The 50 greatest train journeys for 2020 – in Britain and beyond - The Telegraph

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The 50 greatest train journeys for 2020 – in Britain and beyond - The Telegraph Posted: 13 Feb 2020 12:00 AM PST From right on your doorstep to the other side of the world, these are the rail experiences that will take your breath away Close to home 1. Scottish spectacular Two of Scotland's most scenic rail journeys are among the highlights of a new small-group rail tour from McKinlay Kidd. The six-night, seven-day Castles, Gardens, Skye and Glencoe jaunt starts in Edinburgh and, using scheduled services, heads north over the Forth Bridge, before taking in the Kyle of Lochalsh line and the West Highland line (including spectacular Glenfinnan Viaduct) and ending in Glasgow. It includes a tour of Skye and stays in Pitlochry, Plockton and Spean Bridge. From £1,875 (0141 260 9260; mckinlaykidd.com). 2. Cotton Mill Express   Running for the first time in a decade, this Railway Touring Company day-trip transverses the cotton mill towns of Lancashire, Yorkshire and the rugged Pennines. Highlights include two climbs of Miles Platting Bank and an assault on Copy Pit, all of which will ensure the rostered steam locomotive will have to work hard. A shortish day, there are pickups/drop-offs throughout the North West.  From £99 (01553 661500; railwaytouring.net). 3. The 'season' in style   This spring, luxury UK day train Belmond British Pullman will be toasting the British social season with the launch of four new journeys to society's most prestigious events: Cartier Queen's Cup Final, Royal Ascot, Glyndebourne and Glorious Goodwood. Guests will board at London's Victoria Station and enjoy fine dining and perhaps a glass or two of bubbles in the train's storied vintage Twenties and Thirties carriages. Tickets to the events are available as part of the package.  From £540pp, including table d'hote meals (belmond.com).  On board the Belmond British Pullman 4. Causeway celebration Michael Palin described the train journey between Derry-Londonderry and Coleraine as "one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world". It starts in a walled city treasure with 1,500 years of history and ends in a town that serves as a gateway to the Causeway Coast. Along the way, there are rivers, lush green pastures, seaside villages and cliffs. The Causeway can be reached by connecting buses from Coleraine. Return from there or take the train south to Belfast. Derry-Londonderry-Coleraine from £10 (028 9066 6630; translink.co.uk).  5. Swiss Staffordshire After the Churnet Valley Line was axed in 1965, Cheddleton station – a glorious piece of Gothic Victoriana – and adjoining lines were slated for closure. Fortunately, the resurrected heritage line puffs through precipitously pretty countryside in an area once called "the Switzerland of Staffordshire". Steam locomotives pull vintage carriages with a dining car in tow. This year heralds headline news for steamies. In April 2020, passengers can ride a new short stretch of track towards the tea'n'crumpets town of Leek, plus a line to Stoke-on-Trent unused in decades.  Adults from £12.60; children £6.30 (01538 750 755; churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk).  Switzerland or Staffordshire? Credit: GETTY 6. Blackpool connection  From spring, Grand Central will transform links between the Lancashire resort and London Euston by introducing five services a day in each direction, calling at Poulton-le-Fylde, Kirkham & Wesham, Preston, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes. Two million passengers a year use Blackpool North station, and an extension of the famous seafront tram system will open between the station and North Pier during the year. State-of-the-art trams complement the town's historic trams, which form part of the Illuminations.  grandcentralrail.com 7. Aberdonian adventure  "The Aberdonian" connects Edinburgh with the "Granite City". Highlights include crossing the Forth Bridge twice and long runs alongside the River Tay and North Sea – all hauled by "A1" No. 60163 Tornado, Britain's newest steam locomotive. Optional off-train excursions include tours of the Glen Garioch Distillery and Crathes Castle.  Selected dates July-September; standard class from £99 (01325 488215; a1steam.com/aberdonian). 8. Caledonian Sleeper   With Glasgow set to host this year's crucial UN climate change conference in November, those thinking of travelling up from London will have little excuse not to look at the train options – which since last year include an enhanced Caledonian Sleeper service, complete with en suite bathrooms and double-bed options – and, yes, it has to be admitted a slew of teething problems. Hopefully these will be resolved by the time the eco-ewarriors land, especially as beyond Glasgow the new sleeper now serves Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William.  sleeper.scot On board the enhanced Caledonian Sleeper service 9. Mayflower trail  Coinciding with the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower ship setting sail for America, The Steam Dreams Rail Co is running a number of trips with "B1" No 61306 Mayflower, including a four-day tour from London to the South West between 14-17 September. While the "B1" resides in Plymouth, shuttles to and from the Cornish coastal town of Par are planned, while day-trips along the National Mayflower Trail will include visits to Harwich, Southampton and Dartmouth.  The four-day trip costs from £325; the shuttles from £49 (01483 209 888; steamdreams.co.uk). Across the Channel 10. Silesia escape  Railbookers' week-long celebration of central Europe pairs international trains (the Berlin-Warszawa Express) with the latest in high-speed rail (Poland's pendolinos). The laissez-faire tour treats passengers as grown-ups. In Vienna, passengers are gifted a hop-on, hop-off bus ticket. While in Berlin, guests with a City Card can explore Museum Island at leisure. The best scenery of the seven days? From Krakow to Austria, passing through the forests of Silesia and the timeless towns of the eastern Czech Republic.  From £699 including flights (020 3780 2222; railbookers.co.uk).  Krakow Credit: GETTY 11. Roman Gaul  What did the Romans ever do for Gaul? Thanks to Inntravel, a new six-night trip takes in the bucolic Via Domitia, a Roman road that linked Italy to Hispania. Plus the staggering Pont du Gard, a Unesco-inscribed aqueduct that carried water 30 miles to the city of Nîmes. Here, the Romans also built an amphitheatre to hold 24,000 bloodthirsty spectators. Now, contemporary gladiator contests and music concerts (this year it's Taylor Swift) are held in the honey-stone venue. Gaul's big ticket for 2020 is the brand-new Roman Museum in Narbonne.  