USA/Canada

Staff member: Sana // Trip date: Sep 2006

Amtrak Service- LA Airport to Anaheim

This was our second trip from LA Airport to Anaheim. The first time, we caught a shuttle from the airport, and it takes you directly to your hotel. The shuttle costs USD 15.00 pp and is quick, safe, and the driver assists you with your baggage. The complete journey took about 40 mins from the airport to Anaheim. Our second time, we were booked on with Amtrak. The first leg of this journey is to board a Flyaway Bus from the Airport. This bus departs every 30 mins. We arrived at Union Station in about 20 mins, and were advised to purchase a ticket from the ticket counter located near by, once purchased we could pick up our bags. Once at the train station, we followed the signs to the Amtrak ticket counter. The train station is huge, and we walked about 5-7 mins before we reached the ticket counter. We picked up our tickets, and made our way to the advised platform. We were advised that we can try to catch an earlier Metro Link train. This was a double decker train, very clean, spacious and tidy. It took an extra 45 mins to arrive to Anaheim train station. Once we arrived at the train station, we called for a taxi and were taken to our hotel.

Day One- Vancouver to Kamloops (Red Leaf)

The Rocky Mountaineer train station is located about 7 mins from downtown Vancouver. It is very clean, and tea and coffee facilities are available within the train station. Red Leaf and Gold Leaf check in are clearly marked. We proceeded to the Red Leaf check in counter, where our bags were tagged with our hotel names, and we were handed our boarding passes, advised of our hotel in Kamloops and handed our Red Leaf and Gold Leaf commerative pins. The attendants were very friendly. Once our bags were checked in, we had to wait to board. When it was time to board, a call was made All Aboard and everyone proceeds to their carriages (your carriage number is clearly marked on your boarding pass). We were greeted by our train attendant (Diana). Elderly passengers are assisted onto the train as the stairs are not easily accessible. Once everyone was on the train, Diana ran through the emergency procedures (similar to an airline) and came around serving everyone breakfast. It was a cold meal, however very nice! This consisted of fresh fruit, yoghurt, and cereal and later followed by a warm bagel and cream cheese. Throughout the journey, we were served warm and cold drinks and alcoholic beverages can be purchased. Lunch is a cold meal, and you can choose between beef or salmon. All meals are served with salad, crackers and cheese. Im not sure what dessert was, but I do know that it was drizzled in Canadian Maple Syrup, followed by a small Rocky Mountaineer chocolate. Throughout the whole day, fresh fruit, hot and cold drinks and biscuits are available and are located on a trolley at the front of your carriage. Diana has been working with Rocky Mountaineer for 7 years, so she knows all her stuff, from where the best photo capturing opportunities are, to where you can see wildlife. Through out the entire journey, Diana informed us of where the salmon spurn, names of various mountains and lakes, and the average population of the small towns we travel through. As the train pulls into Kamloops, passengers are advised of which coach to board to get to their hotel. As you disembark at Kamloops you are assisted by your attendants, and all coaches are clearly marked with big numbers and the hotels they are going to. However because we were the only ones travelling to the Holiday Inn from Red Leaf, we were handed taxi vouchers, and our hotel keys. Taxis are waiting at the station, and take you straight to your hotel. Once we got to our hotel, there is a sign in the lobby stating the pick up time for those passengers booked in for the evening show. Pick-up time was 7:30pm and we had 15 minutes to go up to our room, freshen up and come back down to wait for the coach. The evening entertainment shows are held at the Kamloops Entertainment Centre, and the coach drops passengers off right outside the door. Once we got there, we were greeted by a lady and advised where to proceed. Once we got in, we were seated, and welcomed by our waiter. He took down our orders for drinks and dessert. The buffet dinner, was full of salads, veggies, salmon, pasta, beef etc. It was very filling and tasted amazing! Once everyone ate, we were served dessert and the show began. At first, two elderly men walked out with banjoes, and they sang some song for about 5 minutes, then the lumberjacks came out, the show was exciting, and full of adrenalin. Audience members are invited to join in making the show humorous, and a fun night! The duration of the show is about 40 mins, after which everyone leaves, and heads back to their hotels. Once again, all passengers are advised as to what coach to take to get to their hotels.

Day Two- Kamloops to Banff (Gold Leaf)

This morning, all passengers are to meet in the hotel lobby, to be taken to the train stations. For passengers travelling in Gold Leaf, they are to leave their bags in their hotel rooms and they will be transferred to their hotels in Banff. Once we arrived at the train station in Kamloops, we made our way to our carriage, where we were greeted by our train attendants. Once we made it to our seats, my first impression was very nice, roomy, and the panoramic windows are great. The train manager then comes around, advising all passengers as to which breakfast serving they are on. We chose to take the second serving, and whilst you wait, your attendants come around with tea/coffee and muffins. Once we were called for breakfast, we had to make our way to the dining cart, located below. You get to choose from the menu and the overall impression I got of the dining car is that it is very formal. Once you are done, you can make your way back up to your seats, and attendants will come around with drinks, cheese, wine, fruit and crackers. Lunch is served in the dining car, and again passengers can choose between beef, salmon etc. The scenery on the second day is outstanding, and the panoramic windows make it ten times better. Once we got to Banff, our attendants came around with a RM DVD, and a card to say thank you for travelling with RM.

VIA RAIL (JASPER TO VANCOUVER)

I loved The Canadian. We checked in our bags, and they were also weighed. Once the train arrived, we were asked if we would like to be in the 1st or 2nd dinner serving. We then made our way to our cabins. The day configuration was 2 seats. Our bedroom had an enclosed toilet, small sink, electric socket and a reading light. We then headed to the viewing dome, where we were served canap￩s, drinks and wine. Dinner was served at about 7pm, and you get to choose from the menu. Breakfast is served the next morning, and depending on how busy they are, you may be asked to come back later. The activity car is available throughout the entire night, and you can make yourself a cup of tea/coffee, have fresh fruit, biscuits or simply read a magazine. All rooms can be locked from the inside. Once we arrived back into our room, our beds were turned down, with a little block of chocolate and a water bottle. The beds were very comfortable, tidy and easily accessible. Showers are located at the end of the carriage. The service was remarkable, the meals were delicious, and our attendants were helpful, full of energy and very polite. The train had a French feel to it, and the attendants know how to treat their guests and make them apart of the experience. This train is a MUST for those visiting Canada!

WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER

We were met in our hotel lobby, and handed our boarding passes, and our luggage was checked in. North Vancouver train station is a 15 minute drive from Downtown Vancouver. Again, there are facilities available for tea and coffee at the platform, however no real train station. The train ride was full of mountains, rivers, and waterfalls, and this journey is a short but sweet trip. The entire journey is narrated by your attendants. Breakfast is served at your seat, and there is enough room to stretch your legs. The train is new, and very modern. Attendants are friendly and very polite. Passengers have access to the Heritage Car, a great opportunity to take a few snap shots, and meet other travellers. On our way back, we were served afternoon tea, and they were great! There is a selection of sandwiches, teas and little cakes to choose from. Transfers were great both days, and again, passengers are advised what coach to board depending on their hotels. Whistler is a small, yet modern town. It is a short walk from anything. There are plenty of coffee shops to choose from and plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. The staff were fantastic on the Whistler Mountaineer.