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

Share a funny or awkward holiday photo, for a chance to win a pair of rail passes!

1. Visit ACP Rail’s Facebook page
2. Upload your photo
3. ‘Like’ your favourite photo
4. Ask your friends to ‘Like’ your photo to increase your chance of winning:)

Holidays are always a welcome break from routine because you get to experience foreign surroundings, test your skills at new activities and interact with interesting characters on a daily basis!

Anyone who has taken a vacation abroad, can agree that all this newness can often result in some pretty funny situations and photo ops. Here’s your chance to share your best funny and awkward holiday photo – give us a good laugh!

Post whatever funny holiday picture you think will be most appreciated by fellow travelers because for this contest you decide the winner! The photo that has the most ‘Likes’ on ACP Rail’s Facebook page will win.

Grand Prize:

* Europe – Two First Class 10-day Eurail Global Flexi Passes, approximate saver value of $1468 USD

Terms & Conditions:

One photo entry per person. Photos that are not appropriate for this contest’s requirements will be removed. The contest period begins April 27, 2011 and ends May 31, 2011 at 10am EST. ACP Rail will determine the winner based on the photo that has received the most ‘Likes’ on ACP Rail’s Facebook page, during the contest period. Rail Passes are non-transferable and have no cash value. Rail Pass selection may vary according to the eventual winner’s country of residence. Prize is valid for travel up to one year from the date of winner notification. By submitting photographs for entry in the contest you certify that you have the rights to said photographs. Photos must be the sole and original work of the participant. By participating and submitting an entry into this contest, you grant ACP Rail the non-exclusive and royalty-free right to publish your submitted photo or use it in any media, in marketing, advertising or promotional materials or websites by ACP Rail. You grant these rights to ACP Rail without attribution, compensation, permission or further notification to the entrant.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Void where prohibited.

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.

Share a train travel picture, for a chance to win a pair of rail passes!

• Step 1: Visit ACP Rail’s Facebook page
• Step 2: Upload your photo
• Step 3: ‘Like’ your favourite photo
• Step 4: Ask your friends to ‘Like’ your photo to increase your chance of winning

No limitations…your picture can be of any train, in any country – on board, a scenic view, or of the train itself – an inspiring picture, a beautiful picture, or a funny picture…post whatever train travel picture you think will be most appreciated by fellow travelers because for this contest you decide the winner! The photo that has the most ‘Likes’ on ACP Rail’s Facebook page will win.

Grand Prize:

The Winner can select his/her preferred rail holiday destination prize:

• Europe – Two First Class 10-day Eurail Global Flexi Passes, approximate saver value of $1468 USD or
• United Kingdom – Two First Class 8-day BritRail Flexi Passes, approximate value of $1238 USD.

Terms & Conditions:

One photo entry per person. The contest period begins February 4, 2011 and ends March 18, 2011 at 10am EST. ACP Rail will determine the winner based on the photo that has received the most ‘Likes’ on ACP Rail’s Facebook page, during the contest period. Rail Passes are non-transferable and have no cash value. Rail Pass selection may vary according to the eventual winner’s country of residence. Prize is valid for travel up to one year from the date of winner notification.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Void where prohibited.

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!

We asked readers to tell us about their favorite rail holiday experience, for a chance to win a
pair of ACP rail passes with a value up to $1500* to the destination of their choice, including the
United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, the United States or Australia. With over 300 entries so far we
have thoroughly enjoyed reading your rail holiday memories and felt they were just too good to
keep to ourselves so we are happy to share some favorites with you.

If you haven’t entered yet, please go to http://www.acprail.com/entry-form before November 1,
2010. Remember, the winner will be drawn at random, so as long as you provide a true and
complete rail memory, you will have a chance to win. So although we are sharing some favorites,
ultimately the winner won’t be chosen by us, but by luck, so good luck everyone and thank you for
sharing these great stories and more!

As a young fresh faced 23 year old I travelled around Europe by train, exploring different places
meeting different people, the experience was invaluable and made me who I am today. Rebecca
C, Sydney, Australia

The railroad system in Europe is phenomenal. The train stations are neat, clean, orderly and
the trains are ALWAYS on time. We traveled throughout Switzerland, France, and Italy and
thoroughly enjoyed train travel. Larry C, Indianapolis, IN, USA

Our rail holiday train trip was two weeks in duration. We rode from Stuggart Germany to
Innsbruck to Prague then back to Germany. We visited wineries, castles, and friends. It was the
best trip of our lives! Manuel M, Tempe, AZ, USA

Going on the Bullet Train from Tokyo to Kyoto for work was an amazing experience!! So fast, so
clean, such beautiful scenery! The food was amazing and even the passengers were all chatty as
they were excited as I was! Even though I was there for work, it was almost like a holiday! Yvette
P, East Fremantle, Australia

