Ffestiniog Travel

Specialist rail operator Ffestiniog Travel has announced a new, one-off weekend package to commemorate a truly memorable steam event on the newly-completed Welsh Highland Railway.

A must for rail enthusiasts, a whole host of steam festivities will take place throughout the weekend. A ‘King of the Hill’ time trial, which sees Garratt, Fairlie and Mallett steam engines battle it out on the toughest stretch of railway in the UK, will top the bill. Visiting locomotives include The Mallet from Statfold Barn Railway and Adrian Shooter’s Darjeeling B Class locomotive Number 19. Beddgelert Station and Dinas Goods Sheds, which often stores old engines and hosts various events like the Rail Ale Festival, will also lay on extra attractions and refreshments.

Other highlights include the chance to see three Beyer Garratt NG/G16s in steam for the first time and watch a triple-headed Garratt Superpower cross Britannia Bridge in Porthmadog and travel through the Aberglaslyn Pass.

Ffestiniog Travel has arranged a unique weekend tour to make the most of this rare occasion. Priced at £310 pp (£25 single room supplement), the weekend takes place from 9th to 12th September and includes three nights’ accommodation on a half–board basis at the St Kilda Hotel on Llandudno’s promenade. Guests will receive a rover ticket for the weekend to cover travel on both the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. All coach transfers and the services of an experienced tour leader are included in the cost.

To book, visit www.ffestiniogtravel.com or call Ffestiniog Travel – Unforgettable Rail Journeys on 01766 772030 for more information.

Take the train to Switzerland for a guaranteed white Christmas and a fun-filled New Year. Departing London St Pancras, the charming alpine village of Wilderswil makes an ideal base, with plenty of time to soak up its snowy surrounds by public transport. A scenic sojourn on the Golden Pass line to picturesque Lausanne features and the group will see in the New Year with a special celebration dinner in Romanshorn, nestled on the shore of Lake Constance. Departing 21 December, the price of £2,095 pp includes first class travel and Swiss Pass (standard class on Eurostar), 13 nights B&B (seven nights half board in Wilderswil), and the services of an experienced tour guide. Click here for more information.

Thanks to Eurostar, Lille is now less than 90 minutes from London by rail. It’s the perfect summer alternative to Paris - sip cold bière blanche in pavement cafes, wander round the old town's cobbled streets or buy some delightfully pungent Maroilles cheese and a fresh baguette for a picnic in Parc Vauban's orchard. A three-night break costs from £360 pp, including return travel by Eurostar, B&B and a city pass for free public transport and entry to a variety of attractions. Call AITO member Ffestiniog Travel 01766 772030 (www.ffestiniogtravel.com). Ffestiniog Travel is owned by a charitable trust and profits go to support the world-famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways.

Make tracks for the vibrant Amsterdam Canal Festival (12-21 August), where free classical music concerts take place along two of the city's main canals. Nine days of indoor and outdoor performances culminate with the impressive Prinsengracht concert, held on a floating stage in front of Hotel Pulitzer. Make the journey part of the holiday experience and travel by rail. A three-night stay in a centrally-located three-star hotel costs £399 pp (two sharing) including return standard class rail travel via Brussels and B&B accommodation. Call AITO member Ffestiniog Travel (01766 772030, www.ffestiniogtravel.com). Ffestiniog Travel is owned by a charitable trust and profits go to support the world-famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways.