Whether you’d like to explore stunning springtime landscapes or soak up the scenery that summer brings, our rail holidays offer fantastic memories all year round. For those wishing to stay closer to home, our UK breaks feature heritage railways and iconic journeys in destinations such as the Lake District, Snowdonia National Park and the North Yorkshire Moors. Further afield, our European escapes showcase the best of Italy, Switzerland, Spain and many more incredible countries. With breathtaking beauty and spectacular sights guaranteed, there’s never been a better time to take to the tracks.
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Take a ride on four fabulous steam train journeys and enjoy a cruise on the beautiful Norfolk Broads. Experience the Bure Valley, Bittern Line, Poppy Line and the Mid Norfolk Railway, visiting Sandringham Estate and popular seaside towns along the way.
Experience the very best of Britain’s West Country on a journey through the most scenic landscapes of the Cotswolds and the Avon Valley. Travel along heritage railways, explore local market towns and enjoy a ride on the Bristol Packet Boat.
Discover the inspiration behind two of the world’s most famous artists on an historical journey through northern France. Visit the homes of Leonardo da Vinci and Claude Monet, head to the enchanting Palace of Versailles and explore the superb Château de Chenonceau.
Immerge yourself in the stunning scenery of lakes and mountains on this unforgettable journey through France and Switzerland. Travel on the magnificent Mont Blanc Express, see the mighty mountain itself from Geneva and explore Annecy – the Venice of the Alps.
Journey along some of the most picturesque railways in Europe and enjoy basking in the Mediterranean sun on this Corsica island adventure. Travel onboard the Little Trains of Corsica, staying in quaint mountain villages and the capital, Ajaccio, as you go.
Witness the staggering beauty of the Dolomites as you journey along hidden mountain railways and explore the dazzling lakes of Northern Italy. Traverse the Brenner Pass, ride one of the steepest funiculars in Europe and enjoy an unforgettable cruise across Lake Garda.
Experience the beauty of Sandringham Estate's gardens and take a nostalgiciac journey on a steam train. Explore the gardens and enjoy four different heritage railway experiences.
Explore the fascinating sights and rolling scenery of Yorkshire whilst embarking on classic steam journeys such as the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. Your holiday includes excursions such as Ripley Castle and a cruise on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
Begin your journey on the Eurostar, then continue by TGV through France and Italy, before reaching your base on tranquil Lake Orta. Visit the breathtaking Lake Maggiore, Locarno in Switzerland, stunning Lake Como, Lake Lugano and even explore trendy Milan.
Embark on an incredible journey through the heart of Spain and into North Africa, exploring bustling cities, colourful souks and magnificent mosques en route. You’ll visit Barcelona and Madrid before moving on to Tangier, Chefchaouen, Casablanca and Marrakech in Morocco.
This five-day tour sees you travelling on no less than five different railways along the beautiful Somerset and Devon coasts. Highlights include riding both the Dartmouth Steam Railway and river boat, plus experiencing the famous Lyton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway.
Enjoy the perfect blend of incredible rail journeys and invigorating countryside walks on an adventure through the Yorkshire Dales’ rolling hills. Visit the home of the Brontë sisters, ride on classic steam trains and traverse the Pennine Bridleway on foot.
Ride brightly-coloured trains and walk scenic trails through the beautiful, lesser-trodden corners of the Pyrenees. Journey on the likes of the Roses Express road train and the Núria Rack Railway and walk to Falconera, along the Refugees Trail and more.
Journey through the magnificent Lake District National Park, taking in breathtaking scenery from famous heritage railways whilst onboard classic steam engines. Enjoy a steam boat cruise on glistening Lake Windermere, as well as tours of beautiful country houses and gardens.
Experience 4 different trains, from the Roses Express road train to the Núria Valley Rack Railway, as you explore the French Pyrenees and Spain’s stunning Costa Brava. You’ll visit the famous Dalí Theatre-Museum in the popular town of Figueres too.
Venture into the depths of Transylvania and discover medieval cities, spellbinding castles and spectacular UNESCO World Heritage sites. Travel by steam train through the Vaser Valley and spend time discovering Romania’s capital, Bucharest.
