PTG Tours - Holidays with a difference 2014

HOLIDAyS WITH A DIFFEREnCE 2014

“One of the world’s best and most innovative rail touring companies” – The Daily Mail

PTG TOURS | Telephone 01235 227288 | Fax 01235 424310 | www.ptg.co.uk02

PTG Tours 2014 Holiday ProgrammeWelcome to our 2014 programme of rail and river based holidays. I hope you like our latest programme which includes many of the old favorites plus some exciting new destinations including Corsica, Puglia, Greece and Croatia in Europe and further afield Thailand, Cambodia and Brazil.

Plenty for everyoneOur holidays are for anyone looking for something a bit different. They have a railway theme but include visits to historic cities, gardens, vineyards, port lodges, river cruises and much more. We use vintage locomotives (sometimes steam) and carriages, where available, therefore adding to the atmosphere. By using trains we allow you to see the most beautiful areas from the comfort of your seat in the most relaxing and safest form of transport. Many of the areas we visit are only visible from the railway line. At PTG we specialize in locations not offered by other operators so you will find destinations such as Cuba, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Cambodia, Croatia, Slovenia and Slovakia.

Your ProtectionAt PTG we are one of the only rail holiday companies who are both ATOL bonded and members of ABTA making us one of the most secure holiday companies to book with. Established in 1998 we have grown from strength to strength, largely down to the huge number of customers who come with us again and again. Why not join us and become one of the “PTG family”.

Holiday PricesAll our tours have a choice of the full package including travel from the UK by rail or air, or a reduced price where you are free to make your own arrangements to join up with the tour in the destination country.

We offer a full range of holidays – whatever your taste:

CulTureThese are our classic tours which are generally for group sizes of 20-36 people. We stay at good hotels (almost always 4 star) and the itineraries are designed for easy going days with plenty of off-train activities, culture, history, gardens etc. Where possible the trains we travel on are of a certain vintage and one or two steam hauled trips are often included. These tend to be our regular tours which will run each year. Destinations include Portugal, Bulgaria, Slovenia, France, Slovakia and Italy.

AdvenTureThese tours are for people with a real sense of adventure, away from the normal tourist areas. The tours are very much unique to PTG. Again these are generally for group sizes of 20-36 people. We stay at conveniently located hotels of a good standard – but you should bear in mind that some of our destinations have never seen a 4-start hotel. Itineraries are designed to have plenty of rail interest but also off train activities showing the local culture and unique wildlife. These tours tend to be one-offs so “miss them at your peril”. Destinations include Sri Lanka, Cuba and Alaska.

luxurYWe are the best place to book you holidays on the luxury trains of Spain and Africa. We give you the guaranteed best price for these trains, ABTA/ATOL security and we can offer a complete package including flights and additional accommodation.

enTHusiAsTThese are aimed more at the rail enthusiast, but if you read the itineraries, you will find that we do include some off train activities. Again we tend to stay at good hotels – mainly of a 4-start standard – where we can. These tours are again unique one-off’s and tend to use private charter trains. These are a real chance to travel on unusual lines (often the first passenger train to do so). Group sizes tend to be larger (60-100 people). Destinations in 2014 include Croatia, Greece, Sweden, Hungary, Sardinia, Corsica, Brazil, Romania and Bulgaria.

PTG TOURS | Telephone 01235 227288 | Fax 01235 424310 | www.ptg.co.uk 03

Jan 25 to Feb 9 sri lanka 4-6

Feb 24 to Mar 10 The real Cuba 7-9

Mar 10 to 28 Thailand/Cambodia 10/11

Apr 5 to 13 italy - Puglia 12/13

Apr 5 to 13 Croatia/Bosnia enthusiast 14/15

May 1 to 8 Minho/douro 16/17

May 3 to 13 italian vintage 18/19

May 11 to 21 vintage Croatia 20/21

May 15 to 22 vintage Central Portugal 22/23

Jun 5 to 15 Catalunya 24/25

Jun 14 to 21 sweden enthusiast 26/27

Jun 28 to Jul 10 Alaska 28/29

Jul 3 to 13 vintage slovakia 30/31

Jul 10 to 20 southern France 32/33

Jul 16 to 31 Midnight sun 34/35

Aug 9 to 16 douro river Cruise 36/37

Sept 6 to 16 vintage slovenia 38/39

Sept 11 to 21 vintage Port 40/41

Sept 11 to 26 us Colorado rockies 42/43

Sept 12 to 25 Brazil 44/45

Sept 13 to 20 Bulgaria/Greece enthusiast 46/47

Sept 20 to 27 vintage Bulgaria 48/49

Sept 26 to Oct 12 Japan 50/51

Oct 4 to 11 Greece nG and Culture 52/53

Oct 4 to 11 undiscovered Portugal 54/55

Oct 11 to 18 sardinia/Corsica 56/57

Dec Austria Winter Wonderland sz664 58/59

luxury Cruises 60

Al-Andalus / El Transcantabrico / La Robla /Rovos Rail

uK Holidays 61

Mid Jun rail Wonders of snowdonia

Jun 25 to Jul 2 rail Wonders of scotland

Jan 2015 new Zealand 2015 62/63

2014 RAIL AnD CULTURE HOLIDAyS

25 Jan to 9 Feb, 2014

From £3,299

Sri Lanka is a beautiful tropical island the size of Ireland, next door to India. It has only 20 million inhabitants, meaning you get the full Indian experience without the crowds or the hassle. Most of the population are Buddhists and are gentleness and politeness personified as befits practitioners of this great world religion.

PTG TOURS | Telephone 01235 227288 | Fax 01235 424310 | www.ptg.co.uk

sri lanka was a valued British colony and people speak english. The island has a wonderful broad gauge colonial-relic railway system still very much as the British left it, none of it electrified. it reaches the highest summit anywhere in the world of a 5ft 6in broad gauge railway = 6228ft. We plan to cover the complete system – mostly with our own private “viceroy” train.

There are plenty of “cultural” places well worth visiting; this tour will be run with two buses and two Tour leaders so that the group can be divided on some days, when participants can choose between two Options, the “railfans’ Option” and the “Cultural Option”.

The bird life is amazing and Twitchers should bring the Book and a pair of binoculars. There are also some nature reserves with “big” animals to which we have included a visit – in short, this tour offers something for everyone. Our dates have been chosen to enjoy the best months weather wise (“best” meaning coolest temperatures and least rain).

Tour Manager: Marion Matthews

Typical Group size: 32

iTinerArY

saturday 25 January We will fly with Emirates via Dubai which gives us lunchtime departures from Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham. We all meet up in Dubai for our onward flight to Colombo. It is also possible to fly direct with Sri Lankan Airways which leaves Heathrow at 9.15pm.

sunday 26 January (D) We will arrive at Colombo Airport at 12.30 local time. A bus will be waiting, to take our luggage to the hotel, but we will travel into town by steam train! Our locomotive will be a British built 4-6-0. This will be our introduction to the “Viceroy Special”, which we have hired for the duration of our stay: it has two air-conditioned Observation Cars, one on each end, and a Kitchen-cum-Canteen Car in the middle. The train will take us across town to Mount Lavinia, past all the Engine Sheds, through the main station and alongside the Indian Ocean, and refreshments will be served on the train. There will be an option of detraining at a suburban station near our hotel for those who would like an early check in. At Mt. Lavinia, our bus will collect us and take us back into town to our chosen hotel, a classy colonial-style pile with a wonderful seafront terrace from which to watch the sun sink into the sea. We will stay here for two nights.

Monday 27 January (B, D) Rail fan Option: Visit all the engine sheds in the Colombo area by bus; leave the last one in a specially chartered historic railcar (EE, 1947) and travel on the Docks Branch to visit the Port Authority mpd and the Railway

Vavuniya

Jaffna

Talaimannar

Trincomalee

Galoya

BatticaloaKandy

BadullaHaputaleNanu

OyaPeradeniya

Nuwara Eliya

PolonnaruwaAnuradhapura

MahoKurunegala

PolgahawelaColombo

Galle Matara

rail & natural Wonders of sri lanka

Museum by train = two freight-only branch lines. Bus back to hotel via Viharamahadevi Park (formerly Victoria Park), home to a 2ft 6in gauge line with KVR stock including a Hunslet 0-6-0DM built in 1949. Cultural Option: 2-hour City Tour on an open-top double-deck bus, a.m.; Visit to the national Museum and Victoria Park. Optional visit to the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara temple and shrine (40 minutes’ drive), one of the most sacred temples on the island: it is built on a site where the Lord Buddha preached on his last visit to the island (over 2600 years ago…). The temple is famous for its image of the reclining Buddha and paintings depicting important events in the life of the Buddha. An 18 foot stone statue has been erected at the temple.

Tuesday 28 January (B) Luggage on bus. Ride public service trains Colombo—Galle. Visit Galle mpd. This is a lovely ride through the palm-tree plantations south of Colombo, always with the sea on our right. The city Tour including the Galle Fort. Galle was a Dutch trading station and is dominated by the picturesque fortress they built to protect both themselves and their commercial interests. “It is one of the best preserved examples of 17th-century colonial fortifications” and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988. A walk along the ramparts at sun-set is a must to experience the old world charm. Sleep Galle.

Wedenesday 29 January (B,D) Luggage on bus. Ride public service train Galle—Ratmalana. Visit the SLR’s main workshops. These will be of interest to everyone and we are proposing to take everyone “train-spotting” today. At Ratmalana, for example, there are offices still without a single computer in them, and workshops with

04

AdvenTure


belt-driven machinery, and we will enjoy looking through open doors and windows: it is a Victorian time capsule. The Apprentices School next door acquired two derelicts British-built Robey steam lorries for the pupils to practice honing their newly-acquired skills. One of them is now in working order and may be steamed for us. For the traction engine enthusiast, a Robey lorry is a very rare beast: almost none have survived. When it is time to take our leave, we will board our special train, the “Viceroy Special”, which will be steam-hauled from Ratmalana to Colombo Fort -Lunch is available on the train (small charge). For the rest of the tour, our “Viceroy Special” private train will be diesel hauled, by a variety of different locomotive types. We have asked to have haulage by a member of each of the different SLR diesel classes, and we hope to have a different loco every day. Overnight stay at Galle Face Hotel.

Thursday 30 January (B, D) We board our “Viceroy Special” private train for the journey Colombo – Rambukkana – Kandy. The first part of the journey is powered by steam runs up to Rambukkana, some 85 km away from Colombo through almost flat country with the views of rice cultivation in various stages, coconut palms and charming villages of the countryside. We detrain at Rambukkana to proceed to the nearby Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawala. This 24 acre large elephant orphanage is also a breading place for elephants and has the greatest herd of elephants in captivity in the world with 78 Asian elephants. The bathing of the elephant herd in the river is a spectacular sight. On leaving Rambukkana, the Viceroy Special hauled by the diesel locomotive begins to climb the Kadugannawa Incline, where trains climb 1400ft in 13 miles, often on a ledge of rock cut out of the hillside with some dizzy-making views. Lunch is provided on board the train. Sri Lanka Railway or Ceylon Railway made its first journey to Kandy in 1867, making a way for the planters to transport their coffee production to Colombo, 25 years after it was originally discussed in 1842.

Kandy is the hill capital and comes complete with a romantic lake which was much loved by the British, and has an agreeable climate due to its altitude of 500m. The city which was founded

05

in the 14th century became the capital of the kingdom in 1592, located in the valley surrounded by forested hills. The city was declared as the World Heritage Site in view of outstanding value of authentic Kandyan royal architecture found in the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, adjoining royal palace and other historical buildings in proximity. The city tour includes these places of cultural interest and well worth visit to Peradeniya Botanical Garden. We will sleep in Kandy at a lakeside hotel.

Friday 31 January (B,D) Special train Kandy—nanu Oya – nuwara Eliya . This is the first part of the great train journey. The amazing diversity of landscape, climate, geographical elevations, and mist clad mountains, valleys and waterfalls are found along the route. The summer resort of nuwara Eliya was discovered by British explorer Sir Samuel Baker in 1847 and was a favourite sanctuary of the British civil servants and planters in former Ceylon. It still keeps the atmosphere of a British village with many of the buildings retain features from the colonial period such as Grand Hotel, Town post Office and hill club. The Gregory’s Lake is another attraction which was constructed by the British Governor Sir William Gregory in 1873.We stay two overnights in nuwara Eliya to obtain the best experience of the summer resort.

saturday 1 February (B,D) nanu Oya-Badulla- nuwara Eliya. The second part of the scenic train journey climbs into the mountains to reach the summit at Pattipola at 6226 ft. which is the highest altitude achieved by a 5’ 6’’ broad gauge mainline anywhere in the world. It has some of the most spectacular engineering feats. Connecting two mountains, the Demodara nine Arch Bride was constructed solely out of solid rock, bricks and cement without using iron or steels. The railway spiral near Badulla is another attraction. Viceroy Special offers photo stops and photo run pasts during this epic journey.

sunday 2 February (B,D) Luggage on bus. Bus transfer nuwara Eliya—nanu Oya. Special train nanu Oya—Kandy (reverse 4 hour journey) This is the second stay in Kandy which offers an exciting shopping experience with souvenirs ranging from

precious stones and handmade laces to stone and wooden carvings. One hour cultural show inclusive of various dancing and musical styles of Sri Lanka is arranged preferably at the hotel premises. . At the end there is the fire show.

Monday 3 February (B,D) Today will begin with a visit to two World Heritage Sites by coaches. Our first stop is Dambulla which is the largest, best preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. It is a magnificent artistic tribute to the Kandyan artists of the 18th century who brought the walls to vibrant life. The next adventure is Sigiriya which is also known as the ‘palace in the sky’. Atop the 200m solid high rock, ancient Sri Lankan King (477-95) transformed the natural rock into a heavenly palace and part fortified town, which together constitute a magnificent and unique architectural tour de force. Optional visit to the Avukana Buddha Statue carved out of a living rock in the 5th century BC stands at a height at 12 meters and is another architectural marvel of the ancient Sinhalese. Overnight stay at upmarket hotel in Habarana, central location between all major historical sites and Eastern Province.

Tuesday 4 February (B) The special Viceroy Special train travels to the port town of Trincomalee which offers pretty views across the three main bays surrounding the port. We will be transfered to our hotel at the Pigeon Island Beach Resort, a luxury hotel on a secluded beach in nilaveli, north of Trincomalee, where we should arrive by lunchtime. “nilaveli is known the world over for its soft, white sandy beaches, mixed with mineral-rich black sand unique to this coastal strip. Knee deep warm shallow water spreads out hundreds of metres into the sea”. Our Agent also enthuses about the coral reefs, while Trincomalee is one of the great natural harbours, being described by Admiral Lord nelson as the finest harbour in the world when he visited the island in 1770. During the Second World War, it became the base for the combined East Asian Fleet of the Allied powers. Rail fans to visit the rail shed at the Trico terminus.

Wednesday 5 February (B,D) For the railway enthusiasts: Special train on an inland circuit Trincomalee—Gal Oya—Batticaloa. Visit Batti mpd.


Cultural Option: In Trinco, visit Fort Frederick and the cliff-top Koneswaram Kovil Temple (a Hindu shrine); bus journey Trinco—Batti along the totallyundeveloped, unspoilt coast, with a stop for a picnic lunch on one of the beaches. We will sleep for two nights at the Passekudah beach resort, near Batticaloa. “Pasikudah is an exotic beach where you can walk on the wide sandy beaches 30 to 50 yards into the sea. Waves are almost non-existent, making the sea look more like a lagoon.

Thursday 6 February (B,D) you will entrain the special train from the railway station near Passikudah Hotel to proceed to the Pollonnaruwa World Heritage Site. The people of Sri Lanka are very proud of Polonnaruwa, medieval capital and the level of civilization it shows their ancestors had attained. It was the capital of the country AD 200—1300 when it was sacked by Indian invaders and is the best preserved of the ruined cities. The Sri Lankans invite one to appreciate the size of the site and it’s what they call hydraulic civilization—the city was supplied with water channeled from the still-existing 2500 hectare Reservoir known as the Sea of Parakrama. However, the Gal Vihara Rock Monastery is the most celebrated site in Polonnaruwa these days, with its gigantic rock sculptures which “may be placed among the chefs-d’oeuvre of Sinhalese art”. After the ruin city tour, you will return to Passikudah and indulge in the ambience of the beach resort.

Friday 7 February (B,D) Today we will ride in our special train Baticaloa—Maho—Anuradhapura. A visit to Anuradhapura mpd will be arranged. Anuradhapura is another ruined city, and was the capital before Polonnaruwa: “Anuradhapura was the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka and founded around the 5th Century BC. The sacred city which spreads approximately through 100 acres (40 hectares) of land area is home to the ruins of huge stupas, monasteries, Buddha images, and colossal man-made lakes and ponds, hospital complexes, storied buildings and stone inscriptions that represent the advanced architectural, civil and hydraulic

expertise of ancient Sri Lanka. The Sacred Bo-tree which was planted in 245 BC symbolizes the establishment of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is said to have been grown from a cutting taken from the original Bo tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment and is one of the oldest known trees in the world”.

saturday 8 February (B, D) Rail Option: Travel by coach to Puttalam railway station and entrain T1 Railcar to visit the Puttalam Cement Works. The refurbished rail car rides through the dense forest to the cement works. Ride in the carriage on the end of the Sand Train = long freight only branch from quarry to cement works. Usual loco = an ALCO. Visit the cement works mpd (several industrial 0-6-0D and a 4wD). A picnic lunch will be served on board the T1 Railcar which will travel to negambo where you detrain to reach the hotel by coach.

Cultural option: Travel by coach from Anuradhapura to Wilpattu national Park (one hour journey) Wilpattu is Sri Lanka’s largest national park, which has re-opened recently after the end of 25 years of civil war is just one hour drive from Anuradhapura. The unique feature of this park is the existence of "Willus"- natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. The park still remains fairly off-the-beaten-track for tourists, keeping numbers of jeeps entering the park low. The park is home to leopard, elephants, sloth bears, jackals and other mammals whilst providing ample opportunities for bird watching. After the safari tour, you will be travelling to Puttalam Railway Station where the Viceroy Special train is stationed to take you to negambo having lunch on board.

nB Puttalam Cement Works is the only one with a still-working internal rail system and might be the only factory in the country to retain an internal rail system.

sunday 9 February (B) Return flights to the UK.

HOlidAY PriCes (Per PersOn)

• Full 16 day holiday from London Gatwick, Birmingham or Manchester £3,999 • Own travel to/from Colombo: £3,299

supplements • Direct flight from Heathrow: POA Single room supplement: £500 • Flight upgrade to Business Class: add approx £2,300

deposit • £1,250 with flight option or • £750 if booking own flights

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Hotel accommodation with breakfast and dinner • Services of our Tour Managers (tour is fully escorted)

recommended Flights • EM016 13.35 London Gatwick to Dubai • EM040 13.25 Birmingham to Dubai • EM018 13.30 Manchester to Dubai • EM650 02.45 Dubai to Colombo • SL504 21.15 Heathrow to Colombo (direct) • SL503 13.15 Colombo to Heathrow (direct)

24 Feb to 10 March

From £2,699

This will be the seventh year we have run this unique tour. We travel as much as possible by train, mainly in our own private railcar, covering large parts of the very interesting Cuban railway system. Rail is by far the most comfortable way of getting around this extremely long island and our previous tours have attracted not only dedicated railway enthusiasts but also non-enthusiast visitors intrigued by our itinerary which always encompasses out of the way places well off the usual beaten track of the package holiday tours.


during out tour we reach to the far east of the Caribbean’s largest island, staying in the vicinity of Guantanamo. We will visit areas closed to non- local Cuban’s and foreigners. Most of the long distance travel is planned to be by an American main-line railcar, built in the 1950s. We will be accompanied throughout by road transport (coach) and this transport will convey our luggage. The weather is always warm to hot with occasional heavy rain. This trip will suit those with an enquiring mind and with an interest in railways or culture. each evening at dinner your Tour Managers will be able to tell you a little about Cuba, past, present and future and give you information about the next days’ programme. in Cuba all programmes have to be flexible and everything is subject to last minute change.

Tour Managers: John Glover and Angelina Pons


Escape the winter blues for some tropical sun…

Havana was founded in 1519 by the Spanish and UnESCO awarded Havana World Heritage Status in 1982. The old city includes a fantastic collection of Baroque and neoclassical monuments accompanied by private houses with arcades, balconies, wrought-iron gates and internal courtyards. Retired steam engines are also found in four Havana locations. We start with three nights in Havana and conclude the tour with a night in a resort hotel in Varadero.

iTinerArY

Monday 24 February Virgin Atlantic flight direct from Gatwick to Havana, leaving Gatwick at 12:30 and arriving at Havana at 17:35. Our coach will take us to the Hotel Sevilla, where we will stay for three nights. We will take dinner in the hotel after which we can walk into the centre of old town, about fifteen minutes each way. There are some very interesting bars in town and during our stay we will visit the Factoria Plaza Vieja, a new brewery and bar that is already extremely popular with Cubans and tourists alike.

Tuesday & Wednesday 25 and 26 February (B,D) We spend two days in the Havana area including a full range of visits. There will be a full walking tour of Old Havana for the whole group on Tuesday morning. you will see the Capitolio, Gran Teatro de la Habana, Parque Central, the Malecon, the Ramblas, Bacardi Building, Plaza de Armas,

HavanaSanta Clara

Isabela de Sagua

CienfuegosTrinidad

La Tunas

Guantanamo

CaimaneraBayamo

Holguin

Ciego de Avila

Moron

The real Cuba – Winter sun

Cathedral, Museum of the Revolution, Museum of Fine Art, El Morro, Cementerio de Colon etc etc. We will visit the Partagas cigar factory and the Havana Club rum museum. you will have the opportunity to visit Ernest Hemingway’s haunts,including bars (La Bodeguita del Medio and Floridita), hotel (Hotel Ambos Mundos) and his house (Finca la Vigia) on the outskirts of Havana.

railway enthusiasts will see many steam locomotives rescued by the “Historiador of Havana”, located at four locations, one group being alongside the cigar factory by the Capitolio. More engines will be found outside the Central Station in two adjacent areas. Most of these engines were in use until 2002, after which most of the mills using steam engines were shut forever. We also plan to visit the Cristina Railway Museum and have requested a small steam tank engine to be in steam. Outside this station is a very historic but unrecognised crossing-keepers house dating from the second half of the 19th Century. We also plan to visit Parque Lenin to see their 3ft gauge steam railway. We have requested a short steam train ride alongside the docks, next door to a warehouse, where a very large number of artisans offer their wares. This is area well worth a visit.

Tropicana Cabaret – This world famous cabaret, in the open air, is available as an optional extra. The cost will include transportation to and from and certain refreshments whilst on site. An alternative and more economical cabaret can normally be seen at the Hotel nacional in Havana.

If available we would like to take you all for a train ride on a miniature railway at Havana Zoo.

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Friday 28 February (B,D) We plan an interesting day today taking our train from Santa Clara to Sagua la Grande and/or Concha, the station for Isabela de Sagua. This “port” was founded in 1844 and until the last quarter of the Twentieth century entertained “steamers” delivering goods and collecting sugar on a routine basis. In practical terms most of the former 37 ports around Cuba are now virtually non-operational. Isabela de Sagua is a typical example of the past and we hope we may find some refreshment in this area, an area known for “lobster”, in reality perhaps crayfish. Today it is the end of the line for the railway and it looks like the end of the port!

If there is no refreshment here we will proceed to Remedios for lunch before visiting the Marcelo Salado sugar mill, now a local sugar and railway museum. We hope to take a steam hauled excursion to Camajuani, with run-pasts, before our coach returns us to our Santa Clara hotel.

saturday 1 March (B,D) Check out of our hotel to travel from Santa Clara to Cienfuegos via Rodas, where we plan to visit a narrow-gauge sugar mill (Central Catorce de Julio) operating Russian diesel-hydraulic locomotives. This was operational in 2013, but railways are always under threat of closure following many years of under-investment. Then by coach or train to Cienfuegos and to our bay-side hotel, Jagua, in Cienfuegos. Here we can visit the local Victorian theatre, Teatro Tomas Terry. If there is a show on we can check the availability of tickets. Dinner tonight at La Tranvia restaurant in Cienfuegos, a rare example of a private eating establishment. Cienfuegos is known as the “Pearl of the South” and was named afterCaptain General don Jose Cienfuegos in 1819. A decision was made to colonize the bay of Jagua to increase the white population of the island by bringing in French colonists.

sunday 2 March (B,D) There is a choice today: 1: A day in Trinidad or 2: Relaxing in Cienfuegos. Trinidad is a very historic and beautiful colonial town. At Trinidad there should be a train ride, perhaps with steam engine to Iznaga, the site of an old sugar mill now long gone. Those that want a little adventure may go to the falls and those

that want to stay behind and enjoy the pool and view can do just that. The centre of town is a short taxi journey away or a 25 minute walk along the Cienfuegos Malecon.

Trinidad has been a Unesco World Heritage site since 1988 . It was founded in the early 16th Century and was used by the Spanish as a bridgehead of the American continent. The 18th and 19th Century buildings were built in the prosperous days of the sugar trade. The journey from Cienfuegos to Trinidad takes around 90 minutes each way. A trip from Trinidad to Iznaga is expected, hopefully with a steam engine. Before taking the train we will visit the town of Trinidad for a walking tour and lunch at our favourite buffet. We will then meet again to catch the train to Iznaga. Iznaga is the site of an old sugar mill and a few colonial buildings survive and a spectacular watch tower, which the adventurous can climb. Our coach returns us to Trinidad and Cienfuegos, via a “Mirador”, where we can take refreshment and a picture of the Valley of the Ingenios. Hummingbirds have previously been seen at Trinidad and at the Mirador. Return to hotel for dinner.

Alternatively - you can choose a day in Cienfuegos at the hotel, in town or take a boat trip around the bay.

Monday 3 March (B,D) Today we leave Cienfuegos by train in the morning and head for Victoria de Las Tunas, taking us three quarters of the way towards Guantanamo. On arrival our coach will deliver us to our “transit” hotel. Las Tunas is quite a forgotten place on the main Cuban east/west highway. We expect to find horses and carriages for those who would like to take a ride into the centre of this small town.

Tuesday 4 March (B,D) Today we complete our journey from Las Tunas to Guantanamo in the Budd railcar and then onward to Caimanera, hopefully in an antique Brill railcar. This area is just outside the perimeter of the well-known American base. Tonight in Guantanamo or Caimanera for two nights (early booking will stay in the small hotel in Caimanera and the rest of the

Be prepared to be taken back to your childhood and to see some interesting animals.

Thursday 27 February (B,D) An early start today in our railcar from Havana Central Station to Santa Clara, where we plan to arrive mid-afternoon. On arrival our coach will take us to visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum. It houses the remains of executed Marxist revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara and twenty-nine of his fellow combatants killed in 1967 during Guevara's attempt to spur an armed uprising in Bolivia. The full area which contains a bronze 22 foot statue of Che is referred to as the Ernesto Guevara Sculptural Complex. We will also visit the Tren Blindado (Armoured Train). This is a national monument and museum of the Cuban Revolution, It was created in memory of the events of 29 December 1958, during the Battle of Santa Clara, by the Cuban sculptor José Delarra. We will then be transferred to our hotel, which is formed by many comfortable huts dotted around the grounds and a swimming pool. Hopefully time for a relaxing swim before dinner. From here it is easily possible to get a taxi to and from town.

group in the Guantanamo hotel). The rail journey from Guantanamo to Caimanera includes railway street running, now very rare in Cuba. We will pass salt pans and get our first view of the American base. For the period 4 March to 6 March inclusive we will have obtained special permission to visit this area and passports may be examined on a number of occasions.

Wednesday 5 March (B,D) We plan a day trip to the seaside town of Baracoa, where there will be time for lunch. Baracoa is the most easterly town in Cuba, founded in 1511 and is the oldest Spanish settlement in Cuba. Christopher Columbus landed here on his first voyage to the Caribbean, which he thought was Asia. Due to its geographic isolation, Baracoa, is only just beginning to be discovered by tourists. Those who venture to this remote northeastern corner of the island will discover an almost unspoiled colonial village surrounded by secluded beaches and virgin rainforest. The rail group will instead have the option to investigate the railways around Guantanamo Bay by way of a train or bus from Caimanera to Boqueron, where we are sure to find local refreshment.

Thursday 6 March (B,D) After an early start we join our train from Guantanamo to Bayamo, where a coach will take us to tour a working sugar mill, Central Bartolome Meso, followed by a visit to niquero, where we visit Central Roberto Ramirez Delgado, another of the last surviving narrow gauge mills that operated with Russian diesel hydraulics in 2013. We then return to our hotel in Bayamo, with the possibility of visiting the very pleasant town in the evening.

Friday 7 March (B,D) Today we travel by coach to Santa Lucia, north of Holguin and Guadalavaca. We visit the Santa Lucia sugar mill (Rafael Freyre) that was closed in 2002. We plan a ride on a locally reconstructed narrow gauge railcar that serves an area without metalled roads.

saturday 8 March (B,D) Our coach takes us to Holguin station in readiness for a swift journey west up the main line to Ciego de Avila, founded in 1840. We will say goodbye to our railcar here

as our coach takes us to our hotel. We will visit a local park to see a number of preserved steam engines and we hope to see parts of “La Trocha de Jucaro a Moron”, a military line built to impede the progress of “insurrectionists” from the east to the west during the First Cuban war of Independence, between 1868 and 1878. The railway line from Ciego north to Moron was built in support of the Trocha.

sunday 9 March (B,D) Our coach will take us to the beach resort of Varadero where we will stay in a very smart all-inclusive hotel. We will stop along the way for refreshment, but our objective today is to arrive at the hotel in good time for you to enjoy the sun, beach and facilities. Tonight is our last night in Cuba.

Monday 10 March (B,D) After leaving our hotel we will to visit the Cuevas de Bellamar (and Matanzas if time) before travelling to airport to arrive in good time for the flight back to the UK, leaving at 21:10.

Tuesday 11 March Scheduled arrival at London Gatwick 09:50.

disclaimers: (1) The Cuban authorities reserve the right to change any arrangements if circumstances should make it necessary, and we cannot promise that everything outlined above will be achieved. However, the Cubans are also good at offering an alternative and we will not have any “empty” days. (2) The PTG tour of Cuba goes off the beaten track and stays away from the tourist resorts. Some of the hotels we are assigned might not be of the standard PTG usually manages to get in other countries. People booking onto this tour are understood to have read these Disclaimers, and to accept the situation. We have always had a good time in Cuba.


• Full 15 day holiday from London Gatwick £3,399 • Own travel to/from Cuba: £2,699

Options • Single room supplement: £250 • Flight upgrade to Premier Economy: add approx £700 (if available) • Pre or Post tour nights in Havana or at a beach resort: Price on application

deposit • £1,000 with flight option or £500 if booking own flights

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Hotel accommodation with breakfast • Other meals as shown; L=Lunch, D=Dinner • Services of our Tour Managers (tour is fully escorted from London)

recommended Flights - Outward • Virgin 12.30 Gatwick to Havana arr.16.40 • Virgin 21.10 Havana to Gatwick arr.09.50 (11th)

PTG TOURS | Telephone 01235 227288 | Fax 01235 424310 | www.ptg.co.uk 09

12 - 28 March, 2014

From £2,199

PTG is pleased to offer this tour to South East Asia. It comprises a 15 day holiday using rail travel where suitable, to visit many of the region’s major and less well-known tourist destinations culminating with steam traction in both countries. There is also an optional beach extension.


The tour includes visits to rail and general tourist attractions in these two countries. Within Thailand we visit the royal Palaces in Bangkok and Petchaburi together with the old capital at Ayutthaya. We take to the water to experience a floating market and cruise on

the Kwai river upstream from the famous bridge. some train travel is included, as are visits to rail installations and viewing of preserved steam locomotives. in Cambodia we visit the world heritage Angkor Wat, the royal Palace and the ‘Killing Fields’.

Our tour culminates with steam haulage on the metre gauge main lines of both countries. Accommodation throughout is in quality hotels. dinners and lunches are provided on most days but there is the opportunity to enjoy local restaurants on others. rail journeys are relatively short and on all our luggage goes separately by coach with an option to travel in this coach.

Tour Manager: ray


iTinerArY

escape the last of the uK winter blues for some guaranteed warmth..

Wednesday 12 March Evening departures with Emirates from Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester or Gatwick. We all meet up in Dubai for the onward flight to Bangkok.

Thursday 13 March (D) Early evening arrival in Bangkok. you will be met by your tour manager at Suvarnabhumi Airport and transferred to the Rembrandt Hotel in Sukhumvit. Dinner will be available on arrival.

Friday 14 March (B,D) We start the day leisurely with a welcome meeting, and then there is an option to chill by the hotel pool followed by shopping in Siam Square, museums such as Jim Thompson’s House or Chinatown, all unguided. The rail option comprises a mid-morning departure on the Metro to Hua Lampong railway station. Here the activities can be viewed. There are Plinthed steam locomotives at the station and at the nearby Rly Hq., plus a small rail museum. We board an early afternoon train to Maakasan for a visit (subject to permission from SRT) to the Rly Works. There should be steam locomotives present. We return to our hotel, or for the very keen, we may visit to Bang Sue shed, where there is one narrow gauge steam locomotive with other extant steam locomotives nearby. We take dinner at the Baiyok Sky restaurant; Bangkok’s tallest, with a night market nearby.

