VIA Rail and The Niagara Region Provide a Bounty of Wonders this Fall

TORONTO - The summer season may be over but there are still plenty of reasons to visit a region known for its waterfalls, vineyards and theatre. And to add some spice to the fall harvest mixture, VIA Rail Canada in partnership with Inniskillin Wines is offering a chance to win prizes that will captivate your senses.

The contest will run from September 17th to November 1st, 2007. Travellers have a chance to win a number of prizes including the grand prize of a first-class trip for two to Jasper, Alberta, on board VIA’s flagship Canadian. Second prize includes 10 tickets (you and nine friends) to attend a wine and culinary experience including Icewine at Inniskillin Wines, Niagara-on-the-Lake. And with VIA in the driver’s seat, everyone can truly enjoy the very best wines and culinary delights that the fall harvest has to offer in comfort and style. For full contest details, visit viarail.ca/savour.

“From season to season, the popularity of the Niagara region continues to grow and attract visitors from near and far,” said Pierre Santoni, VIA’s senior director, National Sales. “Over the past number of years VIA has been working closely with community leaders and businesses to bring more and more tourists to the region.”

VIA is pleased to be featuring a selection of award-winning Inniskillin wines in VIA 1 class throughout the Windsor to Québec City corridor.

“Inniskillin is proud to be featured on VIA 1 where travelers are able to experience fine Canadian wine while comfortably traveling throughout Ontario and Quebec and Niagara Wine Country. Our prize of a unique wine and culinary experience at the winery site in Niagara on the Lake profiles one of many wine country adventures that await visitors to the Niagara Region.” Deborah Pratt, Winery Public Relations Manager. For details on tours and events at Inniskillin, visit Inniskillin.com.

The Niagara region, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, offers visitors a multitude of things to see and do throughout the year. While the warm fall breezes beckon the harvest, the crisp cool air is the perfect time to enjoy the Festival of Lights, the Niagara Icewine Festival, as well as a number of other activities in Niagara Falls and surrounding areas during the winter months. The Niagara Grape & Wine Festival runs from September 21-30, 2007. For more information visit niagaragrapeandwinefestival.com. For a listing of events happening in the Niagara region as well as across Canada, visit viarail.ca/events.

Depending on availability VIA’s “Flexi Fares” allows passengers to choose from Regular Fares, with no service charges for changes or cancellations, Discount Fares, offering discounts with some flexibility or Supersaver Fares, representing great value for travellers who do not foresee the need to make changes to their tickets. Full time students can also take advantage of savings. In addition, young adults from 18 to 25, VIA’s new Youth Fare is valid for a 25 % discount off the adult regular fare in Comfort class. VIA’s senior companion fares allow passengers age 60 and over travelling in Comfort class to bring a companion, of any age, along for free. (Space is limited and some conditions do apply). Visit viarail.ca/senior for more information

For tour programs that highlight VIA services, please visit viarail.ca/packages. For more information on VIA Rail services or promotions, customers can also visit VIA’s secure website at viarail.ca to book a trip anywhere in the VIA system, or by calling 888-VIA RAIL (842-7245) or TTY 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired) or through their travel agent.

As Canada’s national passenger rail service, VIA Rail Canada’s mandate is to provide efficient, environmentally responsible and cost effective passenger transportation services, both in Canada’s business corridor and in remote and rural regions of the country. VIA serves more than 450 communities with a network of inter-city, transcontinental and regional trains. Demand continues to grow, as more Canadians turn to train travel as a hassle-free and cost-efficient alternative to congested roads and airports. For information regarding any VIA product or service, please visit viarail.ca, call 888 VIA RAIL (842-7245), TTY 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired), or contact your travel agent.