Imagine yourself sitting in a plush leather seat in an observation car marveling at waterfalls, glaciers and alpine lakes while sipping on a cocktail. You can add children playing quietly and walking about the train to the picture and it's still good. If you are older with some mobility issues, dealing with luggage and boarding a train beats many airport experiences. Honeymooners not looking for adventure or excitement can hold hands, chat quietly and snuggle.
Rail trips can range from five-star luxury, such as those offered by The Rocky Mountaineer to the slightly more modest service offered by Amtrak on its California Zephyr train that can include a coach seat or an entire family bedroom in one of the superliner sleeping cars. Rocky Mountaineer trips can include side excursions such as a visit to Banff in the Canadian Rockies. Amtrak provides an educational program called Trails & Rails in partnership with the National Park Service.
Rocky Mountaineer Canada offers vacation packages on four rail routes through Canada's Wes,t including one through the Canadian Rockies from April to October. Their First Passage to the West route includes four stops: Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff and Calgary. If you really want to spend quality time with your partner or family, opt for the six-day, five-night package that begins in Calgary and ends in Vancouver, home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. A shorter two-day, one-night trip is also available if you have time and budget limitations.
The Zephyr runs daily year-round between Chicago and San Francisco and scenery highlights include the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevadas, Moffat Tunnel and some spectacular canyons in Colorado. If you choose a sleeping car, turn-down service and meals are part of the package.
