What better way to make summer last longer this year than with an exploration of the delights on your doorstep? This 13-day escorted tour takes in some of the Principality’s finest spots, travelling from Caernarfon to Cardiff, through Snowdonia National Park and down the stunning west coast of Wales, visiting famous heritage railways, castles and museums along the way. Departing 13 September, Wales: from North to South costs from £1,810 pp (two sharing) including B&B, four dinners, 11 lunches, all rail travel, transfers and excursions as per the itinerary, and the services of a tour leader.

Spain’s northern ‘Green’ coast is the focus of this 15-day escorted tour, which also makes a short visit to south western France.  As well as ample time to explore Bilbao, Santander, Gijón, Santiago di Compostela and Leon at your own pace, enjoy scenic rail journeys between San Sebastian and Bilbao, and on the metre-gauge FEVE network, and experience the ‘petit train de la Rhune’ rack railway as it makes its impressive ascent. Departing 14 June, The Green Hills of Spain and La Rhune costs from £2,400 pp (two sharing), including Eurostar/TGV, 14 nights’ B&B, Global InterRail pass, excursions and tour leader.

Bookings are now open for this year’s Harz Autumn Gala. Criss-cross Germany’s beautiful Harz Mountains by steam train on this week-long holiday that is a treat for rail enthusiasts. Departing 16 October, the price is from £1,200 pp (two sharing) including standard class rail travel to/from Wernigerode, three-day gala programme, B&B and tour leader service.

What better way to spend summer’s end than on a two-week rail odyssey through California, travelling along the scenic west coast on Amtrak’s ‘Coast Starlight’ train, hopping on-board the Napa Valley Wine Train, enjoying journeys on the California Western Railroad’s ‘Skunk Train’ and Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, and much more? Departing 4 September, this 15-day holiday costs from £4,655 pp (two sharing) including flights (London), all rail travel & excursions as per the itinerary, room-only accommodation, two lunches, two dinners, San Francisco Visitor Passport (for travel in the city) and tour leader.