Amtrak Cascades resumes service between Seattle and Vancouver BC

It's what many Vancouver BC bound travelers have been waiting for! With Amtrak Cascades service between Seattle and Vancouver suspended since 2020 due to the pandemic, I heaved a huge sigh of relief and gave a virtual fist pump when I discovered the trains will roll again between the two cities on September 26, 2022. 

The reason for the delay in resumption of service is that Amtrak was working in conjunction with WSDOT, ODOT, VIA Rail Canada and other federal agencies. Lots of chefs in the kitchen!

The first Amtrak Cascades train north to Vancouver will depart Seattle at 745AM on Monday, September 26 -- stopping at its usual five cities along the way (Edmonds-Everett-Stanwood-Mount Vernon-Bellingham) and arriving in Vancouver at 11:45AM. The southbound train will depart Vancouver at 5:45PM and arrive in Seattle at 10:10 PM. 

A single roundtrip is offered daily, with a second daily trip added in the future as Amtrak staffing and equipment allow. The popular Amtrak Cascades route also offers three daily round trips between Portland and Seattle, two daily round trips between Eugene and Portland, along with two daily buses between Seattle and Bellingham and four daily buses between Seattle and Vancouver BC. 

In addition to the standard entry documentation requirements, the Canadian and US Governments have several additional requirements for travel into Canada and the United States. Those not meeting the criteria will not be allowed to cross the border. 

TRAVEL INTO CANADA

All passengers must use the ArriveCAN app before travel and wear a mask in Canadian stations and on board trains while traveling through Canada. Non-Canadian citizens must be fully vaccinated and carry the vaccination record that was uploaded into ArriveCAN. See details on the Government of Canada and Via Rail websites.

TRAVEL INTO UNITED STATES

Non-US citizen passengers must be fully vaccinated with a U.S.FDA or WHO approved COVID-19 vaccine. Details on the US Department of Homeland Security website. 

TICKETS

Travelers may purchase tickets online at Amtrak.com and AmtrakCascades.com or by calling 800.USA.RAIL.

AMTRAK CASCADES: NO TRAIN SERVICE TO VANCOUVER BC UNTIL LATE 2022

Amtrak Cascades arrives in Bellingham en route to Vancouver BC. ©SueFrausePhoto

 

Like many fans of the city of Vancouver, BC I've been anxiously awaiting the resumption of Amtrak Cascades service to Vancouver. Sad to report that Amtrak has announced there will be no train service to Canada until late 2022. Boo hoo!

Amtrak informed the states of Washington and Oregon that their popular Amtrak Cascades service north of Seattle will not resume until late 2022 due to Amtrak staffing shortages. 

WSDOT and ODOT express extreme dissatisfaction with the plan and urged Amtrak to at least begin offering service a few days a week on an interim basis until full service can resume in December 2022. Amtrak responded it is committed to an earlier started day if employee resources allow.

Several staff positions need to be filled; They include conductors, on-board service staff and mechanics. Progress is being made in recruiting new staff; but once hired, they must undergo extensive training programs prior to starting their positions.

The route serves Seattle, Edmonds, Everett, Stanwood, Mount Vernon, Bellingham and Vancouver BC. It has been suspended since May 2020 when the Canadian border closed  to non-essential travel. Daily bus service between Seattle and Vancouver BC and Seattle and Bellingham will continue to be offered through the Amtrak ticketing system.

Email updates for Amtrak Cascades service are available by free subscription.

GOOD NEWS FROM CANADA: PRE-ENTRY COVID TESTS NO LONGER NEEDED (BUT WHEN IS AMTRAK RESUMING SERVICE TO VANCOUVER, BC?)

Vehicles in line at the Peace Arch Crossing into Canada at Blaine, WA

On April 1, 2022, the Government of Canada announced that fully vaccinated travelers will no longer need to provide a pre-entry COVID-19 test result to enter Canada by air, land or water,

But travelers arriving in Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, may still need to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival if selected  for mandatory random testing. The good news is travelers selected are not required to quarantine while awaiting test results.

