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About Us
Established
1998
We were
established in 1998 and have built up a fine reputation of
reliability and quality which see our customers return time and
time again. Many of our regular customers travel with us several
times a year.
Comfort and Friendship
At PTG Tours we pride ourselves on the enjoyment that you get
from our tours. On our special charter trains, whenever
possible, first class carriages are used with a maximum of 30
people per coach giving everyone space to spread out. We only
use quality hotels, normally 4 star. All our tours are limited
to small groups leading to an unrivalled friendly atmosphere.
Many of our customers have become good friends and return time
and time again. PTG Tours Limited was established in 1998 and
has built up a good strong reputation for quality and
reliability.
There is no better way to see these fascinating countries than
travelling by train and staying at the finest hotels.
Plenty for Everyone
Our holidays are for anyone looking for something a bit
different. They have a railway theme but include visits to
historic cities, gardens, vineyards, port lodges, river cruises
and much more. We use vintage locomotives (sometimes steam) and
carriages, where available, therefore adding to the atmosphere.
By using trains we allow you to see the most beautiful areas
from the comfort of your First Class seat in the most relaxing
and safest form of transport. Many of the areas we visit are
only visible from the railway line.
Flexibility
We have regular tours throughout the year varying from one to
ten days. On most tours you have the option of joining the
complete tour or just the days that interest you the most. We
can also arrange extra nights if you wish to extend your stay. A
single supplement is also available.
Everyone Is Welcome
On our tours we have a great mixture of men and women, couples
and singles. A typical Vintage Port tour will be 32 people of
which about 28 would be couples. Each day is general quite short
with no early starts. A typical day on the Vintage Port Holiday
for example would start at 10am and finish by 6pm. Also you can
often opt out of a day and have a free day of your own time.
Why Portugal?
Just two hours by air from London but with a mild climate
throughout the year, wonderful beaches and a mass of historical
interest. Very little crime, wonderful, cheap food and drink and
peace loving and welcoming people, are just some of the reasons
for choosing Portugal.
Portugal’s borders have remained unchanged for 800 years, its 10
million people speak their own language, follow their own unique
cultural traditions, and have a centuries-old history of proud
independence from, and deep distrust of neighbouring Spain. For
a small country, the regions of Portugal are immensely varied.
The rural Minho and Trás-os-Montes in the north are the most
traditional – some would say backward. The south of the country
could not be more different. The Algarve, blessed with beautiful
sandy beaches and a wonderful warm Mediterranean climate all
year round. Two great rivers, the Tagus and Douro, rise in Spain
and then flow westwards across Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean.
From the wild upper reaches of the Douro valley, comes
Portugal’s most famous product – port wine, from steeply
terraced vineyards hewn out of the mountainsides. At the mouth
of the Tagus and Douro stand Portugal’s two major cities, Lisbon
and Porto (Oporto) respectively. Lisbon, with its narrow 17th
century streets, vintage trams and castle of St.George. Porto
with its medieval streets and water front.
Travellers in Portugal will find a mild-mannered, easy-going
people. At the same time they have an innate sense of
politeness. There is a special weakness for children, who are
cherished, indulged and welcomed everywhere. Portugal is one of
Britain’s oldest allies with a friendship going back over 400
years.
Douro Valley
Many of our tours include Portugal’s most beautiful region, the
port vineyards of the Douro Valley. This wide river valley was
tamed by a series of dams in the 1970’s enhancing the beauty of
the area even more. The only way to see the area at its best is
by train and river cruise. Our tours combine both forms of
transport to give you an unforgettable experience. We also visit
the spectacular Tamega, Corgo and Tua valleys which feed the
Douro and are still served by narrow gauge railways that cling
to the sides of the mountains. Visits to vineyards, the palace
of Mateus and port lodges complete the experience.
Why Northern Spain?