Bangkok

Kanchanaburiand Kwai Bridge

Pak Chong

Samut Songkram

Phetchabun

PhnomPenh

Siem ReapThai/Cambodia Border

Chai Baden

Thong Somboon Club

AyutthayaPrachin Bun

Wonders of Thailand and Cambodia

saturday 15 March (B,L) We will take the Sky Train to Saphan Thaksin Bridge, followed by a public river taxi to the Grand Palace (here a dress code applies). We then lunch by the riverside, after which we will take our private express boat to visit (subject to SRT consent)the Thonburi locomotive depot, where there will be a number of steam locomotives. After, we continue by private boat to the Royal Barge Museum and travel along the Thonburi Canals before our return to the sky train station and our hotel. Dinner is not included and can be taken at one of the many local restaurants or bars.

sunday 16 March (B,D) For those fit and ready for some additional interest, we take the Metro one stop, and connect with two backwater public canal boats, and then take a short walk to Banglamphu, a calm oasis in the centre of bustling Bangkok. Taxis will then take us to Wongwian yai Station. The other option is for a free morning and a lunchtime departure to Wongwian yai by sky train. We then all travel on the rickety Mae Khlong Mahachai branch line train to Samut Sakhon. Here we see the real Thailand, cross the wide river on a ferry, to continue our branch-line rail journey to Samut Songkram finishing with a transfer to the Baan Amphawa hotel for dinner and a two night stay.

Monday 17 March (B,L,D) This morning we have an early start to the nearby Damnoen Saduak floating market after which we return to our resort for an early lunch. In the afternoon we have a short drive southwards to the City of Petchaburi to visit the Royal Palace and ride the cable car before returning again to our resort for dinner.

Tuesday 18 March (B,L,D) This morning we must be away promptly to nakhon Pathom to join a

10

AdvenTure


service train at 9:00 taking us to the Kwai Bridge. Here, we view the bridge, preserved steam locomotives and visit the Thai-Burma museum. We take lunch on board a floating raft as we cruise upstream during the afternoon where we may see working elephants and an Allied Cemetery. We then transfer for two nights with dinner at the Felix River Kwai.

Wednesday 19 March (B,L,D) After a leisurely breakfast, we take a late morning train to nam Tok, the end of the Kwai railway, where there is a preserved locomotive. After lunch at a local restaurant we visit Saiyoke noi Water Falls and an Elephant Camp before returning to the hotel.

Thursday 20 March (B,L,D) After breakfast, we leave by private coach transfer to the Woraburi Ayutthaya hotel to take a buffet lunch. The hotel is near to busy Ayutthaya railway station with its many attractive semaphore signals. After lunch we visit the old capital city and its temples before our return to the hotel for dinner.

Friday 21 March (B,L,D) Today there is time for some early train watching or a leisurely breakfast before we board a service train at about 10:00. This train a takes scenic avoiding route across the Pasak Jolasit Dam on an elevated railway. We alight at Lam nari (Chai Baden) at midday and then transfer by private coach on a fast dual road to the Thong Somboon Club Pak Chong for lunch. This is an adventure park which has a narrow gauge steam loco driven by compressed air on a circuit of track. We depart in our private coach through Khaoyai national Park for dinner and one night at the Flower Essence Resort Prachinburi.

saturday 22 March (B,D) This morning at 9:00 we join the regular service train to the border with Cambodia for an arrival here before midday. We then have visa and border formalities to be followed by a coach transfer to our Siem Reap hotel for two nights with dinner included on the arrival evening. We hope to arrive in time to include a boat trip to some floating villages.

sunday 23 March (B,L) After breakfast at our hotel we make a visit to the magnificent Angkor Temple complex and other archaeological sites. Lunch is

11

included and we stay to watch the sun set on the extensive remains. This evening dinner is at own expense in one of the many restaurants in Siem Reap.

Monday 24 March (B,L) This morning we take an early breakfast for our private coach transfer to Phnom Penh where we have lunch. In the afternoon we visit the Royal Palace, Silver

Pagoda and the Khmer Rouge prison which is now a museum. We stay at the Frangipani Royal Palace and evening dinner is at own expense in one of the many nearby excellent riverside restaurants.

Tuesday 25 March (B,L) After breakfast, we take a charter train on the Cambodian railway for about 35km with a 4-6-2 steam loco from Phnom Penh on the line towards Sihanoukville. We take a packed lunch. Towards the day’s end we take an evening flight on Bangkok Airways to Bangkok where we arrive mid evening to transfer back to the Rembrandt Hotel for two nights. There will be a snack on the short flight, but guests may wish to get something additionalfrom the airport lounge.

Wednesday 26 March (B,L,D) Today will be the anniversary of the formation of the State Railway of Thailand and a special train to Ayutthaya normally operates departing at 8:00 hauled by two Pacific steam locomotives. We plan to ride this train, subject to its operation, and then to cruise back to Bangkok on the Chao Prhraya river, with lunch on board. It is possible to return by the steam train in the evening. We finish with a farewell dinner at our hotel, with time to visit one of the nearby bars after.

Thursday 27 March (B) After a leisurely breakfast, there will be a free day before taking your night flight back to Europe. Late evening we take the new elevated rail link to Suvarnabhumi Airport. There are options to stay on in Bangkok for a few days, or take an afternoon flight on Bangkok Airways for a beach extension in Phuket, from where you can return on the same airline to Europe. Our tour manager can accompany you to Phuket and advise you on options available there.

Friday 28 March Early morning departure for flights back to UK via Dubai.


• 17 day holiday from London, Birmingham or Manchester: £2,899 • 15 day holiday joining in Thailand (no flights included): £2,199

Options • Single room (at hotels) supplement: £425

deposit • £1,250 with flights, £500 own flights

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Good quality accommodation with breakfast • Other meals as listed in the itinerary L = Lunch, D = Dinner • Services of our Tour Manager (tour is fully escorted)

recommended Flights (via dubai) • EM038/372 20.30 Birmingham to Bangkok • EM371/039 01.55 Bangkok to Birmingham • EM020/384 20.10 Manchester to Bangkok • EM371/017 01.55 Bangkok to Manchester • EM004/384 20.15 Heathrow to Bangkok • EM371/001 01.55 Bangkok to Heathrow • EM010/384 20.10 Gatwick to Bangkok • EM371/001 01.55 Bangkok to Gatwick

5 to 13 April, 2014

From £1,350

On this tour we visit Puglia (Apulia); a region in Southern Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea in the east and the Ionian Sea to the southeast with 800 kilometers (497 miles) of coastline.


its southernmost portion, known as salento Peninsula forms the high heel on the "boot" of italy.

The area has fine coastal scenery and cities with medieval and baroque centres where the characteristic Apulian architecture of the 11th–13th centuries reflect Greek, Byzantine, norman, and Pisan influences. Puglia is also renowned for its food and wine.

We also visit Matera in the Basilicata region, which has gained international fame for its ancient towns.

Puglia has plenty of railway interest, there are 4 private railways: Ferrovie del Gargano (FG) 76 Kms long, Ferrovia Bari nord or Ferrotranviaria (FT) 70 Kms long and Ferrovie del sud est (Fse) 474 Kms long which are standard gauge.

Ferrovie Appulo lucane (FAl) 185 Kms long narrow gauge linking Puglia and Basilicata.

using both special and service trains we shall cover all the private lines during our tour and have optional visit engine sheds and railway museums.

Tour Manager: Angelina


iTinerArY

saturday 5 April (D) Flights from London Airports to Bari coach transfer to Bari where we stay for the next 4 nights in the 4 star Hotel Leon D’Oro, opposite the railway station. Welcome dinner in a local restaurant. A no fly option is available from St Pancras via Paris and the night train to Bologna.

sunday 6 April (B) A free day for your own exploration and relaxation. The tangled network of crooked streets and passageways that make up Bari’s old town is commonly known as Bari Vecchia. Home to many of the city’s churches and historic buildings, the area is a beautiful example of ancient medieval architecture.

So you thought you had to go to Lapland to visit Father Christmas? In Bari they have the real deal. The Basilica di San nicola, or Cathedral of Saint nicholas, is thought to be the final resting place of this famous saint. The basilica was built between 1087 and 1197 after the relics of St nicholas were brought to Italy from Myra, in what is now Turkey, and the splendid building is dominated by its gilded wooden ceiling.

Monday 7 April (B) Today we travel to the north: first we take an FS train to Foggia where we board the FG service train to Lucera, this line was reopened in 2009. From Lucera we return by FG train to Foggia where we board a FS train to San Severo. We visit the FG depot before taking a FG service train to Peschici Calenella along the Adriatic coast. Here we board a coach for the very scenic journey round the Gargano promontory; the spur of the “boot”, one of Italy's most enchanting coastlines, and back to Bari.

Bari

Alberobello

Lecce

Brindisi

vintage Puglia

Rail Enthusiast’s option: To take a Ferrovie del nord Barese (FT) train to Barletta to meet the rest of the group traveling by the FS train.

Tuesday 8 April (B) There are two options today

Train option: First we visit the FAL depot, then we travel on the narrow gauge Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL) lines to Avigliano and Potenza, the capital city of the Basilicata Region, from where a coach will take us to Matera. Return to Bari by a FAL service train.

Morning cultural option: A guided visit of the Bari medieval city centre, the capital city of the Puglia Region and the second most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy after naples. Afternoon cultural option: Is to take a FAL train to Matera, a UnESCO site, for the guided visit of the old town, with its typical houses called "Sassi" (literally stones), excavated out of the limestone. The movie staring Mel Gibson “The Passion of Christ” was filmed in the Sassi.

Wednesday 9 April (B) Today we travel on the Ferrovie del Sud Est (FSE) line to Taranto to visit the FS depot. On the way we stop and visit Alberobello, famous for its unique Trulli round houses with conical tops made of flat stones, which are typical of this area. The Trulli of Alberobello have been part of the UnESCO World Heritage sites list since 1996. Trulli are a stunning example of an ancient building technique that has survived from prehistoric times into the modern age. These conical structures are built without mortar and have a dome-shaped slate roof, many of which feature pagan symbols and rune- like designs.

12

CulTure


We return to Bari by a FS train on a different line. Rail Enthusiast’s option: To take an earlier train between Bari and Putignano on the line via Casamassima.

Thursday 10 April (B,D) Today we travel to the South. First we take a FSE train to Lecce in the Salento Peninsula, the line via Conversano and changing train in Martina Franca. During the journey we cross the “Itria Valley”, a depression due to a Karstic phenomenon, covered with olive trees and vineyard and dotted with Trulli. In Lecce we board our coach for transfer to the 4 star Hotel President in the city centre, where we stay for the next 3 nights. Because of the rich Baroque architectural monuments found in the city, Lecce is commonly nicknamed "The Florence of the South". The city also has a long traditional affinity with Greek culture going back to its foundation. In the afternoon there is a 2 hour guided tour of the Lecce old city centre. The geographical heart of Lecce is the Piazza del Duomo, although it feels cut off from the city. It's a clever trick, intended by the architects who designed it; first they set it back down a small alley off the main corso, then they enclosed it with operatic buildings, leaving just one narrow access flanked by imposing entrance piers. In the past this could be closed by a huge oak door, although that is long gone. It is quite ingenious, and even now as you walk into the square you experience a feeling of wonder as the drama of the piazza reveals itself to you. The 12th-century cathedral is unusual in that it has two facades, one on the western end and the other, more ornate, facing the piazza. It’s framed by the 15th-century Palazzo Vescovile (Episcopal Palace) and the 18th-century Seminario, designed by Giuseppe Cino.

Friday 11 April (B) Today we have our own special train, pulled by two diesel locos, Lecce – novoli – nardò – Gallipoli – Tuglie – nardò – Zollino – Lecce. We stop for a visit in Gallipoli, (from the Greek Kallipolis, meaning “Beautiful City”). The old town is located on a limestone island on the Ionian Sea, linked to the mainland by a bridge built in the 16th century. On our special train we cross the bridge on the branch line to

13

the port of Gallipoli (normally closed to traffic). We’ll stop also in Tuglie for a visit of the Museum of Rural Life, which is nestled in the gardens of a 17th century ducal palace. On the train we will be served refreshments.

saturday 12 April (B,D) Today we have our second special train, Lecce – Zollino – Maglie – Otranto – Maglie – Gagliano – Casarano – nardò – novoli - Lecce, so we cover all of the FSE lines in the Salento Peninsula. We stop for a visit in Otranto on the Adriatic Sea, the easternmost Italian town. The main sights are the Cathedral consecrated in 1088 and the Aragonese Castle and if the weather is clear we can see the mountains of Albania across the Strait of Otranto. Gagliano is the southernmost station on the heel of Italy, close to Santa Maria di Leuca point. On the train we will be served refreshment. Train option: back in Lecce visit the FSE depot and the Railway Museum. A farewell dinner will be served in the hotel. night in Lecce.

sunday 13 April (B) Coach transfer to Bari or Brindisi (nearer) airports for flights back to the UK.


• 8 day holiday from London Heathrow: £1,599 • 10 day "no Fly" holiday from St Pancras: (double berth sleepers) £1,950 • Own travel to/from Italy: £1,350

Options • Single room supplement: add £190 • no fly option: Enquire for details

deposit • £500 with flights or £250 land only

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Good quality 4-star en-suite accommodation with breakfast • 4 nights Bari, 4 nights Lecce Several other meals as shown in itinerary: L=Lunch, D=Dinner • Services of our Tour Manager (tour is fully escorted)

recommended Flights • EZ8365 12.15 Gatwick to Bari • EZ8366 10.40 Bari to Gatwick • AZ243/7462 09.35 Heathrow to Bari via Milan • AZ7983/238 14.25 Brindisi to Heathrow via M Overland "no Fly" • 3 April: 14.30 from St Pancras arriving in Bari at 14.08 on Saturday. • 12 April: 14.13 from Lecce arriving in London at 13.30 on the Monday.

5 to 13 April, 2014

From £999

After our successful tour of Croatia in 2012 we plan to go back and complete the job by doing every available line we haven’t already covered east of Zagreb.


That includes the isolated line from Capljina to Ploče, and as we have to go though Bosnia Herzogovina to get there, we thought we’d include every available line in that country as well.

There really is something for everybody. GM diesels from Croatia, Bosnia (and maybe serbia), some rare freight only lines and great scenery. The ascent of the loops up the mountain north of Konjic should be great with a diesel and we include a stop in Mostar to see the famous bridge.

Tour Managers: Phil and Marion

iTinerArY

saturday 5 April Fly to Zagreb. Direct flights from Heathrow and indirect flights from Birmingham and Manchester. It is also possible to fly out on Friday - direct from Gatwick with a pre-tour night in Zagreb with time to explore the city or tram network.

sunday 6 April (B) After finishing off the freight lines in Zagreb area not done in 2012 we head east to Slavonski Brod and Vinkovci. Slavonski Brod we have two branch lines to travel over. First the Banova Jaruga-Sirač-Daruvar line. This used to go to Pčelic until recently, and will again one day. At Sirač a branch goes to a cement works, and we have requested a visit to this line. Returning to Banova Jaruga we reverse and continue to nova Kapela Batrina - where we travel the branch line to Pleternica and Velika. Pleternica is a junction station and the line continues to našice, but is closed due to condition of track and not due to re-open until 2015. Having completed the branch we pass through the large town of Slavonski Brod before taking the short docks branch which leads down to the Danube. We will need to reverse here, and again at Slavonski Brod to resume our eastward journey as far as Strizivojna Vrpolje where the line from Bosnia trails in and we diverge left onto the line to Osijek for our overnight stop.

Monday 7 April (B) Today we start by heading north to Beli Manastir, dropped from last year's itinerary due to time constraints. Returning to Osijek we take the line to Vinkovci and continue through the station to take the branch line to Županja, close to the Bosnian border. The loco

Zagreb

OsijekCROATIA

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

DobojTuzla

Zvornik

Sabac (Serbia)

Sarajevo

PloceMostar

rail Wonders of Croatia & Bosnia

runs round here to return us to Vinkovci, for another reversal. We will take the goods lines which run on the north side of the yard for over 3 kms before rejoining the main line to Zagreb, which we take as far as Strizivojna Vrpolje and here we take the line towards Bosnia. Border formalities are at Slavonski Šamac and there is now no passenger service over the cross border section into the northern part of Bosnian railways run by the Serbs as ŽRS. An hour sees us reach the important town and junction station of Doboj where the two railway administrations of Bosnia meet. There are big yards here and usually quite a few locos. The avoiding line is out of use, so we must reverse to head east for Tuzla. Before we reach Tuzla there are sidings serving the coal mine and locos stabled just before the station. Coach to our hotel in Tuzla.

Tuesday 8 April (B) One of the highlights of the tour will be today’s big circular. Leaving Tuzla we reach Ljubace then the three way junction at Živinice where we take the long freight only line to Serbia only opened to traffic in January 1992 just before the war in Bosnia. We pass through the 4.5 km Križevići tunnel, the longest in Bosnia and Herzegovina to reach Zvornik novi. Track condition deteriorates from here as we cross the Drina River into Serbia on a combined road/rail bridge. We have requested a visit to the Zvornik Grad branch which trails in just after the bridge before continuing through Loznica to take the avoiding line at Šabac onto the passenger branch which joins the Zagreb to Beograd main line at Ruma. We are on the Beograd to Zagreb main line now passing through Šid to enter Croatia at Tovarnik. From here it is a not long until we reach Vinkovci.

14

enTHusiAsT


We reverse here to gain the line to Drenovci, beyond which the cross border service was withdrawn in 2009/2010, so we re-enter Bosnia on freight only line to pass through Brčko and arrive back at Tuzla after a long but rewarding day.

Wednesday 9 April (B) We leave Tuzla through the yards of the Bukinje coal mine, still with working steam, and aim to visit the coal branches to Dubrave and Banovici. At Banovici we have arranged a special train to travel the narrow gauge line from Banovici Oskova to Grivice and Turia using one of their ex JŽ class 740 diesels. This runs through some fine scenery with opportunities for photo stops and run pasts. There may even be working steam here, but it is very much on its last legs. One more line to fit in before we leave the Tuzla area, and that is the west to north curve onto the Brčko line. From here we return to Doboj and onto ŽFBH rails to follow the Bosna river valley south through Zenica and reach the capital of Bosnia Herzogovina, Sarajevo.

Thursday 10 April (B) An easy day trip to Ploče today, but first we head north on yesterdays route as far as Rajlovac where we reverse so we can take the Sarajevo avoiding line (giving a view of the other side of the depot and yard) onto the line to Ploče. This was completed in 1942 as a narrow gauge line and converted to standard gauge in 1966, the line being operated by diesels until electrification in 1969. We will be recreating one of those early journeys as our diesel powers along the valley of the neretva River amongst some stunning scenery, nowhere more evident than when we descend the valley side in a series of loops and tunnels to arrive at Konjic. After Mostar we gradually leave the mountains and descend to the border with Croatia at Čapljina. After border formalities we proceed directly to Ploče running alongside the neretva River. This small town is an important seaport for Bosnia with busy docks. There is a short docks branch which we have requested.

We will break the journey back at Mostar with an opportunity to walk into town and maybe see the famous bridge, rebuilt after the war. Continuing the journey we have the ascent of the loops up the mountainside at Konjic, which should be awesome

15

with a diesel. Before finishing the day we will call at the short branch/siding of Sarajevo teretna.

Friday 11 April (B) To complete our coverage of the Sarajevo area we take the northbound curve off the Ploče line onto the Sarajevo avoiding line before heading north to Podlugovi where we take the branch line to Vareš and its coal mine. When we come back we take the other side of the triangle to rejoin the main line. At Zenica we stay on the west side of the river to pass through the yards at Zenica Zeljezara (yet another possibility to observe working steam) before rejoining the line to Doboj. It may be possible to arrange a depot visit here before heading west on the line to Zagreb. We spend the night at Banja Luka.

saturday 12 April (B) Into the final day, and a straight run to novi Grad near the border with Croatia as our request to visit the two branches en-route has been declined. There is an avoiding line at novi Grad which we will take if available, otherwise reversing at novi Grad to join the line to Bihać and Martin Brod. The very limited passenger service now ends at Bosanski novi rather than Bihać, so from here we are on freight only line. Once a year an excursion runs from Bihać to Martin Brod, otherwise it is only sparse freight traffic. This is the Una line (named after the river whose valley we follow) and used to continue to Knin (on the Split line in Croatia) but this section, which crosses and re-crosses the border many times, is now out of use. It was actually the most direct route from Zagreb to Knin and Split, and was electrified, but apart from a section south of novi Grad, the electrification is un-useable. We return to novi Grad and cross the border back into Croatia at Dobrlijn. Our train now runs through Sunja and Sisak to Velika Gorica where we take the freight line north through Zagreb Resnik and the south to east curve that brings us back to Zagreb G.K. and the end of the tour.

sunday 13 April Fly Zagreb to UK Locomotives

GM should be used throughout - locos from cargo sector have been requested all week.


• 7 day charter train only: £999 • 8 night hotel and transfer package: £400 • Flights including transfers: from £190

Options • Single room supplement: £180 • Individual days on special train: £149

deposit • £500 for with flight options, £250 non- flight options

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Good quality en-suite accommodation with breakfast (not on "train only") Services of our Tour Manager (tour is fully escorted from London)

recommended Flights • EZ5103 16.20 Gatwick to Zagreb (Friday) EZ5104 15.45 Zagreb to Gatwick • OU491 16.40 Heathrow to Zagreb • OU490 08.30 Zagred to Heathrow

Also flights from Birmingham (via Paris) add approx £60 and from Manchester (via Frankfurt) add approx £25.

1 to 8 May, 2014

From £1,299

For the first time we are basing one of our tours in the Minho region of north-western Portugal, famous for its Vinho Verde, or Green Wine. For the first 5 nights, we will be staying in the beautifully restored 16th century manor house, Casa Melo Alvim, in Viana do Castelo.


King Afonso iii of Portugal founded the town in 1253. in the 16th century, its port gained great importance as one of the main ports from which Portuguese explorers set sail to the discoveries and the most remarkable buildings in the town are from this era. its traditional folklore is among the richest in the country. There is also a funicular, at 650m the longest in Portugal, to take you up to the top of Monte de santa luzia to enjoy the gardens and spectacular view over the town. We will also have 2 nights in the fine medieval riverside city of Porto.

Highlights of the tour include a trip to Pontevedra and the Combarro coast in spain on the only remaining daytime international train service between Portugal and spain, a visit to Ponte de lima with its part roman, part Medieval bridge, wine tasting in the imposing, neo-classical Brejoeira Palace, and in Porto we will ride on a historic tram and visit one of the famous Port Wine lodges.

Tour Manager: david


iTinerArY

Thursday 1 May Our flight leaves Gatwick at 11:40. Direct flights also available from Stansted and Liverpool, and overland travel from St Pancras via the Eurostar. you will be met at Porto airport by David, your tour manager. We take the modern metro (surface tramway) to Porto Campanhã station from where we catch a train into the scenic Minho region. Our base for the first 5 nights will be the unspoilt city of Viana do Castelo, lined with Manueline, Renaissance and Baroque mansions, one of which, the Melo Alvim House, will be our hotel for the first 5 nights. Dating from 1509, this is the oldest urban manor house in Viana and was recently tastefully restored and turned into a comfortable, cosy hotel. Each bedroom is individually decorated in traditional Portuguese styles from the 17th and 18th centuries, from neoclassic to Baroque to Rustic.

Friday 2 May (B,D) Today we will have a relaxing day to explore our home for the next few days, Viana do Castelo. In the morning our local guide will lead us through the streets and history of this fascinating 13th century town that lies on the estuary of the River Lima. High above the town, reached by a funicular railway, is Monte de Santa Luzia, offering a marvellous view of the surrounding area, and in your free time in the afternoon, a trip up to the top is a must. you will also find a basilica modelled on the Sacré Coeur in Paris which has a tower you can climb (lift available) for an even more stunning view. In the evening we will visit the nearby Manor House, Solar de Merufe, for wine tasting, a short walk in the vineyard and our Welcome Dinner. (10:00 – 12:00)

Regua

Valenca

Pocinho

Porto

Viana do Castelodiscover the Minho

saturday 3 May (B) Our hotel is right next to the train station and we begin our day with a trip along the northern section of the “Minho Line” to the fortified border town of Valença. After a short visit to the railway museum at the station, we will travel by luxury coach to the privately- owned neo-classical Palácio de Brejoeira. Here we will have a guided tour of the gardens, vineyards, old winery and the palace itself, followed by an opportunity to taste the green wine made from the grapes cultivated here. We return to Valença via the small town of Monçao that was at the end of the branch line from Valença that closed in 1990, but where a number of railway buildings can still be seen at the old station. The afternoon will be free for lunch and exploration of the hilltop fort overlooking the River Minho that separates Portugal and Spain. We return to Viana by train late afternoon.

sunday 4 May (B) A more relaxing day, we travel inland, along the River Lima, to Ponte de Lima (literally Bridge of Lima). One of the oldest towns in Portugal, founded in 1125, its most imposing feature is the part Roman, part Medieval bridge across the River Lima. Until the late Middle Ages, it was the only safe passage across the river. In the 14th century, on the orders of Pedro I, a wall was built around the town. Though much of the wall has been destroyed, 2 of the 9 towers that were part of it can still be seen. At the heart of the Vinho Verde region, Ponte de Lima is particularly famous for its red vinho verde wine and you will have ample opportunity to taste this in the numerous restaurants around the town. We will be met by our guide who will lead us around the historic centre and after lunch the afternoon will be free for your own exploration. (10:00 – 16:00)

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nO FlYOPTiOnsee PAnel


Monday 5 May (B) Today we will travel on the last remaining daytime international rail service between Portugal and Spain on the very scenic line to Vigo. At Vigo we will be met by our Spanish guide who will accompany us on our Spanish train to the ancient medieval port city of Pontevedra (literally Old Bridge, after the Roman bridge in the city). Sights include the pilgrim chapel in the Praza da Peregrina, the historic Zona Monumental (old city), the Praza de Leña, the market, and the Alameda, a promenade along the ria. We will also visit a nearby winery to taste good Spanish wine. (08:15 – 19:30)

Tuesday 6 May (B) For the last time we will leave Viana do Castelo as we transfer to Porto. This morning we will travel south on the Minho Line to Lousado to visit the narrow gauge railway museum. After time for lunch, we offer you 2 options. For the rail enthusiasts, we will go to the excellent little museum in Arco de Baúlhe, the terminus of the Tâmega narrow gauge line until it was cut back to Amarante in 1990. Alternatively you can travel on to Porto by train with our guide for the afternoon who will lead a guided bus tour of this historic city. We will meet up again at our hotel where we will stay for the next 2 nights, Hotel Dom Henrique in Porto. Our luggage will be transferred between hotels by a special courier service. (09:45 – 16:30)

Wednesday 7 May (B,D) Leaving the hotel at 09:15, we walk along Rua Santa Catarina, one of the main shopping streets in the city, to Batalha, where we will join our vintage tram for a trip along the remaining routes in the old city. After time to visit the museum, we continue along the waterfront to the end of the line at Foz before reversing all the way to cover the remainder of the system on the line to Infante. From there we will walk through the famous Ribeira district, crossing the River Douro via the iconic Dom Luis I Bridge. now in Vila nova de Gaia, we will visit one of the port wine lodges complete with port tasting. your afternoon is free for your own exploration of the city. In the evening we will have our Farewell Dinner at the excellent Abadia restaurant. (09:15 – 13:00)

Thursday 8 May (B) Our coach returns us to Porto Airport for our flights back to the UK.

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dOurO vAlleY

you are also invited to join us on a special pre-tour trip along the stunning Douro Valley Port Wine area of northern Portugal, the world’s first demarcated wine region. Staying at the excellent riverside Regua Douro Hotel.

Monday 28 April Our flight leaves Gatwick at 16.40. Direct flights also available from Stansted and Liverpool and overland travel from St Pancras via the Eurostar. you will be met at Porto airport by David, your tour manager. We take the modern metro (surface tramway) to Porto Campanhã station from where we catch a train along the world famous Douro Line to Regua, our base for the next 3 nights.

Tuesday 29 April (B,L) This morning we shall travel on our luxury coach to the county town of Vila Real. Vila Real, or Royal Town, was founded in 1289 by King Denis. It housed more members of the royal family during the Middle Ages than any other settlement in Portugal except the capital in Lisbon, and family Coats of Arms remain above old houses, some of which are still occupied by those families. We will have time to explore the important buildings and monuments in this fascinating town before continuing our journey to the family owned Quinta do Portel. Here we will have our Welcome Lunch, followed by a visit to the Old Cellar and an opportunity to taste the wines produced in this Quinta. We will also be able to create our own Port Wine! (10:00 – 17:00)

Wednesday 30 April (B) In the morning we catch the regional train east along the river to the railway’s terminus at Pocinho. This is a superb scenic journey with stunning views and we might catch sight of the rare Black Kite which still manages to survive in this remote area of Europe. From Pocinho we will make a short road trip to visit the UnESCO World Heritage Archaeological Park and Museum near the small town of Vila nova de Foz Côa. Subject to agreement from the museum, there will be an optional trip to the Prehistoric Rock Art Cave Paintings by jeep (additional payment on the day direct to the museum). We will also have a guided tour round the Foz Côa

Museum and be able to enjoy the stunning view to the River Douro far below. We return to Pocinho in time for our late afternoon train back down the valley to Regua. (09:00 – 19:00)

Thursday 1 May (B) Today we will leave Regua and travel by rail to Viana to join the rest of the group for our main trip.


• 8 day holiday from London Gatwick, Stansted or Liverpool: £1,299 • 11 day holiday "no fly" from St Pancras (includes night in Bordeaux on outward): £1,699 • 8 day - Own travel to/from Porto: £1,099

Options • Single room supplement: £160 • 4 day Douro pre-tour: £320 (twin/double) or £390 (single room)

deposit • £400

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • 4 star en-suite accommodation with breakfast. 5 nights Viana, 2 nights in Porto • Other meals as shown in itinerary: L=Lunch, D=Dinner • Services of our Tour Managers (tour is fully escorted from Lisbon)

recommended Flights • EZy8497 11.40 Gatwick to Oporto • EZy8498 14.35 Oporto to Gatwick • FR8343 09.15 Stansted to Porto • FR8348 21.15 Porto to Stansted • FR9202 18.30 Liverpool to Porto • FR9203 21.20 Porto to Liverpool

3 to 13 May, 2014

From £1,499

A ten day holiday as we explore the north of Italy by rail. Includes the cities of Turin, Milan and Venice.


This is an area nestled in the foothills of the Alps, crossed with scenic railway lines and likened to the italian “lake district”. We travel on many of the railway lines, rack railways and vintage tramways. Also plenty of time for exploration of these fascinating cities.



iTinerArY

saturday 3 May We meet up as a group at St Pancras Station in London at 09.30 with our PTG guide. Our Eurostar service departs at 10.30 for our 2 hour 20 minute journey to Paris. Changing stations in Paris we catch the 15.24 train to Turin in Italy, arriving at 20.55 for the first of our six nights in this Baroque city set in the foothills of the Alps. Alternatively there is a direct British Airways flight from London Gatwick to Turin which departs at 14.30 and takes under two hours arriving in Turin at 17.20 local time. The tour leaders will be Angelina Pons who speaks fluent Italian, having lived in the country for several years ,and our local facilitator Luciano.

sunday 4 May (B, D) In the morning we have a two hour guided city tour with a professional local guide. This will include the 15th century Renaissance cathedral and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, home to possibly the world’s most famous holy relic – the Turin Shroud. We also visit the Royal Palace and the Mole Antonelliana tower which dominates the city’s skyline. The afternoon is free for your own exploration of the city, which includes many fascinating museums and art galleries. Train option: excursion by train to the Piedmont Railway Museum (Museo Ferroviario Piemontese) in Savigliano.The Museum has a collection of rare vehicles, some in working condition, witnessing an important part of Piedmont Region life and history, including some three-phases locomotors. We can see some vehicles moving inside the museum. In the evening we have a welcome meal in a local regional restaurant.

Turin

GenovaCasella

SupergaDomodossola

VeniceMilan Trieste

Strasbourg

italian vintage

Monday 5 May (B) Today we go by rail to the sea at Genova (Genoa), we travel southward across the end of the Po Valley (Pianura Padana) and enter the Appennini Mountains. On arrival in Genova we have a two hour guided tour of the city ending in the Ancient Port where there are many places for the lunch break. In the afternoon we go to the terminus of the narrow gauge railway (950 m/m) “Ferrovia Genova Casella” where we board a service train to Casella with a vintage coach built by Breda in 1929 reserved for us. Arriving in Casella a charter bus is waiting for to take us to Ronco Scrivia where we board a service train back to Torino on the first Italian main line built in 1853.