For partially or unvaccinated travelers who are currently allowed to travel to Canada, pre-entry testing requirements are NOT changing. Details may be found on the Government of Canada website. 

REMINDER: All travelers will continue to be required to submit their mandatory information to ArriveCan (free mobile app or website) before their arrival in Canada. Travelers who do not complete their ArriveCAN submission before arriving in Canada may have to test on arrival and quarantine for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status. 

THE TRAIN! THE TRAIN!

My preferred way to travel to Vancouver, BC is via Amtrak Cascades. In fact the last time I traveled to Canada (pre-pandemic), I took the train from Everett to Vancouver. But when COVID-19 hit, the border between the US-Canada was closed. Which meant that Amtrak suspended service between the two countries. 

With Canada now opening its border, I'm more than ready to hear the cry, All Aboard! Not so fast, Sue, as the trains are not yet rolling. I contacted Amtrak Media Relations on March 31, 2022 with this email: 

Hello ~ Just checking in regarding the restoration of Amtrak Cascades service to Vancouver BC. If you have a locked-in date, I would like to be aboard the train from Everett, WA to Vancouver, BC. I was on the initial train to Vancouver when service was implemented in 1995, and have been aboard numerous times in the past quarter century -- sharing my journeys through words and photographs. I Look forward to returning to this wonderful train ride soon ~ I have missed my adventures in British Columbia! Thank You, Sue Frause

This was the response I received from the Amtrak PR Manager several days later: "There is not a return date at this time, but I will do my best to keep you updated." 

Until that time, I'll make sure my US passport is up to date (I'm good until 2026) and I'll fill out the mandatory information on the ArriveCAN site (details in the link above). Plus dig out my loonies and toonies from previous Canadian adventures. 

O Canada ~ I've missed you so!

Vancouver's Olympic Cauldron was lit for the 2010 Winter Games. It is now a permanent landmark on Jack Poole Plaza at the Vancouver Convention Centre. 

©SueFrausePhotos

Brightly lit CP Holiday Trains rock the rails in Canada and the U.S. for a good cause

Canadian Pacific Photo

Now in its 17th year, the CP Holiday Train is bringing food, cash donations and awareness to local food banks and food shelves across North America. Two brightly lit Canadian Pacific trains -- one U.S. and the other Canadian -- kicked off their tours in the Montreal area the last weekend of November. They'll be visiting approximately 150 communities along the way through December 19, 2015. 

Canadian Pacific Photo

The Canadian train travels west across Canada, ending in Port Coquitlam, BC. The U.S. Train visits communities in Quebec, New York and Southern Ontario before traveling across the US Northeast and Midwest, returning to Canada for its final "shows" in Saskatchewan and Alberta. 

Bill Watson Photo

Each Holiday Train event features performances by professional musicians performing holiday-themed songs. The shows are complimentary, but patrons are asked to bring cash or a non-perishable food donation. All the money and food donated in a community stays in the community. 

Legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Jim Cuddy will be on the Canadian train, joined by his son Devin.  Also on the Canadian train is the band Chic Gamin, who will play all the shows in Quebec, offering Francophone performances. Country singer Kelly Prescott is also part of the talent line-up. 

The U.S. Train showcases Canadian country music star Kira Isabella, winner of the 2013 Canadian Country Music Association's Female Artist of the Year. She'll be joined by Wes Mack and Doc Walker. 

For a complete schedule of dates and times, and to see a video of the train, click on the CP Holiday Train website. 

If the train doesn't pass through your community, follow its journey via social media: Twitter @CPHolidayTrain and Instagram @CPHoliday Train. Fans are posting images of the trains and entertainment, and are eligible to enter the Capture the Spirit photo contest to win an exclusive ride on next year's train. Details about the contest may be found on the Holiday Train Facebook page.

Canada Scores Gold at Academy Awards: Swag Includes Canadian Products

Depending where you get your Hollywood news, this year's Oscar swag bags passed out to certain nominees* were valued anywhere from $20,000 to $85,000 each. But the most common dollar amount being tossed around is $55,000 -- and that's a lot of gratis product for folks who can afford to buy it on their own! Officially called "Everyone Wins at the Oscars" Nominees Gift Bags, they're produced by the LA niche marketing company Distinctive Assets. 

