
Local knowledge from expert travellers
29/10/2025 · By Tim Hall
Enhance your holiday with Great Rail Journeys as expert Tour Manager Tim Hall discusses how to get the most out a trip and uncover the places locals love.
Read moreWelcome to the new home for Rail Discoveries. Here at Great Rail Journeys, we are marking a significant milestone as we merge our two sister brands. All the same great tours are exclusively available here on our Great Rail Journeys website and will be called our Discoveries collection.
Our commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences is stronger than ever and we see this as an exciting new chapter. The knowledgeable Tour Managers, award-winning Customer Service team and transportation services you've come to trust with Rail Discoveries will continue seamlessly.
Our Rail Discoveries tours are still available and are Europe wide, but Great Rail Journeys doesn't stop there - discover the huge range now open to you, from the USA, to South Africa or Vietnam & Cambodia. Exploring the world by rail is our passion, and we can't wait to welcome you to one of our tours soon, whether it is cross continental, or close to home.
As always, our expert team in York is on hand, whether that is a tour you have booked, deciding on your next holiday with us or any other questions you may have.
Find out more with a free brochure and enjoy weekly travel inspiration and offers in our e-newsletter.










Experience Switzerland's most spectacular train journeys from a family-run hotel in the heart of the forested Albula Valley, including drinks with dinner each evening. Travel across the Swiss Alps and past enchanting glaciers to Italy on an UNESCO-listed line aboard the Bernina Express, before viewing the 'Swiss Grand Canyon' and incredible...





From the coastal town of Roses, discover the glistening Catalan coast and ride into the Pyrenees, taking in the stunning scenery of France and Spain on this relaxing holiday. Journey through peaceful landscapes on the Núria Valley Rack Railway and ride the Little Red Train from Rivesaltes to Axat in France's Pyrenean foothills. Explore...





Fly to and from the unspoilt toe of Italy to uncover the hidden beauty of Calabria from an all-inclusive hotel in coastal Tropea - regarded as one of Italy's most beautiful villages. Cruise to the volcanic island of Stromboli, the 'lighthouse of the Tyrrhenian Sea', to witness its colourful eruptions by night. Discover the timeless towns of...





Discover beautiful Bavaria on a GRJ All Inclusive tour of southern Germany's wonderful Romantic Road, featuring excursions to stunning locations, including the world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle - a fairytale fortress of piercing towers clinging to densely forested hills. On an exploration of one of Germany's most picturesque regions, ...





Explore the enchanting destinations of the Italian Riviera while based in Chiavari on the Ligurian Sea. Cruise to the Cinque Terre villages, clinging to towering cliffsides, and Portofino, a popular village set within a natural harbor. Uncover San Fruttuoso abbey, located on a beach in a peaceful cove, and delve into the history of Genoa,...





On a captivating holiday through Scotland, uncover the best of Edinburgh and the Highlands in a perfect blend of iconic railways, grand castles and breathtaking scenery. Take in the historic sights of Edinburgh and enjoy a nostalgic trip on the Jacobite steam train, widely considered to be one of the most scenic train journeys in the world...





Soak up the beauty, serenity and relaxed ambience of three of Italy's glorious lakes. Staying in a hotel on the peaceful shores of Lake Orta, quieter than its famed neighbours, we explore Como's lakeside towns of Bellagio and Menaggio during a cruise. Visiting Lake Maggiore, Italy's second largest lake, become immersed in the artistic history...





Uncover the delights of Arctic Norway and Sweden on a journey from Tromsø to Narvik and Kiruna. Discover the lives of Sámi people and their reindeer and travel across the wilderness into Swedish Lapland aboard the Ofoten Railway. Enjoy a sled ride through a winter wonderland hauled by enthusiastic huskies - one of the best ways to...





Travel through central Europe, visiting iconic landmarks from the time of vast empires. Uncover the timeless elegance of Vienna - the seat of the mighty Habsburg dynasty - and enjoy views of majestic palaces and grand, ornate buildings along the renowned Ringstrasse. Experience the medieval charm of the Czech capital, Prague, a magical...





Enjoy a six-day holiday to the charming Isle of Wight where half the island is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Based in Sandown, savour sweeping coastal views and easy access to the island's most iconic sights. Step back in time at Carisbrooke Castle and explore the elegant Osborne House, Queen Victoria's beloved retreat,...





Enjoy a holiday that captures the essence of Tuscany, travelling to and from the Tuscan spa town of Montecatini Terme by rail. This UNESCO World Heritage site is an ideal base for exploring this scenic and cultural region. From the grand Renaissance art and architecture of Florence to the fantastic shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and medieval...





Discover the fascinating cities of Prague, Vienna and Budapest, encountering their rich heritage of art, history and culture while visiting world-class castles, palaces and museums. Fly into Prague to experience the medieval charm of the Czech capital, a magical city of exquisite architecture. Continue by train to Vienna and uncover the...