Will you be on the rails this winter?

Treyn Holidays (treynholidays.co.uk ), the escorted rail tours specialist, has launched its Classic European Winter and Spring Rail Holidays 2008-2009 brochure featuring 16 new itineraries – including its first lake cruise and a range of festive breaks.

The superb collection of great value holidays are composed of five Christmas Markets tours, two Christmas and New Year breaks, two Carnival holidays, three Short Breaks and four winter holidays.

Destinations on Treyn Holidays’ new programme include Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic. Prices range from £275 for a four-day Paris shopping experience to £895 for the eight-day Florence, Bologna and the Venice Carnival tour.

The four-day Bulb Fields Cruise & Amsterdam holiday, which departs on the 18, 21 and 24 April 2009, includes a cruise through the heart of the Netherlands.

The tour departs by rail from St Pancras International bound for Amsterdam for a three-night cruise on-board the MPS Lady Anne. On-board, enjoy beautiful four-course cuisine whilst experiencing spectacular views of the Markermeer and Ijsselmeer lakes. Stroll around Volendam’s picturesque harbour, explore Kempen with its medieval touches of architecture and enjoy free time in Amsterdam.

The cost is from £495 per person, based on two sharing. Price is inclusive of return rail travel, three nights’ accommodation on-board the MPS Lady Anne including all meals, excursions to Het Loo Palace, a former home of the Dutch Royal family, and the breathtaking Keukenhof Gardens, transfers, plus the services of a Tour Manager throughout.

The four-day Cologne & Rüdesheim Christmas Markets break, which is based in the picturesque town of Remagen, is a wonderful opportunity to visit four of Germany’s festive markets.

Explore Neumarkt, the oldest of Cologne’s festive markets with its beautifully decorated stands and mouth-watering fare and visit the charming Alter Markt. Discover the Cathedral Christmas Market, set against the backdrop of the magnificent Cathedral and home to the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland. Embark upon an excursion to Rüdesheim to experience the town’s festive market atmosphere and to see Europe’s largest nativity scene.

Available with selected departure dates between 27 November 2008 and 18 December 2008, the price is £295 per person, based on two sharing, inclusive of return rail travel from St Pancras International, three nights’ three-star half-board hotel accommodation, a visit to Cologne’s Christmas Markets, an excursion to Rüdesheim, all transfers and the services of a Tour Manager throughout.

Alternatively, take a relaxing yet energising break to the charming and elegant Belgian town of Spa on a five-day Original Spa break. Experience a wide range of treatments or simply relax and soak up the restorative powers of the thermal baths in Spa. Other highlights include the chance to explore the town’s many splendours such as the casino, the animated weekly market or a guided tour of the Spa Monopole water museum.

Departures are available on selected dates between 25 January 2009 and 8 March 2009 at a cost of £385, based on two sharing. The price is inclusive of return rail travel from St Pancras International, four nights’ four-star hotel accommodation with breakfast, a pass allowing unlimited access to the hotel’s private funicular railway, a one day pass to the Thermal Baths, a visit to the Spa Monopole Museum and Factory, all transfers and the services of a Tour Manager throughout.

Discover the sophisticated charms of the Riviera and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur on a six-day New Year & Carnival on the Riviera tour. A choice of departure dates between 29 December 2008 and 18 March 2009 provides the opportunity to welcome in the New Year from the Riviera, experience the delights of the Nice Carnival or enjoy springtime in the south of France.

Highlights include an excursion on-board the Train des Pignes to the pretty village of St André-les-Alpes, a New Years Eve dinner (29 December departure) and a visit to Nice’s Carnival Flower Parade and annual Lemon festival in Menton (18 & 25 February departures). Days at leisure provide the opportunity to explore the narrow streets of Nice’s old town or to travel further afield to Cannes or glamorous Monaco.

The cost is from £465 per person, based on two sharing. This price is inclusive of return rail travel from St Pancras International, five nights’ three-star hotel accommodation with breakfast each day, transfers, all excursions as per the itinerary and the services of a Tour Manager throughout.

For further details visit Treynholidays.co.uk.