Two Canadian companies were represented in the swaggery, one based east, the other west. Quebec's Rouge, located in Notre-Dame-Des-Bois in the Eastern Townships, produces organic maple product. In addition to being included in the 2013 Oscar swag bag, they scored swag with the Grammy Awards, too. For the March 2, 2014 Academy Awards show, nominees were showered with $280 worth of Rouge products: syrups, salad dressings, jellies and maple mustard. They also received a certificate of adoption for a live maple tree in Quebec.

Vancouver-based Rocky Mountaineer was also included in the Oscars VIP gift bags. The nominees who don't take home an Oscar will receive a three-day trip for two in premier GoldLeaf Service onboard Rocky Mountaineer's Coastal Passage route. The new route will make its debut on May 10, 2014 and travels between Seattle, Washington and Banff, Alberta in the Canadian Rockies. Travelers will stay at luxurious hotels along the way. 


*The Everyone Wins at the Oscars VIP gift bags were given to nominees for Best Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress and Best Director.

2013 Canadian Tourism Awards: A Dozen Organizations and Individuals Honored at Gala in Ottawa

The Fogo Island Inn won the National Cultural Tourism Award. The Newfoundland inn is at the top of my Canadian bucket list.

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) honored 12 organizations and individuals as recipients of the 2013 Canadian Tourism Awards. Sponsored by the Toronto Star and Visa Canada, the awards were presented on December 3, 2013 in a gala ceremony at The Fairmont Cheateau Laurier in Ottawa. 

The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by TIAC to recognize success, leadership and innovation in Canada's tourism industry. They also acknowledge the people, places organizations and events that have gone "above and beyond" to offer travelers superior tourism experiences in Canada. 

2013 CANADIAN TOURISM AWARD WINNERS

Business of the Year Award (tie)

Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts, Calgary, AB

Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa, Courtenay, BC

Community Service Award

Delta Hotels in Halifax, Halifax, NS

Group Employee of the Year Award

The Fairmont Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB

Employer of the Year Award

Rocky Mountaineer, Vancouver, BC

Convention Centre Event of the Year Award

Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, Montreal, QC

Innovator of the Year Award

Le Massif de Charlevoix, Baie-Saint-Paul, QC

Marketing Campaign of the Year Award

"Calgary, Our Doors Are Open," Tourism Calgary, Calgary, AB

National Cultural Tourism Award

The Fogo Island Inn, Fogo Island, NL

Small or Medium-Sized Business of the Year Award

Anderson Vacations, Calgary, AB

Social Media Initiative of the Year Award

"365 Days of Dining," Tourism Richmond, Richmond, BC

Sustainable Tourism Award

Bluewater Adventures, North Vancouver, BC

Experience of the Year Award

Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, ON

RCMP arrests two in terrorist-related plot against VIA Rail passenger train

Aboard VIA, Ottawa to Toronto, during my cross-Canada trip.
Photo by Sue Frause

Terrorism knows no borders. A week after the horrific Boston Marathon bombing, Canada is in the news.  On April 22, 2013 the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) arrested two individuals. They were charged with conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack against a VIA Rail passenger train. The accused were charged under sections 248, 235 (1), 83.2, 83.18, 83.21 of the Criminal Code of Canada. The targeted VIA Rail route was between New York and Toronto.

In a press release issued on April 22 from Ottawa, the RCMP stated that as a result of extensive collaborative efforts, the RCMP was able to disrupt the threat early. "While the RCMP believed that these individuals had the capacity and intent to carry out these criminal acts, there was no imminent threat to the general public, rail employees, train passengers or infrastructure," stated the RCMP. VIA Rail reiterated that in its official statement from headquarters in Montreal on April 22: 

"Thanks to an unprecedented cooperation between law enforcement and the security units of various departments, VIA Rail and CN, at no time was there an imminent threat ot the VIA Rail passengers, employees or the general public. We cooperate with all involved in ensuring the safety and security of our passengers, our employees and the public. We do not comment on law enforcement activities. We acknowledge the work and dedication of the agencies involved."

