Railbookers' All Aboard Magazine Issue 5 by Railbookers Ltd

All Aboard Your moving view of the world

Winter / Spring 2016 Issue 5

H I G H L I G H T S

FOR ISSUE 5

GASTRONOMIC PROVENCE

SALZBURG, GRAZ & VIENNA SUMMER 2016

EUROPE’S SIGNATURE DISHES

London and the to Venice Bernina Express p16-19

INTRODUCING OUR CULTURE COLLECTION NEW: TRAVEL WRITING COMPETITION!

BELMOND GRAND HIBERNIAN

Traverse the sprawling countryside, dramatic coasts and fascinating cities of Ireland in luxury aboard the Belmond Grand Hibernian. Step aboard to enter a whole new world of indulgence; contemporary carriages inspired by Dublin’s classic architecture, fine cuisine enriched by local delicacies and a breathtaking, ever-changing backdrop of Ireland’s celebrated scenic landscapes.

REALM OF GIANTS | 2 NIGHTS | FROM £2,489 pp

DUBLIN-BELFAST-PORTRUSH-DUBLIN Two nights take you north to Belfast and the award-winning Titanic Experience, the aweinspiring Giant’s Causeway and Old Bushmills Distillery. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

LEGENDS AND LOUGHS | 4 NIGHTS | FROM £4,149 pp

DUBLIN-CORK-KILLARNEY-GALWAY-WESTPORT-DUBLIN The four night journey heads west towards Cork and Blarney Castle, then continues to the spectacular Lakes of Killarney, wild Connemara National Park and charming Galway. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

GRAND TOUR OF IRELAND | 6 NIGHTS | FROM £5,839 pp

EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS

Take a journey of discovery through Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore aboard the gleaming green and gold carriages of the luxurious Eastern & Oriental Express. Pass vibrant cities, rural villages, gleaming pagodas and cruise along the River Kwai or enjoy a cocktail in the panoramic bar car while you travel through the jungles and rice paddy fields of South East Asia.

BANGKOK TO KUALA LUMPUR | 2 NIGHTS | FROM £1,380 pp

Experience the ultimate Southeast Asia itinerary as you travel in luxury from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur. Visit royal Kuala Kangsar and the infamous River Kwai. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

BANGKOK TO SINGAPORE | 3 NIGHTS | FROM £1,639 pp

BANGKOK - KUALA LUMPUR - SINGAPORE Travel from Bangkok in Thailand through Malaysia to Singapore on a journey brimming with romance, style and indulgence. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

SINGAPORE TO BANGKOK | 2 NIGHTS | FROM £1,689 pp

An exciting six night combination of the four and two-night journeys with a city tour of Dublin included.

SINGAPORE - KUALA LUMPUR - BANGKOK Prepare for an unforgettable adventure as you head from Singapore to Thailand on a journey guaranteed to inspire.

FOR BELMOND GRAND HIBERNIAN JOURNEYS:

FOR EASTERN & ORIENT EXPRESS JOURNEYS:

• • •

All meals and drinks included Entertainment and excursions included as per itinerary Optional excursions also available

For more information visit www.railbookers.com/iconic-journeys or call 020 3327 2411 to speak with one of our Travel Consultants

Your route calls at... Welcome aboard...

ssue 5 of All Aboard magazine has plenty to tempt you, from a recipe for Sachertorte, the delicious Austrian chocolate cake, details of our recommended European dishes not to miss, to a fantastic selection of new holiday ideas! Highlights also include a story by journalist Oliver Smith, who regales his adventure on the spectacular Bernina Express through the Swiss Alps on his journey from London to Venice, and writer Laura Cole shares her experience of becoming a ‘foodie’! In this issue, we also have a contribution on the Art in Amsterdam from Steven Mathieson, a keen traveller and a regular Railbookers customer. Plus, on page 32 you will also find information of how your article could appear in our All Aboard magazine, along with a chance to win £150 of holiday vouchers - perfect to use on one of our Top 2016 getaways!

1st stop | P4 Salzburg, Graz & Vienna

Our Head of Media and Communications, John Hale, explores three of Austria’s best cities.

HEAD OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS

All Aboard

Winter / Spring 2016

Design & Artwork by Matthew Murphy

3rd stop | P8 Summer’s Coming! Our top 2016 summer getaways revealed, from bustling city duos to relaxed beach and coastal stays.

7th stop | P21 Europe and Beyond What do we mean when we say ‘…and beyond’ - discover over 50 countries with Railbookers.

Art and opera inspired holidays across Europe.

4th stop | P10 Provence, a Gastronomic Experience

Journalist Laura Cole indulges in the South of France’s culinary highlights.

6th stop | P16 London to Venice Journalist Oliver Smith’s adventures from London to Venice with a trip aboard the Bernina Express.

5th stop | P14 Europe’s Signature Dishes

Taste your way through the continent with our recommended gastronomic experiences not to be missed.

11th stop | P28 Railway children

9 stop | P24 Italy’s Best Duo’s th

An update on how we are supporting our chosen charity this year.

A selection of our favourite Italian twin centre holidays.

10th stop | P27 Top 5 Coffee Shops

Our pick of the best places to go for a coffee whilst abroad.

Happy reading and, as always, if you have any comments or questions please do get in touch at allaboard@railbookers.com

John Hale

Discover the most architecturally spectacular stations around the globe.

8th stop | P22 The Culture Collection

As usual our Head of Global Sales answers your questions in Ask the Expert, and our much enjoyed waiting room puzzles return.

John

2nd stop | P6 To the Ends of the Tracks

16 stop | P34 My favourite Rail Journey th

15th stop | P33 Waiting Room Puzzles with prizes.

12th stop | P29 Ask the Expert

Railbookers’ Head of Global Sales, Matthew Foy, answers your questions.

13th stop | P30 Art in Amsterdam Regular Railbookers customer SA Mathieson explores the galleries of Amsterdam.

Detour 14th stop | P32 Travel Writing Competition

NEW! Win £150 of Railbookers gift vouchers!

Railbookers very own Senior Travel Consultant, Gareth Jones, takes to the tracks in Australia on The Ghan.

Next Issue

Destination | Salzburg, Graz and Vienna – Austria at its best!

Salzburg, Graz &Vienna

1ststop

R A IL B O

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unter performed a graceful plié as he remarked on the airiness of his tracht, Austria’s traditional dress. ‘Not too cold and not too hot’, he said, grinning with his hands in his pockets and a gentle bend of his knees. Mozart stood in bronze behind, a displeased face looking down on our guide, though somewhat ironically: whilst one of the world’s most gifted composers he was by all accounts hyperactive, cheeky and troublesome. Salzburg’s welcome was melodic and charming, from the peaks ‘alive with the sound of music’ rising high out of view as we landed, to the merry locals whose musical chatter softly filled the air like cinnamon at Christmas. Ironically, few Austrians know the phenomena that is The Sound of Music, few aside, that is, from the Aicher family who have grown a business from daily performances of the hit show and film (www.marionetten.at). Fifty puppets and one disproportionately large nun (the only human on-stage actor) perform this bizarrely realistic shortened version. Initially pessimistic, by act two the strings faded into the background and the nun seemed somewhat smaller, as I found myself engrossed. The puppets were the most energetic distraction

in Salzburg. Walking through Residence Square – a magnificent forecourt between the two residential palaces of the archbishops of Salzburg – leisurely coffees were enjoyed as horse and carts used the central fountain to change course; a social dance performed to the harmonies of the Mozart in Residenz performers warming up their strings. Boarding a steep funicular we were hauled up the side of Hohensalzburg Fortress, Europe’s largest completely preserved fort, to a 360 degree view of the city – and one not to be missed. Eerie Alpine ranges surrounded expanses of lush flatland, and modern day Salzburg from above was reduced to small village clusters, quaint cobbled streets and relaxed squares majestically paraded by daily life. The next stop was the orange-roofed city and gastronomic heartland, Graz. The four hour journey by train sweeps by, as rolling passes and pine-cloaked mountains lurch out from the tracks. The glory of rail travel strikes most, I feel, when you cover large scenic distances without seeing a single road. Gratification and unapologetic smugness can be drawn from the fact that your mode of transport was by far the most rewarding. Still to the west of Austria we were in ski country. Wooden lodges dotted

