Great value on autumn and winter travel

Now’s the time to appreciate low season travel to Britain, where you can avoid the summer crowds and enjoy great savings!  Explore England, Scotland and Wales this November, December, January or February and save up to 20% off BritRail’s most popular passes.

Take the classic BritRail Pass: for just $145 US* get 3 consecutive days of train travel in standard class.  That’s less than $50 a day to have the freedom to travel on as many trains as you wish to your choice of destinations throughout England, Scotland and Wales.  And for those travelers whose focus falls on England, the BritRail England Pass is a great fit.  Also offered with the low season discount, get a 3 day BritRail England Consecutive Pass for $115 US in standard class, which is less than $40 a day for unlimited rail travel throughout England.

BritRail Passes and BritRail England Passes are offered in a wide range of validities, including Flexi Passes for a period of 3, 4, 8 or 15 travel days to be used within 2 months or Consecutive Passes for a period of 3, 4, 8, 15, 22 days or 1 month of travel.  You can also choose a first or standard class BritRail pass, where first class offers benefits on select trains such as free Wi-Fi, more spacious seating, at seat meal service, free newspapers and complimentary tea and biscuits.

Pass holders are always pleased to discover that a BritRail Pass really does cover it all; it includes travel on all trains throughout Great Britain’s National Rail network!  Hop on and off trains at your leisure, without being restricted to a specific seat on a specific train, and keep to a flexible schedule all your own.  A BritRail Pass even covers travel on Airport Express trains, the most convenient way to skip traffic from Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport and Stansted Airport to central London.

Take advantage of BritRail’s Low Season Discount when booking a BritRail Pass or BritRail England Pass between September 1st, 2011 and February 15th, 2012 for travel in November, December, January or February.  Get your BritRail Pass by visiting www.ACPRail.com or www.BritRail.com or by calling ACP Rail’s Call Center today at 1 866 938-RAIL (North America).  Remember to buy before taking flight as BritRail Passes cannot be purchased in Britain.

*Or approximate currency equivalent.  The BritRail Low Season discount is also available in the following currencies, depending on the country selected: USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, AUD.

Yours truly was given two weeks, two BritRail Passes and free reign to explore England, Scotland & Wales. 14 days, 12 destinations and approximately 3,000 km later, here is our story. We hope it will provide inspiration for your next trip to the UK! Happy travels!

Day 1: London – British Airways Service to London, an Absolute Delight!
Day 2: London – Olympic Tour and London Districts
Day 3: Fort William & Mallaig – Sleeper train to Scotland & Journey through the Highlands
Day 4: Mallaig & Isle of Skye & Glasgow – Armadale Castle on the Isle of Skye & Journey to Glasgow
Day 5: Glasgow & Edinburgh - The Stunning Windy Cities: Glasgow & Edinburgh
Day 6: Edinburgh & Swinton Park – A First Class Experience: TransPennine Express & Castle Stay at Swinton Park
Day 7: York & Liverpool – Tour York and Savour Liverpool, oh my!
Day 8: Liverpool & Llandudno – Lively Liverpool & Coastal Llandudno
Day 9: Llandudno & Cardiff – Conwy Castle & Cardiff Bound
Day 10: Cardiff – Cardiff, Welsh Heritage and Foodie Haven
Day 11: St. Ives – England’s Riviera Line to St. Ives, Cornwall
Day 12: St. Ives – A Day at the Beach, St. Ives England
Day 13: St. Ives & London – Chicago The Musical in London: Lights, Sparkles & Jazz
Day 14: London – How much can you pack into one day in London?

By: Angela Guezen

Photos by: Jen Crane

Explore Even More of Britain with an Extra Travel Day
On Sale April 1st – April 29th, 2011

As Britain is a-buzz with excitement leading up to William and Kate’s Royal Wedding to be held on April 29^th, BritRail is pleased to join in the celebrations by giving away a “Royal Gift”, in the form of a FREE travel day on select BritRail Passes.

