At the beginning of June Sarah, our Director of Operations
and Group Sales, took a familiarization trip with Rocky Mountaineer. She was
fortunate enough to ride the train 2 days and visit Vancouver, Kamloops,
Jasper, Banff, Lake Louise & Calgary! Here is a quick overview of this jam-packed
trip.
Vancouver Hotel Waterfront – Sarah spent 2 nights here to
start off her journey. This property was renovated in 2013 and is absolutely
fabulous! The location can’t be beat (just across the street from the cruise terminal
with waterfront and city views), and the new, fresh, and more contemporary
décor of the hotel is very comfortable. They have a fabulous new restaurant called
ARC Restaurant & Bar. Be sure to try the yogurt parfaits at breakfast (who
knew something so simple would be so absolutely delicious!) and their honey
made by the bees on the hotel rooftop (learn more about Fairmont & their
honey bees
here).
Give plenty of time in Vancouver to stroll or bike around Stanley
Park, explore the treetop adventures (and overcome your fear of heights) at
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, munch on some authentic local fare at
Granville Island Public Market and get a unique view of the country at
FlyOver Canada.
Sarah took the 2-day ‘Journey through the Clouds’ trip on
the Rocky Mountaineer. Highlights along this route include the Fraser Canyon,
the Albreda Glacier, Pyramid Falls, and Mount Robson, the highest peak in the
Canadian Rockies. Sarah experienced all three classes of service currently
offered by Rocky Mountaineer. Regardless of which class you book you are sure
to have a fabulous send off and spectacular views as you ride along. The train
travels at “Kodak Speed” so guests can take pictures and soak in the spectacular
mountain scenery as you roll by. Each car also has an outdoor platform for
unobstructed viewing and a breath of fresh air. Here is an overview of the
various services so you can see which suits your travel style best.
Sarah’s personal favorite was the Gold Leaf service (no
surprise there). This luxury car offers
incredible views all around with their domed windows. These cars are two
stories with a dining room on the first level and guest seating on the upper
level. This higher vantage point also allows you to see more as you ride above
many of the trees. Best of all they had the first Gold Leaf car on the train so
Sarah & her fellow travelers could see straight out along the tops of the
other cars and the engine (very cool perspective on the tunnels). Having the
separate dining room below is a great opportunity to stretch your legs and have
a change of scenery, something Sarah much appreciated as her journey consisted
of about 10 hours on the train each day (length of time varies depending on
traffic on the rail lines). The food in the dining room is fabulous! You have a
menu with at least 3 hot entrées to choose from, a salad/soup course and
dessert! You will not go hungry or thirsty in Gold Leaf as snacks are served
throughout the journey and alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages are
complimentary. They are also able to accommodate any dietary or allergy
restrictions (just let Rocky Mountaineer know 7 days in advance of your
departure). Gold Leaf service also
includes the most staff members of all the cars so your every need is attended
to and wonderful personal narratives and commentary on the scenery are told as
you ride along. When you step off the train the exceptional service continues
as your bags are delivered to your hotel room in advance of your train’s
arrival. Like magic all your belongings are there without you having to lift a
finger. When booking the Gold Leaf service train you also get the top off the
line hotels, which consist mostly of Fairmont properties.
Silver Leaf Service is the premium category and is a great
value for all you get. These cars still have domed windows (just not quite as
overhead or large as Gold Leaf) and very comfortable seating. Hot meals are
served at your seat, but alcoholic beverages are only included at lunch time
(although available for purchase throughout the day). There are 3 crewmembers
for each Silver Leaf car and luggage is still transferred to your hotel room
like in Gold Leaf.
Red Leaf is the economy cabin and comes with an entry-level
price point. They are going away with this service by 2016 so if Red Leaf is
your style book your trip soon. These cars do not have any domed windows as
they have overhead storage for luggage. All meals are served at your seat and
are cold. Alcoholic beverages must be purchased. This class of service has the
least amount of crew and no luggage service. In fact, you are required to bring
on an overnight bag for your stop in Kamloops as you will not see your checked
suitcase until your final stop in Jasper. Still the scenery is the same no
matter which car you’re in and you will visit the same destinations.
Sarah’s Tips for the Train
You will not go hungry although breakfast is served late (9
am) so if you’re starving when you wake up at 6 am (like I am) you’ll want a
granola bar or fruit from the hotel
Dress warm – the cars are quite cool. Blankets are
available, but there is a limited number.
Pillows are offered in each seat. It’s hard not to fall
asleep to the lull of the rocking car. When you are first pulling out of Vancouver
is the best time to nap as most of what you see is industrial until you get
well out of the city.
Have a party of 4? Book seats two in front of the other and
one row can be swiveled around so you all face each other. Great for card games
and conversation. A little tight on leg room though.
Wifi is not available on board so if you’re addicted to
email or social media make sure you have an international data plan, although
service can be spotty in the mountains.
Don’t book this if you are an active traveler. Even though
you can walk around the car and outdoor platform, it is a lot of sitting.
Bring ginger tablets if you are prone to motion sickness.
The movement is not bad (this coming from someone very prone to motion sickness
in cars and on boats), but just in case the ginger is enough to ward off
butterflies without putting you to sleep.