Tuesday 6 May (B) Rail option: Travel on the GTT (ex SATTI) lines Torino – Ceres and Torino – Pont Canavese. Cultural option: A guided visit of the Reggia di Venaria (The King’s Palace). The Reggia is one of the finest examples of the majesty of 17th and 18th century architecture. We also visit the Gardens of the Reggia.

Wednesday 7 May (B) This morning we travel to Superga on the historic rack tramway. Our 25 minute ride takes us high up to the Basilica church giving superb views of the city and the Alps from a point that La Corbusier defined as “the most delightful position in the world”. The Basilica was built by Juvarra in 1717-31. The beautiful yellow and white façade is dominated by a large portico designed like a classical Roman Temple. Rail option: before boarding the rack tramway we visit the small tram museum and the tram depot. After a break here we return by rack tram to Sassi and by a service tram back to the central square of “Piazza Castello”. Here there is plenty of time for

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lunch. In the afternoon there is a two hour tour of the city with an historic tram.

Thursday 8 May (B, L) Today we head into the region known as “The Italian Lakes”. We travel by charter bus on the shore of Lake Maggiore. This is the second largest Italian lake after Lake Garda and is a long expanse of water nestling right against the mountains. The gently sloping shores are dotted with camellias, azaleas and verbena. Here we join a boat for a 4-hour cruise, with lunch included, to Locarno in Switzerland. After a break we catch the narrow gauge “Centovalli Railway” to Domodossola in Italy; a very scenic line as it crosses the mountains. Rail Option: Domodossola narrow gauge depot visit. Charter coach from Domodossola to Torino.

Friday 9 May (B) We leave Turin behind and travel east to our next base, at Venice. First we travel by high-speed train service to Milan. This is Italy’s centre of fashion, business and finance. It is a smart, wealthy city. We will have a guided tour of the city with a professional guide including a visit of the Duomo Cathedral – one of the largest Gothic churches in the world which took 500 years to build. It has a startling roof with 135 spires. We also visit the Castle which is actually more of a Renaissance palace, and the 18th century Scala Theatre, one of the world’s most prestigious opera houses. Lunch is available in one of the many city centre restaurants or cafes. The afternoon is free. Late afternoon we take a train onto Venice Mestre. Mestre is joined to Venice itself by a 6km railway line and is a more pleasant place to stay than the main city. night in Venice Mestre.

saturday 10 May (B) We take the train for the short 10 minute ride into Venice. Venice is truly a unique city, which survives against the odds, built on a series of low mud banks amid the tidal waters of the Adriatic, and regularly subject to floods. In the morning we will have a two hour guided tour of the city centre with a professional guide. We will visit the San Marco Basilica; this is Venice’s most famous landmark and one of the greatest buildings in Europe. After the lunch break we have a boat tour out to the islands of the lagoon. On Murano Island we can see the famous

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coloured glassware, on Burano the laceware and on Torcello (the oldest inhabited island of the lagoon) its 7th century cathedral. We return by our boat to Venice and then by train to Venice-Mestre.

sunday 11 May (B,D) Today we have the option of a free day in Venice or to join an excursion to Trieste on the border with Slovenia. We take the local train service to Trieste; a journey of just under two hours. Trieste is an atmospheric city with a long, bustling harbour lined with handsome buildings. A professional guide will meet us with a charter bus. Here we also visit the railway museum and take the funicular up into the Opicina hills. The funicular is unique in that the tram section is supplemented by a cable section where the tram cars are connected to two buffer wagons and then connected to the cable. The only one of its type in Europe. In the late afternoon we return by train to Venice-Mestre. Enthusiasts can do a longer, different line via Gorizia, Udine and Treviso. In the evening we have a farewell meal in a local restaurant.

Monday 12 May (B) For those returning by air we have road transport to Venice airport for the 11.25 flight back to London Gatwick arriving 12.40. The main group returning by rail departs at 8.32 with an ES City train to Milan where we change to an EC train to Basel in Switzerland. There is free time for your own exploration of Strasbourg. Overnight in Strasbourg.

Tuesday 13 May (B) Leaving Strasbourg we travel to Paris. From Paris we catch the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras.

We can also book you extra nights at the hotel in Venice should you wish to stay on to see more of this city.


• 10 day holiday from London Gatwick £1,699 • 11 day "no fly" holiday from St Pancras £1,899 • Own travel to/from Italy: £1,499

Options • Single room supplement: add £240 (fly) or £275 (no fly)

deposit • £500 (with flights/overland) or £250 (if making own flight arrangements)

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Good quality en-suite accommodation with breakfast and dinner: • Hotel Genova Best Western - Turin (6 nights) Hotel Plaza - Venice (3 nights) • Services of our Tour Managers (tour is fully escorted from London)

recommended Flights • BA2578 13.30 Gatwick to Turin a.16.15 • BA2583 11.35 Venice to Gatwick a.12.40

11 to 21 May, 2014

From £1,499

Come with us to Croatia, the newest tourist star on a European sky. The ‘Mediterranean As It Once Was’ - the motto of Croatia’s tourist board - is not exaggerated. With its rocky, indented nearly 2000 km-long shore and more than a thousand islands, Croatia boasts one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline that Europe has to offer.


in addition, many of Croatia’s coastal towns and cities have a fascinating history and are filled with the historical remains of roman and venetian times. But the country is not only blue... Croatia's inland natural beauty might be completely different to its coastal attractions, but it has a lot to offer. The main appeal lies in its contrasting landscapes. it’s here that the mountain chains that run from the Alps down to the Adriatic meet the Pannonian plain, whichstretches all the way from Zagreb to eastern Hungary. it has the range of national parks, beautiful lakes and unesCO World Heritage sites.

Croatia definitely is a dream destination and on this tour you will see the best it can offer! in eleven days you will discover major highlights of this amazing country. stunning architecture, great nature, scenic rail journeys, delicious food, charming hotels, friendly people and a multitude of history and culture.

Tour Manager: Marion


iTinerArY

sunday 11 May (D) Direct flights Gatwick and Heathrow or indirect flights from other UK airports. We will be met at the airport for our transfer to Hotel Astoria in the centre of Zagreb, right beside the railway station, where we will be staying for 3 nights. The rest of the day is free to explore the Croatian capital; a little treasure trove of European culture and civilization, located on the southern slopes of the Medvednica Mountain along the banks of the Sava River. We meet up at 8pm for our Welcome Dinner in a traditional local restaurant just a short walk from the hotel.

Monday 12 May (B,L) Today we visit the branch line north from Zagreb to the town of Varaždin, also known as Little Vienna. The town served as the Croatian capital for 20 years in the 18th century, and today it’s the cultural centre of northern Croatia. The Old Town of Varaždin, with its castle, has a symbolic status for the locals, and the baroque atmosphere of its surroundings invites you to roam through the streets in search of the past. The town has one of the most beautiful horticultural cemeteries in Europe. Created in the early 20th century by the planting of thuja, cut and formed into screens and arcades like the French park of Versailles, the famous Varaždin Cemetery is a magnificent monument of garden architecture. After exploring the city we will enjoy a tasteful lunch in a pleasant restaurant. We later return by train to Zagreb.

Tuesday 13 May (B) Today we will have a panoramic bus tour of the dazzling city of Zagreb. This very old and traditional European city, with its numerous historical monuments and long cultural

Zagreb

Varaždin

Zadar

Split

Zagreb

vintage Croatia

history reminds us of times gone by. We then continue to explore the main sights on foot. The shortest cable car in the world (it has maintained its original look and construction from 1890) will take us to the Upper town, which is cozy, intimate and distinctly medieval in ambience. We will visit St. Stephens Cathedral, the only surviving original town Stone Gate that dates from the 13th century and Trg bana Jelačica, Zagreb's central square and meeting place, which is dominated by a statue of the Croat hero Josip Jelacic. The afternoon is free for your own exploration.

Wednesday 14 May (B) A few minutes walk will take us to the Croatian Railway Museum, which has been temporarily located in the southern part of the railway vehicles factory. Therefore only a part of its exhibits are on display to be found outdoors within a technical park. There are 20 railway vehicles (including steam locomotives series MÁV 377, JŽ 62, 116, 11, 51, 33, electrical locomotive JŽ 361, and DEL HŽ 2061). Later we take our train to Split. This is a superb scenic railway journey, especially between Ogulin and Split, also known as the Lička pruga (the Lika line, named after the Lika field). Our luggage will be transferred from Zagreb to Split so we will not be encumbered. For the next three nights we will be in the 4-star Hotel Park in Split.

Thursday 15 May (B) Today we have a guided walk of Split. The central part of the city is a whirl of narrow stone streets, ancient monuments and medieval buildings. The main monument is the Diocletian palace, built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian in 295AD, the core upon which the city grew. The Palace is not only a historical discovery but it also contains Split's most interesting

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shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. At the heart of the Palace is the cathedral (which houses the Diocletian mausoleum) and an assortment of Roman monuments. The afternoon is free to explore even more or just enjoy the waterfront where you will feel the friendly and cozy atmosphere of this vibrant city.

Friday 16 May (B) Today we have a bus transfer to the railway station for our train to Drniš. (The homeland of Ivan Mestrović, the "Croatian Michelangelo"). It is also a town of the best Croatian smoked ham, wine and homemade food that we will sample before continuing by bus to Krka national Park. With its travertine waterfalls a total drop of 242 m, the Krka River is a natural karst phenomenon. We will be met by our local guide for our visit of this fascinating national Park. Afterwards you will have some free time before returning by bus to Hotel Park, Split. (There are no train connections).

saturday 17 May (B) Today we have another nice railway journey. First we will re-trace part of our Zagreb – Split route, to Knin, where we change trains for the fine stretch of railway line to Zadar, the ancient capital of Dalmatia, an old Croatian town with a rich Roman history dating back from the 6 century BC. Zadar was bombed many times during World War II and therefore is unlike so many Adriatic Towns. It has a muddle of architectural styles including Romanesque churches and Corinthian Columns. It also boasts a university, established by Dominican monks in 1396, which is claimed to be the oldest in Croatia. Our luggage will be transferred to Zadar for us. After checking into our hotel (Hotel Kolovare for 2 nights) we will start our city tour of Zadar.

sunday 18 May (B,L) Our day will start with a transfer to the port for a full day boat excursion to the Kornati national Park. In the central part of the Croatian Adriatic, where a group of islands, called Kornati, are situated. Komati was declared a national Park in 1980. Today nP “Kornati” occupies an area of about 220 km2 and it includes 89 islands, islets and cliffs, altogether with a coastline about 238 km long. Despite this relatively large number of islands the continental

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part of the park forms only 1 percent of the total area, while everything else belongs to the marine ecosystem. On our trip we can admire the islands, have a break on one of the islands and do some sightseeing. Overnight in Zadar.

Monday 19 May (B) There is no direct rail route from Croatia to Dubrovnik. Therefore we will be traveling by bus, but we promise you it will be fascinating! The winding coastal road between Split and Dubrovnik is just wonderful! Along the way, we will have views of the sea, the Croatian Islands and lots of villages. We will stop in Ston, a small town, located at the south of the peninsula Pelješac, which is particularly fascinating since it has some spectacular walls (the second longest defensive walls in the world, second only to the Great Chinese wall) and ancient salt pans still in use...plus the best oysters maybe in the world. After oysters and wine tasting (the most famous Pelješac wine is called Dingač), we will resume our scenic ride towards Dubrovnik. Arriving in the evening. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Tuesday 20 May (B) The whole day is reserved for exploring and enjoying the old town Dubrovnik. The great George Bernard Shaw wrote: “Those who seek paradise on Earth must come to Dubrovnik". We will be met by our local guide for our city tour first by bus to get a great view and then by foot. After our walking tour we have free time for our own exploration.

Wednesday 21 May (B) Morning is free before our coach takes us to Dubrovnik airport for our flights back to the UK.


• Full 11 day tour from London: £1,750 • Full 11 day tour joining in Croatia: (no flights included) £1,499

Options • Single room supplement: £280

deposit • £400

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • 4 star en-suite hotel accommodation with breakfast • Other meals as shown in itinerary: L=Lunch, D=Dinner • Services of our Tour Manager (tour is fully escorted from London)

recommended Flights • EZ5101 13.10 Gatwick to Zagreb • EZ5426 10.50 Dubrovnik to Gatwick • OU491 10.50 Heathrow to Zagreb (direct) • OU665/4490 12.55 Dubrovnik to Heathrow (via Zagreb)

Also flights from Birmingham ) and Manchester (via Frankfurt) add approx £40.

May 15 to 22, 2014

From £1,099

you are invited to join us on an exclusive rail based holiday to the central Beiras region of Portugal. Our tour will be at a leisurely pace with plenty of time to see each place that we visit.


We are based for all seven nights in the fine 4-star Hotel vila Galè located right in the centre of Coimbra’s historical quarter with views of the Mondego river. Highlights of the holiday include the roman city at Conimbriga, Mondega river boat trip, a Peninsular Wars 12-pointed star fort, the funicular and stunning beach at nazaré, scenic Beira-Alta railway line, national forest at Buçaco, the vale do vouga narrow gauge lines and narrow gauge railway museum, and a boat trip around the ria de Aveiro lagoon. if you want “off the tourist track” then this one has it all.

Tour Manager: david


iTinerArY

Thursday 15 May Various flight options from the UK with direct flights from Heathrow and Manchester. We will transfer to Oriente station on the recently opened extension to the Lisbon metro where we join the inter-city service (first class reserved seats). Our 90 minute journey takes us north to the fine river side city of Coimbra. We stay here for all seven-nights at the fine 4-star Hotel Vila Galé located right in the centre of Coimbra’s historical quarter with views of the Mondego River. It is also possible to travel overland from St Pancras via the Eurostar and Sud-Express direct to Coimbra.

Friday 16 May (B,D) Coimbra is the Oxford or Cambridge of Portugal, with the best and oldest University in the country dominating the skyline. The city holds an affection with the Portuguese people like no other. The name Coimbra coming from the nearby Roman city of Conimbriga. Finally freed from Moorish occupation in 1064, Coimbra became the capital of Portugal when King Afonso Henriques moved it south from Guimarães in 1139. For visitors it still holds a wealth of historic interest. Following a short trip on the last trolley bus system in Portugal, we will have a local guide for our walk around the historical old centre. Coimbra’s two cathedrals lie in the shadow of the hilltop university. The Sé Velha (old cathedral) is regarded as one of the finest Romanesque buildings in Portugal, celebrating in stone the victory over the Moors in 1064. The Sé nova (new cathedral) was founded in 1598. The Museu Machado de Castro is based around the lovely courtyards of the former bishops’ palace and contains some of Portugal’s finest

Coimbra

PampilhosaGuarda

Averio

Figueira da Foz

vintage Central Portugal

sculpture, including medieval pieces. Also present are furnishings, paintings and vestments from the 12th-20th centuries. An interesting feature is a maze of underground Roman passages containing Roman sculpture and artefacts. The afternoon is free for your own exploration when we recommend the fine Botanical Gardens in the shadow of a section of the 16th century aqueduct. The gardens cover 50 acres and were created in 1772 by the Marquês de Pombal and include a large tropical glasshouse. Tonight we will have our welcome dinner in the hotel. (10:00 – 13:00)

saturday 17 May (B) In keeping with our leisurely pace we leave today at 10.00 and catch an inter-city train (first class seats) for our journey along the fine Beira-Alta railway line - one of the finest in Portugal - as we climb up into the Serra da Estrela mountains. Our destination is the old frontier town of Guarda. From here we travel by coach (approx. 25 miles) to the delightfully preserved border town of Almeida. The formidable defences of this town are in the form of a 12-pointed star. In 1810 this town featured heavily in the Peninsular Wars and was seized back from the French by the Duke of Wellington. We have plenty of time for lunch and for your own exploration of the town which includes a fine 17th century church, Portugal’s oldest alms-houses and military history including soldiers’ barracks and the armoury. In mid- afternoon we have a shorter coach transfer to the border station at Vilar Formoso for a local train back to Guarda. From Guarda we return to Coimbra on the Inter-City service. (10:00 – 20:15)

sunday 18 May (B,L) In the morning our coach takes us the short distance to visit the Roman

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remains at Conimbriga - the largest and most excavated Roman site in Portugal. Remains include one of the largest houses discovered in the Western Roman Empire. This opulent villa, known as the Casa de Cantaber, is built around ornamental pools in superb colonnaded gardens, with its own bath complex and sophisticated heating system. you will also get to see some of the finest mosaics anywhere in Europe. We then travel to the small town of Mealhada, famous for its “Leitão” (suckling pig) restaurants for lunch in one of the oldest and most traditional restaurants there before joining a river boat for a cruise along the Mondego River. Remainder of the day is free for your exploration of Coimbra. (10:00 – 17:00)

Monday 19 May (B) Leaving Coimbra at 09.52 our through train first takes us west towards the important port of Figueira da Foz. At Lares we join the Linha do Oeste line and head south to pass through the important regional town of Leiria. This line is a quaint country line retaining a lot of its un-modernised charm. Our destination is the inland station of Valado-nazaré. We will be met by our luxury coach which will take us the short 15 minutes down to the coast and the fine beach resort of nazaré with its glorious sandy bay backed by steep cliffs. High above the town is the Ermida da Memória, reached by a vintage funicular railway dating from 1889. Local legend has it that here is the site where the Virgin Mary saved the King from falling off the cliff during a deer hunt in 1182. We will have 3 hours in nazaré for your own exploration, lunch or relaxation on the beach. We return to Coimbra by train arriving back at the hotel by 6.30pm. (09:30 – 18:30)

Tuesday 20 May (B) Today we have a rail trip to visit the fabulous narrow gauge lines which hang on to survival in the Vouga region, north of Coimbra. A short mainline journey brings us to Aveiro where we transfer onto the narrow gauge train. Apart from the new station at Aveiro this line has seen little investment and still retains much of the century-old charm. First we head southeast to the large town of Agueda before heading north to break our journey at Macinhata. Here we can visit the narrow gauge railway museum which

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contains vintage rolling stock - including steam locomotives - charting the history of the Vouga system. After a one hour break we continue the short distance to Sernada do Vouga. This is the centre of this sparsely populated area from where the picturesque line to Viseu used to branch off. There is time for lunch in the small cafe/restaurant and for railway enthusiasts there should be two steam locos in the shed which you are free to visit. Leaving Sernada we head north on a further 60km stretch of charming narrow gauge railway, again pretty much unchanged in the last 100 years (apart from the modern rolling stock). Our destination is the coastal resort of Espinho. From here we return by modern high speed train back to Coimbra on the main Iberia gauge (5ft 6in) line. Arrival back in Coimbra is at 7pm. (08:15 – 19:00)

Wednesday 21 May (B,L) A rail free day today as we visit an ancient forest, have a farewell lunch at a historic hotel and then end the day with a leisurely cruise. First our coach will take us north (about 20 miles) to the national Forest of Buçaco. This is a magical place which was a monastic retreat as early as the 6th century. In 1628 the Carmelites built a house here, walling in the forest to keep the world at bay. In the secluded forest the monks established contemplative walks, chapels and a unique collection of over 700 species of tree. Today the forest remains pretty much untouched with the fabulous Buçaco Forest Hotel at its centre. We can visit the forest, the remains of the Carmelite monastery (including a cell that Wellington slept in) and see the Fonte Fria cascade. We will have our fine “farewell” lunch at the hotel. In mid-afternoon we rejoin our coach to travel to Aveiro, also known as the Venice of Portugal. The town has a series of canals and fine Art nouvaeu mansions. At the Ria de Aveiro lagoon, which covers 25 square miles, we join a boat trip to explore this unique backwater. This is known as the Rota da Luz “route of light” running between gleaming salt flats, pale beaches and sparkling ocean. We return to Coimbra early evening. (10:00 – 19:00). If returning to the UK by rail you leave Coimbra tonight on the Sud-Express.

Thursday 22 May (B) We return to Lisbon by Inter-City train for return flights to the UK. If flying from Manchester you have an extra night in Lisbon before flying back to the UK on Friday 23 May.


• 8 day holiday from Heathrow £1,299 • 9 day holiday from Manchester £1,299 • 10 day holiday overland from St Pancras (includes night in Bordeaux on outward) £1,699 • 8 day - Own travel to/from Lisbon: £1,099

Options • Single room supplement: add £190

deposit • £400 (with flights) or £750 (overland)

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • 4 star en-suite accommodation with breakfast • Services of our Tour Managers (tour is fully escorted from Lisbon)

recommended Flights • TP373 11.20 Heathrow to Lisbon • TP364 16.05 Lisbon to Heathrow • TP329 11.10 Manchester to Lisbon • TP326 07.45 Lisbon to Manchester

4 to 14 June, 2014

From £1,499

The region of Catalonia is an autonomous community within Spain, with the official status of a nationality. It comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. The capital and largest city is Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the centre of one of the largest metropolitan areas in Europe.


it comprises the larger part of the territory of the former Principality of Catalonia, with the remainder of the historic Catalan region now part of southern France. it borders France and Andorra to the north with the spanish regions of Aragon and the valencian Community to the west and south respectively. The official languages are Catalan, spanish, and Aranese (Occitan); Catalan sign language is also officially recognised. The Catalan government intends to hold a referendum on independence from spain in 2014.

This tour will also serve as an introduction to the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), the railway company of the Catalan government, which owns and operates lines of FOur different gauges including two rack railways that we will visit.



iTinerArY

Wednesday 4 June (D) Various flight departures from the Heathrow, Gatwick, Bristol, Liverpool and newcastle to Barcelona. Our accommodation is at the AC Sants Hotel situated next to the station. Overland travel from London is also available as for the first time in history it is now possible to leave London on a morning train and to arrive in Barcelona the same day!

Thursday 5 June (B) Transfer by coach from Barcelona to Cardona to visit the Cardona Mines. The Vall Salina of Cardona, bearer of the precious wealth of the salt that has been exploited since neolithic times, and of the potash discovered by the engineer Emilio Viader in early 1900, is the reason Cardona exists. Transfer by coach from Cardona to Manresa. We then Travel with the FGC “linia Llobregat Anoia” train from Manresa to Barcelona before returning to our hotel in Barcelona.

Friday 6 June (B,D) Travel on the Vallvidrera’s Funicular. This funicular railway is in the Vallvidrera neighborhood of Barcelona. It connects the Peu de Funicular railway station on the Metro del Vallès suburban line (funicular station Vallvidrera Inferior), near Tibidabo hill (Vallvidrera Superior), with an intermediate stop just above the line's midpoint (Carretera de les Aigües). The line was opened in 1906 and rebuilt, with new cars, in 1998. We then travel on the “el metro del vallès” to Rubí where we will visit the FGC workshops. After returning to Barcelona by train we will travel by coach for our city tour. Later we travel from Barcelona to Lleida on the AVE high-speed train. Accommodation at Catalonia Transit Hotel in Lleida.

Pobla de Segua

Lleida

La Tour de Carol

Barcelona

vintage Catalonia

saturday 7 June (B,L,D) We travel with the FGC “Tren dels Llacs” from Lleida to La Pobla de Segur. This recreated 1960's train uses diesel locomotives 10817 and 10820 , which pull four vintage rail cars. Whilst experiencing the nostalgia of earlier times, we can enjoy the spectacular scenery. We then transfer from La Pobla de Segur to Lleida where we visit ARMF - the society and the custodian of the locomotives and coaches used on the Tren dels Llacs. It also repairs other locomotives - steam, diesel or electric - for other preservation projects. We then return from Lleida to Barcelona with the AVE.

sunday 8 June (B) Today we take the train from Barcelona to Martorell (linia- Anoia Llobregat) where we visit the FGC’s metre gauge Workshops in Martorell. After our visit we take the regular train from Martorell to Monistrol de Montserrat. We then ride up to Montserrat with the historic panoramic rack train. “Montserrat” literally means “saw (serrated) mountain” in Catalana. It is the site of a Benedictine abbey. We visit the Montserrat Monastery taking a ride on both the Montserrat funiculars, Sant Joan and Santa Cova. These funiculars offers spectacular panoramic views of the Montserrat mountain and rise to 1,000 m above sea-level. The viewpoint offers a bird’s-eye view of the monastery as well as spectacular views of the surrounding area and the Pyrenees. We ride down from Montserrat to Monistrol with the rack train. Transfer by coach toVilanova i la Geltrú. Accommodation at the Hotel Cesar in Vilanova I la Geltrú.

Monday 9 June (B, D) Morning visit to the Vilanova Railway Museum with a chance to explore more than fifty-two vehicles on display,

24

CulTure



including a collection of some twenty-eight steam locomotives, the biggest in Europe. We then transfer by coach from Vilanova to Sant Sadurni d’Anoia which is a municipality within Alt Penedès and the centre of production of the sparkling wine known as cava. It is situated at the confluence of the Avernó and Anoia rivers. We visit the Freixenet winery. We then transfer by coach from Sant Sadurni to Ribes de Freser for our overnight accommodation at the Hotel Caçadors in Ribes de Freser.

Tuesday 10 June (B,L) We visit the Rack-Railway exhibition at Ribes Vila station then travel up to the mountain resort of Vall de núria on the rack railway covering a distance of 12.5 km and rising over 1000 metres. We will have the “Cotxe-saló” special carriage designed with luxury in mind, decorated with fine materials. The entertaining ride, in which a detailed explanation is given of principal features along the way, is accompanied with cava and pastries, turning it into a small celebration. Visit núria at your own pace. After lunch at the restaurant Vall de núria we have a guided tour around the nuria Sanctuary. Accommodation at the Hotel Vall de núria.

Wednesday 11 June (B,D) We return from Vall de núria to Ribes de Freser again travelling on the rack railway. Then on to La Tour de Querol by the REnFE line, crossing into France, and visit the workshops at La Tour de Querol Station. It’s main claim to fame is the international railway station, Gare de Latour-de-Carol-Enveitg. This is the terminus of three lines, all with different gauges: REnFE's 1,668 mm (5 ft 5 2⁄3 in) gauge line running north from Barcelona via Ripoll; SnCF's 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) gauge line running south from Toulouse via Foix and; SnCF's 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) gauge line (known as the Little yellow Train) running west from Villefranche-de-Conflent. We take a ride on “Le Petit Train Jaune” to Villefranche-de-Conflent. Again expect stunning scenery. Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel l’Esquirol in Llívia

Thursday 12 June (B) Transfer by coach from Llívia to La Pobla de Lillet, home to the Artigas Gardens, a park designed by Antoni Gaudí in the

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1900s. We take a ride on the narrow-gauge “ El Tren del Ciment “ from La Pobla de Llillet to Clot del Moro in Castellar de n’Hug. Officially called El Ferrocarril Turístic de l'Alt Llobregat it was built by Compañia General de Asfaltos y Portalnd Asland for transporting cement from the factory Clot del Moro. We visit the Artigas Gardens, the Industrial Railways Museum and the Cement Museum. Transfer by coach from La Pobla de Lillet to Granollers for our train ride to Figueres (Catalan for fig trees). Accommodation at Hotel Duran in Figueres.

Friday 13 June (B,D) Train ride from Figueres to Portbou on the Costa Brava. This is a regular train with exceptional views of the sea and the Pyrenees. On arrival in Portbou we take a guided tour of the railway station and possibly visit the memorial to Walter Benjamin.

Portbou is a border railway station where all trains have to stop, as those coming from/ going into France have to change gauge from Iberian gauge 1668 mm (5 ft 5 2⁄3) into Standard gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in). Visit the Dali theatre museum: This contains the broadest range of works spanning the artistic career of Salvador Dalí (1904-1989), from his earliest artistic experiences and his surrealist creations down to the works of the last years of his life.

saturday 14 June (B) Transfer by coach from Hotel in Figueres to Barcelona airport or to the Figueres AVE Station for our rail travel home via Paris. Option to stay on for extra nights in Barcelona.


• Full 11 day holiday from Gatwick, Bristol or Liverpool: £1,699 • Own travel to/from Barcelona: £1,499

Options • Single room supplement: add £330 • London Heathrow: Supplement might apply TBA at time of booking "no fly" from St Pancras: price on request

deposit • £400

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Good quality ensuite hotel accommodation with breakfast Other meals as listed in the itinerary L=Lunch, D=Dinner • Services of our Tour Manager (holiday is fully escorted from Barcelona)

recommended Flights • BA2710 13.05 London Gatwick to Barcelona • BA2709 14.55 Barcelona to London Gatwick • EZ7203 07.05 Liverpool to Barcelona • EZ7204 11.00 Barcelona to Liverpool • EZ6025 10.35 Bristol to Barcelona • EZ6026 14.15 Barcelona to Bristol • EZ6401 09.50 newcastle to Barcelona (return on Friday or Sunday)

14 to 21 June

From £899

Central Sweden has much to offer the railway tourist and this comprehensive tour should appeal to traction enthusiasts as well as track bashers.


Freight only lines feature in the itinerary every day and we will use a selection of diesel and electric motive power primarily from the swedish railway Museum and Green Cargo, but also maybe a private operator as well. We visit a heritage railway on the first standard gauge line in sweden, visit a depot (or two) and observe a busy freight railway with a wide variety of interesting motive power. The scenery? expect lots of forest and lakes! A word of warning though - travelling swedish railways can be slower than you think due to heavy usage of single track lines and signalling systems that limit line occupation on branches.

some of the days on this itinerary are ambitious and may require early starts and late finishes. some days may even have to be shortened or re-arranged. nevertheless we would hope that the vast majority of the route can be travelled, and indeed will be working hard to try and do everything advertised.

iTinerArY

saturday 14 June Direct flights from London airports and Edinburgh to the Swedish city of Stockholm. Overnight in Stockholm. Also indirect flights from other airports via Frankfurt.

sunday 15 June (B) We start from Stockholm Central station and almost immediately take the 6.5km docks branch to Värtan, passing under the Roslagsbanan en-route. TAt Värtan we reverse and return towards Stockholm Central, but take the curve north under the main line into Stockholm north goods yard then onto the Ostkustbanan (the east coast railway) for a fast run north to Örbyhus. We run round in the yard here to take the long freight only line to the docks at Hallstavik. Back to Örbyhus and more fast running up the Ostkustbanan to the important town of Gävle. This is home to part of the Swedish Railway Museum who will be providing some of the engines for the tour. We pass through Gävle to reach Gävle godsbangård (goods yard) where we reverse to traverse the freight only Gävle avoiding line. We reverse again at the first available point and return to Gävle for our overnight stay.

Monday 16 June (B) A long day in prospect, so we may need an early start. Today we go west, but initially the route takes us through the Gävle godsbangård again onto the line north to Ånge which we take as far as Ockelbo. Here our engine runs round to take the important freight only cut-off to Storvik where we join the Gävle to Borlänge railway. At Falun we diverge north onto the freight only line to Grycksbo, where the huge paper mill dominates the small town. There is no regular traffic on this line. Returning to Falun

Gävle

StockholmÖrebroKarlstad

Linköping

rail Wonders of Central sweden

we continue to the large city of Borlänge with its important steelworks and paper mill. We reverse here and continue north west on the line to Mora, shortly before arrival passing the Inlandsbanan depot, after which the Inlandsbanan itself trails in on the right. We pass through the little station of Mora strand and diverge north west onto the 39 km freight line to Marbäck. En-route the line follows the south side of a lake, part of a power dam, crossing a number of causeways and has a very steep gradient near the end which has proved a problem for some railtours. The only passenger service to use this line has been a special to Oxberg each February of recent years for a skiing event. We return to Mora to reverse and pass though Mora strand again to take the branch which diverges south. This is a short stub of the section of the Inlandsbanan to Vansbro and Persberg which was closed many years ago. We continue to the limit at Lomsmyren. Our day ends at the attractive city of Mora where a walk along the waterfront is recommended.

Tuesday 17 June (B) Today we head south back to Borlänge where we enter the very large goods yard and will request a depot visit. There should be a wide variety of locomotives present. We will leave the goods yard by the long connection onto the line to Ludvika. At Grängesberg we take the former TGOJ line, which parallels the normal ex-BJ line and is available as an extended passing loop to avoid delays when crossing another train, subject to punctual running of both trains. Look for the ‘normal’ route trailing in at Ställdalen. Here we diverge onto the line to nykroppa and Kristinehamn. At nykroppa we take the freight only line to Kil as far as Daglösen. We are on the

26

enTHusiAsT


southern remains of the Inlandbanan again as we diverge onto the freight only branch to Persberg, now little used, where we reverse and return to the junction at Daglösen to regain the freight line to Kil. From Kil we are soon at our overnight stop in the city of Karlstad.

Wednesday 18 June (B) The highlight of today is a visit to the nora Bergslags Veteran-Jernväg (nBVJ) museum railway, but first we take the 8km freight line to Skoghall where the port has a large paper mill. now we pass through Kristinehamn before reaching the junction station of Strömtorp. The intention is to take the line to Bofors, then onto track owned by nBVJ to reach Gyttorp. There are track condition issues on this line that may force a change of plan, but we will do as much of the track as we can - hopefully all of it. From Gyttorp we are on the lines used by the scheduled heritage railway services, and some of their locomotives should feature on the train. Our train will visit the short branch to Pershyttan before continuing to nora. We will visit the railway museum here while the locomotive runs round for the journey to Ervalla where we continue onto SJ metals and run into Örebro Central. From here the line continues south to Kumla where the short freight line to Kvarntorp diverges. After 8km we reach a large industrial complex which is the end of the line. We return to Örebro for the night. Take a walk to the magnificent Örebro castle situated on an islet in the Svartån.

Thursday 19 June (B) A big circular today, initially travelling south to Hallsberg, an important junction on the main line between Stockholm and Göteborg. There is also a line coming south from Mjölby which splits at Skymossen with one line entering Hallsberg from the east and one entering from the west. Until a few years ago the western route was normally used, but today the eastern route is used for the passenger trains. We shall take the western route, passing Skymossen and continuing south to Motala finally reaching the junction station of Mjölby on the Södra stambanan (the main line from Malmö to Katrineholm and Stockholm). After reversal we proceed towards Katrineholm through Linköping Central to Kimstad, where we take the 23 km

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non-electrified freight line to Finspång where a Siemens plant produces gas turbines. We return to Kimstad to reverse and await a path then the train will proceed north through norrköping, and take the freight only Katrineholm avoiding line onto the Stockholm- Göteborg line where we will proceed directly to Hallsberg. A reversal here allows us to return to Örebro.

Friday 20 June (B) Another circular starting and finishing at Örebro and fitting in most of the remaining freight lines in the area. There are numerous single track lines, so some waiting can be expected. Our first objective is the freight line between Frövi and Arboga. This is a less steeply graded alternative to the main line between Örebro and Arboga, and has not seen any passenger services for several years. We reverse at Arboga and return the same way, diverging north just before Frövi onto the avoiding line which joins the Örebro to Borlänge railway. This is taken to Ställdalen, where we continue on the ‘normal’ route (not the TGOJ line we took earlier) to Ludvika where we reverse and proceed through Fagersta to Västerås via the freight only north to east curve that avoids Kolbäck. From here our route takes us back to Kolbäck passing through the station to diverge south onto the line to Eskilstuna Central, passing through and continuing on the Svealandsbanan through Strängnäs to Grundbro, shortly after which we take the freight line to Åkers styckebruk, assuming we get permission as the line is not currently in use. The train now returns to Eskilstuna to do the short freight line to nybybruk. Back at Eskilstuna we conclude the day by travelling to Arboga and then taking the direct route to Örebro.

saturday 21 June (B) The final day sees us return to Stockholm. We repeat yesterdays route through Arboga to Eskilstuna Central where we take the single track electrified line towards Flen. Before Flen however, we diverge left onto the freight line through nyköping to the port of Oxelösund. After reversal the train will return to nyköping. nyköping station was actually two different, adjacent stations and so has two sets of platforms on two separate lines. Fortunately there is a connection between the two, allowing us to get onto the line

to Stockholm. It should be fast running now all the way to the busy suburbs of Stockholm and a final crawl into the Central station to end a memorable journey. Those who want more railways will probably have enough time to fit in one or two of the privately owned suburban branches in the evening.

sunday 22 June (B) Transfer to the airport for return flights to the UK.



Options • Single room supplement: £240 • Individual days on special train: £135 • Other airport departures: please enquire


Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Good quality en-suite accommodation with breakfast (not on "train only") • Services of our Tour Manager (tour is fully escorted from London)

recommended Flights • BA780 13.30 Heathrow to Stockholm • BA779 15.40 Stockholm to Heathrow • nW2852 17.00 Gatwick to Stockholm • nW2859 22.20 Stockholm to Gatwick

Ryanair also offer cheaper flights from Stansted and Edinburgh to Skavsta Airport which is one hour outside of Stockholm connected by an airport bus (approx 15 GBP each way).

29 June to 11 July

From £2,699

Alaska is the largest U.S. State - in fact it is larger than all but 18 countries of the world, and about 1/5 of the total land area of the 48 contiguous states.


since the Aleutian islands cross over the 180 degree longitude line, Alaska is in fact the westernmost, northernmost, and easternmost state!

it is rugged and wild with glaciers, countless rivers and lakes, majestic mountain peaks, some active volcanoes, and nearly 34,000 miles of tidal shoreline. north America’s highest peak, Mt. McKinley (or denali) at 20,320 ft., is located in Alaska.

Our tour is designed to cover all of the fascinating railways in Alaska - A sort of “Clear Alaska” - including the legendary White Pass and Yukon railroad. Along the way as well as amazing scenery we should see some extraordinary wildlife including bears, eagles and whales.

On the denali star and the Coastal Classic trains we will travel "Goldstar" which includes:• Confirmed seat in the upper-level dome car• Complimentary coffee, soda, or tea served at

your seat• Priority seating in the lower-level dining room

showcasing original Alaska artwork• Private outdoor viewing deck - the only one

of its kind

Tour Manager: Phil

iTinerArY

sunday 29 June Our British Airways flight leaves London Heathrow at lunchtime for our flight to Vancouver, Canada. Overnight in central hotel in Vancouver. We are also offering an extended stay in Vancouver with the option to travel on the Rocky Mountaineer to Whistler - enquire for details.

Monday 30 June Early morning departure on the Amtrak Cascades service to the US city of Seattle. This is a stunning 4-hour journey. Late morning arrival in to Seattle for the rest of the day available for your own exploration. Late evening transfer to the airport for our internal flight to Fairbanks. Overnight in Fairbanks hotel.

Tuesday 1 July Free day for acclimatisation and your own exploration of Fairbanks. Its central location makes it the focal point for the tiny villages scattered throughout the surrounding wilderness, and Fairbanks is a staging point for north Slope villages such as Barrow and the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay. yet it still retains its down home "frontier" feel. Fairbanks is called "The Golden Heart of Alaska," a reference to the character of her people as much as to the location in Alaska's interior, or to the discovery of gold in 1902. Because it is just 188 miles south of the Arctic Circle (above which the sun neither sets during the summer solstice, nor rises during the winter solstice) during our stay the night will be very short indeed. you may feel up to a visit the Alaskaland Park, a heritage “theme park” Where there are three museums, a 40-foot antique carousel and an old-time saloon. We should also be able to ride The Tanana Valley Railroad in the Pioneer Park.

Fairbanks

Denali

AnchorageWhittier

Seward

rail and natural Wonders of Alaska

Wednesday 2 July We have a morning departure on the "Denali Star" the premier train of the Alaska Railroad. We travel south as far as Denali Park where we stay the night. The train is a super way to travel as each carriage has "barn" type doors allowing the traveller to stand safely at the doorway with the top half open allowing great photo opportunities as it heads south. We will break the long journey with a 24 hour stop in Denali Park. Denali is home to a variety of Alaskan birds and mammals, including a healthy population of grizzly bears and black bears. Herds of caribou roam throughout the park. Dall sheep are often seen on mountainsides, and moose feed on the aquatic plants of the small lakes and swamps. The park is also well known for its bird population. Many migratory species reside in the park during late spring and summer. Birdwatchers may find waxwings, Arctic Warblers, pine grosbeaks, and wheatears, as well as Ptarmigan and the majestic tundra swan. Predatory birds include a variety of hawks, owls, and the gyrfalcon, as well as the abundant but striking golden eagle. Optional "Tundra Wilderness Tour".

Thursday 3 July A leisurely start before we return to the station to join the "Denali Star" again for the remainder of the run to Anchorage. We clearly see Mount McKinley (America’s highest mountain) during the afternoon as we continue south to Anchorage.

Friday 4 July Today we make a round trip to Seward on the “Coastal Classic”. The Coastal Classic Train is a local favourite that winds through the stretch of wilderness between Anchorage and Seward. A string of massive glaciers visible from the track enriches the journey. This train travels

28

AdvenTure


to the shores of Resurrection Bay for convenient connection to Kenai Fjords national Park, whale watching, sea kayaking, tidewater glacier viewing, fishing, and dog sled rides. Optional 4 hour Fjords wildlife cruise.

saturday 5 July Today we make a round trip to Whittier on the “Glacier discovery”. The Glacier Discovery Train travels from Anchorage south along Turnagain Arm. Passengers can visit Whittier for glacier cruises or head to Spencer Lake for canoe tours, rafting, and hiking. As an option, guests can choose to continue into the alpine regions of the Chugach Mountains for scenic tours of Grandview, the tunnel section, and the historic loop district. Optional wildlife cruise.

sunday 6 July This morning we fly with Alaska Airlines from Anchorage to Juneau, the Alaskan capital city. The flight takes around one hour and forty minutes. We will have a free afternoon in Juneau.

Monday 7 July Today we sail from Juneau to Skagway via Haines. The sailing takes around seven hours and should allow great views of this beautiful part of the world, afternoon arrival in Skagway. (If a stop is included at Haines there could be an option to lok for bears feeding in the nearby river). The town will still be busy with tourists off the huge cruise ships before they leave with their evening departures. We will stay the Westmark Inn which is right in the centre of town and only a very short walk from the station and the shops.

Tuesday 8 July We will leave early on a mini-bus to travel north to Carcross to pick up southbound train number 2 which runs the full length of the railway from Carcross - Skagway. The line north of Carcross is out of use and unlikely to ever open again. Train 2 is quite a small train and is generally pulled by one single 90 class "Shovel nose" diesel built by General Electric in the 1950s. The first section of the journey is beside lakes and at Bennett we make the traditional lunch stop which was always part of the regular journey during the years when there was a daily train between Whitehorse - Skagway. We then follow more lakes

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and arrive at the Canadian border point at Fraser, terminus of two regular trains from Skagway. The train then continues over a rocky area past Gateway to the actual very remote US/Canadian border (see the flags on the right hand side) at "White Pass". We then begin the dramatic descent, including seeing the old disused cantilever bridge near Gulch, and keep an eye out for up to three or four long "Summit" excursion trains now just ahead of us heading back into Skagway. As we pass through the wooded areas keep your eyes peeled for bears, small cubs can be occasionally clinging on to the trees as the train passes by, we pass the small stops at Denver and Glacier where hikers join and leave the "Fraser" trains. We then roll into Skagway and terminate at the "shops" (depot in English terms) and have a bus into town, there is no room for our little train with up to five big trains in the town at this time.

Wednesday 9 July Today we have the option to join the 08:15 "Summit" excursion to sample one of the "big" trains up the hill. The train is normally pulled by two or three the "Shovel nose" GE or the Alco powered locos and is a must for all the diesel fans. This is the first of four summit trains to operate today so will be routed via the loop south of Fraser. We arrive back in Skagway around 11:30 and will have a free afternoon in town to enjoy the sights. As these trains do not physically stop for passengers a passport check is not made on the summit trains. Those returning home then join train 22 at 12:30 for the run to Fraser and then onward bus connection to Whitehorse where they will stay the night.

Thursday 10 July The final day today and there should be time to visit the “Copperbelt Railway” where narrow gauge Austrian built locomotives pull tourist trains around the woods. Mid day transfer to Whitehorse airport and our return flights back home, via Vancouver.

Friday 11 July Arrive London. you can, if you wish, remain in Skagway for extra nights or take a break for a few nights in Vancouver. Enquire for prices.


• 12 day holiday Vancouver to Whitehorse: £2,699 • Flight costs from/to UK are confirmed at time of booking and are estimated at between £800 and £1,200 depending on how early you book. • A reduced price tour with budget accommodation and no Goldstar upgrade is also available. Please enquire for details and price.

supplements/Options • Single room supplement: £590 •Wildlife Excursions (3) : £330 •Whistler pre-tour: Price on application

deposit • £500 (plus any flight costs if you are booking your flights through PTG)

Price includes • Rail and road travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary. The 3 wildlife addons are extra as above. • Good quality hotel accommodation • Gold star upgrade on Denali Star and Coastal Classic trains • Services of our Tour Manager (tour is fully escorted)

recommended Flights • BA085 17.15 Heathrow to Vancouver • AC290 13.55 Whitehorse to Vancouver • BA084 20.40 Vancouver to Heathrow

3 to 12 July, 2014

From £1,349

Slovakia - Welcome to a marvellous land of national parks, mountains, valleys, forests rivers, castles, churches and ruins…


slovakia's geographical position between two superpowers of the middle ages, Austro-Hungarian and russian, has left its mark plainly in its historical architecture. Of the two, the traditions of Germanic Austria- Hungary dominate, often tied to theroman Catholic faith with some hints of Protestantism. However, especially in the east, the Orthodox Christian religion of russia and other eastern european cultures play a role in the architectural landscape.

Most towns have historic churches, and many of these have features of special significance. For those seeking a truly eastern european experience, the centuries-old, still-functioning wooden churches of northeastern slovakia are one of the country’s greatest treasures.

We will tour around the country, where possible by rail, and visit some of the cultural highlights along the way we will have a steam hauled trip in the historic Ciernohronská forest railway and also a trip on a cog railway in the High Tatras national Park.



iTinerArY

Thursday 3 July (D) We meet at London Gatwick airport for our 12.05 Easyjet flight to Vienna airport. Direct flights also available from Heathrow and Birmingham* and indirect flights from Manchester. On arrival we have a short coach transfer to twin city liner port followed by a one and half hour cruise by hydrofoil on the river Danube which connects both capitals Bratislava and Vienna. Welcome dinner in a traditional Slovak restaurant in Bratislava with presentation of Slovak national music instrument called “Fujara” listed in UnESCO, overnight in Bratislava. *Those flying from Birmingham will arrive directly into Bratislava (late evening arrival) for taxi transfer to the hotel. We stay at the Crowne Plaza Bratislava, a first class hotel, which combines the best central location with comfortable accommodation and superb cuisine. Hotel is situated in the heart of the city – opposite the Presidential Residence and it also has an indoor pool.

Friday 4 July (B) Coach transfer from Bratislava hotel to the main railway station from where we catch a train to the central Slovakias, city Banska Bystrica. The route will take 3 and a half hours. On arrival we will have a coach transfer to one of greatest attractions of central Slovakia – the historic Ciernohronská forest railway which once hauled timber down the picturesque valley of the river Cierny Hron. The railway was opened in 1908 and expanded until it once had a network of an unbelievable 132 km. We will have steam hauled rides on the three different restored lines that run from Čierny Balog and visit the railway museum. Our accommodation is in the famous spa town

Bratislava

Nova Mesto nad Vahom

Vrutky

Banska Stiavnica

Zvolen

BreznoPoprad

Studeny Potok

Tatranska Lomnicavintage slovakia

of Sliač, in the heart the natural environment and spa resort of Hotel Kaskády. The area is known for its thermal springs. natural source of mineral water in hotel pools, which has a positive effect on the musculoskeletal system. Our hotel is surrounded by beautiful private gardens.

saturday 5 July (B) After breakfast we will explore the city also known as the heart of Slovakia – Banska Bystrica. After a sightseeing tour of the city we will visit the former mining towns in the Banska Bystrica neighbourhood. Banska Stiavnica is our first stop of the day in former important mining centre and beautiful royal medieval town known also as a “silver town” listed in UnESCO. Our visit of the town includes open air mining museum with underground exhibition in a tunnel. Kremnica – also known as “golden town”, former very important mining town with one of the worlds oldest manufacturers, Kremnica mint, established in 1328. Spania dolina – protected area of folk architecture with unique set of houses from wood and stones. Accommodation in Banska Bystrica.

sunday 6 July (B) Transfer by rail to Poprad – gate to national Park High Tatras, to the highest mountain in Slovakia. Accommodation at the fine Grand Hotel Praha in Tatranska Lomnica. This superb hotel is full of character (built 1905) it was designed to be the best of its kind and was partly responsible for bringing people to this area for the first time.

Monday 7 July (B) Today we will explore gothic and renaissance jewels of the Spis region with the Spis Castle and Church of St. Jacob (both in UnESCO) and the highest gothic wooden altar in

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the world. Spis Castle is the largest castle complex in Central Europe. Overnight in Tatranska Lomnica, High Tatras.

Tuesday 8 July (B, D) Our day will start with a short walk around tarn Strbske Pleso at an altitude 1 300m, a top destination in High Tatras, also a sports centre. Surface of the tarn remains frozen for around 155 days a year. In Stary Smokovec we will take a ride on a cog-rail to Hrebienok station with a panoramic view. If you feel up to it you can take the Tatranska Lomnica funicular to Skalnate tarn or even to the second highest peak of the mountain to Lomnicsky peak. Dinner in High Tatras with traditional Slovak delights and folk music.

Wednesday 9 July (B) We transfer by rail to Kezmarok and visit a wooden church listed in UnESCO, renaissance merchant houses and a castle a few metres from the town square. We continue by train to Stara Lubovna where the bus will take us to national Park Pieniny – the smallest park in Slovakia, where the River Duanjec flows, creating the boarder between Poland and Slovakia. Here we have a short walk to visit the Carthusian-Carmelite monastery, dating from the 14th century. For those who feel up to it we travel on wooden rafts down the river canyon taking in the wonderful scenery and wild life created by this magnificent river. On the way back the last stop will be in Zdiar, a village full of folk traditions and architecture where you can visit the folk museum. Overnight in Tatranska Lomnica, High Tatras.

Thursday 10 July (B) Morning rail transfer to the third stop of our stay – Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. After arrival we have our sightseeing tour of the fine city. By coach the tour will start with Bratislava Castle with its magnificent view over the city above the confluence of the Danube and Morava River. Then on foot we visit the old town before our check in. Overnight in Bratislava.

Friday 11 July (B, L) you have the option today of a quiet day in Bratislava or to join us on a visit to the local wine growing region. In Pezinok we will visit a private ceramic workshop including

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a pottery presentation with an opportunity to make your own pottery product , as well as purchase famous ceramics “Majolika” for the best prices. The day trip will continue with a visit to a charming renovated castle “Cerveny kamen or The Red Stone Castle” which includes a visit to the Museum of Antique Furniture, “Golden Eagle” Pharmacy and a cave “Salla Terrena“, cellars – gigantic and unique in Central Europe serving as a transit point of goods and storehouse in the 16th century.

3-course lunch menu in 400-year old wine cellar and wine tasting of excellent wines from the Small Carpathians. Overnight in Bratislava.

saturday 12 July (B) Coach transfer to Vienna airport where our flights return us to London Heathrow (14.15), London Gatwick (15.50) and Manchester (via Zurich). Those flying to Birmingham return direct from Bratislava.

As well as our PTG “tour manager”, Marion Matthews, we will also have a local English speaking guide with us throughout the trip. Our tour is “shadowed” by a coach which will transfer our luggage between the hotels for us.


• 10 day holiday from London Gatwick, Heathrow £1,599 • 10 day holiday from Birmingham £1,549 • Own travel to/from Bratislava: £1,349

Options • Single room supplement: add £190 • Fly from Manchester: add £60

deposit • £500 (with flights) or £300 (if making own flight arrangements)

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • 4 star en-suite hotel accommodation with breakfast • Other meals as shown in the itinerary: L=Lunch, D=Dinner • Services of our Tour Managers (tour is fully escorted from London)

recommended Flights • EZy5357 12.05 London Gatwick to Vienna • EZy5358 15.50 Vienna to London Gatwick • BA700 09.55 Heathrow to Vienna • BA701 15.05 Vienna to Heathrow • Ryanair 18.30 Birmingham to Bratislava • Ryanair 22.20 Bratislava to Birmingham • Swiss 08.40 Manchester to Vienna (via Zurich) Swiss 14.50 Vienna to Manchester (via Zurich)

10 to 21 July, 2014

From £1,550

The PTG slogan is “rail and culture” and that is exactly what this tour sets out to achieve.


We offer a gentle journey through the fine scenery of the south of France, sometimes in a luxury coach but most often by train.

Along the way, we will pause to sample an interesting variety of tourist railways, and visit some amazing historical architecture and lovely medieval towns. We hope to provide something for everyone: excellent train rides and some cultural activities.

Typical group size: 30


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Thursday 10 July Leaving London St Pancras at 2pm we travel by Eurostar to Lille for our overnight stay. Alternatively fly out tomorrow from various UK airports.

Friday 11 July (B,D) Late morning we join the TGV service that will take us through to the very elegant coastal resort of nice, capital of the famous Côte d’Azur. We arrive in daylight and check in for three nights at the very centrally located Hôtel Excelsior. Alternatively there are direct flights available from Heathrow, Luton, Stansted and Manchester. Evening welcome dinner.

saturday 12 July (B) Today we will ride a slow train on the line the SnCF calls the “Train des Merveilles”, nice—Tende—Cunéo following the Roya valley and crossing the Alps into Italy. There are many viaducts and even more tunnels with wild mountain-and-valley scenery. This is an exceptional route and of interest to any railway enthusiast; it includes three spirals and a summit higher than Ben nevis.

Alternatively choose a relaxing day in nice, walking through the narrow streets and alleyways of the Old City - described as a “Baroque Experience” - then strolling along the Promenade des Anglais seafront to take Lunch at the Casino. note that for the transport enthusiasts there are trams in nice, and a tram stop near our hotel.

sunday 13 July (B) Today we ride the long non-electrified metre gauge CF Provence from nice to Digne, a distance of 151 kms, on the “Train des Pignes”. Our morning train will usually be steam hauled with an ex CP (Portugal) 2-4-6-0T mallet.

Nice

DigneAvignon

NimesToulouse

Pau

San Sebastian

Bilboa

Carcassonne

southern France and The Pyrenees

In the afternoon we ride to the end of the line at Digne-les-Bains high in Alpes Maritimes in a new 2-car DMU with large windows on a very scenic line. Digne calls itself “the lavender capital of the world” and the crop is in full bloom in July.

Monday 14 July (B) This morning we travel by train from nice to nîmes. In the afternoon, there will be free time in nîmes. Worth visiting are some Roman buildings still standing e.g. the Amphitheatre “the best preserved in the whole of the Roman Empire” and the Maison Carée, “a remarkably well-preserved square temple built c.5 AD”; you could also visit the Contemporary Art Museum housed in a building designed by norman Foster. Overnight in nîmes. As today is Bastille Day, in the evening there are likely to be firework displays.

Tuesday 15 July (B) This morning we catch the train from nîmes inland to Mende (changing at La Bastide-St.Laurent), a very pretty ride through the Cevennes. From Mende we have a scenic coach transfer for the 70km to St.Jean du Gard, to the “Train a Vapeur des Cevennes” whose ex SnCF 2-8-0 steam locomotive was only recommissioned in 2011. This is a lovely 13km train journey along the Gardons valley and we do a return trip. you get some fantastic views of the river valley and the Cévennes scenery. After our visit we return to nîmes by coach.

Wednesday 16 July (B) Today we will travel to Avignon - a walled city next the River Rhone. Attractions include the Papal Palace (the biggest Gothic palace ever built, anywhere). The Palace is today a place of culture and primarily a tourist attraction. With around 650,000 visitors each year

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it is regularly among the top ten attractions in France. With its size, architecture and historical significance the Palace regularly serves as an exhibition centre. Later we will visit the famous medieval bridge, the Pont d'Avignon on which one dances as the C15 song “Sur le pont d’Avignon” says. In the afternoon, we will return to nîmes on the bus via the Pont du Gard - an impressive Roman aqueduct built in the 1st century AD. The Pont du Gard is the highest of all Roman aqueduct bridges and is the best preserved along with the aqueduct of Segovia. Because of its historic importance it has been a UnESCO World Heritage Site from 1985. Today it is one of France's five top tourist attractions with around 1.4 million visitors each year.

Thursday 17 July (B) We take the morning service train to the medieval walled city of Carcassonne where there will be an option for a boat trip along the canal or you can go off on your own to explore the city. We have a 5-hour break here before we continue by rail to Toulouse. Overnight in Toulouse for two nights.

Friday 18 July (B) In the morning we travel on the 500mm narrow gauge Chemin de Fer Touristique du Tarn where we have a steam-hauled charter for two return trips over the line. The line is very pretty and steeply graded against outward-bound trains. In the afternoon we visit the Airbus factory in the outskirts of Toulouse. First we are taken to see the giant A380 being built, the world’s biggest plane, bigger than Boeing’s 747 Jumbo; then we visit the museum collection including Concorde 001. We return from the aircraft factory on the new-generation tram line only opened in December 2010. note to transport enthusiasts: as well as the new tram line, there is also a metro in Toulouse.

saturday 19 July (B) This morning we take the SnCF Lunéa service train westwards to St.Jean-de-Luz from where our coach ferries us to the nearby CF Rhune rack railway. This line is still using the original varnished-wood-bodied electric locos and carriages supplied for the opening of the line. After our visit the coach then takes us to Hendaye where we join the Euskotren narrow gauge train

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which goes over the border to the very elegant Spanish city of San Sebastian, a metre gauge international service (EMU). Overnight in San Sebastian.

sunday 20 July (B) in the morning our coach takes us to the Basque Rail Museum at Azpeitia. Here we find a huge collection of narrow gauge locomotives, carriages, trams and even an ex London Transport trolleybus. We have plenty of time to ride the trains on the 5 km metre gauge running line; steam-hauled and hopefully with an ex CP 2-4-6-0T mallet in use. After our visit our coach takes us to Zumárraga Station for a REnFE service train back to San Sebastian for another night in San Sebastian.

Monday 21 July (B) For those travelling home by rail we take the Euskotren metre gauge train to Hendaye and transfer onto the TGV to Paris. Finally we take the Eurostar from Paris back to London arriving 19.29. For those flying back we take another Euskotren service train to Bilbao for road transfer to the airport; there are direct flights back to London and Manchester from Bilbao.

Add-On

Stay some extra nights at our hotel in S.Sebastian, where both the tapas bars and the Basque cuisine in the restaurants are amazing. If you want some more culture, take the ET metre gauge train to Bilbao and visit the Guggenheim Museum. If you are a rail enthusiast, do the same: ride the rest of the ET system, and the trams and metro in Bilbao.


• 11 day holiday from Stansted or Manchester: £1,750 • Own travel to/from France: £1,550

Options • From Heathrow: add £40 • "no fly" from St Pancras: add £249 (includes night in Lille) • Single room supplement: add £350 (extra £40 for night in Lille)

deposit • £750 "no fly" option or £500 other options

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Good quality (mainly 4*) en-suite hotel accommodation with breakfast Welcome dinner on first night • Services of our Tour Manager (tour is fully escorted from London)

recommended Flights • BA344 12.20 Heathrow to nice • VUE7296 15.20 Bilbao to Heathrow

• EZ3103 17.55 Stansted to nice • EZ3224 13.40 Bilboa to Stansted

• JET2 14.10 Manchester to nice • EZ1878 16.25 Bilbao to Manchester

16 to 30 July, 2014

From £3,750

A long train journey can be a wondrous and romantic experience, like a fairy-tale. The train takes you away from your gray little world, cold and probably wet, and whisks you off through magic landscapes to mythical places you’ve only ever heard of, converting the dreamlands of your imagination into almost unbelievable realities.


We are proposing to take you by train to lapland, the land of the Midnight sun, where reindeer stroll the streets and Father Christmas is said to live, and where you can ski round the clock in the summer. Along the way, we will occasionally break our journey in order to visit some fabled northern Baroque cities, built on islands and shimmering in the summer sea.

Join our tour manager, Marion Matthews, on an adventure of a lifetime. Group size will be a maximum of just 20 people.

recommended reading: lord of the rings.

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Wednesday 16 July We leave St Pancras mid-Afternoon for our Eurostar transfer to Brussels. Overnight stay in Brussels.

Thursday 17 July (B) Half-way across Europe before supper! Leaving Brussels this morning (09:30) we travel via Köln-Hamburg-København (arr c.22.00). There will be time to grab a quick lunch in Köln and tea in Hamburg.

Friday 18 July (B,D) A day sightseeing in København, the capital of Denmark. Today the cultural option will be a tour of København with an English-speaking, professional Guide. This will end on the waterfront where the group will embark for a boat trip round the harbour. There will also be time to see the famous statue of the Little Mermaid who sits on a rock out in the middle (best seen from the land). After lunch (own expense), the group will go to Helsinger by rail to visit the imposing Elsinore Castle where most of the action in Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet” is set. Meanwhile, the Rail Enthusiasts will visit the national Railway Museum, at Odense, where it is hoped there will be a train giving rides on the former harbour branch; and then to the Danish Tramways Museum which is at least as good as the UK’s Crich museum, where some trams should be in operation on a long running line laid on the trackbed of an old industrial railway.

saturday 19 July (B) The things one lives to see! nowadays one can get from Denmark to Sweden without having to take a boat, and we will go by train from København to Malmö across the extraordinary 16 km Öresund fixed link. It’s often

Kobenhavn Malmo

GoteborgStockholm

Oslo

BodoNarvik

TrondheimBy Train to the Midnight sun

called a bridge but, on an island in the middle, the enormous bridge ends and the train dives down into a tunnel. We carry on past Malmö and up the West coast of Sweden, through Göteborg, seat of a venerable university, where we will pause for a tour of the city’s extensive tram network in historic vehicles specially chartered from the local tramways preservation society. After a couple of hours, the tram will take us back to the station and we will continue our train journey, crossing into southern norway, where we will spend two nights in Oslo.

sunday 20 July (B,D) A day sightseeing in Oslo, the capital of norway. The Cultural Option will consist of a tour of the centre, with an English-speaking professional Guide. After lunch (own expense), the group will be taken for a ride on the Ljabru tram, a modern vehicle with large windows and a scenic route overlooking the Bay and the Port. The railfan group will take a train out into the country and go for a ride on the standard-gauge Krøderbanen preserved railway, whose beautiful varnished teak end- balcony carriages are normally steam-hauled by a handsome tender engine of a very Scandinavian appearance. In the early evening we all meet up for a tour of Oslo’s tram system (hopefully in specially chartered historic vehicle).

Monday 21 July (B,D) Today we continue our train journey northwards, an eight-hour journey from Oslo to Trondheim, but which we will break in Hamar in order to visit the norwegian national Rail Museum.Here a 750mm gauge tank engine will be in steam and giving rides. Sleep Trondheim, two nights.

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Tuesday 22 July (B,D) Sightseeing day in Trondheim, home of the world’s most northerly Gothic Cathedral, and of what is often called the most northerly operating tram route which climbs across the face of the escarpment which hangs over the city, giving some fine views. In the afternoon, there will be an excursion by bus to the Thamshavnbanen (TS) preserved railway. The narrow gauge TS is said to be the world’s oldest-surviving A.C. electrified railway. It was electric from the outset and opened in 1908 with locos built by Bagnalls of Stafford, incorporating electrical equipment from Manchester.

Wednesday 23 July (B,D) Today the romance of our journey really begins! We take the daytime Trondheim-Bodø service, north, during which we will cross the Arctic Circle; it won’t get dark tonight! The line is not electrified and we will be hauled by a big diesel, one of the few which norway possesses. There is a cafe on the train, and proper carriages where the seats are lined up with the windows and you can watch in comfort as some end-of-the-world type scenery glides past. Overnight in Bodø.

Thursday 24 July (B,D) Bodø is the northern railhead of the norwegian system (the Railway never got to narvik). narvik, which is in norway, is an important port which played a vital rôle in the Second World War, but it is only connected to the Swedish rail network. We will leave narvik by train, but today we will arrive there by bus (bit of an anti-climax, really, but what can one do?). Afternoon of free time in narvik. There are interesting museums to visit, with exhibits related to the iron ore mining industry and the construction of the railway, or the part played by narvik in the Second World War, while the railway enthusiasts will want to be at the station to see the huge double twin-unit locomotives working the heavy iron-ore trains. Dedicated skiers in the group might think of going up to Riksgransen, the ski resort on the Swedish border: as the sun doesn’t set, in the summer, the facilities stay open 24 hours a day and you can ski all through what we would call the night. Overnight in narvik.

Friday 25 July (B) An optional morning visit to the huge LKAB iron ore loading facilities in the port

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and then the return journey starts, all the way from Lapland to London by train! We will leave narvik on Train 93, the overnight to Stockholm which departs around noon.

saturday 26 July (B,D) Railfan Option: detrain at Gävle for a visit to the Swedish national Railway Museum - an historic rail vehicle transfers us from the station to the museum. Cultural Options: Early check in at our hotel, then an afternoon free in Stockholm, capital of Sweden; or a city tour with an English-speaking professional guide – our bus meets us at the station, takes us to our hotel for check in, then does a city tour with a guide on board. Sleep Stockholm, two nights.

sunday 27 July (B,L) The steamship “Mariefred” (yes, it really is steam powered!) will take us for an island-studied voyage down the coast (lunch included) to, appropriately enough, Mariefred, for a ride on the 600mm narrow gauge Östra Södermanlands Järnväg. The ÖSlJ sends a steam train down the Harbour Branch to meet the ship. Here you can get a shot which includes them both-steamship and steam train- making it one of the must-get photos of the trip. Track Bashers will want the ride along the branch, which is not otherwise used. From the other end of the ÖSlJ, there are regular trains back to Stockholm and people can return at their leisure, when they’ve had enough.

Monday 28 July (B,D) Today we will have a Free morning in Stockholm; there is so much to do and see. But here are some suggestions: you could go for a 2-hour city tour by boat, along the canals and round some of the islands, though you won’t see them all as there are said to be 24,000 of them; or go to the Wasa Museum and see the sixteenth century warship they famously dug out of the mud of the harbour, a Scandinavian Mary Rose. The Swedes, being very nostalgic, a tram route has been allowed to survive which is worked with historic vehicles, each one a museum piece. Meanwhile, train enthusiasts might want to ride the 891mm narrow gauge suburban railways. Leaving Stockholm at 3.20pm we travel south to the delightful city of Malmö for our overnight stay.

