The Blue Train experience - A journey across S Africa from £2559.00 pp

10 nights 11 day holiday | Travelling 2019/2020 | Self drive with trains and accommodations included

Blue Train Journey cross South Africa

Day 1: Arrive Cape Town – Franschhoek

Arrive any time and pick up your car for the short drive out of town to Franschhoek.

The rest of the day is at leisure to unwind after your flight, take a wander along

the oak-lined trees and browse the shops, restaurants and art galleries. Standard:

Protea Hotel Franschhoek ; Superior: Franschhoek Country House (2 nights)

Day 2: Franschhoek

Enjoy time at leisure for sightseeing

(own expense). Take a tour of

the region’s wine estates, jump

on the Franschhoek Wine Train,

or browse the multitude of art

galleries and museums and find

a street café where you can relax

outside in the sunshine.

Day 3: Franschhoek - Cape Town

Take a leisurely drive back to

Cape Town and drop the car at the

downtown depot; perhaps take in one

of the regions other towns en route

such as Stellenbosch or take a detour to

Cape Point Peninsula for magnificent views

and unspoilt beaches. After checking in to your hotel the rest of the day is free.

Standard: Southern Sun Waterfront; Superior: Waterfront Village (2 nights)

Day 4: Cape Town

There is much to see in Cape Town and the day is free to explore. We recommend

taking a city tour that takes in a cable car ride up Table Mountain.

Day 5 & 6: Blue Train

Transfer independently to Cape Town train station for pre-departure snacks & drinks

before boarding The Blue Train for your 1,000 mile, 3-day train journey to Pretoria.

Shortly after departure high tea will be served, pass through the scenic Winelands

region, before enjoying a gourmet dinner. The following day continue your journey

and enjoy an off train excursion (weather and time permitting) to Kimberley for a

tour of the open mine museum and the ‘Big Hole’. Once back on board enjoy High

Tea and then take in the views of the South African countryside from one of the

elegant lounges or the comfort of your private suite. Later on a sumptuous dinner

is served in the dining car. Itinerary shown is for 2019, the 2018 itinerary is 1 night on board the

Blue Train, please call for details. (LD) Standard: Blue Train (De Luxe Suite); Superior:

Blue Train (Luxury Suite)

Day 7: Arrive Pretoria – Johannesburg

As the train winds north past Kimberley and Johannesburg enjoy a 3-course lunch

served at leisure before arriving into Pretoria around 15:00. On arrival into Pretoria

station take your transfer to Johannesburg for a 1-night stay. (BL) Standard: Garden

Court Sandton City; Superior: Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton

Day 8: Johannesburg – Hoedspruit – Kruger National Park

Fly to Hoedspruit, gateway to the northern Kruger game reserves and transfer to your game lodge to begin your safari adventure. Dependent on arrival time, enjoy an afternoon game drive in Kruger national Park. (D) Standard: Gomo Gomo Game

Lodge; Superior: Motswari Private Game Reserve (3 nights)

Days 9 & 10: Kruger National Park

Go in search of the ‘Big 5’ over the following 2 days with morning and afternoon

game drives included. Unwind at the lodges, relax by the pool and get back to nature

on bush walks with expert guides. (BLD)

Day 11: Depart Kruger National Park

Dependent on your departure time take one last game drive before transferring to the airport for your onward flight. Itinerary shown is for 2019 & 2020 r, please call for details. (B)

Life on board the train

Enter a timeless world of grace and romance, where uncompromising luxury is the theme. Friendly, efficient and highly-trained staff take great pride in looking after your every need. Take a step back in time to a golden age of train travel,

born out of a dream to connect Africa from north-south in luxury The Blue Train maintains its elegant and romantic features of a glittered past.

The beautifully designed Lounge Car, conveniently situated in the middle of the train, is an ideal venue to enjoy the charming view of the countryside, with its windows perfectly framing the ever-changing panoramas and interrupted only

by rare works from some of Southern Africa’s finest artists – or an occasional

gentle reminder from the barman that your glass needs topping up.

Each coach also has professionally-trained butler available 24-hours a day to anticipate and accommodate your every need.

THE CABINS

By day, your private, elegantly furnished De Luxe Suite, finished in birch veneer

panelling, has generous lounge chairs, a writing desk and television. The golden, Italian marbled, en-suite bathrooms have either a three-quarter size

bath or shower. In addition, Luxury Suites have full-size baths with hand-held showers, CD players, DVD players and wi-fi Internet. By night, your suite is

magically transformed into single or double beds made up with fine linen and eiderdown duvets.

