One of the comments we often hear about Alaska cruises is that the overall vacation is a bit too hectic, with long flights into Vancouver, without enough time in Vancouver, then all too short a cruise before fooling with airports all over again. With this in mind, we have designed a relaxing, stylish and leisurely holiday to Alaska, the Great Land, at the perfect time of the year that features little or no airports, a comfortable pace, plenty of time to enjoy both Seattle and Vancouver and travel aboard some of the most famous trains in the country like the Empire Builder, California Zephyr, or the Coast Starlight.

We begin with train travel from city or town to Seattle aboard the Empire Builder train In Seattle, there is a superb hotel (with all taxes and breakfast included) and plenty of free time for exploring the Emerald City before we depart for Vancouver by train. Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the World and our guests have two days to enjoy it all along with a city tour that includes Queen Elizabeth Park.

Saving the best for last, after our time in Vancouver, we board Holland America's ms Zuiderdam, an acclaimed moderate sized ship for the stunningly beautiful Inside Passage cruise, a visual feast that includes awesome Glacier Bay National Park and after our Alaska cruise, we have two blissful days sailing down the West Coast with time to relax before our arrival in San Francisco. There is no finer way to arrive in San Francisco than sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge and our guests have two nights to enjoy this great city with a fine hotel, sightseeing, even a cable car ride. We have included travel home from San Francisco aboard the California Zephyr and guests may extend their stay in Northern California at no extra charge if they would like. This one-time tour has one serious flaw and that is it will sell out quickly so prompt reservations are encouraged.

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• Highlights and Tour Inclusions
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• Tour Images

Call 877-929-7245 for rail fares and schedules from your city to and from Chicago.

• Free train travel from any US city to Seattle and the start of the tour utilizing the famed Empire Builder. Guests may even stopover at no additional cost or arrive in the Pacific Northwest earlier if they like. Train travel home from San Francisco is included to any US point when booked early.



• Overnight hotel stay in Seattle at the superb Warwick Hotel in the heart of downtown along with plenty of free time in this beautiful city.



• Seattle to Vancouver passage aboard the 'Talgo' train, a scenic ride along the Puget Sound.



• Overnight stay in Vancouver at the wonderfully located Hyatt Regency Hotel.



• Complete Vancouver sightseeing tour including a visit to Queen Elizabeth Park and afternoon tea overlooking English Bay.



• 10-night Alaska Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver to San Francisco aboard the Holland America liner ms Zuiderdam visiting Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, and Ketchikan, Alaska.



• Fully hosted by professional tour manager with special parties & events for our guests both aboard ship and 'ashore'.



• FREE train travel home to any US city from San Francisco when booked early!



• Two-night First Class hotel stay in San Francisco at the Hilton at Fisherman’s Wharf along with city sightseeing tour, Cable car ride, Bay Cruise and special Farewell Dinner.



• All transfers from the start of the tour in Seattle until the final day in San Francisco.

Day 1: Chicago En Route
Guests depart Chicago today aboard the Empire Builder bound for Seattle via Glacier National Park.

Day 2: En Route
Today the train travels through the continental divide and ascends into Glacier National Park as it continues its westbound journey to Seattle. Overnight is spent onboard.

Day 3: En Route - Seattle
Guests arrive in Seattle and are transferred to the nearby Warwick Hotel, a luxurious property in the heart of downtown for an overnight stay in the Emerald City.

Day 4: Seattle & Vancouver
We depart Seattle this morning on the Talgo train with a scenic ride along the Puget Sound to lovely Vancouver where rooms with stunning views await at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. This afternoon we have included a sightseeing tour of this amazing city that includes historic Gastown, Stanley Park, Chinatown, seldom-visited Queen Elizabeth Park and concludes with afternoon tea overlooking shimmering English Bay and the Pacific Ocean! We have left the evening at leisure for you to enjoy this lovely city, Canada’s gateway to the Pacific. (B, AT)

Day 5: Embarkation
All morning free to further enjoy this magical city with a late afternoon departure for the pier and the Zuiderdam. At 5pm, the whistle blows and we set sail for Alaska, the Great Land. Tonight is your first taste of Holland America’s justly acclaimed cuisine. (D)

Days 6 - 14: Cruise Itinerary
The ms Zuiderdam began her inaugural season with Holland America Line in 2002. She embraces the latest industry and environmental technologies such as her use of a diesel-electric power plant for optimal energy efficiency and an Azipod propulsion system.

At the heart of the ms Zuiderdam, suspended in a three-story atrium, a Waterford Crystal Seahorse sets the mood for exquisite pieces of art to be seen throughout this elegant ship. Other notable pieces include a painting of Queen Beatrix by pop culture artist and icon, Andy Warhol, medallions by Frank Lloyd Wright, cast aluminum elevator doors inspired by the art deco work of the New York Chrysler Building, and a massive floral painting by Charles Ben. You will also discover a large collection of antiques and centuries-old paintings throughout the ship. (B, L, D)

	Arrive / Depart
Day 6: Day 7: Day 8: Day 9: Day 10: Day 11: Day 12: Day 13: Day 14:	At Sea Juneau, Alaska 02:00PM 10:30 PM Skagway, Alaska 07:00AM 09:00 PM Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising Ketchikan, Alaska 10:00AM 06:00 PM At Sea Vancouver, BC 07:00AM 05:00 PM At Sea At Sea

Day 15: Arrive San Francisco
After sailing under the majestic Golden Gate Bridge for the grandest of arrivals in San Francisco we dock in the shadow of Coit Tower and disembark after breakfast and enjoy a city tour of San Francisco before our arrival at the superbly located Hilton at Fisherman’s Wharf, our home for the next two nights. (B)

Day 16: San Francisco
A full day to enjoy San Francisco and we have included a cable car ride and a Bay cruise today, as well as a special Farewell Dinner. (D)

Day 17: California Zephyr - Sierra Nevada Mountains
Guests check out and board the famed California Zephyr for their trip home.

Day 18: Colorado Rockies
The stunning Colorado Rockies are your backdrop today as the California Zephyr treks East through this beautiful landscape. Overnight is spend aboard the train.

Day 19: Tour Ends - Chicago
The California Zephyr arrives Chicago this afternoon.

   

   

   

Economy Inside 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-sized bed, shower. *very limited availability.

Large Inside 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-sized bed, shower.

Standard Outside 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-sized bed, bathtub and shower, picture window.

Large Outside 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-sized bed, bathtub and shower, picture window.

Verandah Suite 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-sized bed, whirlpool bath and shower, sitting area, private verandah, VCR, mini-bar, refrigerator, floor to ceiling windows.

Be the first to be notified when 2011 dates and rates become available for this extremely popular tour.

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