A Luxurious Train Journey Through France
For those seeking an exclusive and immersive travel experience, a six-day luxury train journey through France has been proposed. This trip, known as Le Grand Tour, promises to take passengers on a 2,500-mile adventure across the country, showcasing its most iconic landmarks and cultural sites. The journey begins at Paris Gare de l’Est, a station renowned for its elegance, and continues through various cities and regions.
On the first day, travelers will stop in Reims for lunch, with the possibility of enjoying some champagne. The route then heads to Beaune in Burgundy, where a private tour of the ancient almshouse is planned. Day two includes a visit to Avignon, featuring a rooftop tasting of the region’s finest wines and produce. Later that day, the train will arrive in Carcassonne, a city in the southwest of France.
The third day of the journey takes passengers to Pau, a historical city with scenic views of the Pyrenees. In the afternoon, they will explore the Bay of Arcachon, visiting the Dubourdieu shipyards and taking a boat trip. The fourth day offers a visit to La Rochelle in the morning, followed by a private tour of Chenonceau, known as the “Château des Dames.”
The final days of the trip are expected to be more dramatic. On day five, the journey concludes with a visit to Puy du Fou, a historical theme park southeast of Nantes. This location is described as a place where history and legend come alive, culminating in a grand spectacle under the stars. However, it is worth noting that this choice of destination seems unusual for the climax of the trip, possibly due to the involvement of the Puy du Fou enterprise in promoting the journey.
Despite the appealing concept, there is little information about confirmed departures beyond 2022. Therefore, while the idea of a first-class trip around France in September sounds enticing, travelers may find it more practical to opt for a first-class Interrail pass instead.
Handling Overnight Flight Delays
When a flight is delayed overnight, passengers are entitled to certain accommodations under air passenger rights rules. According to these regulations, anyone whose flight is delayed overnight should be provided with a hotel room and meals appropriate to the length of the delay. Additionally, the Package Travel Regulations state that if the organizer cannot ensure a traveler’s return as agreed, they must bear the cost of necessary accommodation, ideally of equivalent category.
In many cases, when a flight connected to a package holiday is delayed by 24 hours, the hotel stay is simply extended by one night. However, the airline or holiday company may move passengers to a different property, such as an airport hotel, if necessary. While it is unlikely that passengers will be left to handle the situation themselves, if they do, they should pay for the extra stay and meals and submit the receipts to the company for reimbursement.
Driving in North Macedonia and Albania
For those planning a trip to North Macedonia and Albania, concerns about driving conditions are valid. Albanian traffic accident statistics over the past decade show a high number of fatalities, with an average of more than 200 deaths per year. Adjusted for population, this rate is about 2.5 times higher than in the UK. Road standards in both countries are poor, with issues including bad driving, inadequate policing, and dangerous roads.
Rail travel is not a viable option in either country, making it wise to rely on professional drivers. Many travelers in these regions use buses or minibuses for longer distances and taxis for shorter trips. Coaches and minibuses often run between larger towns and cities, with some operating on demand. Crossing between North Macedonia and Albania is straightforward.
For shorter journeys, travelers can flag down a taxi or take a local bus. In North Macedonia, services like Bolt offer similar functionality to Uber. Hotels can also provide reliable drivers for excursions covering multiple locations in a single day. As someone who prefers not to drive, it is advisable to let professionals handle the driving, allowing travelers to enjoy the stunning landscapes and meet locals along the way.