Spain is a land of variety. The climate and landscape vary from
snow-capped peaks in the Pyrenees, through the green meadows of
Galicia and the orange groves of Valencia, to the desert of
Almeria. It is also the most mountainous country in Europe after
Switzerland and Austria. All this results in a greater range of
landscapes than any other European country. In Spain we
concentrate on the regions of Galicia, Catalonia and the
beautiful unspoilt north coast. Galicia is Spain’s undiscovered
province in the far north west of the country. A region of
spectacular mountains, fertile valleys and a rugged coastline
producing the best shellfish in Europe. We visit the historic
cities of Santiago de Compostela, Vigo and Corunha as well as
the Island of Cies one of Spain’s National parks. The railway
lines in the region take us through some of the most fantastic
scenery in Spain, both coastal and mountains, places that just
can not be seen by road, the ultimate way to see this
fascinating area. In Catalonia we have Barcelona, undoubtedly
one of the finest cities in Europe, combined with the foothills
of the Pyrenees mountains.
USA
and Beyond
In 2004 we formed ties with the Rail Travel Center in the US to
offer fascinating tours through the diverse landscapes and
history of the States. We also had our first trip in Cuba. In
2007 we are pleased to introduce new destinations including
Bulgaria, Sweden, St Petersburg, Ukraine and Argentina.
Freedom and Security
On all our tours you have the services of our guides to help you
as much or as little as you feel you need. Our guides are
ex-pats who have lived in Portugal or Spain for many years and
therefore have extensive knowledge of the areas we visit and are
able to help with any language barriers in the more remote
regions. All tours are fully escorted by a PTG Tour Manager
except the Douro River Cruise. PTG Tours Limited is an
established company with hundreds of very satisfied customers.
Unlike some other tour operators we pre-pay all our suppliers
(hotels, trains, coaches etc) before you leave the UK. Therefore
in the very unlikely event of something happening to the Company
while you were away your holiday would not be affected in
anyway. A Company Director also accompanies many of the
holidays. All our international travel is also arranged by ATOL
registered companies.
In accordance
with "The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours
Regulations 1992" all passengers booking with PTG Tours
Limited are fully protected for the initial deposit and
subsequently the balance of all monies paid to us, including
repatriation if required, arising from cancellation or
curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of
PTG Tours Limited. A certificate detailing this cover will be
given to each passenger as evidence of cover. This Insurance has
been arranged by International Passenger Protection Limited and
underwritten by Insurers who are members of the Association of
British Insurers.
Meals
On all our tours (except to the US) breakfast is included each
morning. Some other meals are included and these are marked
under each day on the itinerary; B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
Who We Are
Paul and Lisa Spracklen are the Directors of the Company
and help run the company from the UK. You will probably meet
Paul as he accompanies many of the tours.
Michelle Kerry (based in the UK) and helps with
administration and handling the telephone.
Stephen Martin (based in the UK) Acts as Tour Manager on
US and Sweden tour and works to create new tours to add to the
PTG portfolio. For 2008 Stephen is creating tours to New Zealand
and Italy.
Marion Matthews (based in the UK) acts as Tour Manager on
many of our tours including Spain, Portugal and Bulgaria. For
2008 Marion is setting up a very exciting tour to Canada.
Graham and Marita Garnell (based in Lisbon, Portugal) are
our key people in Portugal and have been leading our Vintage
Port holidays from day one (we have now run this particular
holiday 24 times!). If you travel on any of our Portugal tours
then the chances are that Graham and Marita will be looking
after you.
Stephen Williams (based in Portugal) leads some of our
Portugal and Northern Spain trips.
John Bennett and Angelina Pons (based near Barcelona,
Spain) are our key people in Spain and set up and lead most of
our tours in Spain and other Spanish speaking countries such as
Argentina and Cuba. John will also be leading our tour in
Ukraine this year.
Jacobo Yuste (based in Spain) organises
our hotels, coaches and other off-rail activities.
Mark Minnett and David Eakins
(based in UK) and Andrew Donnelly (Lisbon) help out on our
enthusiast tours.
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