Jeff

My fiancee and I are planning a spring 2002 honeymoon in the Canadian Rockies. We'd like to spend most of our time around Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper, with a possible side-trip to Waterton NP. <BR> <BR>I've recently discovered the Rocky Mountaineer Railtours that runs from Vancouver to Calgary with an overnight stop in Kamloops. (It also runs east-to-west.) The idea of a train trip through the Rockies is very appealing to us, but I'm wondering if the experience is worth the hefty price and the time. If anyone has traveled on this train, I have a couple of questions: <BR> <BR>1. How are the accomodations in Kamloops? <BR>2. Do you think Goldleaf service--with dome car viewing--would be worth the extra money? <BR>3. Would you recommend traveling into the Rockies (west-to-east) or out of the Rockies (east-to-west)? This will be our first time to see the Canadian Rockies, so we're thinking that the train trip to Calgary would be an amazing introduction to the mountains. <BR> <BR>Thanks very much. (What a great site, by the way!) <BR>

gary

Hello Jeff, <BR> <BR>You have chosen an excellant way to go to the rockies. About the only downside, (if you would consider it to be one), is that the average age of the passengers is probably over 60. But the experiance is wonderful and unless you hit bad weather - which is always possible - there is no better way to enjoy the scenic splendour. <BR> <BR>In response to your questions: <BR> <BR>1. The accomodation is fairly good - about 3 AAA Diamonds - and the Hotel has a very nice Casino which may be of interest. <BR> <BR>2. Absolutely. When you're smack dab in the middle of the Rockies the scenery is all around you and just looking out a side window pales in comparison. <BR> <BR>3. The train trip should be your introduction to the Rockies not your farewell so I wqould think going from Vancouver to Calgary would be preferable. There's really no other advantage to either direction. <BR> <BR>Depending on how much time you'll be spending Banff and Jasper should be enough. Only if you have more than one week would I add Waterton.

jean

Hi Jeff, <BR> <BR>We took the Rocky Mountaineer Railtours trip in September 2001, and chose the goldleaf service. We went from Jasper to Vancouver, with an overnight stop in Kamloops. I was traveling with my mother, we were celebrating her 80th birthday. Prior to boarding the train, we had spent a week traveling between Banff and Jasper by car. <BR> <BR>1. The accomodations in Kamloops were nice enough and clean. The people behind the desk were very helpful. If you choose the goldleaf service, the hotel will not be as luxurious as the train. In my opinion, Kamloops cannot compare to Banff, Lake Louise or Jasper for beauty. <BR> <BR>2. We decided on the goldleaf service because we were celebrating. I was really glad we did. While I've never done a cruise, I think it was something like being on a cruise. The train was really nice and the service and food was outstanding. At meals you go to a dining car. With 4 person tables, most folks sat with another "couple" during meals. It was a really pleasant way to get to know your fellow travelers. But, as Gary said, most of the folks on the train were older. <BR>3. I don't think it matters which direction you travel. As I said earlier, we travelled from Jasper to Vancouver. Our trip started in Calgary and went up the Rockies. After the train trip, we planned on spending 3 nights each in Victoria and Vancouver (we got to spend a 3 extra nights because of the terrorist activities on the 11th). From my point of view, while the train trip was wonderful, the more beautiful scenery was between Banff and Jasper. Unless you really hate driving, I would recommend driving between Banff and Jasper because you see more. By the way, I don't know what you're planning exactly, but we didn't find the flight that much more expensive to fly into Calgary and leave from Vancouver (from the US). <BR>

Prue

Jeff, <BR>We, too, did a Golf Leaf Rocky Mountaineer trip in September this year, travelling from Vancouver, in fact we finished the trip on Sep 10 in Banff. <BR>I would endorse everything that has been said in previous posts, except that on our Tour there were about 8 couples who were younger, i.e. under 30, and 2 were on their honeymoons. <BR>We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the trip, including the night in Kamloops, and were very pleased we had decided to pay the extra for Gold Leaf service, as it was certainly worth it.

Jeff

Gary, Jean, and Prue--thanks for all the good information!

Robyn

I just thought I'd add, the stop off in Kamloops probably isn't there to "experience Kamloops" but more or less because Kamloops of geographically located the middle between the Rockies and Vancouver - so it's the logical place to stop for an overnight rest. While Kamloops a nice town, (and no offence to the local residents there), but there would be no big reason for a traveller to go to the town (city?) of Kamloops otherwise.

sue

my husband and I went on the rockie mountaineer, redleaf service in sept 2001 we were well looked after, people <BR>on our coach trip around the rockies <BR>went on gold they said they were well <BR>looked after. I was worried which way <BR>to go. the food was really good on the redleaf as was the leg room. the windows <BR>were a really good size. the hotel we stayed at in kamloops was clean. <BR>by the way there were younger people <BR>on the redleaf

Al

My wife and I travelled from Vancouver to Calgary via the RedLeaf tour in late August 2001. The company seems to be well organized and efficient. In Kamloops the train is met by busses and each train coach is assigned to a specific motel so you didnt have any choice there. You are picked up the next morning and taken back to the train.The on board meals are similar to airline meals and were quite good. They are severed to you at your seat which has pull down trays. There is a steward in each coach and ours was very pleasant and knowledgeable about the complete route. He would even point out when a post that had an eagles nest on it would be coming into view!!Our coach had a variety of ages and tourists from the USA, Autralia and England. I don't think it matters which direction you travel. The windows in the coach were clean and quite large so I don't know if the dome would provide a much better view. All in all we were quite happy with the tour and would recommend it. <BR>A great way the view the Canadian Rockies.

Jeff

Robyn, Sue, and Al--thanks for replying! This information is helpful.

Priscilla

We went on the Rocky Mountaineer in April, 2001. We went Goldleaf. I think it was well worth the extra cost. You are looking at mountains which means looking up. I think if I were sitting in the aisle seat in the Redleaf, even though the windows were large, I would have missed quite a bit!<BR>The scenery was fantastic, the staff knew about every turn and told us about so many things as we went along. We went from Vancouver to Banff. I thought the leg from Kamloops to Banff might have better scenery than the one from Kamloops to Jasper, so chose that route. We took the first train of the season because we have a summer business and needed to get home. Before going I wondered if it were going to be too early. It was fine. As a matter of fact, one woman said that it was better than later in the season because the leaves were not yet on the trees and therefore we could see so much more! The trip was a real highlight of our travels. Definitely do it and go for the dome car! <BR>

Jeff

Thanks Priscilla! We'll splurge and go with Gold Leaf service.