Great Western Circle Journey is not offered this year. A variety of other spectacular trips to see America by rail are currently available for travel as well as two other similar trips. America’s Beautiful West and America’s Great National Parks.

Step back to a more leisurely and elegant time as we circle the West aboard four great trains with five distinct areas: San Antonio, The California Coast with Hearst Castle, Yosemite National Park, Portland and the great Columbia River Gorge, Seattle and stunning Glacier National Park, Montana. With superb hotels, extraordinary dining and more. All Aboard!

In an age when airlines charge for pillows, we have a far more pleasing idea. Not only pillows, but beds for our passengers and it is with great pleasure that we offer the 2011 Great Western Circle trip, a stylish and extraordinary journey through the American West, entirely by First Class sleeping car travel (with all meals included in the dining car while aboard) that features four great routes, offering everything from desert vistas, to the California Coast, to the Columbia River Gorge and stunning Glacier National Park, Montana all in one brilliantly arranged holiday. Better still, complete and comprehensive sightseeing is included, ranging from a Steam train ride at Yosemite to a sternwheeler riverboat cruise through the Columbia River Gorge. With all transfers included, the majority of meals and exceptional hotels, most with two night stays for added convenience, the only drawback to this tour is that it will sell out quickly.

• Highlights and Tour Inclusions
• View Itinerary
• Tour Images

 Tour Inclusions

• Overnight train travel aboard Amtrak's Texas Eagle
• Train travel aboard the Great Western Limited in Pullman sleeping accommodations
• Travel aboard Amtrak's Coast Starlight
• Travel aboard the Talgo train from Portland to Seattle
• Deluxe motorcoach transportation
• Hotel accommodations for nine nights
• 32 meals and 2 receptions
• A professional tour host
• All sightseeing and entrance fees
• Baggage handling and gratuities

 Tour Highlights

• The Alamo
• San Antonio Riverwalk
• Pecos River High Bridge
• Hearst Castle
• Yosemite National Park
• Portland's Rose Garden
• Columbia River Gorge
• Puget Sound
• Boeing facility
• Pike Place Market
• Cascade Mountains

Day 1: Chicago's Union Station / Amtrak's Texas Eagle
Meet your group at Chicago's historic Union Station this afternoon, where you'll board the Texas Eagle for your journey to San Antonio. Travel along the Union Pacific Railroad, passing the famed Arch in St. Louis this evening. The train features an inviting café-lounge car, the perfect spot to enjoy meeting new found friends. Overnight train. (D)

Day 2: San Antonio, Texas
The Texas Eagle speeds across the Lone Star state today with an evening arrival in San Antonio, where superb accommodations await for your three-night stay in this enchanting city. (B, L, D)

Day 3: San Antonio Sightseeing
Today embark on a guided tour of San Antonio that includes the Alamo. San Antonio is brimming with things to see and do. This evening is at your leisure to enjoy this magical city. (B, D)

Day 4: San Antonio
This morning visit the lovely Texas Hill Country. The afternoon is at you leisure before meeting the group this evening for a dinner cruise on the river through San Antonio. After dinner, board the Great Western Limited for your overnight stay. There will be time to get acquainted with this private rail car that accommodates just 30 passengers. The refurbished cars offer a glimpse back in time to the golden era of streamliner train travel. Overnight train. (D)

Day 5: Great Western Limited along the Sunset Route
As you enjoy breakfast, the Great Western Limited is making the trip to California over the famed "Sunset Route" of the Union Pacific, the last transcontinental rail line completed in this country. A highlight of today's train journey is the Pecos River High Bridge. Overnight train. (B, L, D)

Day 6: California's Pacific Coast
Arrive in Los Angeles this morning, where the group will transfer to the legendary Coast Starlight for the stunning trip north along the dazzling Pacific coastline. Tonight is spent in beautiful Pismo Beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Settle in for your two-night stay. (B, D)

