WHAT
Tour operator Great Rail Journeys (01904 521940; www.greatrail.com) offers an exclusive tour covering more than 3,500km of Canada's most spectacular scenery, on The Canadian (a classic train restored to 1950s style) and The Rocky Mountaineer, which has bi-level observation cars. The 17-day itinerary includes sightseeing in Toronto, Vancouver, Banff, Victoria, a snowmobile ride on the Athabascar Glacier and an excursion to the Niagara Falls. Natural highlights of the rail journey are the forests and lakes of Ontario, the rugged rock formations of the Canadian Shield, the prairie flatlands of Saskatchewan and Alberta, and the Jasper National Park. The Rocky Mountaineer takes you through Kicking Horse Pass and into the Selkirk Mountains and the cowboy country of British Columbia along the Thompson and Fraser rivers and past high snow-capped mountain peaks
WHEN
September is a good time to visit, but it can be cold and snowy in the Rockies
at that time of year. For warmer weather consider May or June
BONUS POINTS
Berths offer the best seats on the train ask for a private two-berth cabin on The Canadian and 'Gold Leaf Dome' class on board The Rocky Mountaineer
PRICE
From £2,590, including flights, meals on trains and a full programme of excursions
|