The two accused are Chiheb Esseghaier and Raed Jaser, who live in the Montreal and Toronto area, conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack against a VIA passenger train. Charges include conspiring to carry out an attack against, and conspiring to murder persons unknown for the benefit of it, at the direction of, or in association with a terrorist group. 

The RCMP investigation named Project Smooth was coordinated by RCMP-led Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams (INSETs) in Montreal and Toronto, in close collaboration of its domestic partners and the FBI. 

Security on both US (Amtrak) and Canada (VIA) trains appears to be pretty lax. During my ten-day cross country train adventure from Halifax to Vancouver in 2009, my bags were never checked, nor did I encounter any drug or bomb sniffing dogs. Interestingly enough, when traveling southbound on Amtrak Cascades from Vancouver BC to Seattle, passengers go through a US border pre-clearance and airport type x-ray machine at Vancouver's Pacific Central Station in Vancouver -- but there's no such security when you depart Seattle for Vancouver.

VIA Rail Canada derails in Ontario, three crew members die

VIA Rail Canada issued an update today about train number 92 that derailed en route from Niagara Falls to Toronto. The accident happened at approximately 3:30 PM local time on Feb. 26, 2012 in Burlington, Ontario. 

There were 75 passengers and five crew members on board the train at the time of the accident, in which all six cars of the train derailed. There were numerous injuries to passengers and three fatalities, all VIA crew members who were in the locomotive at the time of the accident. They were Ken Simmonds, 56, and Peter Snarr, 52, both from Toronto. Both had more than 30 years of service as locomotive engineers with CN and VIA. The third was Patrick Robinson, 40, of Cornwall, Ontario, a new VIA employee who was on board as an observer as part of his familiarization program. 

"This is a truly heart-rending situation for all of us at VIA," said Marc Laliberte, VIA's President and CEO. "Our sincerest condolences go out to the family members of our employees who died in the line of duty yesterday, and our thoughts and prayers to those passengers who were injured."

An investigation commenced on Sunday evening to determine the cause or causes of the accident, and will continue until the cause is determined. VIA Rail has put measures in place to prevent any such recurrence, and is collaborating with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and Transport Canada in its inquiries. They will also be working in concert with local authorities and CN, the track owner. 

Three passengers were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, including a broken back, broken leg and a heart attack. Forty-two other passengers and a crew member were also taken to local hospitals -- all but nine were released shortly after midnight.

For those wanting information about passengers who may have been on this train, there is a special number for this purpose: 888.842.6141. VIA trains will continue to be detoured or replaced by charter bus service on the Toronto-Niagara Falls and Toronto-London-Windsor routes. Passengers in southwest Ontario can check on the status of trains at 888.VIA.RAIL (888.842.7245) or viarail.ca.

VIA Rail Canada in Jasper, Alberta

Photo by Sue Frause

Second Amtrak train continues: Canada waives border clearance fee

Somehow I missed the news that the second daily Amtrak Cascades train between Seattle and Vancouver, BC was given the green light. It was scheduled to end in October, but the Canadian federal government has waived the border clearance fee, which allows the second train to continue. The announcement was made in Vancouver, BC on Aug. 24, 2011. Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire issued this statement:

“The decision to waive the border clearance fee is fantastic news for both Washington state and British Columbia, as well as for those businesses that have greatly benefitted from the second Amtrak line," said Gregoire. “There’s no question the second train has helped our economic recovery – leading to a significant increase in tourism spending on both sides of the border. At the same time, we’ve been successful in removing thousands of passengers from our roads – easing congestion at our border crossings and decreasing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The benefits of this train are clear – and imposing a fee would have put those benefits at risk."

The two trains depart Seattle daily at 7:40 AM and 6:50 PM, and Vancouver BC at 6:40 AM and 5:45 PM. The trip takes about four hours, with stops along the way in Edmonds, Everett, Stanwood, Mount Vernon and Bellingham.

