The beauty of North America is uniquely vast and diverse, and as such it presents an overwhelming challenge for the traveler. Many recall the multi-hour road trips of their youth. Others lament that much-quicker air travel takes them over scenery they would rather be experiencing. Still others do not want the hassle of the logistics needed to cover a large swath of countryside.

What to do?

One solution is a vacation with America by Rail, which as its name implies, takes its guests on train explorations to North America’s greatest treasures. And it is not just a buy-a-ticket operation. No, America by Rail is an escorted adventure, where guests can forget about the details and concentrate solely on enjoying their vacation.

America by Rail takes care of everything. The itineraries are designed to get people to places they may have only read about. All hotel reservations, transportation needs and local sightseeing arrangements are handled. Plus, a full-time, professional tour director will be along to make sure every detail goes off without even a hint of a hitch.

Take Your Pick
Because the time-consuming travel preparation work is removed by America by Rail, travelers simply need to open an atlas and start dreaming—America by Rail offers more than 20 tours from which to choose in North America alone. Some, such as the New Orleans/West Caribbean Cruise, even combine the thrill of rail travel with the excitement of sailing the seven seas. Others —such as Yellowstone/Yosemite Winter Magic—are not limited to the peak summertime travel period; Yellowstone/Yosemite Winter Magic takes passengers round-trip from Chicago through the beautiful snow-and-ice-covered landscapes of two national parks.

Next summer, America by Rail will be running a new tour, and it is one that will be atop many vacationers’ must-do lists. In fact, it is the sort of vacation that makes America by Rail a godsend. The tour is The Big Four, a 14-day sojourn into the West’s four premier national parks: Glacier, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Grand Canyon. The distance that needs to be covered to see this quartet is prohibitive if undertaken any other way. Plus, aboard a train, the scenery encountered while traveling is as much a part of the trip as the scenery in the parks.

The Big Four begins in Chicago and cuts through the prairie and plains before reaching the Rockies and mountainous glory of Glacier National Park. There, passengers will spend a night and be treated to a trip along the Going to the Sun Highway, an engineering marvel that offers unforgettable views of the park. Two nights will be spent in Yellowstone—the world’s first national park. A side trip to the Grand Tetons, where the spires seemingly lunge straight from the flatlands, is also scheduled.

Spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains unfold as the train traverses Donner Pass. A night will be spent in Yosemite. Designated a World Heritage Site, Yosemite is home to granite cliffs, spectacular waterfalls and giant sequoia groves.

Natural splendor will give way to urban distraction next when the tour takes in the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles. Nature comes back into focus in the Grand Canyon, where a night will be spent, and where passengers will spend a day exploring the awe and beauty of one the world’s outstanding spectacles.

The only requirement for the travelers is to take it all in.

All Aboard
On a tour such as The Big Four, the train will traverse ever-changing terrain, showcasing the country’s many personalities. If the trip was mimicked in a car, someone would be missing out—the person stuck behind the steering wheel, surely—and all passengers, confined to their seats, wouldn’t be able to really soak it all in. If the trip was copied on a plane, the view would be from a distant 35,000 feet. 

Cramped legs and boredom would be a constant companion. Not so on an America by Rail tour.

Everyone has the chance to get up and wander about the train. A stop could be made in a lounge car, where refreshments beckon. Maybe the respite would include a conversation with a nice couple from another state who are also taking the trip of a lifetime.

In the sightseer lounge car, the unobstructed views are sure to bring people together. Conversation with fellow tour-goers is easy when common ground is provided by the sights: curious deer watching the passing train; eagles soaring to unknown heights; a pristine lake surrounded by stately pine trees; a mountain selfishly holding onto its snowcap despite the glorious sunshine.

If they can be torn away from the views, guests will be delighted to find full-course meals in the dining car. When the day has run its course—and when it has not ended with guests comfortably ensconced in a fine hotel—sleep on the train will come in private roomettes, or deluxe bedrooms when two consecutive nights are spent on the train. For one night, Coach Class with Coach Comfort Kit is included (private roomettes or deluxe bedrooms are available as an optional upgrade).

Sleep is important, because guests will be using a lot of energy enjoying their unforgettable vacation.

For more information, visit www.americabyrail.com or call (888) 777-6605. America by Rail’s Winter/Spring 2010 catalog is now available. (Anyone requesting the catalog will automatically receive the Summer/Fall 2010 catalog.)

For travel-planning assistance, contact AAA.com/travel.