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Destination | Salzburg, Graz and Vienna – Austria at its best! R A IL B O

the landscape with swooping pistes interjecting. It was the middle of June so the season was over. Previously defined edges were now bursting with new plant life and overflowing forest, creating a picture of a hundred shades of greens, blues and yellows. The best spot in Graz is atop Schlossberg hill. If you survive the 260 steps, you’re rewarded with an incredible panoramic view of the skyline. Thousands of clay tiles create an almost floating canopy above

the city, and the small narrow architecture of the older buildings and streets becomes more apparent. The Aiola restaurant here is a must visit (www.aiola.at) – serving some of the best Austrian dishes - and ready to refill the calories lost en-route! If steps aren’t for you, there is a lift. Having been used as an air raid shelter during WWII, the hill is virtually hollow, and €1 will take you right through the middle! I only had the pleasure of Graz for 24 hours, narrowly missing out on a visit to the much talked about farmers market (every Saturday). But my last stop, Vienna, wouldn’t wait and clear blue skies lit our path along the Semmering railway line, the oldest mountain line in Europe. Built between 1848 and 1854 it didn’t follow the highway, or any logical ‘easy’ surface, instead

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it carved its way through undulating mountains and across high stone bridges stilted over deep valleys and gorges. The scenery was dramatic, and one for which the cloudy plumes of a chugging steam locomotive a century ago could only have enhanced. Located along the banks of the River Danube, Vienna, once the heart of the sprawling Habsburg empire, has retained its rich artistic and regal charm. High ornate buildings shine in this clean and fresh city, with St Stephen’s Cathedral and its intricate detail standing tall above the rooftops. Regal and romantic, this city is worthy of at least three days to fully explore...but, let me tell you about the gin! Sadly there was nothing Austrian about it, but having asked for a G&T, with the waiter replying ‘Would you like a pink one?’, the answer had to be yes. “Not too sweet, not too sour, just too... pink!” – the line from that musical goes! It was a new one for me but was absolutely delicious, and far too drinkable. However, the star here was really the food, and Images the acclaimed 01 Salzburg panoramic view Huth Stadtkrug 02 Carriage in Residenzplatz restaurant (www. 03 Residenzplatz, Salzburg huth-stadtkrug. 04 Clay rooftops of Graz 05 Huth Stadkrug restaurant at). A Viennese 06 Spanish Riding School of original with Vienna almost a century of history, the cuisine is authentic with a modern twist. Thick and creamy pumpkin soup preceded succulent braised knuckle of lamb, with vegetables and polenta a delicious cornmeal based side with a porridge like consistency. Austria isn’t about big bold spices or overly adventurous combinations, it’s about good traditional food, sourced locally and cooked to perfection – an ethos that tastes as good as it sounds.

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FROM £

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After devouring a cake-stand heaving with Austrian deserts, it was time to head back to the hotel. My time in Austria had come to an end. A little quicker than I had hoped, but, without wanting to quote another famous Austrian export – “I’ll be back”. by John Hale, Head of Media and Communications.

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Destination | To the ends of the Tracks – Architecturally spectacular stations

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Ends of theTracks rch itectura l ly

S pe c tacStatio ul anrs

rain travel is not only fast and efficient, but also provides ample opportunity to admire some of the world’s greatest architecture. As rail travellers, people often walk in and out of the stations at a fast pace without a glimpse of the walls or space around them. But sometimes, especially when you are in an unfamiliar place, it pays to take time to appreciate the buildings which, at times, appear to be giant works of art in need of closer inspection.

» Kanazawa Station, Japan ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

The ultra-modern entrance to the Kanazawa Station was unveiled in 2005 to mixed reviews, but it has become a much-admired site since. The station’s wooden hand-drum-shaped Tsuzumi Gate and glass umbrella-shaped Motenashi Dome were controversial because they clashed with the traditional architecture of this old castle town—one of Japan’s best preserved as it was spared in WWII bombings. But the station has been so popular with tourists and photographers that many sceptics have come around to see the beauty in its sleek modern design.

Train travel was once at the forefront of innovation, revolutionising travel and prompting monarchs, architects, and city planners to build magnificent ‘palaces’ to impress passengers. From a lavish Beaux-Arts station in New York, to an ultra-modern masterpiece in Japan, here are five beautiful railway stations from around the world to encourage you to look about you next time you travel by train.

» Antwerp Central Station, Antwerp, Belgium ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

King Leopold II spared no expense in building the Antwerp Central Station at the turn of the 20th century. Completed in 1905, and originally criticised for its extravagance, the opulent neo-Baroque station contains more than 20 types of marble and stone. A handsome antique clock marks the time for passengers waiting to catch a train under the iron and glass-vaulted ceiling. Thanks to a careful restoration in 2009, dilapidated pediments and turrets that were removed in the 1950s have been reconstructed, and the integrity of the original terminal has been maintained even as new tunnels have been dug to allow for through traffic and high-speed rail.

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Destination | To the ends of the Tracks – Architecturally spectacular stations

» Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai, India ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

The historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus was built in 1888 by Frederick William Stevens to honour Queen Victoria, Empress of India. A fusion of Western and Eastern styles, it was inspired by London’s St. Pancras station as well as traditional Indian palace architecture. Indian craftsmen aided in the construction and sculpted elements to represent the two cultures. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, three million commuters pass through the station every day, as it connects Mumbai to the rest of the country.

» St Pancras Railway Station, London, England ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

St. Pancras International station’s immense halls greet people arriving in London from all over the UK, France and Belgium on the Eurostar. The station took 20 years to build, and when it was completed in 1868, was the largest enclosed space in the world. It fell into disrepair and during the 1960’s the acclaimed poet John Betjeman became the driving force behind efforts to save the site when it was threatened by development plans. Following the recent renovation, London and Continental Railways erected a statue in tribute to Betjeman and the red brick Gothic façade remains a testament to England’s great Victorian architecture.

» Grand Central Terminal, NYC, USA ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

The original Grand Central was built by transportation magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1871, but that building was demolished in 1903. The current building, completed in 1913, continues to be a jewel in New York’s architectural crown. Its main concourse has a celestial ceiling mural hovering above passengers buying tickets at the antique gold-barred ticket windows. The station is full of secrets, from the Whispering Gallery, which carries sound across the Guastavino-tiled arches, to the hidden bar where you can relive the Roaring Twenties. The enormous station even has tennis courts upstairs!

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Destination | Summer’s coming! Our Top 2016 getaways revealed!

Coming

O u r Top 2 0 1 6 g e ta ways reve a le d !

olden sands that stretch as far as the eye can see, effervescent oceans that lead off to the horizon, and elegant cities bursting with historic squares, vibrant cafes, and glittering rivers: Summer in Europe can provide enchanting culture or the relaxed indulgence of a beach break. From the balmy shores of Rimini, where the vast stretches of flawless coast play witness to spectacular sunsets, to the colourful riverside charm of Porto and its ornate historic architecture, choose your perfect summer escape from our top European getaways. Why not discover the Portuguese coast? Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites in waterside cities, people-watch at a café with a delicious pastel de nata and treat yourself to a glass or two of Port. Perhaps set off on an adventure through Italy, indulging in al fresco dining at Rome’s sun-baked Piazza Navona to the sounds of trickling fountains, or wander the winding streets of Venice whilst enjoying the delights of an authentic gelato. Whether your ideal summer is spending lazy afternoons strolling cobbled streets, or soaking up the sun to the sound of the sea, treat yourself to a memorable 2016 getaway.

» Taste of Berlin and Prague ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Discover two fascinating and diverse European capitals on this holiday experiencing their vibrant cultures and delicious cuisines. Fly into Berlin for two nights exploring Germany’s iconic capital before taking a scenic rail journey to historic Prague. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

3 nights from £399 pp

VENICE VIATHE ALPS

SUMMER’S

BERLIN & P R AG U E

rd 3stop

» Venice via the Alps ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Spend time exploring the elegant city of Zurich before embarking on a scenic rail journey along the Gotthard Pass. Traverse alpine peaks and lush green valleys, before enjoying two nights in enchanting Venice.

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4 nights from £589 pp

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ESSENTIAL P O RT U G A L

R I M I N I B E AC H H O L I DAY

NICE & CA N N E S

ESSENTIAL GA L I C I A

Destination | Summer’s coming! Our Top 2016 getaways revealed!

» Essential Portugal ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Journey to the colour, history and flavours of Portugal, exploring the serene, waterside cities of Porto, Coimbra and the capital, Lisbon, on this fascinating seven night holiday by air and rail.