Tuesday 29 July (B) Today is free for your own exploration of Malmö. Alternatively trains leave every 30 minutes to the beautiful town of ystad - famous because of the TV detective “Kurt Wallander”, played by Kenneth Branagh. Leaving Malmö around 3pm we head south to Hamburg for our overnight stay. Refreshments are available on the train before we arrive in Hamburg at 8pm.

Wednesday 30 July (B) We travel back to the UK on the route Hamburg - Köln - Brussels - London St.Pancras (arriving 18.00). Option to stay extra nights in Hamburg.


• 15 day holiday from London St Pancras: £3,750

Options • Single room (at hotels) supplement: £590

deposit • £750

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • First class rail travel on almost all trains (and almost all travel is in daylight) Good quality en-suite accommodation with breakfast. Also dinner most days. Services of our Tour Manager (tour is fully escorted from London) • All our hotels are chosen to be right outside the main stations - so centrally located - however there is a 5-10 minute walk to one or two of the hotels (taxis available at the stations).

August 9 to 16

From £1,299

you are invited to join us on a unique holiday to the stunning Douro Valley Port wine area of northern Portugal, the world’s first demarcated wine region, and to the historic city of Porto (Oporto) itself. Following the Douro upstream we discover a world of neat terraced vineyards producing fine wines and ports.


One of the only ways to see the river, and make the most of the wonderful scenery is by river cruiser. The ship is the 77 metre “douro Cruiser” she cruises at an average speed of 8 knots. On board is a large sun deck, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, panoramic bar and restaurant. each of the 65 cabins has an en-suite shower and WC, twin beds, Tv, desk and a picture window. upper deck cabins also have a balcony. All cabins have individually controlled heating and air- conditioned and are 15 sq metres in size.

iTinerArY

saturday 9 August (D) Various flight options between the UK and Oporto including direct flights from Gatwick, Stansted and Liverpool. Flight time is 2 hours. Overland travel from London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet or Ashford can also be arranged. you will be met by the PTG Tour Manager and taken to Vila nova de Gaia Quay to join the river cruiser “MS Douro Cruiser”. Dinner on board. Overnight in your own en-suite cabin. Flights from Liverpool are not daily (see end of itinerary for options).

sunday 10 August (B,L,D) This morning we have the option of a guided bus trip to the UnESCO World Heritage city of Guimarães, the well-preserved medieval town famed as the birthplace of the nation. Alternatively relax on board our ship, or explore the Port Wine Cellars and the Ribeira district of Porto. We set sail during lunch and travel up river through a beautiful area of small villages and river beaches. Mid-afternoon we pass through the Crestuma Lever dam and into a stretch of the river with steep valley sides and areas of woodland and vineyards. In early evening we arrive at Entre-os-Rios and have a short coach trip to the Monastery of Alpendurada. Tonight’s dinner will be at this 14th century Monastery. Before dinner we enjoy a glass of Vinho Verde and take in the breathtaking view of the river below us from the terrace. (note: the trip to Guimarães is an optional extra running subject to sufficient interest and is not included in the tour price)

Monday 11 August (B,L,D) Lunch served on board as we reach the famous Carrapatelo dam which, with a water level difference of 35 metres, is the

Regua

Salamanca

Pocinho

Portodouro river Cruise

deepest navigable lock in western Europe. On arrival in Regua we have a tour to the Mateus Palace and gardens. This stunning and flamboyant example of Portuguese Baroque architecture is famous throughout the world as the label on Mateus Wine. The manor house was built in the early 18th century and is still a working estate. Equally impressive are the gardens, which include the famous Cedar Tunnel. This evening we are shown the traditional method of opening a bottle of vintage port wine followed by a traditional Portuguese Folk Music show.

Tuesday 12 August (B,L,D) This morning we take a road excursion to the old episcopal city of Lamego, which has a wealth of baroque churches and mansions. We see the 18th century pilgrimage church and shrine of nossa Senhora dos Remedios (Our Lady of Cures), situated high above the city with magnificent views of Lamego and the valley below. This is followed by a visit to the nearby Quinta do Seixo vineyard for wine-tasting. Returning to the ship in time for lunch, we continue east on a stretch of the river with spectacular areas of rock cliffs, terraced vineyards and olive trees. The Douro Valley Railway follows the banks of the river as far as Pocinho. En-route we pass through the Valeira and Pocinho dams to reach our destination of Barca d’Alva right on the border with Spain. This is the last navigable point on the river. Tonight we have the Captain’s Dinner (smart dress)

Wednesday 13 August (B,L,D) After breakfast we travel by coach to the fine Spanish city of Salamanca; Spain’s finest showcase of Renaissance and Plateresque architecture. Known as the golden city due to the stone used to

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build the fine collection of secular and religious buildings from the 15th to 18th centuries this is now a World Heritage City. We have a guided tour of the historical sites including the fine Plaza Mayor and Cathedral. Lunch in a local Spanish restaurant with Traditional Spanish dances. We return to our river cruiser in time for a barbecue dinner.

Thursday 14 August (B,L,D) After breakfast our coach takes us to Castelo Rodrigo, one of the twelve historical fortified villages of Portugal. First we visit the narrow streets, ruins of the former palace, and the Rocamadour Church. There is time for your own exploration including the former Jewish quarter, the cistern and the mikvah. Returning to the ship we set sail back down-river to Pinhão. This is a fine riverside town surrounded by famous port wine quintas. Dinner is in one of the local vineyards. Overnight in Pinhão.

Friday 15 August (B,L,D) Leaving Pinhão early in the morning, we sail back down the river. After lunch you can join a panoramic city tour of Vila nova de Gaia and Porto. Discover, with our local guide, the different quarters of the city that gave the name to Portugal. In the old town you will see many of the charming 18th and 19th century buildings. The tour finishes with a visit and tasting in one of the Port Wine Cellars that line the quayside. Alternatively remain on the ship and sail back to Vila nova da Gaia under the famous bridges. Overnight on board in Porto.

saturday 16 August (B) Choice now to fly back to the UK or remain in Porto for one or two nights in

37

a hotel in order to appreciate this fine city. Some of the highlights are the vintage tramway routes and the medieval riverside Ribeira district.

Actual order of the days are subject to changes. Main and upper deck cabins are almost identical except that upper deck cabins have a small balcony.

nO OFF BOAT exCursiOns (sAve £130)

Our holiday price does include all of the off boat excursions listed in the itinerary, however, we do understand that some people might just want a relaxing holiday on the river and want to do your own thing at the ports of call. If you wish to opt out of the excursions then please let us know at the time of booking and your holiday price is reduced by £140 per person.

From liverpool Flights are outward on Thursday and return on Sunday. Holiday price therefore includes two nights before and one night after the cruise in Porto (4-star hotel)

Overland travel via eurostar Leaving London St Pancras at 08.30 take the Eurostar to Paris. Forward from Paris on TGV to Bordeaux for overnight stay. Then TGV to the Spanish border at Irun. Here join the Sud-Express sleeper train which will take you through to the Portuguese city of Coimbra. Our tour manager will meet you here for the onward journey to Porto. On the return the journey is the same except no overnight in Bordeaux is required.


• 8 day holiday from Gatwick or Stansted £1,550 • Own travel to/from Porto: £1,299

Options (per person) • Single cabin supplement: £360 • Upper deck cabin: £60 • 11 day trip travelling overland from London St Pancras: add £390 • 11 day trip from Liverpool: add £200 (includes 3 nights in Porto Hotel) • no excursions: save £140 • Deposit £400 (with flights) or £800 (overland)

Price includes • On-board accommodation in en-suite cabin with breakfast, buffet lunch and dinner each day • Excursions as listed in the itinerary • Services of our tour manager

recommended Flights • EZy8497 12.50 Gatwick to Porto • EZy8498 15.45 Porto to Gatwick • FR8343 09.15 Stansted to Porto • FR8348 21.15 Porto to Stansted • FR9202 18.35 Liverpool to Porto • FR9203 21.20 Porto to Liverpool

Photos: Douro River, Restaurant (Douro Cruiser), Upper Deck Cabin (Douro Cruiser), Typical Douro Valley scenery.

6 to 15 september

From £1,299

If you've ever wanted to visit a place that few people even know exists (and fewer still can point out on a map), then come with us to Slovenia.


it won't be long before this smart central european country is setting the tone for fashionable travel.

With fewer than two million inhabitants, and only recently discovered by a select group of globe-trotters who've tuned into tales of its idyllic beauty, slovenia is considerably more tranquil and sophisticated than any other destination cast under the "eastern european" banner, with almost none of the hang-ups associated with its former Communist connections; 15 years after gently wresting itself from Yugoslavia, there's a fresh exuberance of spirit here suggesting a nation still enjoying its independence honeymoon. its beauty has drawn comparisons with switzerland, a country that is twice its size, and where there are similarities. imbued with fantastic, scraggy mountains, turquoise rivers and silver lakes, vast subterranean caves, and just enough medieval castles to conjure up a fairy tale or two.

To top all of this it has some of the finest rail journeys in the whole of europe with many comfortable locomotive hauled trains, quaint stations and welcoming staff.

This is now one of our most popular and longest running tours.



iTinerArY

saturday 6 september (D) We leave London Stansted at 13.15 for our two hour flight to Ljubljana. It is also possible to fly from Birmingham or Manchester (via Zurich) or go overland via the Eurostar. Landing at Ljubljana airport you are immediately struck by the natural beauty of Slovenia. The airport has spectacular views of mountains and appears to be built in a clearing in the woods; Slovenia is the world’s second most wooded country after Finland. Our coach will meet us and transfer us to the 4-star Hotel Grand Union right in the centre of one of Europe’s smallest capital cities for the first night of our five night stay. The rest of the day is free for your own relaxation and we meet up at 8pm for our welcome dinner. This is in a fine restaurant just a few minutes walk from the hotel and which dates back to the 15th-century.

sunday 7 september (B, L) Today we will explore this fascinating little city. First we will visit the castle, via the funicular, that overlooks Ljubljana and the River Ljubljanica which flows through this picturesque city of beautiful bridges and Baroque townhouses. Meet in reception at 9:30 for guided walk of Ljubljana. Our tour will end at the quay side to catch our boat for our river cruise of the Ljubljanica. Lunch will be on board our boat. Rest of the day is free for your own relaxation or perhaps a visit to the railway museum.

Monday 8 september (B) A short walk will take us to the main railway station where we catch our train (09.32) to Postojna. This is a fine stretch of railway line which passes through the mountains en route. On arrival we have a short road transfer

Bled

Ljubljana

Postojna

Novo MestoNova Gorica

vintage slovenia –breathtaking

to the Postojna Cave which is a network of 20 kilometres of passages, galleries and chambers into which experienced guides have accompanied more than 31 million visitors in the last 188 years. It is the largest cave in the “classic karst” and the most visited show cave in Europe. In 1872 railway lines were laid in the cave; electricity arrived in 1884. Today we begin our visit aboard the cave train; the electric lighting allows you to admire the size and splendour of the underground world, where the geological past is recorded in a unique manner. The underground train journey is an amazing 4km ride. We will also see the largest collection of cave dwelling creatures in one place including the “Human Fish”.

This is one of the most mysterious creatures in the world. A kind of Salamander, but related to no other amphibian, it is the largest known permanent cave-dwelling vertebrate. After a break, with time for some lunch, we visit the nearby Predjama Castle. Just 10 kilometres from Postojna Cave stands one of the most picturesque wonders of human history: Predjama Castle. For more than 700 years it has perched proudly on its 123-metre cliff: powerful, defiant and impregnable. Evening return by train to Ljubljana.

Tuesday 9 september (B, L) Another superbly scenic railway journey today as we head east along the Sava river valley to Dobova. The railway hugs the river pretty much all of the way as we weave our way through the mountains. Dobova is near the border with Croatia and we alight here and take our road coach to the nearby wine cellars of najger’s Repnice. Repnice are caves, dug in the flint-stone, which was washed up by the Pannonian sea millions of years ago. They

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got their name after turnip (repa), because the locals stored turnip and some other vegetable produce in them. The sand caves are a part of the cultural heritage in this region. They are one of the most interesting sights on the Bizeljsko-sremiska wine route. At the top of Graben valley, Jozica and Martin najger open for us their remarkable repnice. Martin’s greatgrandfather dug this cave in the 19th-century. In the first room is a natural fresco formed in the sand walls and ceiling. We have wine tasting in the main room of the cave and can visit the third room where the wine is aged. We will sample these wines and some savory specialties of the house, followed by lunch served in the outer farm building. This really is one of the most amazing wine tastings you will experience anywhere. In late afternoon we return by rail to Ljubljana.

Wednesday 10 september (B, L) Today our railway journey takes us to the city of novo Mesto. novo Mesto is situated on a sharp bend in the river Krka. It is one of the prettiest towns in the Dolenjska province. Upon arrival we have a short walk to a riverside restaurant for lunch (included). After lunch we have time to explore. The old town, situated on a promontory in a bend of the Krka River, is enchanting with its aristocratic Glavni trg square with arcades fronting the ground floors of rich townhouses and its characteristic City Hall. The Chapter Church, the Franciscan Church, the Dolenjska Regional Museum, and the Jakčev dom Gallery are also worth visiting, and the view of the remarkable row of na Bregu houses—the most picturesque part of the city core—reflected in the Krka River below has often been depicted by painters. In late afternoon return by train to Ljubljana.

Thursday 11 september (B) We meet in reception for our coach transfer to the station for our train to Bled. The town of Bled is over a thousand years old and is by far the country’s most popular destination, because of the fairytale lake and island, dramatically sited castle and snow tipped mountains. At Bled we will be staying at the wonderful Hotel Triglav. named after the highest mountain, which can be seen from the hotel. This

39

fine 4-star hotel is right beside the station and has wonderful views over the lake. The rest of the day is free for your own relaxation and to enjoy Bled at your own pace.

Friday 12 september (B) Lake Bled is extremely picturesque and one of the most romantic places to visit. On the small island in the middle of the Lake many people travel by boat to get married. So today we will make the same journey (but not to get married) to visit the church and tower. you may even ring the bell in the church and make a wish. Later, after lunch we have an optional visit to the spectacular Vintgar Gorge. Where we take a walk and feel as if we are in another world. Don’t forget your cameras and walking shoes.

saturday 13 september (B,L) A short walk to the railway station for our rail journey by steam train complete with restored vintage carriages. Our two hour ride along the historic Bohinj Railway is an unforgettable experience through stunning scenery. During our journey we will follow the river ‘Sava Bohinjka’ until we reach the 6,372 meter long railway tunnel at Bohinjska Bistrica. We will be accompanied by the Bohinj Railway staff who will inform us about the train, the Bohinj railway itself and the regions we will be travelling through. We alight at Kanal and drive along the river Soca past the villages Anhovo and Plave to the wine growing region at the Slovene-Italian border, Goriska Brda. We will also stop in the village Gonjace on the way to Dobrovo where we can climb up a 23m belvedere tower, from where the whole Goriska Brda region can be seen. At Dobrovo we will have time for lunch, before our return to the Soca Valley, where we also visit the largest wine cellar in the region. Here we are able to taste and purchase some of the prominent wines of Gorisda Brda. Return to Bled on the steam train.

sunday 14 september (B, L) Most na Soci river cruise: Today we will re-trace our steam journey but by local train to Most na Soci where the river Soca and river Baca meet. you will remember from yesterday’s trip along this line, the beautiful colour of the river. So today we will leave the train for a two hour cruise on the river. Time to relax,

have lunch and enjoy the views from the boat. Mid afternoon return by rail to Bled.

Monday 15 september (B) Morning is free before our coach takes us back to Ljubljana airport (approx 45 minutes) for our flight back to the UK.


• 10 day holiday from London Stansted £1,499 • Own travel to/from Ljubljana: £1,299

Options • Single room supplement: add £290 • From Manchester or Birmingham via Zurich: POA


Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Good quality en-suite accommodation with breakfast • Other meals as shown in itinerary: L=Lunch, D=Dinner • Services of our Tour Manager (tour is fully escorted from London)

recommended Flights • EZ3245 13.15 Stansted to Ljubljana • EZ3246 11.00 Ljubljana to Stansted • Swiss 13.45 Manchester to Ljubljana (via Zurich) • Swiss 14.30 Ljubljana to Manchester (via Zurich) • Swiss 13.45 Birmingham to Ljubljana (via Zurich) • Swiss 14.30 Ljubljana to Birmingham (via Zurich)

11 to 21 september

From £1,299

you are invited to join us on a unique holiday to the stunning Douro Valley Port wine area of northern Portugal, the world’s first demarcated wine region, and to the historic city of Porto (Oporto) itself. Following the Douro upstream we discover a world of steeply terraced vineyards producing fine wines and ports.


The only way to see this beautiful region is by rail and river (there are few roads in the valley itself). The first half of our tour is based on the river right in the centre of this stunning region and includes several scenic rail trips as well as two half-day river cruises.

The second half of our holiday is based in the fine medieval riverside city of Porto. We get a chance to travel on the whole rail system in the northern region of Portugal including five different railway lines to fascinating towns such as the World Heritage city of Guimaraes.

All ten nights are spent in 4-star hotels; 5 nights in regua and 5 in Porto.

Tour Manager: david


We honestly believe that you will not better this holiday for enjoyment and scenery. It is also our longest running tour now in its 16th year.

iTinerArY

Thursday 11 september Our flight leaves Gatwick at 11.40. Direct flights also available from Stansted and Liverpool and overland travel from St Pancras via the Eurostar. We will be met at Porto airport by David, your tour manager, and luxury coach which will take us direct to the 4- star Hotel Regua Douro for our overnight stay. This is our base for the next 5 nights and is on the banks of the Douro (75 minutes from airport). Depending on which flight you arrive on you also have the option to make the journey by rail. Free evening for dinner (David will indicate suitable restaurants) and to settle in.

Friday 12 september (B) Following a short Welcome Meeting, we take the train west to the lovely country station of Livração. From here we transfer by road to the pretty riverside town of Amarante, one of the gems of northern Portugal. Here rows of 17th-century mansions with their brightly painted balconies line the narrow streets. There will be time to visit the Monastery and other sites during our walk through the town. After lunch we join our coach for the short journey to the vineyards at Quinta da Aveleda, one of the region’s top Vinho Verde estates with its fine gardens. Our coach will drop us back at Penafiel station for our rail journey back to Regua, arriving early evening. (10.45 - 19.00).

saturday 13 september (B,D) Morning is free. In the afternoon we join a restored vintage train, formed of 2-8-4T steam locomotive 0186 built in 1925 and five wooden bodied carriages of a similar age. We travel up the river through breath-taking scenery of terrace vineyards and olive trees, to the riverside station at Tua (about a 90 minute

Averio

Porto

Braga

GuimaraesVila Real Mirandela

vintage Port - simply the best

run). En-route we stop for water at the picturesque riverside town of Pinhão. Many of the most famous names in port production have quintas close to the railway station which is decorated with dazzling tile panels depicting scenes from bygone days of port production. On board we are treated to traditional singing and served local delicacies and port wine. After a break we return on the steam hauled special to Regua. (14.30 - 18.00). In the evening we visit the wonderful Quinta da Casa Amarela vineyard for a guided tour and Welcome Dinner.

sunday 14 september (B,L) In the morning we catch the regional train east along the river to the railway’s terminus at Pocinho. This is a superb scenic journey with stunning views and we might catch sight of the rare Black Kite which still manages to survive in this remote area of Europe. At Pocinho we join our river cruiser and travelling down river passing through three of the dams built in the 1970's to tame this once wild river. One of the locks we pass through is 32 metres deep and an unforgettable experience. This is a stunning valley of steep terraced vineyards and dramatic rock cliffs. A full three course lunch with wine is served on board and included in your tour price. (09.00 - 17.15)

Monday 15 september (B) Today we visit the fascinating little town of Mirandela, with its Roman Bridge and beautifully kept historic centre. There is the option to ride on the last remaining section of Douro narrow gauge line running 17Km from Cachão through Mirandela to Carvalhais. After time for lunch and free exploration we make the journey to Casa de Mateus to see the splendid manor house and gardens. (09:30 – 18:30)

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Tuesday 16 september (B,L) Late morning we join our river cruiser and cruise down river through the picturesque port wine area of steep terraced vineyards which stretch right down to the water’s edge. A full 3-course lunch is served on board before we pass through the famous Carrapatelo dam. At 35 metres deep, this is one of the deepest navigable dams in the world; an experience not to be missed. We continue down river and pass through the smaller Crestuma Dam. We are now in an area of woodlands, small vineyards and river beaches. Late afternoon we arrive in the fine city of Porto and get to see this ancient city from the river with its fine collection of bridges, two of which were built by Eiffel. Overnight in Porto. (12.30 – 18.30).

Wednesday 17 september (B) Leaving the hotel at 9:15 am we have a short walk through the fascinating medieval quarter of the city to Batalha where we join our vintage tram for a trip through the old city to the tramway museum. After time to visit the museum we continue on another vintage tram along the waterfront finally arriving at Infante. From there we walk through the Ribeira district and over the iconic Dom Luis I bridge to visit one of the riverside port lodges complete with port tasting (9.15 - 13.00). Free afternoon for lunch and own exploration.

Thursday 18 september (B) Our first stop this morning is Lousado where we have a visit to

41

the narrow gauge railway museum before we continue to the town of Barcelos with a chance to experience its famous weekly market, the biggest in Portugal and one of the biggest in Europe. After time for lunch, we transfer by road to Portugal's most spectacular religious sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, complete with a funicular railway dating back to 1882. We return to Porto by rail early evening. (08:15 – 18:30)

Friday 19 september (B) Today is free for your own exploration of Porto. Alternatively join our rail trip to visit the fabulous narrow gauge lines which hang on to survival in the Vouga region, south of Porto. We head south to Aveiro to join the metre gauge line through unspoilt villages to the railway museum at Macinhata and lunch in Sernada do Vouga. We travel north to Espinho where we return to Porto São Bento on a suburban service.

saturday 20 september (B,D) Today join our rail trip to visit the important UnESCO city of Guimarães. We have a pleasant 75-minute journey along the Vizela River. At Guimarães a local guide will lead us on a walking tour of this well-preserved medieval town famed as the birthplace of the nation. We also visit the superbly preserved 10th-century castle and the palace of Paço dos Duques. After lunch you will have free time to explore the town on your own. (09.45 - 17.00). In the evening we will have our Farewell Dinner at the excellent Abadia Restaurant

sunday 21 september (B) Our coach returns us to Porto airport for flights back to the UK. All days are very leisurely. The approx. start and end times are shown at the end of each day’s itinerary e.g. (10.45 - 18.45).

Overland travel via Eurostar: Leaving London St Pancras at 08.30 take the Eurostar to Paris. Forward from Paris on TGV to Bordeaux for overnight stay. Then TGV to the Spanish border at Irun. Here join the Sud-Express sleeper train which will take you through to the Portuguese city of Coimbra. Our tour manager will meet you here for the onward journey to Porto. On the return the journey is the same except no overnight in Bordeaux is required.


• 11 day holiday from Gatwick, Stansted or Liverpool £1,499 • 14 day holiday overland from St Pancras £1,899 • 11 day - Own travel to/from Porto: £1,299

Options • Single room supplement: £290

deposit • £500 (with flights), £250 (no flights) or £1,000 (overland)

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • 4 star en-suite accommodation with breakfast. 5 nights Regua, 5 nights Porto • Other meals as shown in itinerary: L=Lunch, D=Dinner • Services of our Tour Manager (tour is fully escorted from Lisbon)

recommended Flights • EZy8497 12.50 Gatwick to Porto • EZy8498 15.45 Porto to Gatwick

• FR8343 09.15 Stansted to Porto • FR8348 21.15 Porto to Stansted

• FR9202 18.35 Liverpool to Porto • FR9203 21.20 Porto to Liverpool

11 to 27 sept 2014

From £2,999

Take our “classic” train tour on an exploration of the Colorado Rockies, riding standard and narrow gauge railways to summits of over 14,000 feet. Teddy Roosevelt described a Colorado train ride as “the trip that bankrupts the English language”! Even those with no interest in railways will love the remarkable vistas from Colorado’s trains.


non-rail sightseeing includes travelling through the mountains between Ouray and Telluride, ancient Anasazi indian cliff dwellings at Mesa verde national Park, ghost towns, and sublime scenery from vast deserts in the Great sand dunes national Park to the alpine peaks of rocky Mountain national Park. All aboard!

likely group size: 36

PTG Tour Manager: stephen Martin

iTinerArY

Thursday 11 september We leave London Heathrow on the British Airways 16.05 flight to Denver arriving at 18.45 local time. Upgrades are available to premier economy or business class. Coach transfer to the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown for the first of our four night stay. This year’s tour our local tour leader will be Denny Thompson who has extensive knowledge of this area.

Friday 12 september (B) Free day to acclimatise to the time-zone and altitude. Denver is 1-mile above sea-level! Downtown Denver has a vibrant historic district and is served by a great new Light Rail System.

saturday 13 september (B,D) We relax this morning, then join Denny Thompson to explore the beautiful Colorado State Capital (with its dome covered in gold leaf and located exactly a mile above sea level) and the exceptional Colorado State Historical Museum, which is the perfect introduction to our tour. This evening we take a short light rail ride to our Welcome Dinner at the Buckhorn Exchange Restaurant, a landmark property whose guests included Teddy Roosevelt.

sunday 14 september (B,L) We enjoy a full-day's drive through the alpine grandeur of Rocky Mountain national Park today, with a fine lunch at the landmark Stanley Hotel included. This park straddles the Continental Divide with several peaks soaring to over 14,000 feet.

Monday 15 september (B) This morning we enjoy the finest scenic journey on Amtrak, the CALIFORnIA ZEPHyR crossing of the Rockies on the former Rio Grande RR "Moffat Route". We first

Denver

Durango

LeadvilleGlenwood Springsus Colorado rockies

ascend 4,000-feet to the Moffat Tunnel through South Boulder Canyon. The 6.2 mile-long tunnel takes us through the Continental Divide to the mighty Colorado River. We follow a succession of ever grander canyons: the Fraser, Byers, Gore, Red and Glenwood to the lovely resort of Glenwood Springs. Our overnight is at the Edwardian-era Hotel Denver at the railroad station. The world’s largest outdoor hot springs pool is open this evening for a swim.

Tuesday 16 september (L) We cross the 10,000 foot summit of Grand Mesa with stupendous views that reach out 100 miles! The autumn aspen color should be outstanding here! We then enjoy lunch at the Apple Shed Gallery before continuing into the awesome San Juan Mountains. Enroute we visit the new Ridgeway Railroad Museum. Our hotel is the Ouray Chalet in Ouray. This charming little village lies in an amphitheater showcasing waterfalls that plunge from the heights.

Wednesday 17 september (D) This morning we drive through the "Million Dollar Highway" through Uncompahgre Canyon to the summit of Red Mountain Pass before turning west over Dallas Divide to Telluride. Telluride, which lies on the floor of a box canyon, is famous for its film festival and skiing. The entire center is a national Historic Landmark. An option here is to ride the aerial tramway to the ski resort high above the valley for lunch. We closely follow the abandoned trackbed of the Rio Grande Southern RR across the top of the world. Briefly this route was so successful it minted silver passes. After the Silver Panic of 1893, it staggered on for 60 years, inventing the “Galloping Goose” railcars to save operating costs. We ride a preserved “Goose” at the railway

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museum in Dolores. Our route includes views of Mount Sneffels, Lizard Head Pass, traces of the Ophir Loop, and Trout Lake. We overnight at the beautiful Far View lodge, in Mesa Verde national Park.

Thursday 18 september (B) We spend the day with a local guide exploring the amazing cliff and mesa-top dwellings of the lost world of the Anasazi Indians ("the Ancient Ones"). About 1275 a.d. the Anasazi mysteriously abandoned these cities in stone. The setting offers unique history and great vistas. We spend the next two nights at the General Palmer Hotel, adjacent to the Durango and Silverton RR depot in Durango.

Friday 19 september (CB) Today is devoted to the grandest of Colorado rail journeys, the steam-powered SILVERTOn train through the Animas River Canyon round-trip to the “ghost town” of Silverton, through scenery that approximates Switzerland. For 30 of the line's 45 miles there exists only the railroad, the glacial green waters of the Animas, and the 12,000-foot peaks of the San Juans. We can enjoy lunch and shopping in Silverton during our mid-day layover.

saturday 20 september (CB, L) At Chama, nM we board the longest narrow gauge steam railway in north America. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic RR takes the D&RG route 64 miles over 10,033 foot Cumbres Pass. 2-8-2 “Mikado” steam engines power us up the 4% grade to the Pass before the train enters the deep canyon of the Rio des los Pinos (River of Pines). For 50 miles, no paved road crosses the tracks. After lunch at Osier we descend through the Toltec Gorge. We stay two nights at Alamosa's new Hampton Inn.

sunday 21 september (B) The Rio Grande Scenic RR takes us from Alamosa to La Veta over the wildly beautiful La Veta Pass. next we visit the Great Sand Dunes national Park. Here the endless winds sweeping across the San Luis Valley create towering sand dunes rising up to 750 feet against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Monday 22 september (B,L) The Arkansas River bisects a tall plateau creating the Royal Gorge, a chasm over 1200 feet deep. At mid-day we explore the canyon’s depths, riding the Royal

43

Gorge Route on the former Rio Grande RR and enjoying lunch in the vista-dome diner. The highlight is the stop at “Hanging Bridge”. One thousand feet above the rail line is the spectacular Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge, the highest on earth. Finally we ride the inclined railway from the Suspension Bridge to the river’s edge! We overnight in Colorado Springs at the Antlers Hilton.

Tuesday 23 september (L) We board the world’s highest cog railway, the Manitou Springs and Pike’s Peak, and ascend to the 14,110 foot summit of Pike’s Peak. The view from here inspired the writing of “America the Beautiful”. Luncheon is included at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post beneath towering red rock monoliths. We drive west into the high peaks, follow the abandoned routes of the Colorado Midland and the South Park railways to Silverthorne, where we stay two nights at the La Quinta Inn.

Wednesday 24 september (CB,L) We visit Leadville, the highest city in north America at over 10,000 feet. The Leadville, Colorado and Southern RR operates the ex-South Park route to Fremont Pass. The trackside views are among the grandest in Colorado. We visit the Tabor Opera House, the Baby Doe Tabor Cabin/Matchless Mine, and the national Mining Museum, with lunch at the landmark Delaware Hotel.

Thursday 25 september (CB,L) At Silver Plume we ride the normally Shay steam powered narrow-gauge Georgetown Loop Railway. In an airline distance of under two miles, the C&S Ry. engineers gained over 600 feet by resorting to a 4½-mile route, including a complete loop. In Victorian Georgetown we explore the Hotel de Paris, displaying all of its original furnishings from the 1880s. Our Farewell Lunch is at Georgetown's Happy Cooker. Finally we visit the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, which has a priceless collection of Colorado standard and narrow gauge relics, and then ride the new West Light Rail Line into Denver. Our last tour night is again at the Hilton Garden Inn in Denver.

Friday 26 september (B) We transfer to the airport and catch the overnight flight back to Heathrow arriving back at 12.35 on Saturday.

CAliFOrniA And nevAdA - Pre-TOur

We fly direct to San Francisco to see some of the rail highlights of this area including the famous napa Valley Railway before joining the CALIFORnIA ZEPHyR travelling by day through nevada stopping to see some historic preserved railways for a few days before rejoining the CALIFORnIA ZEPHyR through to Denver to join the main tour as above. Enquire for further details and price.


• Full 17 day holiday from UK £3,799 • Own travel to/from Denver: £2,999 (joining on 12 September)

Options • Single room supplement: add £650 • Flight upgrade prices on request

deposit • £1,250 (with flight) or £750 (own flights)

Price includes • All trains and excursions as listed in the itinerary • Hotel accommodation each day •Meals as listed in the itinerary B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner Services of our tour guides (holiday is fully escorted) • Luggage transfer and assistance

recommended Flights • BA219 16.05 Heathrow to Denver • BA218 20.45 Denver to Heathrow

Flights available from Manchester and other UK regional airports via Philadelphia or Atlanta.

12 to 29 september

From £1,750

PTG is pleased to offer this, our first tour to Brazil. It comprises a 17 day holiday using luxury coach travel and one internal flight to visit a number of tourist railways predominantly worked by old American steam locomotives.


in many cases, the railways operate from historic townships, and provide a scenic journey in period coaches. There is also an optional extension in the vibrant city of rio de Janerio.

