Great Rail Journeys

[B9waiting]

It’s my 50th next year & some of their trips look great - has anyone been on one of their trips? Was it worth the money? TIA

I love watching the program and would use rail travel as a means to an end but probably wouldn’t do a complete journey

ages ago my mum and dad had booked Pullman express train to Scotland from the SW they had fully catered Pullman class which included drink. Mum then had a pulmonary embolism and ended up in hospital so DH and I went instead, it coincided with DH 40th so was lovely

we did really enjoy it, especially the food but it is such a terribly long time to be sat on a train, there’s only so many times you can get up to wander around and go to the loo. My ankles were swollen when we got there which even now 20 years on rarely happens, mum would have possibly got even more ill had she gone. It was exhausting in a sitting still for too long kind of way.

I was looking into travelling by train to the south of France with stops. It’s so expensive compared to flying though sadly.

I went on a Great Rail journeys holiday to south of France.
Hotel good. Tour manager terrible. I wouldn’t travel with them again.

I’ve not done one but only because I think you could do exactly the same itinerary for a fraction of the price. Trains in Europe are so easy to use and much better value than in the uk. I’m not sure what a “tour manager” would bring to the party if you’re capable of booking your own trains.

Friends go with them all the time. You have to look carefully at how much travel is involved v how long you are in the destination. It took two days with overnight stop to get to Lake Garda. They usually send their large suitcase on in advance

I went on one to India years ago. It was brilliant, we visited loads of sights on day trips, the food was great, tour manager was great. It was expensive but worth it.

@Myfridgeiscool what sort of ages were the other people? I've been thinking of doing that for my 50th birthday but DH says the trip will be full of people who are 70+.

If it's train travel in Europe, I'd definitely organise it myself. You could copy the itinerary. www.seat61.com has loads of information on routes, how to book etc.

My friend and husband have done loads as they don't want to fly anywhere. Recently did Spain and loved it.

Never heard any complaints about anything from them, always really enjoyed the trips.

@MinnieMountain I was the youngest, average age was late 50s I guess. I met some great new friends.

Thank you all - appreciate the feedback. Think I’ll go for it as whilst I’ve no doubt I could probably do it cheaper @importantupdate, the effort involved is more than I could be bothered with!

Thanks all!