Latest news with #VacationsByRail
Forbes
11 hours ago
- Forbes
Where To Go: Amazing Tours For Solo Travelers
Scotland is one of those destinations that you must see in person to truly experience. Just because you don't have someone to travel with, doesn't mean you shouldn't go at all. The world is full of incredible places to experience first-hand, from outdoor adventures to city escapes to serene and quiet vacations. Keep reading to learn about the best tours for solo travelers as well as tips for planning and what you should do once you arrive. The perfect time to visit is now. Experiencing the Scottish Highlands by rail is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Discover the incredible and indelible beauty of the Scottish highlands, full of lochs, glens, castles and fluffy highland cows and sheep on a journey with Vacations by Rail. You'll be well taken care of as a professional tour guide leads you through the nine-day Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands tour. Highlights of this once-in-a-lifetime tour include rides on the Jacobite Steam Train, or the 'Hogwarts Express', as it crosses the stunning 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct; Kyle Line, a lovely route that begins in Inverness and snakes through the rugged and verdant landscape; and West Highland Line, which has the most isolated train station in the UK, where you'll travel from Glasgow to Fort William. Beyond beautiful train crossings, you can expect this value-forward trip to also include a delightful cruise from Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle, a visit to the colorful chocolate-box village on the Isle of Mull, and a stop at the 13th-century well-preserved Eilean Donan Castle, located on a tiny island surrounded by Loch Duich. By the time you reach Edinburgh, at the end of the trip, your cameral roll will be jam packed with beautiful photos, and you'll have a lifetime of memories that you can sift through like multi-hued gems in your hand. A tour manager is included from start to finish. Once you arrive in Edinburgh, all of the logistics and planning will be taken care of. This local expert is always available should you need anything or want to ask questions to provide valuable context to what you're experiencing. Luggage transfers and all breakfasts are included as well. The views from the London Marriott Hotel County Hall are spectacular. There's much to experience in this massive city of nine million people, whether you want to see important historic landmarks like the Tower of London, a castle and former prison in the heart of the city, as well as the home to the famous Crown Jewels; Westminster Abbey, a gorgeous and looming Gothic church; Buckingham Palace, the home of the British monarch; St. Paul's Cathedral; or Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Best explored on foot, wear your comfy shoes (the Dillon Canvas shoes from Xero Shoes are a solid choice) and prepare to get your steps in. There's nothing more special than walking over the Victorian-era Tower Bridge or strolling around Kensington Palace and the British Museum. Located within walking distance to much of what London has to offer, the historic London Marriott Hotel County Hall, next to The London Eye, is perfect for you home-away-from-home. Gareth Walker, The Library restaurant manager at the hotel, is also a celebrated graffiti artist who offers masterclass opportunities for guests at Leake Street Arches, a former railway tunnel beneath Waterloo Station. 'I run the afternoon tea here, which is very shocking to people as they see me in my suit serving afternoon tea, then by night in the grimy tunnel working my magic on the walls,' Walker says. 'Marriott have been very supportive on my journey.' Expect to see wildlife and glaciers on this tour through Alaska's Kenai Fjords. One of the most diverse national parks in the US in terms of wildlife viewing is Kenai Fjords National Park. Hugging the south-central Alaska coast, just over two hours south of Anchorage, this national park is home to a wide range of marine wildlife: humpback, gray, and orca whales; sea otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and Dall's porpoise; and a plethora of bird species including horned and tufted puffins, cormorants, and eagles. And, yes, big ole land mammals live here too: black and brown bears, moose, mountain goats, and porcupines, among other woodland creatures. For a one-stop-shop planning and logistics juggernaut, look no further than Pursuit, leaders in curating exclusive one-of-a-kind wilderness experiences in Alaska and beyond. You'll begin your adventure at Windsong Lodge in Seward, your gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, before heading to Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge, located on the remote and rugged Fox Island. Kenai Fjords Tours will deliver you safely across Resurrection Bay, a 12-mile journey from Seward—the only way to reach the island. For a two or three-night stay, you'll be treated to delectable meals, a sweat session in the dry barrel sauna, a hike through the weathered forest to a panoramic look out, and a kayaking adventure like no other. Enjoy private waterfront cabin accommodations, with views of either Halibut Cove or the lagoon. You'll love searching for heart-shaped rocks on the beach and harbor seal noses poking out of the water. When you've finished your stay, you'll get the ride of your life as you see an abundance of wildlife and flora as well as glaciers on an educational cruise with Kenai Fjords Tours, operating since 1978. This multi-hour tour is led by a professional captain who will narrate the entire tour, giving you indispensable context and information for what you're seeing and experiencing. Be prepared for outdoor adventure by packing weather appropriate clothing—layers are key. From warm base layers to rain jackets to study footwear to clothing you can move in, check out new styles from Cotopaxi, Helly Hansen, Arc'Teryx, prAna, or Danner.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GREAT RAIL JOURNEYS, PARENT COMPANY OF US-BASED VACATIONS BY RAIL®, ACQUIRED BY VITRUVIAN PARTNERS AS POPULARITY OF RAIL TRAVEL CONTINUES TO SKYROCKET
