American Orient Express

[drfun48]

Has anyone done this--what is your overall impression?

[ypond]

We have made 2 trips. One trip New Orleans to Washington, D.C. very enjoyable would do again. One trip Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA. This was a Culinary Adventures trip. Again, most of trip was very nice, San Francisco visit not as exciting. This company recently sold & name changed to "Grand Luxe Rail Journeys". They have revised lots of the trips. Main focus now appears to be on rail journeys through Mexico: Copper Canyon, Colonial Mexico, & Mexico City. Cabins are original Pullman sleepers renovated to their original beauty. Cabins are extremely small so don't bring more than one suitcase & make it a canvas one you can get gear from the top & that will squash easily. Tours are kind of like the ones you would experience on a top rated cruise line - and- tours are included in your purchase price. Meals are fine dining with wine included at dinner. Well-traveled people & those who enjoy riding the rails will enjoy this up-scale carrier who offers excellent personal service & interesting & different tours.

[drfun48]

Thanks for the great info-I'm looking at the northwest-Rockies -National parks trip next summer. We are considering the Suite that has the private shower. I believe it is the middle of the five. Any thoughts on this or should we spring for one of the top two?
What of the dining-Is it 3 meals a day---full breakfast and lunch---how about snacks late night?

[LSKahn]

Sounds like a wonderfully evocative way to travel. I have a reservation for what I call the ultimate train trip: The Transiberian Express! The resevation is for August 2007. The trip is sponsored by elderhostel and is on a chartered train. It starts in Vladivostok, goes into Mongolia, and ends in Moscow. It isn't cheap and the toilets are at the ends of the car (and showers in another car). To have have a private cabin with the works was just prohibitively expensive--and, besides, some hardship is expected in Siberia, no?

[ypond]

Usually you have 3 meals a day. Breakfast & dinner usually on the train. Sometimes lunch is while you are off on tour. We ate in the cellars of the wine vineyards & in private homes. In the evening there are drinks & snacks in the lounge.

[drfun48]

Originally Posted by ypond

Usually you have 3 meals a day. Breakfast & dinner usually on the train. Sometimes lunch is while you are off on tour. We ate in the cellars of the wine vineyards & in private homes. In the evening there are drinks & snacks in the lounge.

Thanks ---any thoughts on level of accommodations?

[ypond]

We traveled in the Vintage Pullman once & found it too small & cramped. I wouldn't take those accommodations again. We traveled in the Classic Presidential Suite & found it worked out fine for us. That is really 2 cabins that they have taken the wall out from between them. Our unit had 2 baths which we enjoyed. There were big sofa seats facing the windows. We had them leave one seat set up as a bed everyday so we could lie down if we wanted to just chill out & watch the passing scenery.