Slow and Steady

Source: Selling Travel {Main} Edition: Country: UK Date: Monday 1, March 2021 Page: 27,28,29 Area: 1552 sq. cm Circulation: Pub Stmt 14057 Monthly Ad data: page rate £3,750.00, scc rate £19.50 Phone: 020 8649 7233 Keyword: Bernina Express

A rail journey could offer nervous clients an attractive alternative to flying and make them rethink that post-Covid trip, says Ben Lerwill

n Switzerland, it pays not to rush. I'm having a coffee near the station in St I'm nosing through the south of Moritz and feeling the morning sun on Ithe country in a smart red train, my face. By early evening, having spent travelling at the speed of something the day being fed and watered in a plush stuck behind a tractor. This is a good window seat, I'm outside staring up at the thing. Alpine peaks and valleys are pyramidal perfection of the Matterhorn sliding past in slow-motion, their and savouring the high-altitude chill. proportions almost laughably gigantic. Here an icy-blue river frothing through Slow and steady a forest scene straight from Heidi, there a I'm far from the first to enjoy this green mountainside that seems to stretch spectacular A-to-B through the country's up to heaven itself. It's hard, in all honesty, mighty mountainscapes. It's now more to find viable adjectives to describe the than nine decades since the Glacier Express' view. For now, let's just stick with Swiss. inaugural journey in 1930, but as Covid The Glacier Express is one df Europe's restrictions hopefully continue to loosen, greatest rail journeys. On its seven-and-a- it's the sort of travel experience that looks half-hour trundle between St Moritz and set to gain fresh popularity. Zermatt, it passes through 91 tunnels, Numerous headlines have suggested crosses 291 bridges, and leaves you staring the pandemic could accelerate a shift of THE GLACIER EXPRESS PASSING THROUGH OBEBALPPASS in every direction at once. At breakfast, passengers from air to rail. Indeed, •

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• investment firm UBS estimates that It's worth pointing out, too, that rail- demand: Luxury Rail Journeys, UK Holidays there will be 800 more high-speed trains centred holidays can often incorporate and Cruise Extensions. The company has operating in Europe within a decade. any number of other traditional travel also launched a 'Pick Your Perk' campaign Tourist-focused rail itineraries will hold elements, from city tours and hotel breaks to encourage upgrades. appeal not only in terms of slow travel and to off-train excursions, and can even Over in North America, Rocky sustainability, but also because they make combine river cruises. Mountaineer is broadening its scope it relatively easy to stay socially distanced Predicting how our long-term travel by adding a new luxury rail trip in the while enjoying good food, shifting views habits might have been altered by the southwest US. Beginning in August, the and the all-important escapism that travel events of the past 12 months is a tricky 'Rockies to the Red Rocks' route will be a brings. And many such holidays, of course, business. However, it seems likely that two-day trip across Colorado and Utah. have the added benefit of embarkation rail holidays - which chime with the more In Russia, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains is here in the UK. reflective, unrushed type of travel that bringing in four new tours for 2022, with Julian Appleyard, Commercial Director at could become more prominent - are on two operated by steam. This summer Great Rail Journeys, says some travellers track for success. the company will be celebrating its 250th are definitely showing "airport apathy" and Trans-Siberian departure. seeking out flight-free holidays. What's new? In July 2022, Rovos Rail will introduce a "Rail journeys typically offer more space, 2021 is being officially 15-day expedition traversing Zimbabwe, fewer travellers and the distance between marketed as the European Year of Rail and Zambia, the Democratic Republic of you and other passengers is greater, Great Rail Journeys has tapped into the Congo (DRC) and Angola. The journey allowing people to remain as socially occasion by launching four new incorporates a three-day safari. distanced as possible," he says. continental tours, including one which "It also offers a relaxing, stress-free way combines a trip on the Glacier Express with Where lo book il to explore the world, providing views and a cruise along the River Danube. to GREAT RAIL JOURNEYS landscapes simply not possible by air." Another rail specialist, Ffestiniog 01904 527180 These points are echoed by Simon Travel, recently released its 2022 tour Lakes and Mountains of Switzerland & Hodge, Founder and Managing Director programme, with 23 tours already Italy, a new-for-2021 tour, combines a at Tailor Made Rail, who makes a further confirmed. They include a new Trams & journey on the Bernina Express with a observation: "For peace of mind, all Trains' itinerary in Italy, and a new tour in train through Lake Geneva's UNESCO- UK and other European operators use New Zealand. listed vineyards, as well as a scenic boat rigorous safety protocols, including regular Railbookers will imminently be launching trip. The 12-day holiday is priced from disinfecting of touch points on trains and new e-brochures for the UK market, with £2,895pp, based on a departure in June. social distancing," he explains. three additional titles in response to greatrail.com

Reproduced by Gorkana under licence from the NLA (newspapers), CLA (magazines), FT (Financial Times/ft.com) or other copyright owner. No further copying (including printing of digital cuttings), digital reproduction/forwarding of the cutting is permitted except under licence from the copyright owner. All FT content is copyright The Financial Times Ltd. Article Page 2 of 3 514981288 - RIABHA - A25628-1 Source: Selling Travel {Main} Edition: Country: UK Date: Monday 1, March 2021 Page: 27,28,29 Area: 1552 sq. cm Circulation: Pub Stmt 14057 Monthly Ad data: page rate £3,750.00, scc rate £19.50 Phone: 020 8649 7233 Keyword: Bernina Express

RAIL TRIPS TO REMEMBER

Vcnice-Simplon < service, but it has an observation car, The grande dame of onboard dining and sleeper cabins. luxury rail travel still has serious cachet. With a wide range of European journeys Vying with the planned for 2021 and 2022, it makes a •" Glacier Express for the title of the fine option for clients looking to Alps' greatest train journey, the Bernina "Rail journeys typically offer celebrate a special occasion. The Express runs between the Swiss towns of more space, fewer travellers London-Venice route is the classic Chur and Lugano, culminating close to and the distance between choice, but there are numerous the Italian border. The journey takes you and other passengers is alternatives, including the new Venice around four hours and panoramic cars greater, allowing people to Simplon-Orient-Express Grand Tour allow for unrestricted mountain views routes cross Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, from the highest railway in the Alps. remain as socially distanced and The Netherlands. as possible" Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Jacobite Steam Train: Travelling To most minds, this along the most scenic stretch of epic crossing of Siberia is the greatest Scotland's glorious West Highland Line train journey on the planet, stretching - and crossing the Harry Potter viaduct more than 9,000km from Moscow to - the Jacobite Steam Train can be a Vladivostok. There are cheaper options heavenly ride on a fine day. Journey out there, but the fully escorted private times between Fort William and the rail tours offered by Golden Eagle pride fishing port of Mallaig are around two themselves on first-class service. hours each way, so it's best seen as a day out rather than a holiday in itself. Australia is -w- a big, big country, and this This deeply upmarket train highlights the fact. enjoyable three-day jaunt across Named for the two oceans that bookend the U.S. will take clients from Chicago the route, the Indian Pacific travels from right across to the outskirts of San Perth on the west coast to Sydney on Francisco, crossing some of the the east. Clients can expect three nights countrys most impressive landscapes on board and some memorable off-train along the way. Utah, Nevada and excursions, including a stop off in THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER, CANADA California all pass by. Ifs not a luxury Adelaide, South Australia.