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Wonders of the West

The ultimate in scenery and comfort to Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National parks with fine hotels, complete sightseeing, fine dining and two great train rides, aboard the California Zephyr and the Empire Builder.

Without question, both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are truly 'Wonders of the West' and offer some of the most stunning scenery in North America. Grand Teton, with its jagged mountains, pristine lakes and rich wildlife is a jewel and Yellowstone, with its geysers, hot springs and waterfalls is a visual feast. Not as well known, but equally splendid is Glacier National Park, Montana with its storied 'Going to the Sun' Highway over the Continental Divide and happily, we have combined all three of these great National Parks into one glorious holiday with excellent hotels, epic scenery and intelligent planning. Nicer still, ALL sightseeing is included, from a float trip on the Snake River during our visit to Grand Teton, to complete touring in Yellowstone including Old Faithful and during our stay in Glacier National Park, the fabled red open-air 'jammer' buses. There is a professional tour manager to handle of the details from start to finish and most meals, of an exceptionally high quality, are included.

Uniquely, not only are these three great National Parks included, but so is travel aboard two of America's most noted trains, the famed 'California Zephyr' and the 'Empire Builder' that convey our guests to the start of the holiday in Utah, and then home from Glacier National Park after the tour. So, not only does our time in the National Parks yield up an extraordinary vistas, but so does our travel to and from the tour. Guests may begin their vacation in either the Midwest or the San Francisco Bay Area aboard the California Zephyr and in either case, it is a scenic overnight journey to Utah in comfort. Similarly, at the end of our tour, in Glacier National Park, guests may travel east to the Midwest, or to the West Coast aboard the Empire Builder train, again, an overnight ride in either direction.

We invite you to compare this exquisite holiday with those offered by any other company, most of which require days of endless bus travel, a different hotel every night and hotels outside of Yellowstone and you will agree that this Holiday puts others to shame.

Dates & Rates:

This tour has monthly departures August - September with a rate of $2,695 per person.

Itinerary:

1. Guests depart Chicago bound for Utah aboard the famous California Zephyr today. Guests living on the West Coast may depart the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento today as well. From both California and the Midwest, it is an overnight journey to Provo, Utah
2. Arrive in Provo aboard the California Zephyr with an overnight stay at the superb Provo Marriott. Transfer to the hotel is included.
3. After a welcome breakfast, we depart Salt Lake for Jackson Hole Utah and the Grand Teton National Park. Wonder at this spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The abrupt vertical rise of the jagged Teton Range contrasts with the horizontal sage-covered valley and glacial lakes at their base, creating world-renowned scenery that attracts nearly four million visitors per year. Check into the Snow King Resort for a one night stay. Also, later today, an evening float trip on the Snake River with the backdrop of some of the most stunning Mountain scenery in North America. (B, D)
4. After breakfast, we drive north past the Tetons, reflected in stunning Jenny Lake to Yellowstone National Park. America's first national park, it is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Preserved within Yellowstone National Park are Old Faithful and a collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This afternoon we check into the Lake Yellowstone hotel before relaxing on the Lake Yellowstone Scenic Cruise. Most tours offer one night outside the park, for a nice change, we do two in the park. (B)
5. Today we see all of Yellowstone's majesty with Upper & Lower Falls, Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, Fountain Paint Pot, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. You will want your camera handy since today is a visual feast of unequaled splendor. A final night to enjoy the magical setting of Lake Yellowstone. (B)
6. Another pretty day as we drive north to picturesque Fairmont Hot Springs, the perfect midtrip indulgence. Admission to the soothing hot springs is included and there is a fine spa as well as a range of outdoor activities. B L
7. A beautiful day as we travel into Glacier National Park with an afternoon boat cruise on Two Medicine Lake, you will want to have your camera ready. Overnight is spent at the famed Glacier Park Lodge, the largest log building in the world, built by the Great Northern Railroad. We enjoy a two-night in this amazing structure. (B)
8. The Big Day! We depart this morning aboard one of the famed red open-air 'jammer buses for a spellbinding day that finds us traversing the breathtaking 'Going to the Sun' Road over the Continental Divide. Later today, shimmering Lake McDonald where an early evening boat cruise is included. Many of our passengers rate this the prettiest day of the entire tour which is saying quite a lot. Overnight at the Glacier Park Lodge. (B, D)
9. After breakfast, guests bound for the Midwest depart right from Glacier Park Lodge aboard the Empire Builder which makes a special stop at the hotel. Guests bound for Portland have all day to relax and enjoy the hotel before an evening departure for the West Coast. (B)
10. The Empire Builder arrives in St. Paul, Milwaukee and Chicago today and guests traveling to the West Coast arrive in Portland at 9am. Note: For guests that started their tour in California, return train travel from Portland back to any California points is included from Portland.

Features:

• Train travel from Chicago and the Midwest or San Francisco to Utah aboard the famed California Zephyr, a scenic overnight trip from either point. From Chicago, guests enjoy the stunningly beautiful daylight passage through the Colorado Rockies, and from California, a daytime journey through majestic Sierra Nevada mountains.
• Fully hosted from start to finish by professional tour manager that handles all the details.
• Overnight luxury hotel stay in Provo, Utah at the Four Diamond-rated Provo Marriott with full breakfast.
• Most meals including breakfast daily.
• Complete sightseeing throughout including all admission fees and special treats such as the scenic float trip on the Snake River at Jackson Hole and the red open-air 'jammer buses' at Glacier National Park.
• Two-day visit to Jackson Hole/Grand Teton with raft trip on the Snake River and complete touring of Grand Teton National Park.
• Two-night stay in Yellowstone National Park at the historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel along with complete sightseeing including Old Faithful and Lake Yellowstone cruise.
• Relaxing overnight stay at Fairmont Hot Springs Montana with admission to the soothing hot mineral pools included, the perfect mid-trip interlude.
• Two night stay in spectacular Glacier National Park, Montana with complete sightseeing included the famed red 'Jammer' buses over the extraordinary Going to the Sun Highway.
• Train travel from Glacier National Park to Chicago or Portland aboard the 'Empire Builder' train, an overnight ride in either direction.
• 3rd/4th persons sharing a room pay $1595 per person. No additional taxes or fees.