| Looking for a one-of-a-kind travel idea that travel | | | | Another great trip must be the 9-day journey |
| industry gurus say is the modern-day equivalent | | | | that visits four of the Pacific Northwest's most |
| of a 20th century luxury ocean cruise? You might | | | | stunning national parks. For those who choose to |
| want to consider rail cruising, which teams keen | | | | start their trip with the eastbound leg of the |
| travelers with classic luxury trains riding the rails | | | | Great Northwestern National Parks tour, the trip |
| through some of America's most picturesque | | | | starts in Seattle, Washington, and heads first to |
| countryside. Taking anywhere from only a few | | | | Mt. Rainier National Park, where train passengers |
| days to a week or more, these train excursions | | | | can enjoy a unforgettable view of the Cascade |
| offer luxurious surroundings, five-star cuisine and | | | | Range's highest peak (14,410 feet). From there it's |
| personalized service to a small clientele that is | | | | on to the Columbia River Gorge, beautiful Coeur |
| generally limited to just roughly a hundred | | | | D'Alene, Idaho, pristine Glacier National Park, |
| passengers. | | | | Helena, Montana, and finally Yellowstone and |
| You may already be acquainted with the concept | | | | Grand Teton National Parks. Westbound travelers |
| of rail cruising from a travel documentary | | | | start at Grand Teton and finish their cruise in the |
| frequently aired on the Travel Channel about the | | | | Emerald City of Seattle. |
| American Orient Express (AOE). Now | | | | Remember, these are high-end tours that offer |
| re-christened the GrandLuxe Express (AOE's | | | | outstanding comfort and five-star cuisine in a truly |
| parent company changed its name to GrandLuxe | | | | unique environment, so expect to pay accordingly. |
| Rail Journeys in April 2006), this train is made up | | | | Fares for the 2008 season, which includes eight |
| of graceful streamlined lounge and dining cars | | | | separate departure dates between early May and |
| hailing from the 1940s and 1950s. The train's | | | | late June, start at 5,250 dollars per person for the |
| interior has a stylish art-deco flair accentuated by | | | | National Parks of the West Tour. The |
| mahogany and brass furnishings that recall the | | | | Northwestern National Parks tour starts at 4,710 |
| Golden Age of train travel. | | | | dollars per person. The fare includes the cost of |
| GrandLuxe Rail Journeys sends its trains on | | | | travel, some of the finest cuisine on wheels and |
| excursions that offer passengers views and | | | | on board sleeping accommodations in two-person, |
| experiences never dreamed of by 20th century | | | | original Pullman sleeper cars. Taking advantage of |
| patrons of steamship cruisers. One of the most | | | | early booking can cut the cost of the trip by an |
| unforgettable must be National Parks of the | | | | average of about 250 dollars. |
| West, a 10-day luxury pleasure trip that starts its | | | | If prices like these are just too steep for your |
| south-to-north leg in Albuquerque, New Mexico. | | | | wallet, you can still enjoy the luxury of rail cruising. |
| From there, the train winds its way to Santa Fe, | | | | GrandLuxe Rail Journeys also offers rail trips that |
| Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, a choice | | | | are significantly easier on the pocketbook. For |
| of Bryce Canyon or Zion National Parks, Salt Lake | | | | example, you can cruise from Chicago to Los |
| City, Yellow Stone National Park and ultimately, | | | | Angeles for 1,599 dollars or take one of many |
| Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. There's | | | | 789-dollar trips that link cities like Washington, D.C. |
| also a version of the excursion that starts in | | | | and Miami, Denver and San Francisco, Denver and |
| Wyoming and then moves south (instead of | | | | Chicago, and Chicago and Washington, D.C. |
| north) to finish up in Albuquerque. | | | | |