In August and September every year, the flowers of Namaqualand are in their splendid beauty. We have been hosting train tours from Jo’burg and Durban to this flower spectacle for more than a decade and every year people say “I should have done this many years ago”. During 2011 we’ll be hosting again Tourist Class train tours from Durban More info and from Johannesburg More info Three upmarket Premier Classe train tours will be running from Jo’burg to Namaqualand in 2011 as well More info

The recent early snow in the Western Cape and lots of rain in Namaqualand will bolster the flowers and it promises to be a GOOD flower season.

We’ll be hosting again two Namibian train tours during 2011, taking place in August and September of this year, departing from Jo’burg. Both tours are 10 days long and visit popular tourist destinations like: Fish River Canyon, Windhoek, Etosha, Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe, Giant’s Playground, Quiver Tree Forest, a wine estate(!) and the Namib Desert. One sleeps every night on the heritage train and two meals per day are included in the tour package. En suite 2-bed compartments are available (and VERY popular), whilst daily excursions are undertaken by buses. Experiences tour guides travel along. More info

JB TT has launched a VERY special and discounted 4-day tour package on the world renowned luxurious Blue Train. This offer is currently only valid for May and June 2011. The tour price of this 4-day special offer is less than a normal train ticket price on the train. Don’t miss this bargain. More info It is ideal for anniversaries, honeymoons, birthdays, break-aways or even work sessions.

The package includes the train trip, 2 nights’ accommodation in a 4-star hotel (B&B), transfers from the hotel to the airport, safe car parking and a one-way flight back home. The offer is valid for departure from both Pretoria and Cape Town to the opposite city. Contact Jolene at our offices at Jolene@jbtours.co.za or upmarket@jbtours.co.za

South Africa will be playing only two rugby tests this year on home soil when the Springboks play the Wallabies (13th August – Kings Park, Durban) and the All Blacks (20th August – new Nelson Mandela stadium, Port Elizabeth) in the Tri Nations series. JB Train Tours will be running again the ever popular ‘Bok’ train from Jo’burg to both these tests. The tours depart on the Friday afternoon and arrive back the Monday morning. Two nights accommodation on the train and one night in a hotel, bedding and meals on the train, as well as bus transport at the destinationAND the rugby ticket are included in the tour price. These rugby supporters’ tours are very popular with families and women alike and are every year fully booked early in advance. Springboks vs Wallabies tour R2300 pp More infoSpringboks vs All Blacks tour R2650 pp More info These two games are the only opportunity to see the Boks in action this year in South Africa before theWorld Cup in September and October 2011 in New Zealand. (Have you ever traveled on a ‘Bok’ train before?)

The Gautrain in Gauteng will be fully operational as from 1st July 2011. It will run between Hatfield (in Pretoria) and Pretoria’s main railway station via Centurion, Midrand, Marlboro, Sandton and Rosebank to Johannesburg Park railway station from where our train tours depart. Passengers on the East Rand can board the Gautrain at Rhodesfield (Kempton Park) or at OR Tambo Airport to travel to JHB Park station.

A one-way ticket from Pretoria to Jo’burg Park station is currently only R46 per person, whilst the journey will take you only 35 minutes! Our opinion is that many of our Pretoria and Centurion based passengers will make use of the Gautrain to join our train tours in Jo’burg. Ample safe long term parking is available at PTA’s station.

Die 2011 Nasionale Boeremusiek-kompetisie vind vanjaar op Saterdag 8 Oktober by die Jan Kriel skool in Kuilsrivier in die Wes Kaap plaas. JB Train Tours neem al die musikante wat gaan deelneem soontoe asook lede van die publiek en ondersteuners wat hierdie geleentheid wil bywoon. Hierdie treintoere is waarskynlik een van die joligste wat ons aanbied, want daar word ‘heelpad’ musiek gemaak en sommer ook op die stasies se perron gedans!

Meer inligting oor die treintoere sal later beskikbaar gestel word.

The annual Amashova cycle race in October between Pietermaritzburg and Durban is just more than 100 km long and follows big sections of the Comrades marathon route. This year we’ll be hosting a train tour from Jo’burg to Durban (just like the annual Argus Cycle Race train tour) to take both bicycle and cyclist, as well as supporters, to the race. The train departs on Friday 14th October 2011 in the evening from Jo’burg and arrives back on Monday early morning, 17th Oct 2011, again in JHB. One night’s accommodation in DBN is included in the tour package. More info

Mother’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday, 8 May 2011. If you’re looking for a different and very special way to spoil your mom this year book her on a 4-day trip that includes: return train trip on the Premier Classe train, 1 night B&B in a 4-star hotel in Durban, transfers between hotel and station and a special gift for her.

The price is only R3 250 per person sharing. The tour is from Fri afternoon, the 6th of May until Monday morning very early on the 9th of May 2011.

Enquire with Jolene today at jolene@jbtours.co.za

Father’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday, 19 June 2011. I’m sure your dad will love a train trip as he probably grew up in the days when traveling by train was still the norm of the day. Dad will be much impressed with you if you book him with you (or with your mom or even a good friend) on a 4-day trip that includes: a return train trip on the Premier Classe train, 1 night B&B in a 4-star hotel in Durban, transfers between hotel and station and a special gift for him.

The price is only R3 250 per person sharing. The tour is from Fri afternoon, the17th of June until Monday morning very early on the 20th of June 2011.

Enquire with Jolene today at jolene@jbtours.co.za

Andre Rieu is visiting SA in 2012

Don’t miss out again! Andre Rieu will be visiting South Africa again on Friday, 17 August 2012.

