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Via Rail Canada

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"When you board a VIA train, the first thing that strikes you is how uncomplicated it is, how easy it is and how the focus is on the person, not a seat." 

- John Ring

 

Only a VIA train allows you to enjoy the journey, take in the scenery, and put your feet up "“ all year round. 

Today's hustle and bustle encourages people to go faster, do more, and be accessible all the time. But, another school of thought says to take time for balance, rest, and relaxation. Get there on time, but without the "travel frazzle" by taking one of VIA's many train routes. 

John Ring, VIA's Regional General Manager, Western Canada, explained that train travel is the more human way to travel, where the journey is as much the point as the destination. 

Imagine you have a meeting in Toronto and a few unused vacation days. Do you book a red eye to fly you in and out, accept the jet-lag, perhaps under-deliver at the meeting and start your vacation burned out? Or, do you incorporate those vacation days into a travel experience to leave you rejuvenated, at the top of your game and awed by some of the country's most impressive scenery?

"When you board a VIA train, the first thing that strikes you is how uncomplicated it is, how easy it is and how the focus is on the person, not a seat," John noted.

Guests have the luxury of movement throughout the cars and VIA offers amenities planes simply can't deliver. 

Consider the white linen dining car where meals served are made from scratch in the kitchen car by Red Seal trained chefs. Skyline cars give travelers the ability to sit beneath a glass dome for 360° of scenic viewing. Lounges and activity cars offer a wide range of things to do whether you prefer taking in a movie with a glass of wine, playing games with fellow travelers or sampling at a beer tasting. Many trains even feature up-and-coming Canadian musicians who deliver live onboard entertainment.

"Taking a train to a meeting or family get together isn't something people generally think of in their travel options," John said. "But with a sleeper car, it's like having a small room at an all-inclusive resort."

John explained that when a guest books a trip with a sleeper it includes breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks, plus many rooms offer their own private powder room. The shower/dressing room in each car is surprisingly spacious and special "shower packs" with towels and toiletries are delivered to each sleeper passenger daily. 

"You stay, travel and eat fantastic food - all for one price," John noted. 

VIA knows how to make passenger travel all it can be. After all, giving travelers the best journey possible is what they do. 

"The experience begins before our guests get to the platform," John said. 

Passengers are greeted and escorted to comfortable waiting areas before being guided onto the train. Once settled in, guests are treated to a champagne reception to kick off the journey. 

"Customer care is in everything we do," John noted. "It has to be perfect, so our staff members go through five weeks of training, ongoing safety and service training as well as any specialized training their role may require."

Visit VIA's website at viarail.ca for all the details on travel routes and pricing.

 

Pacific Central Station

1150 Station Street

Vancouver, BC

1-888-VIA-RAIL 

(1-888-842-7245)