring to New Delhi railway station to board the 12011 Kalka Shatabdi Express to Chandigarh, bordered by the state of Punjab to the north, the west, and the south, and by the state of Haryana to the east. On arrival, you check into your hotel. In the afternoon you have a short discovery tour of Chandigarh city, visiting the Rock Garden and the lively and bustling market. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be in your hotel this evening. (B D)

Tuesday

Exclusive ride on the UNESCO World Heritage Kalka to Shimla ‘Toy Train’

This morning you transfer by coach to Kalka station, and the narrow-gauge line platform where you board an exclusive chartered vintage railcar bound for Shimla. You’ll enjoy a fascinating, scenic 96.5 km ride on the historical Kalka-Shimla ‘Toy Train’ line with its 105 tunnels and single and double arch bridges. This leisurely journey from Kalka to Shimla climbs the foothills of the Himalayas and negotiates an altitude difference of 1400 metres. Shimla straddles an eight-mile-long ridge, with buildings clinging to the green hillsides. You arrive by early evening and are transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. (B L D)

Wednesday Shimla to Kathleeghat by steam

After breakfast, you either walk down the Mall Road or are transferred by road to Shimla railway station to board an exclusive steam charter train ride hauled by KC 520 for a trip to Kathleeghat. You return to Shimla by 4x4 jeeps for your dinner and overnight accommodation.

(B L D)

Thursday Sightseeing in Shimla

After breakfast today you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Shimla, including its main shopping centre, the Mall. You’ll first visit the famous Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS). A beautiful museum in one of the sections of this Gothic Victorianstyle building houses scholars and researchers in the Arts, Humanities & Natural & Life Sciences. Your next stop is The Ridge, an open space that runs from east to west along the Mall, which connects to Scandal Point on the west. At an altitude of nearly 8000 feet, Scandal Point is Shimla’s highest peak and offers a beautiful view of the town and the snow-covered Himalayas. Also on the Mall is The Gaiety Heritage Theatre, a remarkable piece of Victorian theatre architecture. It has been called a miniature version of London’s Royal Albert Hall. Among many other highlights is Christ Church, the second oldest church in Northern India. Inside are stained glass windows representing faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience, and humility. (B D)

Friday

Return on the Main Line Express broadgauge to Delhi

You enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel and a free morning in Shimla before transferring by coach to Kalka. On arrival at Kalka station, you board the 12012 Kalka Shatabdi Express and arrive at Delhi railway station in the late evening. Dinner will be served on board. On arrival in New Delhi, you transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. (B D)

Saturday

Mainline broad-gauge to Agra

An early start awaits today as you transfer to Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station to board 12050 Gatimaan Express – India’s first semibullet train – to arrive at Agra Cantt railway station mid-morning. Breakfast will be served on board. You’ll be met on arrival and enjoy a guided visit of the Itimad-Ud-Daulah, also known as Baby Taj. You’ll visit a local marble factory to witness the inlay work of precious stones also known as Pietra dura, which is the same type of stonework used on the Taj Mahal & Baby Taj. You then transfer to your hotel for check-in. In the early evening, you visit Agra Fort – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in red sandstone. It was originally mentioned in 1080 AD and came to prominence when the great Mughal emperor Akbar made Agra his capital in 1558. Later his grandson Shah Jahan added a white marble palace inside the fort. (B D)

Tour Summary

Tour price £4595

Single supplement £750

Ground only* £4050 (Delhi – Delhi)

Price includes:

• 13 nights hotel accommodation and breakfast

• 4 lunches

• 13 dinners

• All train travel, transfers, visits and tours as detailed in the itinerary

• Charter and special trains as detailed in the itinerary

• Domestic airfare for the sector Jaipur – Delhi in economy class

• Accompanying tour guide

• The services of a UK Tour Manager throughout the main tour

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Please note: All locomotives listed within the itinerary are correct at time of going to print but may be subject to change. Baggage allowance for all flights is 23kgs per person. *Ground only means passengers are responsible for arranging their own international travel to and from Delhi.

