Latest news with #RockyMountaineer
Sunday Post
9 hours ago
- Sunday Post
Smooth and spectacular train ride on Canada's Rocky Mountaineer
Get a weekly round-up of stories from The Sunday Post: Thank you for signing up to our Sunday Post newsletter. Something went wrong - please try again later. Sign Up A skirl of the pipes, a rush of excitement and then it's all aboard for the train ride of a lifetime. But this isn't the Flying Scotsman. It is Canada's world-leading Rocky Mountaineer. I'm about to embark on a 'Journey Through the Clouds' from cosmopolitan Vancouver to some of the most spectacular and remote places on the planet, reachable only by rail. Heaven beckons, but first there's a piper to be paid – with compliments, not cash; that's already covered. Mike Chisholm is a talented fourth-generation Nova Scotian whose 'people' arrived in Canada from the Scottish Highlands in the 19th Century. When he learns that The Sunday Post is on board, he pauses his pibroch to launch into Flower of Scotland. This adventure began – after a nine-hour flight from the UK – with a Sip and Shuck welcome (Champagne and oysters) at downtown Vancouver's stylish Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. Getting to grips with the art of opening the prized mollusc was surprisingly easy under the expert guidance of sous chef Barbara Gregoire. The hotel is my home for a couple of nights. I have a vast room with panoramic views of the bay. It was the first in the city to boast a green roof, its rooftop garden housing a honeybee apiary and inspiring not only the dishes elegantly conjured by its stylish ARC restaurant, but also its signature gin made with the rooftop honey. Glasgow's Angus Porter, the restaurant's assistant general manager, and award-winning bartender Frank Palter are a demon mixology duo whose gin-infused delights are highly recommended, especially when enjoyed in the high-rise garden after a lesson in all things bee from Julia Common, a master beekeeper who practised her art in Scotland's Borders. But if nature's bounty isn't Zen enough, Fairmont's wellness activities – like sound bathing – are. © Supplied This hedonist preferred the heated rooftop pool, floating aimlessly as the sun danced off mirrored skyscrapers and spotlit sea planes and sail boats on the picturesque bay below. Fairmont Waterfront is a stone's throw from the famed Gastown, Stanley Park Seawall, and iconic Canada Place, where I tried its Flyover experience, an all-immersive virtual flight over the Rocky Mountains, the perfect precursor to the train ride. As the Rocky Mountaineer team lined the tracks, waving off passengers with flags and smiles, we settled into sumptuous seats in its glass-domed upper level designed to afford the most arresting views. The Rocky Mountaineer has several times been given the prestigious award of the world's leading travel experience by train, and the world's leading luxury train. © Supplied Our package? Its top-notch, Goldleaf option, which not only includes the best seats but a steady flow of wine, cocktails and snacks, while on the lower level that gives access to a traditional open-air viewing platform, chefs prepare gourmet meals in the dining car. The first of two legs on this train head out along the mighty Fraser River, where gold glittering in its sand and gravel bars became a magnet for mid-1800s prospectors from Scotland, England, America, China and beyond. We pass Yale, in 1848 a gold rush boomtown, before hitting the fury that's Hell's Gate, the narrowest part of the river where 200 million gallons of water surge each minute through a 110ft gorge. And we marvel at Rainbow Canyon, where minerals in the rock reflect rainbow colours, the green and purple of oxidised copper and white iron appearing in orange and red. © Supplied As we go, senior manager Wendy Mitchell regales travellers with tales of onboard marriage proposals and friendships forged while bear spotting. Nearing Kamloops, for thousands of years a trading place for the Shuswap people, we discover a Loch Ness Monster equivalent, the Ogopogo, a legend to keep children from the freezing Kamloops Lake almost 500ft deep. With an overnight in the former fur trading town cuffed, it's back to the train for the 274-mile trip to Jasper, with the best yet to come. Back in the 1800s, a ball system was displayed trackside to indicate required speed; low ball indicating slow-to-stop and a high ball, full steam ahead. We're high-balling when one of our number spots a black bear trackside. En masse, we nose-press the windows for a clearer view. Low-balling, we approach the mesmerising Pyramid Falls that drain from Cheadle Lake to cascade 300ft trackside, so close the train travellers can feel their mist. This is the only place they can be seen up close. © Supplied This area boasts some of Canada's most magnificent mountains, the Premier range, named after the country's early prime ministers. And before we know it, there she is, Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, visible for 10 