New rail travel holidays for 2007

Nine new holidays have been launched this week by rail travel specialists Ffestiniog Travel.

The company's See the World by Rail holidays for 2007 range from short, low-cost breaks in Europe to the £5,000-plus luxury trip along the highest railway in the world in Tibet.

Destinations range from the snow-capped Swiss Alps, Arctic Circle and Canadian Rockies to the Peruvian Inca Trail and a coast to coast trip across Australia.

"We have seen a substantial increase in demand for rail travel from agents," said Gina Warren, general manager of Ffestiniog Travel.

"This year, we are particularly pleased to be offering once-in-a-lifetime tours aboard the Shangri-la Express and short breaks such as the Black Forest Discovered, which represents excellent value for money.

"The romance of rail travel will never fade and we are confident that our tours offer something genuinely different - appealing to both rail aficionados and first-time travellers alike."

The ultimate railway ride on offer for 2007 has to be the Shangri-La Express through the tallest mountain range in the world.

Holidaymakers willing to pay the £5,935 price tag will be among the first in the world to be escorted on the 18-night trip across Tibet.

The train makes its way across the country through Xian, the Gobi Desert, Dunhuang, Turpan and Kashgar before the final climb from Golmud on the ‘roof of the world’ line to Lhasa. Meals are included.

Though most of the rail holidays cost more than £1,000 per person, there are two European trips available for travellers with smaller budgets.

For holidaymakers keen to see the Black Forest - known for its famous cake as much as its hilly scenery and fairytale qualities - there is a four-night tour for £225 per person based on two sharing.

The trip includes accommodation with breakfast, return rail travel from Basel Airport and a rail, bus and tram pass for all scheduled services in the southern Black Forest.

For rail enthusiasts who want to travel on more unusual trains, there is a Little Trains of Germany nine-night tour along the narrow-gauge railways of former East Germany, for £895 per person, based on two sharing.

Other highlights for Europe include a 14-night holiday aboard a steam train through Austria and Germany from £1,140 per person and a 15-night Baltic Express journey through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia for £2,000 per person.

For holidaymakers looking for hotter climes, there is a new 12-night trip hitting the imperial cities of Morocco, including Marrakech, Fez, Rabat and Meknes, which costs from £1,795 per person and an 18-night steam train experience through Japan from £3,100 per person.

For more information see www.festtravel.co.uk XXX