Hit the high spots – mountain escapes by rail with Ffestiniog Travel

City breaks and beach escapes are all very well but, for a relaxing holiday away from the crowds, you can’t beat the mountains. Enjoy spectacular scenery at a slower pace with an escorted tour from rail specialist Ffestiniog Travel (www.ffestiniogtravel.com), choosing from either a Connoisseur Tour (for those with a specific passion for railways) or a Grand Tour (for those with a general interest in exploring the world by train).

Departing in September and October 2019 (and shown in date order below), Ffestiniog Travel offers a tempting array of itineraries in the UK, Europe and as far afield as India…

GERMANY IN FULL STEAM – Connoisseur Tour

Experience the best of Germany’s East and West steam railway heritage on a 16-day itinerary that includes two days exploring the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway, a network of over 100km of track stretching through the fairytale-like Harz Mountains from Wernigerode in the north-west to Nordhausen in the south and the UNESCO World Heritage town of Quedlinburg in the east. Other highlights include excursions on the Brohltabahn (or Vulcan Express) and the Wutachtalbahn (possibly the most spectacular preserved narrow gauge line in Europe), a journey on the Molli (which famously runs through the streets of Bad Doberan, just inches from its pavement restaurants) and a visit to the island of Rügen and its narrow gauge railway, the Rasender Roland.

Departing 11 September, this holiday costs from £2,430 pp (two sharing), including travel between your home station and London pre/post tour, Eurostar from St Pancras to/from Brussels, onward rail connections to Bonn/from Cologne, standard class rail travel, a ‘15 day in one month’ Global InterRail pass, 15 nights’ B&B (in Bonn, Freiburg, Nuremberg, Wernigerode, Rostock and Essen), excursions and the services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour. More details here.

SWISS ALPINE HOLIDAY – Grand Tour

World-famous for its mountainous landscapes, Switzerland’s unforgettable railway experiences include the Bernina Express – the only North-South Alpine rail crossing, the summit of this line lies at an altitude of 2,253m above sea level – and the Glacier Express, an eight-hour journey offering breath-taking views of the Matterhorn, the Oberalp Pass (2,044m) and the ‘Grand Canyon of Switzerland’ (the Rhine Gorge), amongst its many highlights. Enjoy both journeys in first-class reserved seats on this 15-day tour which also includes optional excursions (no additional cost) to Arosa, Davos, Zermatt, Montreux, Lucerne, Lauterbrunnen and Brienz, as well as a first-class Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited independent exploration on free days.

Departing 12 September, this holiday costs from £2,565 pp (two sharing), including standard class travel to/from Switzerland, first class Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited travel on trains, postbuses, lake steamers and many city buses & trams, daily optional escorted excursions, 14 nights’ B&B, one evening meal, and the services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour. More details here.

SWISS RAIL ADVENTURE – Connoisseur Tour

Delight in the diversity of the locations and stunning scenery that Switzerland offers in abundance on this 15-day tour that will appeal to lovers of rail travel, culture and nature. As well as first-class journeys (with reserved seating) on the Bernina and Glacier Express trains, the itinerary includes a full-day excursion on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhaetian Railways network by steam, a private steam tram charter in Bern and a full return trip by steam on what was once the original alignment of the Glacier Express route over the Furka Pass, the Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway (or Furka Bergstrecke).

Departing 12 September, this holiday costs from £2,775 pp (two sharing), including standard class travel to/from Switzerland, first class Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited travel on trains, postbuses, lake steamers and many city buses & trams, steam excursions as per the itinerary, daily optional escorted excursions, 14 nights’ B&B, and the services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour. More details here.

THE WESTERN ISLES OF SCOTLAND – Grand Tour

This fabulous 13-day tour travels the length of the Outer Hebrides before journeying eastwards to the Isle of Skye, returning to the mainland for iconic rail journeys on the Kyle line, the West Highland Line – including a return journey on the famous Jacobite steam train over the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct – and the Highland Main. Enjoy relaxing stays on the rugged island of Harris and magical Skye, explore some of Scotland’s most iconic and interesting castles (Eilean Donan, Dunvegan and Kismul), potter at your own pace in the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and much more.

Departing 12 September, this holiday costs from £2,565 pp (two sharing), including standard class rail throughout, 12 nights’ half board (in Glasgow, Fort William, Lochboisdale, Tarbert, Portree, Inverness and Edinburgh), excursions and admissions as per the itinerary, and the services of a tour leader from Glasgow and throughout the tour. More details here.

FFESTINIOG RAILWAY & PORTMEIRION LUXURY BREAK – Grand Tour

Famous as the setting for 1960s sci-fi series, ‘The Prisoner’, the Italianate Portmeirion Village remains a fascinating must-see destination. Nestled alongside the beautiful North Wales coastline, it’s the base for this four-day holiday which features stylish accommodation at the four-star Hotel Portmeirion as well as entrancing steam journeys through Snowdonia National Park on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways*, accompanied by an expert guide.

Departing 1 October, this holiday costs from £775 pp (two sharing), including half-board accommodation at the Hotel Portmeirion, first-class rail tickets, return transfers from the hotel to Harbour Station in Porthmadog and the services of a tour leader throughout. More details here.

THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE & RANTHAMBORE – Connoisseur Tour

This 19-day Indian odyssey promises rail journeys on the spectacular Kangra Valley Railway – a dramatic line that crosses a staggering 950 bridges and boasts incredible views across the Dhauladhar mountain ranges for its entire duration – and the Kalka Shimla Railway (part of which is by private steam charter) to the Himalayan foothills, where the former summer capital of British India awaits. Highlights also include visits to Amritsar’s Golden Temple, the Amber Fort in Jaipur and the Taj Mahal, as well as city sightseeing in Delhi and wildlife spotting during three safaris in Ranthambore National Park.

Departing 28 October, this holiday costs from £4,795 pp (two sharing), including flights (London) to Amritsar/from Mumbai, 16 nights’ B&B, 15 lunches, seven dinners, all rail journeys, transfers and excursions as per the itinerary, and the services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour. More details here.

For more information on Ffestiniog Travel’s tailor-made rail holidays, ticket-only service and escorted tours – in the UK and worldwide – call 01766 512 400, email info@ffestiniogtravel.co.uk or visit www.ffestiniogtravel.com.

*Note to Editors: Ffestiniog Travel is owned by a Charitable Trust and profits go to support the world-famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. Established in 1974, Ffestiniog Travel offers a wide portfolio of escorted tours and tailor-made itineraries across the UK, Europe and worldwide.

Press: For further information, please contact Karen Carpenter at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email k.carpenter@travelpr.co.uk.