Rail Packages - The Train Traveler

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Rail Packages

Each issue we will highlight a tour from one of an increasing number of rail packages. This issue's tour is "Winter Rails: Canadian Rails from Coast to Coast" from the Vermont-based Rail Travel Center. The center offers rail tours in the United States and Canada, as well as numerous other countries. Those who are not interested in traditional "tours" should realize that what the Center does is create a group of travelers with a common focus - an interest in rail travel - and then facilitates that travel.

This trip begins on March 7^th and ends on March 21^st, 2002. Remember, it is usually necessary to book these trips well in advance. However, if it is close to the tour departure date and the trip is not fully booked, you may be able to get a significant discount.

This trip begins in Vancouver and ends in Montreal. Passengers board VIA Rail's Canadian domeliner in Vancouver and travel to Jasper, Alberta, staying two nights at the beautiful Jasper Park Lodge. The view of the Canadian Rockies from the train is absolutely incredible and all travel is during daylight hours.

After touring Jasper, travelers reboard the Canadian and travel east for two days, to Toronto, where they will stay at the Royal York Hotel. After spending some time in Toronto, the travelers will take VIA Rail's light rail train to Ottawa, where they will stay at the Chateau Laurier overnight, leaving the next day for Montreal.

After a city tour, passengers will take VIA Rail 1 service to Quebec City for two nights at the legendary Chateau Frontenac, the stately hotel sitting high on a hill above Quebec City. This hotel was built by Canadian Pacific Railway, as the crowning jewel in its string of elegant railway hotels across Canada.

From Quebec City, the travelers will take a chartered motorcoach east along the St. Lawrence River to Point-Au-Pic, staying at the Manoir Richelieu. This grand resort was erected at the turn of the century, during the heyday of luxury liners that brought New York society up here to vacation. During a two day stay here, travelers will have the opportunity to explore the Charlevoix region, of which former U.S. President William Howard Taft said, "the air was as heady as champagne, but without the morning after." After returning to Quebec City, travelers reboard VIA Rail and return to Montreal for their final night at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel.

The price of this tour starts at $2799.00. For complete details, go to www.railtvl.com or contact the Rail Travel Center at 1-800-458-5394 (U.S. and Canada) or 802-254-7788 (outside of the U.S. and Canada).

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