Discover the delights of the Peak District on this enchanting break by rail. Join us as we journey back to a bygone era and experience preserved historic railways, restored to their former glory, offering a glimpse into times gone by.
Board the charming Kent & East Sussex and Bluebell railways and travel to the historic homes of Kent, discovering the stories behind Churchill’s Chartwell and Anne Boleyn’s Hever Castle.
Embark on a magnificent journey through Italy, exploring its breathtaking colourful coast as you go. Relax in the seaside resort of Diano Marina, visit San Remo’s hilltop villages and admire the pastel houses of Portofino.
Enjoy spectacular scenery with a rail journey to the summit of Mount Snowdon, visit the Italianate village of Portmeirion, and sit back and relax onboard the Welsh Highland Railway.
Recognised as one of the UK’s most stunning areas of natural beauty, the Peak District national park offers the perfect setting for our brand-new rail and walking tour. Take in the regions very best sights by train and on foot from the quaint village of Bakewell to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and the Chatsworth Estate.
Visit the tranquil Tudor Gwydir Castle, explore the gardens at Penrhyn, Plas Cadnant and Bodnant, stroll through the picturesque village of Beaumaris and take a train to Snowdon’s peak.
Join us as we enjoy 4 nights in the stylish mountain resort of Interlaken, our base from which we will experience 2 of Switzerland’s most glorious rail journeys.
Enter Portugal and experience the capital Lisbon, the authenticity of Porto, the magical Douro Valley and discover Portugal’s history and beauty.
See Italy’s most breathtaking and classic scenery on this unforgettable journey of discovery. Experience the very best of Tuscany, be wowed by the iconic clifftop villages of the Cinque Terre and relax and unwind in the sunkissed town of Diano Marina.
Transport yourself to a fairytale land as you discover the enchanting beauty of Lake Bled. Explore historical Ljubljana, traverse the Julian Alps, venture inside one of the largest caves in the world and relax in the coastal resort of Portoro.
What better way to explore the history of a destination, than to delve into the lives of the people who once lived there? This brand-new tour will take you on a journey through time, as we combine visits to some of Yorkshire’s great historic homes, with a spectacular steam train journey.
Come with us to Lucerne, one of the prettiest cities in Switzerland, and journey through the Rhine Gorge, Stanserhorn Mountain and Mount Pilatus by funicular rail, cogwheel rail and cable car.
Travel to England’s beautiful north-east – the birthplace of railways – for a fascinating journey through history. Ride on the South Tynedale Railway, visit Alnwick Castle, the open-air Beamish Museum, Bowes Railway Museum and enjoy a guided walk around the ancient city of Durham.
Carve a spectacular route through the heart of the Swiss Alps on this winter wonderland tour onboard the Glacier Express.
Join us on a festive holiday you’ll never forget as we journey into the heart of the snowy Swiss Alps onboard the iconic Glacier Express.
Join us on this delightful, five-day rail holiday as we explore the unique charms and natural wonders of the Isle of Man. Combine two magnificent rail journeys, one electric and one steam hauled with a visit to the capital of Douglas – a wonderful city with Victorian charm and stunning waterfront. With time to also explore Peel, Ramsey and Laxey, this is the perfect escape for those wanting to discover the Isle of Man.
Make your festive season one to remember on this magical holiday, with three remarkable rail journeys and a walking tour of Girona.
Here at Arena Travel we offer journeys on some of the most iconic railways in the whole world. From the Glacier Express, offering breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps, to the Poppyline, showcasing Norfolk's best scenery - there's an unforgettable journey to be had on any of our rail holidays.
Don’t be fooled by its name, the Glacier Express is not an ‘express’ train but a journey of discovery through some of Switzerland’s most breathtaking scenery. It is in fact the slowest express train in the world.
First opened in the year 1905, the GoldenPass Line is one of Switzerland’s most iconic rail routes, passing through some of the country’s most spectacular scenery on its 150km route.