From £925 (01653 617001; inntravel.co.uk). 12. On track in Slow-venia A week is the perfect period to explore the Wales-sized wonder of Slovenia. This trip – the Best of Slovenia by Train – starts in Goriska Brda, a Tuscan-style hilltown reached via a strange train tunnel built by Habsburg emperors, and includes a boat ride across Lake Bohinj. Slovenia's rail tracks follow rivers and streams to the capital of Ljubljana, before trickling down to the resort-strewn Adriatic.  From £1,045 (01653 617001; inntravel.co.uk). Slovenia might be mistaken for Tuscany Credit: getty 13. Hidden Italy  This brand-new top-to-tail Italian tour is all-encompassing, with first-class passage from London to Italy, a pasta-making class on an Umbrian farm and a private Vatican tour with a clavigero, or keybearer, who switches the Sistine Chapel's lights back on just for you. The 13-day trip also includes a cellar tour of the telegenic booze town of Montepulciano and a high-speed whizz down the Adriatic Coast to Lecce on Italy's heel. Accommodation is pretty special, too. Stay in a converted Perugian monastery and a historic trulli house in rural Puglia. From £3,050 (01904 527 180; greatrail.com). 14. Black Forest bargain   This brand-new bargain is half steam, half high-speed and 100 per cent train. The tour sprints out of St Pancras then switches to a lower gear along the Black Forest's 46-mile Hollentalbahn Railway, which has zigzagged through mystic woodland for nearly 150 years. Another of Germany's heritage lines, the Sauschwänzlebahn, provides another steamie treat. It snakes into a squiggle of seemingly insurmountable switchbacks through primary forest. You'll need to pack your own slice of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest gateau) for the Eurostar home.  From £949 (01904 734939; raildiscoveries.com).  15. Nordic capitals  This tour unveils hidden gems like the islands of Oslofjord, where brave visitors may dive in for a swim. The five-and-a-half-hour train to Stockholm weaves through dramatic wetlands around Lake Vanern, the EU's largest lake, where hardy campers alight only to disappear into dense forest. On the final leg to Copenhagen, tune in for murders on the Oresund Bridge (made famous by the Nordic noir TV series The Bridge). Tuck into the Danish capital's 15 Michelin stars. Or try Torvehallerne Market for jianbing (Chinese crepes) and local herring crisps.  From £1,399 (01904 734939; raildiscoveries.com) Oresund Bridge Credit: getty 16. Interrail for grown-ups Interrail's First Class pass offers access to the finest trains in Europe including Germany's ICE and Spain's AVE (both with club lounge access, free Wi-Fi and at-seat waiter services) – although some high-speed and sleeper services require a supplement. In 2020, Interrail passes grant access to a record-breaking 33 national rail networks. As Estonia and Latvia join the party, passengers can loop from Poland to Sweden with a boat hop from Tallinn to Helsinki (tickets include discounts of up to 50 per cent on many ferry routes).  Global Passes cost £280 for travel on four days within a month, including Premium Eurostar. Discounts apply (0047 61 27 90 88; interrail.eu).  17. Transylvania sleeper A journey into the dark heart of Transylvania starts at Budapest's majestic Keleti station. Private one-, two- and three-bed compartments aboard the Ister sleeper are met with a misty sunrise over Dracula-style castles and wolf-prowled forests little changed in centuries. The town of Sibiu is a Gothic masterpiece of cobbled lanes and gilded belltowers. Brasov, where the Ister calls three hours later, is big and baroque. Brasov also connects to Sighisoara, the prettiest of towns, via a three-hour branch line.  Sleeper cabins for the Ister cost £101 for two with Hungarian Railways (mavcsoport.hu). Rural Romania Credit: GETTY 18. Bosnian explorer  This historical voyage belts out of St Pancras and bolts across Germany, then trundles through Croatia to Banja Luka, the de facto capital of the Bosnian Serb territory of Republika Srpska, where local dishes like pljeskavica lamb'n'pork patties are best chased with sljivovica plum brandy. From here new Spanish-built Talgo trains glide across Bosnia to Sarajevo. The Sarajevo to Mostar line tiptoes above the Neretva River. This twist of snaking water puts Switzerland's most scenic routes to shame.  The 13-day tour costs from £1,299 including a flight home (020 3322 7741; tailormaderail.com). 19. Amsterdam promise The Eurostar link between London and Amsterdam takes a significant leap forwards when it becomes possible to do both legs of the journey by direct train. The London-Amsterdam leg has been in operation since 2018, but passengers on the return leg have had to go through customs and change trains in Brussels. Not any more. From April 30, the journey time each way will be under four hours. See you at the Rembrandthuis.  Return fares from about £85 (eurostar.com).  20. Balkan beauty The loveliest little line in the Balkans is the narrow gauge up the Rhodope Valley from Septemvri. It took two decades to embed the teetering tracks beside the river, which now carry narrowboat-width carriages pulled by Sixties Romanian diesels. Today, the line links lumberjack and farming communities across a 77-mile long pastoral wilderness. Spa-loving Bulgarians alight to take the waters at the once ritzy resort of Velingrad; the line's terminus is the gorgeous town of Dobrinishte – a ski, spa and culinary centre set in virgin wilderness.  Tickets cost £3 from Septemvri station (bdz.bg).  21. All change in Geneva  A new 10-mile railway, which opened at the end of last year under the streets of Geneva, links the city's main station with Annemasse across the French border in 20 minutes and covers four stops within the city. Besides transforming travel over Europe's largest cross-border rail network of 230km around Geneva, the new line will open up the possibility of easy day trips from Geneva to Annecy and St-Gervais over two of France's most scenic lines, using the new Léman Express service between Coppet–Geneva–Annemasse.  Geneva–Annemasse return £7.60 (sbb.ch). Annecy Credit: getty 22. A tale of two cities  Charles Dickens's classic of the French Revolution is the inspiration for this seven-day tour of the two capitals, introduced to mark the 150th anniversary of the author's death. The first-class train takes in locations featured in the novel, the Charles Dickens Museum in Holborn, his former home and Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey, where he was buried. In Paris, discover La Conciergerie, a Gothic palace used as a prison in the French Revolution, or head to Montmartre, where the streets still evoke the colourful experiences that Dickens would have had.  