An 11-day trip in Italy. It began in Florence, and included Milan, Pisa, Rome, Naples and Capri.
It included meals, hotels and escorted tours. In 1958, it cost $139. Phillip C, Chigaco, IL

I remember riding a long time on a train as a child. We went from Kansas City to Pennsylvania.
We all slept in our seats. One of my favorite things to do on that ride was flush the toilets because
you could watch the tracks going by when the stool lever was held down. Disgusting to think of it
now, but it was cool to do as a kid. The memory is a great one. Julie S, Mitchel, SD, USA

Sharing simple food (cheese, bread, meat) with Romas on an overnight train. I was fearful of
being in an overnight compartment from Paris to Venice. But, even with the language barrier, we
made friends. Ate, talked (mostly with hands) and enjoyed our travel. The countryside of France
and Italy was fantastic. The people kind and generous. Marsha D, Hazelwood, MO, USA

We purchased 2 Britrail flexipass 4-day tickets in July to use in august in the United Kingdom.
Our first leg was on Aug 6 from London to Edinburgh. It was interesting to see seats facing
each other on the train, and seeing the countryside just whiz by the window. Flat country. Our
most memorable experience of our whole trip was in Edinburgh- seeing the military tattoo pipe
bands marching down ‘royal mile’; in the daytime and then also having tickets for the 10:30
performance. It was a magical day and one that we will treasure for a long time. Even bought
the booklet. Then it was off to Aberdeen on Aug 9. Explored the highlands, went to Orkney
Islands. Enjoyed that experience. Aug 23 we boarded the train at Inverness to head back
down to Edinburgh. Actually saw hills!!!! Our last leg was back to London to fly back to British
Columbia Canada, province of mountains. It was so nice having our rail passes before we left
Canada, didn’t have to queue at the train station-just get on the right train. This was our first
train experience and thoroughly enjoyed it. You get to see lots of country. We would like to able

to do this again. Thank you to ACP for making rail travelling a pleasant experience. Marcie T,
Castlegar, BC, Canada

My favorite rail holiday experience was in Europe traveling in 2003 with my friends from Rome.
We utilized a Eurail pass once we reached the Rivera on Italy’s west coast towns of Cinque
Terre and we used sleeper cars that took us into Nice France and then into Barcelona in Spain.
Our primary goal of the train was to access all parts of the countryside in less time consuming
way and also save the frustration of renting a car and polluting the environment. The sleeper
cars was a unique way to travel as you could really enjoy a good nights sleep and arrive fully
rested at your destination the next day without needing to waste precious hours in transit. On
our way to Paris we met some additional travelers from New Zealand who became our travel
partners as we went to Switzerland and spent several days in the mountains in a small town
Gryon which we reached through a mountain trolly from the town of Bex where the train station
was. After spending several days in the Alps we went to Erfurt Germany and spent time with
our friend’s family where we utilized the city’s famous trolly system and rode bikes to various
Brew pubs. This neared the end of our tour and our rail passes were only 14 days so we needed
to head back to Rome and our final destination being the airport. It took only a day of travel to
reach Rome from Germany and it was a relaxing time where we met even more new people and
asked them to join us for dinner at our place of residence before we left back for the US. It was
a wonderful experience that I should not soon forget as I would gladly jump at the opportunity to
travel by rail again. Christopher G, Philadelphia, PA, USA

I think the most memorable rail trip I ever made was in the middle of December, 1971 in
Switzerland near Interlaken. It was a very short trip on the Jungfraujoch railway that spirals
around inside the Jungfrau and terminates at a station inside the mountain near the top. From
there you can look out over the Rhone Glacier from above. At that time the trip on the railway
was included in the Eurailpass (that’s no longer true). It was especially amazing because I was
making the trip in the winter so that the viewpoint was in the middle of a large snowfield and
the eaves were dripping with large icicles. When I started the trip from the bottom at Kleine
Scheidegg the valley was in a deep cloud but I arrived at the top, above the clouds in brilliant
sunshine. I will never forget that experience. Don P, Edmonton, AB, Canada

I went backpacking across Europe with my three best friends. We took the rail everywhere and
slept in tiny compartments with strangers! We visited the most beautiful countries and our closest
bonding moments were on the trains. We laughed about our cultural faux-pas’s and planned our
next adventures. It was the best two months of my life. Micaela B, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Japan- The most culturally amazing and baffling country I have been to. I remember the first time
I was trying to get on a train in Tokyo and there’s like 30 different lines from one station so I was
in a state of confusion and panic. Then you start following signs and I see a sign for 500metres to
the platform I need. Madness! How can a station possibly be this big. But the best trains were the
Shinkansen, quiet, quick and stunning scenery. Probably the best trains I have travelled on in the
world. Kylie P, Niddrie, VIC, Australia

