Amtrak Trip to Santa Barbara True Getaway
Sunday, November 29th, 2009
Posts Tagged ‘Amtrak’Amtrakâs Vacation Passes: Three Tips to Receive Savings on Amtrak Train Travel Using Rail PassesWednesday, November 4th, 2009The National Railroad Passenger Corporation was created by Congress in 1970 to take over the passenger rail services previously required to be operated by private freight railroad companies in the United States. Those companies reported they had operated the services without profit for over a decade. The vast majority of passenger rail routes in existence at that time were shut down to focus the service on the most heavily used lines. The popular nickname âAmtrakâ was created as a blend of the words âAmericaâ and âtrack.â Amtrak provides a number of rail pass programs to entice prospective passengers and their families on their trains. Here are three tips/hints for travelling on Amtrak rail passes: One: Buy the pass that fits your vacation need. You must consider the number of days and the number of segments on which you wish to travel. A segment takes place any time you get on and then get off a vehicle (train, bus, ferry or other allowable leg) regardless of length. Therefore if you travel from Chicago to Whitefish, MT on the Empire Builder, get off the train to visit Glacier National Park for a week and get back on the Empire Builder to Seattle, you have used two segments. The 15 day USA Rail Pass allows eight segments, the 30 day pass allows 12 segments and the 45 day pass allows 18 segments. Alternatively, the California Rail Pass gives you the ability to travel in the Golden State on any seven days in a 21 day period. If you are on a train that arrives at your destination at 12:15 am, you have travelled on two days. Two: You must be cognizant of the passâ restrictions. Both passes cannot be canceled if it has been used for travel. The rail pass is for travel in regular Coach Class seats. Certain trains are excluded for travel. Business Class or Sleeping Accommodations require additional fees. You are restricted to four one-way journeys over a given route segment. You must make advanced reservations for travel in addition to holding the pass. Rail passes are not transferable. Three: On the positive side, children passes are discounted. Up to two children riding with a fare-paying adult may receive a rail pass for half-price. One child under two may ride free with each fare-paying adult. Also, American and Canadian citizens can by the USA Rail Passes. Previously, only non-North Americans could get Amtrakâs best deal! Glacier National Park: Lodging Alternatives at the Four Amtrak Train Stations by Glacier National ParkMonday, November 2nd, 2009Glacier National Park received its designation in 1910. George Bird Grinnell, an early Montana explorer, was instrumental in prodding the United States government to protect this land. Today, about 2 million people visit the 1500 square miles of the park annually. Fortunately, Glacier National Park is well served by Amtrak’s Empire Builder year-round. The Great Northern Railway (GN), which operated on the tracks Amtrak uses today, provided the initial lodging in the area along its stops. Here are lodging alternatives close to the four Glacier stops (going from east to west): East Glacier Park: In 1913, GN opened its first Glacier lodge, the Glacier Park Hotel in East Glacier Park. Now known as the Glacier Park Lodge and Resort, the hotel retains the rugged looks of a century ago with modern amenities. The resort is open from late-May to late-September. Located across the street from the Amtrak train station, the 161-room lodge has accommodations that range from rustic “value lodge” rooms to a “Glacier Golf house” situated about ½ mile from the main lodge. The resort also has three restaurants and a “Cowboy Cookout” on Tuesday and Wednesdays. There are two retail stores on the property. Finally, there are over 20 other hotels and campgrounds nearby. Essex: In a small sliver of land between Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness, lie Essex and the Izaak Walton Inn. Built in 1939 by GN to house winter snow removal crews, this hotel operates year-around. The Izaak Walton is located adjacent to the Amtrak stop at Essex. You have a choice of one of 33 rooms in the inn, four restored railroad cabooses, and six modern family cabins. The restaurant is opened for three meals a day. Reproductions of historic Great Northern dinnerware are the featured items in the hotel’s James J. Hill Gift Shop. West Glacier: There are dozens of hotels and campground close to West Glacier. Three properties are on the shore of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. On the south end, in the Village of Apgar, there is the Village Inn at Apgar (the last Glacier-area lodge built by GN) and the Apgar Village Lodge. Apgar has a visitor center, restaurant and gift stores. On Lake McDonald’s north end, are the magnificent Lake McDonald Lodge, Cottages and Inn. The main lodge was built by GN in 1914 in a Swiss Chalet motif. The resort has three restaurants, a gift shop, and a campstore. Whitefish: Columbia Falls, Kalispell and Whitefish have numerous lodging options including traditional hotels, condos, bed and breakfasts, ranches and campgrounds. Within an hour’s drive from Glacier National Park, this alternative is attractive to those who want to experience more than just the park. For instance, Whitefish Mountain Resort provides winter sports and summer hiking activities. Also, Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River, is known for its fishing and boating activities. There are many good restaurants and shops in this area. Inside Track: October Offers for Train TravelersFriday, October 30th, 2009For most of us, the sun’s hanging just a bit lower in the sky these days. Summer’s well behind us and it’s time to get down to business. |