“Usually, stations are ... in the center of the ‘old town’ of any destination, thereby eliminating bus or taxi fares and allowing you to be right at the point of most interest immediately.” With air travel becoming ever more
hassle-ridden and expensive, many are turning to trains. Peter Greenberg, AARP’s travel ambassador, says Am- trak’s ridership was up by 11 percent last year. “Whether you’re traveling through Europe or across all of Aus- tralia, traveling by train gets you into the heart of the region and, in many cases, its real culture,” Greenberg says. Catherine Kaloutsky, senior of- ficer in Media and Corporate Com- munications for VIA Rail in Canada, agrees. “The train takes you through communities where roads won’t take you,” she says, “and it provides an opportunity to kick back, relax, and appreciate the passing landscape.” If you’re a first-time train traveler,
Greenberg suggests an organized tour that arranges the stops, lodg- ing, and access to attractions for you. Here are some recommendations:
Trans-Canada A two-week trip from Vancouver to Toronto offers an overview of Canada, almost from coast to coast. This trip
Pass by Russia’s Lake Baikal, or experience Mongolia’s culture, below, with locals.
has been rated among the world’s best, and for good reason — it’s argu- ably the easiest way to experience the landscapes and culture of the diverse nation in less than two weeks. If starting on the West Coast, the
trip begins aboard the famous Rocky Mountaineer, which crosses the var- ied landscape of British Columbia, passing through the Coast and Cas- cade mountains and Fraser Canyon. Day three is the highlight of the trip
for many as the train journeys into the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, climbing over Rogers Pass and winding through the Spiral Tunnels. Passengers spend two nights in Banff and can tour the area’s natural wonders, including the Hoodoos — otherworldly limestone pinnacles rising above the Bow River. Travelers then will enjoy two over-
Canada’s Peyto Lake is home to wildlife like bighorn sheep (above).
night stays at the Fairmont Chateau at Lake Louise. This hotel overlooks the blue glacial waters of Louise, which reflect the surrounding snow- streaked peaks. While here, travelers may hike, canoe on the lake, or enjoy the amenities of the Fairmont, which include an indoor heated pool and nearly two dozen hotel shops selling ev- erything from hand- made chocolates to First Nations art. After Lake Louise,
more breathtaking scenery awaits as pas- sengers embark on a full-day tour of Banff and Jasper national
6 2 MI L I T A R Y O F F I C E R AU G U S T 2 0 1 0
parks along the Icefields Parkway. Big- horn sheep often are seen along the road, and visitors will see the Colum- bia Icefield, one of the largest glaciers south of the Arctic Circle. After nearly a week of touring the
Rockies, passengers can relax on a three-day journey across the Canadi- an prairie to Toronto. After an over- night stay in the city, travelers spend a day at Niagara Falls. The trip in- cludes a journey aboard Maid of the Mist, which goes right up to the base of American and Horseshoe falls.
Trans-Siberian Railway Veteran travelers looking for the train trip of a lifetime should consider the world’s longest rail journey — al- most 6,000 miles across Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway from Vladivostok on the Sea of Japan to St.
PHOTOS: BOTTOM LEFT, GAVIN HELLIER/CORBIS; ABOVE LEFT, SODAPIX/ CORBIS; ABOVE RIGHT AND TOP, COURTESY THE RUSSIA EXPERIENCE
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