Canada – a place land of vast, demanding natural beauty. When we picture the country, it can be difficult to imagine being able to soak up all its sights – from the Rockies to Niagara Falls to its cosmopolitan and cultural cities, Canada simply has so much to offer. One of the most stylish, and exciting ways to explore this beautiful place is by one of many rail tours on offer. The Canadian has recently been modernised, with over 22 million dollars invested in its reinvention, to ensure an even more luxurious experience for its passengers.
One of the most distinctive and handsome trains still in operation, The Canadian boasts arched ceilings, gleaming stainless steel carriages and a domed car, allowing passengers to observe a full 360 degree panorama of the surrounding landscape from its observation area. It offers a range of accommodation choices, from comfortable single cabins, to more companionable berths with curtains for privacy, in similar style to the compartments in Some Like it Hot. The train also has an onboard chef, and its dining car oozes the ambience of a luxurious restaurant. No frill is too extravagant the menu is inspired by local produce, and tables are set with white linen, flower arrangements and chinaware.
The first notable landmark on any trip to Canada is the romantic cascade of Niagara Falls, trailing beams of glittering light in summer, crashing white against icy rocks below snow-laden branches in winter. This makes a wonderful bit of sightseeing before setting off in Toronto. The scenery shifts and surges into something new almost around every bend on The Canadian’s wending path. The train races through boreal forest and the western prairies to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Here it ascends to some breath-taking elevations, taking in stops at Edmonton and Jasper National Park, where the serene Lakes Pyramid and Patricia lie pooled reflecting the beauty of the surrounding peaks. With any luck, on the journey it might be possible to see Mount Robson, the Rockies’ highest point which reaches 12,972 up to challenge the sky.
Taking a rail tour gives you the opportunity to enjoy micro breaks along the way in the cities which punctuate the journey. Starting off in Toronto, head to the CN tower, the tallest building in the world. If you have a head for heights, it’s even possible to have lunch in the revolving restaurant at the top of the tower. With the best views of the city, and the knowledge no one else in the world is eating at a higher elevation, it’s an amazing experience. Vancouver nestles against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, upon a natural seaport, and forms one of the world’s most scenic cityscapes. Stanley Park, bordering the downtown areas of Vancouver, is a public space lush with both man-made and natural features, providing spectacular forests to walk through, a seawall to cycle, run or skate upon and its very own miniature railroad. Along the Canadian’s route, nearby settlements such as Victoria, Jasper and Edmonton may also enchant its passengers.
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