8 things I've learned by booking rail holidays for my clients
1. Plan with a purpose
Start with why. Is there an event or experience your clients are looking for, are they trying to see more of a region, or simply avoiding the pain of airport queues and potential delays? Understanding the 'why' helps narrow down the options and add those unique experiences that will make your service stand out.
Whilst planning a solar eclipse trip recently, I suggested travelling by rail. Bringing a new dimension to the trip, rail would allow them to see more of Europe, interacting with locals along the way. Their tour was all about experiences and they were delighted with the suggestion, even more so because they hadn't considered it.
The Rocky Mountaineer was the highlight of my clients' tour of British Colombia. It wasn't on their to-do list, but as soon as we talked about the huge windows and stunning scenery they were sold. They still talk about it now: 'The scenery left us speechless, and the entire experience felt world-class.'
2. Leave some wriggle room
When it comes to day plans, less is more. I thought I had the perfect itinerary for my client, until with a month's notice, I learned the direct train from Paris to Zurich wasn't running and his journey would take over 12 hours. I'd crammed too much into one day, assuming everything would run smoothly. It was a stressful couple of hours, but by adding a night in Geneva en-route we were able mitigate the delays. Fortunately, it didn't cost extra, and the client was relieved I'd found a work-around for him. It was a great lesson that rail travel should be enjoyed slowly. Moving forwards, I'll keep journeys to a half day where possible and including more two-night stays to provide the wriggle room needed when things don't go to plan.
3. Offer upgrades – they are cheaper than you think
It's surprisingly good value to upgrade from second to first class on several European rail routes. I'd arranged a scenic trip taking in Berlin, Prague and Vienna and included upgraded journeys between Brussels and Cologne. The clients were thrilled with the unexpected upgrade. It's all part of a unique journey and a story to tell when they get home.
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Daily Mail
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Netflix star goes on 180-hour journey to tiny Greek island to eat his favourite ice cream
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Telegraph
21 minutes ago
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After scouring forums and cruise blogs for the best family-friendly cruises, I landed a deal that would make even Martin Lewis jealous — a seven-night Caribbean cruise. And the cost to take Mia on this holiday of a lifetime? Just £150. The cruise, in October 2024, was on Carnival Mardi Gras and the bargain price was due to her being the third person in our cabin. For the two of us, we paid £850 each for a seven nights sailing in a balcony cabin, bringing the total to £1,850 — plus £250 in pre-paid gratuities, which are expected on cruise ships. It would have been cheaper still if we had opted for the interior cabin, costing just £1400. I went on my first Disney cruise with classy champagne bars, watercoasters and West End-style shows These prices included all-inclusive meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's also worth noting that the cruise price stays the same in school holidays, so parents with school-aged kids can also snap up a great deal. 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I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, Mia or us, but we all loved it so much that we're doing it all again this year for two weeks. This time, we'll be departing from New York and cruising around the British Virgin Islands. Mia is one year older but we can still take advantage of the brilliant deal. It's still just £150 a week for her - and so much fun as a family. I'd recommend it to anyone.
