Trip Reports by our Clients:
VIA Rail to the Rockies
Comments on Canadian Trip
Hi Ted & Sylvia,
Your card asked for comments about my trip, so here they are:
1. The arrangements were impeccable. Everything went according to plan.
2. The VIA portion was all that I expected and more. The service and food were every bit as good as my trip several years ago--at that time I felt it was phenomenal. Despite some initial misgivings about the size of the roomettes, they worked out very well.
3. The hotels in Jasper and Lake Louise were fabulous. My sister and I particularly liked the Jasper Lodge and its beautiful setting. The Banff Springs Hotel was less enjoyable--mainly because of its dark, medieval character. Service everywhere was top-notch.
4. The bus tours were quite good despite the fact that a number of scenic stops were not available since the roads into them were still closed with snow. The trip out on to the Athabasca Glacier was extraordinary. Five inches of snow fell on us the night of our Banff Springs Hotel stop.
5. The Talgo train to Seattle was fine--border formalities took about 20 minutes.
6. The Seattle hotel was just OK--perhaps we were spoiled by the mostly fine Canadian hotels.
9. The Starlight from Seattle-to-Emeryville was OK--not quite as good as the last time I rode it 3 years ago. The quality and selection in the diner seemed to have slipped a bit, but the service was good.
All in all it was a GREAT trip. My sister absolutely loved it and is still raving over it. Many thanks to you both for all the excellent arrangements. Until the next big trip, best wishes--
Bill and Marge
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