Sunday

Dawn

visit to Taj Mahal; Fatehpur Sikri; Peaceful village walk

You’ll rise early today to enjoy a dawn visit with your guide to that famous wonder of the world – the Taj Mahal, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The best views of the Taj are at dawn with fewer people around. The porous nature of Taj’s white marble helps it absorb light and reflect different shades of white – ideal for photo opportunities. You’ll have a relaxing hour or so to enjoy the views through different angles. Taj, as a symbol of love, has many stories to tell. The perfectly symmetrical monument standing tall since 1653 AD took 22 years and 20,000 labourers to complete. After your visit you return to your hotel for breakfast. Later, you transfer to Bharatpur, enjoying a guided visit of Fatehpur Sikri en route. This city originally belonged to the Rajput clan but was re-found in 1569 by the great Mughal emperor Akbar. It is at Fatehpur Sikri that the legends of Akbar and his famed courtiers, the nine jewels or Navaratnas, were born. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the best-preserved collections of Indian Mughal architecture in India. You then transfer to a heritage palace hotel in Bharatpur. In the early evening, you have a guided walking tour of Bharatpur village – walk among the fields, observe the village life, and discover its 1000-years-old history. (B L D)

Monday Keaoladeo World Heritage Bird Sanctuary

After breakfast, you have a guided tour of the Bharatpur bird sanctuary by rickshaw with your naturalist guide. Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary was established in 1956 and is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world. It boasts over 360 species of birds, out of which 117 are local. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Storks, ducks, Chinese coots, kingfishers, spoonbills, sarus cranes and several birds of prey, including falcon, marsh harrier and eagle abound. 80 species of duck alone can be spotted here. Around noon you are driven to Jaipur, the Pink City of India. It’s the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded on 18th November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amer, the city today has a population of 3.1 million. In 1876 Jaipur was coloured in terracotta pink to welcome Prince Albert, hence the name ‘Pink City’. (B D)

Tuesday

Sightseeing in The Pink City

An early breakfast at your hotel is followed by guided excursions to: Amer Fort (Amber Fort), the erstwhile capital of the Kachwaha Rajputs before they moved to their newly built capital in Jaipur. Built in white marble and red sandstone, the nearby lake adds to its charm. You’ll visit the Diwan-e-Aam, (Hall of Public Audience), the Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), and the Sukh Niwas, where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade

within the palace; City Palace Museum, in the central-northeast part of Jaipur city, is laid in a grid pattern with wide avenues. It’s a unique and arresting complex of several palaces, pavilions, gardens, and temples; Jantar Mantar – is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments, built by Maharaja (King) Jai Singh II between 1727 and 1734. He constructed five such facilities at different locations, including the ones at Delhi and Jaipur. The Jaipur observatory is the largest and best preserved of these; Hawa Mahal Palace – The poet king Sawai Pratap Singh built this palace of winds, one of the landmarks of Jaipur. This five-storey building overlooking the busy bazaar street is a fascinating example of Rajput architecture and artistry; In late afternoon, you also visit a hand block-printing factory to view local arts and crafts. Jaipur is rightly famous for its extravagant gems and jewels, reflecting the royal character of a bygone era. (B D)

Wednesday

Return from Jaipur to Delhi

After breakfast at your hotel you transfer to Jaipur airport to board a flight to arrive Delhi. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Delhi for an overnight stay. (B D)

Thursday

Return to UK or extend on the sunny beaches of Goa!

Following breakfast transfer to Delhi International Airport for your return flight to the UK. Alternatively spend a few extra nights in India with a Goa Extension. (B)

Amit Chopra

Goa extension prices per person:

5-Star – 5 nights

£1050 with single supplement of £675

5-Star – 3 nights

£795 with single supplement of £425

4-Star – 5 nights

£750 with single supplement of £395

4-Star – 3 nights

£595 with single supplement of £249

Price for Goa extension includes:

• Internal flights from Delhi to Goa and return

• Transfers to and from resort

• Overnight accommodation with breakfast

• Please note: The UK Tour Manager and the Indian tour guide will not be present on the Goa Extension.

