In this week’s column, travel guru Gary Hudson proposes we look to the future and plan some quality time off island – and suggests a scenic European rail journey might be a good place to start.
‘Now the coronavirus pandemic has entrenched itself into island lives, isolating us in our homes for much of the time, l suggest we take a moment to look forward. Have a break from the latest news and advice on what part of our lives the virus will impact next, and instead try to look ahead and plan some quality time off island.
‘We don’t know when our islands will return to a resemblance of normality, never mind the rest of the world. While tour operators and airlines have tried to keep a fraction of their aircraft in the air, many have had to ground all. No one knows when they’ll be given the go ahead to resume services, or how long it will take them to get back on track.’
On the subject of tracks…
‘Once there are signs of the virus clearing on continental Europe, perhaps the easiest and most stress-free way to enjoy a summer or autumn holiday, or short break away, is to take the ferry to St Malo, which should easily resume services once allowed. From here you can enjoy a driving tour of France, or explore further afield by rail.
‘The very essential necessity of rail services should mean, once this crisis is over, that rail services build up to full strength relatively quickly, with many exciting offers to get us moving again.
‘It could be a weekend break in Le Mans, Nantes or Paris or further afield in Nice, Bordeaux or Avignon, but I’d like to suggest venturing further, for a little longer.
‘All European countries offer excellent rail services and, if planned ahead, can present some very affordable fares. Consider a journey through Germany, maybe the Black Forest or following the river Rhine. You could also enjoy the antiquities of Italy, or meander through the valleys of Switzerland, stopping to take the scenic mountain trains – the choices are endless.’
DIY or use a travel agent?
‘You can try to piece together an itinerary yourself using the relevant train company websites. However, if you’re not proficient in foreign travel sites (though many offer English translation), l’d suggest getting the assistance of a travel agent, who will offer their services mainly without extra charge. Alternatively, you can go direct through specialist rail holiday tour operators, or via a local travel agency.
‘I have travelled extensively by rail through Europe, with many memorable itineraries but my favourite has to be in Switzerland. If organising your own travel to this region from the Channel Islands, you’ll need to use the websites of Condor (ferry journey), SNCF (rail from St. Malo to Basel via Paris) and Swiss Rail. With Swiss Rail you can purchase individual tickets, or for value take a look at the variety of passes, standard and first class, offering either rail travel solely, or also access to museums and exhibitions.
‘It can be tricky to arrange by yourself, so it might be worth approaching a travel agent, or rail tour operators such as Railbookers. If you’d prefer an inclusive group rail tour holiday, then maybe consider going through Great Rail Journeys.’
Discover Switzerland by rail
‘One of the best journeys I’ve undertaken in Switzerland was, after enjoying a two-night stay in bustling Zurich, travelling to Chur by express train, before boarding the mountain railway up to picturesque Davos and St Moritz. From there, take the narrow gauge train across the Northern Italian Alps to stunning Lake Lugano, followed by a sauntering journey to Lucern which, if following an itinerary from the islands by ferry and rail across France, would point you in the direction of Basel for your journey home.
‘Of course, l say this is one of the best Swiss rail journeys I’ve enjoyed, but there are many others, such as a visit to Interlaken and a mountain rail trip on the magnificent Jungfrauhoch. You could also follow Lake Geneva from the city of Geneva to world famous Montreux.
‘Switzerland is just criss-crossed with major, minor and mountain rail lines, but by the very nature of the terrain, don’t expect to be getting anywhere fast. From the country full of clocks, however, you can at least expect your journey to be on time.’