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7 nights from £629 pp

» Essential Cote d’Azur ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Travel to the glamorous Côte d’Azur in the south of France, soak up the atmosphere in sophisticated Nice, admire the millionaires’ yachts in elegant Cannes, and enjoy a day trip to chic Monaco on this six night holiday.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

6 nights from £699 pp

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» Rimini Beach Holiday ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Follow the tracks through the amazing scenery of the Alps on your way to the Adriatic coast with a seven night holiday to Rimini, and spend four full days soaking up the sun and exploring the city’s historic centre.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

7 nights from £880 pp

» Essential Galicia ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Explore an alternative side to Spain on a holiday by rail treading in the footsteps of Pilgrims, discovering historic cathedrals, sandy beaches, bustling ports and sumptuous seafood of Galicia.

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8 nights from £689 pp

Destination | Provence - a Gastronomic Experience

Provence, a G astro n o mic Exp erie nce

Journalist Laura Cole indulges in the South of France’s culinary highlights.

oodie, the word stood out like a typo on the press packet my editor handed to me. ‘Do I consider myself a foodie?’ I wondered. ‘I eat food, I certainly enjoy food but have I earned the extra enthusiastic (albeit, slightly intimidating) “ie”?’ More importantly, could I commit to a long weekend on a foodie experience, eating food perhaps only a foodie could appreciate? I read on. A trip with Railbookers to explore the Fête de la Gastronomie – France’s National Gastronomy Festival. ‘I’ll take one for the team’ I said. Three weeks later, I was sitting with two journalists at a table on the Eurostar, the greyscale darling of the 90s with chunky seats. As we sped towards the terminus at Avignon (a new development from 2015), whole departments streamed by in minutes. Mirroring the dawn departure of our tickets, the landscape moved from the blueish watercolours of southern England and northern France th to the greens and oranges paints of

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Provence: from morning country into afternoon country. Roofs turned from grey to terracotta, the crops from open fields to slanted wine terraces and, almost on cue, the cabin crew brought out the rosé. Provence is famous for its light pink, crisp-tasting variety.

in its own right. In fact, celebrated creatives had walked the cobblestones of every town on the itinerary: Virginia Woolf in Cassis, writer Émile Zola and artist Paul Cezanne in Aix-En-Provence and too many to count in Marseille. Maybe they had all come here for the food too.

In the world’s most visited country, It is easy to there is a danger that Provence romanticise this It is easy to sells its best features - its creative part of the world. romanticise this part influence, its food market and cuisine Van Gogh did it with his series of the world. Van Gogh culture - for mass appeal. However, Provence seems to celebrate these of ‘Wheat Fields’ did it with his series things for itself. Attending La Fete de la paintings and his of ‘Wheat Fields’ better-known Gastronomie, we found the events were full of French chefs and French eaters. ‘Starry Night’, and paintings and his Locals crowded the food market at St he may be partly better-known to blame for our Remy to get hold of sausages from the ‘Starry Night’ Camargue, a regional specialty made consumption of of bull meat, and salts seasoned with the rustic image lavender. Another stall offered olive of Mediterranean oil tasting – a practice becoming almost as France. While his legacy brings artsy pilgrims to Provence, the region has a creative gravitas popular as wine tasting - with glass bottles in

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Destination | Provence - a Gastronomic Experience restaurant, which fortunately for him, includes most of Provence and its nearby coastline. ‘In Provence we are lucky to have really good gastronomy, but this is really thanks to the artisans who make and grow the ingredients,’ says Chiavola. ‘At the base we have good products and customers are beginning to expect good Provence specialities instead of imported ones.’

‘In Provence,’ he said, ‘we have three characteristics that determine the quality of our produce: the sun, the sea and the dry Mediterranean countryside.’

With bags packed full of sausage, we were back on the Eurostar in too short a time. Though I still don’t have the confidence to call myself a foodie, I could discern the hint of something in my complimentary biscuit. Lavender, probably.

RE CO MM EN DS RA IL BO OK ER S and Avignon Aix-en-Provence

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s history, cul Explore Provence’ le. sty life uil and tranq

4 ni gh ts

FROM £4 39 pp

by Laura Cole, a freelance journalist and writer.

various shades of amber. We were encouraged to try pieds et paquets, the feet and stuffed tripe of sheep, and as a palate cleanser, fluffy goats cheeses, some infused with more lavender, which had been brought and prepared by farms nearby. Overall, the Fête gave the sense that going organic isn’t a posh fad in the South of France, it’s common sense. Christophe Chiavola, head chef at St Remy’s Hotel de l’Image, emphasised the importance of the region’s climate to its fine food, ‘In Provence,’ he said, ‘we have three characteristics that determine the quality of our produce: the sun, the sea and the dry Mediterranean countryside.’ More and more, ingredients that have been considered basic, such as tomatoes, olives, olive oil and goats cheese, are now being thought of as ‘heritage produce’. Chiavola told us that, as a rule, he only sources food within a 200 kilometres radius of his

Images 01 Provençal dish 02 Chefs at the festival 03 Lavender field in Provence 04 Vincent van Gogh’s Asylum in Saint-Remy 05 Provençal Tomme cheese 06 Provençal olive oil

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Destination | Tailor made Canada

TA I LO R M A D E

CANADA Toronto, Montreal & Halifax

The Canadian: Vancouver to Toronto

Canada Coast to Coast

07 nights | from £669pp

11 nights | from £1,329pp

15 nights | from £2,639pp

Discover the jewels of Eastern Canada on a fascinating seven night holiday of contrasts, visiting Toronto, Montreal and Halifax!

Explore the world’s second largest country from Vancouver to Toronto via Jasper, on an 11 night holiday crossing the Rocky Mountains!

Take an epic journey from Vancouver on the Pacific to Quebec on the Atlantic coast visiting Jasper, Toronto and Montreal along the way!

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Destination | Tailor made Canada

rom the shores of Hudson Bay to the cosmopolitan cities of Toronto and Vancouver, the serene Jasper National Park to the wild landscapes of Nova Scotia, Canada traverses some of the most dramatic and diverse landscapes on the planet. The world’s second largest country provides an impressive contrast of majestic mountains, mist-shrouded rainforests, glistening glaciers and remote beaches crossing six time zones. One of the best ways to explore this astonishing land, its festivals, culture, cities, wildlife and the great outdoors is by rail. Efficient, comfortable, flexible and stretching for thousands of miles, Canada’s railway lines visit all the country’s main attractions. With a range of options to consider, including deluxe cabins and sleeper services with delicious onboard meals prepared by expert chefs, Canada could not be easier to explore. Flexible rail journeys throughout the country include ‘The Canadian’ from Toronto to Vancouver, a magnificent journey retracing Canada’s history, as well as routes through the Rockies, Prairies, Manitoba and to Niagara Falls.

HIGHLIGHTS OF CANADA

Whether you sip a café au lait in Montreal, whale-watch on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, visit Toronto’s museums and galleries or simply marvel at the Northern Lights dancing over the skies in Churchill, there really is something for everyone.

An incredible variety of rail journeys give you complete flexibility to create a holiday unique to you - and one that comes with spectacular scenery as you travel. Get in touch and let us tailor make your 2016 holiday to Canada. Railbookers

Nature & Wildlife

Moose foraging near lakes, beavers paddling across a stream or in Churchill, polar bears tending their young. Marvel at the Northern Lights, whale-watch near Vancouver or visit the breathtaking Niagara Falls. There is so much to observe whilst travelling through Canada’s vast landscapes, where lasting memories are made.

Cities

On the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto has many museums, galleries and landmark buildings to fill your time as you explore the many neighbourhoods. With its French influence and historic 18th-century buildings, Montreal has plenty to keep you entertained, whilst Vancouver is considered the culinary capital of Canada!

Culture

Canada has one of the most multicultural diverse populations on the planet with over 140 languages spoken. With many art galleries, great sporting traditions, a famous comedy festival, and renowned cuisine, the flavours, aromas, sights and sounds of almost every nation converge to form a truly unique land.

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Destination | Europe’s Signature Dishes

E U RO P E ’ S

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Si g n a t u re Dishes

Carpaccio in Italy, Bouillabaisse in France, Pierogi in Poland, Paella in Spain – here are our recommended local specialities you should try at least once in your lifetime.

Marseille has one of Europe’s most picturesque harbours and a vibrant street life. Its number one tourist attraction, however, is a Provençal fish stew teeming with up to six different varieties, served in two courses and enhanced by rouille, a garlic mayonnaise. Bouillabaisse has been Marseille’s signature dish for over a century and originally started life as a humble fisherman’s dish, using up the scraps he couldn’t sell. Since then it has evolved into a more elaborate meal and there is no better place to enjoy it than in one of the restaurants in the Vieux Port.

ndulging in local foods and flavours is a big part of the experience you get when travelling. We look at some highlights of traditional European cuisines you shouldn’t miss out on.

