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Grand UK segments its 230 pick-up points into separate regions


Grand UK Holidays has issued two versions of its latest 2024-25 brochure to reflect the different departure regions it now offers. The mature holidays specialist


has divided its 230 local pick-up points into two UK regions, which means fewer coach stops for clients on the way to their destination. One brochure features Area A,


with departures from East Anglia, the East Midlands and northern Home Counties, while the other offers Area B, with trips departing from the Home Counties, London and southern England. One of the most popular


itineraries is the Historic Dockyards & The Diamond Isle tour. It visits Portsmouth, the Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery and the Isle of Wight. The five- day break costs £519, departing from Area A on October 7, or £549 for a departure from Area B on September 2, including half-board accommodation. grandukholidays.com


Intrepid signals three new trips in dedicated rail programme


Robin Murray


Intrepid Travel has launched a programme dedicated to rail travel that includes 40 trips as well as three new itineraries. Each rail trip will be accompanied by one of


Intrepid’s local leaders, who will help travellers navigate complex routes and stations and “maximise the experiences during rest stops and overnight stays”. The three new itineraries are the Trans-Mongolian


Railway Adventure; Paris to Istanbul; and Paris to Rome by Rail. The 11-day Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure,


Grand UK staff show off the new brochure


priced from £2,395, makes use of a railway that was constructed in the late 1940s and follows the route of ancient tea caravans from Beijing to Mongolia. The trip begins in Beijing, travels through hilly


landscapes in China, explores Inner Mongolia and visits Khustai National Park, the dunes of the Gobi Desert


and the town of Sainshand, before disembarking in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. The 15-day Paris to Istanbul itinerary follows the


same route as the Orient-Express and is priced from £3,270. Travellers will stop to explore renowned and lesser-known sites in Strasbourg, Munich and Salzburg, before taking local trains from Belgrade to Istanbul. On the 10-day Paris to Rome by Rail itinerary,


priced from £2,990, travellers will hop on the Gotthard Panorama Express through Switzerland. The journey spirals through the Alps, offering panoramic views of the countryside and sites such as Wassen Church. An Intrepid spokesperson said: “Our rail journeys


allow customers to travel slower, experience more of the countryside and have more opportunities for local interaction. With an average group size of 10-12 travellers, Intrepid rail trips offer customers community, conversation and a sense of connection.” intrepidtravel.com


Audley mimics Fiennes trip with new Wilds of British Columbia itinerary


Audley Travel has expanded its Canada range with an itinerary inspired by the epic journey


showcased in Fiennes: Return to the Wild on the National Geographic channel. The documentary features


explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and 16 13 JUNE 2024


his cousin, actor Joseph Fiennes, travelling in British Columbia. Audley’s itinerary begins in


Vancouver before heading to the Fraser Valley to fish for salmon, sturgeon and trout. Clients visit the Khutzeymateen Valley to spot grizzly bears and go on a multi-


day kayak adventure. The trip ends in the coastal towns of the Sunshine Coast. The 21-day Into the Wilds of


British Columbia self-drive trip costs from £8,930, based on two sharing, including flights. audleytravel.com/canada


travelweekly.co.uk Switzerland


Grizzly bears


PICTURE: Shutterstock/Eddy Savage


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