As long as RRRich has broached the subject, here are my big '14 plans for late August/early September:
Chicago to Seattle on the Empire Builder Bellingham to Ketchikan on a northbound Alaska Ferry Ketchikan to Prince Rupert on a southbound Alaska Ferry Prince Rupert to Jasper on the ex-Skeena Rented car to Banff, Lake Louise and back to Jasper Jasper to Vancouver on the Canadian (this time in berths, just for the experience Vancouver to Seattle on the early-morning Cascades Seattle to Chicago on the Empire Builder
This will destroy my travel budget for a long time. But maybe in 2015 we'll be able to fly to Winnipeg and take VIA to Churchill and what remains of the polar bears. We're not getting any younger and must do our traveling now.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
This is what I keep telling my wife...... that there are only a finite number of years left and that I must ride 'em while I can.
That said - I do not have any Amtrak trips planned in 2014 yet.... neither family or solo. We're focusing instead on visiting my brother-in-law at his new USAF duty station in Germany..... and I've got my eye on a couple of meter-gauged steam operations.
Your trip sounds fantastic Henry.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Spangdahlem, Ramstein, ?????
Posted by Vincent206 (Member # 15447) on :
I'm counting 3 or 4 trips between Seattle and Everett on that itinerary. That's a lot of Puget Sound!
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: Spangdahlem, Ramstein, ?????
Spangdahlem.
Looks like the better airfares come with flights with connections (as in $1,200 difference for a family of 3) so flying into Luxembourg probably makes the most sense......
Admittedly though I am tempted by the available Lufthansa nonstop from Charlotte to Munich followed by a nice 4-5 hour train ride on the other end.
Either way, the plans would call for both family and solo sightseeing. I'm looking at 5 days for myself alone to see how much damage I can do with a 3-country (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) Eurail Selectpass!
Posted by Judy McFarland (Member # 4435) on :
I'm going to have AGR points to burn in 2014. I don't like the single level trains, so I usually head west, but I've done them all at this point (except City of New Orleans). Trying to decide if I want to do the Texas Eagle (+Sunset) to LAX again. Trouble is, my friend couch to crash on in Pasadena now lives in the Denver area.
In June of 2012, I ended up on the bus to Spokane instead of riding #8 up the Columbia Gorge, an experience I do not want to repeat. Maybe it's time to revisit the Grand Canyon. I'm not getting any younger.
I took a trip similar to Henry's plan purchased through Rocky Mountaineer - Vancouver-Victoria-Prince Rupert.-Jasper-Banff-Vancouver. The 15 hour ferry ride from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert was fantastic, but the Queen of the North sank a couple years after my trip. Fantastic scenery in early July with maximum daylight. Looking forward to reading his trip review!
Posted by Vincent206 (Member # 15447) on :
I've flown in and out of Luxembourg several times--it's a great place to begin or end a trip. The airport is easy to use and Luxembourg City is beautiful. There's a bus connection from the airport to the train station where the TGV connects Luxembourg to Paris and IC trains connect to Trier.
Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
Sounds like a lovely trip. I'm a little surprised you're not taking your beloved Zephyr 1 way, though!
In case you want alternative to renting car in Jasper, we took a good one-way bus there and then the Rocky Mountaineer (which was beautiful)
Posted by DonNadeau (Member # 61606) on :
I've used an upper berth on the Canadian & enjoyed the experience. Moreover, you get to be in the first class section for a fraction of the price.
Via seems to have a shortage of cars with berths. The last time I booked there was a free upgrade to a roomette. No complaints!
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
I agree on the berths or sections. Very comfortable, large beds, two bathrooms, men and women, each have their own, which are only used by a maximum of six people. Bathrooms are large with one end for dressing, etc. Shower was communal.