From £895pp for four-star hotels or from £1,495pp for five-star (planetrail.co.uk).  23. The trains in Spain  RENFE, the Spanish national rail service, is hoping to attract more than a million passengers a year to the new low-cost, high-speed services it will be launching this Easter. The first of these Avlo trains, with their striking purple and orange livery, will cover the 386 miles between Madrid and Barcelona at speeds of up to 186mph, with five trains a day in each direction. Tickets will cost as little as €10 one way.  From €10 one-way (renfe.com and seat61.com/spain-trains.htm).  Take the high-speed train to Barcelona Credit: GETTY 24. Baltic by steam Train specialists Ffestinog Travel have gone off the rails for this uniquely steamie Baltic circle. The story starts at Finland's Jokioinen Museum Railway, where a steam train putters into the wilderness. Thence to Sweden by ferry, with a poke around the vast Stockholm archipelago aboard a steamboat. Aside from more steamie treats and Danish lunches, a real highlight is the steam railway to Germany's Bad Doberan, which passes inches from both restaurant terraces and grazing cows. A final puff carries passengers to Berlin for the journey home.  The 15-day tour starts from £3,295 (01766 512400; ffestiniogtravel.com). 25. Costa Verde Express   The Costa Verde Express is a new five-night, six-day luxury tour along the north coast of Spain, skirting the Bay of Biscay between Bilbao and Gijón (or vice versa). It takes in Laredo, Santona, Santander and the medieval town of Santillana del Mar, and features wide-ranging tours – everything from Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum to an anchovy-canning factory. On-board suites have double beds and private bathrooms and there's a panorama coach, tea and entertainment saloons and a small on-board library.  From £2,390 (renfe.com) 26. Salt mine cathedral  In first class, the 10-hour sprint from London to Berlin is an armchair cultural cruise. The French serve wine, the Belgians serve chocolates and the Germans beer – all complimentary. There's time to see Berlin's secret bunkers or cruise the Spree river. Then the sights of Warsaw, Krakow and the Wieliczka Salt Mine beckon, the latter hosting a subterranean cathedral carved from crystalline salt. The Cracovia train connects to Prague, this time with beer on tap in the buffet car. Historic Dresden is the final stop, before the train home to London.  11 nights from £1,375 with Planet Rail (01347 825292; planetrail.co.uk). Dresden Credit: getty 27. Music, maestro  In the year marking 250 years since Beethoven's birth, travel by first-class trains to his birthplace of Bonn on the Rhine for a visit to his birthplace museum. Then travel to Vienna, where he moved at the age of 21 and wrote most of his works. See the Beethoven Museum, the monument on Beethovenplatz, his tomb and the House of Music, Austria's first museum of sound and music. Return trains via a night in Nuremberg. From £849pp in four-star hotels (planetrail.co.uk).  28. Tunnel vision  In December, the remarkable Swiss project to reduce road traffic and pollution in the sensitive Alpine valleys reaches fruition with the opening of the nine-mile Ceneri Base Tunnel, the last of the three base tunnels to open, following the 22-mile Lötschberg and the 35-mile Gotthard base tunnels. Journey time between Zurich and Lugano will be less than two hours, and Milan will be less than three. Ticino local services will also benefit with a cut in travel time between Lugano and Locarno from 58 to 30 minutes. New Giruno trains with free Wi-Fi enter service in the spring. Zurich – Lugano, from £26, Zurich – Milan, from £68 (sbb.ch). Milan Credit: getty Further afield   29. 'Star Wars' in Tunisia  SNCFT operates more than 10 lines across Tunisia. Many are dusty, several are slow, but all elbow through a Sahara panorama of movie-set distinction. The breakfast departure from Tunis Gare Centrale shimmies along the Mediterranean via Sousse and Sfax, before meandering inland at R2-D2 speeds. The evening terminus at Tozeur sits alongside the purple-tinged salt pan of Chott el Djerid – instantly recognisable as the backdrop for several Star Wars films. The Residence Douz, a fancy desert retreat offering dune safaris and troglodyte dwelling tours, opens nearby in 2020.  First class from Tunis to Tozeur costs £7 (sncft.com.tn).  30. Indian Pacific epic As its name suggests, the 2,700-mile line connects two oceans – the Indian and Pacific – over four days. The scenic tour includes a dead straight rattle across the Nullarbor Plain, an epic emptiness dotted with gold-prospecting ghost towns. Colour comes by way of the Barossa Valley vineyards near Adelaide, and the Blue Mountains near Sydney where oily eucalyptus trees disperse an azure aura. There are a number of stops for wine tasting and hikes.  Gold Twin cabins cost from £1,320 (0061 8 8213 4401; journeybeyondrail.com.au).  The Indian Pacific 31. Wonders of Oz  Launched late last year, the Great Southern cuts a curvaceous half-circle between Brisbane and Adelaide that rumbles past Pacific beaches, contemporary cities and dense forest over four sun-drenched days (or three in the other direction). The first of nine meals is a fine dining experience in Coffs Harbour, where the arrival of the railroad in 1915 focused the town's exports around timber and bananas. The next morning promises hikes in the Hunter Valley vineyards followed by a day in genteel Melbourne. From £3,699 for a 15-day tour including stays in Brisbane, Adelaide and Noosa, and flights (0808 250 4889; austravel.com).  32. Kiwi classics Three astonishing train routes and a telegenic ferry showcase the best of New Zealand. The Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington runs panoramic carriages through 423 miles of viaducts and volcanic peaks (Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings). The ferry across the Cook Strait is another Instagram sensation; wildlife includes dolphins, shags and albatross. The Coastal Pacific glides down the Kaikoura Coastline to Christchurch. From here the TranzAlpine, arguably the most scenic of Kiwi trains, putters over the Southern Alps to Greymouth for glaciers and gold mines.  An 18-day tour costs from £2,259 (020 3322 7741; tailormaderail.com).  See New Zealand by train 33. American beauties Amtrak Vacation's newest itinerary couples two legendary trains: the California Zephyr, which links Chicago and San Francisco, and the Southwest Chief, which runs from LA to Chicago via Arizona, New Mexico and the Mississippi wetlands. Both services connect America's most iconic national parks via a nine-day tour. Stops include Utah's Bryce Canyon, where "hoodoos", or rocky spurs, create an ochre amphitheatre and Zion, where half-mile high canyons glow blood red at dusk. From £2,299 (020 3327 3500; amtrakvacations.co.uk). 