DESTINATIONS EUROPE | RAIL HOLIDAYS
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Get on track with this year’s new rail product and upcoming investment with Adam Shaw’s guide to European rail holidays
third of Brits consider the journey to be just as important as the destination, according to research released last
month by Great Rail Journeys. And Sarah Moore, the operator’s head of product for the UK and Europe, says there has been “increased appetite from customers wanting to experience this”. With investment in routes across Europe, new tours launching and an ongoing desire for environmentally conscious tourism, it’s no wonder rail trips across the continent are popular. “There’s no getting stuck in traffic jams, and with connections made city centre to city centre, travelling by rail helps you really make the most of your time exploring Europe’s finest destinations,” adds Moore. While cost continues to be a challenge when selling
rail travel over flying, there are signs that consumers are willing to pay more for the experience. January was rail specialist Ffestiniog Travel’s best-ever month for high-value bookings, says general manager Maria Cook. “People are booking much more expensive trips, either on our existing tours or planning tailor-made trips. We’re seeing more people upgrade to first class on rail or staying in four-star hotels, for example,” she says.
LA DOLCE VITA Great Rail Journeys’ research found that a third of its customers are planning a trip to Italy this year. It’s just as well, as the operator has launched a new 10-day Hidden Treasures of Tuscany tour. Taking in medieval villages such as Monteriggioni and the renaissance cities
People are booking much
more expensive rail trips, either on our existing tours or planning tailor-made trips
of Florence and Siena, the trip also includes a chocolate- tasting experience in Perugia and a visit to a village food festival celebrating local wine, olive oil or truffles. Dates between March and October can be booked from £2,495, including rail travel to and from Italy. Ffestiniog Travel has reintroduced its Southern Italy & Sicily trip for the first time since 2011 and Cook explains it is one of its top-three sellers for this year. The 13-day tour includes one of the few remaining on-ferry train crossings, as well as a visit to Siracusa, the site of
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