miles along this stretch. Snow-topped and vertiginous, she's an awesome sight. Then as we close in on Jasper, a crystal clear stretch of water appears – Moose Lake, with Thunder Falls beyond – and we're dumbstruck by its beauty. Next week: part two P.S. Vancouver's bustling Granville Island and its public market are not to be missed, offering everything from the fruits of the sea and field to sweet treats and unique artisan crafts. I visited with the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel's director of food and beverage, Mike Pagnacco, and executive chef Harris Sakalis, who buy ingredients for their five-star culinary creations here. The Lobster Man had us wowed; he's been selling live shellfish since 1977, including geoducks, the world's largest burrowing clam with a lifespan of about 140 years. Meanwhile, Northern Bar's Michelle Avelana is on a mission to take The Nanaimo Bar – Canada's classic sweet treat – to the world. I'm a convert. Factfile A Rocky Mountaineer two-day rail-only package with an overnight stay in Kamloops starts at £1,606 per person for SilverLeaf, and £2,160pp for Goldleaf. Flights are not included. For details see or call 0800 088 5541
Cision Canada
5 days ago
- Cision Canada
Gearing up for conservation: Trucks for Ducks shifts into its second year
This year's grand prize is a Safari Condo Mercedes Sprinter XL FLEX 22, valued at nearly $240,000, combining luxury and versatility in a sleek, adventure-ready design. With a well-equipped interior, off-grid capabilities and premium features, it's built for comfort and the freedom to explore. New this year is a Rocky Mountaineer luxury rail experience for two. Prize winners can witness the wonders and majesty of the Rockies while enjoying world-class rail service and luxurious hotel accommodations. T his prize is a travel voucher valued at $30,000. What's else new in Trucks for Ducks? This year's sweepstakes features a single prize pool across New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Early bird prizes include $10K travel vouchers to one of four Atlantic Canada destinations; Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick, Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia, Rodd Crowbush Golf & Beach Resort, Prince Edward Island, and Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland Ticket prices now include packages of 3 tickets for $50, 7 tickets for $100 as well as single ticket purchases for $20. The campaign is aiming to raise over $200,000 in support of DUC conservation. For complete contest terms and conditions including how to enter with or without a purchase, please visit: Terms and conditions. Conserving wetlands benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people. Thanks to this tremendous support from partners like MacGillivray Injury Law, DUC can deliver innovative nature-based solutions that improve the lives and well-being of Canadians, while ensuring abundant wetlands and waterfowl for generations to come. "The return of Trucks for Ducks is a celebration of Atlantic Canadians coming together to conserve the places we all cherish," said Adam Campbell, DUC's manager of provincial operations for Atlantic Canada. "With every ticket purchased, we're investing in healthier wetlands, stronger communities and a more resilient future for wildlife and people alike." Atlantic Canada is home to an incredible variety of wildlife and ecosystems. DUC actively manages over 52,000 acres of wetlands across the region, supported by 550 water control structures and dykes. Of these, 160 projects feature fishways—special passages that allow fish to move freely in and out of wetland habitats, supporting both biodiversity and healthy aquatic systems. DUC recently announced the conservation of two salt marshes on Nova Scotia's South Shore. Melbourne Lake and McLean's Lake Salt Marshes are both located near provincial parks, wilderness areas and bird sanctuaries. Wetlands such as these are natural landscapes for people to enjoy our traditional pastimes, like birdwatching, hiking, hunting, and fishing. Wetlands at work quietly do it all. About Ducks Unlimited Canada Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the country's largest land conservancy and a leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC uses sound science and partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. To learn more about DUC's innovative environmental solutions and services, visit
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Gearing up for conservation: Trucks for Ducks shifts into its second year