34. On track for the wild west New for 2020 is the ultimate American railroad adventure. Start in New York, overnight past Lake Michigan, sightsee in Chicago then head west across prairies, canyons and the Mississippi. The train's terminus is Arizona for the Grand Canyon Railway. Still standing? The 14-night tour ends with three nights in Las Vegas.  From £2,050 from Amtrak Vacations (020 3327 3500; amtrakvacations.co.uk). 35. Sacred Valley revisited From May through to December, Inca Rail is offering three services daily direct from Cuzco's central San Pedro station to Machu Picchu, cutting out the need to travel to the outlying station of Poroy. The time of departure determines the class of service, which ranges from the entry-level Voyager to the 360°, with an observation car and bar, to First Class, with gourmet food served en route.  Singles from £59, returns from £131 (incarail.com).  Machu Picchu Credit: GETTY 36. Patagonia passion Patagonia celebrates the 500th anniversary of Magellan's landing on its shores in 2020 and the best way of marking this by train is via the weekly service from Viedma, near the Atlantic coast, to Bariloche, on Nahuel Huapi lake. A loco with nine reconditioned carriages operates east-west on Fridays (returning Sundays). A night train, it takes 18.5 hours to cover the 513 miles.  One-way, seated, costs £16.65, while it's £32.13 to go in a camarote shared sleeper compartment (sateliteferroviario.com.ar//horarios/bariloche.htm). Discover Patagonia Credit: getty 37. Undercover Buenos Aires  Buenos Aires's underground metro railway – known as the Subte – was opened in 1913, making it the oldest in Latin America. Last year, Line E was extended to the Retiro railway station. The Subte is notable for its tiled walls and wonderful art work and the corridors of Line A, the oldest, celebrate Argentina's native peoples and immigration heyday, among other themes. José Hernandez on Line D has a mural honouring Lionel Messi. The stations on Line H commemorate tango legends.  From about 30p (buenosaires.gob.ar/subte). 38. Panama promise The Panama Canal Railway was the western hemisphere's first transcontinental railroad. Although it's only 50 miles across the isthmus, the topographically crazed jungle route was considered quite the engineering masterstroke in 1855 – before the canal itself copied the same route 60 years later. Carriages lugged by superannuated Amtrak engines departs the Pacific Ocean near Panama City at 7.15am. Lush forest is punctuated by canal locks, as giant tankers steam though a tropical backdrop. The train terminates at Colon an hour later. Spend the day on the Atlantic seaboard before the sunset return journey.  From $25 one-way (panarail.com).  Panama City Credit: getty 39. Scenic Colorado The steam-hauled Cumbres & Toltec, which follows track laid in 1880 along the Colorado-New Mexico border and bills itself the "most authentic" railway in the US (it's a National Historic Landmark), marks 50 years as a scenic railroad in 2020. Travel on it on a 13-day "Best of Colorado" tour with Ffestiniog Travel, taking in several historic lines. Departing on June 18; from £4,285 (ffestiniogtravel.com). Cumbres & Toltec Credit: getty 40. Wadi Rum affair Besides rock-hewn Petra, the Roman ruins of Jerash and the dunes of Wadi Rum, Jordan's attractions include the only two usable sections of the Hejaz Railway. This new nine-day tour includes private steam charters from Amman to Al Qatraneh and from Disah along a little-used branch line and a night in the desert in an "en-suite goat-hair tent". Departs Nov 2; from £2,525 (ffestiniogtravel.com). 41. Kyrgyzstan escapade Kyrgyzstan, in mountainous Central Asia, has only 300 miles of railway, so on a new 11-day tour of "the remotest destination" it's been to, Ffestiniog Travel has one train journey: a scenic five hours in the north. Other draws include Kyrchyn Gorge, home of the World Nomad Games and a 15th-century caravanserai (roadside inn) on the Old Silk Road.  Departing on July 21; from £2,350 (ffestiniogtravel.com). The World Nomad Games Credit: getty 42. Silk Road supreme Want to see a bit more of central Asia? In luxury? This new 17-day tour for April 2020 aboard the Golden Eagle train begins in Moscow and travels across the "Five Stans" of the former Soviet Union – Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Off-train excursions include Baikonur space station, a silk factory and a demonstration of eagle hunting. A shorter 10-day Jewels of the Silk Road is also offered. From £17,495 (17 days) and £9,995 (10) (goldeneagleluxurytrains.com). 43. Dhaka delight In 1947, the partition of India severed services between East and West Bengal. Now, a nine-hour train links Kolkota and Dhaka via the Hardinge Bridge, a mile-long steel bridge named after the former viceroy. The scenery is an emerald dream of wetlands and paddy fields, paired with the surging power of the Brahmaputra and Ganges. Relations between India and Bangladesh are so convivial that on the Maitree Express, both passport checks are performed before departure.  First Class, £22 (Foreign Tourist Bureau; Kolkota station).  44. Golden Chariot  After refurbishment, the Golden Chariot, the luxury Indian train, will be back in March for three runs before a full service later in the year. It offers six-night tours of Southern India, starting and ending in Bangalore. As well as familiar destinations such as Mysore and Goa, the journeys also include the fascinating ruins at Hampi and Bandipur tiger reserve. Abercrombie & Kent offers Golden Chariot tours from £6,500, including flights (01242 547755; abercrombiekent.co.uk).  Travel by train across India – stopping to spot tigers Credit: getty 45. Darjeeling Mail This 14-night Darjeeling Mail tour covers a broad swathe of India. Departing on Dec 3 from Mumbai (with two nights at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel), it includes seven nights on the luxury Deccan Odyssey train, crossing the subcontinent to Kolkata via Udaipur, Jaipur, Delhi, Agra (the Taj Mahal) and Varanasi. It also features two nights in Kolkata and three in Darjeeling, reached by the celebrated "Toy Train".   From £11,795 (0161 928 9410; goldeneagleluxurytrains.com) 46. Totally Taiwan  Taiwan's rail network takes in mountains, beaches and all the main cities, so a new 16-day tour with Ffestiniog Travel makes a great introduction to the country. Highlights include a ride on the steam-hauled Alishan Forest Railway, climbing to 7,313ft; private charters at former sugar mills; and an outing to see the sunrise from Chushan, the highest station, at 8,041ft.  