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VIA Rail Canada/New travel package websites


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#1 KevinKorell

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Posted 14 June 2004 - 12:30 PM

Packages Featuring VIA Rail's Services are Listed by Tour Operators and Viewed by Consumers and Travel Planners

MONTREAL –– VIA Rail Canada (VIA) just loves playing matchmaker.

VIA has recently launched two new Web sites that make it easy for potential rail travellers and tour operators to find one another. VIA's new www.viarail.ca/packages Web page allows consumers and travel planners searching for Canadian vacations featuring VIA's services to browse through hundreds of such travel packages. Correspondingly, VIA's new www.trainpackages.ca Web site allows tour operators to make their packages that feature VIA's services more readily visible. Tour operators using this site simply create a profile and, once approved by VIA, are then free to upload information on their VIA-related packages, which they may update whenever they'd like.

http://www.viarail.ca/packages uses a multifaceted search engine that allows consumers and travel planners, after identifying their country of origin, to find vacation packages based on such categories as the VIA service involved (such as the Canadian between Toronto and Vancouver), the potential dates of travel, and the price level of the overall vacation. Search results are listed in a user-friendly format that displays the package's name, duration, departure city, price category and tour operator name, as well as which VIA Rail train(s) the package features.

Once visitors find a travel package that interests them, one click brings them to a complete product overview of that vacation, as well as a direct link to the providing tour operator. Following this description, the consumer or travel planner is provided with a contact form that allows them to communicate directly with the tour operator, who will respond to their requests.

VIA's packages Web page can be of particular use to travel agents seeking to book vacations for customers. The site can also be a valuable research tool to keep abreast of products and programs that various tour operators are offering throughout Canada.

For a step-by-step overview explaining the functionality of this Web site in more detail, please visit http://www.travelsal..._bookings_2.htm .
For more information on VIA Rail Canada's 2004 offers, products and services, call 888-842-7245 (888-VIA-RAIL) or visit VIA on the Internet at http://www.viarail.ca/ .
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Kevin Korell


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Lakewood, NJ


#2 KevinKorell

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Posted 16 June 2004 - 11:52 AM

Leader of the Packages

Excursions Combining VIA's Premium Services with Canada's Most Exciting Cities, Destinations and Natural Beauty Available Spring through Fall

The buddy system really does work. VIA Rail Canada, the nation's passenger rail network continues to partner with leading tour operators to create exciting, multi-destination Canadian vacations. A wide variety of tours are available on a year-round basis, some showcasing the history of a particular region, with others providing an appreciation of how immense and spectacular Canada truly is. Daylight touring in Nova Scotia and northern British Columbia, a land cruise across northern Ontario and the prairies through the stunning Canadian Rockies, and in-depth excursions that explore the rich cultures of Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa are all readily available.

Tour operators throughout 2004 are offering both independent and escorted group packages. Some tours combine daytrips via motor coach or rental car, allowing visitors to explore every nook and cranny of their chosen region. Others take travelers via boat up the mighty St. Lawrence River. Despite their wide range of featured activities, however, the vacations all have one thing in common: they all go VIA Rail, leaving travelers privy to VIA's premium services coast to coast. Amenities such as fine regional cuisine and access to plush lounge cars, as well as cozy sleeping compartments with comfortable bedding and private washrooms, are featured and included in the prices of these packages.

Following is a brief sampling of packages incorporating travel on VIA Rail Canada as part of a total vacation experience. For all listed prices, taxes are additional unless otherwise indicated.

Independent Tour Packages

History loves company, and John Steel Rail Tours is offering an independent tour showcasing the seafaring past of Canada's Maritimes. Its 6-day/5-night "Nova Scotia Treasures" package starts with two nights in historic Halifax, a city where 19th-Century privateer warehouses have been transformed into rustic specialty shops. While in town, enjoy the Historic Halifax Tour that visits the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, and the Public Gardens, a seventeen-acre tribute to Victorian elegance. The next day features a relaxing, ten-hour daylight touring trip aboard VIA Rail's Bras d'Or service to Sydney. The Bras d'Or features panoramic domed cars to take in the region's glistening lakes and rolling hills, and its crew dresses in Celtic garb and points out sites of interest along the route. After a night in Sydney, return to Halifax aboard the Bras d'Or once more. On Day Five, tour the landmark lighthouse at Peggy's Cove and the centuries-old port town of Lunenburg. The tour concludes with another night in Halifax. Available June 1 - October 21, 2004, the package is priced from CAD $1,429 per person for double occupancy. All meals on the train included, as are select other meals and sightseeing activities. Most transfers are also included. For reservations, call 800-988-5778 or visit http://www.johnsteel.com/ .

Explore the rich cultural history of New France on Brewster Vacations' 6-day/5-night "Flavour of Quebec from Montreal" package. The package starts with three nights in wonderful Montreal, where a morning tour is provided of the Pointe-a-Callière and the Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History. The rest of the time is free to roam the charming, narrow streets of Old Montreal and sizzling nightlife along hotspots like Crescent Street. Day Three brings a full-day boating expedition featuring a guided tour of the Old Port. The next day, a motor coach journey along the mighty St. Lawrence River brings travelers to historic Quebec for a two-night stay. Here, explore the quaint shops and sidewalks cafés in this 400-year-old city. The tour's final day features a journey back to Montreal on VIA Rail's Corridor service in premier VIA 1 Class, where passengers are treated to a delicious meal at their spacious seats and have access to the relaxing Renaissance Lounge. Available May 1 - October - 12, 2004, the package is priced from $859 CAD per person for double occupancy. For reservations, call 800-661-1152 or visit
http://www.brewster.ca/ .

Group Escorted Tour Packages

Tauck World Discovery's "French Canada and Gaspé Peninsula by Rail" package takes travelers through one of Canada's most romantic regions. The 8-day/7-night excursion starts with one night in enchanting Montreal. Next, take an overnight journey in Easterly Class aboard VIA Rail's Chaleur service to the lovely village of Percé. While in Easterly Class, enjoy the train's quaint dining cars and lounges and watch the scenery roll by from a cozy private bedroom. The tour continues by motor coach to enjoy such destinations as Forillon National Park and St. Lawrence. The group arrives in Quebec City on Day Six, where they'll have two nights to enjoy the narrow streets, quaint shops and charming sidewalk cafés in this fascinating French-Canadian city before returning by motor coach to Montreal. This package is available June 12 - September 25, 2004, and includes some meals. Priced from USD $1,850 (approx. $2,512 CAD) per person for double occupancy. For reservations, call 800-788-7885 or visit http://www.tauck.com/ .

For a broader selection of touring programs featuring VIA Rail's services, please visit VIA's packages website located at http://www.viarail.ca/packages . The site uses a multi-faceted search engine that allows consumers and travel planners, after identifying their country of origin, to find vacation packages based on such categories as the VIA Rail service involved (such as the Canadian between Toronto and Vancouver), the potential dates of travel, and the price level of the overall vacation.

Once visitors find a travel package that interests them, one click brings them to a complete product overview of that vacation, as well as a direct link to the providing tour operator. Following this description, the consumer or travel planner is provided with a contact form that allows them to communicate directly with the tour operator, who will respond to their requests.

For further information on VIA Rail's 2004 products, services and fares, contact VIA Rail Canada at 888-842-7245 or visit VIA on the Internet at http://www.viarail.ca/ .



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Kevin Korell


OTOL Board Leader


Lakewood, NJ





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