Tour Summary

Tour price £4595

Single supplement £750

Ground only* £4050 (Delhi – Delhi)

Price includes:

• 13 nights hotel accommodation and breakfast

• 4 lunches

• 13 dinners

• All train travel, transfers, visits and tours as detailed in the itinerary

• Charter and special trains as detailed in the itinerary

• Domestic airfare for the sector Jaipur – Delhi in economy class

• Accompanying tour guide

• The services of a UK Tour Manager throughout the main tour

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Please note: All locomotives listed within the itinerary are correct at time of going to print but may be subject to change. Baggage allowance for all flights is 23kgs per person. *Ground only means passengers are responsible for arranging their own international travel to and from Delhi.

Amit Chopra

Amit Chopra

Booking Information

The attraction of trains.

By their very nature, trains, especially steam hauled trains, attract enthusiasts. Our tours will always include a number of photographic opportunities in the form of false starts and run pasts where this is practical and possible. Where possible, we also arrange locomotive footplate rides, museum and depot visits. Many of our customers do not have the same exclusive interest in trains shown by some enthusiasts; therefore, we keep in mind the need to diversify our tour programmes. We do this by including visits to castles and historic houses, and to wildlife parks, using accommodation in resort style hotels, and providing free time for shopping and exploring. Nevertheless the main attraction and therefore the emphasis of our tours is travel by train, which includes the nostalgia, the companionship on board, and the passing scenery. We consider that those travelling on our tours will see more scenery and in greater comfort than by road coach or cruise liner.

Schedules and services.

We arrange and advertise tours in good faith. Many scheduled railway organisations – train operators and track operators – only work two months ahead and therefore cannot confirm final schedules to us until that ‘window’.Likewise we cannot confirm and advise final numbers for a tour until full balances have been received from tour customers. Tours may be subject to occasional rescheduling or re-routing. The nature of steam trains is that breakdowns, delays and substitutions have to be accepted. Every genuine effort will be made to ensure that each of our tours runs as planned and advertised, or as close to it as possible.

Fire risk.

In many countries at times of exceptionally dry weather, coal fired steam locomotives may be banned from operating and diesel or electric traction may have to be substituted. Oil fired steam locomotives however are normally still allowed to operate. The Railway Touring Company cannot accept any responsibility for steam bans during times of high fire risk.

Seat reservations and overnight travel arrangements.

On some trains seat reservations are by individual seats, on others by block booking or complete carriage. Since the railways concerned make the allocations, we have to accept and be flexible about the seating arrangements. Where overnight travel is necessary we will arrange either to stay in a convenient hotel en route, to use one of the newer ‘hotel trains’, or to book Standard Class twin berth sleeper car trains (First Class is often single berth). These decisions are made on the basis of the length of the journey, the range of scenery likely to be missed by overnight travel, and the accommodation options available.

Porterage.

Some tours include porterage between stations and hotels; some include full luggage transfers between hotels, using either a supplementary road coach or scheduled ‘luggage in advance’ facilities. Porterage, where advertised, is included in the cost. However, there will be occasions when porters are not available or included and it will be each customer’s responsibility to handle their own luggage.

Luggage and Passenger Assistance

Whilst most major stations are equipped with lifts, escalators or walking ramps, not all smaller stations feature these facilities. We therefore recommend that you use a lightweight case with wheels, to allow you to best handle it. Please also ensure that your packed case is still light enough for you to successfully lift it in and out of trains and to enable you to walk comfortably with it. You will be responsible for your own luggage whilst on holiday. Passenger Assistance can be booked upon request, if required and necessary. Please let us know prior to the start of the holiday, should you require assistance.

Accommodation.

We aim to use 3 or 4-star designated hotels throughout our tours as this offers us the standards of hospitality, catering and service that we would wish for our customers.

We also seek out establishments which are either conveniently located for the railways in order to minimize transfers, or which afford some unique character. Where we cannot meet either of these criteria we ensure the best and most comfortable accommodation is available.

Single supplements.