Ffestiniog can tailor make itineraries to Taiwan and is taking bookings for its next group tour departure in February 2021; from £3,870 (ffestiniogtravel.com).   47. Going for gold  The Land of the Rising Sun can be a daunting challenge, but the going is made much easier with the guided tours on foot and by bus and boat included in this flexible, rail-based package. Highlights of the nine-day tour include: Tokyo's Rainbow Bridge, Skytree and Hamarikyu Garden; a tour of a food market followed by a visit to a typical home to learn how to prepare sushi and then enjoy it for lunch; a range of cultural activities and visits in Kyoto; and tours of Nara and Fushimi.  From £3,049pp, including all Shinkansen train journeys (railbookers.co.uk).  Hamarikyu Garden Credit: ap 48. Red Devil For steam train aficionados wanting to branch out, the Railway Touring Company is introducing a 12-day rail safari in South Africa, including a day in the company of the celebrated Red Devil locomotive, restored in 2018 after 14 years out of service. Other highlights include a journey along the Sir Lowry's Pass over the Hottentots-Holland mountains and a trip into the Southern Cape wheatlands to Bredasdorp, the Southern-most railway station in Africa. Departing on May 28, the South African Steam Safari costs from £3,795, including flights (£3,295 ground only) (01553 661500; railwaytouring.net). 49. Maasai Mara magic It's a 10-day rail safari with everything included, from flights to meals and a journey deep into the Maasai Mara. The national park has its fair share of the Big Five, including 2,500 elephants. Guests also travel on the Madaraka Express. This new Chinese-funded service links Nairobi with Mobassa on the Indian Ocean across endless savanna. As the train skirts the Tsavo National Park, cue more elephants, zebra and dik-diks from the train window. A visit to the Nairobi Railway Museum shows locomotives manufactured across Britain.  From £2,695 (01904 527180; greatrail.com).  A lion in the Maasai Mara Credit: getty 50. Desert Express Namibia's Desert Express is back. After a three year absence for renovations the tourist sleeper train is returning to trundle leisurely between Windhoek and the old German colonial seaside resort of Swakopmund. An ambiance of casual elegance reminiscent of the 1950s prevails in spacious compartments, restaurant and lounge with comfortable armchairs. A three-day return tour with a game drive, dune excursion and cheetah feeding is £320pp, excluding flights, from Traveltime (0027 21 554 5796; traveltime.co.za). The next departure from Windhoek is on March 20. Contributions by Tristan Rutherford, Michael Kerr, Steve McClarence, Anthony Lambert, Chris Moss, Daniel Puddicombe, Gavin Bell and Adrian Bridge.

50 awesome vacation ideas for every type of traveler - WTOP Posted: 22 Apr 2019 05:29 AM PDT These 50 exciting vacation ideas will have you packing your bags in no time. Sometimes you just need a little inspiration or a beautiful photo to spark your wanderlust. That's why U.S. News gathered 50 unique vacation ideas that will get you in the mood for adventure and help you decide where to go for your next getaway. Beaches: Providenciales, Turks & CaicosFamilies seeking an easy and relaxing getaway should head to Beaches, an all-inclusive resort on the island of Providenciales in Turks & Caicos. This tropical paradise boasts a 45,000 square-foot water park, programs for teens and kids, a spa and access to a 12-mile beach with crystal clear water. The best part? All of your meals and drinks are included.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Ellenmck) Getty Images/iStockphoto/Ellenmck Vista Verde Guest Ranch: Clark, ColoradoCouples and families seeking seclusion and natural beauty should head to Vista Verde Guest Ranch for a luxurious yet outdoorsy experience. Located near Steamboat Springs, this AAA Four Diamond Award-winning property offers something for everyone in every season. In winter, you can go skiing, snow tubing or snowshoeing, and during the warmer months, you can fish, go mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking and more.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/kmaassrock) Getty Images/iStockphoto/kmaassrock Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel: EdinburghThe stylish Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel offers renovated accommodations set within seven interconnected Georgian townhouses. Located in Edinburgh's elegant New Town area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, guests are within easy walking distance of top attractions, including the Edinburgh Castle. On-site, the hotel has an impressive courtyard and serves unique Middle Eastern and Scottish delicacies at BABA.(Michelle Locke via AP) AP Take a Cruise on the New MSC Bellissima The new MSC Bellissima ship from MSC Cruises debuted in March 2019, and offers grandeur and luxury at a more affordable price point for families. That's because kids ages 17 and younger can cruise for free on select MSC itineraries. The MSC Bellissima has family rooms that can sleep up to 10 people, and the ship offers 12 distinct dining venues, its own water park and one-of-a-kind Cirque de Soleil shows on board.This Dec. 11, 2017 image provided by MSC shows the cruise line's new ship MSC Seaside off the coast of Trieste, Italy, following its launch. The ship was named best new ship of 2017 Tuesday, Dec. 12, in Cruise Critic's annual awards. The ship will be christened Dec. 21 in Miami before starting its sailings to the Caribbean. It features an interactive aquapark, an open-air promenade and beach-like condos. (MSC via AP) AP Travel Through India's Golden TriangleSolo travelers with a thirst for adventure should consider booking a guided tour to India with Intrepid Tours. The company's India's Golden Triangle tour will take you to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur to discover markets and bazaars, and to see Rajasthan's palaces and India's impressive forts. You'll come home with souvenirs and unforgettable memories.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Leonid Andronov) Getty Images/iStockphoto/Leonid Andronov AntiguaCouples or families craving a relaxing beach getaway should head straight to the Caribbean island of Antigua. This tropical paradise is only 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, yet it boasts 365 different beaches, all of which are open to the public. The island is also home to numerous hotels and resorts, including luxury villas and all-inclusive properties.