Yahoo News What it’s really like to go on a rail holiday during the pandemic
With air travel limited by quarantine rules and many of us choosing to take a UK staycation rather than head abroad, a great British rail trip could be the answer to planning a holiday for 2021.
Relaxing, scenic and more eco-friendly than flying, rail travel was already gaining popularity before the pandemic struck. Now it seems like a safe and enjoyable way to have a well-earned break, thanks to railway companies’ strict social distancing measures.
See the latest advice from the government on staycations and guidance for travelling to Scotland from other parts of the UK.
On the charming Jacobite steam train for example, which you can experience on our exclusive steam tour of the Scottish Highlands in summer 2021, reduced capacity, deep cleaning and staff temperature tests are all in place to keep you protected
To give you an idea of what it’s really like to travel by train during the pandemic, we spoke to one Good Housekeeping reader and her husband, who went on the tour in August.
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Franceska and John Neeve, from Somerset, admit that they’d heard "quite a lot of people had pulled out" of the trip, including some of their friends, but decided to "just bite the bullet".
Luckily, any worries were quickly put to rest in the weeks leading up to the departure, Franceska explains.
"John is 76 and can be classified as at risk, but Brightwater [the operator of the tour] inspired us with such confidence in the pre-communication. We had a little pack given to us a week before we went which was really good. It had face masks in, hand gel, and wipes and that sort of thing. You felt well prepared."
"When we first met Alastair, our guide, he said to all wear our masks on the coach, and everyone was being very conscientious and socially distanced on the bus."
Overall though, "the social distancing thing didn’t affect our trip at all," adds Franceska, who says the highlights were the romantic scenery in Scotland, and the superb food and views at the Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel, where guests stay for three nights with breakfast and dinner included.
"I love food," she says. "I cook a lot, and we go out to some nice places to eat. But I’m not joking, the food at that hotel is almost Michelin-star quality. It wasn’t just good, it was stunning. We had a lovely beef bourguignon – absolutely melt in the mouth."
"I’d definitely go back there, without a doubt. It’s very tastefully Scottish. From the dining room you could look down across the loch, and we had these beautiful sunsets, which were idyllic."
Her husband John, meanwhile, enjoyed finding out about the region’s history and culture: "I thought the way Alastair handled the whole thing in a measured, friendly way was fantastic. He was clearly very knowledgeable."
And despite social distancing, the couple found plenty of time to chat to their fellow guests.
"People are always a little bit British and self-conscious, but slowly everybody warmed up and it was a nice group," Franceska says. "Everyone seemed to get on very well."
She adds: "There was a very good mix of group and independent time too, so you could explore a few shops and have some lunch off your own back in a little café."
This led to a brilliant chance encounter, on a walk to a Roman camp close to the Falkirk Wheel: "On the way we met a sort of local historian, and had a full blown talk about this Roman camp, which we then went to see. It was extraordinary."
On riding the Jacobite train with social distancing and Covid-19 measures in place, Franceska explains: "The train was comfortable and very nostalgic. We all sat with our masks on and enjoyed the ride. Chugging around the actual bend to see the viaduct was a very exciting moment."
She added that the scenery from the Jacobite steam train to the lake was "really stunning".
Summing up the trip to the Highlands, Franceska says: "It was a huge treat – the whole place. We had perfect blue, clear skies, and 22 degrees. We’d recommend everyone to go."
Fancy experiencing Good Housekeeping's steam tour of the Scottish Highlands for yourself? We have two new dates for our popular trip in summer 2021.
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