There are several popular rail vacations in the United States, including Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, Colorado and a New England Historic tour. The New Years at the Grand Canyon Tour lasts eight days, with Amtrak service from Southern California or Chicago. The tour stops for two nights at the Grand Canyon in Arizona, followed by a three-night stay at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. The eight-day trip costs $1,995 USD as of November, 2010.
Mountain lovers will enjoy a winter trip to the Canadian Rockies. This rail service on the Rocky Mountaineer takes you along the scenic Rocky Mountains with stops in Vancouver and Banff, British Columbia, followed by Lake Louise and Calgary, Alberta. Highlights include six nights of hotel accommodation, two mountain helicopter tours, visits to local ranch towns and possible skiing excursions. As of Novermber, 2010, cost ranges from $2,199 to $3,999 USD, depending on the season and rail service. Travelers can also take a tour of the Rockies through to Alaska, where they can board an Alaskan cruise following their rail vacation. Rates range from $3,500 to $5,300 USD as of November, 2010, depending on season and type of service selected.
Travelers seeking an affordable vacation in Europe should consider rail service. This nine-day trip offered by Vacations By Rail takes passengers on an escorted tour through England, France and Belgium. Trip highlights include the Tower Bridge, Notre Dame Cathedral, L'Arc de Triomphe, St. Paul's Cathedral, Maison du Roi and a trip through the French Countryside. The first three days of the excursion are spent in London, where the train departs, followed by two nights in France and two nights in Belgium, with travel in between. The 2011 rate is $1695, and you can add another single traveler for $745 USD. This does not include air transportation to London. Other European destinations include a 10-day trip through the Swiss Alps, a 10-day journey through Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway and Denmark) and an Italian tour.
For an exotic adventure, ride the Orient Express private train through the heart of China's steam rail lines. This train service from Beijing includes spacious dining and sleeping facilities, a piano bar and a state-of-the-art shower car. The 10-day tour starts at a base price of $6,595 USD as of November 2010.