The tour includes visits to railway and major tourist attractions in the south of this up and coming country. We visit stupendously sited rio de Janerio with its stunning beaches and dramatic statute of Christ the redeemer, historic santos, the gateway for coffee exports, and a number of early colonial towns. All have magnificent Portuguese architecture. On the railway front, we have visits to almost all of the nation’s heritage railway systems, together with a rack railway journey to the summit of Corcovado overlooking the whole of rio. There will also be an opportunity to view the last commercial steam operation in the Americas and some modern-day heavy freight trains. On some days there will be rail and non rail options. dinners are provided on most days but there is an opportunity to enjoy local restaurants on others. Transport is by luxury coach with facilities.

iTinerArY

Friday 12 september With only a 4 hour time difference, a daytime flight will be taken to Sao Paulo to ensure an arrival in good spirits. We should be able to arrange connecting flights from other main UK airports. We plan to overnight in an hotel near the international airport. Meals will be inflight.

saturday 13 september (B,D) On our first day we visit the Viacao Ferrea Campinas-Jaguariuna a heritage railway operation to the north of Sao Paulo which runs from Anhumas on the outskirts of Campinas into Jaguariuna where we expect three steam locomotives to be operating. The rail option will ride the scheduled service form Anhumas to Jaguariuna, back to Carlos Gomes for the large collection of steam locomotives, returning to Jaguariuna on the ‘empty’ stock before the final journey to Anhumas. The other option will be to relax in the morning at the Jaguariuna hotel before riding the afternoon train in period coaches to Anhumas and return through the pleasant rural scenery. This evening we will dine at one of the restaurants on the platform of preserved Jaguariuna station.

sunday 14 september (B,L,D) We have an early start today to hopefully visit no less than three preserved steam operations taking a packed lunch with us. First, our coach will take us to Estrada de Ferro Perus Pirapora, a preserved portion of a former 600mm gauge industrial railway to the north of Sao Paulo, where we hope for an Alco 2-4-2ST to haul our charter train to the point where a number of other steam locomotives are preserved. After, our coach takes us to to the immigration museum in central Sao Paulo, where the Trem dos Imigrantes operates

Ouro Preto

São Lourenço

CruzeiroPassa Quatro Petrópolis

Rio de Janeiro

Fazenda Mato AltoCampinas

Perus PiraporaSão Paulo

ParanapiacabaSantos

Guararema

São João del Rei

MorretesCuritiba

Rio Neginho

Ferrovia das Bromélias

Lages Florianópolis

ImbitubaLaguna

Tubarão

Pirituba

steam railways of Brazil

regular Sunday steam trains over a short stretch of line. In the early afternoon, we leave for Paranapiacaba, south-east of Sao Paulo, to visit to Trem dos Ingleses, the museum of the former Santos-Jundiai Railway. The railway here, with its continuous cable inclines, was once regarded as one of the engineering wonders of the world. Several of the unique British Brake-Locomotives are here and we hope for a short ride behind an 1867 Sharp Stewart 0-6-0ST. Our final journey of the day is to descend to sea-level in our coach to stay in Santos for two nights.

Monday 15 september (B) After two busy days we can relax in historic Santos, ride the cable car and visit the Coffee Museum. Later there will be an option to take our coach to Rio Grande da Serra and then a suburban train to Sao Paulo. Here there is the British built station and three interesting preserved locomotives in the Parque Dom Pedro II.

Tuesday 16 september (B) Today we plan to have a steam charter train on a new heritage railway at Guararema with a Pacific locomotive on our way to Cruzeiro. Option of an early arrival at an out of town Pousada to relax. The rail option takes us

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enTHusiAsT


into Cruzeiro, where we should be able to view a working Sentinel steam shunter and also visit a repair depot of the Brazilian Railway Preservation Association. Those taking the rail option stay at a central hotel near the freight only main line.

Wednesday 17 september (B,D) This morning our coach takes us to the nearby Trem da Serra da Mantiqueira in Minas Gerais state, where we have a steam hauled charter train in the mountains. We can cross a river-bridge to join the train at its halfway point for some scenic photos, before enjoying the rail journey to the end of the line, and then return with it into the vintage town of Passa Quattro. There is then the option of continuing our journey into the elegant spa town of Sao Lourenco for perambulation or relaxation. The rail option entails further photo opportunities before our coach takes us into Sao Laurenco.

Thursday 18 september (B,D) We commence Thursday with a steam charter train on the Trem dos Aguas from Sao Lourenco to the cobbled streets of Solidade de Minas, where our coach meets and transfers us north to one of the historic towns of Sao Joao del Rei (rail option) or Tiradentes - 3 nights.

Friday 19 september (B) Today our respective programmes centre on the Estrada de Ferro Oeste de Minas, which will operate two scheduled steam hauled trains between Sao Joao and Tiradentes. The rail option based in Sao Joao, will have a greater opportunity to ride, photograph and visit the rail facilities.

Those based in Tiradentes, will have the opportunity for an afternoon return ride to Sao Joao and considerably longer to explore the quaint colonial town of Tiradentes.

saturday 20 september (B,D) There is an option on this day to remain in either of the two colonial towns for further exploration or more steam photography. For those who do not mind an early start, and wish to see more of Minas Gerais, our coach transports us to Ouro Preto, considered one of the loveliest towns in Brazil. Here we take the scheduled heritage train to Mariana on Trem da Vale with ample time to in colonial Mariana.

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sunday 21 september (B,D) After a long day, we have a more relaxed start, with time to visit anything missed and photograph the morning steam train from Sao Joao. We then take our coach on the journey into Rio de Janerio. We may stop at one of the many roadside eateries and may visit the old summer capital Petropolis where, at the old palace, there is a preserved rack locomotive. Our hotel is in the famous Copacabana beach area.

Monday 22 september (B,L) We start our day with a visit to the Corcovado, which is accessed by a 3-phase electric rack railway. Panoramic views around Rio can be seen from the summit. We then make a brief visit to the railway museum in Rio, with its early British locomotive before heading along the coast to Fazenza Mato Alto. This coastal farm has a number of steam locomotives and we will have one or more to take us on a lengthy circuit of the land.

Tuesday 23 september (L,D) We need to be packed and ready for an early departure on this day, when we say farewell to Rio and take a flight from the nearby domestic airport to Curitiba in Parana state. We have time to visit the historic quarter and a museum at the old Curitiba station, before an early lunch and a coach transfer to Morretes. From here, we take the mid- afternoon scenic Serra Verde Express to return to Curitiba and then transfer to our hotel.

Wednesday 24 september (B,L,D) This morning our coach takes us to Rio negrinho station, from where we take a charter train into the mountains on the Trem da Serra do Mar, a preservation organisation that operates big steam engines over a scenic section of a regular railway. Perhaps their large Mallet will be available. After lunch, we transfer to the Ferrovia das Bromelias, a short but very scenic line. We have another steam journey here with possibly a 4-6-0 locomotive before a short transfer to our hotel for a well-earned rest and dinner.

Thursday 25 september (B,L,D) Immediately after breakfast we transfer to our next hotel at Piratuba for a check-in and gourmet lunch. In the early afternoon we transfer the short distance to the station for a chartered steam locomotive on the Trem das Termas Piratuba. This railway

HOlidAY PriCes

• Full inclusive 18 day tour from London: £3,950* • 17 day tour from Rio (own flights international and domestic): £2,950* • Steam trains only (own "fly drive" and hotels): £1,750

* These prices are for guidance only. We hope that these will be a "maximum price" but may vary a few hundred pounds either way. As soon as we have enough expressions of interest we will confirm the final holiday price.

Options • Single room supplement: TBA Deposit • Initially just expressions of interest are required before end of 2013. Once we have sufficient numbers we will advice of the deposit and final payment requirements.

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Good quality en-suite accommodation Meals as shown in itinerary: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner • Services of our Tour Manager (tour is fully escorted from London)

recommended Flights • TAM 20.15 Heathrow to Sao Paulo • TAM 08.54 Rio to Curitiba • TAM 20.18 Florinoplis to Rio • TAM 23.55 Rio to Heathrow

passes through pastoral scenery, and right at its end passes over a long road and rail river bridge. Here, the train will wait for those who wish to take photos to walk over the bridge, in advance of the train, before taking us back tender-first.

Friday 26 september (B,L,D) On this day we must have a lengthy transfer to Laguna on the coast in our comfortable coach. We are now in Santa Caterina State where the roads are good. We hope to be able to break our journey around halfway with lunch, at a small railway near Lages and have a charter train with their Manning Wardle locomotive.

saturday 27 september (B,D) Today should be the highlight of the tour for the fan of large steam locomotives, as we visit the nearby Trem Rubi, the heritage organisation which operates over the tracks of the former coal-carrying Donna Teresa Christina Railway. First we visit the Tubarao railway museum where are preserved, a number of the former locomotives which worked on the system and in the docks at Imbituba. Then we take our charter mixed coal train to Imbituba. Photo facilities will be arranged. We will halt for a lunch break during the journey.

sunday 28 september (B) Morning will be at leisure by the sea before a departure to Florinopolis for flights home via Rio de Janerio or Sao Paulo. Option to stay on to explore Rio.

Monday 29 september Arrival in London during the morning after an overnight flight.

13 to 20 sept

From £799

A Balkan country with spectacular mountains and a coastline on the Black Sea, Bulgaria was part of the Ottoman empire for around 500 years, although the Orthodox tradition remained strong. Bulgaria is full of ancient man made wonders and stunning scenery.


There have been many improvements in Bulgaria since the collapse of Communism and it is now a member of the eu.

Our "Track Bash" aims to visit many unusual lines which do not normally see locomotive hauled passenger trains as well as rare vintage diesel and electric locomotives for haulage and visits to railway depots.

This year we cover lines we have not travelled on during our previous three visits plus we have a long run through Greece and a shorter, but still quite decent, run through romania.

iTinerArY

saturday 13 september We start by flying out to the South East European country of Bulgaria, and expect to arrive in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia sometime in mid-afternoon. Direct flights available from Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester. Overland travel can be arranged from St Pancras Eurostar but it is a long journey (and quite expensive). After transferring to our hotel, you will have a free evening to discover the city, its sights and the delights of Bulgarian cuisine. There is also a good tram network.

sunday 14 september (B) We start our railtour from the capital’s 1960-built station, a place that seems to show its age much more than the

graceful older stations on the network. Heading in a south-western direction, with a BZK class 87 electric (ex-BR). The line soon becomes quite steeply graded, threading the Roma-populated shanty townships and then climbing through the more leafy southern suburbs of the capital. We pass the mineral water suburb of Gorna Banja and on through Vladaya to Pernik. This line was opened on 9th December 1893, and electrified one hundred years later in 1984 as the first step in the electrification project as far as the Greek border. Heading south through the steel and mining town of Pernik, we arrive at the small junction of Radomir, with its small depot and allocation of class 55 diesels. Radomir was first reached by rail with the opening of the extension from Pernik, on 6th February 1897. It was then to become a junction in World War I, when the Military Supplies Company built the precursor to today’s main line as a 600mm-gauge “Decauville” line. It commenced work on 4th March 1916, subsequently being re-gauged and re-opened on 21st December 1930 to form part of the main line south to Kulata and Greece. We continue south on the main line, through the great rocky scenery and escarpments in the Kresna gorge through to General Todorov and the Greek border at Kulata. Kulata itself is little more than a border post and a collection of houses, and after change of locomotive to an OSE MLW-built loco, we continue south to the junction at Strimon. We will now continue in style with Greek A451 or A501 MLW power, eastwards to Serres, Drama and finally Alexandroupoulis. This line was built in stages from 1894 to 1896, by the French, and has several stretches of mountainous terrain that should test our locomotive. On arrival at the

Sofia

SerresAlexandroupolis

SvilengradDimitrovgrad

Nova ZagoraStara Zagora

Veliko TarnovoGorna Oryakhovitsa

RuseGiurgiu

CaracalCraiova

Calafat

Vratsa Mezdra

Great Bulgarian Track Bash 4

port of Alexandroupoulis, we will be transferred to our hotel.

Monday 15 september (B) Alexandroupoulis had first been reached by rail on 1st May 1873, when the area was under Turkish Ottoman control, with the line being built and operated at first by the CO, a company of Belgo-German ownership. It was to be twenty-five years before Alexandroupoulis was linked to Thessaloniki by train, due to the turbulent times that beset this part of Europe. A different MLW will take us northwards from the port, through the craggy foothills that form this border region to the presently out-of-use junction at Pythion. Services across into Turkey from this point were stopped in 2011 at the onset of the severe financial crisis in Greece and have yet to re-start. Moving on, we pass through to Dikea, and then continue on through another technically “mothballed” border crossing through to Svilengrad, in Bulgaria. Here we change to diesel traction, probably an 07 diesel, as we traverse the farming and wine growing country along the Marica River. Soon we arrive at the industrial city of Dimitrovgrad, with its steel and petrochemical works, where we will stay the night.

Tuesday 16 september (B) This day is a more leisurely schedule, covering the lengthy branch line south to Podkova with a Kolomna 07. This line started out life as a narrow gauge line, opened to Haskovo in February 1923, but only staying in its narrow gauge guise for a mere five years after which it became part of the standard gauge network. The line was then extended in stages southwards, with Podkova finally greeting its first train on 20th november 1944, in the years of German wartime occupation, presumably as

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a strategic military route - bearing in mind that the Allied forces were just over the border in Greece. The line is fairly uneventful at its north end, just meandering through areas of cultivation, but becomes much more picturesque north of Kardzhali, where a large reservoir was built to dam the Arda River. Of note also is that Kardzhali has a Pioneer Railway, built by the Communists and still operated by children in one of the town’s parks. After a break, where we will spend lunch at a country restaurant, we will return the way we came, arriving back in Dimitrovgrad by early evening.

Wednesday 17 september (B) We leave the electrification behind and head out of Dimitrovgrad eastwards to the junction at Simeonovgrad, where our 07 runs round and continues north on the now freight only line as far as the transfer yard at Ljubenovo. Here we hope to be transferred by bus (or by train if possible) into the Mina Marica Iztok complex, where we will hopefully travel on as much of the mining and power station network, hauled by their own green LEW- Hennigsdorf built locos, electrified at 1,500v dc. This is a large area of opencast lignite mining, developed by the Communists from about 1952. By mid-afternoon we will continue northwards to the junction at nova Zagora, where we will run round and continue to Stara Zagora. Running round once again, our 07 will continue over the hills to Tulovo, then northwards through the thickly forested Balkan massif via Plachkovci to Tryavna where we will stay overnight. Tryavna is a pretty, tourist-orientated town with an attractive riverside setting and historic centre. It is also the home to many wood-carving artisans, several museums and to one of Bulgaria’s six brew-pubs, which produces the excellent range of Trevnensko Pivo beers.

Thursday 18 september (B) We now continue north from Trjavna with our Kolomna Class 07 diesel in charge, through Careva Livada and the ancient former capital at Veliko Tarnovo - with its citadel and scores of cottages clinging to the steep sides of the yantra River gorge. The city was first reached by rail, from Ruse to the north, on 8th

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October 1900. Passing Gorna Oryahovica, we will continue on the deceptively steeply graded line, meandering upwards through Biala and various scattered small settlements. At R.P. Dorostol, the original route diverges to the old station at Ruse, now a museum. Ruse is a sprawling Danube port and border city, and soon we head out with a (requested) different Class 07 in charge, climbing onto the impressive Danube Bridge, completed and opened for traffic on 20th June 1954. On the Romanian side we enter the border station of Giurgiu nord, with its large and impressive station building, where we change power once again to a CFR Class 60 Sulzer. This formed the limit of one of Romania’s first railways, having arrived from Bucureşti for the first time on 31st October 1869. We now turn onto the route to Videle, where we use the rare avoiding triangle to join the main electri-fied route north through Caracal to Craiova where we will stay the night.

Friday 19 september (B) We start out by taking the recently upgraded route south from Craiova with our Class 60/62 Electroputere-Sulzer diesel in charge, to the former port of Calafat, once one of several international ferry crossings across the Danube. The line was opened to Calafat on 1st December 1895, with a branch near the south end from Golenti to Poiana Mare, opened as late as 1946 but closed to traffic in 2009, having been served by a twice-daily mixed train. From Calafat we climb onto the impressive bridge, newly completed by Spanish engineers, linking Romania and Bulgaria with a single track electrified railway running alongside the road.

We re-enter Bulgaria at Vidin, complete with its fortress commanding a strategic vista over the Danube and the city. Heading southwards after a loco change to BZK Class 87 electric over a route completed relatively late on 1st July 1923, we soon pass the junction station of Brusarci, and its branch to Lom. Soon after, we pass Bojchinovci – junction for the Berkovica branch, both having been covered on previous PTG tours. Heading south westwards through Vraca and Mezdra, we soon start threading the impressive Iskar Gorge, with its stunning sheer limestone

cliffs. Soon after we arrive at the capital and the end of this year’s tour.

saturday 20 september (B) Our day of departure will consist of a leisurely start, and a transfer to the airport and afternoon flights back to the UK.



Options • Single room supplement: £140 • Individual days on special train: £139


Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Good quality en-suite accommodation with breakfast (not on "train only") • Services of our Tour Manager (tour is fully escorted from London)

recommended Flights • EZy8973 06.00 Gatwick to Sofia • BG852 08.55 Heathrow to Sofia • EZy1931 15.30 Manchester to Sofia •WizzAir 21.50 Luton to Sofia

20 to 27 september

From £999

A Balkan country with spectacular mountains and a coastline on the Black Sea, Bulgaria was part of the Ottoman empire for around 500 years, although the Orthodox tradition remained strong. Bulgaria is full of ancient man made wonders and stunning natural scenery.


Join us on a rail based tour around the central region visiting the best of the unspoilt ancient and cultural sights.



iTinerArY

saturday 20 september (D) Choice of scheduled morning flights from Gatwick or Heathrow or the afternoon flight from Manchester for our 3-hour flight to the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. On arrival we transfer to our 5-star hotel and check in. For those flying from London will have a Short panorama tour of Sofia followed by our welcome dinner.

sunday 21 september (B,D) Today is dedicated to Sofia - the capital city of Bulgaria is one of the most ancient cities in Europe, which Constantine the Great once called “My Rome”. Visit of the national Museum of History in the suburbs of Sofia as introductory to the tour of Bulgaria. Free time for lunch.

Afternoon tour to see the Parliament Square, St. Sofia 6th c basilica, Alexander nevski Memorial Cathedral, the national Theatre and the City garden, the Presidency, St. George 4th c Rotunda, the ruins of Ancient Serdica which appeared when the construction of stations of Sofia Metro started some years ago ( the subway train passes 24 m underground beneath the whole archaeological complex, the subway tunnel has the largest cross section in Europe nowadays – if any of the group members are interested, they can visit with the guide). Return to the hotel. Dinner with folklore performance at a traditional restaurant. Overnight in Sofia.

Monday 22 september (B,D) Departure by electric train from Sofia via Mezdra to Gorna Oriahovitsa. For road transfer to Veliko Turnovo - the Mediaeval Capital city of Bulgaria. Tour of Tsarevets Royal

PlevenVarna

Stara Zagora

Plovdiv

Veliko Tarnovovintage Bulgaria

Hill with the fortress, Baldwin tower ( the leader of the 4th Crusade), visit Samovodska Charshia of crafts. Visit Arbanassi museum village and dinner with wine tasting at Liaskovets winery not far from Arbanassi ( the first winery which started producing sparkling wines in Bulgaria, in the museum the visitors will see a Roman vine press from the 3rd c ). Return to Veliko Turnovo.

Tuesday 23 september (B) Morning departure by train from Gorna Oriahovitsa to Varna – the Marine capital city of Bulgaria. Arrival at noon to Varna train station – one of Bulgaria's oldest railway stations. Varna has had a railway station since 1866, when the 1st railway line in Bulgaria, from Varna to Rousse railway line was inaugurated. Varna railway station was one of the stations where the Orient Express used to stop between 1883 and 1885. Check in at the hotel. Afternoon tour of Varna and a one hour cruise by yacht with drinks. Dinner and overnight.

Wednesday 24 september (B) Departure by morning train from Varna via Karnobat to Sliven and Tulovo, crossing the picturesque Eastern part of the Balkan range mountains following small river valleys, dams and mountain villages. Arrival at noon to the Sub-Balkan valleys region located between Stara Planina and Sredna Gora mountains and famous for its mineral waters, sunflower, rose and lavender fields, orchards and wineries. We will stop to Kazanluk ( the centre of the Valley of Roses, where once 75% of the world rose attar was produced ) to visit Shipka memorial church, one of the Thracian tombs ( 5th – 3rd c BC ) and taste some rose products. Continue to Plovdiv for dinner and overnight.

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Thursday 25 september (B) Morning tour of the Old Plovdiv architectural reserve: Plovdiv has 6,000 years of history and was once the capital city of Philip the 2nd of Macedonia (the father of Alexander the Great). With its innumerable art galleries, winding cobbled streets and bohemian cafés, it would be no exaggeration to call today’s Plovdiv (Plovdiv) the Paris of the Balkans. Plovdiv’s appeal derives first from its lovely old town, the Stariot Grad, largely restored to its mid-19th-century appearance and full of winding cobblestone streets. It’s literally packed with atmospheric house-museums and art galleries and, unlike many other cities with ‘old towns’, has eminent artists still living and working within its tranquil confines. We visit the Old Plovdiv architectural site with the Roman Amphitheatre, St. Constantine and Helena Church, Hindlian House.

Transfer to Septemvrti train station and take the narrow gauge line, one of the most scenic in Europe. Travel Septemvri – Velingrad – Avramovi Kolibi – Jakoruda – Bansko - Dobrnishte. Total duration of the journey is around 5 hours. Septemvri station was constructed in 1870 by Baron Hirsch (German entrepreneur who in the 19th century started a grandiose project to construct a network consisting of 2,500 kilometres of railway lines in the Turkish-occupied Balkans). Avramovi Kolibi is the highest railway station in Bulgaria 1267m above sea level - crossing one of the most beautiful parts of the Rhodopes mountains, 15 tunnels, the Mesta river valley. Transfer to Bansko museum town for dinner and overnight.

Friday 26 september (B) After a short tour of Bansko we travel back to Sofia by road. On the way we visit the Rila Monastery (UnESCO site). Bulgaria's largest and most revered monastery is renowned for its colourful frescoes. Rila Monastery was founded in AD 927 by Ivan Rilski, leader of a monastic colony of hermits. Originally built 3km to the northeast, it was moved to its current location in 1335. The monastery helped preserve Bulgarian culture and religion during the Ottoman centuries, despite being destroyed by them often over the years. It was proclaimed

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a national museum in 1961 by the communist government, and made a Unesco World Heritage site in 1983. We will arrive in Sofia in the evening in time for dinner.

saturday 27 september (B) Free time and transfer to the airport for flights back to Gatwick or Heathrow. For those returning to Manchester you have a free day in Sofia and an evening departure.

luggageWe have a road coach shadowing our train trips and transferring our luggage between the hotels for us.

WeatherGenerally nice, sunny weather. So everything should be green, fresh, and full of life. During the day expect temperatures up to 18-20 degrees C (to the north of the Balkans - a bit lower, down in the region of Plovdiv maybe up to 25 degrees). In the mountain regions (Veliko Turnovo, Bansko, Sofia) the evenings are a bit cold. Due to a special microclimate Sofia has (because of the winds crossing the mountain) - short rainfalls can be expected.


• 8 day holiday from London Gatwick or Manchester: £1,250 • Own travel to/from Sofia: £999

Options • Single room supplement: add £100


Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Good quality en-suite accommodation with breakfast and dinner • Services of our Tour Managers (tour is fully escorted from London)

recommended Flights • EZy8973 06.05 Gatwick to Sofia • BA890 08.30 Heathrow to Sofia • EZy1931 15.30 Manchester to Sofia

• EZy8974 11.45 Sofia to Gatwick • BA891 14.45 Sofia to Heathrow • EZy1934 21.25 Sofia to Manchester

26 sept to 12 Oct

From £3,150

Join us for a 14 (or 26) day tour of Japan to explore the highlights of the country, as well as experiencing the splendid Japanese railway system when the country marks the 50th Anniversary of the shinkansen (high speed lines).


The tour includes many of the unique rail experiences Japan has to offer, and is designed to allow those who wish to be more focused on rail experiences to do so, whilst allowing others to enjoy the cultural and scenic highlights of the country. A range of accommodations from modern city hotels, convenient business hotels and more traditional ryokan with wonderful onsen experiences will feature in the tour.

We’ve included meals when it is prudent, and for special locations, but also provided freedom to dine when, with whom and where you wish.

The tour is led by Japanese speaking expert Takako ishige and Owen Johnstone-donnet, who have designed and organised the tour. The tour is limited to 28 guests – we look forward to you joining us on this special journey around the land of the rising sun.

Tour Managers: Takako & Owen

estimated participants 28

iTinerArY

Friday 26 september Depart London Heathrow at 10.05 for our Air France flight to Tokyo via Paris. Also flights from Birmingham and Manchester.

saturday 27 september (D) Arrive Tokyo’s narita airport. We take the fifty-five minute narita Express transfer from the airport to Tokyo and then walk the short distance to our hotel. Dinner will be organised for those who wish to dine together.

sunday 28 september (B,D) For the rail enthusiast, we head to the border of Gunma and nagano prefectures. Established in a space adjacent to yokogawa Station on JR East’s Shinetsu line, is Usuitoge Testsudo Bunkamura which features a display of carriages from trains from various areas. We travel on a short 2.6km of the more than 10km section, it is possible to get a feel for the train that travelled along the mountain pass back in the original day’s of the railway before being replaced by the highspeed line in 1997. If you prefer, you can enjoy a day of sightseeing in Tokyo, and join the group for dinner.

Monday 29 september (B) Today we visit one of the finest rail museums in the world - the East Japan Railway Museum It preserves both the physical elements and heritage of railways in Japan and abroad. The museum further showcases one of Japan's largest model railway displays, that recreates a 24 hr period in the life of the Japanese railways. Also offers multiple, popular train driving simulators, including a unique and outstandingly realistic steam locomotive simulator. We return to Tokyo.

Sapporo

Aomiri

SendaiToyama

TokyoOmiya

Nagoya

Osaka

Kyoto

KagoshimaKumamoto

OkayamaNigata

Chitose Airport

Japan shinkansen 50th

Tuesday 30 september (B) After breakfast we’ll take you on a tour of this vibrant and bustling city, and you’ll experience the excellent urban rail system as well – JR lines, private subways, monorail and the yurikamome people mover. We explore the Meiji Shrine in Shinjuku, ascend the tall skyscrapers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings, inspect the busiest railway station in the world with nearly 2 million visitors a day, visit Odaiba Harbour and more. Join us for dinner tonight in one of the great restaurants in Tokyo’s recently restored and renovated railway station – a city in its own right. Wednesday 1 October (B,D) The Tōkaidō Shinkansen line was originally conceived in 1940 as a 150 km/h (93 mph) dedicated railway between Tokyo and Shimonoseki. Construction of the line began on 20 April 1959 and was completed in 1964, with the first train travelling from Tokyo to Shin-Ōsaka on 1 October 1964 at 210 km/h (130 mph). As today is the 50th anniversary, we will participate in whatever special events are possible, and then in the early afternoon join a Shinkansen to travel to nagoya. We visit the JR Central SC Maglev Railway Park - a museum that introduces the “advances in high speed railway” through rolling stock displays, which include the next-generation Superconducting Maglev - as well as the history of railways. Dinner and overnight nagoya.

Thursday 2 October (B) After breakfast we join the Kintentsurailway’s luxury Shimakaze limited express service for Kashikojima on the Kintetsu Shima Line. We’ll visit the Ise Jingu Shrine at the core of sightseeing in Ise, Mie Prefecture. Over seven million worshippers visit the shrine every year. We then head to Mikimoto island where

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Kokichi Mikimoto successfully cultivated pearls for the first time in the world in 1893. Japan’s pearl industry started its development from this island. This green island floating in Toba Bay has a Pearl Museum showing the history of pearl from ancient times and spectacular works of art We’ll also see demonstrations of ama (women divers) diving - a rare opportunity even in Japan to meet ama in traditional white diving wear. We return via Osaka to nagoya.

Friday 3 October (B,D) After breakfast we join the Tokaido Shinkansen for Shin-Osaka, where we change to the Sanyo Shinaksen service for our journey through Himeji and Okayama to Hiroshima. First we visit Miyajima Island - said to be one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan. We travel by ferry to and form the island, have the opportunity to ride on the cable car to Mt Misen, and we return along the Hiroshima eaterfront on the Hiroden Light Railway to the Peace Park. For the rail focused, the light rail system of Hiroshima is extensive, and allows you to visit the port, castle and sights using the light rail.

saturday 4 October (B) After breakfast we’ll rejoin the Sanyo Shinkansen for the short ride to Shin-yamaguchi, where we join the SL yamaguchi steam train. This restored steam locomotive makes the 2hr run along the valley to the castle town of Tsuwano. At Tsuwano you can visit the small castle or stroll through the picturesque streets that have small canals full of carp. We then return to Shin-yamaguchi, and join Shinkansen services for the journey to Kagoshima, on the southern tip of Kyushu.

sunday 5 October (B) This morning we join the Hayato no Kaze Limited Express and travel along the edge of Kagoshima Bay before climbing into the mountains to Hayato and yoshimatsu. Here we change to the Shinpei Limited Express and enjoy spectacular views of the Kirishima mountain range as we experience the magnificent ascent through the steep pass, around a spiral loop and over switchbacks. We then join the restored steam train ‘SL Hitoyoshi’ for a journey along the scenic Hisatsu Line to Kumamoto. Shinkansen return to Kagoshima.

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Monday 6 October (B) After breakfast we join the Limited Express Ibusuki no Tamatebako - the train’s name comes from the legend of an undersea kingdom called Ryugu which has been handed down to Ibusuki. We enjoy a one-hour coastal journey with grand views of Sakurajima Island and Kinko Bay, before returning to Kagoshima. In the mid afternoon we join the Kyushu Shinkansen and travel north to Hakata, the major city on the island of Kyushu.

Tuesday 7 October (B) After breakfast you have a choice of options. Enjoy a day focused on rail, or choose a cultural experience to the home of famed Japanese porcelain, and the most important shrine in Kyushu. The rail journey takes you south to Kurume and through yufuin to Oita aboard the stylish yufuin-no-mori resort train. Fantastic scenery across the mountains, and the to the eastern coast at Oita, where we break for lunch, then head north on the Sonic Limited Express to Mojiko to visit the Kyushu Railway Museum.

Wednesday 8 October (B) This morning we rejoin the Sanyo Shinkansen and travel to Okayama, where we change to the Marine Liner to cross one of the great wonders of the world. The Grand Seto-ohashi Bridge is a collective term for the six bridges that connect Kojima in Okayama Prefecture on Honshu and Sakaide of Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku, spanning five islands, in the Seto Inland Sea. At Takamatsu we walk the short distance to the hotel before we join a boat for an afternoon cruise on the inland sea, returning to port in the evening light.

Thursday 9 October (B) After breakfast we join a Shikoku Limited Express service Uzushio and Shiokaze and head to Saijo to the Shikoku Railway Museum. We’ll then return to Takamatsu via Tokushima. For those who wish a more cultural exploration, we’ll head to the Ritsurin Koen Park. Landscaping began in 1642 and is said to have taken 100 years to complete. In the garden are six ponds and 13 artificial hills called tsukiyama. The garden, set against the backdrop of the mountain Shiun-zan, is evocative of a Japanese painting.

Friday 10 October (B,D) After breakfast we cross again the grand Seto-ohashi rail bridge to Okayama, and change to the shinkansen service direct to Kyoto. For those who wish to explore some of Kyoto’s famed temples we visit Kiyomizudera, literally "Pure Water Temple," - one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. The Higashiyama District along the lower slopes of Kyoto's eastern mountains is one of the city's best preserved historic districts. It is a great place to experience traditional old Kyoto. We also visit the famed Golden Pavilion.

saturday 11 October (B) We join the Eizan Railway and travel to yse-Hieizanguchi. Here we change to the cable car and ropeway, to ascend to Enryaku-ji temple. The great hall is recognized by UnESCO. We also visit the Garden Museum, Hiei, which blooms with more than 100,000 blossoms every year. Located at the summit of Mt. Hiei, it offers an incredible view of both Lake Biwa and the city of Kyoto. After exploring the precinct, we join the Sakamoto Cable Car, the longest in Japan, and descend back to Kyoto.

sunday 12 October (B) Transfer to Osaka airport for return flight to the UK. Or continue on the complete 26 day tour (enquire for further details).


• Full 17 day holiday from UK £3,950 • Land only from Tokyo: £3,150

Options • Single room supplement: add £500 • Flight upgrade prices on request • 11 day add on: add £2,950

deposit • £1,250 (with flight) or £750 (own flights)

Price includes • All trains and excursions as listed in the itinerary • Hotel accommodation each day •Meals as listed in the itinerary B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner • Services of our tour guides (holiday is fully escorted)

recommended Flights • AF1681 10.05 Heathrow to Paris • AF1165 09.20 Birmingham to Paris • AF1669 09.00 Manchester to Paris • AF276 13.40 Paris to Tokyo • AF291 11.30 Osaka to Paris • AF1080 18.15 Paris to Heathrow • AF1564 18.45 Paris to Birmingham • AF1168 18.20 Paris to Manchester

Other flight options also available including direct flights from London to Tokyo.

2 to 10 October

From £1,499

We invite you to join us in a unique rail trip around the Peloponnese, a place of myth, beautiful landscapes and an intriguing mixture of different civilizations that left their mark upon the land and its people.