My favorite rail experience was years ago from Avignon, which is in the south of France…to Paris.
I met a wonderful woman who I was immediately attracted to before we even got on the train..She
dropped an apple and it rolled down the car and landed near my foot….This was the beginning of
a wonderful friendship….. Henry B, Toms River, NJ, USA

My wife and I took my mother to Norway and Germany after my father died. The wonder of
travelling across Norway from Oslo to Bergen was a special memory. (Mom was Norwegian).
Another leg on the journey was on a night train sleeper from Oslo to Germany with a full moon
over the Bay of Oslo. Beautiful. Treasured memories. William O, Saint Michael, MN, USA

Three days after Christmas 1979, my family and I immigrated to the USA from Dundee Scotland.
Hard economic times forced my father to seek employment outside the country. I had just turned

10. Although my parents dedicated a lot of energy to keeping in touch with family and friends
back home, eventually we lost track of most of the people we knew. My grandparents passed
away and some people had just moved on never to be heard from again. We even lost track of
my oldest brother. Thirty years later and realizing that it was time to revisit my home, I saved up
some money, flew from Salt Lake City Utah, eventually ending up downtown in the city Center of
Edinburgh Scotland. It felt strangely unreal as though it were a dream. I marveled at the thought
that my childhood was a mere 14 hours away. I settled into my hotel room and soon, a feeling
of great excitement took over me unlike anything I have ever felt before. I was about to travel by
train all the way around Scotland. I explored Edinburgh for 5 days before catching my first train
from Waverly Station and ending up at Leuchars station which lead me into St Andrews. This
was a favorite childhood place. I photographed the city and took some of the best pictures of my
life. I then headed to my hometown of Dundee and was able to track down my brother who had
been missing for so many years. I had to inform him that our father had passed away. I took
the train up to Inverness and was surprised by how much I remembered it. Then it was off to
the Kyle of Lochalsh. This is the end of the line for the train but a new beginning for me. It was
the doorway to the Isle of Skye. A place unlike any other place in the world. I remember how I
walked over the Skye Bridge that day, thinking how much time had passed and how well I knew
this place, but only from books and pictures. Now it was something real. The wind blew through
my hair as the sun sparkled off the water. A few tears ran down my cheek. I was home. Grant A,
Glasgow, Scotland, GB

As a child, my grandparents took me to Victoria (from NSW) by train. We had a sleeper, and
breakfast in the morning. It was fabulous! Michelle S, Dalmeny, Australia

A couple of years ago my husband and I took a tour of England, Wales, Northern Ireland, France
Germany and Poland. We took the Chunnel train from London, England to Paris France. We took
the night train from Paris to Berlin, Germany and on to Posnan, Poland. We met many friendly
people and had a great experience and found that most people had a nodding acquaintance with
the English language so we were able to get directions easily. We found that to get the train rail
station to leave Southern Germany going to Frankfurt we had to cross over into Switzerland and
crossed over the border back into Germany inside the train station as Hitler had built the train
station in Switzerland. We had a real positive experience and would travel by train again should
we have the opportunity. Carol R, Terrace, BC, Canada

Travelled Second Class on a London Plus Pass this Bank Holiday weekend just past, to Isle of
Wight from Waterloo Station. The most fun-loving people of all ages were going on holiday and
luckily, the weather was perfect and slightly breezy. I was travelling solo but never felt alone. So
many people were talking about their plans that I was kept entertained by them the whole trip.
Even had lunch in Rhyde, at the end of the journey, with a few of them for fish’n chips at Long
John’s. Good memories! Laurel K, Old Saybrook, CT, USA

In 1976 my best friend and I, both 17 and still in high school, spent the best summer of our
lives backpacking around Europe on a 2 month student railpass. What was the best part? The
girls we met traveling on the trains, the discos we tried in every town, the fun & “living”; (eating,
sleeping, socializing) on trains, and losing my virginity to a cute English lass! We travelled from
the Mediterranean Sea to the Arctic Circle, and from the Atlantic Ocean to the iron Curtain of the
east bloc. If I win, I will invite my friend who travelled with me in 1976 for a reunion trip. Ed M,
London, ON, Canada

My family and I know that every time we choose ACP Rail we’re not just getting a good value for
a rail service, we’re going to have great memories that will last a lifetime. Michael M, Bristol,
CT, USA

I have been fortunate to visited England several times with friends. Each time I returned home my
husband wanted to hear all about it. We finally saved enough money for both of us to go.
The overnight flight from Atlanta Georgia was uneventful but my husband didn’t get any sleep.

