Last Minute Getaways to Southern Europe & The Mediterranean

“As with all our previous holidays with Rail Discoveries, the tour was well planned and executed, even in the face of appalling rain and train strikes. Very efficient and courteous Tour Manager ('Rob') as well as good formal tour guides on 2 days.

“Good value trip and brilliant tour Manager (Jacqui Wieksza)

“Well organised and paced trip. The Tour manager was excellent as was the hotel. Abeatifil aerator discover.

“This is a well planned holiday with very good hotels in perfect locations. The Tour Manager was excellent.

“Generally very enjoyable trip. Good hotel, food and excellent tour manager. Only comment is that the 2 days on railways stated too early, as they were full with commuters. An hour later would have better and the end time could have been 2 hours shorter as not a lot to do in towns

“There were many positives about this holiday: the resort was good, the hotel excellent, and we were fortunate to have an excellent tour manager. But the trip down is very long, 5 hours on a train from Paris. Of the two little train journeys the one to use the rack railway was interesting, though there was not much in the way of a diner at the ski resort, which by that time was deserted, restaurant seemed closed etc. The other little train needed a coach trip of over two hours to reach. There was a lot of sitting about on coaches and, obviously, trains, and this might not suit those who want a more active holiday. Eurostar on the way back was something of a shambles, due to the lack of organisation by the station rather than the tour. In all, it was an enjoyable week, but I'm not sure long rail journeys are for us in the future.

“Stresa is a beautiful Italian town which we had already visited 3 times! (Once with Rail Discoveries) I was very pleased to try out my halting Italian and the locals, as ever, were very understanding. All the hotels and meals were good. Some of the rail travel was challenging especially for those with mobility 'issues', and the scenery, especially in Switzerland, is breathtaking.

“Excellent tour, interesting places visited with an excellent tour manager. There were a couple of minor issues when coach transfers did not arrive but dealt with efficiently by tour manager. Only downside was the hotel in Montecatino was below average both in terms of food offered and accommodation.

“The hotel was in the most beautiful setting on lake Orta - food was excellent and the infinity pool superb. The journey both ways was long but worth it - especially with the first night in Turin. Our tour guide, Linda, was first rate - I would thoroughly recommend the trip especially if you’ve never been to the mountains and lakes before.