Managing director Chris Wright said the operator had been “surprised” by take-up for new rail routes to Corfu and a number of other Greek destinations.

The operator recently began offering rail as a one or two-way option, with some choosing to return by air.

The journey begins with a morning Eurostar journey to Paris, followed by a transfer across the city and a late afternoon connection, traversing the Alps to Milan for an overnight stay.

A train to Bari the following morning connects with the overnight ferry to Corfu and Igoumenitsa.

Sunvil is offering the option, with Milan hotel and ferry cabin, at a £350pp one-way premium on the normal package price, with longer stops en route possible.

As well as Corfu, rail travel is an option on packages to Paxos and AntiPaxos, Lefkas, Parga and Sivota.

Wright, who has made the journey to Corfu himself, said: “I really enjoyed it so we decided to explore it further. Demand has been surprisingly hot.

“It’s a bit of a 50/50 split. It’s older customers with a bit of time on their hands and families with children who are urging their parents to fly less.”

The success has encouraged the operator to look at other rail itineraries.

“We’re hoping to roll it out to the rest of the European programme – you go to Italy to get to Greece, so that’s an easy one, and we’re looking at Norway and Sweden,” Wright added.