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Celebrating 50 Years of Rail Holidays where the Journey Began

Created: 27 December 2023

Rail Tour specialist Ffestiniog Travel will mark its milestone 50th anniversary year in 2024 with a special celebratory tour to Switzerland – the destination of its very first escorted tour in 1974 – complete with the original tour leaders!

The company’s founder Alan Heywood established the rail tour company while working as Traffic and Commercial Manager at the Ffestiniog Railway in North Wales. Through conversations with visitors to the heritage railway he realised there was a strong interest to travel further afield by train and experience scenic rail journeys around Europe.

In October 1974 Alan, now 83 years old, escorted his very first overseas tour to Switzerland, a destination he knew would appeal to those who enjoyed the railways of the Welsh Highlands! Such was the interest that a second tour had to be laid on to accommodate over 70 travellers!

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Ffestiniog Travellers Choose the Train to Resume their Wanderlust

Created: 05 December 2023
The younger climate-conscious generation may be driving the green agenda, but older travellers are also jumping on board, according to rail tour specialist Ffestiniog Travel – following a bumper booking year!

The small independent rail tour company provides a one-stop rail travel service for the over 50s, offering escorted rail tours, bespoke tailored rail holidays and supplies train tickets for independent travel across Europe and worldwide.

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A Return to India’s UNESCO Hill Railways

Created: 21 November 2023

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.

 

Top Rail Journey Picks for 2024

Created: 27 November 2023

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.

 

Reach Switzerland’s Snowy peaks – by train!

Created: 17 November 2023

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.

 

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Why Choose Ffestiniog Travel?

  • UK's first rail tour operator to run an overseas escorted rail holiday in 1974
  • Created for people who love rail holidays and exploring the world’s heritage railways
  • Dedicated rail holiday specialist - great destinations, sightseeing and unparalled railway content
  • Train ticket supplier for worldwide rail operators - we can plan and arrange your rail journey to anywhere
  • Knowledge of the world’s rail routes makes us leading specialists in escorted and Tailor Made rail holidays
  • Over 60% of our existing rail tour travellers return to holiday with us year after year
  • Committed to supporting rail travel and heritage railways around the world
  • Our profits support the continued preservation of the famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways
  • Small, dedicated rail holiday travel team offering an award winning personal service

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