America by Rail

 

Branson Holiday Express - WA/OR - Details

Day 1: En Route

Branson Fun Time Express participants will board one of the new Cascade Talgo trains departing Eugene at 9:00 a.m. They’ll gain additional members in Albany (9:43 a.m.) and Salem (10:12 a.m.). Arrival into Portland is scheduled for 11:35 a.m.

The tour director and Portland tour members will join with those arriving from southern Oregon cities and depart Portland at 12:15 p.m. on another Talgo train.

Persons departing from southern Wash-ington will join the tour in Vancouver (12:30 p.m.), Kelso-Longview (1:03 p.m.), Centralia (1:42 p.m.), Olympia (2:03 p.m.), and Tacoma (2:41 p.m.).

Relax in a comfortable reclining coach seat as you experience a beautiful ride on North America’s most modern train. Stroll to the lounge car for sandwiches, snacks and beverages. Your arrival in Seattle is scheduled for 3:55 p.m. At 4:45 p.m. we will depart Seattle on Amtrak’s famous Empire Builder.

Edmonds and Everett travelers will board the Empire Builder at 5:17 and 5:44 p.m. The train will arrive in Wenatchee at 8:42 p.m., Ephrata at 9:42 p.m. and Spokane at 12:32 a.m.

The Empire Builder features the double-decker Superliner equipment. Relax in your comfortable, private Roomette bedroom. The upgraded Bedrooms are available at an additional cost. All meals on the trains are included. Beverages are available for sleeping car occupants in their car. Enjoy a full-course dinner in the dining car this evening.

Those departing from Pasco will board train #28 at 8:57 p.m. They’ll have sleeping accommodations through to Minneapolis. Their trains will join the Seattle section of the Empire Builder in Spokane.

Meal(s): D

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Day 2: En Route

Enjoy a delicious dining car breakfast and then head for the Sightseer Lounge car. About 8:00 a.m. a dramatic panorama of snow-covered Rocky Mountain peaks will begin to rise above the horizon, becoming increasingly dynamic as we approach Glacier National Park. The scenery is striking as we wind past waterfalls, river gorges and other sights.

The rest of the day we’ll cross the remote flat lands of eastern Montana and western North Dakota. Look forward to this afternoon’s wine and cheese party in the dining car. It’s great fun.

Meal(s): B L D

Day 3: En Route

Our arrival into Minneapolis is scheduled for 7:05 a.m. Breakfast is included on the train this morning. We’ll disembark upon arrival into Minneapolis and board the deluxe motor coach. Time permitting, we’ll embark on a sightseeing tour of beautiful St. Paul. You’ll marvel at the exquisite Victorian homes. At 9:45 this morning we’ll arrive at the fabulous Mall of America in the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington.

The Mall of America is the nation’s #1 visited attraction with 525 specialty stores, four anchor department stores, 50 restaurants, seven nightclubs and 14 movie theaters. You'll see the largest indoor themed entertainment park in the U.S. You’ll have time to explore on your own until our 1:00 p.m. departure.

After leaving the mall, we’ll travel south for about five hours and arrive in the Des Moines, Iowa, suburb of Clive by late afternoon where we will spend the night at the La Quinta Inn. A Cracker Barrel restaurant and fast food options are nearby

Meal(s): B

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Day 4: En Route - Branson

Following a Continental breakfast in our hotel, we’ll board our motor coach and continue south.

We’ll enjoy an “on-your-own” lunch at Lambert’s Cafe, the only home of the throwed rolls. The food is great and there’s plenty of it. This Ozark, Missouri, eatery is one of America’s “funnest” restaurants.

Late this afternoon we’ll arrive at the attractive Lodge of the Ozarks, our comfortable accommodations for the next three nights in Branson.

Count on an exquisite dining experience this evening at our hotel’s Club Vegas. Following dinner, our Branson travelers will enjoy a performance by one of America’s favorite songsmiths, Bobby Vinton. The “Polish Prince” will perform many of his number one hits, including seasonal favorites.

Meal(s): CB D

Day 5: Branson

A full buffet breakfast in our hotel is included each morning in Branson.

At 9:00 we'll embark on a three-hour sightseeing tour of Branson and the awesomely scenic Ozark countryside. You'll have time for an “on-your-own” lunch in downtown Branson. Be sure to visit Dick’s old-fashioned 5 and 10 cent store.

