Steam train trips

The Yosemite Tour by Train from San Francisco takes you to Yosemite National Park by train. You will tour the Yosemite area by bus and tram. Box lunch is included.

Experience the perfect day trip from San Francisco to majestic Yosemite National Park via Amtrak's San Joaquin train and its luxury motor coach connection. Start your journey to Yosemite aboard a shuttle bus to the Emeryville Train Station. Board the train and wind through California's famous San Joaquin Valley, the "Fruit Basket of America".

At the Modesto Amtrak Train Station, board your motor coach, receive a box lunch, and continue with your sightseeing tour of Yosemite while enjoying the drive through the Gold Rush town of Mariposa.

Upon arrival in Yosemite Valley, you will board the "open air" tram tour with a Yosemite Park Ranger to "Inspiration Point" for a panoramic view of Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and more. At the end of the tour in Emeryville, our motor coach will meet and return you to your San Francisco hotel.

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Orient Express to London Paris Venice

Embark on the British Pullman at London's Victoria Station and travel through the Kentish countryside.

If you’re looking for hotels in London then try London hotels website where you can find a cheap hotel in London for your stay before setting off on your Orient Express rail trip.

After crossing the Channel board the blue and gold carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for your overnight journey throughout France and into Switzerland. Enjoy your day on board as the train travels through the towering Swiss Mountains and Austrian Alps before an early evening arrival in the magnificent city of Venice.

Highlights: 

Day 1 - As you board the gleaming carriages of the British Pullman train at London Victoria station, your steward will show you to your reserved seat. Sit back and enjoy a three-course lunch with wine and a glass of champagne as you travel throughout the Kentish countryside. After crossing the channel board the blue and gold carriages of the Continental Wagons-Lits.

Day 2 - You awake to the magnificent scenery of the Swiss Alps as breakfast is served in your compartment at a time to suit you. Spend the morning in the Bar Car chatting to fellow guests over coffee. While away the afternoon with a visit to the on board Boutique to purchase souvenirs, or relax in your compartment and admire passing scenery as the train travels through the Italian Dolomites. Later, afternoon tea is served in your compartment as you travel through the Brenner Pass.

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A nine day tour offering some of the most visually exotic sights by rail anywhere in Canada.

Here is an example schedule of the Golden Circle/Whistler tour: 

Day 1 Vancouver Arrival

You will be met on arrival at Vancouver International Airport and transferred to your downtown Vancouver accommodation.

Day 2 Vancouver to Whistler (Whistler accommodation), Glacier Dome Experience

Travel on board the Whistler Mountaineer Glacier Dome Experience from the coastal city of Vancouver to the resort town of Whistler (a great Whistler condo rental is here), renowned for outstanding skiing and year-round outdoor activities. Following your motor coach transfer from Downtown Vancouver, the Whistler Mountaineer takes you on a breathtaking rail journey through the stunning scenery of this "Sea to Sky" region.

Day 3 Whistler (Whistler lodging) to Quesnel, GoldLeaf Service

Travel on board the Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf Service style from the four-season mountain resort of Whistler to the charming rural town of Quesnel, the gateway to the North Cariboo. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley, to the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, and the Cariboo Plateau with its rolling hills and vast ranch lands. Highlights include the shorelines of Anderson Lake and glacial fed Seton Lake, sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon and Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world.

Day 4 Quesnel to Jasper, GoldLeaf Service

Your journey continues eastward today to the majestic Canadian Rockies and Jasper National Park. From Quesnel the Rocky Mountaineer follows the Fraser River north to the town of Prince George and then travels east through the forests of Northern British Columbia, home to plentiful wildlife including a large population of moose. Entering the Rocky Mountain Trench you are surrounded to the north by the steeply rising Rocky Mountains and to the south by the Cariboo Mountains. Continue climbing past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 metres (12,972 feet), and through the Yellowhead Pass into the province of Alberta. Your rail journey ends today on arrival in your overnight destination of Jasper. Overnight at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

