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VIA RAIL CANADA INC. O nly a VIA train allows you to enjoy the journey, take in the scenery, and put your feet up – all year round. of E XC E L L E NC E 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. Today’s hustle and bustle encourages people “Taking a train to a meeting or family get to go faster, do more, and be accessible all together isn’t something people generally the time. But, another school of thought says think of in their travel options,” John said. to take time for balance, rest, and relaxation. “But with a sleeper car, it’s like having a small Get there on time, but without the “travel room at an all-inclusive resort.” frazzle” by taking one of VIA’s many train routes. John explained that when a guest books a trip with a sleeper it includes breakfasts, John Ring, VIA’s Regional General Manager, lunches, dinners and snacks, plus many Western Canada, explained that train trav- rooms offer their own private powder room. el is the more human way to travel, where The shower/dressing room in each car is the journey is as much the point as the surprisingly spacious and special “shower destination. packs” with towels and toiletries are delivered to each sleeper passenger daily. Imagine you have a meeting in Toronto and a few unused vacation days. Do you book “You stay, travel and eat fantastic food - all a red eye to fly you in and out, accept the for one price,” John noted. jet-lag, perhaps under-deliver at the meeting and start your vacation burned out? Or, do VIA knows how to make passenger travel all you incorporate those vacation days into a it can be. After all, giving travelers the best travel experience to leave you rejuvenated, journey possible is what they do. at the top of your game and awed by some of the country’s most impressive scenery? “The experience begins before our guests get to the platform,” John said. “When you board a VIA train, the first thing that strikes you is how uncomplicated it is, Passengers are greeted and escorted to comhow easy it is and how the focus is on the fortable waiting areas before being guided person, not a seat,” John noted. onto the train. Once settled in, guests are treated to a champagne reception to kick Guests have the luxury of movement off the journey. throughout the cars and VIA offers amenities planes simply can’t deliver. “Customer care is in everything we do,” John noted. “It has to be perfect, so our staff Consider the white linen dining car where members go through five weeks of trainmeals served are made from scratch in ing, ongoing safety and service training as the kitchen car by Red Seal trained chefs. well as any specialized training their role Skyline cars give travelers the ability to sit may require.” beneath a glass dome for 360° of scenic viewing. Lounges and activity cars offer a Visit VIA’s website at viarail.ca for all the wide range of things to do whether you pre- details on travel routes and pricing. fer taking in a movie with a glass of wine, photo: PROF I LES Every VIA train has a large number of passenger specific features conveniently located on board which John Ring, VIA’s Regional General Manager, Western Canada explains. “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 PACIFIC CENTRAL STATION 1150 STATION STREET VANCOUVER, BC TEL 1-888-VIA-RAIL (1-888-842-7245) WEB VIARAIL.CA 15