Marilyn Foster: See the Rockies through a train window

Traveling via train anywhere is as exciting today for those of us who live in the west as it was in the day before airplanes and automobiles became the preferred mode of travel for the masses.

Unless you lived on the upper east coast where trains still run between the major cities and are still a much favored mode to transportation because of intense traffic and parking issues, trains for the rest of us has become a favorite and exciting way to travel to scenic destinations worldwide. Unlike airplane travel, no one is cramped in uncomfortable seats where one must sit for hours on end and the only meal available is a cookie or pretzels. Train travel is generally stress free and you can zone in or zone out.

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“The Canadian,” operated by VIA Rail is the prime form of transportation through the scenic Canadian Rockies in the fall of 2023.

 

The Carson City Chamber Travel Club is featuring two Rocky Mountain train tours for 2023 with one trip dedicated to spotlighting the Colorado Rockies and the other to zip through the breathtaking Canadian Rockies.  

The Trains and Parks of Colorado is more of a nostalgia trip for those who love old trains and the smell of the steam engine. The Canadian Rockies by Train features an overnight in private accommodations on VIA Rail’s “The Canadian” and some of Canada’s most spectacular scenery and famous hotels.

This past July, I had the time of my life traveling through western Colorado with a group from our area.

We enjoyed riding four historic trains: Durango & Silverton, Cumbres & Toltec, Georgetown Loop, and the Pikes Peak Cog railroads. We stayed two nights each in three historic hotels, enjoyed 16 meals including a wine-pairing dinner and dinner on a canyon rim. We saw some of the most incredible scenery as we drove through National and State Parks. It was a memorable trip and I’d go again in a minute. In fact, it was so popular we had to put on a second tour and still there was a waitlist for another tour. From what I understand, this third tour scheduled June 17-25^th is already one-third sold and will again be organized and escorted by train historian Mark Warther whom we all loved.

The Canadian Rockies by Train has been one of the most requested train trips recently, so the Chamber has booked this popular 8-day tour departing September 7, 2023, starting in Vancouver, BC and ending in Calgary. You’ll dine and sleep one-night on this train. Enjoy your favorite cocktail or a great meal as you watch the dramatic Canadian Rockies roll by.

The hotels on this tour are unparalleled! If you haven’t experienced the hospitality of the famous 1890 Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or the 1888 Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - where you will spend 2 nights - you’ll be delighted at these world famous and majestic formerly branded Canadian Pacific landmark hotels. Staying at these hotels alone is worth the trip. Featured are 13 meals, 1 lunch, and 5 dinners.

Both tours depart from Reno and include free parking at the Chamber office, many meals, trains, motorcoach, transfers, guided tours, and so much more.

Whichever train tour you choose, you can’t go wrong. Check out the Travel Club page http://www.carsoncitychamber.com/spotlight/details/chamber_travel_club for pricing an full details. Or call, the Chamber at 775-882-1565. You can also stop by at 1900 S. Carson Street to pick up a brochure.

If you have already experienced these magnificent tours, many more are offered to capture your travel imagination. Spain, Tuscany, Israel, Smoky Mountains, Boston and Cape Cod, Wilderness of South Africa are some of the current travel places to consider with more to come.

Marilyn doesn’t let anything get in her way to travel. At almost 94, she still has a suitcase packed and ready to go!