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Independent Amtrak Tours
Escorted Amtrak Tours
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Great Western Holiday is not offered this year. A variety of other spectacular rail tours to see America by rail are currently available for travel.
Spring is a wonderful time to travel and for May of 2009, there is a visual masterpiece that combines, the Grand Canyon, stunning Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia and breathtaking Columbia River Gorge, all in one relaxed and elegant trip. With a leisurely pace, fine hotels (most of your stays are two-nights long), train travel aboard such famous routes as the Southwest Chief and the Empire Builder, this fully hosted holiday will sell out. Few other holidays offer up the Grand Canyon, San Diego, the lovely Pacific Northwest and the Columbia River Gorge, all in one trip, with little or no flying.
As spectacular as the scenery outside is, this holiday is also supremely comfortable and special treats abound. While many tours travel up the West Coast by bus, you will enjoy a rare Pacific Coastal 'mini-cruise' aboard the superb ms Veendam of Holland America Line from San Diego to Vancouver with time to enjoy sea travel at its best: breakfast in bed, afternoon tea with new found friends or simply catching up with that new book. Similarly, indulgence 'ashore' is included such as a sailing day luncheon in San Diego at the fabled Hotel del Coronado, a special brunch atop the Space Needle in Seattle and much more. Naturally, there is a professional tour manager from start to finish to handle all of the details so that you may relax and enjoy your vacation.
This holiday begins with travel from Chicago or any Midwest point aboard the Southwest Chief train to Arizona, a speedy overnight ride that parallels the old Santa Fe Trail and Route 66. Upon arrival in Williams, guests enjoy an overnight stay at the Grand Canyon Hotel where, the next morning, just eighty feet from the lobby, you board the Grand Canyon Railway for the scenic trip right to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, overlooking the World's deepest chas including a sightseeing tour of the South Rim and a full 28 hour stay here, with your hotel at the South Rim. Most tours stop at the Grand Canyon for a few hours, you are here overnight allowing plenty of time for enjoying this extraordinary spectacle. You then board the Southwest Chief train again for a short overnight journey to San Diego where, before boarding the ship, you will enjoy a special bon voyage luncheon at the fabled Hotel del Coronado!
Next, a blissful four-night voyage north to Canada aboard the ms Veendam, with special parties just for guests and, in Victoria, a complimentary visit to lovely Butchart Gardens. Guests enjoy a full day in Vancouver with a visit to Queen Elizabeth Park and Afternoon tea before travel south to Seattle aboard the Talgo Train. In Seattle, two full nights with sightseeing, a lavish breakfast atop the Space Needle, a visit to Pikes Market and plenty of free time. You then travel to Portland aboard the 'Coast Starlight' train for a two-night stay, again with plenty of free time. Saving the best for last, on your final day, you travel east to the remarkable Columbia Gorge Hotel for a brunch, described by 'Gourmet Magazine' as the best brunch in America, followed by another visual feast, a sternwheeler riverboat cruise through the Columbia River Gorge. Later tonight, you board the Empire Builder for the journey back to Chicago and the Midwest with one final treat, a daylight passage through Glacier National Park en route! This holiday will sell out quickly so prompt reservations are encouraged.
Call 877-929-7245 to book your Great Western Holiday vacation.
- Train travel from Chicago or any Midwest point to Arizona aboard the famed Southwest Chief train, a speedy overnight ride along the old Santa Fe Trail the former Route 66.
- The storied Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with South Rim sightseeing tour and overnight stay at the Grand Canyon with plenty of time for exploring this visual wonder.
- Overnight travel from Arizona to San Diego aboard the Southwest Chief with special sailing day luncheon at the fabled Hotel del Coronado in San Diego.
- Rare four-night Pacific coastal cruise from San Diego to Vancouver aboard the superb ms Veendam of Holland America Line with a port call in charming Victoria, British Columbia en route with included visit to stunning Butchart Gardens.
- Travel from Vancouver to Seattle aboard the popular 'Talgo Train' along the Puget Sound.
- Two-night stay in Seattle at the elegant Mayflower Park Hotel with sightseeing and a special breakfast atop the Space Needle with a ride on the famous Monorail.
- Two-night stay in Portland with Suite accommodations, sightseeing, brunch at the extraordinary Columbia Gorge Hotel (voted the best brunch in America by Gourmet Magazine!) and Sternwheeler riverboat cruise through stunning beautiful Columbia River Gorge.
- Train travel from Oregon back to Chicago and Midwest points aboard the Empire Builder train featuring a daylight passage through Glacier National Park!
Day 1
Guests depart Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City and other Midwest points today aboard the Southwest Chief bound for the Grand Canyon.
Day 2
Today evokes a John Wayne Western with Raton Pass and the Continental Divide, the stunning mesas of New Mexico and a Navajo Indian guide comes aboard at Albuquerque to narrate your passage west. An evening arrival in Williams, AZ with overnight at the Grand Canyon Hotel.
Day 3
We travel aboard the storied Grand Canyon Railway today to the stunning South Rim where a sightseeing tour is included as well as overnight lodging at the South Rim. (B)
Day 4
All day at leisure to take in the amazing vistas with an afternoon departure aboard the Grand Canyon Railway for Flagstaff where your welcome dinner is a highlight, before you board the Southwest Chief later tonight, bound for San Diego. (B, D)
Day 5
A morning trip along the Pacific Ocean brings you to San Diego where a special bon voyage luncheon at the historic Hotel del Coronado awaits. Board ms Veendam after lunch and at 5pm, set sail for Vancouver. (L, D)
Day 6
All day to relax as you steam up the coast of California. (B, L, D)
Day 7
Cruising the waters of the Pacific Coast off Oregon. (B, L, D)
Day 8
Victoria, B.C. today with your complimentary visit to Butchart Gardens. (B, L, D)
Day 9
In Vancouver your sightseeing tour includes Stanley Park, Chinatown, English Bay and Robson Street before your visit to Queen Elizabeth Park followed by afternoon tea. An early evening departure for Seattle aboard the new 'Talgo Train' is a special and innovative treat. Overnight in Seattle at the superbly located Mayflower Park Hotel in the heart ofdowntown. (B, AT)
Day 10
Breakfast atop the Space Needle followed by a ride on the Monorail with a visit to Pikes Market with all afternoon at leisure. The original Nordstrom is two blocks from your hotel too! (B)
Day 11
A scenic ride south to Portland aboard the Coast Starlight train with all afternoon free to visit famed Powell's Books, the largest bookstore in the country.. Overnight in suite accommodations in Portland. (B, R)
Day 12
A morning sightseeing tour that includes a visit to the famous Rose Gardens with the afternoon at leisure. (B, L, R)
Day 13
This morning, you drive east to enjoy brunch at the amazing Columbia Gorge Hotel, another time you will want to have your camera handy. After brunch, you board a sternwheeler riverboat for an awe-inspiring cruise through the Columbia River Gorge, perhaps the scenic highlight of the entire trip. Later today, a visit to Multnomah Falls before you board the Empire Builder in early evening, bound for Chicago. (B, L, D)
Day 14
Since one cannot have too much great scenery, your train passes through Glacier National Park Montana this morning after breakfast! Later today, the Great Plains as you speed east over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.
Day 15
The Empire Builder arrives in St. Paul, Milwaukee and Chicago today with easy connections for other Midwest points. Welcome home.
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