The MacGillivray Injury Law sweepstakes in support of Ducks Unlimited Canada has returned to Atlantic Canada HALIFAX, NS, June 5, 2025 /CNW/ - Following the wild success of "Trucks for Ducks", MacGillivray Injury and Insurance Law and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) have announced the return of the popular sweepstakes to Atlantic Canada. This year, area residents will have even more opportunities to support habitat conservation and the wildlife that depend on it. Trucks for Ducks includes five prizes valued between $10,000 and $240,000 each with the first draw happening September 29, 2025. This year's grand prize is a Safari Condo Mercedes Sprinter XL FLEX 22, valued at nearly $240,000, combining luxury and versatility in a sleek, adventure-ready design. With a well-equipped interior, off-grid capabilities and premium features, it's built for comfort and the freedom to explore. New this year is a Rocky Mountaineer luxury rail experience for two. Prize winners can witness the wonders and majesty of the Rockies while enjoying world-class rail service and luxurious hotel accommodations. This prize is a travel voucher valued at $30,000. What's else new in Trucks for Ducks? This year's sweepstakes features a single prize pool across New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Early bird prizes include $10K travel vouchers to one of four Atlantic Canada destinations; Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick, Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia, Rodd Crowbush Golf & Beach Resort, Prince Edward Island, and Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland Ticket prices now include packages of 3 tickets for $50, 7 tickets for $100 as well as single ticket purchases for $20. The campaign is aiming to raise over $200,000 in support of DUC conservation. For complete contest terms and conditions including how to enter with or without a purchase, please visit: Terms and conditions. Conserving wetlands benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people. Thanks to this tremendous support from partners like MacGillivray Injury Law, DUC can deliver innovative nature-based solutions that improve the lives and well-being of Canadians, while ensuring abundant wetlands and waterfowl for generations to come. "The return of Trucks for Ducks is a celebration of Atlantic Canadians coming together to conserve the places we all cherish," said Adam Campbell, DUC's manager of provincial operations for Atlantic Canada. "With every ticket purchased, we're investing in healthier wetlands, stronger communities and a more resilient future for wildlife and people alike." Atlantic Canada is home to an incredible variety of wildlife and ecosystems. DUC actively manages over 52,000 acres of wetlands across the region, supported by 550 water control structures and dykes. Of these, 160 projects feature fishways—special passages that allow fish to move freely in and out of wetland habitats, supporting both biodiversity and healthy aquatic systems. DUC recently announced the conservation of two salt marshes on Nova Scotia's South Shore. Melbourne Lake and McLean's Lake Salt Marshes are both located near provincial parks, wilderness areas and bird sanctuaries. Wetlands such as these are natural landscapes for people to enjoy our traditional pastimes, like birdwatching, hiking, hunting, and fishing. Wetlands at work quietly do it all. Learn more about DUC's conservation, community and education success in Atlantic Canada. Watch now: Wetlands at work video About MacGillivray Injury and Insurance LawFounded in 1994, MacGillivray Injury Law has grown into the largest injury and disability law firm in Atlantic Canada, with offices in Halifax, New Glasgow, Moncton, and St. John's, and serves Prince Edward Island. MacGillivray Injury Law is proud to serve Atlantic Canadians who have been injured in car accidents or denied disability benefits. Visit: Atlantic Canada's Injury & Disability Lawyers About Ducks Unlimited CanadaDucks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the country's largest land conservancy and a leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC uses sound science and partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. To learn more about DUC's innovative environmental solutions and services, visit SOURCE Ducks Unlimited Canada View original content to download multimedia: 登入存取你的投資組合
What's On
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
7 breathtaking bucket list train journeys worth travelling for in 2025
We forget about trains… Especially living in Dubai, where the people are so heavily reliant on cars to get around. Elsewhere, train tours and journeys are whole, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, offering an ever-transforming window into nature, history, heritage and a way of slow travel the world seems to have pushed into the shadows as commercial flying only grows and grows. This summer, take a trip…to take another trip – an easy, effortless adventure, featuring scenic landscapes, glamorous, old-world charm and a brand new perspective on travelling. Rocky Mountaineer – Canada and USA This train, founded in 1990, takes you through USA and Canada, and presents to you every formation of nature you can think of, of course, with amplified beauty. Roll through and past waterfalls, canyons, lakes, gorges and rivers between Vancouver, British Columbia and Alberta, from the East of Canada