Blackpool isn't the only Destination for a Tram Holiday

When you combine the words 'tram' and 'holiday', Blackpool will automatically come to mind, but today you can explore many of England's cities and towns by tram or light rail.

Manchester Metrolink 069
© Hugh Searle

Blackpool tramway was the only system that survived the cull of light rail and trolleybuses that took place in the UK in the 1950s and 1960s. But today you can travel the length of England riding tram and trolleybus services, comparing preserved heritage public transport systems with modern day urban ones.

When the Tyne & Wear Metro opened in 1980 it was the first of the modern light rail systems and paved the way for other networks, some that incorporated old rail routes with lighter rail technology and street-running trams systems including the Docklands Light Railway (1987), Manchester's Metrolink (1992), Sheffield's Supertram (1994), Birmingham Midland Metro (1999), Croydon Tramlink (2000) and the Nottingham Express Transit (2004). Today they play a significant part in improving the appeal and quality of public transport in metropolitan areas by moving large numbers of passengers quickly, reliably and with less pollution than the car or bus.

There are around 400 tram and light rail schemes in operation worldwide. Europe has the densest level of networks with approximately 170 systems in operation, but North America, Canada, Australia, the Middle East and Asia are actively developing and opening new systems.

So as a rail tour operator Ffestiniog Travel thought it would be interesting to offer escorted tours that paid homage, not only to England's lighter rail form of transport, both old and new, but also its European tram-loving counterparts in Germany, Sweden, Austria and the Czech Republic.

English Trams & Trolleybuses – Departs 11 May 2017
14 Days from £1,970pp

Tram 31 in The Town
at Beamish

The ultimate pilgrimage of England's tram network that travels the length and breadth of England, travelling and exploring the country's tram systems, both heritage and modern. It includes in-depth tours and driving experiences on trams and trolleybuses as you journey from Newcastle via Sheffield, Nottingham, Liverpool, Blackpool, Manchester, Birmingham and Devon to London.

Highlights

Trams of Central Europe – Departs 10 June 2017
16 Days from £1,995pp

Take the scenic rail route along the River Rhine to Vienna to begin this specialist escorted tram tour that visits Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, the Czech Republic and Hannover. A very informative holiday and a great way to explore major cities, travelling on vintage trams as well modern tram networks plus visits to several tram museums.

Vienna Tram
© Ray Smith

"Dating back to the late 1800s, Prague's tram system carries over 300 million passengers a year. The intricate routes are favoured by the locals and mapped out perfectly for the tourists to take in the views and get dropped off at some of the famous sights. Explore the architecture as you travel through the streets, make a stop at one of the churches and experience the classical music that echoes out of the buildings. Take time to relax in the Nusle District, which claims the city's best beer title, or walk along the picturesque river Vltava, spanned by more than 30 bridges and footbridges."
Blog.Foreigners.cz – 'The Best Public Transport in Europe'

Highlights

Southern Sweden – Steam, Trams & Trains – Departs 15 July 2017
12 Days from £1,990pp

Streetcar © EmelieAsplund
imagebank.sweden.se

Time to explore Hamburg, Malmö and Stockholm plus informative guided tours, unique museum visits and memorable rail journeys through stunning scenery.

Highlights

Trams & Trains of Northern Germany – Departs 9 September 2017
14 Days from £1,560pp

Drachenfels Rack Railway

This escorted tour takes a comprehensive look at the tramways and trains of Germany's industrial heartland visiting Düsseldorf, Essen, Hamburg and Bonn. Lots of time to explore the local tram and rail systems independently using a transport pass included in the tour price as well as museum and railway visits.

Highlights

So consider a holiday that combines city sightseeing with informative tours on board modern light rail networks and heritage tram and trolleybus systems. You are guaranteed an informative journey on any of the above tours. To see the full tour itineraries visit the tour pages on our website at www.ffestiniogtravel.com and book online.


Kind regards

Maria Cook
General Manager

Ffestiniog Travel, First Floor, Unit 6, Snowdonia Business Park, PENRHYNDEUDRAETH, LL48 6LD

PRIVACY NOTICE AND NO SPAM POLICY:
We at Ffestiniog Travel take your privacy seriously. You have received this message because your address was placed on our mailing list. We will only send information which we hope will be of interest and will not share contact details with other organisations without your permission. If you do not wish to receive further emails please send an email to ceri.griffiths@ffestiniogtravel.co.uk with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. If you no longer wish to receive our brochures please state this in your email.