Embrace the thrill and immersion of rail travel

01 July 2024

The best holidays are about more than just reaching your destination—they’re about the incredible moments you experience along the way. This is why we’re so thrilled to share some fabulous new rail tours that allow you to meet the locals, soak up the scenery, and arrive at the heart of the action - the kind of meaningful, immersive, slow travel holiday we at Travel Counsellors love.

Embrace the thrill and immersion of rail travel

Japan - Land of the Rising Sun

The 60th anniversary of Japan’s Shinkansen network makes this a great year to finally head East and experience the wonders of the world’s first bullet train. You’ll also get a taste of more modestly paced trains on this 13-day trip, getting you under the skin of this enigmatic country. Highlights include exploring traditional culture in Edo-period Takayama, visiting a folk village, touring a 600-year-old market, and tasting the products of a sake brewery.

Scenic Vietnam

Vietnam’s North-South railway line was built in 1899 and is sometimes called the Reunification Express for its symbolic role in reconnecting the North and South after the war. This tour includes overnight trips from Hanoi to Hue and Quy Nhon to Ho Chi Minh City over 15 incredible days in this mesmerising country – which also include homestays in the Mekong Delta and Da Bac and a vegetarian feast at a Buddhist monastery.

Express to the Orient: Paris to Istanbul

Taking you right back in time, this 15-day trip uses local trains to follow the original Orient Express train route from Paris to Budapest, before following the historic Simplon-Orient-Express route from Belgrade to Istanbul. Along the way, you’ll get the chance to immerse yourself in a whole host of local experiences, including a traditional Serbian lunch, a visit to Buda Castle, and leisurely hours enjoying Budapest’s and Vienna’s coffeehouse culture.

Paris to Rome by Rail

This journey ties together the bustling, history-drenched centres of two of Europe’s most epic cities while making scenic stop-offs along the way, including in Lucerne, where you can take the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to the peak of Mount Pilatus. You will also get to ride the Gotthard Panorama Express train from Lucerne to Bellinzona and see the mighty Alps from lots of different angles.

Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure

One for those looking for a truly remote rail experience, this once-in-a-lifetime spectacular takes in the sweeping grasslands of Mongolia, the dunes of the Gobi Desert, and the vast steppes of Khustai National Park. You’ll take a deep dive into Inner Mongolia and spend a night in a desert camp before experiencing the dazzling lights of Beijing and a bullet-train ride to Chifeng.

To book your train adventure or for more information about other rail holidays, call your Travel Counsellor today.

Why Mare Ayia Napa Is a dream for food lovers

02 July 2026

For many travellers, great food is what turns a good holiday into a memorable one, and Mare Ayia Napa has made dining one of the standout parts of the experience. Set on Cyprus' south-east coast, just minutes from Cape Greco National Forest Park and the lively centre of Ayia Napa, this beachfront resort pairs relaxed Mediterranean living with an impressive variety of places to eat and drink. With eight restaurants, five bars, international branded beverages, and an all-inclusive package that goes well beyond the expected, there's always something different to look forward to. Even your arrival feels considered, thanks to a stocked mini fridge waiting in your room.

Why California is the perfect USA holiday for every type of traveller

26 June 2026

California has a habit of exceeding expectations. Many people picture the Hollywood Sign, the Golden Gate Bridge, or palm-lined beaches, but there's far more to the Golden State than its famous landmarks. Stretching for almost 900 miles along the Pacific Coast, California is one of the most diverse destinations in the USA. Within a single trip, you can drive spectacular coastal roads, hike through ancient forests, sip wine in world-famous vineyards, visit iconic cities, or spend time in national parks that feel a world away from everyday life.

Travel Counsellors explore the best of New Zealand

22 June 2026

New Zealand packs an extraordinary amount into a relatively small corner of the world. From island vineyards and geothermal landscapes to glacier-fed lakes and dramatic alpine scenery, every region feels different from the last. On a recent trip, some of our Travel Counsellors travelled from Auckland in the North Island to Lake Tekapo in the South Island, experiencing some of the country's most iconic sights and gaining first-hand insight into what makes a journey through Aotearoa so special.