DINING EXPERIENCES

The Blue Train is a magnificent showcase for the finest gourmet menus and award-winning South African wines. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in 2 sittings in the elegant wood panelled dining room and a lavish high tea is served each afternoon in the luxurious Lounge Car. Enjoy drinks before dinner with fellow passengers in the Club Car Lounge, with its card tables, reading chairs and small library. The large windows in the lounges afford wonderful panoramic views of the African countryside. In keeping with the ambience of

the train, lunch is an elegant casual affair while dinner is more formal where a jacket and tie is required for men. South African wines have been specially selected to complement each course on the menu.

PRICES INCLUDE

• 8 nights’ accommodation in named hotels or similar & 2 nights on board the Blue Train

• Meals as specified: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners & all beverages (train journey only)

• Services of an English-speaking guide on off-train excursions

• Transfers, sightseeing & game drives as per itinerary

• 3 days fully-inclusive compact car hire pick up Cape Town drop off Cape Town

Prices are per person based on twin share

Standard from £2559

Superior from £3279

Single supplements available upon request

Not included: Flights from the UK

Let us find the best flights for you, with a choice of Emirates , Ethiad, South African Airways, KLM or British Airways, Economy Premium Economy or Business class - you choose.

Trans Siberian Express: Moscow to Vladivostok Trans-Siberian Railway 12 Day Tour, from £1695 per person

The true Trans-Siberian, this incredible rail journey from Russia’s opulent capital to its easternmost coast traverses an unbelievable seven time zones. Vladivostok, a naval outpost forbidden to foreigners for so long, is now well and truly open for business. The suggested itinerary below includes a stop at Irkutsk for Lake Baikal - the world’s oldest and deepest freshwater lake.

Tour Highlights

See the sights in Moscow

Travel to Lake Baikal

Stop in Vladivostok

Stop at the popular Listvyanka

Visit the Taltsy Ethnographic Museum

Travel through eight time zones

From £1695 per person

Price Includes

Accommodation in 3-star hotels

Meals as specified

All transfers and transporation

Train tickets in 2nd class 4-berth compartment

Entrance fees and sightseeing with English-speaking guide

Price Excludes

International flights - please contact us for best available prices

Russian Visa

Meals on the trains

Price Notes

To upgrade to 1st class 2-berth compartments, please contact us for prices.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1 MOSCOW

Arrive in Moscow and transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 2 MOSCOW

Enjoy a free day in Moscow to explore the capital’s historic treasures at leisure or book optional excursions. Take an evening transfer to the railway station for the train to Irkutsk. (B)

DAY 3 TRAIN TO IRKUTSK

Pass through Perm, Yekaterinburg and Omsk on the train to Irkutsk. Ask a Regent Trans-Siberian Specialist about stopping in Yekaterinburg for two nights. An attractive, prosperous city located in the foothills of the Urals, Yekaterinburg is located on the border of Europe and Asia and is famed as the place where the Romanovs were murdered. Here you can experience a real Russian banya or take part in various seasonal activities from ice-fishing and snow safaris to gentle rafting on the River Serga or mountain biking in the Urals.

DAY 4 TRAIN TO IRKUTSK

Pass through Perm, Yekaterinburg and Omsk on the train to Irkutsk.

DAY 5 TRAIN TO IRKUTSK

Pass through Perm, Yekaterinburg and Omsk on the train to Irkutsk.

DAY 6 IRKUTSK

Arrive in Irkutsk, transfer to the hotel and check in for two nights. Perhaps spend time exploring the city with its ornate Decembrist cabins and colourful Orthodox cathedrals.

DAY 7 LAKE BAIKAL

Embark on a full-day excursion to the small Siberian village of Listvyanka, scenically perched on the shores of the great Lake Baikal. In the summer months travel one way by hydrofoil, returning by car via the Taltsy Ethnographic Museum. (B,L)

DAY 8 TRAIN TO VLADIVOSTOK

Transfer from the hotel to Irkutsk Railway Station for the train to Vladivostok. (B)Ulan Ude Add-onAsk a Regent Trans-Siberian Specialist about stopping in Ulan Ude for two nights. The capital of the Buryat Republic and formerly a Cossack garrison, Ulan Ude became an important trading post on the tea route between China and Irkutsk. Visit the impressive Ivolginsky Datsan - a Tibetan Buddhist monastery - or experience ancient Russian culture in a village of ‘Old Believers’, whose inhabitants still dress and worship as their ancestors did.