This trip is divided into two different parts. in the first we will travel counter-clockwise through the Peloponnese, on a rail route that reveals before our very eyes very different aspects of this land. We travel on our own private train on a system of narrow gauge railway lines that are all but closed to normal passengers, earlier this millennium the system was completely renovated to then be closed down due to the recent economic problems. Our trip is therefore a unique chance to explore this forgotten rail system.

We will follow the cast, cross mountain forests, rivers and torrents and travel on the edge of cliffs. The train will take us this way to the cradle of the Olympic Games, the Homeric Mycenae, the venetian castle city of nafplio and many other wonders.

After this eight day “culture” part ends the second part starts: A two day return trip for the railway enthusiasts. The two AlCO built locos with old passenger coaches will take us back to Patras, origin of the trip.

Tour Managers: Marion & Phil


iTinerArY

Thursday 2 October (D) Flights from UK to Athens, transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner.

Friday 3 October (B) We travel on a local train to Kiato and then by our coach to Diakopto. This is the famous Greek rack railway that runs all along the gorge of Vouraikos River from the little coastal town of Diakopto to the ski resort of Kalavrita. The twenty two kilometre railway is considered to be one of Europe’s top ten rack railways. A real railway miracle designed by 19th century French engineers. On arrival at Kalavrita we will check-in to our hotel rooms and explore the small town.

saturday 4 October (B) The day will start with a visit to the local Second World War memorial or free time if you prefer. In the afternoon we will return by train from Kalavrita to Diakopto and have once again the chance to admire the beautiful landscape. Our coach will take us direct to the largest city of the Peloponnese, the city of Patras. In Patras there is the only working railway depot of the inactive metre gauge railway system of the Peloponnese. Its purpose is to support the local and very successful small suburban railway service that runs daily across the city and assist in the maintenance of the remainder of the inactive narrow gauge railway system of the Peloponnese, which today has a length of approximately 580 kilometres. After a short visit to the depot we will check into our hotel and have the chance to visit the town in the evening.

sunday 5 October (B) Today will be the first of the five days that we will travel on our special train. The train will be formed of two ALCO built

AthensKiato

Diakofto

Kalavryta

Patra

KavasilaPyrgos

OlympiaKatakolo

Kalonero

Kyparissia Zevgolatio

Kalamata

Lefktro

MegalopoliTripoli

ArgosNafplio

Corinthos

Greek narrow Gauge reborn

engines with one seating carriage and two luxurious luggage vans for our use (and one for the train crew). On departure from Patras we start the journey to Pirghos, a very typical Greek town, a journey of ninety-eight kilometres that runs through the plains of the Western Peloponnese. The station of Pirghos is an exceptional neoclassical building of 1887 with an old engine shed with rusting locos and carriages from the 19th century. After reversal we shall travel the thirteen kilometre branch line to Katakolo - a small and beautiful maritime settlement. We will stop a couple of hours in the early afternoon and relax in the local cafés before returning to Pirghos and continuing south along the branch line through hills and small rivers until it reaches the beautiful Olympia station. Here we will stop for the night and enjoy a free evening.

Monday 6 October (B) Our day will start with a visit to the archaeological site and the museum of Olympia, a UnESCO world heritage site. The Altis - the sanctuary to the gods - has one of the highest concentrations of masterpieces from the ancient Greek world. In addition to temples, there are the remains of all the sports structures erected for the Olympic Games in 776 B.C. We return to our train and continue our route to the south. We will pass through small villages, move along the sandy beaches of southwest Peloponnese which are a nATURA 2000 protected area and the narrow strip of land between the Kaiafa Lake and the sea. We will make a stop at the small coastal village of Kalonero for some refreshments. After this we will take our special train for the last few kilometres down the branch line to Kiparissia. Time to visit the old city, with the castle that dates back to the

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13th century, the traditional houses, and the view to the sea.

Tuesday 7 October (B) Early in the morning our special train will depart again in a southeast direction to the town of Kalamata. We will rejoin the main line again at Kalonero and moving to the east we will get a first taste of the hard mountainous nature of the inner Peloponnese as we climb up to Zevgolatio, a small village which is famous for producing a Greek delight called “pasteli” from honey, cereals and nuts. We will stop for a while to taste “pasteli” under the trees, have a coffee and take pictures. Joining the train again we will only move four kilometres to the station complex of Meligalas where a bus will take us to the archaeological site of ancient Messene. Messene is a significant ancient Greek city in terms of size, form, and state of preservation, dating back to the 4th century BC. After we visit the site and its small museum we will have a short lunch stop at the nearby village of Mavromati, a very traditional and scenic small village. We then return to Meligala to continue on another short five kilometre branch line to Messene town. We then cover the final short distance to arrive in Kalamata.

Wednesday 8 October (B, L) An early departure is needed because of the distance we will have to cover today. We retrace our route to Zevgolatio and then the fun begins! The plains and some small hills give no indication of what’s to come.

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We soon gain height over the Messenia plains with great views, but with a horse shoe curve the train enters a valley which nothing else can pass through, the magic begins. Thirteen metal and stone bridges, eight tunnels and two loops help the train gain height to reach Chrani where we will make a stop for coffee before cover the branch line of Megalopolis where we visit the famous tree chapel of Santa Theodora in Vasta village. Miraculously, the small chapel honouring the saint supports seventeen large trees that emerge from its roof and walls, while a river flows under it. We choose this scenic site to have our lunch in a restored watermill that was converted into a restaurant. After lunch the bus will take us back to our special train to continue our journey. Leaving the Megalopolis branch line we will head straight to Tripoli crossing rocky Kalogeriko pass, the highest railway pass in Greece. After that the train, crossing stone bridges and passing through tunnels, pine forests and a small village will descend to the plateau of Tripoli and the city itself. The railway complex of Tripoli consists of the largest and most beautiful central station of the Peloponnese, a big warehouse, many auxiliary buildings and plenty of abandoned passenger coaches and old DMUs rusting away. A photo stop here cannot be missed. Leaving Tripoli the train descends slowly to sea level moving peripheral to another, lower, plateau. We soon arrive at Myloi, a picturesque and tranquil coastal village that offers a distant view of nafplion and has a unique abandoned engine shed full of old locos left to rust and decay which has been out of use since the 1960s. We join the branch line to nafplion where we will stay for two nights.

Thursday 9 October (B) This is a free day to explore the town. The city of nafplion has a long history that dates back to ancient Greece, continues through the Roman and Byzantine eras and follows with long periods of Venetian and Ottoman occupation. Both Ottomans and Venetians have had great influence on the city and its welfare, especially the Venetians who fortified the city with two forts plus a fortified port, considering it their central commercial base in Greece. All its history is vividly present in the

buildings, the streets, the museums and the unique atmosphere.

Friday 10 October: (B) We rejoin our special train for the final day of our journey. Leaving nafplion city we will pass by the walls of the prehistoric Homeric acropolis of Tiryns, where there is the option to stop and visit the site. Joining once again the main line in Argos city, we will pass through the orange plains of Argolis, to stop at the entrance of Dervnakia pass, at Mycenae station. Our coach will take us to visit the prehistoric Homeric acropolis of Mycenae. Both the acropolis of Tiryns and Mycenae are UnESCO world heritage sites. After our visit to the Mycenae we will continue our journey heading northeast to Korinthos, crossing the last scenic part of our trip, the Dervnakia pass. After arrival at the huge dual gauge Korinthos station, the train will reverse and slowly go to the old town station and over the classic bridge over the Korinth Canal before heading for the long disused branch line that leads to Loutraki coastal city for a short lunch. From there, early in the afternoon our special train will take us again back to Korinthos station and the end of the narrow gauge trip. We will then take one of the hourly local trains direct to the airport for flights home or return to Athens for extra time and return home at your leisure.

AddiTiOnAl enTHusiAsT TOur - TrAin OnlY (SUBJECT TO SUFFICIEnT InTEREST)

11-12 October Our special train has to return to its base. The long trip back to Patras will take two days and cover some of the branch lines and stop for a few photo stops enroute.


• 9 day holiday from London: £1,799 • Own travel to/from Athens: £1,499

Options • Single room supplement: add £180 • Two day train only 11/12 Oct: £299


Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Good quality en-suite accommodation with breakfast. Welcome dinner. Services of our Tour Managers (tour is fully escorted from London)

recommended Flights • EZy5087 14.30 Gatwick to Athens • EZy5088 20.55 Athens to Gatwick • Aegean 12.15 Heathrow to Athens • Aegean 19.10 Athens to Heathrow

Indirect flights also available from Birmingham, Manchester and some other UK airports.

4 to 11 October

From £1,099

you are invited to join us on an exclusive holiday to the little visited, but very scenic, central Alentejo region of Portugal. This is a sparsely populated area of rolling hills, olive and cork trees, whitewashed villages, megaliths and castles.


The attraction of this area is its tranquillity and laid-back people. Therefore our tour will be at a leisurely pace with plenty of time to see each place that we visit. We visit the mountain top village of Monsaraz, the palace at vila viçosa, the national railway Museum in entroncamento, the historically important Alcobaça and Batalha and the gem of Évora with its roman ruins.

Tour Manager: david


iTinerArY

saturday 4 October Afternoon direct flight from Manchester, Heathrow and Gatwick also overland travel available from St Pancras (leaving on 2nd). you will be met at Lisbon airport by your tour manager David. There is a short transfer by metro to Oriente train station where we have time for refreshments before we join the inter-city service (1st class reserved seats). Our 90 minute journey takes us south to the World Heritage City of Évora, our base for the first four days. Short taxi transfer to the hotel.

sunday 5 October (B,L) Today we will travel by luxury coach to the fascinating hilltop border castle of Monsaraz. Here we will have our Welcome Lunch followed by free time to explore this historic hilltop village, with views over the Alqueva Dam and into Spain, and its own bullring which you can walk around. We will also visit the former railway station at Reguengos, the terminus of a formerly busy line from Évora that lost its passenger service in 1988. (10:00 – 16:00)

Monday 6 October (B) This morning we will meet our guide who will lead us on a walking tour of this famous city. Sights include the Roman Temple of Diana, the convent, the cathedral, the chapel of bones and the aqueduct. We will then have an optional visit to some of the nearby megaliths and standing stones. you may of course spend the time on your own exploration or shopping, or just relaxing around the hotel pool. (10:00 – 13:30)

Tuesday 7 October (B) Our first visit today will be to the small town of Borba and its winery, one of the best known in the Alentejo region. After

Tomar

Entroncamento

Evora

Fatima

Sintra

Cascais Lisboa

Barreiro

Setubal

undiscovered Portugal

seeing the wine-making process, we will have the opportunity to taste some of this winery’s excellent wines. We will then continue past the extensive marble quarries to the Moorish town of Vila Viçosa where the streets really are paved with marble. After free time for lunch and to visit the historic centre, we will have a guided tour around the lavish palace of Paço Ducal. The palace was the favourite residence of the Dukes of Bragança and we can visit the vast kitchen, chapel, armouries and the formal gardens. Before returning to Évora we will visit the former railway station in Vila Viçosa, closed in 1990 but which has now been converted to a marble museum. (09:30 – 18:00)

Wednesday 8th October (B) This morning we will leave Évora for the last time and will travel by train northwards to the fine town of Tomar. Founded in 1157 by the Order of the Templars, the town is dominated by the 12th century castle containing the UnESCO World Heritage Convento de Cristo. Originally designed as a monument symbolizing the Reconquista, the Convent of the Knights Templar of Tomar (transferred in 1344 to the Knights of the Order of Christ) came to symbolize just the opposite during the Manueline period – the opening up of Portugal to other civilizations. After time to settle in and have lunch, we will meet our guide who will lead us on a fascinating tour of the town. Remainder of the day for your own exploration. (09:00 – 17:00)

Thursday 9 October (B) We will have the opportunity today to visit two of the most important UnESCO World Heritage sites in Portugal, the Monastery of the Dominicans of Batalha and the Monastery of Santa Maria of

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Alcobaça. The Monastery of the Dominicans of Batalha was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. It was to be the Portuguese monarchy's main building project for the next two centuries. Here a highly original, national Gothic style evolved, profoundly influenced by Manueline art, as demonstrated by its masterpiece, the Royal Cloister. The Monastery of Santa Maria of Alcobaça was founded in the 12th century by King Alfonso I. Its size, the purity of its architectural style, the beauty of the materials and the care with which it was built make this a masterpiece of Cistercian Gothic art. At the end of the afternoon we will visit the national Railway Museum in Entroncamento before returning to Tomar on a Regional train. (10:00 – 18:00)

Friday 10 October (B,D) Today we travel on the Beira Baixa line with reserved first class seats on the inter-city service. This follows the Rio Tejo for the first 60Km and affords some spectacular views, rivalling those of the Douro Valley. We will alight at Castelo Branco for a lunch break and a visit to the gardens of the Bishop’s Palace, one of the loveliest Baroque gardens in Portugal. Castelo Branco is the former capital of the old province of Beira Baixa. It has been celebrated since the 17th century for the brightly coloured embroidered bedspreads which are made here. Other local produce includes goat’s cheese and olive oil. We have plenty of time for exploration and relaxation before we return to Tomar. (09:00 – 18:00)

In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

saturday 11 October (B) We return to Lisbon by rail for the short metro transfer to the airport for flights back to the UK. Or why not stay on in Lisbon for a few nights at the fine Hotel Tivoli Oriente. Those flying back to Manchester have an extra night in Lisbon returning on the morning flight on Saturday 12 October.

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Pre-TOur Add-On lisBOn And sinTrA

Thursday 2 October you will be met at Lisbon airport by your tour manager David. There is a short transfer by metro to your hotel for the next 2 nights. Free time for your own exploration of this fine city.

Friday 3 October (B) Today we travel by train to visit the stunning Serra setting of Sintra, described by Lord Byron in 1809 “Lo! Sintra’s glorious Eden intervenes in variegated maze of mount and glen.” This national Park and World Heritage Site is an area of wooded ravines, fresh water springs and a favourite summer retreat for the former kings of Portugal. After meeting our guide for the day, we have a pleasant walk through the town to the terminus of the Sintra tram. This tramway was opened in 1904 and originally ran the 16Km from the town of Sintra down to the coastal resort of Azenhas do Mar. After falling into disrepair in the 1970s, the tramway has been restored and once again the original trams run between Sintra and Praia das Maçãs (Apple Beach). Our tram will take us down through the pine trees of this high class residential area to the beach and back. We will have time for lunch and then visit Quinta da Regaleira. Quinta da Regaleira is one of the most surprising of all Sintra’s monuments. Located on the outskirts of the town, it was built between 1904 and 1910, at the end of the Portuguese monarchy. We will visit the palace, gardens, caves and tunnels, and the magical spiral staircase that leads down to the bottom of a well. We will finish our day with a visit to Sintra national Palace, the best preserved medieval royal palace in Portugal.

saturday 4 October (B) A short metro ride from the hotel takes us to the start of tram route 15 for a journey along the waterfront to the Tram Museum. There are 2 sections in the museum, the first with a collection of items of interest such as uniforms, photos etc. We then board a tram dating from the early 1900s to reach the second area with a collection of beautifully restored trams that used to run in the city’s streets, including 6 that can still run on private hires. After lunch we will continue along the route of the 15 tram to Belém

to visit the 16th-century Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Here amongst many interesting areas we can see the tomb of Vasco da Gama, the Cloisters and the Refectory. Late afternoon we return to Oriente station to meet up with the new arrivals.


• 8 day holiday from Heathrow £1,299 • 9 day holiday from Manchester £1,350 • 11 day holiday overland from St Pancras £1,699 • 8 day - Own travel to/from Lisbon: £1,099

Options •Main tour single room: add £290 • Lisbon & Sintra add-on: £275 (double/twin) or £375 (single) • Lisbon extra nights: £120 per room

deposit • £500 (with flights), £250 (own flights) or £1,000 (overland)

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • 4 star en-suite accommodation with breakfast • Services of our Tour Managers (tour is fully escorted from Lisbon)

recommended Flights • TP373 11.20 Heathrow to Lisbon • TP364 16.05 Lisbon to Heathrow • TP329 11.10 Manchester to Lisbon • TP326 07.45 Lisbon to Manchester

11 to 23 October

From £1,450

The rugged geography of the unspoilt Mediterranean island of Sardinia led to the development of a fascinating railway system which this tour investigates fully.


it was easy enough to build a standard gauge railway along the wide north-south valley but the towns in the hills either side of it, or the ports and fishing villages on the east and west coasts, could only be reached by narrow gauge feeder lines. Think of the douro valley in Portugal—though here in sardinia the narrow gauge lines are longer (and still open). Our tour of sardinia travels over every railway line on the island, both standard and narrow gauge and including the two new tramway systems and even a mining operation now converted into a tourist attraction. We will visit engine sheds, workshops and railway museums, and expect to see all the locomotives and railcars on the island, both standard and narrow gauge. Come with us and “clear sardinia”.

From sardinia we cross by ferry the Bocche di Bonifacio strait to Corsica, the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean also called “The island of beauty”, a veritable mountain in the sea. Corsica is an island of strong character, just look at his wild and rugged natural environment and its tumultuous history. Boasting a natural heritage granitic, schistose exceptional.

We will have a relaxing day before to travel the narrow gauge lines forming a gigantic Y.



iTinerArY

saturday 11 October (D) Flight from London Gatwick to Olbia Airport. Transfer by road in our luxury bus to Palau, a well-to-do resort with lively streets lines with surfing shops, boutiques, bars and restaurants. Welcome Dinner and overnight stay in Palau. An overland option via the urostar and ferry (from Genoa) is also available.

sunday 12 October (B,D) The coast in the vicinity of Palau is famous for its bizarre weather-beaten rocks, some of which we will hope to see from our narrow gauge loco-hauled charter passenger train over the little-used line from Palau to Sassari, a journey of150 kms with some fabulous views. The first section, from Palau to nulvi, has no regular traffic but is still traversable by charter trains. We can have photo stops and run-pasts. There is a lunch break in Tempio Pausania where we visit the railway workshop, a masterpiece of industrial archaeology. The following section is one of a succession of viaducts and tunnels, including the Bortigiadas Spiral Tunnel, as we descend out of the hills and approach Sassari.On Sunday the line Sassari Alghero is closed so we stay for the night in Sassari, in 3-stars Hotel Vittorio Emanuele, at a short walk from the station. Cultural Option: After the lunch break in Tempio Pausania, board our bus for the rest of the journey to Sassari, stopping at the Santissima Trinità di Saccargia, the most famous church in Sardinia.

Monday 13 October (B,D) There are four options today: (a) Enthusiast option: visit the FS and FdS engine sheds, and the tram depot, and ride the Sassari tram system end-to-end. Then we

Golfo AranciOlbia

Porto Torres

AlgheroBosa Nuoro

Oristano

Iglesias

CarboniaCagliari

ArbataxSorgono

Sassari

Palau

rail Wonders of sardinia & Corsica

cover the Sassari-Sorso narrow gauge branch. Additionally enthusiasts can choose to ride the 06.45 departure which is non-stop to Macomer, and so cover the Ozieri Avoiding Curve; return to Sassari in time to ride the n.g. Sorso line and the line to Porto Torrres Marittima. Morning Cultural Option: Enjoy a guided tour of old Sassari in the morning with a professional guide. Sassari, the island’s second- largest city, has a fine urban landscape of wide boulevards, impressive piazzas and stately palazzi (town houses of the nobility), and an evocative medieval centre with Dickensian alleyways of small workshops and hidden churches. Afternoon excursion to Alghero, a pretty city on the sea side.

Tuesday 14 October (B,D) Enthusiast option: to take a train to Alghero where they’ll be collected by our bus. Whole group: Transfer by road southwards along the spectacular coastal road to Bosa Marina, dominated by an imposing medieval castle, where we board another loco-hauled narrow gauge charter to Macomer, a junction with both the FS standard gauge railway and another FdS narrow gauge line to nuoro, the largest city in the interior of the island. The Bosa line only sees public service trains in July and August, and only on two days a week. In Macomer, there will be time to find some lunch and visit the FdS engine shed. Then we board a narrow gauge service train to nuoro, before rejoining our bus for the transfer to Arbatax, a seaside town on the east coast.

Wednesday 15 October (B,L,D) Today we have a charter special on the long (160 Kms) and very scenic narrow gauge line inland from Arbatax through the Gennargentu mountains, with an elderly diesel railcar. Again the line sees no regular traffic,

56

enTHusiAsT



only charter trains. In Seui we stop for a 3-course lunch with spit-roast pig (included). The line between Arbatax and Mandas is considered by many to be the most spectacular on the island, a gravity-defying track through some of Sardinia’s least accessible mountain terrain. At the end of the day, our bus takes us to Cagliari and the 4-star Hotel Regina Margherita. Cagliari has been the capital city of Sardinia with grand boulevards, neo-Gothic palaces and art-nouveau cafés.

Thursday 16 October (B,D) After breakfast, our bus transfer us to Mandas where we board a steam loco hauled train. In Mandas area there are not suitable hotels. We travel over the almost-unused section to Sorgono (95 Kms) which is very rarely run by steam trains. Sorgono is at the geographic centre of the island. The railway runs through the mountains with lots of brick and steel bridges and several tunnels, the longest is 999 metres. From Sorgono our bus take us again to Mandas Junction where we stop for a shed visit and the chance to eat the packed lunch brought from the hotel in Cagliari. In the afternoon, we take the service train to Cagliari Monserrato (69 Kms). On arrival option to ride the new tram system before retiring.

Friday 17 October (B) There are two railway museums in Cagliari and we start todaywith a visit to the other one, the FS (or standard gauge) museum. Also the FS engine shed.Then our bus transfers us to an old mining district in the SW of the island where we go inside the former San Giovanni Mine in the train which used to carry the miners. We visit the Grotta di Santa Barbara cave complex, with a single enormous chamber pock-marked with dark brown crystals and white calcite, and some extraordinary stalagmites and stalagtites giving the impression of a ghostly underground forest. Participants on the previous tours said that this cave was better than anything they had seen in UK. After lunch, we ride all the FS lines in the area, using service trains Iglesias-Villamassargia-Carbonia-Cagliari.

saturday 18 October (B,D) Morning Railfan Option: Visit the FdS (narrow gauge) Museum, the FdS workshop and engine sheds, and the

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tram depot. Return to the city centre by tram and trolley bus. Lunch break in or near the main FS (std gauge) terminal station. In the afternoon, we take the FS service train from Cagliari to Olbia, a 4-hour ride from the south to the north of the island. In Olbia we will stay in the 3-stars Hotel De Plam on the seafront for dinner and overnight accomodation. Those returning home today bus transfer to Cagliari Airport to take the EasyJet flight to London Stansted. Alternatively take the morning train from Cagliaro to Olbia for Gatwick.

COrsiCA: sunday 19 October (B,D) Today we go on our bus to the ferry port at Santa Teresa di Gallura for a 1 hour crossing of the Bocche di Bonifacio strait to Corsica (France). Landing in Bonifacio we have a guided tour of the old town built on a promontory of white rocks before we continue in our bus beside the Tirrenian sea to Bastia where we will stay for the next four nights in the 3 stars Hotel Ostella.

Monday 20 October (B,D) Bastia is the principal port of the island, the city centre is mainly composed of the "citadelle", the stronghold, also called Terra-nova, the Genoese Governors' Palace, the old port and its popular quarter and the market plaza. In the morning we have a guided tour. The afternoon is free. The Hotel has a fitness centre and a covered swimming pool. Train option: visit to the Casamozza train depot.

Tuesday 21 October (B,D) Today we travel by service train from Bastia to Ajaccio, the Corsican capital city. The train crosses the island, winding round the mountain, crossing audacious bridges and magnificent forest before reaching the tropical atmosphere of the gulf of Ajaccio, one of the most beautiful locations in Corsica. In Ajaccio, after the lunch break, we have a guided tour of the city. In the afternoon our charter bus takes us back to Bastia, letting us see the interior of the island from a different point of view. On the way we stop to visit Corte, with the citadel perched on a mountain.

Wednesday 22 October (B,D) Today we travel by service train to Calvi so covering the upper branch of the Corsica railway. From Ponte Leccia the train goes up a dry and uninhabited valley but soon

we have a view of the sea in the distance. The train goes alongside the sea stopping at seaside villages. In Calvi we have a guided tour of the city, built on a promontory in a beautiful bay. Also we have time for a lunch break before taking our charter bus back to Bastia, through the Balagna the most pleasant region of the island.

Thursday 23 October (B) After breakfast we board a “Corsica Ferries” ferry for the 4 hour crossing to Livorno (Italy) for our coach to Pisa Airport, for flights back to London Gatwick.


• 8 day Sardinia holiday from Gatwick: £1,650 • Own travel to/from Sardinia: £1,450 • 6 day Corsica add-on: (includes 8th night on Sardinia) £850

Options • Single room supplement: £250 Sardinia, £125 Corsica • "no fly" from St Pancras: POA

deposit • £500 (with flights), £250 (own flights)

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Good quality en-suite accommodation with breakfast • Other meals as shown in itinerary: L=Lunch, D=Dinner • Services of our Tour Manager (tour is fully escorted)

recommended Flights • EZy5277 12.25 Gatwick to Olbia • EZy5276 16.20 Olbia to Gatwick • EZy3204 21.10 Cagliari to Stansted • EZy5234 15.45 Pisa to Gatwick

4 to 9 december

From £575

Join us as we run our second adventure deep into Austria with one of the classic Slovenian General Motors diesels on the front of our special train.


There is no doubt there will be plenty of “Maximum Power” needed to climb deep through the Austrian Alps. The stunning scenery will hopefully be covered in a thick layer of snow at this time of year adding to the winter flavour of the tour.

We break totally new ground on this tour, taking a our sž loco to innsbruck, Brennero and scharnitz, all dramatic steep climbs and of course the legendary Tauern route through the heart of Austria. Be prepared for stunning views of the snow covered Austrian Alps for almost the entire trip.

iTinerArY

Thursday 4 december, 2014 Our group flight is from London Luton at 15.45 direct to the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. Flight time is under 2 hours. Road transfer to our 4-star city centre hotel and time to relax and settle in. The Christmas Markets will still be in full swing and along with the dazzling lights they have the best atmosphere at night.

Friday 5 december (B) Free day in Ljubljana to explore the city and experience the Christmas atmosphere and Markets.

saturday 6 december (B) We leave Ljubljana on our 664 hauled special train to Innsbruck. Shortly after departure from Jesenice the train will pass through the 7976 metre long Kara- wankentunnel which crosses the border into Austria and continue through Rosenbach passing the Faaker See as we head towards Villach. At Gödersdorf we diverge left onto a freight only curve, passing the huge yards at Villach Süd to reach Arnoldstein, near the Italian border, where we reverse. We then pass through Villach Westbf station and use the Villach avoiding line which is now freight-only again after it was used by International trains in the first half of 2012 due to track works. The highlight of the line from Villach to Salzburg is the scenic Tauernbahn from Spittal-Millstättersee to Schwarzach-St.Veit which is one of the most important mountain lines in Austria. Until 1991 many long international night trains from the Balkan countries to Germany used this 79 km long line which was opened in 1905. The train climbs up the newly rebuilt double track south ramp to Mallnitz-Obervellach which is 1120 metres

Ljubljana

Bled

Zell am SeeInnsbruckChristmas Markets 664 special

above sea level, and crosses the Alps through the 8370 metre long Tauerntunnel. As we pass the famous spa and ski resort of Badgastein the lines goes down the single track north ramp through the Gasteiner valley to the important station of Schwarzach-St.Veit which is the junction with the old Westbahn from Salzburg to Innsbruck. We reverse here and continue through the Salzach gorge towards Zell am See on Lake Zell. We leave Zell am See on the old Westbahn track climbing up the Griesen pass and pass winter sports destinations especially the famous town of Kitzbühel where the Hahnenkamm ski races take place in the middle of January. We then pass Wörgl and pass through the wide Inn Valley to arrive at Innsbruck in the late afternoon for our two night stay.

sunday 7 december (B) Two short trips from Innsbruck today, the first is the steep climb through stunning scenery up the Brenner Pass to the Italian border station of Brennero which at 1,371 metres is the highest station in the ÖBB network. After reversing we return down the Brenner line to Innsbruck where we reverse again. Another steep mountain climb on our second trip as we climb up the Mittenwald line which winds through many tunnels in a spectacular way with excellent views down to the Inn valley and the nearby mountains. After passing the small town of Seefeld (1182 m above sea level) which is famous for nordic ski events, the line continues down to Scharnitz which is the last station before the German border. After reversing there we return to Innsbruck for a second night, arriving in the late afternoon. Innsbruck is the capital of the province Tirol. It has a nice old town and is surrounded by

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CulTure


high mountains. In 1964 and 1976 the Olympic winter games took place there.

Culture option, free day in Innsbruck to explore and see the local Christmas Markets.

The city of Innsbruck suffered during bombings during World War 2 but despite this went on to host the 1964 winter Olympics, and regained its popularity by hosting the winter Olympics for a second time in 1976. Today it still it still plays host to both athletes and recreational skiers. While here you can enjoy the “thrill” of skiing without taking to the snow by visiting the “Bergisel Ski Jump”. This is within easy reach on the tram then a short walk and cable car up into the Alps. From the 1900 metre summit you can get outstanding views of Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains, it really is “the stairway to the skies”. If however you would like to keep your feet a little closer to the ground then a horse drawn sleigh ride would be the perfect way to take in the winter wonderland that Innsbruck has to offer.

For anyone wanting a very leisurely day then head down to Innsbruck’s Old Town. Along the main street is Innsbruck’s most famous monument “The Golden Roof”. Adorned with 3,657 gold plated tiles this is where the Emperor sat to

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observe the beauty of the Alps along with the hustle and bustle of the town below. If you still need a little bit of sparkle then just down from the Golden Roof is Swarovski Crystal World. This is Swarovski’s largest store in the world housed over three floors in one of the oldest buildings in The Old Town. The Old Town is also home to the main shopping area of Innsbruck where you can find local handicrafts and trinkets as well as satisfying a sweet tooth with local confectioneries, hand crafted chocolates and local Schnapps.

Monday 8 december (B) We leave Innsbruck for our return journey to Ljubljana. After a few scenic photo stops there will be a short lunch break at the junction station of Schwarzach-St.Veit. After proceeding via the Tauern we arrive in Villach main station on track eight which enables us to leave and pass the river Drau on an unusual track towards Jesenice. During the ten day war in June 1991 both class 661 and 664 worked through to Rosenbach on the international trains as power supplies were interrupted during the fighting. On arrival at Jesenice we will make a short southbound journey to the picture postcard station at Bled Jezero where we will stay for one night. There are Christmas Markets on the lakeside.

Tuesday 9 december (B) The town of Bled is over a thousand years old and is by far the country's most popular destination, because of the Fairytale Lake and island, dramatically sited castle and snow-tipped mountains. At Bled we will be staying at the wonderful Hotel Triglav. This small intimate hotel has wonderful views over the lake and mountains beyond. We will also use one of the town centre hotels if the group exceeds the capacity of the Triglav. Early afternoon return to Ljubljana and to Jesenice where we proceed over the final 64 km section back to Ljubljana. Early evening flights back to the UK.

seven niGHT OPTiOn

There is also the option to fly with Easyjet from London Stansted on Wednesdays. This option gives you a pre-tour night in Ljubljana and an extra night in Bled at the end of the tour.


• Charter train only: £575* • 5 night hotel and transfer package: • Double/Twin = £350, Single = £490 • Flights including transfers: from £150

*PriCe reduCTiOnThe special train price shown above is the maximum price for the train. If we get over 65 people booked then these price will be reduced to £475 per person. If we get 90 or more people booked then price will come down to £375 per person. This price reduction only applies to those bookings received before 31 October 2013.

Options • 8 day trip - in order to use Stansted flights Add: £150 in double/twin, £190 in single For pretour night in Ljubljana and extra, post tour night in Bled.

deposit • £400 with flights or £200 other options

Price includes • Travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary • Good quality en-suite accommodation with breakfast • Services of our Tour Manager (tour is fully escorted from London)

recommended Flights • 16.05 Luton to Ljubljana • 19.45 Ljubljana to Luton (arriving 20.50) Or • Easyjet from Stansted (Wednesdays)


luxury rail Cruises

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luxurY

Al-AndAlusweekly from April to October

Travelling aboard this luxury palace on wheels through Andalusia is a once-in-a lifetime, romantically evocative experience, boasting the elegance and distinction of a bygone age. With visits to Seville, Cordoba, Granada and Cadiz to look forward to. Some of these carriages were used by the British Royal Family in their journeys from Calais to the Cote d’Azur. Other itineraries are also available.

The “Al-Andalus” has four lounge cars from 1928 and 1930 which are devoted to leisure, dinning, reading, listening to music or just enjoying the landscape pass by whilst sitting in the comfortable armchairs. Each standard suite has two low beds, a safe, a closet and an en-suite bathroom. The superior suites have a double bed (150x200cm), a minibar, safe, a closet and an excellent full bathroom.

Prices from £1,400 (4 days). Best prices for booking at least 6 months in advance.

el-TrAnsCAnTABriCOweekly from April to October

This is a pure luxurious “rail cruise” along the northern coast of Spain travelling to the mountains in the far north East of Spain. Visiting Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Santander, Bilbao, The “Picos de Europa” and Leon. Food plays an important part on the itinerary maintaining that Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country and Castilla e Leon offer the best cuisine of all the Spanish regions.