Day 5 Jasper Sightseeing

All traveling in the Canadian Rockies is onboard a specially designed motor coach providing extra legroom and additional comfort. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

Day 6 Icefields Parkway Tour from Jasper to Lake Louise

Continue your trip through the Canadian Rockies traveling along one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway. Among the highlights are Crowfoot Glacier, Peyto Lake, the Columbia Icefield, Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle and it is here that you will ride an Ice Explorer to the middle of Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. T

Day 7 Lake Louise to Banff

Enjoy a full-day tour of Yoho and Banff National Parks. Begin your morning in Yoho Park visiting the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural Rock Bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. 

Day 8 Banff to Kamloops, GoldLeaf Service

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain town of Banff to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia's interior. Your journey offers you a spectacular range of scenery as you travel between the high peaks of the Canadian Rockies, over mountain passes and through remarkable tunnels, along rocky lakeshores and across the ranchlands of the interior. Today's highlights include the Continental Divide, the Spiral Tunnels a remarkable feat of railroad engineering, the Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers Pass, Craigellachie where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven and of course the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. 

Day 9 Kamloops to Vancouver, GoldLeaf Service

Your journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. On today's journey you will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the interior, through winding river canyons and forests surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains to the lush green fields of the Fraser River Valley. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Overnight at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

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An exciting overland journey travelling by First Class rail through France, Spain and the wonderful rural landscapes of Morocco to the Imperial cities.

Day 1 Friday - London to Madrid
Depart London Waterloo at about 1330 by Eurostar for Paris (find a London hotel), with lunch served on board. After crossing Paris by coach, join the Francisco de Goya hotel train for the overnight journey to Madrid.

Day 2 - Madrid
On arrival in Madrid (Spanish hotels), we transfer to the Nacional Hotel (4 star) for a two-night stay. Today's sightseeing includes the Plaza Mayor, the Prado Museum and the magnificent Royal Palace.

Day 3 - Free day in Madrid
Take time to explore Spain's capital with a stroll through the medieval quarter or perhaps enjoy the excellent shopping in Gran Vía and the Salamanca district.

Day 4 - By train to Ronda
We take the train south from Madrid to the wonderfully unspoilt town of Ronda, set in the heart of Andalucía. Your afternoon is free to stroll through this beautiful town and soak up the wonderful atmosphere.

Day 5 - Ronda
This morning's sightseeing tour includes a visit to the Plaza de Toros, the oldest bullring in Spain, as well as the Mondragon Palace, Iglesia Santa Maria la Mayor, and the Puente Nuevo, the bridge over Ronda's famous gorge. 

Day 6 - To Morocco
Our journey continues southwards to Algeciras, where we board the ferry and cross the Straits of Gibraltar. On arrival in Tangiers we have lunch at a restaurant overlooking the beach, before transferring to our hotel for one night, the El Minzah (5 star), situated close to the Medina. 

Day 7 - Tangiers to Rabat
This morning we continue our sightseeing tour of Tangiers, with a visit to Hercules' Caves on the Atlantic Coast. We later board the train for Rabat, arriving early evening after a scenic journey past primitive settlements set amongst rich farmlands.

Day 8 - Rabat and Casablanca
Our morning tour of Rabat includes a visit to the old medina, the Royal Palace of Hassan II and the Kasbah des Oudaïa. We continue to Casablanca, passing the immense Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco.

Day 9 - The Marrakech Express
We depart Rabat in the morning by train and travel inland towards the Atlas mountains and the red rose oasis of Marrakech.  Sightseeing this afternoon includes the magical Jamaa El Fna Square, an ancient meeting point for entertainers, dancers, acrobats, soothsayers, snake charmers and traders.

Day 10 - Exploring Marrakech
Today we discover this captivating city's ramparts, minarets, tranquil gardens and the souks of the medina. Our evening is spent sampling Moroccan cuisine and enjoying a folklore show.

