Why rail and sail is the ultimate way to cruise in 2018

Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer



Train-cruise holidays are all the rage right now and allow you to bring something extra special to a luxury voyage. With cruisers looking to spend more time on land and add once-in-a-lifetime experiences to their trips, a train journey is the perfect way to cruise in style in 2018. Travel companies are now pulling out all the stops to ensure that those who like the best of both worlds can enjoy a dream holiday combining rail and sea adventures.

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Whether you fancy a glamorous ride aboard the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from London to Venice before sailing to gorgeous Greek islands, or an African river cruise aboard the Zambezi Queen in Botswana before a great train journey on the Rovos Rail and stopping off for a Big Five safari in Zimbabwe, here's our pick of three of the most captivating rail and cruise holidays to take in 2018.

Orient Express train
Orient Express train



Ride the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and sail to Greece with Seabourn

Sovereign has added cruises to its tailor-made offering and partnered with the likes of Regent Seven Seas, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea to add extra-special land experiences to five-star sailings. Its holiday with Seabourn invites you to take an overnight trip on the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from London to Venice, followed by a two-night city break to relax at the San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice, before setting sail from on Seabourn's seven-night Adriatic and Greek Glories cruise to Sibenik in Croatia, Kotor in Montenegro and Corfu, Lefkada, Gythion and Nafplion in Greece. The nine-night holiday costs from £6,130 per person and departs on 7 June 2018.

Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer



Take a Rocky Mountaineer tour through Canada and explore Alaska with Holland America Line

For a North American trip of a lifetime, look no further than Travelbag's adventure rail and cruise holiday from Canada to Alaska. The holiday starts with two nights in Banff, Alberta before you board the Rocky Mountaineer for a scenic train ride towards Vancouver, taking you through sky-high scenery between the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, along rocky lakeshores and across ranchlands. After hopping off at Vancouver, you'll spend two nights exploring the laid-back city and then take your holiday to sea with Holland America Line, sailing the Inside Passage to discover dozens of glaciers, hard-to-reach communities and wildlife along the way. The 13-night holiday costs from £2,359 per person and departs on 7 May 2018.

Zambezi Queen
Zambezi Queen



Journey across Africa's rivers and railways on the Zambezi Queen and Rovos Rail

Wexas Travel has launched an exciting selection of rail and cruise holidays for 2018 which includes a 15-day journey through South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Beginning in Cape Town to explore winelands, history and the Atlantic Coast, you'll then fly north to Botswana for a four-day river cruise aboard the Zambezi Queen to spot hippos, lions and herds of elephants in Chobe National Park. The trip then takes you across the border to Zimbabwe to feel the full force of nature at Victoria Falls, before an opulent journey aboard the Rovos Rail, the pride of African train travel, which stops for a safari at Hwange National Park. The holiday costs from £10,710 per person and departs between May and September 2018.

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