Family holidays

Taking the FAMILY on a HOLIDAY this year?

For those of you for whom the expression family holiday is a bit of an oxymoron, the train provides the perfect solution.

If you've ever tried strapping a restless five year old in an airline seat, or subduing/entertaining a pair of bickersome/bored teens occupying the back seat of your car, you will know that rail travel makes so much more sense. There's room to stretch your legs and, er, get away from each other if needs be; there are also eminently accessible washroom facilities, and a range of refreshment options.

By purchasing a Rail Pass, you are effectively buying the key to a relatively stress-free break (we do realise that life with toddlers or teens is never entirely stress-free). You can buy them for any duration, and they work in every direction so whether you are heading off for a week's camp in southern climes or touring Scandinavia for the summer, we will surely have a model to suit you.

InterRail is to Europe as Japan Rail is, well, to Japan oddly enough - and if you are orient bound this year, again, the train is the best option for family trips.

America may seem challenging with 2.4 kids in tow, but it becomes a whole lot smaller and more manageable with a clutch of Amtrak USA rail passes under your belt. Go on, you really did want to see Disney World and Disney Land on the same vacation didn't you?

The same may be said of Australia: train journeys of such magnitude are exciting and fun, and with an Austrail Flexipass, the outback (not to mention the mountains, reefs and oceans) is your oyster.

Just remember to pack the play-station and lots of colouring books.