CHICAGO, May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Great Rail Journeys, a leading provider of luxury tours serving over 40 countries globally, announced that it has been acquired by UK-based private equity firm Vitruvian Partners. Great Rail Journeys is the parent company of Chicago based Vacations By Rail®, North America's premier small group and independent tour operator and trusted authority on rail. The acquisition will see the departure of previous investors Duke Street Capital, and the current management team, led by Great Rail Journeys' CEO Dave Riley, will remain. Great Rail Journeys was founded in York, England in 1973 as a family-run business focused on rail tours for UK travelers in the UK and Europe and grew to its current position of offering more than 400 itineraries around the world and becoming the global provider of premium experience-led travel. In 2019, it acquired Vacations by Rail to tap into the growing United States travel interest. "We have tripled the size of our US business, achieved market leading growth in the UK, and grown beyond rail with the addition of European river cruises and wider land touring program. For more than 50 years, we have set the standard in tours for both new and returning customers, and I am excited about the next chapter of our journey. I look forward to working with Vitruvian to deliver on our growth ambitions," said Riley. Vitruvian Partners is a global investor in the travel and travel tech sector, with current investments including Travel Counsellors, Sykes Cottages, Civitatis, Klook and OAG, in addition to prior investments in Skyscanner and JacTravel. Ben Johnson, partner at Vitruvian Partners, said, "We are excited to partner with Dave and his team and share their ambition for the company to become the global market leader in escorted travel for those who enjoy discovering magical destinations by rail and river." Liz Owens, SVP & General Manager of Vacations By Rail said, "Today marks a momentous next step for our company. Our business has been through an impressive growth transformation in recent years. This acquisition supports our long-term objectives and ensures our shared commitment towards giving our customers the best travel experience possible." The Great Rail Journeys family of brands has grown transactional values by extending its range of tours. The US acquisition of Vacations By Rail will enhance the company's more than 50 years of experience as a global tour operator. This acquisition by Vitruvian Partners will further the momentum seen across the UK and US markets. For more information on Vacations By Rail or the Great Rail Journeys family of brands, please visit and visit the About Us section. About Vacations by Rail® Vacations By Rail® is a premier small group and independent tour operator and the trusted authority on rail. Vacations By Rail offers adventurers a complete range of itineraries, including the largest selection of independent rail vacations, escorted rail tours, and rail and cruise vacations. Vacations By Rail is part of UK-based Great Rail Journeys, an award-winning tour operator with 50 years of experience designing global train vacations. The Great Rail Journeys family of brands, which also includes Rail Discoveries, is backed by Duke Street Private Equity. For additional information on Vacations By Rail and its collection of rail tours, visit About Great Rail Journeys With more than five decades of experience, York-based Great Rail Journeys Ltd offers over 400 itineraries to destinations all around the globe. Great Rail Journeys caters for a growing demographic group of culturally interested 55+ year-old travellers who typically prioritise travel spend within their household budgets. Popular escorted itineraries include witnessing the Swiss Alps from the Glacier Express, exploring the Scottish Highlands onboard the Jacobite steam train, and discovering India's Golden Triangle on the luxurious Maharaja's Express. Since 2018, Great Rail Journeys has expanded its offering to include European river cruises. For more information, please visit About Vitruvian Partners Vitruvian Partners is a global growth-focused investor with offices across London, Stockholm, Munich, Madrid, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Singapore, Shanghai, Miami, and San Francisco. Vitruvian focuses on dynamic situations characterised by rapid growth and change across asset-light industries. Vitruvian has over $20 billion of active funds which have backed many global winners and leaders in their sectors, including Just Eat, EasyPark, Trustpilot, Skyscanner, Wise, Global-e, CFC, Darktrace, and Bitdefender. For more information, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Vacations by Rail Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
