Once-in-a-lifetime holidays

Journey's of a lifetime, wherever you're dreaming of exploring

Journeys of a Lifetime

The destination you've been eyeing up for years, that trip of a lifetime you've been promising yourself, a rail journey you've always wanted to experience - now's the time to rediscover your travel ambitions. This collection of highly-inclusive, unforgettable holidays really are journeys of a lifetime. So, let us take you on an epic rail holiday, where travelling in style and new adventures come as standard. Take the world-renowned Rocky Mountaineer across Canada's vast and dramatic landscapes or cross five African nations on the Pride of Africa. There's so much waiting for you to explore. Relax as our local experts guide you through breathtaking scenery, fascinating historical sites and authentic gastronomic experiences.

Excellent

19,527 reviews on

Find out more with a free brochure and enjoy weekly travel inspiration and offers in our e-newsletter.

Order brochure

Unforgettable experiences across the globe

Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa

Embark on an epic discovery of southern Africa and experience sensational luxury aboard Rovos Rail, travelling in beautifully restored wood-panelled coaches, watching the striking landscape unfold from your window with excellent onboard service.

The Maharajas' Express

Follow in the footsteps of royals while exploring India on the opulent Maharajas' Express, one of the world's most luxurious trains. Offering the ultimate in elegance and comfort, each cabin provides all the facilities you would expect from a luxury hotel.

Yala National Park

Enjoy expertly guided safaris in this expansive park of monsoon forests, arid plains and placid lagoons, with the chance to catch glimpses of elusive leopards - as well as other fascinating wildlife including elephants, crocodiles, mongooses and buffalo.

Jasper National Park

Set high in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper is surrounded by astonishing natural wonders including plunging waterfalls, hot springs and crystalline lakes. Journey through the Maligne Valley, visiting the otherworldly Maligne Canyon and glacial Maligne Lake.

Classic

Save £150pp

Grand Imperial Cities

(232 reviews)

2026MarAprMayJunJul...

Embrace the storied past of grand empires on this bestselling rail holiday. Starting amid Vienna's glorious Habsburg palaces and ornate architecture, enjoy a strudel-making show at Schönbrunn Palace with a tasting, before savouring the delights of Hungary's dignified capital, Budapest. Absorb panoramic views of the illuminated Parliament and...

View map

Save £150pp

12 days from

£2,449 pp

per person

View Details

Classic

Save up to £500pp

Grand Tour of Norway

(59 reviews)

2026MayJunJulAug

2027MayJunJulAug

Join us on a summertime journey across the length of Norway - from Oslo to the Arctic Circle. Travel on four of the country's world-renowned rail routes, the Flåm, Bergen, Nordland and Rauma railways and cruise across the Geirangerfjord, discovering otherworldly landscapes. On this top-rated tour of Norway's beautiful cities and the arctic...

View map

Save up to £500pp

13 days from

£4,349 pp £4,049 pp

per person

View Details

Classic

Save up to £500pp

Grand Tour of Norway & Sweden

(56 reviews)

2026MayJunJulAugSep

2027MayJunJulAugSep

Explore Norway's iconic mountains, glaciers and azure fjords, and discover Swedish Lapland's untamed wilderness on this epic holiday, packing in each and every one of the great Scandinavian rail experiences, crossing the Arctic Circle to the 'Land of the Midnight Sun'. Visiting an authentic Sámi village provides an insight into the traditions...

View map

Save up to £500pp

17 days from

£4,799 pp £4,499 pp

per person

View Details

Classic

Save up to £500pp

Grand Tour of Sri Lanka

(45 reviews)

2026MarOctNov

2027JanFebMarOctNov

Explore the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean' on a small-group tour of beautiful Sri Lanka. Uncover ancient monuments and captivating temples such as Sigiriya Lion Rock fortress, the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa, and an ornate temple said to contain one of Buddha's teeth on this unspoilt island of tropical forests and golden beaches. While...

View map

Save up to £500pp

15 days from

£3,599 pp £3,299 pp

per person

View Details

Classic

Canada & the Rocky Mountaineer train tour

Save up to £500pp

Wonders of Canada & Rocky Mountaineer

(80 reviews)

2026MayJulAugSepOct

2027MayJunJulAugSep

Delve into the remarkable landscapes of Canada on world-famous trains. Our exploration begins with a guided tour of beautiful Vancouver on the Pacific coast before we enjoy two daytime trips on the amazing Rocky Mountaineer to the astonishing Canadian Rockies. Based in gorgeous Banff and Jasper, we admire awe-inspiring Lake Louise and the...

View map

Save up to £500pp

14 days from

£6,499 pp £5,999 pp

per person

View Details

Classic

Save up to £500pp

Grand Tour of Japan

(40 reviews)

2026AprMaySepOct

2027MarAprMaySepOct

Explore Japan from top to toe on an epic overland expedition from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. Experience all Japan has to offer, while journeying on ultramodern bullet trains. Compare Sapporo's scenic setting to Tokyo's neon-lit streets, and discover this captivating country's history through its tranquil temples, delicate...

View map

Save up to £500pp

16 days from

£6,299 pp £5,799 pp

per person

View Details

Classic

Save up to £500pp

Grand Tour of New Zealand

(76 reviews)

2026MarOctNov

2027JanFebMarOctNov

Discover New Zealand's dynamic cities, extraordinary national parks, spectacular alpine mountains, glacial lakes and breathtaking Fiordland on this extensive tour of the North and South Islands. This epic adventure combines the greatest features of this wonderful country in one holiday: superb railways, incredible landscapes and the warm...