The “El-Transcantabrico” has four lounge carriages, absolute rail gems due to their external design, internal decoration and finish. Each compartment (all are suites) has double bed, minibar, wardrobe and writing desk. The floors are carpeted and the private bathroom has a hydro sauna, turbo massage, steam bath and hairdryer.

Prices from £2,200 (8 nights). Best prices for booking at least 6 months in advance.

lA rOBlA weekly from May to October

This modern train offers all the technical advances of our time, and is especially designed for tourism, with two different itineraries for 4 days and 3 nights; 1 from Bilbao to Leon and back. 2. From Gijon to Santiago and back.

There are three comfortable lounge carriages with a permanent bar service, equipped with large windows, so that guests may enjoy the landscape slowly passing by. La Robla has four sleeper carriages with seven compartments all of which are equipped with two bunk beds. Each compartment has its own bathroom, with a hydro massage shower.

Prices from £600 (4 days). Best prices for booking at least 6 months in advance.

rOvOs rAil various options throughout the year

Trundle through South Africa’s epic landscapes in all the refined, high luxury of the Edwardian era. you cannot otherwise see such breath-taking terrains in as much high comfort and style as with Rovos rail travel. now with a fleet of four trains restored to their 1920s and 1930s colonial glamour, with mahogany paneling, white-cloth-and-crystal dining cars, silver service, observatory cars, and sumptuous lounges and elegant suites. Said to be the most luxurious train in the world.

We guarantee the best prices for all of these luxury trains and also give you the advantage of full ATOL/ABTA protection. So if you are considering booking any of the above trains then please give us a call. Further details and full itineraries are available on request. All the above tours are unescorted.


uK and Other Holidays for 2014

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rAil WOnders OF snOWdOniAJune 2014

Join Paul Spracklen and Stephen Martin, both long term enthusiasts and supporters of Welsh narrow gauge, in exploring Welsh narrow gauge “steam in style” next June. This is an opportunity to enjoy access behind the scenes at preserved railway lines, museums and national Trust properties. Travel on charter trains and staying at the exclusive Portmeirion hotel and Village on the Welsh coast in a comprehensive 5/7 day itinerary. The programme includes and gourmet meals, wine tasting and after dinner speakers. Portmeirion is a popular “Italianate” tourist village in Gwynedd, north Wales. It was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village and is now owned by a charitable trust.

Portmeirion has served as the location for numerous films and television shows, most famously serving as The Village in the 1960s television show The Prisoner. There is the opportunity to choose between suite accommodation in the hotel and village or to stay in one of the renowned self-catering cottages whilst still dining with the group at the hotel. Many different cottage options are available which would suit singles, couples or groups travelling together. Depending on arrangements bathrooms in cottage accommodation may be shared. As well as the hotel and gardens there are extensive woodlands and beaches which in the evening are deserted and ripe for exploration.

rAil WOnders OF sCOTlAnd25 June to 2 July 2014

Join us on a private dining charter train, for a seven day exploration of the railways of Scotland. There will be many pick up points between Swindon and the Midlands. We visit many of the major scenic lines and cities of Scotland including the West Highland, Kyle of Lochalsh, Oban, Inverness, Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Our train will bring back memories of travel from the 1960s in our comfortable first class loco hauled train. Our train should be hauled by vintage English Electric Class 37 diesels owned by DRS.

nArrOW GAuGe sTeAM in rOMAniA11 to 18 October 2014

Romania is a fascinating central European country that still shows much of its distinctive post-WWII Communist features mixed with stunning scenery and medieval towns and cities. Due to the economic isolation of the country during the Ceausescu years, economic development was retarded even by Soviet-bloc standards but the benefit for us was the retention of many anachronistic narrow gauge, steam hauled railways to serve rural communities and industry.

Our tour offers an insight into this interesting mixture, with visits to industrial, lumber and minor narrow gauge railways along with a chance to visit one of the most outstandingly well preserved medieval cities in central Europe plus a contrast in tram systems! This tour is made possible by Austrian, Georg Hocevar who has done more to develop and preserve Romanian narrow gauge railways than any other. Without Georg and his colleagues this tour just could not happen! The logistics are extraordinary in themselves and will include moving locos in steam by road between different railways and stretches of track!

POrTuGuese PresidenTiAl TrAin 8 to 15 May 2014

As this brochure went to print we were still awaiting confirmation that this trip can take place in May. The launch train for the Presidential stock was due to take place in October so we are very hopeful that it can take place.

rAil & AnCienT WOnders OF BurMA The tour is still very much alive but has been moved to spring 2015.

Full details of all of these tours should be on our website after Christmas. Alternatively phone or email your interest and we will post you full itineraries as soon as they are available.

4 to 25 Feb, 2015

From £4,150

This will be PTG’s third tour to this wonderful country and has proved to be a most popular and great way to discover this amazing country We have increased the choices and are now able to offer a 3, 4 or 5 week inclusive tour which is timed to make the most of the many opportunities to travel by rail in new Zealand.


Our core 3 week itinerary will cover the highlights of both the north and the south islands, taking in the spectacular rail journeys offered by Kiwi rail, including the Tranz-Alpine and the Tranz-Coastal and we will be visiting many of new Zealand’s most famous preserved railway lines, with steam traction where practical.

The new Zealand tour includes the once-a-year steam-hauled special from Wellington to napier on the north island.

new for 2015 is the opportunity to spend a week before the main tour exploring the far south of south island. Whilst there is little of rail interest, this remote part of new Zealand has some of the most spectacular scenery and wildlife. Highlights include a boat ride down a rarely visited river gorge and an overnight cruise on doubtful sound. dolphins, penguins, seals and hopefully kiwi’s in the wild are some of the highpoints of this week devoted to the natural beauty of new Zealand.

Tour Manager: stephen


no complete tour of new Zealand can rely purely on railways to get around and our tour includes the hire of a luxury coach so as to be able to visit the many scenic highlights and national parks that both islands offer, including Franz Josef Glacier; and driving down the dramatic West Coast of the South Island Our travels will incorporate several cruises, including a lunch cruise on Milford Sound, Lake Wakatipu, and the ferry linking the two main Islands. There will be an opportunity to learn about the Maori culture, including visits to several Maori-run facilities, and museums.

Option of pretour week tour of South Island departing UK on 29 January.

iTinerArY

Wednesday 4 February, 2015 (D,B) Various flight options from UK airport to Christchurch.

Friday 6 February (D) Arrive Christchurch International Airport. Transfer to the our central hotel. Remainder of day free to adjust to the new time zone and explore the local area. Welcome Dinner.

saturday 7 February (B,D) Transfer to railway station. Tranz-Alpine Express to Greymouth. Coach to Shantytown, with steam hauled trip then on to Franz Josef. Overnight in Frans Josef.

sunday 8 February (B,D) View Franz Josef Glacier. Travel on to Wanaka via Haast Pass. This takes us through the spectacular West Coast where, in addition to lots of stops to admire the scenery there will be an optional jet boat ride on the Haast River. Overnight Edgewater Resort.

Auckland

Wellington

Napier

Queenstown

Dunedin

Christchurch

new Zealand in style - 2015

Monday 9 February (B,D) Coach to Queenstown via Arrowtown, an historic mining community and to Gibbston Valley Wines where we tour and taste. Free afternoon to explore the city. Evening cruise on Lake Wakatipu, aboard coal-fired TSS Earnslaw, including dinner at Colonel’s Homestead, Walter Peak. Overnight novotel Gardens.

Tuesday 10 February (B,D) Travel by coach from Queenstown to Te Anau through spectacular scenery. Travelling on the steam-hauled Kingston Flyer (subject to running). Overnight Distinction Villas, Te Anau.

Wednesday 11 February (B,L) Coach through the Homer Tunnel to Milford. Boat trip on the Sound aboard the “Milford Wanderer” including lunch. Return to Te Anau and visit the Te Anau Wild Life Centre. Overnight Distinction Villas, Te Anau.

Thursday 12 February (B,L) Boat tour to the Glowworm Caves. Coach travel to Dunedin via Lumsden and Gore. Lunch on large high country sheep station including farm tour. Visit Croyden Aircraft Company Museum (with Rail exhibits). Overnight Scenic Hotel Dunedin City.

Friday 13 February (B) Diesel hauled return trip to Middlemarch on The Tairei Gorge Railway (lunch may be purchased on board). Afternoon – visit Ocean Beach Railway. Overnight Scenic Hotel.

saturday 14 February (B) Morning return trip to Palmerston on the diesel hauled Seaside train. Free afternoon, but optional visit to Otago Peninsula, to view the Albatross. Overnight Scenic Hotel.

sunday 15 February (B,L) Travel to Christchurch. En route stops will include three preserved railways; Oamau Steam Train; Pleasant Point Railway, near

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Timaru; and Plains Railway (to view restored Rogers K class loco). Overnight Christchurch.

Monday 16 February (B,D) Free morning. Afternoon charter train trip on Weka Pass Railway near Waipara. Overnight Christchurch

Tuesday 17 February (B,D) Train travel on the Tranz-Coastal express to Picton then catch the rail ferry across Cook Straight to Wellington. Overnight Wellington.

Wednesday 18 February (B) Free day for people to follow their own interests. Possibilities include: The Silverstream Railway (if operating); travel to/from Featherston by train to view the historic Fell engine and learn about the unique line over the Rimutuka Mountains; scenic suburban electric M.U. train to Johnsonville; Te Papa (national museum); ferry across Wellington Harbour to Eastbourne. Overnight Wellington.

Thursday 19 February (B,D) Option of coach or Electric Multiple Unit to Paekakariki then board the once a year Mainline Steam hauled Art Deco charter train through the Manawatu and Hawkes Bay to napier (purchase lunch on board). Visit to a Mission Winery (in a converted monastery). Overnight Scenic Circle Te Pania.

Friday 20 February (B,L) Art Deco guided walk of historic town. We then visit a winery for wine tasting and platter lunch at Church Road Winery. The evening free to enjoy the many Art Deco activities. Overnight Scenic Circle Te Pania.

saturday 21 February (B,D) Day at leisure in napier to enjoy the Art Deco events. Evening we have the opportunity to join the annual “Art Deco Depression”.

sunday 22 February (B) Travel by coach to Taihape to join the Overlander train for its spectacular journey through the national Park including the spiral section. Lunch can be purchased on board. Disembark at Te Kuiti to join coach for onward journey to Rotorua Overnight Royal Lakeside novotel Rotorua.

Monday 23 February (B,D) Full day of visits, including Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, Maori Arts & Crafts Institute. Evening visit to a re-created

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Maori village for a traditional “hangi” meal and Maori cultural concert. Overnight Royal Lakeside novotel Rotorua

Tuesday 24 February (B,D) Coach travel to Auckland via Matamata and chartered steam hauled train on Glenbrook Vintage Railway, near Waiuku. Farewell dinner at Harbourside Sea-food Bar. Overnight Crowne Plaza Auckland.

Wednesday 25 February (B) After breakfast and a visit to the Sky Tower either transfer to Auckland International Airport for flights home or join optional add-on to The Bay of Islands which starts with a day to explore Auckland. Overnight Crowne Plaza Auckland.

OPTiOnAl Add-On TO BAY OF islAnds

This is an opportunity to relax and chill out after our three week tour of new Zealand. Our accommodation is in 5 star beach-front accommodation, the Paihia Beach Resort for the duration of our stay. Daily gourmet breakfasts are included plus daily private sauna or steam-room session and use of 20m heated salt water pool and spa pool. Spa treatments are available.

Wednesday 25 February (B) Walking tour of the city followed by a visit to Sky city with spectacular views over Auckland Free afternoon. Overnight Crowne Plaza Auckland.

Thursday 26 February (B) Transfer to Paihia Beach – stop at Kauri Museum en route.

Friday 27 February (B) Day at leisure to explore the Bay of Islands.

saturday 28 February (B) Half day tour with Kena, a native Maori, who will tell the story of the Bay of Islands, providing a personal insight into the lives of Maori and their surroundings in the Bay of Islands region. He will give the history of both the arrival of the Maoris and Europeans and the struggles to blend the two cultures. Amongst the places we will visit are those with special significance to Maoris and the English settlers, including visits to both Kemp House and the Stone Store, two of the country’s oldest buildings. In the afternoon there is an included trip on the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway.

sunday 1 March (B,D) Join Fullers half day Rock/Dolphin cruise. Afternoon at leisure. Evening visit by ferry to Russell with farewell dinner in Gables Restaurant. Return to hotel

Monday 2 March (B) Transfer back to Auckland via West Coast for return flights to UK.


• Full 23 day holiday from Heathrow £5,350 • Own travel to/from nZ: £4,150 • If we get a full group of 24 people then the above prices will be reduced by £200 per person.

Options • Single room supplement: add £1,200 • Flight upgrade prices on request Pre-tour South Island week: TBA Post-tour Bay of Islands: £1,299

deposit • Reserve your place before 31 December • 2013 for £100 and nothing to pay until 31 • July 2014 (when further £1,400 will be due)

Price includes • All trains and excursions as listed in the itinerary • Internal flights and taxes • Quality hotel accommodation Meals as listed in the itinerary B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner • Services of our tour guides (holiday is fully escorted)

recommended Flights • Various flight options which we can discuss with you at the time of booking.


These Booking Conditions will form the basis of your agreement with PTG Tours limited. They apply only to holiday arrangements which you book with us in the uK and which we agree to make, provide or perform as applicable as part of our agreement with you. references in these Booking Conditions to “arrangements” mean such holiday arrangements. Changes to these Booking Conditions will only be valid if agreed by one of our directors in writing.

1. Booking and ConfirmationTo make a booking, you must send us a completed and signed booking form along with the payments referred to in clause 2 below. The first named person on the booking will be the party leader and will be responsible for making all payments due to us. He/she must be at least 18, and be authorised to make the booking on the basis of these Booking Conditions by all persons on the booking. By signing the booking form, the party leader confirms that he/she is so authorised and that all party members agree to be bound by these Booking Conditions. After we receive your booking form and all appropriate payments, if the arrangements you wish to book are available, we will issue a confirmation invoice. A binding agreement will come into existence between us when we despatch this invoice to the party leader.

If your confirmed arrangements include a flight, we (or if you booked via an authorised agent of ours, that agent) will issue you with an ATOL Certificate and a confirmation. Upon receipt, if you believe that any details on the ATOL Certificate or confirmation or any other document are wrong you must advise us immediately as changes can not be made later and it may harm your rights if we are not notified of any inaccuracies in any document within ten days of our sending it out (five days for tickets).

These Booking Conditions and any agreement to which they apply are governed in all respects by English law. We both agree that any dispute, claim or other matter which arises between us out of or in connection with your contract or booking will be dealt with by the Courts of England and Wales only.

2. PaymentIn order to confirm your chosen arrangements, you must pay a deposit per person (or full payment if booking within 8 weeks of departure). The amount of deposit required is stated in the holiday prices shown in our/this brochure.

The balance of the cost of your arrangements (including any surcharge where applicable) is due not less than 42 days prior to departure. If we do not receive this balance in full and on time, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled by you in which case the cancellation charges set out in clause 4 below will become payable.

Credit card bookings are subject to a 2% surcharge.

Any money paid to an authorised agent of ours in respect of a booking covered by our ATOL is held by that agent on behalf of and for the benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust at all times, but subject to the agent’s obligation to pay it to us for so long as we do not fail financially. If we do fail financially, any money held at that time by the agent or subsequently accepted from the consumer by the agent, is and continues to be held by that agent on behalf of and for the benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust without any obligation to pay that money to us.

3. The price of your arrangementsThe prices shown in our brochure and on our website were calculated on the basis of then known costs and exchange rates to the £ of:

1.20 Euros, 1.56 US$, , , 2.00 nZ$

We reserve the right to amend the advertised prices of arrangements at any time. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur. you must check the price of your chosen arrangements at the time of booking.

Once the actual price of your arrangements has been confirmed, no amendment will be made to it unless it is to make a correction to an error, or if our costs change as a result of an increase or decrease in transportation costs or dues, taxes or fees payable for services such as embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports or airports and any other airline cost changes which are part of our contracts with airlines (and their agents) or as a result of any changes in the exchange rates which have been used to calculate the cost of your arrangements. Only if the amount of the increase in our costs exceeds 2% of the total cost of your arrangements (excluding insurance premiums and amendment charges), will we make an additional charge. If any additional charge is greater than 10% of the cost of your arrangements (excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges), you will be entitled to choose one of options (a), (b) and (c) as set out in clause 6 below. If you do not inform us of your choice within 14 days from the issue date printed on our additional charge invoice, we are entitled to assume that you will pay the additional charge.

Any additional charge must be paid with the balance of the cost of the arrangements or within 14 days of the issue date printed on the additional charge invoice, whichever is the later. We will not levy an additional charge nor make a refund within 30 days of departure.

4. Changes and Cancellation by youIf you need to make any changes to your confirmed arrangements, you must request the change in writing as soon as possible. Whilst we will try to assist, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met. Where we can meet them, an amendment fee of £30 per person/per booking may be payable along with any costs incurred by ourselves and any costs or charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers.

If you or a member of your party needs to cancel your confirmed arrangements, the party leader must immediately advise us in writing. your notice of cancellation will take effect when it is received at our offices. As we incur costs from the time we confirm your booking, we will levy the following cancellation charges. The percentage cancellation charge detailed is calculated on the basis of the total cost payable by the person(s) cancelling excluding flights and amendment charges (any flight costs included within the holiday price are non-refundable).

Insurance premiums and amendment charges are not refundable in the event of the person(s) to whom they apply cancelling.

Period before departure within which written per notification of cancellation is received by us

Cancellation charge person cancelling

42 days or more deposit

29 – 41 days 50%

15 – 28 days 60%

5 – 14 days 90%

Less than 5 days (or after) 100%

you may be able to reclaim these charges (less any applicable excess) under the terms of your insurance policy.

If any member of your party is prevented from travelling, that person(s) may transfer their place to someone

else (introduced by you) providing we are notifiednot less than 14 days before departure and you pay an amendment fee of £50 and meet all costs and charges incurred by us and/or incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers.

If you or any member of your party miss your return flight to the UK for whatever reason (where booked through us as part of your Package) it is your responsibility to contact us immediately. We will then endeavour to assist you in booking alternative arrangements at your soonest possible convenience (subject to these booking conditions).

The Package Travel etc Regulations 1992 provide that in certain circumstances we will be liable to provide you with prompt assistance, or repatriation at no extra cost. Where we are liable to repatriate you or provide you with prompt assistance, you must contact us immediately so we can assist with alternative booking arrangements. We will not be liable for any costs incurred by yourself in the above circumstances, if you fail to obtain prior authorization from ourselves before making your own travel arrangements.

5. insuranceWe consider adequate travel insurance to be essential. Please read your policy and take it with you on holiday. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs.

6. Changes and Cancellation by usBecause we begin planning the arrangements we offer many months in advance, we must reserve the right to make changes to and correct errors in holiday details both before and after bookings have been confirmed. We must also reserve the right to cancel confirmed bookings. However, we promise we will only cancel your confirmed booking 42 days or less before departure where you have failed to make full payment on time or as a result of circumstances outside our control/”force majeure” as defined in clause 7 below.

Most changes are minor but occasionally, we may have to make a “significant change”. Examples of “significant changes” include the following when made before departure; a change of accommodation area for the whole or a major part of your holiday, a change of accommodation to that of a lower official classification for the whole or a major part of your holiday, a change of UK departure point to one which is more inconvenient for you, a change of outward departure time or overall length of your holiday of twelve or more hours and, in the case of tours, a significant change of itinerary missing out one or more major destination substantially or altogether.

If we have to make a significant change (not including route changes) or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible and if there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following options:

(a) (for significant changes) accepting the changed arrangements or

(b) purchasing alternative arrangements from us, of a similar standard to those originally booked if available (if the chosen alternative is less expensive than your original one, we will refund the difference but if it is more expensive, we will ask you to pay the difference) or

(c) cancelling or accepting the cancellation in which case you will receive a full and quick refund of all monies you have paid to us.

Any offer must be accepted within 7 days otherwise we will presume that you are happy with the alternative itinerary and the offer will expire.

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BOOKinG COndiTiOns


If we have to make a significant change (not including route changes) or cancel 8 weeks or less before departure, subject to the exceptions below, we will pay you the following compensation:

Period before departure a significant change or cancellation is notified to you

Compensation per person (excluding infants)

28 days or more none

15 – 27 days £30

5 – 14 days £40

Less than 5 days (or after) £50

We will not pay you compensation where we make a significant change or cancel more than 4 weeks before departure or in the event that we are forced to make a change or cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care.

We will not pay you compensation and the above options will not be available if we make a minor change, route change, change of advertised rail traction, or cancel as a result of your failure to make full payment on time.

We regret we cannot pay any expenses, costs or losses incurred by you as a result of any change or cancellation.

Very rarely, we may be forced by “force majeure” (see clause 7) to change or terminate your arrangements after departure. If this situation does occur, we regret we will be unable to make any refunds (unless we obtain any from our suppliers), pay you compensation or meet any costs or expenses you incur as a result.

7. Force MajeureIn these Booking Conditions, “force majeure” means any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, actual or threatened terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events outside our control. Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our obligations under our agreement with you is prevented or affected by, or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss (as more fully described in clause 8(1) below) as a result of force majeure.

8. Our liability to you(1) We will accept responsibility for the arrangements we agree to provide or arrange for you as an “organiser” under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 as set out below. Subject to these booking conditions, if we or our suppliers negligently perform or arrange the services which we are obliged to provide for you under our contract with you, as set out on your confirmation invoice, we will pay you reasonable compensation. The level of such compensation will be calculated taking into consideration all relevant factors such as but not limited to: following the complaints procedure as described in these conditions and the extent to which ours or our employees’ or suppliers’ negligence affected the overall enjoyment of your holiday. Please note that it is your responsibility to show that we or our supplier(s) have been negligent if you wish to make a claim against us.

(2) We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss, damage, expense, cost or other claim of any description whatsoever which results from:

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- the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected or any member(s) of their party or

- the act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party not connected with the provision of your arrangements and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable or

- ‘force majeure’ as defined in clause 7 above.

(3) We limit the maximum amount we may have to pay you for any claims you may make against us.

The maximum amount we will have to pay you where we are found liable for loss of and/or damage to any luggage or personal possessions (including money) is £250 per person affected unless a lower limitation applies to your claim under this clause or clause 8(4) below.

For all other claims which do not involve death or personal injury, the maximum amount we will have to pay you if we are found liable to you on any basis is twice the price (excluding insurance premiums and amendment charges) paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected in total unless a lower limitation applies to your claim under clause 8(4) below. This maximum amount will only be payable where everything has gone wrong and you have not received any benefit at all from your holiday.

(4) Where any claim or part of a claim (including those involving death or personal injury) concerns or is based on any travel arrangements (including the process of getting on and/or off the transport concerned) provided by any air, sea, rail or road carrier or on any stay in a hotel, the maximum amount of compensation we will have to pay to you will be limited. The most we will have to pay to you for that claim or that part of a claim if we are found liable to you on any basis is the most the carrier or hotel keeper concerned would have to pay under the international convention or regulation which applies to the travel arrangements or hotel stay in question (for example, the Montreal Convention for international travel by air , the Athens convention for international travel by sea). Where a carrier or hotel would not be obliged to make any payment to you for any reason under the applicable International Convention or Regulation in respect of a claim or part of a claim, we will not be obliged to make a payment to you for that claim or part of the claim.

When making any payment, we are entitled to deduct any money which you have received or are entitled to receive from the transport provider or hotelier for the complaint or claim in question. Copies of the applicable international conventions and regulations are available from us on request. In any circumstances in which the carrier is liable to you by virtue of the Denied Boarding Regulation 2004, any liability we may have to you under our contract with you, arising out of the same facts, is limited to the remedies provided under the Regulation as if (for this purpose only) we were a carrier; any sums you receive from the carrier will be deducted from any amount due from ourselves.

(5) We will not accept responsibility for services or facilities which do not form part of our agreement or where they are not advertised in our brochure. For example any excursion you book whilst away, or any service or facility which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you.

(6) you must tell us and the supplier concerned about your claim or complaint as set out in clause 9 below. If asked to do so, you must transfer to us or our insurers any rights you have against whoever is responsible for your claim or complaint and provide ourselves and our insurers with all co-operation and assistance that may be reasonably required.

(7) We do not accept liability for (1) any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description which, based on the information you gave us at the time of booking, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you; (2) any business losses.

9. Complaints and problemsIn the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any problems with your holiday arrangements whilst away, you must immediately inform our representative and the supplier of the service(s) in question. Any verbal notification must be confirmed in writing as soon as possible. Most problems or complaints can be resolved while you are away, however if you remain dissatisfied, you must write to us within 14 days of your return to the UK giving your booking reference and full details of your complaint. We regret we cannot accept liability for any complaints or claims which do not involve death, personal injury or illness, if you fail to notify the complaint or claim in accordance with this clause.

10. BehaviourIf we or any other person in authority is of the reasonable opinion that you or any member of your party is behaving in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger or upset to any other person or damage to property, we will be entitled to terminate the holiday of the person(s) concerned. The person(s) concerned will be required to leave the accommodation or other service and we will have no further responsibility to them including any return travel arrangements. no refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

you will be responsible for making full payment for any damage or loss caused by you or any member of your party during your time away. Payment must be paid direct at the time to the service supplier concerned failing which, you will be responsible for meeting any claims subsequently made against us (together with our own and the other party’s full legal costs) as a result of your actions.

11. special requests and medical problemsIf you wish to make a special request, you must do so at the time of booking. We will try to pass any reasonable requests on to the relevant supplier but we cannot guarantee that requests will be met. The fact that a special request has been noted on your confirmation invoice or any other documentation or that it has been passed on to the supplier is not confirmation that the request will be met. Failure to meet any special request will not be a breach of contract on our part unless the request has been specifically confirmed.

If you or any member of your party has any medical problem or disability which may affect your chosen holiday arrangements, you must give us full details in writing at the time of booking. If we reasonably feel unable to properly accommodate the particular needs of the person(s) concerned, we will not confirm the booking or, if full details are not given at the time of booking, cancel when we become aware of these details.

13. Passports, visas and health requirementsIt is your responsibility to fulfill the passport, visa and other immigration requirements applicable to your itinerary. We can provide general information about the passport and visa requirements for your trip. your specific passport and visa requirements and other immigration requirements for you and your party are

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your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates.

We can provide general information about any health formalities required for your trip but you should check with your own doctor for your own specific circumstances.

We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. you agree to indemnify us in relation to any costs which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.

Most countries now require passports to be valid for at least 6 months after your return date. If your passport is in its final year, you should check with the Embassy of the country you are visiting.

Special conditions apply for travel to the USA, and all passengers must have individual machine readable passports. Please check www.usembassy.org.uk For further information contact the Passport Office on 0870 5210410 or visit www.passport.gov.uk

It is your responsibility to check visa requirements for your destination. Up to date travel advice can be obtained from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, visit www.fco.gov.uk

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provide up to date information on safety issues worldwide, visit www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo non British Citizens, including other EU nationals, should contact the Embassy, High Commission or Consulate of your destination, for up to date advice on passport requirements.

14. Financial securityThe Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 require us to provide security for the monies that you pay for the package holidays booked from this brochure and for your repatriation in the event of our insolvency. We provide this security by way of a bond held by the Civil Aviation Authority under ATOL number 10060. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive a confirmation invoice and an ATOL Certificate. This lists the flight, accommodation, car hire and/or other services that are financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. This means that in respect of all arrangements including flights, in the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not left stranded abroad or will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking except where your contracted arrangements with us do not include transport to and from the UK. In this case, if already abroad, you will be returned to the point where your contracted arrangements with us commenced.

For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk. The price of our flight inclusive arrangements includes the amount of £2.50 per person as part of the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices. not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL Scheme. If you book arrangements other than a package holiday including flights from this brochure, your monies are protected by way of an insurance policy arranged by International Passenger Protection Limited and underwritten by insurers who are members of the Association of British Insurers. As evidence of cover, a certificate detailing this cover will be given to you if this cover applies to you.

Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking.

If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. you agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). you also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.

15. Accuracy of Prices and Brochure detailsImportant note: the information and prices shown in this brochure may have changed by the time you come to book your arrangements. Although we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the brochure information and prices at the time of printing, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. you must therefore ensure you check the price and all other details of your chosen arrangements with us at the time of booking.

All details shown in the brochure are subject to on the day availability and we reserve the right to substitute alternative route, traction or transport where the advertised route, traction or transport is unavailable for any reason.

This brochure is our sole responsibility. It is not issued on behalf of and does not commit any independent organisation/carriers whose services are featured in it.

16. delay and other travel informationWe regret we are not in a position to offer you any assistance in the event of delay at your outward or homeward point of departure. Any airline or other transport provider concerned may however provide refreshments and/or appropriate accommodation. We cannot accept liability for any delay unless it has a significant effect on your holiday arrangements. PTG can not be held responsible if any late running results in you missing your flights/transport back to your home country.

Please make sure that your travel insurance covers such eventuality. We cannot accept liability for any delay which is due to any of the reasons set out in clause 11 of these booking conditions (which includes the behaviour of any passenger(s) on any flight who, for example, fails to check in or board on time).

The carrier(s), flight timings and types of aircraft shown in this brochure or on our website and detailed on your confirmation invoice are for guidance only and are subject to alteration and confirmation. We shall inform you of the identity of the actual carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of it. The latest flight timings will be shown on your tickets which will be despatched to you approximately two weeks before departure. you should check your tickets very carefully immediately on receipt to ensure you have the correct flight times. If flight times change after tickets have been dispatched we will contact you as soon as we can to let you know.

Please note the existence of a “Community list” (available for inspection at http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm) detailing air carriers that are subject to an operating ban with the EU Community.

Under EU Law, you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from the airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. Reimbursement in such cases is the responsibility of the airline and will

not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday price from us. If the airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the air transport users council on 02072406061 www.auc.org.uk. This brochure is our responsibility, as your tour operator. It is not issued on behalf of, and does not commit the airlines mentioned herein or any airline whose services are used in the course of your travel arrangements. Please note that in accordance with Air navigation Orders in order to qualify for infant status, a child must be under 2 years of age on the date of its return flight.

17. Advance Passenger information.A number of Governments are introducing new requirements for air carriers to provide personal information about all travellers on their aircraft to the Authorities before the aircraft leaves the UK. The data will be collected either at the airport when you check in or in some circumstances when, or after you make your booking. Accordingly, you are advised to allow extra time to check in for your flight. Where we collect this data, we will treat it in accordance with our privacy policy.

18. Our right to refuseWe reserve the right to refuse a holiday booking from anyone without giving a reason.

19. ABTAWe are a Member of ABTA, membership number y2193. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. We can also offer you an arbitration scheme for the resolution of disputes arising out of, or in connection with this contract. Further information on the Code and arbitration can be found on ABTA’s website www.abta.com The arbitration scheme is arranged by ABTA and administered independently by IDRS, part of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

It provides for a simple and inexpensive method of arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on you in respect of costs. Full details will be provided on request or can be obtained from the ABTA website. The scheme does not apply to claims for an amount greater than £5,000 per person. There is also a limit of £25,000 per booking form. neither does it apply to claims which are solely in respect of physical injury or illness or their consequences.

The scheme can however deal with compensation claims which include an element of minor injury or illness subject to a limit of £1,000 on the amount the arbitrator can award per person in respect of this element. The application for arbitration and Statement of Claim must be received by IDRS within nine months of the date of return from the holiday. Outside this time limit arbitration under the Scheme may still be available if the company agrees, but the ABTA Code does not require such agreement. For injury and illness claims, you may like to use the ABTA/Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Mediation Procedure. This is a voluntary scheme and requires us to agree for mediation to go ahead. The aim is to help you resolve your dispute in a quick and cost effective way. Details on request or from www.abta.com.

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Leaving from Form of travel Air Overland (Please leave blank if you are arranging your own travel to connect with the holiday)

HOlidAY sTArT dATe nO. OF PlACes rOOM TYPe

Please book me the following places on your holiday(s)

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Special requirements or information you should be aware of:

i confirm that i accept PTG Tours limited standard Terms and Conditions and that the balance of my booking is payable 42 days before departure. i also confirm that i have suitable travel insurance cover for the full duration of the holiday.

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declaration & Payment details

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OR Please deduct my deposit from my: Credit Card Debit Card * Credit cards will incur a 2% surcharge. Sorry but we do not accept American Express cards.

Please find enclosed my cheque for the deposit* per person per holiday. * For deposit due so individual holiday prices. If booking within 6 weeks of departure please send full payment.

Please send this booking form to: PTG Tours limited, Boston House, Grove Technology Park , Wantage, Oxfordshire Ox12 9FF Fax : 01235 424310

PTG Tours LimitedBoston House, Grove Technology Park, Wantage, Oxfordshire OX12 9FF

Telephone: 01235 227288 Fax: 01235 424310Email: [email protected] www.ptg.co.uk

Documents

PTG Tours - Holidays with a difference 2014