Day 7: Hearst Castle
Today is a day of superlatives with a visit to fabled Hearst Castle. It is considered the most opulent private home ever built in America and was famously referred to by William Randolph Hearst as "the ranch." Words do not do justice to Hearst Castle. After touring Hearst Castle, visit a renowned Central Coast winery as well as charming Morro Bay before returning to your hotel. (B, D)

Day 8: Yosemite National Park
This morning's drive east takes you to Yosemite National Park. On the way, stop at the Sugar Pine Narrow-Gauge Railroad for a trip through the Redwoods before arriving for your overnight stay at Yosemite. (B, L)

Day 9: Yosemite Valley
Today's tour of the Park includes its most famous natural attractions including El Capitan and Half Dome. After Yosemite, drive north to Oakland where the group will enjoy a special dinner before boarding the Great Western Limited for Portland. (B, D)

Day 10: Portland, Oregon
Arrive in Portland this afternoon and enjoy a brief visit to the famed Rose Garden on your way to the hotel, a perfect introduction to The Rose City. Our hotel tonight is the amazingly restored Hotel Multnomah-Embassy Suites, the grandest hotel in town, where suite accommodations await. (B, L, R)

Day 11: Columbia River Gorge Cruise
Today's excursion takes you east to the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, where the group will enjoy a cruise through the Gorge by Sternwheeler riverboat. Later today, there will be free time to explore Portland on your own before meeting the group this evening for a special dinner at one of the most historic and acclaimed restaurants in Portland, Huber's, often touted as having the best turkey dinner in the country. (B, D)

Day 12: Seattle, Washington
Depart Portland this afternoon for Seattle on the sleek new Talgo train, a short 3.5 hour journey past Mt. St. Helens and along Puget Sound. Upon arrival in Seattle, transfer to the Homewood Suites Hotel where suite accommodations await. (B, L, R)

Day 13: Seattle Sightseeing / Great Western Limited Eastbound
This morning see where jetliners are made when the group tours the massive Boeing facility. Your excursion continues to Pike Place Market with its open-air food stalls and great views of Elliott Bay. The afternoon is at your leisure to visit Nordstrom's flagship store or ride the Monorail before building the Great Western Limited in the late afternoon. The views as the train heads east towards Glacier National Park, running along Puget Sound and through the Cascade Mountains, are stunning. Overnight train. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Great Western Limited to Chicago
After breakfast the train passes through Glacier National Park and is soon speeding across Montana and the prairies over the Burlington Northern Railroad. The day is yours to enjoy these classic rail cars and the joys of train travel. Overnight train. (B, L, D)

Day 15: Return to Chicago
Morning finds the Great Western Limited chugging along the Mississippi River, passing through St. Paul, and destined for an afternoon arrival at Union Station with memories that will last a lifetime. (B, L)

   

   

   

The Great Western Limited features two lovingly restored privately owned rail cars from the golden era of Streamliner travel with the widest array of sleeping accommodations of any train in the country. We have cozy Double bedrooms, Superior Double bedrooms, Single bedrooms and suites, with double bed with two windows, two lower beds and maximum space. All room types provide comfortable beds, abundant pillows and nightly turn-down service. There is a an inviting lounge and dining area for relaxing in and all meals are prepared freshly onboard by a chef and served on tables graced with red roses.

Double Berth Upper and lower berths

Standard Double Bedroom One large room with upper and lower berths and private enclosed bathroom with toilet and washbasin. Perfect for couples traveling together.

Superior Double Bedroom Same as Standard Double Bedroom except instead of two armchairs, features large sofa by day. These rooms are also slightly larger in length.

Suite Accommodations on Train Two Double Bedrooms combined to guarantee two lower beds or a large queen bed. Includes two picture windows, and two separate bathrooms with washbasins and toilets! Suite availability is very limited. Approximate suite size is 14' x 7'.

Two Roomettes Two individual single rooms offering individual lower beds, Individual washbasin and toilets in each room. Perfect for friends traveling together.