America by Rail

 

Branson Holiday Express - Virginia - Details

Day 1: En Route

Tour participants will board an Amtrak Acela Regional train this morning in Newport News, Williamsburg, Richmond, and Fredericksburg. Our arrival into Washington is scheduled for 1:25 p.m. The Tour Director will begin in Newport News. The first class Acela Lounge will be our base during our brief layover in Washington. Enjoy the beautiful Union Station complex including a vast food court on the lower level. Washington-area tour members will meet the Tour Director at the Acela Lounge. We’ll board Amtrak’s Washington - Chicago Capitol Limited prior to its 4:05 p.m. departure. Additional tour participants will board Amtrak’s Capitol Limited in Rockville, Harpers Ferry, Martinsburg and Cumberland. The Capitol Limited is a double-decker, Superliner-equipped train. When you board the train, you’ll be shown to your private Roomette bedroom. The upgraded Bedrooms, with private lavatory and shower, are available at an additional cost. All dining car meals are included for sleeping car passengers. You can look forward to a full-course dining car experience this evening you’ll want to spend time in the Sightseer Lounge.

Meal(s): D

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Day 2: En Route - St Louis

When you awaken, our train will be rolling across northern Indiana. Enjoy a full-course breakfast in the dining car. Our arrival into the Windy City is scheduled for 8:40 a.m. During the stopover in Chicago you'll have access to Union Station's comfortable, first-class Metropolitan Lounge. Chicago is one of America’s great cities with numerous world-class attractions. The Sears Tower is a block away from Union Station. Restaurants are located in Union Station and nearby. At 1:15 p.m. we'll board the Texas Eagle for the 280-mile journey to St. Louis. Departure is at 1:45 p.m. Sandwiches, snacks and beverages are available in the lounge car. A full-course dining car dinner is another option. Our arrival into St. Louis is scheduled for 7:31 p.m. We'll transfer the short distance to the Holiday Inn Southwest.

Meal(s): B

Day 3: Branson

A full-course breakfast in our hotel is included. We’ll board our deluxe motor coach and travel southwest through the foothills of the beautiful Ozark Mountains. “Duck! Oh; it’s just another three-inch missile whizzing by your left ear.” Today’s “on-your-own” lunch site is 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. At mid afternoon we’ll arrive at the attractive Lodge of the Ozarks, our comfortable accommodations for the next three nights in Branson. The Lodge is convenient to many shows and attractions. 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): B D

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Day 4: 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 Starlight Theater for a spectacular Christmas Show. For the first time ever, Tony Orlando joins the Lennon Sisters for an incredible Christmas Celebration! Tony Orlando showcases his chart topping songs including "Tie a Yellow Ribbon around the Old Oak Tree", "Sweet Gypsy Rose" and "Knock Three Times" then The Lennon Sisters sing harmony from their hearts with musical memories from their 50 years as America's Sweethearts of Song

Meal(s): B D

Day 5: Branson

Due to a scheduling adjustment, the popular Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers show will replace Mickey Gilley. Following breakfast we’ll transfer to the Dick Clark Theater for an hour of 50’s nostalgia followed by two hours of fabulous live entertainment. At 9:00 a.m. it’s the ’57 Heaven exhibit. Open for the first time to the public, ’57 Heaven is the world’s finest collection of classic 1957 automobiles and memorabilia. Visitors will step back in time as they tour this impressive collection of exquisite cars set in the year 1957, complete with an entire recreated “Small Town America” - authentic settings where these cars would have been seen in their glory days. From the corner gas station and drive-in theater to a replica 1957-style furnished bungalow, visitors will feel as if they are living in 1957. At 10:00, we’ll be seated in the Dick Clark Theater for the Gatlin’s show. Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers have forged a new musical standard for vocal harmony, raw talent and showmanship while topping the music charts with hit-after-hit. One of the first-class acts in Country Music, the Gatlin’s have 15 Top-Five hits including their #1 hits All The Gold In California, Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer To You) and I Just Wish You Were Someone I Loved plus Broken Lady, Night Time Magic, I Don’t Wanna Cry and more. We’ll have an “on-your-own” lunch at a Branson restaurant. This afternoon 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. 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

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Day 6: En Route

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 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

Day 7: En Route

Following a Continental breakfast (included), we'll transfer to the Springfield Amtrak station where, at 8:33 a.m., we'll board a Lincoln Service train for Chicago. Snacks and beverages are available in the lounge car. Our arrival into Chicago's Union Station is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. The comfortable Metropolitan Lounge will again be our base in Chicago. At 1:30 p.m. we'll board a deluxe motor coach for a four-hour sightseeing tour of the Windy City. An one-hour stop will be made at the famous Navy Pier. Our group will return to Union Station by 5:30. We’ll meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Metropolitan Lounge to prepare to board our eastbound Capitol Limited. Departure is scheduled for 7:05. You’ll again travel first-class in private Roomette bedroom. 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 following our departure from Chicago (included)

Meal(s): CB D

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Day 8: En Route

Enjoy a full-course breakfast in the dining car. The Allegheny Mountain scenery between Pittsburgh and Cumberland, Maryland, is spectacular as is the trip along the Potomac River to Washington. Maryland and West Virginia tour members will disembark at their home destinations throughout the morning. The Capitol Limited is scheduled to arrive in Washington at 1:30 p.m. Those continuing on to Fredericksburg, Richmond, Williamsburg, Newport News and the other Tidewater home destinations will depart Washington at 5:20 p.m. and arrive home throughout the evening. Those returning to Culpeper, Charlot-tesville and Lynchburg will depart on the Crescent at 6:30 p.m. and arrive home throughout the evening.

Meal(s): B

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