Holiday Gift Giving Ideas and Suggestions from VIA Rail

MONTREAL - Just in time for the Holidays - VIA Rail Canada would like to make your holiday gift decision-making easier this year. Don’t know what to get the person who has everything or is just too hard to buy for? With the gift of travel you’ll have them singing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, no matter what the season.

VIA Gift Cards are truly the ideal gift. Available at all VIA stations in $25, $50 and $100 denominations, as well as a flex value card, which is also re-loadable. The convenience and flexibility of gift cards make them a welcomed gift. Give them to family or friends and introduce them to a Canadian travel experience that could include pristine alpine forests, a luxurious trip to the ocean, a romantic getaway or simply an opportunity for that university student to come home for the weekend - laundry in tow of course! Gift cards can be used at any time and are subject to the same discounts applicable to cash purchases.

VIA’s Snow Train to Jasper - Just in time for the winter outdoor/ski season, gift cards can also be used to purchase tickets on this seasonal departure between Edmonton and Jasper. Featuring VIA’s renowned Panorama (fully domed) viewing cars, the Snow Train to Jasper includes a VIA on-board attendant providing information on what to see and do in Jasper and a Marmot Ambassador to arrange for the purchase of lift tickets, lessons and rental equipment. Hot and cold beverages, light meals and snacks are also available for sale on board. Visit www.viarail.ca/snowtrain for more information.

According to Steve Del Bosco, VIA’s chief Customer Officer, “there are as many reasons for buying VIA gift cards as there are for travelling by train. For example, many students do not have a credit card. When they are studying in another city, their parents can encourage them to come home more often by giving them a card. And for businesses they make a perfect gift for employees as an incentive bonus for meritorious service during the year.” For more details about VIA’s Gift Card, visit www.viarail.ca/giftcard.

The gift that keeps on giving - VIA has also partnered with the AIR MILES Reward Program to enable their collectors to redeem reward miles for VIA gift cards. Collectors simply contact AIR MILES to exchange their reward miles for a VIA gift card.

SOMETHING FOR THE RAIL FAN IN YOUR FAMILY
VIA Rail is also pleased to offer a selection of souvenirs. From the popular train whistle that appeals to children both young and old, a travel mug for the frequent traveller that reflects VIA’s commitment to the environment and Fair Trade coffee, clothing, books, even a Canadian geography lesson as told by a young boy as he travels across the country in the video production of “The Big Train Trip”. Orders received for Canadian delivery by December 12, should arrive just in time for Santa. For more information please go to www.viarail.ca/giftshop.

Your E-mail address book is undoubtedly full of personal and professional contacts. Many of those people would surely be happy to receive a virtual greeting card from you - a reminder that in this fast-changing world, you haven’t forgotten them. The recipients can easily print your card out and put it up in a special place. Simply click on www.viarail.ca/en_index.html to make someone instantly happy!

SOMETHING FOR THE HOLIDAY TABLE -
RAILWAY PLUM PUDDING AND VANILLA FUDGE
Served aboard VIA’s world-renowned Canadian for decades, now you can savour this traditional dessert with family and friends this holiday season. Visit www.viarail.ca/plumpudding to get our famous and hard to get recipe as well as www.viarail.ca/vanillafudge for those with a real sweet tooth and make everyone happy during the holidays!

THINKING OF TRAVELLING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Christmas is coming, and seats are going fast! For those planning on travelling over the holiday period who have yet to book their trip, VIA suggests that you purchase your tickets as soon as possible to take advantage of the best fares available. Discount fares are still available on many departures during the holiday period, which runs from December 15th to January 5th. “Traditionally, this is our busiest time of the year,” adds VIA’s Steve Del Bosco. “During this holiday period, everybody at VIA will work together to ensure our customers’ holiday travel plans run smoothly.”

With its reservation lines already very busy and winter weather beginning to make itself felt in earnest, VIA expects some popular train departures will be sold out quickly: VIA will be monitoring ticket sales carefully so it can assign and cycle passenger cars to meet demand. Customers should leave plenty of time prior to their train departure, as ticket line-ups are longer than normal. Customers can also use the ticket kiosks to avoid the lengthy line-ups or the driving and parking stresses associated with inclement weather. Ticket kiosks are located in the following Corridor locations: Québec, Ste-Foy, Montréal, Dorval, Ottawa, Fallowfield, Kingston, Belleville, Cobourg, Oshawa, Toronto, Oakville, Aldershot, Brantford, Guelph, Kitchener, London and Windsor.

Customers can visit VIA’s secure Web site at www.viarail.ca/en_index.html to book a trip anywhere in the VIA system. Train tickets are also available at VIA stations across Canada, including self-service ticketing kiosks located at major stations in central Canada. Passengers can also book their tickets by calling 1 888 VIA-RAIL (1 888 842-7245), TTY 1800 268-9503 (hearing impaired), visit VIA’s website www.viarail.ca/en_index.html or contact their travel agent.