Even though train travel hearkens back to a time before automobiles, the experience of taking a train tour is equal parts archaic and luxurious (emphasis on the luxurious). Not to mention, train tours are perfect for those clients that are searching for new and unique ways to travel. Don’t believe us? Then just check out these top three high-end train tours that can take your clients across iconic and historic landmarks and cities in the United States.
America’s Treasures and Natural Wonders, Vacations By Rail
Vacations by Rail offers so many unique train tour options that it was difficult to just pick one. But the winner for this top three list has to be their “America’s Treasures and Natural Wonders” tour, which is a 14-day tour of national parks that takes riders to see many of the natural wonders of the states. Riders on this tour can choose to depart from either Chicago or Los Angeles and will ride on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief for a scenic ride to Flagstaff, Arizona. Then travelers will depart from Flagstaff for their journey north, stopping at six national parks (make sure your clients remember their cameras)!
The first must-see stop along the way is the Grand Canyon. And really, what would a train tour of America’s treasures be without a stop at this breathtaking national park. Clients can gaze at the wonders of the canyons before making their way to Zion National Park, which is home to the Emerald Pools; don’t continue reading until you’ve searched pictures of those – talk about Instagram-worthy. After Zion National Park, riders will head to Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. This national park is renowned for its “hoodoos,” which are tall, thin spires of oddly-shaped rock that emerge from the bottom of arid basins. Your clients will receive a guided tour of these vibrant geological wonders before exploring Salt Lake City. Here, clients can split their day between a guided tour of the city and free time, so if you have clients that want some time for independent travel, this will be a perfect break for them. After experiencing Salt Lake City, travelers journey to Jackson Hole to see Grand Teton National Park and then head to Yellowstone for a two-day visit. The Old Faithful geyser, hot springs and wildlife make Yellowstone a memorable stop as the trip nears its end. But before the train tour is over, clients will make one final stop at Glacier National Park, which includes a trip across the Continental Divide. And when the trip is over, your clients won’t have to worry about how they are getting back home because roundtrip transportation is included. Other amenities include hotel accommodations for 11 nights, 16 meals, professional tours and baggage handling.
Before we move on to the next train tour, you should know this: Vacations by Rail doesn’t just offer tours in the United States. They can take clients to Canada, Europe and beyond (think places like Thailand, Chile or New Zealand). The options are seriously limitless.
New England in the Fall, Great Rail Journeys
Right now is a perfect time to book fall travel for your clients, and what better way to do so than to recommend a nine-day fall-inspired, scenic train tour through New England. This “New England in the Fall” tour by Great Rails Journey meets in the town of Falmouth on Cape Cod, so your clients will want to fly into Boston’s Logan airport, which is 75 miles away from the town. But all the travel will be worth it because your clients will get to enjoy Cape Cod for the next three nights. The second day, clients are free to roam and explore independently. So if they’d rather spend their day lounging on the beach than exploring Falmouth’s historic district or shopping in nearby Hyannis, then no worries. On the final day on Cape Cod, clients will take a ferry out to Martha’s Vineyard where travelers will get a bus tour of the island, passing all the main must-see sights and taking in the lavish atmosphere. This is when the land portion of the tour ends and the train part begins!
Travelers will first head to Boston where they will take Amtrak’s Downeaster service for a 116-mile scenic journey from New England to Portland, Maine. Once they reach Maine, they will continue by coach into the White Mountains for more picturesque views – hello, fall colors. Riders will then pop into Plymouth for a historical tour of the town before stopping in North Conway for three nights. This three-night stop gives travelers the perfect opportunity to enjoy fall at its finest (mountains, trees, crisp New England air – you get the picture). After experiencing all the White Mountains have to offer, riders travel to Salem, because you can’t go on a tour of the Northeast and not visit Salem, right? To round out the trip, travelers will stay in Boston for two nights of sightseeing and activities such as whale-watching. Amenities for this tour include eight nights’ hotel accommodation, a guided tour of Boston, an excursion on the Mount Washington Cog Railroad and whale-watching by catamaran, among many others.
Your clients may not know it, but fall is a great time to travel. We’ve got more fall travel perks if you need a little help selling them on it.
Blues and the Bayou, Amtrak
This train tour isn’t just about the sights; it’s also all about the sounds. And travelers should plan to hear many of them during their train tour through two musically infused cities: Memphis and New Orleans. Amtrak’s eight-day “Blues and Bayou” tour departs from Chicago and heads south to Memphis for plenty of sightseeing and self-guided travel. Riders will be able to check into their hotel and then freely explore this lively city. If your clients are looking for recommendations, then be sure to suggest a trolley ride to Beale Street Historic District, which is known for its nightlife, barbeque restaurants and live music. Other top attractions include the National Civil Rights Museum and the Memphis Zoo. No need to stop by Graceland on the first night there because the next day your clients will receive a sightseeing tour of Memphis, which includes a trip to Graceland and to the Meditation Garden, which is the resting place of Elvis and his parents. The tour takes travelers on a comprehensive trek across the city, so if they couldn’t fit something in on their first day, then this tour should cover all the bases.
After exploring Memphis, riders will hop back on Amtrak and make their way down to New Orleans , also known as the “Big Easy” and the Birthplace of Jazz. Here, travelers can enjoy a jazz brunch at the recognized Court of Two Sisters restaurant, take a tour of the different parts of the city such as French Quarter and Jackson Square, visit the “Cities of the Dead” and take a boat trip through the swamp and bayou before heading back to Chicago. Amenities for this tour include five nights’ hotel accommodations and one meal at a popular restaurant.
While all of these train tours offer something unique, they all have one thing in common: your clients will cover so much land and get to experience a variety of places on just one trip, which might be more difficult if they choose a more traditional form of travel. And it doesn’t hurt that on train tours, they can sit back, relax and enjoy the sights.
comments