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/SeanPavonePhoto) Getty Images/iStockphoto/SeanPavonePhoto Take an Amtrak Adventure on the Coast StarlightHop on Amtrak's Coast Starlight train for a memorable 35-hour adventure. The train travels between Los Angeles and Seattle and boasts panoramic views of Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, snow-capped mountains, verdant forests and the Pacific Ocean.(AP Photo/Nicole Evatt) AP/Nicole Evatt San DiegoSan Diego boasts stunning beaches like La Jolla and Mission Beach, an award-winning zoo, SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California. It is also about 95 miles south of Disneyland. You can book a whale-watching trip, visit local breweries or simply relax on the beach. Because there is so much to see and do, couples and families with all ages will find something for everyone.(AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File) AP/Gregory Bull Sail the Caribbean on a SeaDream Luxury Yacht CruiseYou don't need to own a yacht to cruise the Caribbean in style. Book a luxury yacht cruise with SeaDream for spectacular views of Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, St. Barts and other inspiring spots. Each yacht holds up to 112 guests and 95 crew members. What's more gourmet meals, drinks and shore activities are included.(AP Photo/Yam G-Jun) AP/Yam G-Jun Amalfi Coast, ItalyIt's hard to imagine any destination more picturesque than Italy's Amalfi Coast. From the small village of Praiano to the tourist paradise of Positano, you'll find limestone cliffs topped with villas and lemon groves, dramatic ocean views and charming eateries serving regional pastas and seafood dishes.(AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati) ASSOCIATED PRESS/ALESSANDRO TROVATI Chase Donuts in Butler County, OhioA donut-themed vacation may be exactly what you need to ease into summer. Butler County, Ohio, makes this type of trip easy with its own Donut Trail, complete with a passport and handy trail map. Twelve donut meccas participate in the trail from Middletown to Fairfield, so pack up the car and save room for dessert.(iStock/Thinkstock) Getty Images/iStockphoto/TraceRouda Snow Bear Chalets: Whitefish, MontanaMontana's Snow Bear Chalets are luxury ski-in, ski-out treehouses. These tiny homes sleep six to 10 people and feature luxury perks like private hot tubs and fireplaces. The chalets also offer stunning views and are close to some of the state's most welcoming slopes. What's more, the chalets are located close to Glacier National Park.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/ronniechua) Getty Images/iStockphoto/ronniechua Drive Across the Country in an RVAching for a road trip but need more space? Consider renting an RV from RVShare — the country's largest peer-to-peer RV rental company. Pack your RV with food and family and head to see the nation's most spectacular national or state parks, stop by a theme park or hit the open road without a plan or a care in the world.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/cookelma) Getty Images/iStockphoto/cookelma Biscayne National Park, FloridaWhile Biscayne National Park is close enough to Miami to see its towering condos and hotels, it might as well be a world away. This park boasts precious coral reefs, clear emerald waters and sea life galore. You can fish for lobster, rent a kayak or plan your own eco-adventure.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/kyletperry) Getty Images/iStockphoto/kyletperry Boulders Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton: Carefree, ArizonaPlan a romantic couple's vacation to Carefree, Arizona, to stay at Boulders Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton. This adult-friendly resort features award-winning golf courses, a sprawling spa complex and outdoor adventures like hot air balloon rides, rock climbing, horseback riding and stargazing with a professional guide.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/AngelMcNallphotography) Getty Images/iStockphoto/AngelMcNallphotography Sip Brews and Enjoy Views of Bend, OregonThis unique tour allows you to canoe through Oregon's Cascade Lakes while tasting beers from Cascade Lakes Brewing Company. Brews & Views Canoe Tour, offered by Wanderlust Tours, takes you on a paddle to the hidden areas of this serene district for a memorable journey. Learn about beer while you soak up the natural beauty of the region, and don't forget to bring a swimsuit if you want to go for a swim.(iStock) iStock Coney Island, New YorkHead to iconic Coney Island for a dip in the Atlantic Ocean paired with classic amusement park fun and food. Nosh on fresh seafood or a Coney Island hot dog, visit the famous New York Aquarium and stroll the boardwalk for people-watching and beautiful ocean views.(AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) AP/Mark Lennihan Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik: Dubrovnik, CroatiaThis Hilton sits just outside the centuries-old city walls of Old Town Dubrovnik, but inside it boasts luxurious and modern amenities. Book a top-floor suite for stunning views of Old Town or the Adriatic Sea. Then, plan to explore the town's numerous storied sites. After a long day of sightseeing, take time to relax at the hotel's swimming pool or spa.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Siegfried Schnepf) Getty Images/iStockphoto/Siegfried Schnepf Pose Through a Yoga Retreat in FranceFitness enthusiasts who want to see the world can book an adventure yoga retreat with The Travel Yogi company. The France Yoga Retreat Adventure tour takes you through the Dordogne region of southwest France for leisurely wine tastings, biking excursions, foodie experiences and, of course, yoga classes with the spectacular French countryside as your backdrop.(AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu) AP Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora: Bora Bora, French PolynesiaThere's nothing more romantic than a private, overwater cabana with Bora Bora's Mount Otemanu sitting in the distance. This Four Seasons Resort offers couples memorable snorkeling and scuba opportunities, an on-site luxury spa, gourmet dining and breathtaking views everywhere you look.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/MaRabelo) Getty Images/iStockphoto/MaRabelo Bike through CroatiaGet fit and see the world with a biking tour across Croatia's famous islands. Stops include popular cities like Split and Dubrovnik, as well as islands like Bra?, Hvar and Kor?ula. Pure Adventures takes care of all the details, including overnight stays on a private yacht. You can bike all day and then retreat to your cabin for coastal views and a glass of wine.