Following lunch, we’ll transfer to the Sight and Sound Theater for the Noah spectacle. After God reveals to the righteous Noah that a flood will extinguish all life on earth, He charges Noah to construct an ark massive enough to shelter his family, other true believers, and pairs of every species of living creatures. You’ll be captivated as this powerful Biblical story unfolds before you on the extraordinary, towering wrap-around stage.

Tonight we’re off to McFarlain’s Family Restaurant and Pie Shop. “Homestyle cookin’ like it’s supposed to be!” The pie is served first.

This evening we’re off to the Tri-Lakes Center for one of the most memorable performances of your life. You’ll be enthralled by the personable, charming Daniel O’Donnell. The rags to riches success story of the “Boy from Donegal” couldn’t have happened to a more popular and talented performer. Daniel O’Donnell has become one of Ireland’s greatest exports, performing to over 500,000 people every year from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House to London’s Royal Albert Hall, and, of course, Branson.

Meal(s): B D

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Day 6: Branson

This morning you’ll have the option of shopping or relaxing in your hotel. Attending a show or visiting the Landmark Titanic Museum / Attraction are other options. We’ll have an “on-your-own” lunch at a Branson restaurant.

This afternoon we’ll transfer to the Shoji Tabuchi Theater where you'll be entertained by the renowned Shoji Tabuchi. For a number of years, the Japanese violinist has headlined Branson's most popular show.

Dinner this evening is at the popular Grand Country Buffet. Following dinner, we’ll travel to the Moon River Theater for an evening with Andy Williams. You'll be delighted by Andy’s full orchestra as he performs all his greatest hits as well as songs from the Big Band era, Broadway, and Nashville.

Meal(s): B D

Day 7: En Route - St Louis

Following breakfast, we’ll board our deluxe motor coach and depart Branson for St. Louis. An “on-your-own” luncheon stop is scheduled.

At 1:45 p.m. we’ll arrive at the world famous 630-foot high Gateway Arch in St. Louis. A visit to the Museum is included. Options include: a trip to the top of the Arch, a one-hour cruise on the Mississippi River and a 45-minute film chronicling the history of the Old West.

We’ll continue north 100 miles to Springfield, Illinois, where we’ll spend the night at the attractive Drury Inn and Suites*. There are a number of dining options.

Meal(s): B

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Day 8: En Route

Following a Continental breakfast (included), we'll reboard our deluxe motor coach for the run north to Chicago. We’ll be joined by a local guide and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Windy City. North Side, South Side, all around the town, Chicago is one of the most exciting and vital cities in America. A luncheon stop will be made at the famous Navy Pier. We’ll return to Union Station and the Metropolitan Lounge.

Departure on the Empire Builder is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. You’ll again travel first-class in private Roomette bedrooms. The upgraded Bedrooms with private lavatory and shower are available at an additional cost. A shower for Roomette bedroom occupants is on the lower level.

A full-course dining car dinner will be served this evening (included).

Meal(s): CB D

Day 9: En Route

Begin your day with a delicious full-course breakfast in the dining car. During the day we will roll across the remote flat lands of North Dakota and eastern Montana. About 6:00 p.m., we’ll enjoy another confrontation with beautiful Glacier National Park. The glass-walled lounge or dining car is an excellent vantage point.

Meal(s): B L D

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Day 10: En Route

Our Spokane tour members left us during the night when we arrived there at 1:40 a.m. Those continuing to Pasco, Washington, will travel on Train #27 from Spokane to Pasco where they will arrive at 5:35 a.m. They will remain in their sleeping car until their arrival.

We will be descending through the awesome Cascade Mountains. The Cascade Tunnel, the longest in the U.S. at 7.8 miles, will be encountered along the way. Ephrata participants will depart the tour at 4:22 a.m., Wenatchee at 5:35 a.m. Those departing later will have a full-course dining car breakfast prior to our arrivals in Everett (8:33 a.m.), Edmonds (9:05 a.m.) and, finally, Seattle (10:20 a.m.)

Travelers continuing on to southern destinations will depart at 11:20 on a Cascade Talgo train for Tacoma (12:05 p.m.), Olympia (12:44 p.m.), Centralia (1:03 p.m.), Kelso-Longview (1:44 p.m.), Vancouver (2:19 p.m.) and Portland (3:00 p.m.) Those continuing on to southern Oregon home destinations will depart on another Talgo train at 6:15 p.m. and arrive in Salem (7:22 p.m.), Albany (7:51 p.m.), and Eugene (8:50 p.m.). There is a restaurant in the Portland station and sandwiches and beverages are available on the train.

Meal(s): B

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