As the pace of modern life becomes ever more frenetic, what nicer way to spend this summer’s holiday than in a destination as charmingly unchanged as rural Romania? This 15-night escorted tour visits medieval cities, Saxon villages and painted monasteries, travels on steam-hauled railways through spectacular scenery, and promises warm hospitality in traditional homestay accommodation. Departing 15 June, Romania – A Living Heritage costs from £2,695 pp (two sharing) including flights (London), rail travel & excursions as per the itinerary, B&B, seven lunches, six evening meals, tour leader and local guide.

Explore a country brimming with cultural treasures and spectacular scenery on this small group tour to Bulgaria. Visit historic sites at Madara and Veliko Tamovo, the Ivanovo rock churches and Thracian tombs, enjoy a vintage tram tour of Sofia (by private charter), ride the narrow-gauge line from Septemvri to Bansko, and much more. Departing 11 June, Bulgaria’s Hidden Secrets costs from £2,435 pp (two sharing) including flights (Heathrow), ten nights’ B&B, two lunches & five dinners, all rail/coach travel and excursions as per the itinerary, Sofia transport ticket and the services of a tour leader from the UK plus local Bulgarian guide.

Enjoy a ride on a steam-hauled train through the Douro Valley, a scenic rail journey along the Portuguese coast and the seasonal narrow-gauge tram from the hills of Serre de Sintra to the pretty coastal town of Praia das Maçãs during this nine-day escorted tour that’s been tailored to rail enthusiasts. There’s ample time to explore the delightful Iberian cities of Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra, too. Departing 22 June, Trams & Trains of Portugal costs from £1,640 pp (two sharing) including flights (London), eight nights’ B&B, all rail travel and excursions as per the itinerary, public transport tickets for Porto, Lisbon & Coimbra, and tour leader. 

Michael Portillo’s latest BBC Two travelogue, Great Indian Railway Journeys got underway last week, its first episode focusing on spectacular train rides between the Sikh holy city of Amritsar and Shimla, in the Himalayan foothills. Experience the exceptional railways that served the former British Hill Stations (the Kalka Shimla Railway, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Rack Railway) on this 21-day escorted tour. Departing 17 February 2019, Indian Hill Railways costs from £4,995 pp (two sharing) including flights (London), B&B, 16 lunches, 12 dinners, excursions & tour leader.