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From wellness holidays to micro-cations, most of the major travel trends for mature, more discerning travellers emerging in 2020 are underpinned by a common theme: sustainability and growing eco-awareness. For progressive tour operators, this means offering smaller sized tour groups and keeping itineraries and experiences traditional, giving their travellers authentic experiences they can not only savour but also feel good about, both during and after their adventure.

The 15-day rail odyssey includes an afternoon at Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest concentration camp in occupied Europe during 1940-1945. With the liberation taking place in January 1945, 75 years ago, visiting the Memorial in commemoration for those lost in the Holocaust is of particular interest for travellers this year.

Poland: Steam, Trams & History, from £2,420pp, also includes time in Aachen, Szczecin, Wolsztyn, Leszno, Warsaw, Easter Sunday in UNESCO Krakow, and Berlin, and excursions to the Warsaw Railway Museum, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, and the Berlin Technology Museum. A key highlight of the trip is the 4-day award-winning Wolsztyn Steam Experience. Maria Cook, General Manager of Ffestiniog Travel said “we are also pleased to announce today’s news that all customers joining the tour on April 1 2020 will be able to enjoy a day travelling by scheduled steam, as these are expected to cease from May 2020 onwards. Additionally, a limited number of footplate rides are available to book on a first-come first-served basis, at no extra charge. This is the last time the footplate rides will be available”.

The escorted tour itinerary includes outbound rail, a 4-day tour with the Wolsztyn Experience, 14-nights hotel accommodation with breakfast, internal travel as per the itinerary, excursions as per the itinerary, and the services of a tour leader throughout.

As people become more aware of their personal carbon footprint and general impact on the environment a change in holiday habits is fast becoming apparent as individuals develop a more mindful approach when choosing where they go and how. Rail tour operator Ffestiniog Travel (www.ffestiniogtravel.com / 01766 512 400) is already ahead of the game and has been offering its clients a choice of ‘Eco-Friendly’, ‘Sustainable’, and ‘Authentic’ tours for many years.;

Cheshire-based Three Little Birds PR has been appointed to represent Ffestiniog Travel

North Wales-based Ffestiniog Travel is the UK’s longest running rail holiday operator, specialist in creating escorted rail tours and tailored rail holidays around the world. Sister company to the world famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway Company, the operator prides themselves in developing unrivalled rail holidays while supporting the preservation of the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railways. Appealing to train enthusiasts as well as holiday makers who enjoy their journey being part of the holiday, Ffestiniog Travel are the only UK tour provider with more than 45 years in operation and such in-depth expertise whose founder is still part of the business today.

Three Little Birds PR has been appointed to oversee press office functions, content creation, press travel and business strategy. Sheila Manzano, Three Little Birds PR Founder and MD said “our agency specialises solely in the tourism industry, with a niche in the rail sector, and this appointment is very exciting for our team. We are delighted to be working with Ffestiniog Travel and to share content around the continually evolving product range. Their stellar reputation and passion for what they do aligns directly with our ethos here at Three Little Birds PR.”

With a strong track record in achieving growth for many of the UK’s holiday operators who specialise in rail, Three Little Birds PR will be focussed on driving improved results for Ffestiniog Travel developing relationships with the UK media and nurturing consumer and trade sentiment to the brand.

Maria Cook, General Manager for Ffestiniog Travel added “we have some ambitious plans in the pipeline, and from our first meeting with Three Little Birds PR we were very excited about the ideas and creativity they brought to the table. We could see they loved trains and rail travel as much as we do, so will fit our growing team perfectly. We are looking forward to working with such a dynamic, involved team. Three Little Birds PR will be a vital part in us sharing the news of our award-winning holidays.”