Melanie Winship-Lee's love of escorted rail began with a 50th birthday trip to America's East Coast on our New England in Fall tour. "We really wanted to try a rail holiday for my birthday, and my favourite season is autumn," she says. "It was stunning. I especially loved Nantucket and Newport."
Since that first tour, Melanie and her husband have fallen in love with escorted rail journeys. They've joined two more tours in far-flung places: Vietnam, Cambodia and South America. Next up? Our Treasures of China & Yangtze River Cruise tour with friends they met on a previous holiday.
We asked Melanie about what it was like to take part in her first tour, why she loves escorted travel, why she'd rather travel by train than fly, and how she found lasting friendships while travelling.
Finding Lasting Friendships on Tour
Travelling as part of a group is a great way to meet like-minded people and form friendships. In Melanie's case, the connection continued beyond a single tour:
"We met our friends on the Grand Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia trip,'" she says. "We just clicked straight away and got on so well. We arranged meals out together in the evenings and kept in touch after the holiday."
Our Grand Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia is an incredible two-week experience, taking groups from bustling Hanoi to the ancient temples of Siem Reap. Passengers get to witness the beauty of Ha Long Bay on an overnight cruise, travel by rail along Vietnam's coast and tour Cambodia's lost city of Angkor Wat.
Right after the tour, Melanie says, she and her friends started planning their next trip together:
"We all booked onto the South America trip last year and maintained that great friendship. We have a WhatsApp group, and we regularly keep in touch. This year, we're all travelling to China together! It'll be fantastic to see everyone again."
Why Choose an Escorted Journey
After decades of travelling independently, joining a group can be anxiety-inducing. On her first trip, Melanie says, she thought she and her husband would be the youngest in the group.
"It turned out that wasn't the case at all," she says. "There was such a mix of ages, couples, singles and families, and everyone got on really well."
Group sizes on our escorted tours range from as low as 16 to a maximum of 40, making it easy to get to know your fellow travellers as you explore remarkable destinations, enjoy delicious cuisine and soak up stunning scenery on iconic trains.
With travel, immersive excursions and group meals included, groups have plenty of opportunities to spend time together throughout the tour.
"On our first trip, we got to know everyone in our group very quickly. Everyone is in the same mindset, and excited to be going on holiday," Melanie says. "There are often group meals together, and it was lovely to see solo travellers made to feel welcome to join others for breakfast and dinner."
Our itineraries also offer plenty of flexibility, with opportunities to dine, explore or unwind independently. As Melanie explains, you're welcome to forgo a particular excursion to relax at the hotel - after all, it is your holiday:
"If you don't want to go out and want a day of relaxation, you can stay at the hotel and chill out, which is what we did one day in Cambodia."
Seamless Itineraries, Expert Tour Managers
On an escorted holiday with Great Rail Journeys, every detail is taken care of, from travel and accommodation to selected meals and excursions. Plus, our Tour Managers are with you every step of the way, handling all the details so you can unwind and enjoy the journey.
"I love the fact that everything is already organised," Melanie says. "You just turn up at the airport to meet the Tour Manager and the group. And then, when you're on tour, you just turn up in reception each morning and head out."
With itineraries designed to showcase your destination's iconic sights, history, culture and flavours, every day of an escorted tour brings something new. From guided city tours to iconic railway journeys and immersive cultural experiences, we ensure you get the most of out of your escorted holiday.
"For me, seeing as much as possible in the time away is the most important part of travelling," Melanie says. "Great Rail Journeys are really good at maximising the time, with something interesting every day."
Our customers also love the relaxed pace, sweeping views and social environment that come with travelling by rail. As Melanie explains, "More time travelling by train and coach is better than flying because you get to see far more."
Next Up for Melanie: Treasures of China & Yangtze River Cruise
When asked which parts of her next tour she's most excited about, Melanie says: "Definitely the Great Wall and the pandas. Also, the three-night river cruise, which I think will be stunning."
Our Treasures of China & Yangtze River Cruise highlights China's incredible blend of breathtaking modernism and beautiful imperial history. Passengers get to step back in time with visits to the iconic Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China, come face-to-face with the astonishing Terracotta Army and meet panda cubs in Chengdu - all before embarking on a cruise along the mighty Yangtze and visiting Shanghai.
"It's such a vast country and differs so much from north to south - and for much of it, I have no idea what to expect. The itinerary looks amazing and I'm still researching all the places we'll be visiting, which is part of the build-up to such an amazing trip."
For those considering joining their first escorted group tour, Melanie has some advice:
"Just go for it! We've recommended Great Rail Journeys to many of our friends, and we're still working our way through our bucket list. Japan, Australia and New Zealand. We've already booked Canada for next year!"
Whether you're interested in holidays close to home or across the world, we offer a wide range of escorted itineraries crafted to bring each destination to life with immersive experiences and memorable moments.
Discover our escorted tours and make your dream holiday a reality.