View map

Save up to £500pp

21 days from

£7,299 pp £6,799 pp

per person

View Details

Classic

Save up to £500pp

Grand Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia

(178 reviews)

2026MarAprSepOctNovDec

2027JanFebMarAprSep...

Discover the delights of Vietnam and Cambodia on this incredible grand tour, travelling from bustling Hanoi to the ancient temples of Siem Reap. Delight in the beauty of Ha Long Bay on an overnight cruise, and ride in a Violette cabin aboard the Reunification Express train along Vietnam's coast, visiting regal Hue and pretty Hoi An before ...

View map

Save up to £500pp

19 days from

£4,299 pp £3,999 pp

per person

View Details

Classic

Save £150pp

First-Class Mountaintops of Switzerland

(73 reviews)

2026AprMayJunSepOct

Enjoy having your head in the clouds while staying in a selection of Switzerland's best mountaintop hotels, all with sweeping views of mountains and lakes. The Belle Époque Grandhotel Giessbach on Lake Brienz is only accessible via boat and funicular railway, while Pilatus Kulm lies at the top of a mountain accessed by Europe's steepest...

View map

Save £150pp

9 days from

£4,449 pp £4,299 pp

per person

View Details

Classic

Treasures of Egypt and 5-Star Nile Cruise

Save up to £500pp

Grand Tour of Egypt & Five-Star Nile Cruise

(49 reviews)

2026AprOctNov

2027JanAprSepOctNov

Discover the ancient secrets of Egypt's great pharaohs on an exploration of the historic cities of Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor, followed by a luxury cruise along the Nile to experience Egypt's great temples, sacred monuments and archaeological gems. A tour highlight is visiting the twin Temples of Abu Simbel, a monument to the Pharoah...

View map

Save up to £500pp

12 days from

£4,999 pp £4,699 pp

per person

View Details

Classic

Save up to £500pp

Machu Picchu & the Andes

(25 reviews)

2026AprJunOct

2027AprMayJunOct

Encounter Machu Picchu and the treasures of the Andes on this unforgettable South American holiday. Uncover Lima, Peru's colourful and historic capital, and the 'White City' of Arequipa before heading high into the Andes to the breathtaking Colca Canyon, where condors soar over sweeping landscapes. Sail to the floating islands of Lake...

View map

Save up to £500pp

15 days from

£4,899 pp £4,499 pp

per person

View Details

Classic

Save £150pp

Top to Toe of Italy

(31 reviews)

2026AprJunSepOct

From the Alpine foothills to the island of Sicily and all that lies between, uncover the best of Italy. Travelling the country's length, we delve into the history and culture of Italy's remarkable destinations, including Venice, Florence and Rome. Bask in the beauty of the Amalfi Coast and marvel at the remains of ancient Pompeii before venturing...

View map

Save £150pp

16 days from

£5,449 pp £5,299 pp

per person

View Details

Expert Opinions and Guides

Three Unmissable Rail Journeys

The world is waiting to welcome us back. Once it's safe to do so, we can't wait to help you rediscover your passion for travel. It's time to remember the excitement that comes with ticking a new destination off your travel wish-list.

Find out more

Around the World on Railways

Holidays are a time to unwind, reminisce, and return to the carefree days of childhood, all the while exploring new destinations and making new friends. Add to that a few romantic rail journeys and we've got the recipe for the perfect getaway.

Find out more

Discovering Europe

There's something deeply romantic about train journeys. Rail unveils a different aspect of our favourite holiday hotspots, and the experiences are as varied as the routes they traverse.

Find out more

Top 5 Once in a Lifetime Experiences

The world is full of 'wonders', both natural and architectural, but drawing up a wish list of which to see can often be time-consuming. That's why we've whittled it down to 5 of the planet's 'must-visit' landmarks, so you can start planning your ideal holiday today.

1. The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal; a structure so emblematic, so iconic, that seeing it with your own eyes is an experience that truly stays with you. Built in the 1600s by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as the resting place for his beloved wife, this sentimental mausoleum is a vision in ivory-white marble. UNESCO describes the structure as 'the jewel of Muslim art in India', but its beauty really has to be seen to be believed.

2. Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is an incredible abyss, formed from layer upon layer of different rocks, each one containing clues to the past. Its formation has yet to be conclusively determined, but popular opinion holds it at over 5 million years old. Reach this magnificent natural wonder by vintage railroad. The Grand Canyon Railway made its first journey in 1901, operating as a mining service before serving passengers.

3. The Great Wall of China

Snaking over 5,000 miles across the contrasting landscapes of China, the Great Wall is without doubt one of the most impressive man-made structures in the world. Walking along this ancient structure is a once in a lifetime experience, as you step back in time to the era of the Ming Dynasty and imagine the incredible engineering prowess that was used to build it.

4. The Northern Lights

Scandinavia's magical Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, often hold a lofty spot of many people's travel goals, and it's not difficult to see why. The phenomenal natural light show is quite unlike anything else in the world, painting the skies with vibrant dashes of green, pink, and violet. Those lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this incredible phenomena are sure to remember it for a lifetime.

5. The 'Big Five' Safari

Escape to the vast wilderness of Kruger National Park, one of the world's most revered safari spots and experience the thrill of spotting of the fabled 'Big Five' game animals. There is nothing quite like catching a glimpse these mighty creatures in their natural habitats; perhaps you'll spot a leopard a slowly stalking its prey, a lion dozing in the afternoon sun, or a herd of mighty elephants sauntering across the plains.

Journeys of a Lifetime

Unforgettable experiences across the globe

Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa

The Maharajas' Express

Yala National Park

Jasper National Park

28 results matching: Journeys of a Lifetime Escorted Tours

Expert Opinions and Guides

Top 5 Once in a Lifetime Experiences