We landed at GTW in the early morning fog. We got separated in the airport when he made a
wrong turn with the luggage trolley and when we finally got out to the trains it was raining. It’s
hard to explain how fast the BritRail trains come in and out of the station while your trying to
get your luggage off the trolley and on the train! By this time he was ready to get a plane back
to the USA. I told him to relax and sit on the right side of the train facing south to have a better
view ;It’s still raining he said & there is no view. The rain was stopping and I told him to look for
wildlife in the fields. He saw deer and flocks of pheasants and our next stop was Arundel so I
knew what he was going to see next. Seeing the castle made his day. Every day of our trip he
told me his favorite part was relaxing on the trains. Oh and, eating Fish & Chips. We’re hoping to
win Two BritRail Flexi Passes for a 2011 trip to the United Kingdom. Lynn G, Austin, TX, USA

The children and I once caught the Ghan from Adelaide to Melbourne and had a very nice time.
The kids had plenty of room and loved eating in the dining car. They were also amused by the
passenger that drank beer all the way causing him to barely walk as the train hit Melbourne!
Carol R, Victoria, Australia

My wife and I had planned to walk two famous Scottish long distance walks, The West Highland
Way and The Great Glen Way in May/June 2010. As we were sailing from Denmark to Harwich
and not knowing exactly whether our ship would arrive on time, we bought two Britrail Passes first
class for two days travel. As there was rail work disturbances outside London on that Sunday,
we decided to travel north with changes at Manningtree, Ipswich, Peterborough, Edinburgh
and eventually arriving in Glasgow at 21:50. With so many train changes we had some fears
of misunderstandings and the possibility of a very late arrival. But all our fears were in vain, as
everything went just perfect and with only a few minutes wait at each station, and of course with
our first class passes there was always a comfortable seat for us. As our hiking adventures
began at Milngave which is just outside Glasgow, we walked the 272km. to Inverness in thirteen
days, but whilst resting our aching feet, we took the lovely train journey back to Glasgow in only
three and a half hours. Since our holiday I have often told our friends, family and strangers
of our wonderful train journey back to Harwich via London. Traveling with Virgin Trains from
Glasgow we were welcomed on board by a very friendly and courteous staff in a super nice,
comfortable and clean carriage. During the whole train ride down to London, we were catered for
with breakfast, followed by refreshments, tea, coffee, wine and cake, and all that for free.
With our two days Britrail Passes we enjoyed every minute of our journeys, and saw such a great
variety of England and Scotland’s beautiful scenery and historical places and buildings. Thank
you BritRail. Roderick M, Faaborg, Fyn, Denmark

I only have one rail experience, but would so enjoy more! We took the Eurostar from London to
Paris in June of this year. It was my first rail experience ever! It was so exciting knowing we were
passing under the English Channel on our way to Paris. The countryside was so beautiful on
the France side. When we would see vehicles on some of the roads, they looked as if they were
standing still. Due to time constraints we were unable to travel more, but I hope to in the future.
It is so relaxing to not be the one driving and just being able to enjoy the ride. Donna B, Laredo,
TX, USA

My husband and I love ALL rail travel, from Via Rail Canada and BritRail to Amtrak, but have
especially fond memories of our trip from England to Venice aboard the Venice Simplon Orient
Express several years ago. Romantic and elegant as a vacation trip could possibly be. The
restored coaches just oozed history and we had a four star meal while rolling through the
beautiful French countryside. On the platform in Paris, my husband’s friend surprised us with a
bottle of champagne and took a picture to memorialize our wonderful train experience. Hope we
win this rail trip! Leslie P, Seattle, WA, USA

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

With the Rail Safeguard Plan Plus

ACP Rail has launched a new package to ensure travelers are protected if they lose or get their rail pass stolen, plus get a few extras such as free shipping to clients in The USA, Canada and Europe.

New Rail Safeguard Plan Plus
- The Rail Pass Safeguard Plan for lost or stolen passes *
- Free regular shipping (for clients of the US, Canada and Europe)
- Maps, timetables and travelers guide (if applicable to the product purchased)
- Complimentary ACP Rail/BritRail phone card worth $5 and 5 free minutes of International long distance

- Automatically be entered into ACP Rail’s draw for a rail holiday in Australia**

*ACP Rail will reimburse the holder(s) named on the rail pass or ticket, in case of theft or accidental loss of the rail pass or ticket. Each claim is reimbursed for the unused value at the time of theft or loss subject to exclusions, conditions and limitations.  Please consult FAQ’s for further details on the Rail Pass Safeguard Plan.

** You can also enter for a chance to win at www.acprail.com/entry-form as no purchase is necessary.

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.