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Late November marks the start of Switzerland’s ski season and rail tour operator Ffestiniog Travel is reminding travellers that the snowy Swiss Alps is not the sole domain of active winter skiers. Anyone can watch Switzerland’s majestic winter scenery unfold from the comfort of a railway carriage on a Snow on the Alps 10-day escorted tour that travels on the spectacular UNESCO Rhaetian Railway and includes First Class seats on the famous Glacier and Bernina Express trains. Stay in Chur and Lucerne and explore with a First Class Swiss Travel Pass. Travellers can reach snowy peaks up close by train – no skis required! Departing 13 February 2024, priced from £2,650pp (two sharing) including Standard Class rail travel to/from Switzerland, First Class Swiss Travel Pass, B&B Hotel accommodation in Chur, Lucerne and Cologne, an evening meal in a dining car and the services of a UK tour leader.

Ffestiniog Travel has opened bookings for a special steam weekend including a highlight journey on the aptly named Snowdonian train as it makes its annual 80-mile trip through North Wales’ spectacular Snowdonia National Park. Travel the full length of both the Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railways over the course of one unforgettable day and forms part of a fundraising initiative in aid of the Diamond Jubilee Appeal to support the continued preservation of the railways – it also includes an in-depth tour of the famous Boston Lodge Workshops. The 3-day break begins on 19 April 2024 and costs £485pp (two sharing) including 2 nights’ B&B stay in either 4* Tudor Lodge guest house, or 4* Sportsman Hotel in Porthmadog, 1 dinner and 1 lunch plus a Snowdonian souvenir. Option to upgrade to a luxury stay at nearby Hotel Portmeirion, in Sir Clough Williams-Ellis’ famous Italianate village.

As Slovenia gains a reputation for sustainable tourism, Ffestiniog Travel has added it to its Small & Traditional (S&T) range. Limited to a small group of 15 travellers this new 10-day tour explores coastal villages along the Gulf of Venice and travels across high mountains to the rolling vineyards in the east. Stay in comfortable and friendly village homestays and enjoy locally produced food and wine - in keeping with the company’s S&T aim to discover remote regions rich in nature and culture.  As a rail tour expert, the holiday includes a journey on the stunning rail line from Nova Gorica to Bled. Visit scenic mountain and lake landscapes and impressive natural cave complexes. Departs 8 April 2024, £3,795pp includes flights, all rail and road travel, B&B accommodation, some meals, excursions and services of UK tour leader and Slovenian guide.

Rail tour specialist Ffestiniog Travel has unveiled its 2024 Rail Holidays of the World brochure, featuring a selection of some of its most popular escorted rail tours alongside 15 new tour itineraries to celebrate 50 years in the business.

 General Manager Maria Cook comments; “We wanted to mark our special 50^th milestone with a mix of favourite rail tours, beloved by our regular travellers, and introduce new and interesting rail holiday routes to illustrate our ongoing expertise and our continued dedication to developing rail tours.”