See the World by Rail

See the World by Rail

Close to Home: Isle of Man

This unique island in the Irish Sea offers fabulous scenery, enchanting glens, medieval castles, Victorian railways and trams plus miles of uncrowded beaches.

Day 1: Liverpool to Douglas
Take the fast ferry from Liverpool to the attractive coastal port of Douglas. Arrive mid-afternoon.

Day 2: Isle of Man Steam Railway
What better way to start a holiday than riding on the Isle of Man Steam Railway? This 16 mile, narrow gauge trip runs with original Victorian steam locos through glorious countryside to Port Erin. Here you’ll visit the island Railway Museum which tells the story of Manx steam railways which once covered the whole of the island. Later we return to Douglas.

Day 3: Snaefell Mountain Railway
Ride the Snaefell Mountain Railway on a 5-mile journey from Laxey to the summit of Snaefell, up gradients as steep as 1 in 12. In the afternoon visit the Laxey mines site and ‘Lady Isabella’ – the largest waterwheel in the world. You’ll also visit the Laxey Mine Railway workings. The journey from and to Douglas will be by Manx Electric Railway.

Day 4: Manx Electric Railway
Today you’ll visit the Manx Electric Railway which operates on the east coast of the island from Douglas to Ramsey, a distance of 18 miles. You’ll ride in vintage trams through superb coastal scenery. You'll then return to Groudle to ride on the the two-foot gauge Groudle Glen Railway dating back to 1896 before continuing to Douglas with the Electric Railway.

Day 5: At Leisure
The island is a good place to shop with woollen mills at Laxey, plus heritage and traditional shops. There are wildlife trails, castles, Celtic and Viking remains. You can also visit the remains of the original steam railway routes to Peel and Ramsey.

Day 6: Another day to explore

Day 7: Douglas to Liverpool
Early transfer to ferry for departure from Douglas to Liverpool.

How much?
Includes ferry, rail travel and excursions as specified, 5-Day travel card, transfers, hotels and breakfast
Escorted Holiday - £620
Single room supplement: £330
Deposit: £100

Bit Further A Field: Hungary via Vienna

Day 1: Journey to Cologne
Your journey will start at London St Pancras where you’ll take the Eurostar high-speed train to Brussels with a connection to Cologne.

Day 2: The Rhine and Danube
The direct train from Cologne to Vienna travels along the lovely River Rhine to Mainz and then via Nuremburg and the Danube valley to Linz and Vienna.

Day 3: Budapest
A leisurely morning journey brings you to Budapest, Hungary’s beautiful capital city. The afternoon is free to relax or to take part in an optional introductory walking tour of the city’s highlights. In the evening you’ll have a two-hour dinner cruise in the Danube – a memorable way to start your visit.

Day 4: Sightseeing in the capital
A city sightseeing tour will be arranged for the morning with a free afternoon. A day ticket is included for the extensive public transport network which includes trams.

Day 5: The Zsuzi Forest Railway
You’ll take an Inter City train to Debrecen where you’ll arrive in time for a light lunch (included). Later you’ll visit the Zuszi Forest Railway and join their chartered steam train for the 10 mile journey. Dinner is included at a Debrecan restaurant and afterwards there will be time to stroll the pleasant downtown streets.

Day 6: Rural Hungary
Take the train to Hortobagy on the Great Plain followed by a horse and carriage ride and lunch in a local country inn to give a typically rural Hungarian flavour to the day. Return to Debrecen for overnight stay.

Day 7: The Main Attractions
An Inter City train brings you to Miskolc where, after a short tram ride, you’ll find yourselves at the terminus of the narrow gauge line to Lillafured and Garadna. Lunch is served at an open-air trout restaurant. Retrace your steps back to Miskolc where you’ll take a short journey to Tokaj where you’ll have dinner and wine tasting. Return by train to Debrecen.

Day 8: Eger and Szilvasvarad
Coach transfer to Eger for a visit to the castle and caves plus a light lunch. Later, take the train to Szilvasvarad where you'll connect into a narrow gauge train for the short journey along the Szalajka Valleyn with its waterfalls. Returning to Szilvasvarad you’ll rejoin  the coach for an early evening transfer to Budapest.

Day 9: Lake Balaton
Train from Budapest to Veszprem with coach transfer to the castle and then continuing to Herend for the porcelain works and lunch at a cottage restaurant. The coach continues to the castle ruins of Szigliget overlooking Lake Balaton. Wine tasting and dinner is arranged in a famous Badacsony wine restaurant before your train departs for Budapest.