through to the West. In the US, the train goes from Moab in Utah and Denver in Colorado, with options to start or end in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, as well. Indulge in local Canadian treats and beer, and be regaled by the magical storytelling of the staff aboard. Floor to ceiling windows and large platforms for all the views. @rockymountaineer Maharajas' Express – India Moving through India, Maharajas' Express offers a level of opulence matched by few and a name that couldn't be more appropriate. Decked out to the tribute of the kings and queens bygone in the subcontinent, this sleeper train comes with extensive amenities, including full-sized closets, comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and satellite TVs, even in the bottom-tier suites. Garlands, welcome flower showers, personal butlers, champagne breakfasts and country-club style establishments onboard complete this luxury experience. The train operates four different itineraries from October to April, mainly focused on Rajasthan. @maharajas_express Dar es Salam by Rovos Rail – Africa Rovos Rail is inspired by the African safari experience, and has been traversing the lands of Africa for more than 30 years. It's can be quite a long one, if you wish it to be – a 15-day trans-Zambezi trip from South Africa to Tanzania, going through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania. It's lavish, luxurious and marked by off-board experiences at every step, giving passengers a chance to immerse themselves in the cultural and historical wealth of the continent. Inside, find sleek wooden interiors, cosy corners and levels of full-sized, freestanding clawfoot tubs in the more fancy compartments. @rovosrail The Ghan – Australia The Ghan holds history from back in the first half of the 20th century, and offers a stretching picture of the Australian Outback like nothing else. It takes passengers across the heart of Australian country in four days, three nights, from Darwin in the north to Adelaide in the south, a journey through which one can discover the sometimes inconspicuous, but always spectacular beauty of the country's rolling, dry plains, arid deserts and domineering mountains – barren and beautiful. Inside, you'll find all the luxuries you might need, but off-board, you'll get a chance experience the rugged splendour of Central Australia yourself. @journeybeyondrail Glacier Express – Switzerland The views – that is why you need to do this trip. Switzerland is known far and wide for stunning sights few are able to forget, but the views of valleys, lakes, rivers, alpine landscapes and villages from the Glacier Express as it chugs along, slow and steady, give a glimpse into some of the most iconic natural landmarks of the country, including the Matterhorn, Piz Bernina, and the Rhine Gorge. The train connects the resort towns of Zermatt and Saint Moritz over eight hours – the world's slowest express train – during which you'll pass through 91 tunnels and cross 291 bridges, indulge in a six-course meal and have champagne. @ Belmond Hiram Bingham – Peru It is believed that American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered the Machu Picchu. Whether this is true or not, is still up foe debate, but this namesake train grand love letter to vintage train travel, taking you through the Lost City and Sacred Valley of Machu Picchu. Start in the city of Poroy, west of Cusco, and trail through Peru's most unforgettable landscapes to make your way to the Inca. Inside, the 20th century shines in the polished wood, the brass fittings, big windows and skylights, long, languid meals and expansive spaces to lounge in. @belmondhirambingham Eastern & Oriental Express – Singapore and Bangkok Think of the classical, Hercule Poirot-appropriate, Orient Express-style train, and this is what comes to mind. A stunning portal into the past, the Eastern & Oriental Express has it all, the polished wood, the corridors trimmed with silk, the silverware, the ornate carriages, the exotic, ornamental dining room. A 1920s-jazz-club-inspired Bar Car completes the time travelling and you can soak it all in as you traverse the landscapes of Thailand and Singapore. This is truly one of those perfect tributes to the bygone era of train travel, when it was a mode for the elite, draped in luxuries and amenities. It's considered to be one of the best train journeys in Southeast Asia and is absolutely unmissable. @easternoriental Images: Getty/Socials
National Geographic
24-05-2025
- National Geographic
6 of the best rail adventures in British Columbia