When you think of Italian food the first things that come to mind are pizza and pasta, but what about the less obvious, and no less classic, carpaccio? Usually served as an appetiser, 01 the delicately sliced meat is adorned with parmesan shavings, peppery rocket and often a light mustardlemon sauce. Invented by Giuseppe Cipriani, the founder of Harry’s Bar in Venice and named after the Venetian painter Vittore Carpaccio, the dish is based on the S MMEND S RECO R Piedmont speciality E K O e R A IL B O and Win n Food carne cruda all’albese. and Léo Castille Holiday E

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Most nations have their own dumplings, from the UK’s suet rounds cooked in hearty winter stews, to delicate steamed Chinese Shumai and Japanese pan fried Gyoza, but the Polish Pierogi is arguably the best of the lot. Whether you prefer the traditional minced pork and sauerkraut, potato and cheese served with sour cream and bacon bits, or the moorish fruit filled morsels, sweet or savoury, the choice is yours.

889 pp FROM £

Regarded as Spain’s national dish, paella originated near the Albufera lagoon

adjacent to Valencia. Traditionally cooked over an open fire in a paellera, and served direct from the pan, it is the ultimate sharing dish for gatherings of family and friends. The typical Valencian recipe contains rice, green beans, rabbit, chicken, white beans, snails and the most important of all, saffron! However, there are many different versions to cater for all tastes, but the most popular is probably with seafood, best eaten in a beachside restaurant with wonderful sea views.

Images 01 Carpaccio, Italy 02 Bouillabaisse, France 03 Pierogi, Poland 04 Paella, Spain

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Destination | Europe’s Signature Dishes

Recipe | Sachertorte

Created in 1832, the Sachertorte must be the most famous chocolate cake in the world today.

hen 16 year old apprentice chef Franz Sacher created the Sachertorte at the court of Prince Metternich in 1832, little did he know the impact his cake would have on chocolate lovers worldwide. The recipe for the original Sachertorte is a wellkept secret, known only to confectioners at Hotel Sacher in Vienna, but here is a version supplied by our friends at the Austrian National Tourist Office.

METHOD:

1. Melt the chocolate slowly (ideally in a bain-marie). Meanwhile, mix the butter with the icing sugar and vanilla sugar until creamed. Gradually stir in the egg yolks. Pre-heat the oven to 180 °C. Grease a cake tin with butter and sprinkle with flour. Whip up the egg whites with a pinch of salt, add the caster sugar and beat to a stiff peak. Stir the melted chocolate into the paste with the egg yolks and fold in the whipped egg whites alternately with the flour. Spoon the dough into a tin and bake for around 1 hour. 2. Remove the cake and leave to cool off (to achieve a flat surface turn the cake out on to a work surface immediately after baking and turn it again after 25 minutes).

INGREDIENTS: • 150g flour • 150g softened butter • 125g icing sugar • 200g dark chocolate • 250g sugar • 150-170ml water • 125g caster sugar • 150 – 200g apricot jam, for spreading • 1 packet (8g) vanilla sugar • 7 egg whites • 7 egg yolks • A pinch of salt • Butter and flour for the baking tin • Rum, if desired • Whipped cream to garnish

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3. If the apricot jam is too firm, heat it briefly and stir until smooth, before flavouring with a shot of rum. Cut the cake in half horizontally through the middle. Cover the base with jam, set the other half on top, and coat the upper surface and around the edges with apricot jam.

For the glaze: • 200g dark chocolate coating or cooking chocolate • 250g sugar • 150-170ml water

4. For the glaze, break the chocolate into small pieces. Heat up the water with the sugar for a few minutes. Pour into a bowl and leave to cool down until just warm to the taste (if the glaze is too hot it will become dull in appearance, but if too cold it will become too viscous). Add the chocolate and melt in the sugar solution. 5. Pour the glaze quickly, i.e. in a single action, over the cake and immediately spread it out and smooth it over the surface, using a palate knife or other broad-bladed knife. Leave the cake to cool down at room temperature.

DS OMMEN RS REC E K O neys: O R A IL B ay Jour tal Railw n e n ti n o Great C Trieste to urself! Vienna rte for yo acherto S 719 pp r ve Disco FROM £

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Serve with a garnish of whipped cream. If possible, do not store the Sachertorte in the fridge, as it will “sweat”. Baking time: approx. 1 hour

Guten Appetit! 15

Destination | London to Venice

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LONDON t oV E N I C E Oliver Smith, writing for Lonely Planet Traveller, skips the plane and takes the train from London to Venice via the Gotthard Pass.

he Eurostar hauls out of St Pancras into the sunshine and soon the industrial estates lapse into green fields. Flying from Gatwick to Venice takes just two hours, but by travelling to Venice by train you experience small thrills that are not available on a plane. What’s more, you can watch the landscape changing from Kentish weald to French oak forest, from Swiss mountain meadow to Italian olive grove. The train is plunged into darkness as it enters the tunnel, and everyone’s ears pop, but it soon emerges into daylight and eventually we roll into Paris, trundling among the wide boulevards of the capital. Leaving Gare du Nord, I catch Metro line 8 southbound, popping out at ground level by the Seine before rattling beneath the iron feet of the Eiffel Tower.

The British invented railways, but the French perfected them: they made them faster, more glamorous and with better sandwiches. The case in point is Le Train Bleu in Gare de Lyon, the grandest station café in the world, and the place to stop for breakfast before catching a train to Zürich.

Arriving in Zürich, it’s clear this is a town of clocks. There’s the clock on the spire of St Peter’s church (the largest clock face in Europe), whose bell booms on the hour. There are the tweetings of Swiss cuckoo clocks, and there are watches inlaid with crystals, all ticking in shop windows.

Where British trains shamble and scuttle around the network, the French TGVs slice through the landscape like a knife through brie. They can reach 357mph (faster than the take-off speed of a Boeing 747). Onboard a TGV service to Zürich, the shortcomings become apparent as landscapes flash past like a movie in fast-forward. Every so often, there’s just time to subliminally take in countryside scenes like a village square, silent but for the gentle clunk of pétanque and the loud whoosh of the regular TGVs.

Zürich, too, seems like a city that ticks along as assuredly as a well-made timepiece. Blue trams putter the avenues, funiculars climb the surrounding hills and rowing boats cast off onto the Zürichsee – the lake around which the city huddles, and across whose waters the Alps can be seen on clear days. By the time the station clock shows six, Zürich is stirring with evening life, as city workers amble riverside promenades and tables fill at

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Destination | London to Venice cafés. And by the time the At lunchtime, we grind to a halt clock strikes eight the next by the stone station at Alp Grüm, morning, it’s time for me to ‘You never get tired a place still only accessible set out on the most beautiful by rail in winter. To the south, of this,’ says Sylvie railway journey in the world. Italian mountains are visible, Kissling, a teacher Look at the list of UNESCO standing proudly beside their World Heritage sites and taller Swiss comrades. Beneath from Zürich. ‘Even there – in amongst Machu them is the modest border town as a Swiss person Picchu, the Pyramids of Giza of Tirano, where the Bernina this journey is and the Taj Mahal – you’ll Express terminates beside a find a small Swiss railway. tricolore flag and a square lined amazing.’ The Bernina Line is a railway with pizzerias. that can convert anyone into a militant trainspotter: ‘You never get tired of this,’ says travelling through Alpine scenery so exquisite, Sylvie Kissling, a teacher from Zürich. ‘Even as a every camera battery onboard is drained. Swiss person this journey is amazing.’ Soon we’re climbing above church spires and treetops, crossing rushing rivers and passing meadows where wildflowers sway and cowbells clang melodically. The Bernina Express is, it seems, a train with a rather confused personality. Sometimes it’s a rollercoaster: storming up steep gradients, shimmying along cliff edges and plunging into tunnels. At other times, it pretends to be a car, barging down the middle of main roads and halting traffic. It twists and turns constantly, giving the impression of a train that’s making up its route as it goes along. Midway through the journey the meadows turn to rocky passes as we reach Lago Bianco, the highest point on the railway, a spot visited only by shivering winds and lost goats. But in traversing these wild passes, the Bernina Railway was regarded as a miracle of engineering when work was completed in 1908 – serving remote mountain communities which at that time were cut off from roads. S MMEND S RECO R E K O d itzerlan R A IL B O e via Sw ic n e V to London Express Bernina . and the rney via the Alps pp jou £ 1 ,4 2 9 M A scenic O R F

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From Tirano, I board a local train to Milan. Outside the window, pine forests make way for shady orchards, log cabins for mustard-yellow villas. For one magic hour, the train skirts the shore of Lake Como in the dwindling afternoon sunshine, and for one fleeting moment outside Varenna the train sweeps right beside the shore. In the distance, yachts glide through waters ablaze with the reflection of the setting sun.

stood in this spot, blueprints in hand, confronted with the same heartbreakingly beautiful prospect. Tasked with building a gateway to the most beautiful city on Earth, Virgilio Vallot did the honourable thing and gave Venice a station that neither competes with nor distracts from the glories around it. It makes stepping out into the city all the more sublime. I catch a vaporetto bound for St Mark’s Square and, for the first time since London St Pancras, leave terra firma behind. by Oliver Smith , first appearing in the Lonely Planet Traveller – October 2015.

