Vacations By Rail Adds New Journeys for 2015

by James Ruggia
Last updated: 5:00 PM ET, Thu August 21, 2014

PHOTO: Pullman's new connections between New York, Washington DC, Chicago and New Orleans will be offered in Vacations By Rail's new 2015 brochure. (Courtesy of Pullman Rail Journeys)

Vacations By Rail (VBR) unveiled nine new programs for its 2015 brochure as well as a new Rail/Cruise Match-up and as an Early Booking Bonus for certain bookings prior to Oct. 31. "We have terrific new offerings around the world from seeing the national parks of the west and the Christmas Markets in Europe, to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta," said Todd Powell, co-founder and president of VBR.

VBR's partnership with seven different cruise lines allows them to fashion rail/cruise match-ups that allow an almost seamless connection for those wanting to travel by both rail and sea. The new VBR brochure offers a match-up key to allowing travelers to easily identify vacations and routes that pair with cruise ports. Travelers can depart on a cruise from Miami, New York, New Orleans and Seattle among others. Popular match-ups range from river cruises on the Mississippi or the Danube to matching up with an ocean liner to visit Alaska or the Caribbean.

One new match-up is a rail cruise itinerary from Quebec to Toronto along the St Lawrence Seaway (from $3,440 per person):, which includes a six-night cruise aboard the Canadian Empress, a visit to the river town of Trois Riviéres and sightseeing in Montreal.

"Rail/cruise vacations have grown in popularity and, along with a selection of itineraries including Journeys Along the Upper Mississippi; Burgundy and Provence Rail Cruise; and Trans Canada By Rail and Alaska by Sea, we now offer an easier way for travelers to pair a rail vacation with the cruise line of their choice," said Powell.

Rail Your Way is another new wrinkle for VBR in 2015. It offers travelers the ability to choose when and where they want start the rail portion of their trip. For example, travelers can now take the train from the nearest Amtrak station to the first off-train stop of a vacation, or begin at any point along the train route. This is available for all vacation types whether traveling independently or on an escorted trip.

VBR's new vacations include Ecuador by Rail; European Christmas Markets; Geneva and Lucerne with Mont Blanc; Chicago, New Orleans, Washington DC and New York City; National Parks and The Wild West; Calgary Stampede and The Rockies; Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta By Rail; and the Fall Colors of New England, Quebec and Montreal. VBR works with numerous luxury rail providers globally including The Royal Scotsman, The Venice Simplon-Orient Express and the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express.

The Early Booking bonus is good for any USA or Canada train vacation or rail-cruise package in the VBR brochure that is valued at $1,000 or more per person. The bonus includes a pre- or post-night hotel stay or a coach class connecting rail ticket-the traveler's choice (maximum value of $175 per couple). The promotion is valid for new bookings made by Oct. 31, 2014 for 2015 travel.

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