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After a 3-year break, rail tour specialist Ffestiniog Travel returns to India in February 2024. Bookings so far indicate that its 19-day Indian Hill Railways escorted tour is as popular as ever despite the hiatus. Having run the tour since 2000, travellers are still keen to ride the three most exceptional railways that served the former British Hill Stations in India, that are now designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Kalka Shimla Railway, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Rack Railway. Away from the tracks, travellers will visit the Sikh holy city of Amritsar, Delhi, the Taj Mahal and Red Fort at Agra and see the Himalayas before flying south to the Blue Mountains. Departing 11 February 2024, the price £6,850pp includes all flights, all rail travel, B&B hotel accommodation, 16 lunches, 12 dinners, excursions, and UK tour leader.

For those compiling features on the Top Rail Journeys for 2024, Rail Tour Specialist Ffestiniog Travel has a few suggestions. Its new tour of Slovenia in April includes a 2-hour journey from Nova Gorica to Lake Bled travelling through stunning scenery. Travel through California’s historic wine country on the Napa Valley train on a West Coast USA tour in June. Unforgettable rail journeys await on the Tren a las Nubes, Tren de las Sierras and Titicaca Train on an incredible 25-day rail tour of South American in October. A tour of mainland Greece in May includes a remarkable narrow gauge line from Kalavrita to the Gulf of Corinth. Just a few among other well-known rail routes in Switzerland and scenic train journeys exploring the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Mallorca. See all 2024 Escorted Tours  or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Late November marks the start of Switzerland’s ski season and rail tour operator Ffestiniog Travel is reminding travellers that the snowy Swiss Alps is not the sole domain of active winter skiers. Anyone can watch Switzerland’s majestic winter scenery unfold from the comfort of a railway carriage on a Snow on the Alps 10-day escorted tour that travels on the spectacular UNESCO Rhaetian Railway and includes First Class seats on the famous Glacier and Bernina Express trains. Stay in Chur and Lucerne and explore with a First Class Swiss Travel Pass. Travellers can reach snowy peaks up close by train – no skis required! Departing 13 February 2024, priced from £2,650pp (two sharing) including Standard Class rail travel to/from Switzerland, First Class Swiss Travel Pass, B&B Hotel accommodation in Chur, Lucerne and Cologne, an evening meal in a dining car and the services of a UK tour leader.

Ffestiniog Travel has opened bookings for a special steam weekend including a highlight journey on the aptly named Snowdonian train as it makes its annual 80-mile trip through North Wales’ spectacular Snowdonia National Park. Travel the full length of both the Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railways over the course of one unforgettable day and forms part of a fundraising initiative in aid of the Diamond Jubilee Appeal to support the continued preservation of the railways – it also includes an in-depth tour of the famous Boston Lodge Workshops. The 3-day break begins on 19 April 2024 and costs £485pp (two sharing) including 2 nights’ B&B stay in either 4* Tudor Lodge guest house, or 4* Sportsman Hotel in Porthmadog, 1 dinner and 1 lunch plus a Snowdonian souvenir. Option to upgrade to a luxury stay at nearby Hotel Portmeirion, in Sir Clough Williams-Ellis’ famous Italianate village.