Before long the light fades, the lake tapers to its end, a great orange glow lights the southern horizon, and the thrum of Milanese traffic can be heard through the open window. The last leg of the journey takes me across the plains of northern Italy from Milano Stazione Centrale to Venezia Santa Lucia, two stations that couldn’t be more different. Boarding at Milan feels like catching a train from inside a Roman temple. Built in the 1930s, it hogs the skyline, is bigger than Milan cathedral and grander than the city’s palaces. Two hours’ puttering across the farmland of Lombardy, past the cities of Verona and Padua, and the train hauls into Venezia Santa Lucia. Standing on the forecourt, it’s hard not to feel sympathy for Virgilio Vallot, the architect who

Images 01 Bernina Express 02 The Gotthard Pass

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Destination | London to Venice

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Destination | London to Venice

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Golden Pass Holiday Classic Glacier and Bernina Express 04

nights

Switzerland Discovered

| from £769pp

Traverse lakes and mountains on the picturesque Golden Pass Line, travelling from Montreux to Lucerne via Interlaken.

nights

| from £819pp

Discover two of the world’s most scenic train journeys, the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express on this classic four night holiday.

overing eight different routes and totalling 795 enchanting miles, the Grand Train Tours of Switzerland journeys through majestic vistas, snow-capped mountains and timeless picturesque villages. We can tailor make the perfect Grand Tour of Switzerland to suit you. Whether you want to experience the most incredible Alpine adventure on the Bernina Express, reach the breathtaking heights of the Matterhorn aboard the panoramic carriages of the Glacier Express or traverse six glittering lakes on the Golden Pass Line, make 2016 the year to discover this magical country as you voyage on some of the most inspiring and efficiently run train services on the planet!

nights

| from £1,479pp

Take a scenic rail journey of discovery through central and eastern Switzerland, using your Swiss Pass to venture throughout the region.

To speak to an experienced Travel Consultant, please call

020 3327 2411

Destination | Europe and Beyond

E U RO P E

BEYOND

At Railbookers we are known for offering tailor made holidays by rail to ‘Europe and beyond’, but what do we mean by ‘and beyond’?

rom the picturesque rivers of Vietnam to the impressive sand dunes of the Namib Desert, wherever in the world you want to travel and with holidays covering five continents, Railbookers can help you organise a trip to over 50 countries and hundreds of different destinations! Explore the wide open expanses of Australia on two of the country’s most scenic trains, or cross Canada in comfort aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Perhaps a journey on the luxurious Eastern and Oriental Express through South East Asia or the opulent Maharajas’ Express in India, discovering ancient temples and delicious new cuisines, appeals? Or, why not uncover the cosmopolitan metropolises of the USA on a journey from coast to coast or an epic trip aboard the Trans-Siberian Express from Moscow to Beijing. Let us tailor make your perfect journey, wherever in the world the tracks take you this year.

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The Dragon Kingdom

15 nights from £3,529 pp

Unearth the ancient traditions, hidden gems and Himalayan vistas of India and Bhutan, including a trip on the famous Himalayan Railway. From exhilarating Calcutta, travel through mountainous foothills to the tea gardens of Darjeeling and the National Park surrounding Chalsa. Cross over the border to mysterious Bhutan and explore the beautiful monuments and sacred sites of Thimphu, Punakha and Paro before flying home from Delhi.

USA Grand Tour: Northern Coast to Coast 10 nights from £2,019 pp Cross America from the Atlantic to the Pacific by rail on this wondrous 10 night holiday. Starting in New York, why not view the city from the top of the Empire State Building before boarding the Lake Shore Limited for an overnight journey to Chicago. From here it is the Southwest Chief service all the way to Los Angeles with a stop in Flagstaff, Arizona along the way and an exciting daytrip to the Grand Canyon included.

Destination | The Culture Collection

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F C U LT U R E C O L L E C T I O N.

eed your passions with our Culture Collection holidays by rail to Europe’s most intriguing destinations. Photographers, historians and art lovers will revel in the chance to immerse themselves in the architecture, history and folklore on a Railbookers culture holiday. Rather than sitting on the sidelines, we encourage travellers to embrace as many experiences as possible and have included an array of activities to enable this to happen. Whether you wish to learn more of the history and art of a particular region, or enjoy an opera performance at one of Europe’s leading opera houses, we are confident you will find something to whet your appetite.

The

Venice via the Alps Arts and Culture Holiday 4 nights from £720 pp

Lille Cultural Holiday 03 nights from £339 pp Culture Capitals of Spain

06 nights from £729 pp

Explore the Culture capitals of Spain on this six night holiday by air and rail. Your adventure begins with a flight from London to Madrid where you will spend two nights. Wander around the landscaped gardens of the Parque del Retiro or marvel at the impressive architecture in the city’s grand central square, the Plaza Mayor. Maybe take a tour around the Royal Palace, visit the Prado Museum or perhaps enjoy a traditional Spanish Flamenco show before catching the train to Valencia. Do not miss the Gothic UNESCO World Heritage listed Silk Exchange and a trip to the remarkable Cathedral dating back to 1238. Marvel at the futuristic buildings of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and of course no visit to this wonderful city is complete without treating yourself to a traditional Valencian paella. Your final destination is Barcelona where you can wonder at the ornate Gothic façade of the imposing La Catedral or visit Gaudi’s architectural masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia. Work your way through the narrow winding streets of the medieval Gothic Quarter, perhaps visit the Picasso Museum, home to over 2,500 pieces of the famous artist’s work and soak up the atmosphere on a stroll along the famous Las Ramblas.

Spend time in Lille with the chance to visit three of Northern France’s cultural highlights. Travel from London St Pancras International, under the English Channel direct to Lille. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided city tour by coach to discover the main sites and gain an insight into the town’s history. Use your included Lille City Pass to explore the area on public transport. The pass will give you free entry to the Palais des Beaux Arts, the largest museum in France outside of Paris and the second largest art gallery in the country after the Louvre. Admire works by Raphael, Rembrandt, ToulouseLautrec and Rodin, before using the pass to visit the Piscine Roubaix, otherwise known as La Piscine-Musée d’Art et d’Industrie André Diligent. This fantastic museum is housed in a former Art Deco style swimming pool, re-imaged as a museum by the architect Jean-Paul Philippon. Why not use your Lille City Pass to visit the Louvre Lens Museum, which opened in late 2012 to exhibit paintings and other artworks on long or short term loan from the Louvre gallery in Paris.

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Destination | The Culture Collection Enjoy an art focused holiday to Venice including a spectacular journey through the stunning Swiss Alps. Start out from London and travel by train to Zurich for an overnight stop. Enjoy a stroll through the narrow streets of the Old Town and perhaps a meal on the banks of the River Reuss, before riding the rails through the mountains along the dramatic Gotthard Pass route to Italy and on to Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic. Spend two full days exploring the sights of this enchanting city. Wander around the narrow cobbled streets, crossing ancient bridges over famous canals. Do not miss the Basilica or the Doge’s Palace in St Mark’s Square. Make sure you also spend some time out on the water and visit the islands of Murano and Burano, where you can watch the famous Venetian glassblowers in action. During your stay, you will have a private, guided walking tour of Venice’s amazing art and architecture. Gaze in awe at the Gothic San Giovanni and marvel at the spectacular Renaissance exterior of the Miracoli church. Your guide will treat you to a wealth of knowledge about the evolution of art and architecture in Venice, as well as leading you through the amazing, winding backstreets of the city.