This affordable package is very popular with corporate companies and individuals alike for the reason that we organise everything on your behalf: pick up of your group (min. 40 people) at one point e.g. your offices (in JHB, other areas can also be arranged – please enquire), return transfer by luxury bus to the Coca Cola Dome (you don’t have to worry about parking at the Dome), tour guide, your ticket to the event and light snacks en route.

At a cost of R950 per person this is an event you want to confirm before it is booked out.

Enquire with Jolene today at jolene@jbtours.co.za

We'll be hosting four (4) more rugby train tours to Super 15 matches from April onwards this year. Trains will depart from Jo'burg and Durban. Return train trip, bedding and meals on the train, accommodation at destination, bus transport, rugby ticket and tour guide included in the package.

The relevant dates and tours are: (Home team in bold)

Ever thought of going on honeymoon by upmarket train in South Africa? Travel on one of these very affordable 4-day or 7-day tour packages on the upmarket Premier Classe train. Tours depart from Jo’burg, Durban and Cape Town respectively. Contact our offices for more details at Jolene@jbtours.co.za to suit your wedding date. Cape Town stylish weekend TRAIN TOUR – every weekend of the year!

JB Train Tours hosts a Cape Town Stylish train tour every weekend of the year. This tour is very popular among honeymooners, people who want to get away for a weekend, couples who celebrate their anniversaries, corporate clients, team building companies and families. Included in this four day package that departs on a Thursday afternoon is a one way trip from Jo’burg to Cape Town on the upmarket Premier Classe train (5-course meals & high teas and the use of bedding & towels on the train), 2 nights B&B in either the 4-star Fountains Hotel or Strand Towers Hotel in Cape Town, transfer to Cape Town airport and the flight back to Jo’burg.

Various popular tourist destinations are within close range of the hotel. I.e.: “Capart Theatre” & Long Street Restaurants are within walking distance, whilst the V & A Waterfront is a brisk shuttle by bus or taxi away. These value-for-money-packages start from R4 350pp sharing (children get discount).

Why don’t you book for your weekend get-away today? Contact Jolene at jolene@jbtours.co.za

JB Train Tours invite you to join us on our inaugural upmarket Premier Classe train tour to the beautiful Namaqualand on the South African west coast. It is at the end of the rainy season and the flowers will be in its splendid beauty. There is nothing else like this natural phenomenon.

You’ll travel from Johannesburg on the luxurious Premier Classe train, sleep in reputable hotels and travel by a charter bus before joining the train again for the return trip

Included in the 8-day tour package:

• Return overnight train trip on the upmarket Premier Classe train
• Accommodation in reputable hotels
• Two good meals per day (breakfast and dinner) on tour. All meals & high teas are included on the train
• Bus transport
• JB Train Tours tour guide
• Excursions as mentioned in the itinerary

3 Dates to choose from:

• Sunday 7 – Sunday 14 August 2011
• Sunday 14 – Sunday 21 August 2011
• Sunday 21 – Sunday 28 August 2011

At a cost of R9 920 pp sharing you will experience Namaqualand and its people in a total different way!

Contact Jolene at jolene@jbtours.co.za

Unrivalled as Africa's greatest sporting and social event, 2 July 2011 will again attract more than 50 000 of the country's bold, brash and beautiful to Greyville Racecourse in Durban for the R3 million Vodacom Durban July.

With 12 races on the day and the best horses in the country competing in the various events, it provides a banquet of exhilarating equine competition unrivalled in Africa. The kaleidoscope of colourful and eye-stopping fashion, beautiful women and thousands of revellers enjoying themselves in the marquees and picnic sites is enhanced by the growing sense of anticipation to create an electrifying atmosphere as they line the course and the gladiators step out on parade.

The JB Train Tours train tour package on the Premier Classe train is from Fri 1 - Mon 4 July 2011 at a cost of only R4 260 pp sharing. Contact Jolene at jolene@jbtours.co.za

Note: Link to 360 degree pictures of the interior of Premier Classe train

Note: Link to 360 degree pictures of the interior of Premier Classe train

There are only two companies in Gauteng & one in KZN hosting day trips by train. This is ideal for families, companies, churches, clubs, etc. and especially for children who have never been on a train trip. Both these companies haul the train with a steam locomotiveengine!

Pretoria area:             Friends of the Rail    Contact Mr. Arno Victor at Tel: 082 293 4616 or sales@friendsoftherail.com or visit their website at http://www.friendsoftherail.com                     They travel mostly from Pretoria to Cullinan & Bela Bela..

Johannesburg area:   Reef Steamers           Contact Mr. Les Smith at Tel: 011 478 7787 or bookings@reefsteamers.co.za or visit their website at http://www.reefsteamers.co.za     They travel mostly from Maraisburg to Magaliesburg.

KZN (Durban & PMB) area:            Umgeni Steam Rail                Contact Mr. Rob McGregor at Tel: 031-303 3003; 082-353 6003 or 087-808 7715 or robbie@umgenisteamrailway.co.za or visit their website at http://www.umgenisteamrailway.co.za/. They travel mostly from Inchanga, Kloof & PMB.

Cape Town area:            Atlantic Rail                Contact them at Tel: (021) 556-1012 or info@atlanticrail.co.za or visit their website at http://www.atlanticrail.co.za         They travel mostly from Cape Town station to close by destinations in the Peninsula and Boland.

Note:        Don’t change/cancel your holiday – change your way of going on holiday! Travel with JB Train Tours. It is Comfortable, Affordable, Safe & Secure

Regards/Groete