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/xbrchx) Getty Images/iStockphoto/xbrchx Go on Safari in IndianaFamilies love spending time at Indiana's Holiday World & Splashin' Safari thanks to the park's numerous roller coasters and water slides, including the world's longest water coaster. The park also offers unique perks for visitors, including free sunscreen, parking and soft drinks. If you want to stay close to the park, nearby Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort offers numerous lodging options.(Getty Images/Jupiterimages) Getty Images/Jupiterimages Myrtle Beach, South CarolinaPlan a family trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for adventure, relaxation, swimming and more. This destination features 60 miles of coastline, a state park, watersports, parasailing and its own expansive boardwalk with a towering SkyWheel. Myrtle Beach is also a golf mecca, with dozens of exciting courses to try.(Willis Glassgow/AP Images for Visit Myrtle Beach) AP IMAGES FOR VISIT MYRTLE BEACH/Willis Glassgow The Resort at Longboat Key Club: Longboat Key, FloridaSit back and relax at this tranquil resort in southern Florida. Longboat Key Club is a waterfront paradise, boasting a white sand beach with private cabanas and its own marina. You'll also find 45 holes of championship golf, 20 tennis courts and a large spa and salon.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Ryan McGill) Getty Images/iStockphoto/Ryan McGill Explore the Galapagos on a Luxury YachtThe Theory is a luxury expedition yacht that offers seven-night itineraries through the Galapagos. Enjoy luxurious amenities and accommodations, twice-daily guided shore excursions, watersports and an open bar while you explore of the most spectacular destinations on the planet.(simonjpierce.com via AP) AP/Simon Pierce Scuba Lodge Boutique Hotel & Ocean Suites: Pietermaai, CuraçaoScuba enthusiasts flock to the island of Curaçao to see untouched ocean reefs and wildlife galore. Consider staying at the Scuba Lodge Boutique Hotel & Ocean Suites in the popular Pietermaai district for direct access to the sparkling Caribbean waters and an on-site dive center with experienced dive instructors.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/sorincolac) Getty Images/iStockphoto/sorincolac Cruise the Mississippi on the American QueenThe American Queen Steamboat Company offers family-friendly river cruises in North America, mainly along the Mississippi River. Packages can include pre-cruise hotel stays, shore excursions in each port and local cuisine, wine and beer with dinner. Book a luxurious stateroom or suite and watch the water — and the world — go by.(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) AP/Jeff Roberson Go Whitewater Rafting on the Colorado RiverMountain Travel Sobek offers an array of adventure travel experiences that singles, couples and families can enjoy. The company's Cataract Canyon Family Rafting Adventure takes you through Canyonlands National Park on a 93-mile-journey of rushing rapids and gorgeous waterways. Kids ages 9 and older are welcome and trips depart from Moab, Utah.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) AP/Ross D. Franklin Divi Little Bay Beach Resort: Philibsburg, St. MaartenSt. Maarten's Divi Little Bay Beach Resort is located on a beautiful beach along one of St. Maarten's calmest shores. Guest rooms have balconies and beach access, while suites come equipped with full kitchens and living rooms. While here, relax along the beach and take a dip in one of the property's freshwater pools. Offshore snorkeling excursions are also available.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Smittro) Getty Images/iStockphoto/Smittro See Norway by Train — (Norway in a Nutshell Tour)The Norway in a Nutshell tour is your gateway to exploring the best of Norway's majestic fjords. This multi-stop journey takes you along the scenic Bergen Railway, the Flåm Railway, on buses and on fjord cruises through the unbelievable Aurlandsfjord and on the narrow Nærøyfjord. You can customize this trip with hotel stays, private excursions and more.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/MariusLtu) Getty Images/iStockphoto/MariusLtu Glamp in the Great Smoky MountainsThe luxury camping experts at Under Canvas make it easy to connect with nature without having to sleep on the ground. Under Canvas offers luxury yurts with comfortable king beds, wooden stoves and in-tent bathrooms. ATV tours, guided hiking trips and horseback riding excursions are also available.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/WerksMedia) Getty Images/iStockphoto/WerksMedia Tybee Island, GeorgiaLocated 18 miles east of Savannah, Georgia, Tybee Island is an ideal beach vacation destination for families, couples, adventure-seekers and nature-lovers. Spend the day shopping in boutiques, wandering through art galleries, exploring Tybee Lighthouse or paddling over to Little Tybee Island to enjoy pristine waters.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/AppalachianViews) Getty Images/iStockphoto/AppalachianViews Mammoth Cave National Park, KentuckyThere's a lot to do in Bowling Green, Kentucky, but the city is most famous for housing Mammoth Cave National Park. Spanning 400 miles, the park is home to the world's longest known cave system. Admire the cave's geological formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and travertine dams. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/zrfphoto) Getty Images/iStockphoto/zrfphoto Explore Europe with Like-Minded MillennialsContiki Tours offers adventure holidays for 18- to 35-year-olds, including a two-week journey through many of Europe's most intriguing cities. Stops include destinations in France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Austria and England. Hotels, meals and some transportation are included. Make new friends with people from all over the world while exploring these culturally rich destinations.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/RossHelen) Getty Images/iStockphoto/RossHelen Explore Alaska on an Oceania CruiseOceania Cruises offers luxury cruises through Alaska's rugged wilderness and calm waters. Their 14-day Vancouver to Seattle itinerary includes eight shore excursions, a beverage package and stops along glaciers and remote destinations like Kodiak and Sitka.(AP Photo/Kathy Matheson) AP Camp Clearwater: White Lake, North CarolinaGet in touch with nature on a family camping adventure at Camp Clearwater in North Carolina, the state's largest family campground. Enjoy the long stretch of sandy beachfront and arranged activities like movie nights, glow dances and luaus. Overnight camp sites are available for tents, campers and RVs.