BritRail marries very nicely with any UK trip, as once you’ve had your fill of downtown London, you can hop aboard any train to your destination of choice throughout England, Scotland and Wales.  For example, other hot cities to include on your itinerary may include Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Cardiff, where each stop offers up a unique list of attractions, heritage and flavor all its own.  And the real beauty of traveling with a rail pass is you can hop on and off the trains at your leisure, so feel free to stay that extra night in a city you love or extend your trip to that extra destination, now made possible for free!

Receive your “Royal Gift” extra travel day on BritRail’s most popular passes: the BritRail FlexiPass, BritRail Consecutive Pass, BritRail England FlexiPass and BritRail England Consecutive Pass, in either First Class or Standard Class.  Just purchase between April 1^st and April 29^th, 2011 to take advantage of this promotion and note passes are valid for six months from the date of purchase so, even if you can`t make it to London for the Royal Wedding, no need to worry as travel dates can extend to the end of October.

To further sweeten the deal, this promotion can be combined with BritRail’s range of discount Passes, including the BritRail Party Pass (up to 50% off on the third through ninth passengers), BritRail Family Pass (one child per adult travels free), BritRail Senior Pass (up to 15% off in first class), BritRail Youth Pass (up to 20% off in first or standard class), Eurail Pass Holder Rate (up to 50% off for youth with a valid Eurail Pass) and the BritRail Guest Pass (up to 25% off for you and a British resident).

Get your BritRail Pass by calling ACP Rail’s Call Center today at 1 866 938-RAIL (North America) or by visiting www.britrail.com/passes.  Remember to buy before taking flight as BritRail Passes cannot be purchased in Britain.

Budget savvy travelers enjoy low season discounts

BritRail’s Low Season Passes offer 20% off retail prices and unlimited travel on the national rail network throughout Great Britain – or just England, if you choose. Low Season fares are valid for travel between November 1st 2010 and February 28th 2011. Take advantage of this great discount by purchasing a BritRail Flexi or Consecutive Pass or BritRail England Flexi or Consecutive Pass anytime before February 15, 2011.

Passengers will surely discover the flexibility that only a BritRail Pass can provide, by hopping on and off the trains and enjoying a number of unforgettable scenic routes; just imagine the view through your window! Plus it’s the most economical and convenient way to explore Britain, thanks to its fast and frequent service and environmentally friendly advantages.

Not to mention, the low season has its other benefits, from big savings on flights and hotel accommodations, to fewer crowds at top tourist attractions. And you can be sure there are tons of cultural and historic highlights not to miss en route in Great Britain; be sure to visit Stonehenge, Edinburgh Castle, the Roman Baths, Leeds Castle, St. Paul’s Cathedral and countless other museums, castles, gardens, and more. We recommend the Great British Heritage Pass, as it’s the perfect BritRail Pass companion, offering entry to the above mentioned sights, plus nearly 600 other UK heritage properties – just another way to realize great savings during the low season!

Buy an economical BritRail Freedom of Scotland TravelPass and get one extra day of travel – absolutely free!  Simply book a BritRail Freedom of Scotland TravelPass between August 17 and September 30, 2010 and BritRail will offer an additional day of rail travel to extend the traveler’s pass.  An extra day is offered on the following pass validities: 4 days within 8 days or 8 days within 15 days.  Fares are available for adults and children in Standard Class.

Enjoy the freedom of planning your Scotland itinerary far and wide and be sure to include these must-see destinations:

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, and one of Britain’s most beautiful cities, featuring a stunning backdrop with rocky hills overlooking the sea. The city is home to 4,500 historic and architectural listed buildings which is the highest concentration in the world. Edinburgh is also a modern, dynamic city of art and culture with its museums, galleries, universities and festivals.  Be sure to visit Edinburgh’s Old Town, the elegant Georgian New Town, the Royal Mile which joins Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House and more.

Glasgow is situated just 42 miles from Edinburgh and has been named Scotland’s style capital, with art deco brasseries, stylish shops, cultural centers, more than 30 art galleries and museums and an annual program of performing arts and festivals.  Stroll along the River Clyde and take in your share of architecture and design.  Shopping, fine dining and nightlife aside, don’t miss Glasgow’s School of Art, The Burrell Collection and Glasgow Cathedral.