This is not for smokers as all train cars and outdoor
vestibules are non-smoking, although Nicorette gum and hugs are available to
get you through the 10 hour day.
On the ‘Journey through the Clouds’ route everyone
overnights in Kamloops. There is not much to the town and the accommodations
there are pretty basic. This is the only stop where Gold Leaf guests do not
stay in a Fairmont. Sarah stayed at the Gold Leaf hotel, Hotel 540, a modern a playful
property in the heart of town. Be on the look out for the new Sandman Signature
Kamloops to open up. Sarah took a sneak peak and thinks this property will soon
be on the Gold Leaf hotel list.
Sarah’s train journey ended in Jasper where she stayed at
the lovely Fairmont Jasper Lodge. This property feels like you’re on the set of
Dirty Dancing with its camp-like bungalows throughout a pristine mountain
setting. The lake and surrounding trails offers ample activity for guests, but
take note you are about 20 minutes from town (you will eat at the hotel &
it will be pricey, but there are ample dining outlets to choose from). Sarah’s
suggested itinerary would include two nights here.
Rocky Mountaineer’s itineraries don’t stop where the train
does. Guests can continue to explore the great Pacific Northwest by motor coach
tour, private car rental (with
Gypsie
GPS preprogrammed with sites and narration along your route) or even an
Alaskan cruise. Sarah’s trip took them by motor coach through the Jasper
National Park where she saw black bears, elk and bald eagles. Her tour stopped
at the Columbia Ice Fields where she rode a snow coach to the Athabasca
Glacier. During this stop they also saw a herd of big horn sheep. The newest
attraction coming to Jasper National Park is the Glacier Skywalk, which will
probably be added to Rocky Mountaineer itineraries for next year.
The tour stops at Lake Louise and then
continues on to Banff. You can stay at either location. Sarah went straight on
to Fairmont Banff Springs, as the Fairmont Lake Louise was sold out. Banff is
an awesome little town with country flair. Texans will fit right in with the
local’s cowboy apparel and western décor. Give yourself time to wander the
shops and enjoy local restaurants. The Fairmont Banff Springs is an incredible
hotel. Towering over the valley below, this hotel looks like a grand castle.
The rooms are all unique so be very specific with your travel advisor about
what is most important to you (view, accessibility, size of bathrooms, etc).
This property is very large and offers a lot of dining outlets, bars, shops and
even a bowling alley! Ample activities are available for children and families,
but be sure to ask about the extra costs incurred for many of the activities.
The next day Sarah and the new best
friends she had made on the tour headed back to Lake Louise. While this is not
something Rocky Mountaineer guests would do (no need to back track!), the group
of travel advisors went to tour the Fairmont Lake Louise. During their drive
they toured Yoho National Park where they saw beautiful waterfalls, more
snow-capped mountains and wildlife (elk & brown bears). Upon arrival
at Fairmont Lake Louise you will notice this towering hotel is a bit more
modern in appearance on the exterior. The inside has touches of present day
design as it was recently renovated, but the overall décor is still very
traditional with unique architectural details throughout. If you are staying
here splurge for a room with a lake view! That’s what you’re here for. The
Fairmont has the best location as it is RIGHT on the lake. Of course be warned its
beauty is most appreciated in the summer months and that starts much later in
Alberta than most Texans are accustomed to. When Sarah was there most of the
lake was still frozen! The water is typically a gorgeous turquoise blue with
stunning reflects of the surrounding mountains.
The journey ended with an overnight in Calgary. There Sarah
stayed at the Fairmont Palliser, a historic palace-like hotel in the city
center. Again these historic rooms come in all shapes and sizes so be sure to
find the room best suited to your needs. To be honest this is a big city and is
not worth a lot of time on your leisure itinerary, but should business ever
call you to Calgary the Fairmont Palliser is the place to stay.
Nonstop flights are available to/from Vancouver and Calgary
making a Rocky Mountaineer itinerary like this easy for DFW residents. Sarah
suggests all guests staying in multiple Fairmont properties be sure to sign up
for the Fairmont President’s Club so you can get free WiFi and VIP treatment at
every property. Also the Rocky Mountaineer packages offer optional meal plans.
Since most hotels are set in the natural surrounds, not the cities, Sarah
highly recommends you at least include breakfast with your package (if not
dinner as well). Sarah would also recommend that active travelers and families
do the self-drive tour option with your own rental car so you can set your own
pace and partake in more activities along the way. The motor coach option is
best for travelers with limited mobility or individuals wanting to join a
group.
If the Canadian Rockies are on your bucket list contact your
Sanders Travel Centre advisor today to customize the perfect journey for you!
Her next hotel took her
to the Sofitel Cardales. This hotel is best for businessmen and conventions, as
it is in the suburbs of Buenos Aires and not near many activities. There she
attended BUY Argentina, a weekend of conversing with Argentinean vendors and
other travel advisors about the beautiful and extremely diverse country. 
The Vines Resort &
Spa is in the Uco Valley surrounded by a vineyard and a breathtaking backdrop
of the Andes Mountains. You are truly in the middle of nowhere. This small
boutique hotel has a restaurant where they cook on seven different fires and
keep the wine flowing. Each room is separate from the others, like little
casitas giving you the seclusion and peacefulness you desire.
