Pike peak is best of British
Pack and take charge Exchange glances
Restaurant, sweeping views in the Outback Explorer Lounge and comfy en suite sleeper cabins. ALL ABOARD: Australian Sky’s eight-day Perth to Sydney holiday costs from £1,549pp, based on two sharing, including two nights in Perth, two nights in Sydney, three nights all-inclusive sleeper accommodation on board the train, return international flights and off-train excursions. BOOK IT: australiansky.co.uk, 01342 886 269. Seeing the incredible Canadian Rockies by train is the highlight of a new 2017 tour from Archers Holidays. On the overnight journey from Jasper, travelling on the Canadian VIA rail, you soak up superb scenery.
You’ll see Mount Robson – at 12, 972ft, the highest in the Rockies – in the comfort of the Skyline Car, with its dome seating and lounge area.
The train follows the route of the Overlanders, THE view from Scafell Pike has been voted the UK’s most spectacular. And S Stonehenge is our best land landmark, according to a poll of British travellers by V VisitEngland for its # #OMGB campaign.mpaign. The survey, ey, carried out 19th-century homesteaders who tried to settle in the area, and ends up in Vancouver.
The trip includes visits to the mountain town of Banff, Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, along with an Ice Explorer ride over the Athabasca Glacier at Columbia Icefield and a chance to explore the famous Butchart Gardens on Victoria Island. ALL ABOARD: The ten-day Rockies by VIA Rail costs from £2,169pp, including return flights from Heathrow in May, Via rail trip, eight nights accommodation, transfers and a tour director. BOOK IT: archersdirect.co.uk, 0800 668 1892. Bask in the Mediterranean sunshine and travel on some of Europe’s most picturesque railways, running on single tracks along the coast and across the mountains of Corsica.
The Trinicellu, or little train, narrow gauge railway links present-day capital Ajaccio with the ancient with TripAdvisor, found three-quarters of people thought views were the best part of visiting new places. Landmarks came second, while third place was tasting local delicacies, with 12 per cent of us photographing meals. capital Corte in the mountainous heart of the island. Leaving from Bastia, the train passes through pretty villages and landscapes.
At the cute town of Calvi, you can see historic sites, including the house said to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Following a night in Corte you board the train for Ajaccio for a two-night stay.
The rail route is rated one of the world’s most scenic, crossing the Vecchio Viaduct engineered by Gustave Eiffel, of tower fame, before passing through the Vizzavona chestnut and pine forest. ALL ABOARD: Book by September 26 to save up to £150pp on Diamond Rail Holidays’ ten-day Highlights of Corsica trip for departures on September 23, 30 and October 7. It now costs from £1,179pp, based on two sharing on a mixed board basis. Includes return Eurostar from London St Pancras. BOOK IT: diamondrailholidays.co.uk, 0844 544 3808. WE’VE been inspired to get out on the water after watching Swallows and Amazons. Any ideas? We’re total novices. IF you want to relive the books, go messing about on the water on the Norfolk Broads, where a lot of the stories are set. A three-night weekend hire this month is £529 on 27ft sailing yacht Dawn Wind. Modern, roomy and easy to handle, it’s ideal for families of four. There’s a small oven, hob, grill, fridge and shower. Top-up sailing tuition is available at £25 per hour, perfect for previous dinghy sailors looking to try a larger yacht. For novices, sailing courses can be arranged by Waterways Holidays with the Norfolk Broads School of Sailing. Visit waterwaysholidays.com. Anker PowerCore 20100 Amazon £23.99 HERE’S one for techy travellers who dread running out of battery. This power bank can quickly charge an iPhone 6 up to seven times, a Galaxy S6 five times or an iPad Mini twice. It is a bit of a beast but fine for a backpack. It recharges overnight and comes with a travel pouch. Units Plus Free iOS and Android THIS is one of the best currency converters around.
While the app is open, it downloads currency exchange rates every 15 minutes, keeping it bang up-to-date.
It makes it easy to keep tabs on your spending when you’re on your travels. Pretty vital in these Brexit days.
It will also convert weight, volume, area, distance and nearly anything else you can think of.