Day 10: Children’s Railway
Focus is on the Budapest area with visits to the Children’s Railway and Rack Railway in the morning. Coach transfer to Szentendre for lunch in a local restaurant before visits to the scenic Danube Bend, Visegrad Castle and the Esztergom Basilica. You’ll return to Budapest for dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 11: Return to Vienna
Take a morning train to Vienna where you’ll receive a transport pass for the superb network of trams, buses and underground.

D ay 12: Exploring Vienna
Art, music, palaces, cathedrals, cosy cafes serving strudel and coffee – a day is nowhere near enough to explore this beautiful city but your travel pass will make this day good value.

Day 13: Across Austria and Germany
Retrace your steps to Cologne on the direct train.

Day 14: Via Brussels to London
Return via Brussels to St Pancras, arriving early afternoon.

How much?
Includes standard class rail travel, hotels and breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners, excursions and transfers as detailed, transport  passes for Budapest and Vienna, and services of a local Hungarian speaking guide.
Escorted Holiday - £1840.00
Single Room Supplement - £230.00
Deposit - £100.00

Jet Setting: Canadian Rockies Spectacular

Experience the ultimate, circular rail tour of a lifetime on board the Whistler Moutaineer and a special steam train across the Rockies. The scenery is spectacular and diverse. The steam-hauled rail journey from Calgary to Vancouver provides a particularly inspiring experience. No overnights on trains.

Day 1: London to Vancouver
Fly to Vancouver arriving the same day and transfer to hotel.

Day 2: At Leisure
Go as you please in this beautiful city. There is so much to see and do to suit everyone.

Day 3: The Whistler Mountaineer
All aboard for the first of your rail journeys. You’ll have Glacier Dome Car seats for the three-hour trip to Whistler making the most of panoramic views of the coastline, forests, deep valleys and snow-capped peaks. Watch out for Shannon Falls cascading 1,000 feet down a mountainside. Enjoy breakfast on the train and arrive by lunchtime. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 4: Fraser Discovery Route
Your all-day journey on the Rocky Mountaineer new Fraser Discovery train takes you to Quesnel past the Fraser Canyon and Cariboo Plateau which was once ‘gold rush country’. Enjoy varied scenery on this exciting route with breakfast and lunch included. Overnight in Quesnel.

Day 5: Quenel to Jasper
You’ll continue your journey eastwards through the forests of northern British Columbia, home to plentiful wildlife, especially moose. Pass Mount Robson soaring at 12,972 feet. Enjoy breakfast and lunch on the train before arriving in Jasper early evening.

Day 6: Jasper Tour
Today you’ll explore the history and beauty of the most rugged peaks in the Rockies by luxury coach. You’ll also visit the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum before making your way to Calgary for the night. You’ll join fellow passengers for dinner in the evening.

Day 7: Steaming along to Banff
Join your steam train bound for Banff where you’ll stop for lunch before taking an afternoon tour to the picturesque Lake Louise and the stunning Chateau which faces Mount Victoria. The noise of cracking glaciers can often be heard as huge chunks of ice crash into the lake.

Day 8: Icefields Parkway
You’ll visit the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest accumulations of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle. It has eight major glaciers including the Athabasca and Dome. You’ll take a Snocoach tour on the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier before returning to Lake Louise late afternoon.

Day 9: Lake Louise to Revelstoke
Today’s leg of the journey will see the train start the steepest part of its climb through the Rockies. You’ll travel from Alberta into British Columbia and descend past Lake Wapata into two spiral tunnels down the Kicking Horse Pass, continuing to Revelstoke.

Day 10: Revelstoke to Kamloops
An early run down to Kamloops will take you pass Craigellachie, where the last spike was driven to complete the Trans Continental rail link in November 1885.
 
Day 11: Kamloops to Vancouver
Depart for Vancouver and steam along the Thompson River and Fraser River Canyons. Arrive at Vancouver’s Waterfront Station and transfer to the five star Fairmont Waterfront Hotel and join your Farewell dinner.

Day 12: At Leisure
A final day to explore Vancouver

Day 13: Vancouver to London
Homeward bound from Vancouver to London arriving on day 14.

How much?
Includes flights, rail travel, hotels, transfers, meals where specified and excursions indicated.
Escorted Holiday - £4335.00
Single Room Supplement - £735.00
Deposit - £500.00
Fraser Discovery Goldleaf and Dome Class on Steam Train - £970.00

Visit www.festtravel.co.uk for more information or call 01766 516010