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/vixterd) Getty Images/iStockphoto/vixterd Enjoy Fitness and Nutrition on a Weight Watchers Wellness CruiseAre you eager to travel but want to stay healthy? Book this year's Weight Watchers Wellness Cruise on the MSC Seaview. This cruise departs from Barcelona, Spain, and stops in unique destinations like Ajaccio, France, and Genoa, Italy. While onboard, enjoy wellness activities, fitness classes and Weight Watchers-approved dishes and snacks.(Joel Carillet/iStock) Getty Images/Joel Carillet Athens, GreeceThe ancient city of Athens, Greece, is an ideal destination for history lovers. Visit Athens to explore its vibrant neighborhoods, dine on delectable Greek cuisine and see iconic ruins like the Parthenon, Hadrian's Arch, the Theatre of Dionysus and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/RobertBreitpaul) Getty Images/iStockphoto/RobertBreitpaul Stay in a Hotel Room Inspired by "Harry Potter"Book a family trip to London with a special stay in a wizard-themed chamber that will leave your kids enthralled. This Hogwarts-styled room, inspired by the "Harry Potter" series, can be found at London's Georgian House Hotel. It features faux castle details like stained-glass windows, four-poster beds, velvet curtains and cauldrons in fireplaces, among other features. What's more, you need to pass through a bookcase door to get to your accommodations.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/inacioluc) Getty Images/iStockphoto/inacioluc RomeHistory lovers flock to Rome in droves to see some of the world's most famous ruins and sites. Vatican City, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum and the famous Pantheon take visitors back through thousands of years of history. In addition, you'll also find gourmet Italian cuisine, fine wines and delectable gelato.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Britus) Getty Images/iStockphoto/Britus Jerome, ArizonaJerome is a spooky little town perched on an Arizona hillside about 35 miles northeast of Prescott. In addition to astounding views of the valley below, this quirky place offers kitschy gift shops, historical buildings and unique bed-and-breakfasts that make you feel like it is Halloween year-round. Eat at the Haunted Hamburger for a meal you won't forget.(AP Photo/Yvonne Gonzalez) AP/Yvonne Gonzalez  Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort: Herradura, Costa RicaAnimal lovers should head to Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort for a chance to get close to wildlife like large iguanas, wild macaws, monkeys and more. Head to nearby Carara National Park to see even more wild animals, including sloths, spider monkeys, anteaters and more. Getty Images Take a South African SafariJacada Travel makes it easy to book a guided South African tour the entire family will love. The company's 12-day South Africa Family Safari Explorer tour includes overnight stays in big game reserves where you can spot lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo in the wild. Trips also include hiking adventures, special meals for the kids and childcare so parents can relax.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/mantaphoto) Getty Images/iStockphoto/mantaphoto The DogHouse Hotel & Brewery: Winchester, OhioThe DogHouse Hotel & Brewery near Columbus, Ohio, is the first craft beer hotel in the world. This interesting property has 32 guest rooms, including dog-friendly rooms, a lobby bar with games and activities and an interactive beer museum. Each room features its own tap with a beer of your choice, and there is even a beer fridge in the shower.(iStock) iStock Cook Your Way Through ItalyInternational Kitchen offers culinary adventures throughout Italy, including through the popular region of Tuscany. The six-night Living the Real Tuscan Dream vacation option makes it easy to enjoy the famous Italian countryside while learning how to make pizza, bread and regional dishes. You'll even pick and cook with fresh fruits and vegetables grown by the trip's chef.(Thinkstock) Getty Images/iStockphoto/stockyimages NYAH: Key West, FloridaThe NYAH (Not Your Average Hotel) property offers an adults-only oasis set in central Key West, Florida. This budget-friendly hideaway has rooms that sleep up to six people, multiple pools and hot tubs, a popular happy hour, free breakfast and more. Plus, it is within walking distance of Duval Street's shops and restaurants.(Kelsey Roberts/USGS) Kelsey Roberts/USGS YMCA of the Rockies: Estes Park, ColoradoFamilies who love the mountains, camping and outdoor fun should plan a trip to YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. This campground offers an array of planned activities, including crafts, archery, hiking, family campfires and swimming. Families can book cabins with up to four bedrooms or stay in an on-site lodge.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/haveseen) Getty Images/iStockphoto/haveseen Fly Around the World on a Private JetIf money is no object, consider booking a National Geographic Expedition tour around the world in a private jet. The 24-day trip boasts a maximum group size of 75 people and stops in 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as other incredible destinations like Morocco and Bhutan. The trip includes overnight stays in luxury hotels, meals and adventures planned by expert guides.iStock/Thinkstock Getty Images/iStockphoto Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National ParkLoch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park encompasses 720 square miles of lush Scottish scenery complete with hills, lakes and greenery everywhere you look. This national park is popular among tourists and locals alike for boating, hiking and camping. Visit one of the on-site visitor centers for more information on what to do and see. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/Alexander Corne) Getty Images/iStockphoto/Alexander Corne Rhodes, GreeceThe small island of Rhodes, Greece, has become a hot spot for vacationers thanks to its scenic beaches and archaeological attractions. Rhodes takes you back to medieval times with its well-preserved city walls and bustling squares, yet you'll have access to luxury hotels, fine dining and shopping boutiques.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Lubos Kovalik) Getty Images/iStockphoto/Lubos Kovalik More from U.S. News The 30 Most Famous Landmarks in the World 30 World's Best Places to Visit The 50 Most Beautiful Landscapes in the World 50 Awesome Vacation Ideas for Every Type of Traveler originally appeared on usnews.com

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