An appealing alternative to the
standard road trip adventure
that road trip planners might consider this summer is to utilize the train system
for the long stretches of highway between destination cities and then renting a
car to explore the destination cities. This
way, “getting there” becomes its own adventure, especially if your trip
includes an overnight stay aboard the train! Plus you get the added bonus of leaving the
bulk of the driving to someone else.
There’s something about a railway road trip that beckons the pioneer spirit within
us. And there’s a certain appeal to
letting the rhythmic chug-chug-chug of the tracks lull you to sleep. Granted, these sleeping cabins aren’t as
spacious as hotel rooms, but then again, it allows you to cover
a distance while sleeping that you couldn’t have achieved in a car or RV unless
you traded driving shifts. And the sleeping
cabins are definitely roomier than airline seats!
Family train trip adventures are
growing in popularity. Dad can play a
marathon game of Monopoly instead of being stuck behind the wheel; Mom can
watch a movie with you instead of her riding shotgun to keep the driver on
track and alert for the duration. When
kids get antsy or hungry, you can round them up for a walk to the dining cab
(without losing any traveling mileage).
Explore the train, revel in the changing scenery buzzing by your view,
curl up with a good book and maybe take in a catnap. Trains allow you to slow down and relax…and
isn’t that one of the main vacation objectives?
Your road trip planner will still be filled with things to do,
hotels, car rental and restaurants once you reach your destination.
Amtraks’s Superliners have sleeping cars that range from
Roomettes (1-2 people), special accessible rooms (1-2), and even bedroom suites
(4-6) that includes 2 toilets & 2 showers (usually two bedrooms with the
partition removed). Even though you’d be
advised to stay the bulk of your trip in hotels surrounding the areas you want
to explore, sleeping overnight on a train is an adventure in itself. Plus, you get the bonus of Sleeper Service,
which entitles you to receive all regular meals as part of your accommodations.
Below are a few of the most
popular railway destination in the United States. Amtrak has more than 500 destinations so these are just enough to
whet your appetite to fill your road trip planner with a brand new
adventure. Bon appétit!
West Coast Spectacular – Set aside about 10 days for this
vacation, starting out with 2 full days/nights in Seattle, an overnight
aboard the train heading south to San Francisco, spend 3
nights there exploring city, then aboard the train again to head south to Los Angeles for a 3 night
stay there.
Grand Canyon Discovery –This 10-day trip includes 2 nights in Chicago, an overnight aboard Amtrak’s Southwest Chief SM as it travels south toward Arizona and an amazing natural wonder, the Grand Canyon. You’ll get 2 days to explore the southwest flavors found in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and on Day 6, you’ll hit Williams, Arizona. Day 7 brings you to the Grand Canyon and a South Rim Tour while you stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. Explore Flagstaff on your 8th day and enjoy a scenic tour of Sedona on your 9th Day. From there, you can head back home on the 10th day or continue your exploration in Phoenix or head further west to Los Angeles.
You
can also opt for Railway Day Passes if you want the total freedom of coming and
going whenever you please): 15- Day Railway
Pass: 15 Days (8 segments) $389.00 – Adults,
$194.50 - Child
(Ages 2-15).
I love that you blogged about this!
Suja
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Posted by: sj1009 | June 29, 2009 at 02:37 AM
I love that you blogged about this!
Suja
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http://www.sysax.com/
Posted by: sj1009 | June 29, 2009 at 02:38 AM
Great read!
Posted by: Blue Train | November 04, 2009 at 02:32 AM