We are pleased to advise that we do not financially benefit from single supplement charges. Supplement charges only apply due to hoteliers charging higher rates for rooms that are solely occupied. All of our prices listed are per person based on two persons sharing. Therefore, any room that is solely occupied does incur a charge, whether it be a single or double room. If a double room is preferred please state your preference at the time of booking in order for us to obtain a quote, double rooms for single use may be slightly more expensive than the single supplement stated. All other elements of our tours are priced on a per person rate, so no extra fees are applied for solo travellers. Food and drink.

Meals will be taken on trains, boats, planes, in hotels and restaurants and even al-fresco, picnic or packed! Mindful of the diversity of our customer’s tastes we try to adopt a ‘middle of the road’ approach when choosing menus. We must also accept the limitations of on-board catering and marvel at the success that chefs regularly achieve in the confines of train kitchens. Hotel and restaurant meals are usually a set menu, with options for special dietary needs. If customers have any special dietary requirements they must please ensure we know them at the time of booking. In this way we can make the necessary arrangements for customers with special requirements. Some of our tours include alcoholic and soft drinks and coffee, in which case this is clearly stated in tour information. Otherwise customers are responsible for their own refreshments.

Booking Information

Passports, visas and health issues.

Customers are responsible for holding the necessary and appropriate travel documentation for their journey. For tours outside the UK, customers must ensure that there is at least six months validity remaining on their passports after returning back to the UK. We assume our customers are British Citizens whose passport shows they have a right to reside in the UK. If a customer has a passport of another country or state, or one that indicates restrictions on return to their country of origin, then they must please contact us prior to booking and well in advance of intended use. We will advise customers of the requirements and processing arrangements for visas where they are required. We will offer any help we can in arranging customers’ visas. Health advice is dependent upon the destination, medical history and current health of each customer participating in a tour and we cannot assume any responsibility. Customers MUST seek advice from their GP or a travel medical centre.

Pre-tour and travel documents.

We will send out information to tour customers for visa and general planning purposes when appropriate, usually at the ‘balance due’ time. If there is nothing significant to communicate then we will simply acknowledge that the customer’s balance of payment has been received. We prepare and send a booklet of information to tour customers for all tours. This includes a passenger list with first or ‘known as’ names, where advised, (to check on an old acquaintance, aide-memoir for names during the tour); the latest known itinerary with as much detail as necessary (including meal times/locations); emergency and general contact details; and usually some general and specific information about features of the tour programme. This is intentionally a small part of the information available and tour customers are advised to research and obtain detailed reference material, maps, schedules etc. appropriate to their particular interests. Air travel tickets are usually sent to us for onward despatch less than two weeks before travel – please don’t panic! Rail tickets are often group travel documents held by the Tour Manager. In this case tour customers will be provided with joining instructions, which must please be observed since the party cannot progress until all members are present. Tickets, vouchers and coupons for onward travel during a tour, are usually held and distributed by the Tour Manager. With regards to the Covid-19 pandemic you will be required to follow all measures laid out by the transport providers on your holiday, we will send details of these to you along with your tour documents prior to travel. We will advise you of the specific requirements for the countries you are visiting before travel, adhering to the www.gov.uk/coronavirus government guidance at the time of travel.

Travel insurance.

Many customers arrange their own travel insurance. The Railway Touring Company cannot assume any responsibility relating to travel insurance issues and customers should ensure that they are familiar with procedures should an incident occur. This is especially important with medical cover since we do not undertake to obtain medical attention, but to hand over the customer to an appropriate and suitable authority. You will need to double check with your insurance providers that your terms cover you for such things like a pandemic i.e Covid-19 or if you fall ill whilst away and need emergency medical treatment, if you are unsure we highly advise you to contact your provider to see if you are covered, not all policies cover for this.

• If you have not purchased your holiday insurance you will be looking for the following standard of cover, Medical and repatriation costs if you become unwell with any coronavirus (including Covid-19) or contagious disease.

• If your trip or holiday has to be cancelled because you or a travelling companion are diagnosed with any coronavirus (including Covid-19) or contagious disease and are unable to travel.

