For engineering excellence and breath-taking scenery, there are few rail journeys finer than Sri Lanka’s Viceroy Special, the country’s only steam train. What better time to experience its delights (by private charter) than in winter, when this beautiful teardrop-shaped island basks in balmy day-time temperatures reaching the low 30°Cs, while the UK average is closer to 10°C? Departing 28 February, Explore Sri Lanka by Rail costs from £4,445 pp (two sharing) including flights (Heathrow), rail/coach journeys & excursions as per the itinerary, ten nights’ B&B, welcome dinner, ten lunches, tour leader and local guide. One overnight flight. 

Spend 10 nights discovering Norway and witness the Northern Lights before visiting Sweden. Ffestiniog Travel offers an escorted tour to the land of the Northern Lights, travelling by train across the Arctic Circle with a further unforgettable journey on Sweden’s Ofoten Railway. The price is from £2,750 pp (two sharing) including flights (London) to Oslo/from Kiruna, B&B, two dinners (one at the Ice Hotel), all transfers & excursions, and tour leader. Departs 20 February 2018.

For engineering excellence and breath-taking scenery, there are few rail journeys finer than Sri Lanka’s Viceroy Special, the country’s only steam train. Experience its delights by private charter on a 12-day escorted tour for rail connoisseurs that ticks off Sri Lanka’s myriad attractions and basks in balmy day-time temperatures in the low 30°Cs. Departing 28 February, Explore Sri Lanka by Rail costs from £4,445 pp (two sharing) including flights (Heathrow), rail/coach journeys and excursions as per the itinerary, ten nights’ B&B, welcome dinner, ten lunches, and the services of a tour leader and local guide. One overnight flight.

After 60 years living in London, ‘Richard Wilson’s Highland Fling’ (More4, 19 October at 9pm) accompanies the popular actor, famous as Victor Meldrew in 'One Foot in the Grave', as he explores the myriad delights of his native Scotland. Make your own memories on a 14-day escorted tour of the Scottish Highlands that features a steam ship cruise on Loch Katrine, visits to Stirling, Crathes & Braemar Castles, a full day on Orkney, and rides on the Strathspey Steam Railway, the Kyle of Lochalsh line and the famous Jacobite steam train. Departing 16 September 2018, the price is from £2,150 pp (two sharing) including rail travel, 13 nights’ B&B, welcome & farewell dinners, excursions and tour leader.