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province, is well known for its spectacular landscapes, offering endless views of serrated peaks, opaline glacier lakes and feather-tipped pines. And what better way to take it all in than on a train, with those big-picture vistas slowly rolling by beyond the windowpanes — here are some of the best rail routes to try. 1. Rocky Mountaineer: First Passage to the West Vancouver to Banff; 2 days This double-decker train is surely one of the world's most scenic rail journeys, offering bubble-domed vistas of mountains, lakes, forests, gorges, rivers and glaciers and the chance to spot wildlife along the way. The classic First Passage to the West route follows part of the line from the historic Canadian Pacific Railway, Canada's first transcontinental train journey, which travelled from Montreal to Vancouver. It starts in Vancouver before passing the Fraser River for an overnight in Kamloops then continuing into the Rockies via the sheer-sided valley of Kicking Horse Pass, the glacial-blue expanse of Lake Louise and the pretty mountain town of Banff. On board, waistcoated hosts serve cocktails to your seat, with three-course meals on offer in the dining car, including a section of sommelier-picked Canadian wines. From £1,389 per person. The classic First Passage to the West route follows part of the line from the historic Canadian Pacific Railway, Canada's first transcontinental train journey, which travelled from Montreal to Vancouver. Photograph by Rocky Mountaineer 2. The Skeena Prince Rupert to Jasper; 2 days Inaugurated in 1914, the Skeena offers an epic, 1,160-mile journey that carries you all the way from the Pacific coast into the Rocky Mountains. Also known as the 'Rupert Rocket', it runs three times a week between Prince Rupert and Jasper, with an overnight stop in Prince George en route. Along the way, it travels through some spectacularly wild scenery — from pristine forest to steep canyons and glacial lakes — and is one of the few railways in North America that offers a 'flag' service, allowing passengers to flag it down between scheduled stations. As such, it's a favourite for hikers, adventurers and others keen on exploring BC's backcountry — and it runs year-round, no matter the weather. From C$163 (£91) per person. (Related: Try the Skeena, a budget alternative to Canada's famous Rocky Mountaineer.) The Kettle Valley Steam Railway route continued to carry freight until its closure in 1989, but it's now been resurrected as a heritage steam railway. Photograph by Darren Robinson 3. Kettle Valley Steam Railway Faulder to Trout Creek; 90 minutes This historic route was originally built between 1910 and 1916 to link the mainline between Montreal and Vancouver with southern BC — an area rich in resources, from fruit, grain and lumber to precious metals and minerals. It continued to carry freight until its closure in 1989, but it's now been resurrected as a heritage steam railway. The vintage steam locomotive dates from 1912, with open-sided carriages offering uninhibited views of the scenery. The route follows 16 miles of restored track through the vineyards and farms of the Okanagan Valley, an area renowned for producing some of Canada's best wines. From C$33 (£18) per person; 4. Rocky Mountaineer: Rainforest to Gold Rush Vancouver to Jasper; 3 days You won't need to choose between the mountains and the coast on this alternative Rocky Mountaineer route, which runs up the Pacific seaboard from Vancouver via the ski slopes of Whistler and the old logging town of Quesnel, before heading inland across the gold fields of the Cariboo Plateau. It finishes up in Jasper, across the border in Alberta, and there are two overnight stops en route, allowing plenty of time to stretch your legs and explore. From CA$4,929 (£2,776) per person. 5. Amtrak Cascades Vancouver to Seattle; 4½ hours The Amtrak line offers the chance to shuttle between the big cities on either side of the US-Canada border, including Vancouver, Seattle and Portland. The trains that ply this route are simple but spacious, with large, comfy seats, a bistro car and a viewing lounge dedicated to taking in the scenery. And what a view it is: expect to see endless feather-tipped pines, glacier-blue bays and alpine meadows mixed in with classic mountain towns. From US$44 (£34) per person. Port Alberni's waterfront remains an important hub for the town, and is where you'll find this steam railway and its vintage carriages, pulled by a #7 Baldwin locomotive dating from 1929. Photograph by Curvy Roads Photography 6. Alberni Pacific Railway Port Alberni; 25 minutes Vancouver Island's booming lumber industry once required the services of many a chugging steam train, but all have vanished now save for this one in Port Alberni, the small city that stands at the head of Alberni Inlet, the waterway that runs inland for 34 miles from the island's south coast. Once a centre for logging and paper making, Port Alberni isn't the prettiest city in BC, but the waterfront remains an important hub for the town. It's also where you'll find this steam railway and its vintage carriages, pulled by a #7 Baldwin locomotive dating from 1929. An atmospheric relic of the island's industrial past, it's now run by enthusiasts entirely for love, not profit, and offers views of the Alberni waterfront and the hills beyond. C$8 per person. Published in the May 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
