The new collection has been thoughtfully curated by travel experts to bring each destination to life in a new style of holiday. On land, itineraries are infused with Great Rail Journey’s signature rail tours, where guests are guided by an expert Tour Manager, ensuring every moment is savoured and detail is taken care of, before boarding the ship to enjoy the luxury of boutique cruising.

Italy is set for a record-breaking summer, with 27 million international visitors expected between June and September.  In fact, Great Rail Journeys, the leading provider of escorted tours, has seen a 26% increase in year-on-year bookings to the country. Yet while Rome may steal the spotlight thanks to its Jubilee Year, the whole of ‘La Dolce Vita’ is brimming with world-renowned art, architecture, cuisine and natural wonders.

York-based Great Rail Journeys is to acquire Vacations By Rail, an independent US provider of escorted and independent rail holidays. Great Rail Journeys hopes the deal will position the company as a leading escorted rail company.

Great Rail Journeys, the market leader in escorted holidays by rail, has launched its Summer 2011 Europe brochure, featuring more than 80 tours, including eight new and exclusive European itineraries.

Great Rail Journeys, the operator for escorted holidays by rail, has added five new British itineraries for 2010 to bring its choice of UK holidays to ten.