DESTINATIONS RAIL HOLIDAYS | THE US


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Travel out of America’s capital


Washington DC is a great starting point to see some of the most prominent cities in the northeast, with trains heading north to Philadelphia and beyond every hour. But if rural America is calling, head south instead to find yourself among the Blue Ridge Mountains or along the Atlantic Ocean. “Due to the city’s proximity to Maryland and Virginia, Union Station in Washington DC provides great transport links to the region’s coast, rural landscapes, mountains and cities – all within just a few hours,” says Scott Balyo, executive director at


Capital Region USA. Book it: Premier Holidays offers a nine-night Capital Cities and Big Apple by Amtrak trip, from £1,399 per person departing November 21, and including accommodation in Washington DC, Philadelphia and New York. premierholidays.co.uk


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Follow the sound down south


Many genres of American music incorporate tales of the railroads in their songs. Passengers can follow in the footsteps of famous musicians on the train journey between two southern cities: Memphis and New Orleans (pictured). The City of New Orleans Amtrak route connects the blues with jazz, passing through Mississippi and Louisiana, arriving in the heart of the Big Easy in time for dinner. “The ride along the edge of Lake Pontchartrain as you approach New Orleans is especially scenic,” says Brian Hawe, product manager at First Class Holidays. “Look out for wildlife


like herons and alligators.” Book it: First Class Holidays’ Memphis and New Orleans by Rail trip costs £1,489 per person, based on two sharing, travelling between January 5 and March 21, 2022, including flights. fcholidays.com


travelweekly.co.uk


11 MARCH 2021


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PICTURES: Shutterstock/GTS Productions; Double Image Studio


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