Inverness is the main city of the Highlands, with the nearby River Ness, home to the legendary Loch Ness monster and Moray Firth, known for bottlenose dolphin sightings.  Don’t miss the pink sandstone Inverness Castle and re-live one of Scotland’s most famous battles at Culloden battlefield.

Aberdeen is Scotland’s third largest city, home to the famous Granite Mile with over 800 shops, restaurants and bars. Where else can you follow a castle trail, whisky trail and coastal golf trail all in the same city?

Perth features Scone Palace where 42 of Scotland’s Kings were crowned, and inside a gallery of historical treasures including Marie Antoinette’s writing table can be found.  Plus, Perth is a consistent Beautiful Britain award winner, showing its colours from Easter to autumn, and now boasts a new state of the art Concert Hall.

Stirling has a gorgeous old town with winding cobblestone streets and stunning Stirling Castle.  Visitors can also see the National Wallace Monument, with panoramic views of surrounding battlefields and a feeling of great history.

Looking for some of Scotland’s popular scenic rail routes? Read about 2 unforgettable highland journeys: http://www.britrail.com/blog/2010/01/scotlands-scenic-routes

A Long Weekend in Scotland

Ian’s Travel Experience

A London-based ACP Rail travel expert, Ian C. enjoys a long weekend in Scotland and shares his journey with us.  Get a first-hand feel for the joys of train travel with a BritRail Pass.

Friday Route: London to Edinburgh Waverly station

‘I arrive in Waverley station only 4 hours from London and appreciate being in the city centre, avoiding any transfers.

Ian’s Travel tip: You can book a Caledonian Sleeper and arrive in Edinburgh the following morning at 7:30 am.  Perfect timing for a full day of touring plus it saves the cost of a hotel night.

Or you can arrive in the afternoon as I did and arrange a comfortable accommodation; nice guest houses to be had from £35 a night single occupancy.

With an afternoon to fill, I take a City Sightseeing bus tour.  Commentary on board ensures you get the full flavour of Edinburgh’s history. See Palace of Holyrood House, Scottish Parliament, Arthur’s seat (hill overlooking Edinburgh), the castle and much more. The weather being a bit overcast its nice to be on board and let the bus do the hard work. You can get off the bus at any point and rejoin when you want. The ticket is valid 24 hours.

After this action packed 3 hours, I realise I missed out on The Royal Yacht Britannia which is a good half a day excursion. You can take the bus from the station to the Ocean Terminal and enjoy the excellent shopping in the modern centre before taking a tour of the Queen’s former preferred mode of transport. It’s well worth the visit.

At this point I decide to find a nice restaurant for dinner. If you move up from Princess Street you can find Rose Street. Cuisine is multinational and for good value try one of the pubs, where a beer and a meal is £5.  Last thing today before I go to bed, I walk the Royal mile. Edinburgh at its best, lit up at night where the castle is like a beacon in the dark.’

Saturday Route: Edinburgh – Leuchars – Dundee – Arbroath – Stonehaven – Aberdeen

‘It’s a 2 hour 20 minute journey from Edinburgh to Aberdeen…the oil capital of Europe.

The journey is very beautiful with some great scenery and 2 famous rail bridges are crossed along the way; the Forth Rail Crossing and Dundee Rail Bridge. The former a famous piece of metal work which is an iconic symbol of the region of Fife, Crossing the River Tay just north of Edinburgh.

So after my restful yet eye opening journey, what lies in store in Aberdeen?

For the traveller on foot, once in the city it’s easy to see it’s a cosmopolitan place with many cultures and a fast pace about it.  With an array of shopping and eating options it would be easy just to opt out and not look for anything more. However all within walking distance of the station are 3 excellent visitor attractions: Aberdeen Art gallery, The Maritime Museum and the Provost Skene’s house. The good news is that all 3 are free to enter…such choice!

I decided to visit the Maritime Museum which not only takes you through the search for oil and how the industry operates to the history of the Titanic and the Scottish Shipbuilding industry.  With interactive exhibits and dedicated film shows its easy to spend a good half day if not more here. It’s certainly a very popular attraction and should not be missed.

