VIA Rail covers Canada with rail-inclusive packages thoughout the country

MONTREAL - From the picturesque charm of Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia to the awesome wilderness of the Canadian Rockies, VIA Rail offers travellers lots to choose from for this summer travel season. Offering a variety of rail-inclusive vacation packages through Canada’s most scenic, cultural and adventurous regions, VIA’s dedicated website helps travellers find their dream getaway with a simple click or two. Whether exploring the untouched Canadian northwest or sightseeing in Canada’s most bustling, historic cities, the something-for-everyone appeal of viarail.ca/packages (Vhttp://www.trainpackages.ca/en_index.html)offers a perfect tour for seemingly any traveller.

VIA’s website enables consumers and travel planners to find vacation packages based on their individual tastes, interests, and budget. Category selections include:

-Type of vacation experience, such as outdoor/adventure, festival-hopping and cultural events. From skiing at Jasper’s Marmot Basin, to world-class theatre in Toronto, and fabulous festivals like the International Jazz Festival in Montréal.
-Destination, VIA Rail takes travellers from spots as trendy as Vancouver and its chic boutiques, to the rugged tundra in Churchill, Manitoba, the Polar Bear capital of the world.
-Type of accommodation and price level. See Canada on a budget or pamper yourself at the prestigious Fairmont Hotels & Resorts available in many destinations serviced by VIA Rail.
Upon finding a travel package of interest, one click brings visitors to an overview of the itinerary and a direct link to the pre-screened tour-operator providing the program. Travellers then book directly through these tour operators. Some of the season’s featured packages are listed below. For more information about these packages please visit viarail.ca/packages (http://www.trainpackages.ca/en_index.html) or call 1 888-VIA-RAIL (842-7245).

Atlantic Canada aboard VIA’s Ocean train

“Discover Atlantic Canada” - Originating in Montréal, Discover Holiday’s “Discover Atlantic Canada” package includes a trip to Prince Edward Island home of Anne of Green Gables, a tour of historic Halifax and an excursion to Peggy’s Cove, one of North America’s most picturesque settings. Between Montréal and Moncton, travellers enjoy VIA Rail’s premier Easterly Class, which features private sleeping accommodations, regional cuisine in the dining car, and activities with the train’s learning coordinator, who acquaints travellers with the Maritime provinces. Packages begin at CAD $953, based upon double occupancy, and are available June 1 - September 30, 2007.
Website: http://www.trainpackages.ca/packages/Discover-Atlantic-Canada.html

“High Tides and Scenic Trains” - Discover the pleasures of overnight rail travel between Montréal and New Brunswick on this ten-day, nine-night round-trip voyage of discovery featuring two overnights in VIA Rail’s premier Easterly Class. Seven nights in a variety of hotels ranging from the elegant and historic to the intimate and quaint. Other highlights include city sightseeing, a Shediac Bay lobster dinner cruise and sightseeing at Saint John’s famous Reversing Falls. Rates begin at CAD $2,002 per person, based upon double occupancy. This package is offered June 1 - October 31, 2007.
Website: http://www.trainpackages.ca/packages/High-Tides-and-Scenic-Trains--Cartan-Tours.html

See Northwest British Columbia on the Skeena and Canadian

“Skeena Rail Trail” - Ushering passengers through the dense forests of northern British Columbia and over the peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Anderson Vacations offers travellers a five-day/four-night getaway. Highlights include accommodations in Totem Deluxe Class onboard VIA’s Skeena, with reserved seating in the scenic domed Panorama cars and at-seat meal service. In Jasper, enjoy a Maligne Lake hike or boat cruise. This package begins at CAD $1,028 per person, based upon double occupancy. Available year-round, the added features of VIA’s Totem Deluxe Class are offered May 16 - September 30, 2007.
Website: http://www.trainpackages.ca/packages/Skeena-Rail-Trail.html

“Scenic Skeena Rail Journey”- Originating in Vancouver, Cartan’s eight-day, seven-night “Scenic Rail Journeys” program features Silver & Blue Class - private sleeping compartments, and regionally inspired cuisine in the dining car - aboard VIA’s flagship Canadian as well as Totem Deluxe Class service on the northwestern Skeena service, with its unique scenic panorama viewing cars. Once off the train, enjoy sightseeing tours in Vancouver, Jasper and Prince Rupert. Combining premier rail and rustic inn and lodge accommodations, this package is available May 12 - October 24, 2007 and priced from CAD $1,967 per person, based upon double occupancy.
Website: http://www.trainpackages.ca/packages/Scenic-Rail-Journeys--Cartan-Tours.html

Cross-country Adventure Aboard the Canadian

“The Transcontinental Express” - For those vacationers who want to see it all, there is no better choice than Trains Across Canada’s “Transcontinental Express.” Operated between Vancouver and Toronto, the program provides a relaxing way to see Canada’s heartland and Canadian Rockies. The six-day, five-night package features a three-day
journey in VIA’s premier Silver & Blue Class aboard the Canadian, where amenities include

private sleeping compartments, regionally inspired cuisine in the classically romantic dining car, and panoramic views of the breathtaking Canadian landscape from the 360-degree dome car. Book-ending the rail journey is the opportunity to explore both Vancouver and Toronto, two of Canada’s most sophisticated cities. Available year round, rates for summer trips begin at CAD $1,999 per person, based upon double occupancy.
Website: http://www.trainpackages.ca/packages/TransContinental-Express.html

For more information on partners, available vacation packages, or on VIA Rail Canada’s 2007 Spring offers, products, and services call 1 888-VIA-RAIL (842-7245) or visit viarail.ca

VIA Rail Canada is the national passenger rail service, connecting some 450 communities from coast to coast. Demand for VIA’s rapid inter-city services in the Québec City-Windsor Corridor has grown in recent years, as more Canadians turn to train travel as a hassle-free and cost-efficient alternative to congested roads and airports. For a complete listing of train departures, station and on-board services as well as fare plans, visit VIA at viarail.ca Passengers can book their tickets by calling 1 888 VIA-RAIL (842-7245), TTY 1 800-268-9503 (hearing impaired), at kiosks in major Corridor stations, at viarail.ca or through their travel agents.