• Emergency repatriation costs to bring you home if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) impose travel restrictions (while you’re at your destination), either in the UK or at your destination, and has requested you to return to the UK. Cancellations due to coronavirus will not be refunded less than 8 weeks prior to travel as per our terms and conditions. Claims for not travelling due to contracting Covid-19 or any other coronavirus or disease will need to be dealt with through your travel insurance provider. However, we can assist with providing any paperwork/cancellation forms that may be needed.

Infirmity and disability.

Tour managers are responsible for the general care and well-being of the whole group and are neither available, nor trained or insured for individual ‘personal’ care. Each tour, by way of the trains and terrain being visited, presents its own opportunities and restrictions. Customers should ascertain the suitability of the itinerary and facilities available relevant to their own needs. We are happy to discuss customers’ concerns with them before they commit to a booking. We will attempt to accommodate and resolve any needs or problems caused by undisclosed mobility/dietary/general health issues but cannot accept responsibilities beyond those stated above. We would especially draw the attention of customers to the tours that visit high-altitude locations and the resulting possibility of cardiovascular and respiratory problems.

Confidentiality, privacy and mailing lists.

Customers’ names and addresses have been obtained as a result of their response to advertisements, having been a previous customer or enquirer, or a referral from some other party. We do not share these details with anyone outside Warren Travel Ltd. trading as The Railway Touring Company or The Railway Touring Company Ltd. Customer’s personal details such as credit card numbers, travel arrangements, companions etc. will only be kept to be used within the requirements of tour operating. We are registered under the Data Protection Act. If one customer wishes to communicate with another customer, then please forward the stamped envelope/package to us. We will add the address and post on the mail. We will not divulge any addresses or telephone numbers. Please refer to our website for information regarding our Privacy Policy ensuring you fully understand it. Your acceptance of our Privacy Policy is deemed to occur upon your first use of Our Site.

Booking Information

Financial protection.

We are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority and hold ATOL Number T7149. This ensures that in the event of the failure of our Company, customers’ money will be protected. If customers are on holiday at the time of Company failure, arrangements will be made for them to complete their holiday and return home. The flights we provide are supplied by other ATOL holders and are protected by their bonds. For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.

Payments for flights.

The payments that customers make for their flights are held by us in our trust account, on behalf of the ATOL holder who is supplying the flight, until the date that we pass the money to that ATOL holder. The ATOL holder supplying the flight will issue an ATOL confirmation invoice to confirm their contract with the customer. We will forward this to the customer no later than the day after we have received it.

Will I need to take a Covid-19 test to travel?

You may need to take a pre-holiday test before you leave the UK. The test required varies by destination country and is also subject to your vaccination status. Check the current requirements for your holiday destination via the foreign travel advice section of the UK Government website https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. This will also advise you on the type of test you may need to take.

The Travel Trust Association (TTA)

The TTA is a trade association of travel agents and travel organisers, established to provide financial protection for the customer. The TTA lays down strict guidelines on how the customer’s funds should be handled, and each member must adhere to those guidelines. Every TTA member pays the customer’s funds into a designated trust account which is supervised by an independent trustee; a Banker, Chartered or certified Accountant or Solicitor.

Why your travel arrangements are totally safe with the Travel Trust Association

The Travel Trust Association (TTA) recognises that for many people a holiday is the one chance to really relax – so it is important that customers are able to feel completely confident about their travel arrangements from the moment they make their booking. By choosing an approved TTA Member, customers can be sure that their travel plans are totally secure. These arrangements exceed the statutory levels of consumer protection.

Customer’s funds are secured in Trust by the Travel Trust Association Trustees.

Travel Trust Association

2 Crown Square Woking GU21 6HR 01483 545 780 www.traveltrust.co.uk

The holidays in this brochure that include air travel are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is T7149. ATOL protects customers from losing their money or being stranded abroad. It does this by carrying out financial checks on the firms it licenses and requiring a guarantee, called a bond, to be lodged with them. If a firm goes out of business, the CAA will make a refund to the customer, or if already abroad on holiday, arrange for the customer to complete their holiday and fly home.