Florence via the Alps Arts and Culture Holiday 03 nights from £679 pp Your holiday begins with a journey on the Eurostar from London to Paris, and through the French countryside on a high speed TGV train to Zurich for an overnight stay. Maybe take a boat around Lake Zurich, or enjoy a meal in a riverside restaurant. Travel to Italy along the dramatic Gotthard Pass, one of Europe’s most scenic railway lines, passing shimmering lakes and mountain pastures along the way. Spend two days discovering the delights of Florence with a hop-on-hop-off city tour bus pass included with your holiday. Soak up the atmosphere in the famous Piazza San Giovanni and gaze in wonder at the terracotta dome atop the Duomo. Admire the frescos on the Renaissance palaces in the Piazza della Signoria and Santa Croce and do not forget to window shop on a stroll across the Ponte Vecchio. During your time in this Tuscan city use your ‘skip the line’ pass to visit the Galleria dell’Accademia, where you can gaze at the original statue of ‘David’ and the unfinished sculpture ‘Prigioni’ by Michelangelo, and the Uffizi Gallery where you can admire Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation and the famous Birth of Venus.

Vienna Opera Holiday

04 nights from £1,039 pp

Enjoy a music themed four night holiday to Austria with opera at the Wiener Staatsoper and a Mozart tour in Salzburg. Your holiday begins in Vienna, the stately Austrian capital, discovering its imperial palaces, grand Habsburg funded museums and with plenty of time to stop for coffee and Sachertorte in a pavement café. On your second evening, it’s time to dress up and enjoy a performance at Vienna’s ornately decorated opera house. Travel the tracks to Salzburg, one of Austria’s most enchanting cities surrounded by magnificent scenery. Make sure you include a visit to the Hohensalzburg Fortress. Dating back to 1077, this is the largest preserved fortress in the region, also boasting perhaps the oldest operational railway in the world, a funicular which now transports visitors to and from the Old Town. During your stay, gain an insight into the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque aspects of Salzburg as Mozart saw it on an informative sightseeing tour by coach. You will also visit the newly reopened Residence of Mozart on Makart Square, which dates back to 1617.

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Destination | Italy’s Best City Duo’s

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Rome and Sorrento

I T A LY ’ S

Best

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CITY DUOS

Combine the cultural vibrancy of a city break with three nights’ pure relaxation on the coast on this five night holiday by air and rail. Fly from London to the ancient capital of Rome, and enjoy two days exploring Europe’s largest open air museum. Perhaps take a tour of the Vatican to discover the fascinating stories behind the smallest country in the world and throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return. Travel the tracks to Sorrento via Naples and wander through the atmospheric piazzas, indulge in some delicious local cuisine or simply relax with a glass of Limoncello as you admire the sea views.

05 nights from £729 pp

rom the snow dusted mountains of the north to the sun-baked buildings of the south, Italy’s attractions are so many and varied that it makes perfect sense to combine them. Here we introduce a wonderful selection of Italy’s best duos to experience and discover the finest this beautiful and varied country has to offer; capturing the historical and cultural sites, beautiful coastal towns and spectacular cities in just one holiday.

Whether you want to relive Romeo and Juliet in Verona, indulge in delicious Tuscan food in Florence, tread in the footsteps of Gladiators in Rome, or float along a canal sipping Prosecco in Venice, with Italy’s superb rail network, combining two locations is easy on a Railbookers journey tailor made for you.

Florence and Rome •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Enjoy a classic Italian holiday visiting Florence and Rome combined with some of Europe’s most beautiful train journeys. Travel from London through the French countryside to Switzerland for a night in elegant Zurich. Wander through the narrow streets of the Old Town, before riding the rails through the Swiss Alps on the dramatic Gotthard Pass to Florence. Stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, admire the terracotta cupola of the Duomo and of course, delight in the work of many Renaissance artists at the Uffizi Gallery. Journey south to Rome for two nights exploring the sights of this ancient city and maybe indulge in a gelato or two as you people-watch by the Spanish Steps.

05 nights from £749 pp 24

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Destination | Italy’s Best City Duo’s

Turin and Genoa •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Discover two quintessential Italian cities on a five night holiday by rail. Travel through the beautiful French cities of Lyon and Chambery, across the Italian border and onwards to Turin. Enjoy two nights in this charming city, perhaps, if it is on display, visiting the Holy Shroud, one of the most famous relics in the Catholic Church, before travelling in First Class comfort to Genoa. Explore the narrow alleyways, admire the beautiful architecture and maybe take the funicular railway to the surrounding hills for panoramic views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. Journey home through the stunning Gotthard Pass, with a final overnight stay in Zurich.

05 nights from £789 pp

Verona and Venice via the Alps •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Begin your journey with a night in Zurich, where you can treat yourself to a relaxing boat trip on the glistening lake. The next day travel the tracks through the Swiss Alps on the scenic Gotthard Pass to your next destination, Verona. With two nights in this UNESCO listed World Heritage site, be sure to visit Casa di Giulietta and relive the famous scenes from Romeo and Juliet before moving on to Venice. Perhaps admire the modern art on show at the Peggy Guggenheim museum and indulge in a cocktail at Harry’s Bar where the Bellini was invented!

06 nights from £1,099 pp Railbookers

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Romantic

GERMANY’S

CITIES

Background Image: Hambach castle (Neustadt/Weinstraße) is the cradle of German democracy (Hambach festival in May 1832 - national unity, liberty and democracy). This was the first time where the black, red, yellow flag was flown.

A nt ho n y La mbert d i scove rs e nc hant ing c it ie s o n a s ce ni c j ou rn ey a lon g t he R hine .

o wonder the French king Louis XIV wanted the Rhineland-Palatinate; the glorious river valleys and hills of this western part of Germany offer some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes, impressive buildings, and wines from vineyards cultivated since Roman times. The most relaxing way to explore the region is by train, and there are plenty of lines threading the valleys with stations serving wine-making villages or the start of a bracing walk to a hilltop fortification. The best-known journey is along the Rhine, and trains operate along both banks between Cologne and Frankfurt via either Wiesbaden or Mainz. Both routes are a joy, overlooking a succession of castles on seemingly every hilltop, pretty villages with riverside terraces for visitors enjoying a glass of Riesling or Müller-Thurgau, steep hillsides covered in vines, and the constant stream of impossibly long barges negotiating the many bends in the river. It’s hard to choose places to stop at. Passengers have transferred between boat and train and Bingen for many generations, but today it also appeals to devotees of early music – the extraordinary polymath and composer Hildegard was the abbess here in the 12th century. For the fine medieval fortress of Marksburg Castle, alight at Braubach and discover how it was the only Rhenish castle to withstand siege on the Thirty

Worms

Years War. From the resort of Königswinter, a rack railway climbs to Drachenfels, one of the wooded volcanic hills along the east bank. The larger towns and cities also have much to offer. Visit the monumental Romanesque cathedral in Mainz in the late afternoon, when you may have the dimly lit place to yourself, and the atmosphere that emanates from the vast sandstone edifice, where people have worshipped since 1009, is dramatic. Or stop in Koblenz, where the Mosel meets the Rhine, and walk the linear garden beside the river, take a virtual journey along the Rhine through a brilliantly devised interactive installation in the modern visitor centre, or visit by cablecar the mighty Ehrenbreitstein fortress overlooking the river and the two railways that are justly ranked among Europe’s finest. Treat yourself to a holiday of pure romance and passion. The romantic cities of Idar-Oberstein, Neustadt/Weinstraße, Trier, Koblenz, Mainz, Worms and Speyer – all situated along the Rhine and Moselle rivers or close enough, dotted with legendary castles and palaces, mighty cathedrals and churches, crooked old streets, worldfamous wines and boasting a wealth of history, invite you to partake in exciting experiences, creative pleasures and unforgettable memories.

Koblenz

Mainz

Route ideas Mainz to Speyer via Worms – Take a scenic journey along the Rhine visiting the impressive cathedrals of Mainz and Speyer and search for the legendary Rhine gold of the Nibelungs in Worms. ............................................................................. Neustadt/Weinstraße or Trier to Paris or Luxemburg – Explore the vineyards and villages of the Neustadt/Weinstraße area and admire the ancient buildings or stroll along the Moselle, Saar or Ruwer rivers in Trier. ............................................................................. Mainz to Saarbrücken via Idar-Oberstein – Discover the tranquil village of Idar-Oberstein on the banks of the Nahe River, and be seduced by the precious gemstones on display.

www.romantic-cities.com If you have been inspired to visit Germany’s Romantic Cities, then please call and speak to one of our experienced Travel Consultants, who will be delighted to tailor make a holiday by rail through this beautiful area, just for you!

