Itinerary

Day 1–Seattle–Toronto

The fun begins this morning as we depart from Seattle’s Sea Tac Airport for our International flight to Toronto, Canada. Upon arrival,we will transfer you to your lovely hotel. Tonight, at 7 pm, mix and mingle with your tour director and fellow traveling companions at our “Welcome Reception”. (R)

Day 2: Excursion to Niagara Falls

After breakfast, we’ll head out to Niagara Falls including an exciting Maid of the Mist cruise for a close up look at the falls (subject to favorable weather).Tonight enjoy an optional dinner in the World’s tallest freestanding structure, the CN Tower—a great idea for the evening. (B)

Day 3-5: VIA Rail from Toronto to Vancouver, BC

This morning your rail journey begins. View the Fairmont Royal York across the street from the rail station.VIA Rail has a first-class lounge for their “Silver & Blue Service” passengers. Nothing shows you Canada like a trip on the train. Your sitting room by day converts to upper and lower berths at night. Once aboard the train, the staff will see you settled into your room.As a Silver and Blue Class passenger, your fare includes all meals, use of any of the lounges and access to the skyline car for spectacular viewing.

As you travel from Toronto to Vancouver, you will travel through five of Canada’s Provinces. Your first day on the train will bring new respect for those early settlers and fur traders who found their way in this vast area.You also come to realize what a lifeline the train is for people who live where roads are few but lakes, rivers and waterways abound. Fishermen will surely see a few places they would like to come back to! As the train crosses into Manitoba, you enter a land of forest and lakes.Many of the 200 lakes were formed by meteor craters. This wealth of forest and water made Winnipeg, located at the junction of the Red, Assiniboine and Seine Rivers the capital of Canada’s fur trade. Saskatchewan shows you the unique beauty of these prairie lands and communities rich in heritage and humor. The tiny town of Biggar proudly proclaims that “New York is big but this is Biggar”! And who of us wouldn’t like to boast that we tasted berry pie in Saskatoon. Alberta’s prairie lands bring you to Edmonton, home to the famous West Edmonton Mall. Midway between Edmonton and Jasper, you have your first view of the Rockies and the promise of what is yet to come. Continue through the Rockies to Vancouver. Overnights are spent aboard VIA Rail. (All meals included on the train)

Day 6: Vancouver, BC to Seattle

Welcome to Vancouver,Western Canada’s glittering Pacific city. Your train is scheduled to arrive early morning. Upon arrival our motorcoach will bring you back to Seattle. Approximate arrival time is 3pm.(B)

(B)= Breakfast (L)= Lunch (D)= Dinner (R)= Reception

Train

Great Train Escapes is Americas newest daylight sightseeing train.

Tour Directors
You are on vacation, so leave everything to our professionals. Our guides take care of you from start to finish of the trip. They will ensure that your luggage, room keys and dining experiences are all well taken care of. Our Tour Directors are our hallmark. They are specialists whose active commentary will enhance your appreciation of the area's history, culture and wildlife. You can always rest easy knowing that your Tour Director will take care of your special needs, so every moment will be one that you cherish! Gold

Leaf Service
What a gorgeous way to sightsee! On board our train, we provide you with spacious, comfortable reclining seats, picture windows and a non-smoking environment. Air conditioning provides optimum comfort and restrooms are convenient. So relax, breathe in the fresh air and bring your camera along to photograph some of the ever changing scenery.

Deluxe Motorcoaches
Our motorcoaches are luxurious with large non-glare windows, which brings the scenery up close to you. Air conditioning provides optimum comfort, and washrooms are convenient. To guarantee your safety, we choose only drivers with years of experience and excellent safety records.

Comfortable high quality Accommodations
Your comfort is our paramount concern, so we have selected the best hotels available. We are in constant search of first class service and reliability. Each accommodation has a special flavor; from classic inns, to comfortable new high-rise hotels. The vast majority of hotels are able to provide twin bedded rooms. During the height of the season, occasionally twin bedded rooms are not available, in which case we would provide a Queen or King bedded accommodation. Roll away beds are available only upon request, but are not guaranteed.

Dining Experiences
Excellent dining throughout. We often feature elaborate buffets at both breakfast and dinner, a la carte dining with a selection of entrees and of course local favorites.

Airfare and Airport Transfers
Our booking agent will assist in securing the best available airfare. Since tour members frequently arrive at different times and sometimes on different days, we do not arrange for transfers from the airport. Please refer to your final tour documents for information on transfers to your hotel.