Over 110 years old, the famous Mont Blanc Express has been travelling from St Gervais Le Fayet in France, all the way through the Chamonix Valley, and on into Martigny in Switzerland since 1908.
The 53km narrow gauge railway connects the Austrian towns of the upper Salzach Valley and travels from Zell am See through the Pinzgau mountains.
One of Europe’s steepest tracks with an 845 metre incline and a 64% gradient, the 2370 metre long Medola Mountain Pass Funicular is one of the most spectacular rail routes in the world – offering stunning views from the Italian Dolomites as it passes through woodland and mountainous terrain.
Linking the Swiss canton of Locarno with the Italian region of Domodossola, the narrow gauge Centovalli railway offers one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world.
With so much on offer, you might need some inspiration! We’ve hand-picked a selection of favourite destinations and provided an overview of the very best highlights...
Linking the Swiss canton of Locarno with the Italian region of Domodossola, the narrow gauge Centovalli railway offers one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world.
Crossing through Italy’s One Hundred Valleys, the journey will take you past glorious countryside, green vistas, tiny hilltop villages and over thrilling viaducts. It is the quickest way to get from Bern in Switzerland to the Italian Lake of Maggiore and has been in operation since 1925.
The Centovalli railway features on our Lake Maggiore & Borromean Islands tour.
Don’t be fooled by its name, the Glacier Express is not an ‘express’ train but a journey of discovery through some of Switzerland’s most breathtaking scenery. It is in fact the slowest express train in the world.
Passing over almost 300 bridges and through 91 tunnels, the train travels 291km from St Moritz to Zermatt. Its panoramic windows mean guests travelling aboard can truly embrace the views of the passing alpine meadows, mountain brooks, glacial peaks and sights such as the famous Landwasser Viaduct and the Overalp Pass. With the option to enjoy a delicious three course meal, which is served to you at your seat – surely there’s no better way to see Switzerland than on board the Glacier Express.
The Glacier Express features on four of our Swiss rail tours.
First opened in the year 1905, the GoldenPass Line is one of Switzerland’s most iconic rail routes, passing through some of the country’s most spectacular scenery on its 150km route.
Connecting central Switzerland with Lake Geneva, the entire route passes from Montreux to Lucerne and consists of three different trains – which you will have to hop on and off if you want to undertake the whole journey.
One lovely view follows another, and as you travel past lush green vistas, wooden chalets, cows grazing in flowery meadows and the crystal clear waters of Lake Geneva, you may start to think that the scenery was created specifically for the rail route – but we can assure you, it wasn’t.
The views are enhanced even further by the comfortable, classic Belle Epoque or modern panoramic carriages – which make taking in the views that little bit more special.
Take in Switzerland’s spectacular scenery aboard the GoldenPass Line on our Christmas & New Year Glacier Express Magic and Grand Swiss Railways, train holidays.
One of Europe’s steepest tracks with an 845 metre incline and a 64% gradient, the 2370 metre long Medola Mountain Pass Funicular is one of the most spectacular rail routes in the world – offering stunning views from the Italian Dolomites as it passes through woodland and mountainous terrain.
After 14 months of nonstop construction, the funicular railway was officially opened on the 3rd October 1903. Today the little train, that transports eager passengers up and down the Dolomites, is thriving, with thousands of visitors clambering aboard each year.
Surprisingly however, the train wasn’t always as popular with visitors as it is today.
Due to a low number of passengers, in 1916 the train was assigned to be used only for the purposes of the military and in 1933 it closed altogether.
Thankfully due to a resurgence in tourism after the Second World War and a new desire for adventure – the rail line was reopened in 1988 and after a revamp in 2009 it has not stopped growing in popularity.
See sights you’ve never seen before and travel to the top of the Dolomites on our Little Trains of the Dolomites rail tour.
Over 110 years old, the famous Mont Blanc Express has been travelling from St Gervais Le Fayet in France, all the way through the Chamonix Valley, and on into Martigny in Switzerland since 1908.
The mountain train crosses varied terrains as it travels from the wild Trient Gorge and ascends breath-taking heights as it reaches Chamonix. Travellers will then see waterfalls, shady forests and cosy hilltop villages before reaching the mighty Mont Blanc, Europe's highest peak.
