There is no question that Canada is a beautiful country from its vast rural landscapes to its busy urban backdrops.  One of the best ways to see all of Canada’s beauty is to take a train tour.  Vacations by Rail is one example of the many train companies that offer dozens of train tours that allow you to take in all of Canada’s magnificence.  The following are just four of the most extraordinary train tours in Canada and what makes them so unique.

Agawa Canyon

The Agawa Canyon train tour is a must-see for both nature and history lovers.  It is located about 100 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie and is deep within the forests and rock formations that make up part of the Canadian Shield.  As for the history part of it, if you are an art buff you may recognize the landscapes in various Group of Seven paintings since many of its members drew their inspiration from Agawa Canyon’s beauty.  Throughout the one-day tour you are free to roam around the mouth of the canyon where there are many things to do such as take a walk or visit its four waterfalls.  For the more adventurous there is a 300-stair climb to a lookout point that sits 250 feet above the train tracks.  The tour is most expensive in the fall because of the obvious beauty of the changing leaves, however, it is still reasonably priced.  There are vacation packages for out-of-town travellers who must stay in hotels.  It is a relatively inexpensive, enjoyable family vacation that allows you to experience the beauty of Canada from a fresh perspective.

Rocky Mountaineer

The Rocky Mountaineer train tour offers three separate routes that take you through the Canadian Rockies.  The first one is called the “Kicking Horse Route” and it goes from Vancouver, British Columbia to either Banff or Calgary, Alberta.  The highlights of this tour include both natural and manmade wonders that have a significant history to the locals and to tourists alike.  The second option is called “Yellowhead Route” which begins in Vancouver, British Columbia and ends in Jasper, Alberta.  This tour consists of stops at a river, a canyon and Jasper National Park, which is one of the largest protected areas in the world.  The third and final tour that is offered is from Whistler, British Columbia to Jasper, Alberta.  This route is the least travelled on and the land is the most untouched of all the routes.  If your goal is to see wildlife then this is the train tour for you!

Polar Bear Experience

If you don’t mind the cold and enjoy being in remote places then you will probably like the polar bear experience.  Dubbed the “Polar Bear Capitol of the World,” it is the only place where polar bears can be found on human settlement.  This train route is only offered on a couple of dates since you have to follow the polar bears’ schedule if you hope to see any.  This route begins in Churchill, Manitoba, which is along the northern border of Manitoba and moves south for eight days, finally ending in Winnipeg.  This is not a cheap vacation though!  Polar bear sightseeing will set you back more than $5000 a person, so if this is something you want to do, plan ahead and save your money!

Coast to Coast

With Canada being the second largest country in the world, it makes for a lot of land to cover.  Vacations by Rail has a 17 day/16 night tour that will take you from Vancouver to Halifax or vice versa, depending on your preference.  This 6400 kilometre tour stops in five provinces along the way and allows for sightseeing and other special activities.  Also, travelling by train permits you to view the passing landscape as you travel through it.  Departure dates are available from April to September and prices vary according to date and hotel/train accommodations.

Explore Canada in Comfort and Style

Train tours seem to be a forgotten means of travel.  However, they can be the perfect way to discover both the natural and manmade beauty that makes Canada so unique.  People are in such a hurry to get to their destinations that they forget that sometimes, getting there isn’t the only goal.  Sometimes, getting there is a vacation in itself.


Sources:
Vacations By Rail
Agawa Canyon Tour
Polar Bear Experience
Rocky Mountaineer
Coast to Coast