Call 020 3327 2411

Destination | Our Top 5 Coffee Shops... in the world!

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Top

Cof fe e Shop s

Truth Coffee Roasting, Cape Town, South Africa

... in the world!

A love for coffee is perhaps the one constant across the world, but beans vary and roasting styles are unique. Here are our top five suggestions for coffee lovers!

Café Imperial, Prague, Czech Republic

Once frequented by Franz Kafka and now restored to its former 1920’s glory, the Café Imperial offers a wonderful selection of coffees to choose from. Try one of the specials: Karlsbad coffee, espresso, Becherovka, cinnamon and whipped cream. Read a newspaper, browse magazines and soak up the enchanting atmosphere.

Café Grumpy, Chelsea, NYC, USA

Opened in 2006, Café Grumpy was the first in New York to offer a seasonal menu of coffees to choose from. Whether you prefer single bean shots from Guatemala or blends from Colombia and Ethiopia, there is a delicious and socially responsible cup to suit all tastes.

4 Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè, Rome, Italy

Dating all the way back to the thirties, this coffee shop and roastery in the heart of Rome is an institution. Located in the old town centre, behind the Pantheon, the Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè roasts its own beans and blends them with water from an ancient aqueduct.

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“Coffee in the cup should deliver on the promise of the aromas of freshly ground coffee.” Truth Coffee Roasting, an artisan shop making their own blends, has a cult following not just for the exceptional coffee, but also for the funky industrial interiors, filled from top to bottom with metal piping and quirky, old machinery.

Roast, Bangkok, Thailand

Roast combines artisanal coffee-making with excellent brunch and tapas offerings. The aromatic coffee is made with single-origin, in-house roasted beans, but the pride and joy of this enormous, hugewindowed space is the giant black and gold coffee roaster sat along the back wall!

Joseph

Destination | Railway Children

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Elnest

Railbookers Supports

Railway

Children

way bout Rail a n o ti a to e inform n For mor dren, please go -childre a Chil /railw y m o .c s r ilbooke www.ra

his autumn Railbookers continues to support its charity partner, Railway Children, as it launches its “If I Grow Up” appeal.

Every pound donated to the campaign before 22 January 2016 will be doubled by the Department for International Development (DFID), so with Railbookers making a donation for every booking made, we hope to raise even more money for the charity during January. Thousands of children in East Africa are battling to survive on the streets. Children who’ve run away from poverty, violence and neglect at home are now alone, with no-one to protect them and nowhere to hide. They are prey to pimps, abusers and gangs. Railway Children rescues children from the streets and gives them a brighter future. Its “If I Grow Up” appeal is raising money to expand vital work in East Africa and reach more vulnerable children. The money will help children like Joseph. He lives on the streets of Nairobi, Kenya. Hiding from violence and scrapping for food, every day is a matter of life and death for him. He doesn’t know what he’ll be when he grows up… he doesn’t know IF he’ll grow up at all.

Joseph is just seven years old.

“The match funding from DFID will help us to rescue more children from the dangers of the streets as quickly as possible,” says Pete Kent, Railway Children’s East Africa Regional Director. “It’ll help us to take runaway children back home, get them back to school and give longterm support to their families so they won’t end up on the streets again.” With his father dead and his mother in hospital, 11-year-old Elnest had nowhere else to go but the streets. Elnest endured things no child should experience. Abused, used and beaten, he was at terrible risk – until Joram, a Railway Children rescue worker, found him. At first, Elnest pretended he was fine. But soon his story came tumbling out. He was hurt and alone, and desperate to return home. Railway Children traced Elnest’s mum, Elizabeth, who wept with joy to have her son back safe and sound. It gave Elizabeth a grant so she could set up a business and give her children the care they needed. And it helped Elnest go back to school, which then led him to get an apprenticeship, and a far brighter future.

Railway Children will never stop fighting for children on the streets. www.railbookers.com/railway-children

Railbookers

Destination | Ask the Expert

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Ask the

Matthew

Foy

Ex p e r t Your holiday questions answered by our Head of Global Sales

Q: I have read there are no longer porters at some European railway stations – what help with luggage is available?

Q: Can you tailor make my holiday so I can

Mr R Caine, Dorset

Mrs T Benyon, Somerset

A: We can arrange for luggage to be sent on ahead to your first destination, the price will vary depending on the dimensions and weight of your baggage and how far it has to travel. Please contact us if you would like us to organise this for you. Alternatively, in the vast majority of destinations, we can arrange a private transfer from the station to your hotel, where the driver will help you with your luggage. So if you choose to have your suitcases sent on ahead, we can then arrange a private transfer at your next stop, or you may decide to opt for this service instead. Our Travel Consultants will be happy to organise this for you before you travel.

Q: How do I find my hotel on arrival?

Q: What happens if I miss a connection?

Mrs M Finney, North Yorkshire

Mr N Saxby, London

A: Most of our hotels are centrally located, just a short walk from the station, or are accessible by public transport - we will provide details on your hotel voucher which will be sent with your tickets before you travel. Alternatively, if you want to avoid the queues at the taxi ranks, or have help with luggage, Railbookers can arrange a private transfer from the station or airport to your hotel, in the vast majority of destinations.

A: If you miss a connection because of a delay, get your tickets endorsed by a member of staff on your delayed train and then go to the ticket office at your onward connecting station. Explain that your previous service was delayed, using your endorsed ticket as proof and ask if you can be put on the next available service. Remember, we also offer 24 customer hour support if you ever need us while travelling.

fly from my local airport and then continue my onward travel by train?

Yes, you don’t have to fly from London. We can fly you from your local airport to begin or end your holiday, and if you’d rather combine the speed of flying to and from Europe with the comfort and relaxation of scenic rail travel once you are there, to get more out of your time away, that’s fine too. We can tailor make your holiday to suit you, just let our Travel Consultants know how you want to travel, and where from at the time of booking. We also offer a number of packages by air and rail on our website, which we are able to adapt to your requirements. Our Travel Consultants can also advise of upgrade options for both air and rail travel.

Send your questions for Matthew to allaboard @ railbookers.com Railbookers

Destination | Art in Amsterdam

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msterdam has a bewildering range of options for gallery-goers, including the Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt’s house and the Stedelijk Museum of modern and contemporary art. But it is hard to beat the 80-room Rijksmuseum, which re-opened in 2013 after a decade of renovation.

Customer Article

A RT AMSTERDAM IN

The problem with the Rijksmuseum is that there is so much to see: a whole day isn’t nearly enough. If you go early, it’s a good idea to start with the Gallery of Honour on the second floor, where you’ll find some of the greatest paintings from Netherlands’ 17th century Golden Age, as it gets busy later. Jan Steen’s paintings of the Dutch behaving badly are a riot, while Vermeer’s paintings including his Little Street are beautifully calm. The gallery culminates in Rembrandt’s Night Watch, Amsterdam’s pictorial equivalent of a city anthem, where it is fun to watch the people watching the painting’s people – they almost seem to be part of the picture. After that, it pays to be selective. Room 2.15 (turn right at the Night Watch) is particularly interesting for Britons raised to believe the UK hasn’t been invaded since 1066: it features paintings and souvenirs of the successful 1667

Railbookers

Destination | Art in Amsterdam be a typically calm Dutch landscape, until you notice desperate people and animals trying to save themselves. Room 1.18 showcases the Dutch take on Impressionism, with horse-riders on beaches and Breitner’s bustling Amsterdam bridge. While the Rijksmuseum is famous, the Six Collection is less well-known but is an amazing experience. The Six family have been collecting Dutch art since the 17th century, and their grand home on the Amstel is packed with treasures. It is worth visiting purely to see Rembrandt’s portrait of his friend, the first Jan Six: while parts of the picture are daubed by thumb, the thoughtful, enquiring face is detailed and entrancing.

Dutch raid on the Medway, nowadays crossed by the Eurostar line, including the royal crest from the Royal Navy’s captured flagship the Royal Charles. Elsewhere in the building, the basement collection of medieval art includes two panels of the Saint Elizabeth Flood, which inundated more than 60 villages in 1421 – it appears to

you will be invited to join a small group tour, lasting about an hour and led by knowledgeable staff. Seeing wonderful paintings in a grand Amsterdam home is an absolute treat – and free of charge. by journalist SA Mathieson, a keen traveller, art enthusiast and Railbookers customer.