Day 11 - The Atlas Mountains
We learn about the Berber people during a fascinating excursion into the Atlas Mountains which includes a visit to a typical Berber home and the local market where you have the opportunity to buy Berber handcrafts.

 
Day 12 - North to Fez
Today we travel through remote regions, major cities and rural landscapes before climbing into the middle Atlas Mountains to Fez. Situated about the old medina of Fez, the hotel boasts views which have changed little since biblical times.

Day 13 - Sightseeing in Fez
A sightseeing tour of the old guilds, fortifications, souks and spice market reveals an intriguing city where life continues much as it did in medieval times. 

Day 14 - To Roman Volubilis and Meknes
A full day excursion takes us to Volubilis, Morocco's most impressive Roman ruins with fine examples of temples, mosaics and baths, before moving on to the Imperial city of Meknes.

Day 15 Friday - Fez to London
We transfer to the airport in Fez for our return flight to London Heathrow (London hotels), arriving mid-afternoon.

Return by rail option

As an alternative to the flight home from Fez, you may prefer to return from Morocco by rail, enjoying a two-night stay in beautiful Seville along the way.

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Discover Aotearoa/New Zealand’s diverse environment, its unique culture and stunning natural beauty … in a most relaxed way – by historic steam train.

Great New Zealand Steam Journeys invites you to spend our summer gliding through our country with a steam adventure and enjoy the romance and nostalgia with fellow travellers.

Watch the whisps of smoke drift by as you pass through the “Lord of the Rings” scenery and let the motion stimulate the emotion of a bygone era!

Example six day steam train trip

Sunday/Monday: Auckland 

We welcome you with a special dinner on Sunday night and a half day sightseeing tour the next morning (cheap hotels in Christchurch and cheap hotels in Wellington). You’ll have two days to enjoy New Zealand ’s largest city. This subtropical multicultural city has a great deal to offer visitors and we have lots of optional activities for you to choose from:

Cruise on the Hauraki Gulf or Sail an America ’s Cup yacht. Take a sightseeing tour, see a Maori Cultural Experience, visit a winery or museum or take advantage of our overnight excursions to the beautiful Bay of Islands or the Thermal Wonderland of Rotorua.

Tuesday: Your Steam Journey Begins: Auckland – Tongariro National Park

We’ll depart from Auckland’s historic old Railway station and travel south via the Auckland waterfront, through the fertile farmland of the Waikato. We’ll follow the mighty Waikato River to Waitomo, where you can visit live Kiwis or tour the incredible limestone formations of the Waitomo Caves. 

Then we’ll follow the Main Trunk Line through the King Country before travelling up one of New Zealand’s most impressive engineering feats: the Raurimu Spiral. We traverse the Central Volcanic Plateau affording magnificent views of the three volcanoes used to portray Mordor and Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings movies. 

Wednesday: Tongariro National Park to Palmerston North 

In the morning drive to the ski town of Ohakune, or you can take the optional spectacular flight over the mountains. Once on board the train, we’ll travel the many spectacular viaducts of the Rangitikei Valley before descending to the Manawatu.

Thursday: Palmerston North to Wellington via Wairarapa 

Today we’ll travel through the magnificent Manawatu Gorge before heading south across the Wairarapa region. It’s one of the country’s premier wine regions and you may choose to wander around the town of Masterton or you can take either the Martinborough Wine Trail tour or a Wairarapa Gardens Tour.

For railfans, we stop en route at the Pahiatua Railcar Museum and when we get to Masterton have an excursion to the Fell Museum home of the unique and historic locomotive that used to climb the very steep Rimutaka Incline using the “Fell” system.

Friday: Wellington 

On our final evening in Wellington (cheap hotels in Wellington) we’ll celebrate a very special dinner to farewell those leaving the North Island Steam Explorer and welcome those joining us for the South Island Steam Explorer. We will take a trip up the city’s historic cable car to Kelburn and have dinner at the top of the peak where you can take in the stunning views of Wellington harbour at sunset.

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