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The
CANADIAN :
A JOURNEY THROUGH CANADA BY TRAIN
It has been
said many times that rail is the best way to travel. Taking on this received
wisdom for our first trip to Canada we decided to take the train and this
meant starting big with the Canadian trans-Canada route from Toronto to
Vancouver in the Silver and Blue class. Shortly after embarking we realised
that we were unusual tourists for this service: most of the passengers
were American and over fifty while we stood out as a French and English
couple with a six-month old baby boy.
From our
perspective the journey through Canada amounted to around 30% due to the
scenery but 70% coming from the experience on board.
Many of the American tourists were a bit disappointed - and it is certainly
true that you can find landscapes just as beautiful in America or Europe.
To a European's eyes the train itself, put into service in 1955, is a
bit daunting. It is all steel - a grey and cold exterior. The compartments
inside are not daunting but still have no specific character. What makes
the train special is the service team, the restaurant and the panoramic
carriages.
The team
working on board were all fantastic. There was a welcoming drink in one
of the cars but because our baby was asleep, a steward brought us two
glasses of champagne and a plate of cheese to our seats. This attitude
carried on all through the trip and the staff were always ready to make
our stay as pleasant as possible.
Our baby
boy soon made lots of friends and we trusted every passenger to look
after him which was a great feeling. In the compartments the seats transformed
themselves into comfortable and large beds where there was plenty of room
for our Samsonite folding baby travel bed. Every night a steward would
prepare the beds for us. We chose not have a private compartment on this
journey but we did not find this was a problem - a cabin would not have
improved the trip.
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The
art-deco restaurant was a real treat. The food was excellent with
a la carte menu for lunch and dinner. We spent most of our days
looking forward to the next meal...
Breakfast
was also incredible with the best blueberry pancakes ever.
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Going through
Canada by train makes you realise the tremendous work that took place
between 1881 and 1923 to link the two sides together and unite the country.
"The train runs through the nation like an artery along 4 467 kilometers"
says the guidebook. This train is the perfect place to read and learn
about the history of Canada and rolling through the countryside you really
feel part of it all.
The panoramic
carriage is a unique place to see the scenery. You can also play chess,
games, take up a coffee or a beer from carefully selected Canadian micro-brewery.
And you can have your baby cooed over and entertained by the other friendly
passengers - a good way to get a free hour or so.
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Through
the window of the rearmost lounge carriage you can see the rails
that you are leaving behind which gives a real sense of adventure.
In this carriage there is also tea, coffee, juices and plenty of
different muffins at any time of the day. No need to say that we
put on weight during those three days.
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The scenery
is roughly divided in three parts. The first part passes right in the
middle of lakes and pine forests. This is beaver country and you can have
fun trying to spot Canada's national symbol.
Then the prairies.
And then the Rockies. The rockies are the highlight of the trip. Unfortunately
as we entered the rockies it started to rain and most of the mountains
were covered by clouds.
Many people
stop at Jasper for a break which is what we did. There is plenty of accommodation
in Jasper and lots of pleasurable walks in the mountains.
Luckily, when we boarded the train a couple of days later, the sky was clear
and we could admire the rockies in their severe magnificence.
How much
does it cost: Silver and Blue Class in a upper berth with all meals
included: CAD813
How long does it take: 4 days, 3 nights
Departs Toronto on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9am. Timetable
Official
leaflet from VIA Rail
For all further information please consult VIA
rail.
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