04 Apr 2024
Tags: Tailored Rail Holidays, Touring by Train, More people touring by train, Europe by train
The train is fast becoming the staple transport tool for the touring traveller according to rail holiday specialist Ffestiniog Travel.
The Welsh-based company is a one-stop shop for all rail travel needs – from escorted rail tours, tailored train holidays to selling train tickets for travel across Europe and beyond.
Among its over 50s customer base the demand for independent, bespoke rail touring has increased by 50% in the last two years – with destinations around Europe topping the 'go to' places.
General manager, Maria Cook says; “The increase in demand for our tailored rail services to Europe is, I believe, due to several factors from improved rail services across the Continent, to older travellers preferring a slower pace, lower carbon footprint way of travel which allows them to see more places in one holiday.
“We have created trains tours for people that take in several countries in one trip, combining France with Spain or visiting Germany, Switzerland and Austria in a rail break. With a direct Eurostar to Amsterdam we are also finding people want to see more of Holland and take in Belgium or Denmark at the same time.
As experts in train travel across Europe the company finds the best routes and rail passes to suit each traveller's budget and organises accommodation en route if required and can even arrange sightseeing excursions along the way.
The increasing number of overnight trains across Europe are proving appealing to rail travellers too, as they allow them to go even further into Europe in the timeframe of a regular holiday.
European Sleeper currently run sleeper trains from Brussels to Berlin three nights a week and will be extending their route to Prague from March 2024. In December 2023 NightJet started a new route from Paris to Berlin – it currently operates three times a week, but the service becomes daily from October 2024. NightJet also introduced a new route from Brussels to Berlin in December 2023, running three times a week. From December 2024 NightJet is also planning to operate sleeper trains from Zurich to Barcelona - a great connection for those who enjoy touring several countries by train.
Maria added; “As a leading UK retailer of European train tickets we get requests for rail routes that go beyond the simple point to point ticket and venture off onto a country's branch lines. We can create journeys with many stopovers en route and advise on the most suitable cost effective rail pass, whether it be for a specific country such as the Swiss Travel Pass or a Europe wide InterRail Pass that can cover from 3 days to 3 months.
“If you have the time, exploring Europe by rail becomes more of an adventure than a holiday. You can take in major cities or venture off into the provinces – no crowded airports or stressful road journeys to contend with!”
This tailor-made rail holiday travels by rail via an overnight stay in Cologne to Chur in Switzerland to begin a selection of wonderfully scenic rail journeys in Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Austria. Ride the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway, the narrow gauge line to Collalbo, take a steam loco trip on the renowned Zillertal Railway, ascend to Lake Achensee and Scheeberg mountain by rack railway and cross the UNESCO World Heritage Semmering Pass. This rail holiday combines stunning mountain scenery and vistas with free time to explore Chur, Bolzano, Innsbruck, Graz and Vienna. This 16-day tour is priced from £2,995pp (two sharing) and includes all rail travel using a Global Rail Pass, hotel B&B accommodation and some suggested excursions.
Travel through France by train to Spain's lush north west coastline to enjoy scenic rail journeys and stays in vibrant cities. Overnight in Poitiers en route before beginning your Spanish coastal journey that includes stays in San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Gijon, Ferrol, Santiago de Compostela and Leon. This tailored tour is entirely by train and is a wonderful way to see this beautiful part of Spain and its stunning beaches. It can be adapted to extend time in France. Priced from £2,750pp (two sharing) this15 day holiday includes all rail travel using a Global Rail Pass, hotel B&B accommodation and suggested excursions.
Low Countries and the Western Front
This themed 10-day rail tour is based on one of Michael Portillo's Great European Railway Journeys TV episodes that pays homage to the First World War by visiting some of the key locations and the railways that played an important role during WW1. It includes time to explore Amsterdam, Den Haag, Brussels, Mons, Albert and Amiens and offers a sense of the legacy left by events on the Western Front. This tour is a great illustration of what can be included in a specific, tailored rail trip. Priced from £1,990pp (two sharing) it includes all rail travel and hotel B&B accommodation.
See more of Ffestiniog Travel's Tailored Rail holidays
