Vacation in National Parks Via Historic Train Routes
CHICAGO (February, 2011) - National Parks in the United States and Canada are the cornerstone of many travelers' summer vacations. They are also the centerpiece of more than 65 of Vacations By Rail's well-planned independent and escorted train vacations throughout North America.
"Many National Parks were made popular by the railroad, so it seems especially fitting to visit them today by train," said Todd Powell, president of Vacations By Rail, a Chicago-based tour operator and rail travel specialist.
Powell explained that across North America's vast rail network, there are seven historic train routes that are often incorporated into a National Parks vacation due to their proximity to popular destinations: Those traveled by Amtrak's California Zephyr, Empire Builder, and Southwest Chief; VIA Rail's Canadian route from Toronto to Vancouver; and, three routes within the Canadian Rockies traveled by the Rocky Mountaineer.
Of North America's 90+ National Parks, Vacations By Rail offers itineraries to 17 within the United States and 7 in Canada. In addition to independent city stays connected by scenic rail travel, Vacations By Rail offers a selection of escorted rail tours that combine rail and coach travel as well as unique independent rail-drive and rail-cruise packages . Examples of popular favorites in each category include:
The 7-day Empire Builder with Glacier National Park package features travel from Chicago aboard the Empire Builder train to Glacier National Park for a 4-night stay and plentiful sightseeing along the Going-to-the-Sun Road in the heart of the Crown of the Continent ecosystem, before continuing on to Seattle. Departures daily from June 17 to September 10. Prices start at $1,515.
California Zephyr with Yellowstone is a relaxed 8-day rail-drive vacation, letting the traveler dictate what they see and do. This "at your leisure" vacation includes travel aboard the California Zephyr from Chicago to Salt Lake City and from Salt Lake City to San Francisco, 4-day car rental, sightseeing in Yellowstone National Park, and accommodations. Departures are available daily from May 1 to October 7. Prices start at $1,164.
The 11-day Yellowstone & Glacier By Rail escorted rail tour takes travelers across the storied western frontier including visits to Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton National Parks as well Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, and the National Oregon/California Trail Center. Tour inclusions are comprised of travel aboard Amtrak's California Zephyr and Empire Builder, accommodations, sightseeing and entrance fees, select meals, services of a tour director, and more. Departures June 22, July 20, August 8, and August 17. Price is $2,295. Train accommodation upgrades to roomette and bedroom are available at an additional charge.
The 15-day Canada's Rockies & Alaska Cruise combination tour incorporates touring in Banff and Jasper National Parks and travel aboard VIA Rail's Canadian train with a Holland America Alaska cruise with popular ports of call within Alaska's Inside Passage including Glacier Bay. Departures are available May 18, June 15, July 13 and August 10. Prices start at $3,409.
Best of the Rockies takes travelers on an 8-day rail journey through the Canadian Rockies aboard two famed trains, VIA Rail's Canadian and the Rocky Mountaineer, with visits to two of western Canada's renowned National Parks, Jasper and Banff. Additional highlights include excursions to the Columbia Icefield and Lake Louise and stays in Kamloops and cosmopolitan Vancouver. Departures are available on Thursdays from May 5 to September 29. Prices start at $2,769.
Detailed itineraries for these vacations as well as the company's full product line can be found at www.vacationsbyrail.com . Prices listed are land-only, per person based on double occupancy. To book a National Parks train vacation or any other vacation by rail, contact a rail specialist at 1-877-929-7245.
Vacations By Rail is the leading seller of rail travel and tours in North America and the trusted authority on rail vacations. Travelers can choose from the largest selection of independent rail vacations, escorted rail tours, and luxury rail journeys around the world. Vacations By Rail also provides virtually every European rail pass and ticket to meet customers' European travel needs. For more information on Vacations By Rail and the company's products, visit www.vacationsbyrail.com or call 1-877-929-7245.
Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.