DAY 9 TRAIN TO VLADIVOSTOK

On the train travelling to Vladivostok. (B)

DAY 10 TRAIN TO VLADIVOSTOK

On the train travelling to Vladivostok. (B)

DAY 11 VLADIVOSTOK

Arrive early in the morning and transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay. Explore the city at leisure, perhaps strolling along the waterfront at Korabelnaya Embankment to catch a glimpse of the Pacific Fleet.

DAY 12 DEPART VLADIVOSTOK

Fly back to Moscow

2019 Swiss Glacier Express and the Bernina 6 days from £1425.00 per person

Two of the world's greatest railway journeys on one tour! Enjoy the classic Glacier Express journey across the Swiss Alps, followed by the Bernina Express in its full glory. Not forgetting Lausanne, Montreux and St Moritz, plus stays on Lake Geneva and in the Engadine Valley.

Departures:

21st of June or 06 Sep 2019

Price £ 1425.00 per person based on 2 people single supplement £125.00

HOTELS

Hotel Au Lac, Lausanne

A 3* hotel with an enviable location, the belle epoque style and era Hotel Au Lac is situated beside Lake Geneva, just a short ride away from the train station and city centre using your Lausanne Transport Card. The hotel boasts a restaurant, and rooms are equipped with tea and coffee making facilities.

Hotel Schweizerhof, Pontresina

A 3* hotel in the centre of Pontresina offering a genuine and friendly atmosphere as well as an attentive service. Family-run and offering two restaurants plus a hotel bar.

Price includes:

5 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal

Eurostar and rail travel to and from Switzerland in Standard Class, upgrades available please ask

All excursions as detailed

Lausanne Transport Card

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Hotel Porterage

GUARANTEED FARE

Connecting rail travel tickets to London St Pancras International available from us at special fares.

Itinerary:

DAY 1

Travelling by Eurostar from London, we change stations in Paris, continuing our journey to Basel, just across the Swiss border. Here we take the Intercity service to Lausanne via Bern, arriving in the lakeside area of Lausanne and our hotel, the Hotel au Lac, in time for dinner. D

DAY 2

This morning we experience lovely Lake Geneva from the water with a fabulous cruise along the lake to Château Chillon, perched dramatically at the water's edge against a stunning mountain backdrop. We include entrance to the castle before continuing to Montreux for some free time in Lake Geneva's most celebrated resort.B, D

DAY 3

One of the great railway journeys of the world awaits today. First we leave Lake Geneva, heading round the lake and through the mountains to Brig. Here we join the iconic Glacier Express, one of the world's great scenic railway journeys, connecting the Valais Canton with Graubünden. This is an amazing journey and we enjoy it in style, with lunch served to our seats. Known as 'the slowest express train in the world', take your time to marvel at the ever-changing mountain vistas outside your window, as the train follows the course of the Rhône river, then climbs through the Furka Base Tunnel en route to the Oberalp Pass, the highest point on the line at over 6,000 feet. The train then continues through the UNESCO World Heritage Albula Line, a masterpiece of railway engineering of tunnels, spirals and viaducts, including the often photographed Landwasser Viaduct, before reaching Pontresina in the Upper Engadin Valley, where we spend three nights at the Schweizerhof. B, L, D

DAY 4

This morning we spend time in the stylish mountain resort of St Moritz, set amidst a splendid alpine backdrop, before continuing to Punt Muragl, the base station of the Muottas Muragl funicular. We enjoy a ride on the funicular. At almost 2,500 metres above sea level, from the top there are spectacular views to be seen of the entire Upper Engadin Valley. B, D

DAY 5

Having sampled the Glacier Express, today is an equally impressive experience - the Bernina Express. Many aficionados rate this journey even better than the Glacier Express! From our base in the Engadin Valley, we climb high over the Bernina Pass and through hairpin bends on a journey towards the sunny south of the Alps on our way through the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, finally crossing the border into Italy itself. We enjoy a little free time and maybe chance to enjoy an espresso in the Italian city of Tirano, before returning through the majestic Alpine scenery to Pontresina B, D

DAY 6

Farewell to Pontresina, as we head across Switzerland to Basel. Travelling through France, we change stations in Paris to meet our Eurostar to London St Pancras. B

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner