| TRAINS & TRAVEL P.O. BOX 312 PORTOLA, CALIFORNIA 96122 Chris@traintrips.biz Rail Tours Manager. For questions regarding tour itineraries and details. |
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1-800 359-4870 USA 1-800 752-1836 CANADA 1-800 266-8751 FAX (530) 836-1944 |
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Geoff Cooke is proposing a tour that will visit the areas that were influenced by Cecil Rhodes. Starting in Cape Town, where he was Prime Minister and where he died, the tour will end near Bulawayo in the Matobo Hills, where he is buried. The tour will appeal to travellers who have an interest in history. The story of Cecil Rhodes is fascinating, but the tour will be balanced between the man and the other interests in the areas he influenced. A deep interest in Cecil Rhodes is not necessary. Rhodes was the greatest imperial railway builder in Africa. He commented that ‘the telegraph is my voice, and the railway my right hand’. Wherever possible, this railway theme will be explored.
Day 1 Saturday October 13, 2012: (D) Arrive in Cape Town. Transfer to the four star Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel and relax for the rest of the day before an included dinner at a restaurant near the hotel. The hotel provides a free transfer bus to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, an attractive harbour-side combination of museums, aquarium, working harbour, shops and restaurants.
 Day 2 Sunday October 14, 2012: (B-D) Today we will tour Cape Town with a local guide. See the Company Gardens, where Rhodes Statue faces north. The Parliament Buildings where he was Prime Minister and the Cathedral. Also see the Museum, the Castle, the Malay Quarter and much more. Ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting, extra charge). There will be free time before you join Geoff for an included boat trip around the Cape Town harbour. Dinner today will be at a waterfront restaurant.
 Day 3 Monday October 15, 2012: (B-L) Today, travel down the Cape Peninsular Atlantic coast past the Twelve Apostles mountains and Hout Bay to Cape Point. Ride the Flying Dutchman funicular railway to the lighthouse before stopping for a photo opportunity at the Cape of Good Hope. Continue to Simonstown, where there will be time to explore the town following lunch. Join a Metro train at Simonstown, pausing to see the corner stone commemorating that Rhodes opened the station. Travel by train over the beach past the naval defences as we make our way down the False Bay coast to Muizenburg. Visit Rhodes cottage at Muizenburg, which is where he died and is now a museum dedicated to his life. Continue by coach to see Rhodes Memorial, attractively positioned at the base of Table Mountain on the Groot Schuur estate that he bequeathed to the Colony.
Day 4 Tuesday October 16, 2012: (B-L) Today we will travel over Sir Lowry's Pass, where we will pause to view the panorama of the False Bay and Cape Flats stretching back to the City. Continue to Grabouw in the Cape deciduous fruit region before motoring over the Franschhoek Mountains to the small town of Franschhoek, where we will pause for a while. Our next stop will be the Boschendal Wine Estate, with a 'le pique nique' lunch on the famous Pavillion lawns immersed in the breathtaking beauty of the mountains and vineyards, followed by an estate tour and wine tasting. There will be time to explore the rose, herb and healing gardens, visit the wine cellar and shop, or relax under the ancient oak trees. The history of Boschendal goes back to 1685, when it was established to produce wine. In 1897 the wine estates of the Cape were devastated by a tiny root louse called Phylloxera. Boschendal was not spared, and the estate became bankrupt. Cecil Rhodes stepped in, seeing the potential to grow fruit in the area. He combined a number of valley farms and created the Rhodes Fruit Farms. The manor house was declared a National Monument in 1976, it is one of only a few original Cape farmhouses that have been restored and furnished according to old inventories. It is a typical H-shaped house with yellowwood ceilings, floorboards and doors set in teak frames. Day 5 Wednesday October 17, 2012: (B-D) This morning, motor to Matjiesfontein, a small Karoo village on the ‘Cape to Cairo’ railway route where Rhodes and other famous people escaped from the damp climate of Cape Town. The village is now preserved as a fascinating heritage site, including the original Lord Milner hotel, where we will spend the night. This afternoon, explore Maitjiesfontein. See the railway museum, transport collection, the local history museum and the many preserved buildings. Find out about Olive Schreiner, an author and opponent to Rhodes, and Logan, who developed the village and held the catering concession for the Cape Government Railways. Day 6 Thursday October 18, 2012: (B-D) We will motor through the Karoo to Kimberley today. During the Boer War, Kimberley was besieged by the Boer forces and the British Army fought an umber of battles as they made their way up the railway from Cape Town. We will see some of the blockhouses and battle sites during our journey. Rhodes was in Kimberley during the seige, his mine workshops built a field gun that bombarded the Boer lines using ammunition made from the recovered Boer rounds that had arrived some time before. Spend tonight at the Kimberley Club, the gentleman's club frequented by Rhodes. Day 7 Friday October 19, 2012: (B-D) Rhodes made his first fortune out of the diamond mines at Kimberley, It was here that he formed partnerships that resulted in the formation of the De Beers Diamond Cartel. The Big Hole Museum is situated beside the original mine, it gives a good insight into the intrigue of the diamond rush. Today we will visit the museum and take a tour of the town. Included will be the small railway museum located at the railway station, the Honoured Dead and Market Square memorials, which both feature rocks from the Matobo Hills near Bulawayo and the McGregor Museum. If running, ride on one of the original Kimberley trams around the big hole towards the city. This afternoon, there will be an optional visit to the Beaconsfield locomotive depot to meet the small group of enthusiasts who have taken on the task of bringing a Class 25 NC 4-8-4 steam locomotive back to life. Stop at Halfway House Pub, the first - and possibly the only - drive in bar. Cecil Rhodes used to be served a beer here when riding between Kimberley and Beaconsfield, without dismounting from his horse.
 Day 8 Saturday October 20, 2012: (B-D) This morning, we will motor from Kimberley to Johannesburg. On arrival this afternoon visit Gold Reef City, a restored mine and theme park that reflects the history of the discovery of Gold and style of life to those who worked on the mines. The centre of the City is Shaft No 14 which was started in 1887 and only closed as a working mine in 1971. This mine now offers escorted underground tours (extra cost) which show mining techniques of the early 1900's and those of today. On surface the actual pouring of Gold can be seen. Visit the massive Winder House as well as fascinating geological exhibitions followed by a tour of turn of the century Victorian houses which are replicas of the living standards of the time. The various rooms are furnished with the style of the period which also includes the style of the clothing which adds to the interest of visitors. Day 9 Sunday October 21, 2012: (B-D) Johannesburg is the centre of the Witwatersrand, the greatest gold mining area in the world. Rhodes made another fortune speculating in gold here, but it is also where he confronted his greatest protagonist, Paul Kruger, President of the Transvaal Republic.This morning, enjoy a tour that explored the historic heart of Johannesburg. This will be followed by a visit to Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. Rhodes’ arch-rival, Paul Kruger, is well represented here. Explore the story of this man, the only politician that Rhodes considered he could not ‘win over’, and the Jameson Raid that lost Rhodes the premiership of the Cape. Included in the tour will be the Voortrekker Monument and Paul Kruger's house. Day 10 Monday October 22, 2012: (B-D) Fly to Victoria Falls today. After clearing immigration and customs at Victoria Falls Airport, your Guide will welcome you and assist you with your luggage to your transfer vehicle. The transfer time from Victoria Falls Airport to Victoria Falls Hotel is approximately 25 minutes. Along the way you will pass through the centre of Victoria Falls town and your guide will give you a brief introduction and orientation before dropping you off at the hotel. Victoria Falls, affectionately abbreviated to Vic Falls by anyone who’s ever been there, is one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles. Declared a World Heritage Site, the falls - and much of the town of the same name - fall within a national park, which neighbours onto the larger Zambezi National Park. The falls are the stuff of legends, romance and myth. Long before the Scottish missionary and explorer, Dr David Livingstone “discovered” the falls on November 16, 1855, the local Batonga people had named them Mosi-Oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders”. The more prosaic Livingstone named them for his queen, but departed from his normal, pedestrian writing to observe in his diary that “scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” Rhodes never saw Victoria Falls, the railway arrived there in 1903. However, he wished that when the Cape to Cairo railway crossed the Zambezi River, it should do so close enough that the spray from the falls would fall on the carriages. Charles Metcalf, railway engineer and friend, made sure that this happened. This afternoon, we will ride a steam train from Victoria Falls station to the famous Bridge, where we will toast sunset with sundowners. Return to Victoria Falls station and continue down the Cape to Cairo Railway to Jafuta for a private dinner under the stars. The famous Victoria Falls hotel was built by the railway when the planned Cape to Cairo railway reached the Falls. All the bedrooms have been refurbished to provide a perfect balance of modern amenities without losing the grand Edwardian architecture and pure graciousness. Set in acres of lush lawns and exotic flora, the hotel is only a few minutes walk from the centre of Victoria Falls Town and a ten minute walk along the hotel’s private path from the actual Falls
Day 11 Tuesday October 23, 2012: (B-L-D) You will be collected this morning from the hotel and transferred to the entrance of the Falls from the Zimbabwe side. A guided walking tour of one of nature's supreme masterpieces, the Victoria Falls, will be undertaken. You will be given an insight into how this 150-million-year-old phenomenon was created and have the opportunity to take in its awesome, unspoilt grandeur, which defies description. The duration of this tour is approximately 2 hours. This will be followed by a trip over the bridge to the Zambian bank, where we will be introduced to Engineer Imbault, consulting engineer during the construction of the bridge. Find out about this outstanding engineering feat and join a walk under the bridge from one side of the gorge to the other. An included lunch will be enjoyed overlooking the gorge. Later this afternoon you will be transferred back to Zimbabwe and to the riverbank for the departure of the Sundowner Cruise up the mighty Zambezi River. Step aboard for a lazy tranquil journey above the falls where you can watch the splendid African sunset. Drinks and canapés will be served on board. After sunset you will be transferred to the jetty for your journey back to the hotel. Day 12 Wednesday October 24, 2012: (B-D) This morning, motor from Victoria Falls to the Hwange Colliery. Pause for a while to visit the colliery and the fleet of Garratt steam locomotives that move coal wagons to and from the exchange yards at nearby Thomson Junction station. Continue to the Hwange Game Reserve, arriving in time for lunch and an included afternoon game drive. Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest game reserve, home to enormous herds of elephant and an impressive selection of mammals and birds.
 Day 13 Thursday October 25, 2012: (B-D) Following a morning game drive, motor to Bulawayo. This historic city was home to King Lobengula of the Matabele Nation when Rhodes obtained a Royal Charter enabling his British South Africa Company to occupy Mashonaland in 1890 and three years later Matabeleland, creating the nation of Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Spend the next three nights at the Bulawayo Club, frequented by Rhodes when he visited the city. Day 14 Friday October 26, 2012: (B-D) For those interested, Geoff will arrange a pre-breakfast visit to the Steam Depot that continues to provide a limited number of Garratt steam locomotives for shunting around the city. Sunrise is a good time to see this, one of the world's last commercial steam depots.Rhodes left his mark on Bulawayo in a number of ways, we will see some as we tour the city today. The National Museum has diverse displays representing the flora and fauna of Zimbabwe, as well as halls representing both man and their leaders, including Lobengula and Rhodes. Also on display are a Zeederberg stage coach and the gun carriage that bore Rhodes coffin to the Matobo Hills. The Railway Museum centrepiece is Rhodes coach, built by Pullman in the USA and sister to one that will have been seen in Kimberley. There are also a considerable number of old locomotives and a wide range of smaller exhibits in this museum that has much of social as well as railway interest. Stop at the Art Gallery and drive down Bulawayo's ultra wide streets as you find out about pre and post railway architecture.
 Day 15 Saturday October 27, 2012: (B-L-D) Rhodes was buried in the Matobo Hills. Today, we will visit his grave on a hill he called 'The View of the World'. The dramatic and beautiful Matobo Hills, a UNESCO world heritage site, is a fitting place to end our tour that followed the Footsteps of Rhodes. See caves decorated by San Bushmen thousands of years ago, marvel at the rock formations resulting form the erosion of some of the oldest granite anywhere. See animals, including rhinoceros in the game reserve. Day 16 Sunday October 28, 2012: Your tour ends this morning with included transfers to Bulawayo Airport for your flight to Johannesburg and home.
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PRICES ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON Double room occupancy ............................$4798 Single room supplement............................$1098 Deposit to hold your space confirmed..............$ 500 Final payment is due July 13, 2012 |
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TOUR PRICE: All tour prices are corrected to November 1, 2012 and are subject to change without notice, at any time. All prices based on double room
occupancy. We reserve the right to change tour prices if necessary.
PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE: Personal items, meals not listed in the itinerary, laundry, phone calls, excess baggage charges, rental cars, side tours, insurance, passport fees including visas, vaccinations, gratuities, medical costs, tips to train or motor coach staff, extra tour costs due to unanticipated changes in the itinerary for reasons beyond our control, including weather, travel conditions, or cancellations, government intervention, sickness, political disputes, and failure of transportation or other causes beyond our control.
TRAVEL AND HEALTH DOCUMENTS: A valid passport is required for our international tours. In some cases a visa is also needed. Consult your
health professional for the recommended immunizations and documents. Trains and Travel International , here on referred to as TTI, assumes no other responsibility if a client is refused entry into a country. Cost and cancellation fees will be paid by the client in the event they do not have valid documents.
CHANGE OF ITINERARY: We reserve the right to substitute, alter or modify the tour if any unexpected and unforeseen conditions beyond our control
preventing the completion of such. Conditions can include weather, train schedules, equipment, motive power, revision of train consist, train delays, labor strikes, political disputes, derailments, closure of a rail line, break down of railroad or motive power equipment, railroads not honoring contracts and bus equipment problems. We will always endeavor, in each case, to provide substitutes, if any changes take place. TTI is not responsible for canceled trains,
delays, hotel rooms, route changes or missed connections, for any reason whatsoever. We will not give refunds if such conditions or cancellations take place.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel insurance is mandatory and is required, but you can opt out. The Decision to Opt-Out or Decline is Mandatory. Insurance will cover and give tour members many benefits and protection. Benefits include baggage loss, accident, life, trip cancellation, sickness, bankruptcy, strike, weather conditions, employer termination or layoff effecting you or a person sharing the room with you, terrorist incident in your departure city or city of destination, jury duty, you are subpoenaed, hijacked, or quarantined, your residence or traveling companion residence is rendered uninhabitable, emergency military duty, traffic accident, single supplement upgrade when your traveling companion cancels their trip, trip interruption, trip delay, missed connections, itinerary change,emergency medical benefits, medical evacuation, pre-existing medical conditions if enrollment is within 21days of your invoice date, assault of you or your traveling companion before departure, burglary of you or your companion before departure 24 hour hotline emergency assistance, emergency cash transfer and more. We will supply you with a travel insurance brochure with rates and application when we mail you the invoice after your bookings. Travel insurance protects your vacation investments. US law allows us to offer this insurance to all persons worldwide. We will accept a "refusal of travel insurance wavier" if you do not wish to purchase any travel insurance.
RESPONSIBILITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Accepting your payment represents an agreement that you understand all the conditions, to
be a member of our tours. TTI gives notice that they are acting agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers, providing the transportation and all related travel services and assume no responsibility for injury, sickness, damage, loss, additional expenses accidental delay or irregularities which may be caused through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of the companies providing or engage in transportation, accommodations or services related to the accomplishment of the tour. Nor do we assume responsibility for natural disasters, social or political upheaval, acts of terrorism or acts of nature. TTI reserves
the right to substitute hotels, tour leaders, equipment, motive power, trains, onboard accommodations, routes and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary without notice. The right is also reserved to cancel any trip or train prior to departure for any reason . TTI is not responsible for expenses incurred by tour members in preparing for the tour, including non-refundable airline tickets, visa fees, planning, phone calls, or any other expenses. TTI reserves the right to decline to accept, or ask to leave a tour, any person whose actions impede the daily operations of a tour, welfare or enjoyment of other tour members. TTI cannot give any refunds for any unused services. The terms contained herein shall serve as a waiver of liability to TTI. Assumption of risk on behalf of the client, their heirs, executor, administrators, successors, and assigns for any and all known persons injuries
RESERVATIONS: A deposit is due in our office within 14 days after you make your bookings. Full payment is due 90 days before departure. You will
receive an invoice, reservation form and current tour bulletins with your confirmation and travel insurance forms. No notice for final payment will be sent
to you. It is your responsible to make the final payment on-time.
CANCELLATIONS: TTI does not accept cancellations on the phone. Cancellations must be received by postal mail, email or fax before any refunds will be considered. Allow enough time if sending your written notice by US mail postal system. When a written cancellation is received in the Trains and Travel
office this will be the effective date of the cancellation. Please take note that it can take up to 60 days to to process some refunds. Cancellation refund rules:
100 days prior to the start of any tour you will receive a full refund less a $100 per person administration fee. 99 to 61 days before the departure of any tour
there will be a 80% cancellation penalty based on the full cost of the tour. Cancellations received 60 or less days before the start of any tour will not receive
any refund. GW Travel Ltd has their own cancellation rules and these will apply. If booking on GW Travel Ltd ask for cancellation rules.
PRE-DEPARTURE TOUR BULLETINS: Tour bulletins will be sent to clients that have booked on tours operated by TTI. Bulletins include travel info related to the tour. Final documents will be sent out about two to three weeks before a tour begins. We offer tours operated by other companies and they may
or may not send out tour bulletins and updates and most send out final documents only one to two weeks prior to the start of their tours.
PAYMENTS: Payments can be made with personal check drawn on a U.S. Dollar account, money order for U.S. Dollars, bank wire transfer, or credit card.
We accept Visa, Master Card or Discover. Final payment for all tours is due 90 days prior to departure. If final payment has not been received 7 days after the due date, a late fee of $50 per week will apply.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: All prices are based on double room occupancy. We will try and match you with a roommate if one is available. If not, you may
be charged the single room supplement listed for the tour you are booked on. Single rooms may not be available in some remote locations and on some trains.
TOUR REFUNDS: If for any reason tour members amend or delete any arrangements during travel, and leave the tour on their own, we cannot give any refunds on unused portions of the tour. If buses and trains are cancelled by the carrier or there is a labor strike or they go out of business, we cannot be held
responsible and we cannot give refunds. Travel insurance will protect you for any of these reasons. If TTI needs to cancel any tour everyone will receive a
full refund. Please take note that in some cases refunds can take up to 60 days to process.
PARTIAL TOURS: We will allow passengers to join or leave a tour at certain points. It will all depend on the tour and the conditions. Give us a call and
we will try and work up a custom option for you.
MILEAGE COLLECTORS: Mileage collectors please take note that TTI does not cater just to mileage collectors. We cater to all folks that enjoy trains and
Rail journeys. We give strong warning that itinerary and route changes do happen and this is totally beyond our control when it does. If the only reason that
you would want to book a tour is to collect the rare mileage, you need to understand that possible route changes do happen.
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