The American Vacation Is Back on Track - To Canada VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 25
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- With gas at $4 a
gallon, tolls rising, suggested airport arrival times, the $25 bag charge,
pillow charge, blanket charge, soda charge, headset charge, the 3-1-1 rule,
less flights, more delays and the environmentally soul-searching burden of
carbon footprints, is it any wonder that Americans are rediscovering and
falling in love with train travel?
Well, just like in the charming, delightful and surprising (not to mention
extremely polite, friendly and safe) book The Little Engine That Could, more
than 27 million travelers are taking to the rails and discovering that while
Amtrak serves many destinations in the U.S., it also rolls over rails into
Canada.
As a matter of fact, last year more than 102,000 visitors traveled by
train from the U.S. to Canada. So instead of getting up every morning to an
alarm clock warning to take the 8:15 into New York City, sit down in comfort
on Amtrak's Adirondack and roll into Montreal -- a foreign land with a
familiar but exotic culture -- in time for dinner (and a damn good dinner at
that - thanks to the French influence). Not only does Conde Nast Traveler
list the Adirondack first in the 10 most scenic and luxurious train trips in
North America, but at $138 for two in coach (vs. the average $484 via plane),
the Champlain and Hudson River valleys, as well as the stunningly beautiful
wine country leading up to Montreal, have never been more appetizing.
Don't forget to consider that kids under two travel free (2-15 at half
price with an adult), and passengers can relax and recline comfortably with
footrests and oversized windows. On a train there is no middle seat, and no
fear of being disconnected. E-mail at will, stay in touch by phone, and have
the freedom to roam leisurely to the Cafe/Lounge Car for snacks and drinks.
Ah, the beauty of train travel.
And talking about the beauty of train travel, one of Amtrak's most famous
trains for scenery is the Coast Starlight, also a Conde Nast Traveler top 10
pick, which travels between Los Angeles, Oakland, Portland, and Seattle with a
connection to Vancouver. The Coast Starlight offers Sleeping Car passengers
extra amenities in the Pacific Parlor Car with snack services and an afternoon
wine tasting. All passengers can visit the Dining Car for hot meals ordered
from the menu, or stop by the Sightseer Lounge Car for a bite and a panoramic
view.
Other Amtrak train routes to Canada include the Amtrak Cascades that
serves Eugene and Portland, Ore., Seattle and Vancouver (bring a bike along,
watch feature movies and enjoy onboard music); the Maple Leaf from New York
via Albany to Niagara Falls and Toronto; and the Adirondack from Washington,
Baltimore, Philadelphia or New York.
One of the best kept secrets in the travel business is that Canada is
accessible by train - and that Amtrak, the official and only national
passenger railroad in the U.S., works hand in hand with VIA Rail - the
official and only national passenger railroad in Canada. The result is a
seamless ride over the border on an Amtrak train into Canada.
Canada boasts one of the world's best and most extensive rail systems
ranging from the legendary Canadian, which traverses the country in historic
1950 stainless steel dome cars, sleepers, dining and observation cars, to
rural lines into the wilderness to Churchill (land of the polar bears), to
high-speed inter-city trains.
Sounds complicated? Not really. For extensive itineraries on rail travel
from the U.S. to Canada visit Amtrak Vacations, which specializes in rail
travel to Canada, at www.amtrakvacations.com/canada; call 1-800-AMTRAK-2; or
access VIA Rail at www.viarail.ca.
About Amtrak
Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail services to more than 500
destinations in 46 states on a 21,000-mile route system. For schedules, fares
and information, passengers may call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com.
Media Contact:
Marlayna Rutter
Weber Shandwick
Phone: 212-445-8221
E-Mail: mrutter@webershandwick.com
SOURCE Amtrak
