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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TTG SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL HEROES PROGRAMME

Video transcript

Monika Laimaite, TTG Media:

Hello from Lucerne, Switzerland. I’m here with Intrepid Travel and nine of our 2025 TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors in training on the operator’s first no-fly fam trip. We started our journey in London, where we took the Eurostar to Paris, then we travelled to Lausanne and now Lucerne – all by train. Along the way, agents have enjoyed incredible experiences – sampling local food, diving into culture and soaking up panoramic views from the tracks. So let’s hear what the agents have to say about their experiences as well as their top tips for selling Intrepid’s European rail itineraries.

Lisa Russell, Wanderluxe:

So, the Eurostar experience from London to Paris was totally new for me, and starting in the Premier Lounge was a really, really lovely way to begin. The boarding process in London was really easy, and the train was very comfortable. The Wi-Fi was fabulous, which meant we could all do a little bit of work on our way over to Paris, and the breakfast service made it really special.

Caroline Joyner, Travel Counsellors:

In Paris, we did an Urban Adventure tour of Le Marais with a local guide, Cecilia. She was absolutely brilliant. She was so full of personality. We saw the hidden parts of Paris and learned about the history of the different areas within Le Marais. It felt like we were learning so much more than we ever could just walking around by ourselves.

We started our Swiss experience in Lausanne, and what really struck me was how beautiful the centre of Lausanne was. It felt like a historic quarter and you felt as if you were on a film set straight away. It was chocolate-box Switzerland, absolutely gorgeous. But then you also have the lakeside area with its beautiful mountainous view. We managed to get there easily on public transport and go for a dip in the lake at the Bellevue Beach area, which was just perfect.

Lisa Russell, Wanderluxe:

Switzerland is so well connected by rail, it puts the UK to shame. Everywhere is so easy to get to, and the Swiss Rail Pass is worth purchasing because not only does it allow you access all around the rail network, but it also gives you access to some of the museums and experiences you can enjoy. Using the Swiss Rail Pass, we were also able to visit Chillon Castle, and we visited the Olympic Museum, which was a real highlight for me.

Caroline Joyner, Travel Counsellors:

Chateu de Chillon was just outside Lausanne, about a 20-minute train ride away. When we first arrived, it struck us as being from a fairy tale straight away. It literally is that picture perfect castle right on the lake with the misty mountains behind. It had a real feeling of mysteriousness as well.

Lisa Russell, Wanderluxe:

Lucerne was my first experience of a lakeside living city, and so many people say that living by water is always very relaxing and it wasn't any exception there.

Aimee Morgan, Murray Travel:

Our experience we had on the cogwheel train was brilliant. It was great to learn about the history of the cogwheel train dated back to the 1870s. Once you get off the train, make sure you go right to the summit of Rigi, and from there you can see over the whole of Switzerland, seeing all of the lakes and all of the peaks and the beaches.

A big misconception with tour holidays can be that you're herded from one town to another with very little of your own time. I can confirm that's not the case. On this rail trip with Intrepid, we've had lots of free time to immerse ourselves within the locals. We've been able to dine in the evening at times when we wanted to in restaurants of our choosing to suit our tastes.

So, being a massive foodie, I was really excited about all of the food on this trip. But my favourite experience was when we went to House Fondue Du Pont for our fondue night. We got the opportunity to try the cheese fondue, meat fondue, and, of course, the chocolate fondue. It was great to be in a local restaurant, mixing with the locals of Lucerne.

Lisa Russell, Wanderluxe:

Top tips for selling Intrepid's rail itineraries are definitely for those people who can't or won't fly but want to explore more of the continent, because it's such an easy hop over from the UK. They're for people who want to see more of the country by whizzing through it on the train rather than flying over it in a plane. And remember that they're guaranteed, so people can have the date and departure in their diaries and know it's not going to be cancelled because there's not enough people on the tour. They're great itineraries, with great tour leaders and they really enable you to see so much and get under the skin of the country with great people.

I am going to go back and actively encourage people to try a rail itinerary because it's so easy to get around. You've got no faffing at security like you have at airports and you really get to see an awful lot of a country in a very short space of time.