Having chatted with some of the local’s I then decided to head for the main tourist beach and also the harbour entrance. Rumour had it that due to calm weather conditions, dolphins and porpoises may be on view today, as they enjoy chasing the boats and riding on the waves created.

Well it was a good walk but well worth it. The main beach has a pleasure park along with major eating chains such as TGI Friday’s and in summer with being sandy and sheltered this location is very popular with locals and visitors alike.

A brisk stroll along the beach was very refreshing and then it was a u-turn to head for the harbour. With lots of shipping activity, unfortunately no sign of the dolphins.

So it’s been a good day, excellent train journey and a very full afternoon in Aberdeen and one that’s left me exhausted. Luckily my guesthouse is warm and cosy…nice enough to plan my adventure for tomorrow.’

Sunday Route: Dyce – Huntley – Elgin – Nairn – Inverness

It’s Sunday morning and I’m leaving Dyce, Aberdeen heading for Inverness.  The scene through my window is of the rolling countryside and river scenes.  Also, I must have counted dozens of new born lambs and plenty of calves during the journey and a sign of the cold weather that was had here is that there is still snow to be seen on the very top of the hills.

Arriving in the city of Inverness after a 2 hour and a bit journey, it certainly seems to be a more traditional setting with an older architecture which is cut in half by the River Ness. Perhaps that name rings a bell? Well it should because very near by is Loch Ness….home of the famous monster (well, so tales tell).

My immediate impression is that this place is a walker’s paradise.  Its one of the few cities where you can walk from the centre and within minutes feel you are miles from anywhere built up. If you follow the river for about 5 miles you end up at the Loch and it would certainly be a days adventure fitting this in with a picnic and exploration of the Loch itself. However for most it’s the 2 hour round trip by foot from city centre to Ness Island and back which is the most popular. I decided to do this and along with plenty of others had a fabulous stroll along by the river. I even caught a fleeting glance of some deer and some fabulous Osprey’s were surfing the wind looking for prey. These enormous birds have massive wing spans and can lift small animals with ease.

Once back in the City itself, its very easy to take a further walk hunting down the famous buildings that are here. Starting at the Castle which overlooks from a high point, you can then take in the cathedral, plenty of historic churches and some other famous architectural landmarks.

There are also other day tours which can be taken from the station including a boat ride on the Loch and trips to do some dolphin watching, or if you fancy some tradition, how about a whisky tour or the famous Culloden battlefield.’

Monday Route: Inverness – Aviemore – Perth – Stirling

Took a 4 hour 20 minute journey to Stirling.  Good news is we go through Aviemore which is the main stop off for the Cairngorm mountain range.  This would be an ideal stop for anyone with a BritRail Pass as there are great views and lots to do here including skiing and mountain walking.

However, I am on my way to Perth so I arrive in the late afternoon with the day still sunny so it’s straight off to explore.  It’s a beautiful place with many old buildings that wind their way up to the very top on the city. This is where Stirling Castle sits proudly overlooking the countryside for miles around.

I walk around the old city with various historic buildings to view, such as the Old Town Jail, Mar’s Wark which is an old ruin and the beautiful Church of the Holy Rude.

The main part of the city of course is a mixture of old and new and there is shopping, eating and other indulgencies to be found.

However, after my circular tour I head back to the famous Portcullis Tavern where the food is second to none and is always busy with local and international clientele.

An overview of the experience

I can honestly say that there are so many positives about touring with a BritRail Pass. If you take into account the cost of the pass per day and the option of guest houses rather than hotels, it’s certainly a great way to see Scotland on a budget.

The trains are modern, comfortable and regular and have catering facilities on board. The layout is excellent, all with toilet facilities, air conditioning and luggage storage.

Is there a better way to see Scotland itself?  I think the combination of the journey through beautiful countryside in the comfort of your seat followed by a stop at an amazing city is hard to beat. You get the best of both worlds and certainly more relaxing than driving.

