All aboard for one of the most spectacular train trips in the world! The Rocky Mountaineer left the station in Whistler at precisely 7 am and by 7:30 we were sipping pre-breakfast mimosas and exclaiming over the scenery.

My fellow passengers and I were seated in the Goldleaf Dome Coach which gave us an unrestricted 360 degree view of both sides of the track. We were following the 642-mile Fraser Discovery Route which would eventually take us to Jasper, Alberta with an overnight stay in the delightful town of Quesnel. This route takes visitors through some of the most outstanding scenery in Western Canada. The Rocky Mountaineer travels only during daylight hours so passengers do not miss a single mile of the breathtaking views.

Within an hour of leaving we were seated in the dining car enjoying a gourmet breakfast of salmon, eggs Benedict, fruit and other delectable’s. It was apparent that for the remainder of the trip we were going to be awed, relaxed and pampered.

During the next few hours, we would travel through river canyons and the lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley. Following the shores of Anderson and Seton Lakes, the train hugged the water’s edge and the reflection of the picturesque mountain scenery seemed close enough to touch. Passengers were free to wander throughout the dome car and almost everyone spent some time on the open-air observation deck taking pictures.

Our capable staff regaled us with fascinating tales of the regions through which we were traveling. They included stories of cowboys, cattle drives, the Cariboo, the Aboriginal people and the European explorers. But perhaps the most interesting stories were those of the famous gold rush in the 1860’s. Thousands of fortune hunters endured the treacherous conditions long before the railroads were built. I doubt that most of them had time to admire the awe-inspiring scenery as we were doing.

As the train reached the highest point of the day’s journey, guests enjoed the vistas of the Cariboo Plateau, with its rolling hills, endless forests and vast cattle ranches. As we sat back in our reclining seats, gracious train personnel brought around trays of quiche and other nibbles and drinks. We were truly surrounded by beauty and luxury. I spoke with travelers from around the world and they all agreed that the Rocky Mountaineer trip was the highlight of their vacation.

Lunch was another gourmet experience as we headed towards our evening destination of Quesnel. Quesnel is located on the Cariboo Plateau at the confluence of the Fraser and Quesnel Rivers. Its streets are lined with flowers and the well tended gardens attest to the fact that its residents are rightfully proud of their wilderness community. This gold-rush town is a mecca for those seekng outdoor activities from fishing to hiking to a variety of winter sports.

The Rocky Mountaineer offers a large variety of train trips throughout Canada. Visitors can board the train and choose where to stop and add side trips to their vacations. It is possible to discover Canada’s diverse scenery and culture by traveling for 12-days across the country on the Mountaineer’s epic journey from Vancouver on the Pacific Coast to Toronto and the Great Lakes. Along the way, passengers can spend time in Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Niagra Falls and Toronto.

As we pulled into the flower bedecked Quesnel station, we were met by the local chapter of the Red Hat Association. Our luggage was automatically transferred to our hotel where we found it in our rooms upon arrival. The nights lodging and dinner were included in the price of our trip. The majority of my fellow travelers were continuing on to Jasper in the morning, but I had chosen to spend a few days in Quesnel. Rocky Mountaineer trips are extremely flexible and can accommodate just about any activities that visitors choose to incorporate into their travels. It just does not get any better: luxury, flexibility and amazing scenery all wrapped-up into one amazing journey.