Images 01 Exterior view of Rikjsmuseum 02 Night Watch Gallery, Rikjsmuseum (Erik Smits) 03 House of Six 04 Great Hall (Erik Smits) 05 Atrium at Rikjsmuseum

While the Rijksmuseum is famous, the Six Collection is less well-known but is an amazing experience. The Six family have been collecting Dutch art since the 17th century

But there are many more pictures to see, including Paulus Potter’s giant portrait of Diederik Tulp. In the early 20th century, the Six family built a room on top of an indoor stable just large enough to house the picture, before realising the calculations had not included the picture’s frame. So they bought seven centimetres of the neighbouring courtyard, extended the room and hung the picture, as you do. Jan Six X and his son Jan Six XI allow pre-booked visitors – and you must pre-book – to visit on weekday mornings. Apply online as early as you can, ideally with a range of dates. If successful,

Call

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Railbookers

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Destination | Travel Writing Competition

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TRAVEL

Writing Competition

Win £150 of vouchers towards a Railbookers holiday! Do you keep a diary or blog about your travel adventures? Then why not enter our travel writing competition! If you have been on, or are planning to go on a Railbookers holiday, send us an account of your journey and the article judged to be the winner will receive a £150 voucher, and the runner-up a £50 voucher to put towards your next holiday with us. Not only that, but the winning article will also appear in the next issue of All Aboard! Whether you have a tale to tell of your culinary exploits around Europe, your trip of a lifetime across the USA or a city break to see the tulips in Amsterdam, then enter our competition for consideration, and your story could appear within the pages of this magazine.

To enter, write no more than 450 words and send your entry to allaboard@railbookers.com by 31st May 2016 for your chance to win!

Closing date 31st May 2016. For full more information and terms and conditions go to www.railbookers.com/all-aboard

Railbookers

Destination | Waiting Room

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One tourist attraction is missing from the grid. Tell us which one and you could win one of ten £50 Railbookers gift vouchers. Simply email the missing attraction along with your name and address to allaboard@railbookers.com for your chance to win! ACROPOLIS BIGBEN BRANDENBURGGATE CHRISTTHEREDEEMER EIFFELTOWER FORBIDDENCITY GRANDBAZAAR

GRANDPALACE GREATWALLOFCHINA LONDONEYE MACHUPICCHU PALMISLANDS PANTHEON REDSQUARE

SAGRADAFAMILIA SYDNEYOPERAHOUSE TAJMAHAL TEMPLEOFKARNAK TIMESSQUARE WALKOFFAME

Closing date 30 June 2016

Destination | My Favourite Rail Journey - Australia’s The Ghan

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R A IL B OOKER S REC OMME The Gh NDS an and Indian Enjoy a Pacific holiday on tw fam ous tra

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s a standalone train journey The Ghan has it all. The service onboard is relaxed, friendly, spacious and very comfortable; while the menu is fresh, local and varied and the wine selection is one of the best on rails anywhere in the world.

The scenery for the most part of the two day journey through ‘the red centre’ is as close as most of us will get to seeing the surface of Mars. The sparseness of the outback is interspersed with the odd prickly bush or two depending on how much or little rainfall there has been over the past 12 months, but also by some of the most wonderful wildlife that can be seen from any train in the world. Few other trains can match a mob of boxing kangaroos, or a herd of one humped camels racing alongside the track for a show. There is no need to worry if passengers are enjoying a little snooze when such spectacles come along, there is a very

helpful announcement made from the front of the train to ensure nobody onboard misses out! If the onboard service and scenery weren’t enough, The Ghan is the easiest way bar a stuffy and lengthy flight to reach one of the wonders of the natural world: Uluru. The gigantic rock is roughly a five hour drive from Alice Springs, which is the half way point of the complete train journey line between Adelaide and Darwin in the north. No words really can do the experience of witnessing the ancient sandstone monolith justice, especially when seen throughout the changing light of a day. Making the journey there by rail really gives passengers a better grasp of just how remote and untouched from the rest of the world this area is. It is a little clichéd to say train travel really makes you appreciate the vastness of the land you are covering, and The Ghan is far from an exception.

For hours and hours heading south from Alice Springs the only person you might see outside of the train is the ‘iron man’, a man made of unused rails positioned next to the track marking the point of the millionth rail laid. As the evening draws in and passengers enjoy a spectacular sunset its time to enjoy the characters that you can only really meet on such train journeys as this. Pete the Prospector from Coober Pedy regales us with stories of his adventures in the outback. The wine keeps flowing and after an evening of laughter the comfortable bed in my cabin calls, where I am quickly fast asleep thanks to the quiet and steady rocking of the train. I have slept on countless overnight trains in my time, but I really do count the Ghan as one of the most enjoyable and comfortable journeys around. by Gareth Jones, Senior Travel Consultant at Railbookers.

Railbookers

GOLDLEAF SERVICE Rocky Mountaineer offers over 65 holiday packages including several Rail and Cruise itineraries that combine a luxury rail vacation with a dramatic Alaska cruise. With four unique rail routes, impeccable service, gourmet cuisine, and breathtaking scenery, Rocky Mountaineer creates a truly incredible travel experience. The award-winning train travels by daylight through the diverse landscapes of the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada whilst guests take in the breathtaking views of tumbling waterfalls, glacier-capped mountains, and an array of wildlife.

SILVERLEAF SERVICE

Since its inception in 1990, Rocky Mountaineer has grown to be the largest privately owned luxury tourist train in the world and is a unique way to see the Canadian Rockies.

» GoldLeaf Service • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • •

Renowned for its luxurious bi-level glass dome coaches, Rocky Mountaineer’s GoldLeaf Service features optimal views of epic scenery and wildlife such as black bears, elk and bighorn sheep. In the dining room on the lower-level of the dome coach, internationally-acclaimed chefs create outstanding dishes, made with the freshest of regional ingredients. Selections include wild Pacific salmon, prime Alberta beef and locally sourced vegetables, accompanied by award–winning wines from British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and gourmet snacks are served throughout the journey. An exclusive outdoor vestibule on the lower level of the dome coach allows passengers to take open-air pictures, and get closer to nature.

» SilverLeaf Service •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

A single-level dome coach, SilverLeaf Service offers panoramic views from oversized windows. A selection of hot gourmet breakfasts and lunches are served by a culinary team member in the comfort of guests’ spacious seats. Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available throughout the journey and house-made gourmet snacks, such as earl grey scented trail mix, complement the journey’s meal options.

In both GoldLeaf and SilverLeaf Service, guests will enjoy interactive and captivating storytelling and historical trivia told by Rocky Mountaineer Hosts.

Next Issue

Our Recent Awards British Travel Awards 2015 - Winner

Railbookers are thrilled to have won the British Travel Award for Best Rail Holiday Company – Medium. This is the fourth year in a row that we have won an award in this category. The British Travel Awards are easily the most recognisable of all travel industry accolades, voted for by actual customers, and it is a true recognition of success for any nominated company.

How, when, where and for how long – our holidays are tailor made just for you!

Railbookers is best known for our ability to tailor make even the most complex of itineraries, and can easily combine rail, flights, transfers as well as car hire, with a wide variety of hand-picked accommodation options and excursions. Our experienced and knowledgeable Travel Consultants can go through all the different travel and hotel possibilities, and put together a holiday as unique as you. Give us a call today on 020 3327 2411 to get started!

ecmod Direct Commerce Awards 2015 - Winner

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Railboookers are proud to have won the ecmod award for Outstanding Customer Service this year. Judged by a leading panel of experts, the award recognises the highest level of excellence and dedication to customer service within the multichannel business sector.

In All Aboard Issue 6... Around the world by rail NEW! Holidays to Japan The best of America by rail Top 5 Travel Consultant travel tips Festive breaks and holidays ...Plus lots more!

Feefo Gold Trusted Merchant 2015 GOLD

TRUSTED MERCHANT

2015

Testament to our commitment to customer service, Railbookers are delighted to have been accredited with Gold Trusted Merchant status by Feefo, an independent merchant review system that collates independent reviews of customers’ experiences.

For more information please visit www.railbookers.com or call 020 3327 2411 to speak with one of our experienced consultants Prices shown are per person, based on two people travelling and sharing a room, subject to availability, correct as of 04/01/2016 and may vary seasonally. Cover image: swiss-image.ch