It’s a great experience also meeting people on the train, including Australians, Canadians, Indians many Europeans and of course plenty of locals; it’s astonishing who you end up talking to over the day.

Ian’s tips

• If you travel over the weekend, plan carefully due to less trains and possible engineering works.
• Certain trains may need a reservation during peak season to ensure a seat. Chat with the local Travel Centre to find out before you head off.
• If you’re using a BritRail Pass, don’t forget the discounts that make it great value for families and groups. It certainly reduces the cost per person.

March 15 – April 30, 2010

England, Scotland and Wales continue to entice international travelers with their vibrant cities and scenic country sides, plus ACP Rail International is now topping off the perfect BritRail vacation with a free travel day. This offer represents great value, extending your reach to that extra destination or two now made possible for free!


Receive an extra travel day on BritRail’s most popular passes:

• BritRail FlexiPass
• BritRail Consecutive Pass
• BritRail England FlexiPass
• BritRail England Consecutive Pass

Just purchase between March 15th and April 30th, 2010 to take advantage of this promotion and note passes can be purchased up to six months in advance so travel dates can extend to the end of October.

To further sweeten the deal, this promotion can be combined with BritRail’s range of discount Passes, including the BritRail Party Pass (up to 50% off on the third through ninth passengers), BritRail Family Pass (one child per adult travels free), BritRail Senior Pass (up to 15% off in first class), BritRail Youth Pass (up to 20% off in first or standard class), Eurail Pass Holder Rate (up to 50% off for youth with a valid Eurail Pass) and the BritRail Guest Pass (up to 25% off for you and a British resident).

Select the pass duration that best suits your itinerary at http://www.acprail.com/rail-passes/united-kingdom, plus one free travel day of course!

The Great British Heritage Pass offers free entry to more than 580 of Great Britain’s most popular heritage sights, including properties under the care of National Trust, English Heritage, National Trust for Scotland, Historic Scotland, and Cadw.  With so many properties to visit with this one pass, lets just highlight a few: Stonehenge, Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyrood House, Roman Baths, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Warwick Castle, Leeds Castle, Dover Casle and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Select a validity that best suits your itinerary from 4,7,15 days or 1 month. Visit just a handful of attractions included on the pass and you’re already saving money!

Wales is a popular golf destination and with 687 miles of coastline one can imagine the vistas!  With many courses to choose from – nearly 200 in fact; favorites include Royal St David’s featured in the Golf Digest Top 100, Cardigan with dramatic clifftop views and Cradoc, where you can enjoy a panorama of the Brecon Beacons.  To browse all golf courses in Wales visit www.golfasitshouldbe.com.

This year Wales’ golf is especially in the spotlight as team Europe takes on the USA, on the first Ryder Cup course that’s designed for players and spectators.  The 2010 Ryder Cup will be played on The Twenty Ten Course at The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales from September 28 to October 3.  Newport and its surroundings have 45 golf courses alone, including four championship courses.

For those with a BritRail Pass, make your way to Newport Rail Station where there will be a bus shuttle service to The Celtic Manor Resort.

St. Patrick’s Day Festivities!

St. Patrick’s Spring Fest
Limerick plays host to the St. Patrick’s Spring Fest and Limerick International Band Festival with something for the whole family. Highlights include the Limerick International Marching Band Competition and St. Patrick’s Day Parade, held from March 14-17.

Art Exhibition
The Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin is celebrating 100 years since Francis Bacon’s birth.  View inspirational items from the artist’s studio until March 7 with the exhibition “Francis Bacon: A Terrible Beauty”, comprised of paintings, drawings, photographs, unfinished works and slashed canvases.  Admission is free.

Film Festival
Ireland’s premier feature film festival, Jameson Dublin International, celebrates the best in Irish and International cinema February 18-28, with over 100 films and a range of special events, including post screening Q&A sessions with directors and cast members.

Getting Around Ireland
To enjoy all the Irish festivities, a BritRail Pass + Ireland will give you access to rail travel throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, plus England, Wales and Scotland.  Choose a validity to suit your itinerary; 5 or 10 days of unlimited rail travel within one month.