Status

The Railway Touring Company is a direct sell tour operator and retail travel agent. All parts of a customer’s holiday are covered by our TTA membership (number T726X), and the air travel for all of our customers’ holidays is covered by our ATOL membership (number T7149). Warren Travel Ltd, trading as The Railway Touring Company, acts as a booking agent for the service providers whose terms and conditions of booking and carriage apply to our tours. Copies of these terms and conditions will be obtained from the relevant service providers and forwarded to customers on request. Tours will be confirmed and take place subject to minimum and maximum numbers booking. Railway components of a tour are provided subject to the serviceability of motive power and stock, and the operating conditions prevailing at the time of the tour. In the event of a failure to operate services as advertised then ‘best’ alternatives will be provided.

Programme and prices

Details of each tour programme and its cost are published in our tour brochure, in leaflets, by correspondence, or by amendments notified to customers. Customers are required to acknowledge their acceptance of this information.

Payments

All tour bookings should be accompanied by payment of a deposit per person as follows:

£200 for travel in the UK

£250 for travel within Europe

£350 for travel beyond Europe

A confirmation of booking will be sent to customers which includes a statement of their account and a balance due date.

Booking Information

The balance of payment is required in time for us to pay our suppliers, usually twelve weeks before travel. There are occasions when we are required to pay for group tickets earlier than this and the balance due date will reflect this. During the period of time that we are establishing a viable tour group, deposits are fully refundable. Once we have confirmed the operation of a tour then deposits are not refundable. Due to the high costs involved with debit and credit card transactions our preferred methods of payments for balance payments are cheque or bank transfer.

Fidelity insurance

It is a requirement that all tour bookings be covered by Fidelity Insurance. This is a financial protection insurance that protects the customer’s money until the tour takes place.

The cost of this insurance is included in the tour price.

Customer cancellation

We have the following customer cancellation policy for all of our tours:

Cancellation prior to 12 weeks before tour departure – loss of deposit

Cancellation between 8-12 weeks prior to tour departure – 25% refund of tour cost

Cancellation less than 8 weeks prior to tour departure – no refund

Passports, visas and health

Customers are responsible for ensuring that they have the correct travel documentation for tours, and this includes passports, visas and health certificates. We are willing to give advice on passport and visa requirements but customers should seek professional guidance on medical related matters. We shall obtain guidance from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and tourist board where a security risk exists or arises in respect of a tour destination. This information will then be passed on to tour customers.

Prices

Prices are determined against known exchange rates, fuel costs and tax regimes prevailing at 18th October 2022. The exchange rates used for prices quoted in this brochure are as follows:

£1 = 1.13 Euros

£1 = 1.16 US Dollars

£1 = 1.1304 Swiss Francs

£1 = 11.58 Norwegian Kroner

£1 = 1.16 Cuban Convertible Pesos

In the event of significant changes we must reserve the right to amend prices. A NO SMOKING policy will be pursued where we have the control or influence over the service that we are providing on our tour.

Our chartered steam trains

Whenever possible we hire steam trains for our exclusive use. This allows us the flexibility, within operational parameters, to run to our requirements. It also enables us to stop the train for photographs of the scenery; the train itself; and sometimes staged train movements, known as run-pasts. We can often arrange for tour customers to ride on the footplate of the locomotive, should they wish, but at their own risk. Since our tours often number around 40 customers there are occasions when we have access to older trains with limited capacity, and sometimes to facilities not normally available to large groups or individuals. However, on occasions due to popularity and where space permits this number can be exceeded.

Scheduled trains

Where we travel by scheduled train, with few exceptions, we travel First Class in reserved seats or reserved carriages. This has proven to be much better value for money since the additional space, comfort and lack of crowding are obtained at a worthwhile supplement compared with Standard Class travel.

