Great Western Explorer 2017
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Overview
Highlights
- Three separate overnight passages on our private Vista-Dome Streamliner train with all meals, wines and spirits included
- Rides on the Yosemite & Sugar Pine Railroad and the storied Virginia & Truckee Railroad
- Two-night stay in enchanting Santa Fe, NM with included sightseeing and plenty of free time
- Superb hotels including the luxurious Silver Legacy Resort in Reno and the opulent Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles
- Visit Hearst Castle, ride a Lake Tahoe sternwheeler, and take a steamer to lovely Catalina Island
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Destinations
Attractions
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Trip includes
- Meals
- Accommodation
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Itinerary
Meals: Dinner
Leave Chicago this afternoon aboard our private Vista-Dome Streamliner train, the Great Western Limited. Cross the Mississippi River during dinner time and speed west into the sunset.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Enjoy a stunning daylight passage through the heart of the Colorado Rockies over the fabled Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, a breathtaking train journey.
Meals: Breakfast
After a morning arrival with immediate check-in to the luxurious Silver Legacy Resort, relax and recharge before a midday departure for historic Virginia City for a ride on the newly restored Virginia & Truckee Railroad. Overnight at the Silver Legacy Resort.
Meals: Breakfast
Travel to spectacular Lake Tahoe for a day cruise aboard a sternwheeler with time at Emerald Bay. Overnight at the Silver Legacy Resort.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
A short scenic drive through the High Sierras this morning past Donner Lake brings you to Old Sacramento with a visit to its justly famed California State Railroad Museum followed by dinner aboard the legendary riverboat Delta King. Overnight at the superbly-located Hyatt Regency.
Meals: Breakfast
A drive through California’s lush Central Valley brings you to incomparable Yosemite for a tour of the Valley floor including Half Dome and Bridal Veil Falls. Overnight at the Tenaya Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Ride the Yosemite and Sugar Pine Railroad followed by a visit to the famed Big Trees before heading to the Pacific Coast with the evening at leisure in quaint San Simeon, one of the most picturesque spots in California.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Tour the grandest private home ever built in America, extraordinary Hearst Castle overlooking the Pacific. After the castle, enjoy lunch nearby before another visual wonder, a 131-mile ride along the California coast by train to downtown Los Angeles. Begin a two-night stay at the fabled Biltmore Hotel, the Grande Dame of Los Angeles hotels.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Every great train journey should have at least a short ocean cruise and today you set sail for quaint and nostalgic Avalon on lovely Catalina Island, a magical place with charming shops restaurants and the famous casino. Overnight at the Biltmore amid the hotel’s spectacular frescoes.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
After free time in the morning, depart for charming Santa Monica with a visit to its famed pier at the end of Sunset Boulevard. Next, travel along Hollywood Boulevard past Mann’s Chinese Theater for dinner on Olvera Street next to Union Station before boarding the Great Western Limited bound for Santa Fe, NM.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
The magnificent Navajolands of Arizona speed past the windows this morning before an afternoon arrival in enchanting Santa Fe for a two-night stay at the Inn & Spa at Loretto.
Meals: Breakfast
Santa Fe is one of only nine cities in the world to be honored by UNESCO as a “Creative City”. Begin the day with a tour of the historic Plaza area and then have the afternoon free to enjoy the multitude of galleries and museums that make this ...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Board the private Vista-Dome Streamliner train, the Great Western Limited, once again for a special Farewell Dinner as you cross the Continental Divide at Raton Pass.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Cross the Mississippi River during breakfast and arrive in Chicago this afternoon with memories of amazing places that will last a lifetime. For guests who might enjoy more time in the Windy City we offer special hotel rates at the regal Palmer House Hilton.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Uncommon Journeys.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Tour Operator
With the most elegant and opulent private railway carriages available, Uncommon Journeys operates more private and special trains than any other travel operator in North America. Our railway cars have been acclaimed in such prestigious publications as Gourmet, Town & Country and Sunset magazines.
Also widely regarded as one of the nation's most experienced and elegant travel companies specializing in Ocean Liner Travel, Uncommon Journeys is proud to be one of Cunard Line's top Inner Circle agencies, a distinction shared by few other travel companies, and is a top producer for Holland America Line, and Silversea Cruises.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience impossible to duplicate in the industry, Uncommon Journeys looks forward to the honor and privilege of welcoming you aboard in the not too distant future.
Uncommon Journeys was founded in 1990 and specializes in unique programs featuring both train & ocean liner travel. The company is considered one of the leaders in the rail/cruise niche, enjoying a nationwide reputation for programs that are both innovative and of superb value.
Uncommon Journeys is best known for operating three well-known private luxury rail carriages throughout the United States, the Houston, Los Angeles, and City of Angels. These cars are regarded as among the finest in North America and offer a level of service, dining, and decor rarely matched. In fact, a recent magazine article described the dining aboard 'Houston' as 'The Best Food On Rails In North America'.
Dining and service is under the aegis of famed American chef Regina Charboneau of Regina's, San Francisco. Considered one of America's finest chefs, Regina has been featured in the pages of Gourmet andBon Appetit and has appeared on numerous television programs, most recently with Julia Child in New Orleans.
An indication of the quality of these rail cars can be judged by the fact that companies and organizations as diverse as the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., Remy Martin, Cunard Line Ltd. and HM Government have all enjoyed the hospitality aboard these famous carriages.
Uncommon Journeys is a proud member of Cunard Lines' prestigious Inner Circle, a select group of travel professionals that do a large volume of business with this legendary company. It is notable that when Abercrombie & Kent, the famed British touring company, were looking for an operator for their North American luxury train program, they chose us to be the provider of such a product to their discriminating clientele. Other notable business connections include Holland America Line, the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, Four Seasons Hotels Ltd. and Southern Pacific Railroad.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- International Flights
- Passport and Visa Charges
- Personal Expenses
Accommodation
Cancellation penalties do apply and for this reason trip cancellation insurance is recommended. Trip insurance is available at a modest cost and additional information may be obtained from your travel professional or the insurance carrier of your choice. We strongly suggest that you purchase travel insurance to cover 100% of your tour cost as there are no exceptions to the cancellation penalties. Your reservation is made with Uncommon Journeys and/or Train Holidays and not with secondary suppliers that may be utilized or included in the tour or travel program that you book, these include but are not limited to cruise lines, airlines, sightseeing, transfer, rail, or charter companies; the suppliers published booking information is not applicable and the following cancellation penalties apply should you have to cancel for any reason, including medical, once deposit has been made:
- Cancellations after deposit has been made but prior to final payment are subject to a $750.00 per person penalty
- Cancellations 90-60 days prior to departure are subject to a 40% penalty of the Total Fare
- Cancellations 30-59 days prior to departure are subject to a 80% penalty of the Total Fare
- Cancellations 29-15 days prior to departure are subject to 90% penalty of the Total Fare
- Cancellations 14 days or less are subject to a 100% penalty of the Total Fare.
Given that the resale of canceled space will likely result in a lost opportunity to sell other space, these fees are due regardless of resale. Name changes and departure date changes are considered cancellations and are subject to cancellation fees.
Cancellations must be submitted in writing either by letter or by fax and the cancellation will be processed only when this notification is received. Charges for cancellation will be based on the date which cancellation notice is received.
Cancellation refunds are only payable to passengers in the same manner in which deposit/final payment were made to Uncommon Journeys.
Please allow from 2 - 4 weeks for Cancellation refunds to be processed. Refunds cannot be issued until cancellation requests in writing have been received.
13 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 6 Dinners
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