With certain rail routes up 150% in enquiries, translating to a 64% booking increase year-on-year, Fred. Holidays has expanded its rail range with new options in Italy, Morocco, Spain and Switzerland
Sally Barlow, Fred. Holidays' rail product manager, iterated, "We keep an eye on the destinations where our customers want to go and listen to their feedback regarding how they get there and what they want to do when they arrive.
"As a result, we have expanded our product offering with a collection of brand new rail tours for Europe and beyond that offer alternative options to the classic experiences."
Italy rail holiday enquiries have doubled against last year, with a trio of new options hoping to cater to those unconverted enquiries.
'Rome, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast Fly-Rail' is a seven-night trip beginning with two nights in Rome, rail travel to Naples, and five nights in Sorrento. Prices, with return flights, lead in from £1,259 per person. 'Italian & French Riviera with Cinque Terre by Rail' is a no-flight option, beginning in the UK before two nights in Nice, four nights in La Spezia, and one night in Chambéry. Prices lead in from £1,499 per person. 'Grand Tour of Italy: Sorrento by Rail via The Alps' caps out the new Italian additions; the 14-night itinerary includes rail travel from London to Lucerne and onwards, with a journey aboard the Gottard Panorama Express through the Alps en route from £2,999 per person.
A few enquiries for Morocco have encouraged the brand to introduce 'Five-Star Morocco by Rail', a 12-night option beginning in Barcelona and traversing Cordoba, Tangier, Rabat, Fez, Casablanca and concluding in Marrakesh from £3,999 per person.
Spain is up 30% year on year, so 'Alicante by Rail' sees the introduction of Costa Blanca railway packages with a seven-night trip ticking off Barcelona and Alicante from £1,699 per person.
Switzerland has seen enquiries up 150%, with 'GoldenPass Express Fly-Rail', a four-night trip with a journey on the newest addition to the Montreux Oberland Bernois rail network, joining the fray from £899 per person. 'Lake Lucerne & Lugano via the Gotthard Panorama Express', a five-night no-fly option, includes return rail travel from the UK, two nights in Lucerne, and three nights in Lugano from £1,199 per person.
