Escorted tour of Australia and New Zealand is one of three enticing long-haul itineraries for 2019.  You can also join Ffestiniog Travel on tour to Japan and India.

Having explored the Great Railways of the UK, United States, Europe and India in his popular BBC series, Michael Portillo has turned his attention Down Under for his latest train adventure. Spotted filming ‘Great Australian Railway Journeys’ in the Southern Hemisphere earlier this year, fans of the programme and rail travel aficionados alike await confirmation of the series’ broadcast date with eager anticipation.

2018 is the Isle of Man’s ‘Year of Our Island’, celebrating all that is great about living in and visiting what, for connoisseurs of steam travel and vintage transport, is one of the UK’s hidden gems. What better time, then, to join Ffestiniog Travel’s Isle of Man Driving Experience, a week-long holiday that goes behind the scenes of working railways and trams whilst touring this pretty island in style? Departing 29 September, the price is from £1,385 pp (two sharing) including seven nights’ B&B in Douglas, three lunches, two dinners, a three-day Go Explore ticket & five-day Go Explore Heritage ticket, excursions as per the itinerary, and tour leader.

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.