New Luxury Passenger Train - American Railway Explorer - To Offer Western and Transcontinental Excursions
Beginning in summer, 2011, the Denver-based American Railway Explorer (ARE) will offer a luxury train experience showcasing much of the country and several national parks. This exclusive “rail cruise” experience combines world-class food, comfortable accommodations and memorable on- and off-train experiences while traveling through spectacular scenery throughout the US.
ARE will operate four-, eight- and 11-day tours featuring accommodations, meals, entertainment, off-train transportation and interpretive guides. The train will travel mostly at night which will allow guests to disembark for day-long excursions; at each stop passengers will have opportunities to participate in various guided tours or to explore on their own.
For example, the eight-day Southwest Explorer itinerary will operate between Napa, Calif. and Santa Fe, N.M. with stops at Yosemite National Park; Santa Barbara, Calif.; Grand Canyon National Park; Williams, Ariz.; Albuquerque, N.M. and Santa Fe, N.M.
The Northwest Explorer, also an eight-day trip, will travel between Napa and Jackson, Wyo. with stops in Crater Lake National Park; Glacier National Park; Helena, Mont.; Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. This itinerary also include a narrated daytime run through the Columbia River Gorge along the Oregon-Washington border.
The Transcontinental Explorer will feature an 11-day itinerary operating twice in 2011 between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. with stops in San Francisco, Sacramento, Denver, Chicago, Niagara Falls, Shenandoah National Park and Washington, D.C. There will also be narrated daytime runs through the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the Rocky Mountains through Utah and Colorado and along Lake Erie.
Meanwhile the four-day West Coast Explorer will operate between Napa and Los Angeles includes Napa Valley winery tours and stops at attractions along the way including the Hearst Castle and Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Last year the American Railway Explorer purchased 1950s-era vintage railcars that are undergoing a comprehensive transformation to restore and improve upon the high standards of the original cars. With a maximum capacity of 130 passengers, the train will consist of 11 sleeper cars, one lounge/piano car, two dining cars, two dome cars and an observation car.An executive chef will prepare meals on board using sustainable and locally produced ingredients.
Rates per person will start at around $900 per day for the West Coast Explorer up to $1,500 per day for the Transcontinental Explorer. The capacity for the Explorers is 130 guests.
Reservations may be made through a travel agent, online at www.aretrain.com or by calling toll-free 1-888-9-THE-ARE (1-888-984-3273). Reservations will be taken beginning this summer.
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