Alternative airports, independent travel and extensions

Our customers come from throughout the UK and overseas. Wherever possible we choose flights which allow connections from local airports, and prices for these connecting flights start at around £149 return. Most overseas tours allow for independent travel arrangements whereby customers may extend their stay, stop en route, or make their own travel arrangements. We can provide a ‘ground only’ quotation for all of our tours so that overseas customers and independent travellers can make their own way to and from the tour joining point.

Extra tours and tour updates

Throughout the year we keep pace with an ever-changing world. It is often possible to initiate new tours after our brochure has gone to press, and to make alterations to published information, so please check our website for the most up-to-date information.

Website – www.railwaytouring.net

Our web site provides details of all our tours plus information about additional tours and amendments to our tour programme. Don’t forget to bookmark our web site amongst your favourites. We welcome contributions of photographs that customers have taken on our tours and that they are willing for us to use in publicity materials.

Booking information

Customers should ensure that they read all our Booking Information before booking a holiday with us.

Pre-tour and post-tour UK hotels and holiday parking

We are able to arrange customers’ pre-tour and post-tour hotel accommodation, car parking, coach and train travel, and connecting flights. Customers may wish to consider staying overnight before and/or after travel on one of our tours. A night in a conveniently located hotel before departure or after return can mean that the customer begins or ends the tour more rested and relaxed. It may also avoid the frustrations and anxieties of early morning and late evening travel.

Pre-booked car parking can also be arranged for customers.

Examples:-

Airport hotels with holiday parking

• Gatwick from £110 per room

• Heathrow from £139 per room

• Stansted from £125 per room

Secured airport parking

• Gatwick from £8.75 per day

• Heathrow from £9.00 per day

• Stansted from £6.25 per day

Travel by road coach from and to the customer’s local town together with overnight hotel accommodation can be arranged. Prices are available on request. Rail tickets from and to the customer’s home railway station to the tour departure point can only be booked where two or more passengers are travelling together. Prices are available on request.

The prices quoted above are correct at the time of print and may be subject to change and can vary depending on your preferences.

UK connecting flights

We are willing to make enquiries and, where possible, arrange connecting flights from the customer’s local airport to the main tour departure point. Prices are available on request.

Travel insurance

Due to changes in the travel insurance regulations we are no longer able to sell travel insurance direct to our customers. We can however recommend and send to customers details of travel insurance through Holiday Extras, in conjunction with the Travel Trust Association. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to receive details of this insurance.

Covid-19

All passengers are reminded to make themselves aware of on-board safety measures surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, any social distancing measures or Government guidelines that are in place at the time of travel are to be adhered too in order to keep yourselves, other travellers and staff safe at all times. We do not accept any liability for travellers that are unable to participate on their pre-booked holidays, should they be taken ill, chose not to travel or decide to cancel their holiday.

Reservation Form

*DOB = Date of Birth

Please ensure your names are as they appear in your passport.

Address of first named .................................................................................................................................................................................

Please reserve the (tour title)

Indicate your requirements/preferences: Twin bedded room ■ Double bedded room ■ Single room(s) ■ (Please tick)

Where options are available for the tour (i.e. choice of travel) please clearly state your choice(s).

Please also specify any dietary or health related requirements. ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................

The deposit is £350 per person outside Europe, £250 per person within Europe and £200 per person for UK tours. The balance/full fare is due 12 weeks before travel; dates will be advised on your confirmation. As stated in our booking information a Fidelity Policy will be added at the time of booking.

I enclose a cheque (payable to THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY CLIENT ACCOUNT).

Please charge my credit or debit card for:

£ deposit ■ full fare ■ (Please tick)

Card Number

Expires

Start Date

Please accept my booking on the terms and conditions as stated in this brochures booking information pages and on our website, railwaytouring.net

Please sign and date

Please send this form to: The Railway Touring Company, The Old Stables, Estuary Road, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 2HL.

Kelly Osborne Managing Director

Rachel Jackson Operations Manager

Hollie Kimber Operations Manager

Allison Sanders Operations Manager

Julia Barrett Office Assistant

Jade Mott Operations Assistant

Annabelle Benjamin Operations Assistant