See the mighty Mont Blanc by train on the Lake Annecy and the Mont Blanc Express rail tour.
The 53km narrow gauge railway connects the Austrian towns of the upper Salzach Valley and travels from Zell am See through the Pinzgau mountains.
Work began constructing the 121 year old Pinzgauer railway in 1896, when emperor Franz Josef agreed work on the rail line could commence, and two years later, the route was complete with the first journey taking place in 1898.
Today the train chugs along at a steady pace of 43mph, transporting around 900,000 passengers a year from Zell am See to one of Austria’s most popular tourist destinations – Krimml Falls.
Enjoy a spectacular journey and top it off with a visit to the stunning Krimml Falls on our Oberammergau Passion Play rail holiday.
First opened in 1887, The Poppy Line, also known as the North Norfolk Railway, is one of England’s most popular rail routes. Each year many people descend on the East coast from all over the country, to enjoy a journey on this scenic heritage railway.
The steam train, with its vintage carriages, offers a 10.5 mile round trip, running from Sheringham to Holt. It’s the best way to experience the delightful Norfolk scenery, as poppy fields and wooded hills offer a treat for the eyes. Each train station along the route also provides a unique history lesson and an atmosphere of a bygone age.
The Snowdon Mountain Railway began offering journeys from Llanberis, to the summit of Mount Snowdon, in the year 1896. It is a truly unique experience and offers some of the world’s most spectacular views.
The narrow gauge, rack and pinion mountain railway covers 7.53km and it is the only one of its kind available to the public in the UK. It is a 1085m climb to the summit and as the little steam train chugs along up the tracks it offers views of rocky valleys, rolling green hills and an abundance of wildlife to those onboard – before reaching the UK’s highest visitor centre, Hafod Eryri.
Way back in 1877, the people of Corsica decided that they'd had enough of travelling coast to coast, town to town by donkey or on horseback, and thus the idea to build a gauge railway was born.
It took 22 years and 20,000 labourers to build the single-track railway, which was all laid by hand - and possibly the cause of the distinctive wobble so many tourists and locals have come to love.
The line was finally complete in 1899 and the 232km long network serves 16 stations, with around ten journeys run throughout the day during the summer months, making it very easy to hop on and off and visit different locations across the island.
Even though “the boneshaker”, as it is often nicknamed, loudly clatters over uneven tracks, it is worth the occasional jostling for one of the most scenic train routes in the world.
The journey from Corte to Ajaccio is often said to be the most beautiful routes, with sights including the Vecchio viaduct, engineered by the one and only Gustav Eiffel and the Vizzavona Forest.
Taking over an hour to travel just 11 miles, the Vulkan Express is all about sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the ride. Travelling between Brohl and Engeln the line first opened in 1901 but it was forced to close in 1961 due to the dwindling freight services.
Luckily for us though, a group of rail enthusiasts appealed for it to be reopened as a tourist train, and in 1977 the Vulkan Express carried its first load of commercial passengers.
Passing volcanic rock formations and fairytale castles, it’s no surprise that the Vulkan Express remains a firm favourite with tourists to this day.
The Jaune railway, also known as the Yellow Train of the Pyrenees, first took to the tracks in the year 1910 after seven years of hard work.
The gauge railway runs from Villefranche-de-Conflent in Spain to Latour-de-Carol-Enveitg in the French Pyrenees. The route is 63km long and climbs up to a height of 1593m, making Latour-de-Carol-Enveitg the highest train station in Europe.
Its distinct bright yellow carriages are inspired by the yellow colour of the Catalan flag and you have a choice to sit within a closed cabin or trundle along on one of the train’s open cabins – allowing you to fully embrace the scenery.
Another interesting fact about the Jaune railway is that the train itself is electrically powered by hydro electric generators in the River Tet – making it totally environmentally friendly!
The journey is one of stunning scenery, as the train winds its way across viaducts running over steep ravines, meadows of wildflowers and through chasms – exhilarating!