Ffestiniog Travel

Friday 9 December to 13 Tuesday December 2011

This tour takes in a wonderful range of festive markets to tempt the discerning shopper.

Thursday 20 December 2012 to Wednesday 2 January 2013

Our annual visit over the festive season is one of our firm favourites. Experience the freedom of having your own travel pass to do as you wish during the day but at the same time having the company of your fellow travellers. Winter in this wonderful setting is truly magical.

Day 1   London to Basle

The tour begins on a mid-morning Eurostar departure from London St Pancras to Paris, then onwards by TGV to Basle for an overnight stay. Standard class travel with reserved seats.

Day 2   Wilderswil and the Bernese Oberland

From this point in the holiday we will be using our first class Swiss Pass. A morning departure from Basle ensures that we arrive into Wilderswil by lunchtime. We will be made very welcome at the Hotel Bären where we have a 7-night stay on half board. On Christmas Eve the hotel will serve a special buffet.

Days 3 to 8   Endless Choices

Free days based in Wilderswil with your Swiss Pass. The ticket covers trains, trams, city buses and post buses so there is something for everyone. Even at this time of the year you will find a lake steamer running! Your experienced tour leader will be available to offer an excursion every day but, if you prefer to be independent, he will offer guidance with planning and timings. Meanwhile, we will also provide a list of suggested excursions, all of which are available on your pass. Your hotel is situated in the centre of the old village and about seven minutes walk from the station. Alternatively, there is a regular half hourly bus service (your pass is valid) from right outside the hotel to Interlaken West station.

Day 9   Into the Rhone Valley

Today we leave the Bernese Oberland and travel via the very scenic and mountainous Golden Pass route through Zweisimmen and Gstaad to the lakeside resort of Montreux. Changing trains here we head along the Rhone Valley to Martigny for a 5-night stay on bed and breakfast basis. We will also have dinner in the hotel on New Year’s Eve.

Days 10 to 13   Leisure Time

Martigny is an excellent base being situated in the sharp bend of the course of the Rhone. With your Swiss Pass you can explore the numerous branch lines in the area. If you feel more adventurous the chic ski resorts of Chamonix and Zermatt are within reach. The former can be visited by a direct narrow gauge mountain line from Martigny station whilst Zermatt is an easy journey with one change of train in Visp. There will be an optional excursion on offer each day.

Day 14   Au Revoir!

An early morning train will take us to Geneva where we join the TGV to Paris. In Paris we have a private transfer to the Gare du Nord to connect with the Eurostar service to London St Pancras, arriving late afternoon. Travel from Geneva back to London is in standard class with reserved seats.

Thursday 29 November to Thursday 6 December 2012

Unescorted options also available

We enjoy the Christmas Markets of these two old Baltic Hanseatic cities, have an opportunity to ride two steam narrow gauge railways and visit the world's biggest model railway.

Day 1   London to Wuppertal

Lunchtime departure from St. Pancras via Brussels and Cologne to Wuppertal for an overnight stay.

Day 2   Via Hamburg to Stralsund

There is time to ride the unique Schwebebahn (hanging railway) which provides public transport along the Wupper Valley before we catch a train just before mid-day to Dortmund. This is followed by an Intercity through train to Stralsund.

Day 3   Steam on the Molli

The tour leader will arrange an optional excursion to the Molli narrow gauge steam railway at Bad Doberan. The journey by rail to Bad Doberan is included on your InterRail but the modest narrow gauge fare should be paid locally. There will be time to explore the old city of Rostock before returning to Stralsund.

Day 4   The Isle of Rügen

A similar option is available to the narrow gauge line on the Isle of Rügen.

Day 5   Lübeck

A half day journey via Rostock brings us to the beautiful old city of Lübeck. Like Stralsund this is an important port with a long maritime history. Free afternoon to visit the lovely Christmas Market and explore the city. An evening meal is included at our hotel tonight.

Day 6   Day at leisure or World’s Biggest Model Railway

The tour leader will accompany those who wish on a full day trip to Hamburg (about 45 minutes journey). Here the options are to visit Miniatur Wunderland, the world’s largest model railway, or simply enjoy the city and do some Christmas shopping.

Day 7   Cologne’s Christmas Markets

After a leisurely start and a change of trains in Hamburg, we arrive in Cologne mid afternoon. Here there are several Christmas Markets within easy reach of your centrally located hotel which is situated next to the famous cathedral.

Day 8   Return to London

Arrive St. Pancras via Brussels mid-afternoon. 

Sunday 23 December 2012 to Wednesday 2 January 2013

Celebrate Christmas in style this year by joining us on our first ever Canadian Christmas Adventure. Enjoy stays at the luxurious Fairmont Hotels in both Vancouver and Toronto and spend Christmas travelling on board VIA Rail’s famous ‘Canadian’ service.

Day 1   Arrive in Vancouver

We fly to Vancouver where on arrival we transfer to the beautiful Fairmont Hotel for a 2-night stay and enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Day 2   Christmas Eve Sightseeing

The sightseeing tour highlights include Grouse Mountain, including a ride on the Gondola, Capilano Suspension Bridge   the longest suspension bridge in the world   Gastown, English Bay and much more.

Day 3   Christmas Day - VIA Rail Vancouver to Toronto

Enjoy a festive Christmas Lunch at the Fairmont Hotel, before transferring to the VIA Rail Station for an early evening departure on board the ‘Canadian’ bound for Toronto, where the festivities continue on board. Your 4-night accommodation will be in Sleeper Touring Class (originally called “Silver & Blue”) with private sleeping berths and all meals included.

Day 4   Boxing Day

Today we journey through the Rockies, following the Thompson River and passing by Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies   all during daylight hours. Enjoy the seasonal specialities served throughout the day and marvel at the snow draped landscapes from the comfort of the dome or lounge observation cars. We arrive in Edmonton late evening where the ‘Canadian’ has a scheduled stop before continuing eastwards overnight.

Day 5   Onwards to Winnipeg

Onboard festivities continue as we travel across the Prairies, through Saskatoon and onwards to Winnipeg. Train staff will keep a lookout for wildlife and highlight points of interest along the way.

Day 6   Travelling through Sioux Country

By morning your journey will have reached Ontario, travelling further east through Sioux Country located in the Northern Ontario Forest.

Day 7   Arrive Toronto

Morning arrival into Toronto. We transfer over to the Fairmont Royal York hotel located just across the street from Union Station, our home for the next 3 nights. We continue on a morning tour of Toronto accompanied by a local guide. Highlights include Eaton Centre, old and new City Hall, Yorkville and the University of Toronto. The remainder of the day is free to explore.

Day 8   Niagara Falls

Depart Toronto on a day tour by road to Niagara Falls and the Niagara region. The clinging spray blankets nearby trees and rocks with ice – we guarantee that you have never seen a spectacle quite like this. There will be free time in the afternoon to do some sightseeing of your own before our journey back to Toronto.

Day 9   New Years Eve

At leisure in Toronto. This evening we meet up at the base of the CN Tower, take the glass elevator up to the 360 Restaurant located 351 metres above the city where we will have a special New Year’s Eve dinner.

Day 10   Fly to London

Free time this morning before we transfer to the airport for our flight back to the UK.

Day 11   Arrive UK

Morning arrival into London’s Heathrow.