Great Rail Journeys

[http://www.greatrail.com Great Rail Journeys] is the United Kingdom’s market leading tour operator for escorted holidays by rail. Based in the centre of York, the company provides European and Worldwide holidays to customers throughout the UK. Great Rail Journeys is ABTA bonded and a member of AITO, the association of Independent Tour Operators.

History

British Rail employees Ian Macbeth and Howard Trinder began the company in the mid-1980s as "Mac's Tours" organising holidays on a semi-formal basis in Europe and beyond for fellow employees - British Rail staff at the time were entitled to many discounts on foreign rail travel.

On leaving British Rail, Macbeth and Trinder, who had a personal passion for train travel decided to launch the company as a tour operator, keeping the name "Mac's Tours" but producing more professional brochures and organising more purely tourist itineraries than ones aimed at rail enthusiasts. Over the years the company's product has moved steadily more upmarket.

The name "Great Rail Journeys" was adopted in 1994. In 2004 Great Rail Journeys was a founder member of the Amber Travel Partnership with independent specialist tour operator, Inntravel. The group was formed with the view to bringing further like-minded owner-managed travel brands into the group. Greece specialists Filoxenia joined the group shortly afterwards.

In 2005, the Amber Travel Partnership, including Great Rail Journeys, was acquired by the independent private equity firm, Primary Capital and new directors Steve Kimber (Managing Director) and David Gaster (Commercial Director) were appointed. [http://archive.yorkpress.co.uk/2004/5/6/247649.html York Press article] .

In 2006, Great Rail Journeys launched a new subsidiary website, [http://www.railselect.com railselect.com] , which organises individual tours rather than the group travel that forms the main part of Great Rail Journeys' product.

In February 2008 Inntravel was sold to Inghams Travel.

Tours

Great Rail Journeys currently organises over 1,100 departures a year on around 130 different itineraries. The majority of the itineraries are within Europe, though every year the range of holidays increases and now includes tours all over the world including Africa, Asia, Australasia and North America.

Signature Great Rail Journeys tours include [http://www.greatrail.com/holiday.asp?holiday=412 The Trans-Siberian Express] ; [http://www.greatrail.com/holiday.asp?holiday=519 The Glacier Express] ; [http://www.greatrail.com/holiday.asp?holiday=530 USA Coast to Coast] ; [http://www.greatrail.com/holiday.asp?holiday=531 India’s Place on Wheels] ; [http://www.greatrail.com/holiday.asp?holiday=538 The Marrakech Express] and [http://www.greatrail.com/holiday.asp?holiday=543 The Arctic Circle Express]

The expansion of Europe’s high speed rail network coupled with the growing demand for using less environmentally damaging forms of transport has had a significant impact on the ‘holiday by rail’ market. People have become increasingly aware of the concept of ‘responsible tourism’ and are recognising the environmental advantages of rail travel over other forms of transport. Travellers tired of the negative effects of flying, such as airports which are beset with long check-in queues, cramped conditions on board flights and baggage congestion issues, recognise these problems are avoided on a train.

On a Great Rail Journeys tour the journey becomes a delightful part of the holiday experience. From the comfort of their seat travellers can sit back and watch the world go by as they are whisked across the continent on the high speed rail network or as they meander along a scenic mountain railway. A holiday by rail offers a startlingly different perspective to the world and one which cannot be experienced from 35,000 feet.

Product developments for the 2007-2008 season included the launch of a [http://www.greatrail.com/cruises_journeys.asp ‘Cruising Holidays by Rail’] brochure – combining a rail journey with a sea or river cruise. Great Rail Journeys is also developing a range of [http://www.greatrail.com/special_interest.asp ‘Special Interest Tours’] featuring walking tours, holidays for single travellers and visits to Viennese Balls and Europe’s major Carnivals.

The 2008-2009 season will see the introduction of a number of new tours including a classic 16-day [http://www.greatrail.com/holiday.asp?holiday=535 South Africa tour] – on board one of the world’s most luxurious trains, a 14-day musical adventure through [http://www.greatrail.com/holiday.asp?holiday=534 America’s Deep South] , a 13-day [http://www.greatrail.com/holiday.asp?holiday=532 India’s Golden Triangle tour] , three new [http://www.greatrail.com/north_america.asp Canadian holidays] ,a [http://www.greatrail.com/holiday.asp?holiday=542 Norwegian Coastal Adventure] which sails through the Arctic Circle to Europe’s most northerly point and a Scottish [http://www.greatrail.com/holiday.asp?holiday=558 Lochs and Islands Cruise] .

The product offered varies in its detail from one itinerary to another, but the following elements are common to all:

*Group travel, accompanied by a professional Tour Manager to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Group size varies but is typically between 35 and 45.
*Rail travel (First Class on the majority of tours) where possible, except where the needs of the group would better be served by using an alternative method of transport - for instance, using a coach instead to allow more stops en route or a more scenic route where the railway line does not run.
*Inclusive arrangements - hotel accommodation is generally on a bed & breakfast basis, numerous meals, excursions and tours are also included in the price.
*Customers normally stay in hotels en route and at their destination, although on some ‘Cruise Trains’ they do sleep on board the train.
*Travel commences by rail from St Pancras International (except for long haul holidays).

Growing Popularity

Great Rail Journeys has seen an increase in bookings for a number of reasons including:

*A more environmentally friendly way to travel - using rail travel to minimise customers’ carbon footprint. Wherever possible rail travel is the means of reaching the destination, and the excursions during the holiday are also by scenic or vintage rail.
*Friendly, professional Tour Managers.
*First Class rail on the majority of tours.
*Excursions are included.
*A careful balance of arranged activities tours – with local guides to gain a real insight into culture and history, and free time to explore.
*Social aspects - a more relaxing way to travel, enjoy the scenery from the comfort of the train and chat with fellow passengers.
*The new fast rail link from St Pancras International means easier and quicker access to the continent.

Environmental Policy

Great Rail Journeys is ABTA and ATOL-bonded and a member of AITO, which has awarded the company two-star status within its Responsible Tourism programme.

As part of the company’s commitment to reducing the effect of rail travel on our environment, it has pledged £10,000 to Climate Care, its chosen Carbon Offset Partner. These funds will directly support one of Climate Care’s projects.

The company pledges to offset the carbon emissions generated by the air travel of its Tour Managers, plus the emissions generated by the business air travel of its office staff whilst researching holidays. Customers can offset their CO2 emissions using the company’s preferred Offset Partner, Climate Care.

External links

* [http://www.greatrail.com www.greatrail.com]
* [http://www.railselect.com www.railselect.com]
* [http://www.travelmail.co.uk/travel/Austria/From-Hitler-s-eyrie-to-Mozart-s-home-town.html?article_id=40094 Daily Mail From Hitler's eyrie to Mozart's home town]
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/destinations/italy/article3931004.ece The Times To Rome By Rail]