Amtrak Cascades arrives in Everett, WA
Photo by Sue Frause

Via Rail Canada's 2011 Garden Route Presents Canada in Bloom

VIA Rail Canada's popular Garden Route has added two new gardens to the route this year. The 2011 VIA Garden Route includes 19 gardens, 27 award-winning Communities in Bloom destinations and other local garden attractions from Victoria to Halifax. This year's new gardens are Ottawa's Central Experimental Farm and Nova Scotia's Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.

Travelers select their destinations and upon arrival, take a self-guided tour of the gardens and Communities in Bloom, or choose a Garden Route travel package from a number of VIA Getaways within the Windsor (Ontario) to Quebec City corridor.

From June 3-September 5, visitors to each participating garden, along with the websites of the 2011 Communities in Bloom destinations, are invited to enter a contest. The grand prize is a round-trip package for two with VIA Rail to Quebec City to visit the Roger Van den Hende Botanical Garden in the summer of 2012.

The Butchart Gardens in Victoria on Vancouver Island are on the Garden Route
Photo by Sue Frause

Manitoba: Land of Slurpees, sex dens, whales and polar bears

Manitoba wants you to know that they have no shortage of claims to fame. Here are just a few of the things that they are boasting about on Travel Manitoba's website:

Slurpee Capital of the World: The province's 800,000 citizens consume nearly half a million each month, no matter what the season.

Biggest Sex Dens: No, not that kind, but snake dens for red-sided garter snakes. They appear by the thousands in early May to mate (good viewing around Mother's Day).

More Beluga Whales: With 57,000 of them, that makes Manitoba the top spot to see them (plus you can swim with them).

Western Canada's Largest Winter Festival: The Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg is Western Canada's largest. This year it's Feb. 18-27, 2011.

More Curling Clubs: Manitoba has more curling clubs than Ontario and Quebec combined.

Largest Icelandic Community: Gimli, Manitoba has the largest Icelandic community outside of Iceland.

Largest Collection of Prehistoric Marine Fossils: You'll find these at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden.

World's Most Northerly Port: Located on Hudson Bay, Churchill is the Polar Bear Capital of the World.

Passing through Manitoba on VIA Rail Canada in 2009
Photo by Sue Frause

Rocky Mountaineer: Special rate to Whistler for BC/WA residents

If you're a resident of British Columbia or Washington state, Rocky Mountaineer has a cool deal for you. Book a trip now aboard the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb route for travel between Vancouver and Whistler next year, and you'll receive a great fare.

The holiday special, available Nov. 22-Dec. 24, 2010, is good for travel departures from May 20-Sept. 28, 2011. The adult fares start at $119 CAD round-trip for groups of four or more ($70 for children 2-18); and $139 CAD round-trip ($89 for children) with less than four.

I was aboard the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb in the spring of 2009, and the 3.5 hour journey is pretty spectacular. Unlike when you're behind the wheel, you'll be able to thoroughly experience the old-growth forests, cascading waterfalls and snow-capped peaks of the Tantalus Mountains.

The train departs from North Vancouver, and travels below the Sea to Sky Highway, with views out to Howe Sound and beyond. Other highlights include the Cheakamus Canyon, crossing a trestle bridge and passing by an extinct volcano. The open-air Heritage Observation Car makes it even easier to get closer to nature.

There are two types of service aboard the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb: Whistler Dome Service and Whistler Classic Service.

Passing through Cheakamus Canyon aboard the Rocky Mountaineer
Photo by Sue Frause

Halifax's Old Burying Ground and other Canadian cemeteries

Photos of Old Burying Ground in Halifax by Sue Frause.

Last year, during my cross-country VIA Rail Canada train trip that started in Halifax, I visited the Old Burying Ground. Located in downtown Halifax at the corner of Barrington Street and Spring Garden Road, it was created in 1749 as the first burial ground in the city.

It closed in 1843, but today is open to the public, where you'll see more than 1,000 headstones. According to the University of Calgary, it may be the oldest cemetery in the Maritime Provinces.

In British Columbia, one of my favorite cemeteries is Ross Bay Cemetery, where artist Emily Carr is buried. Here's a documentary video produced by the British Columbia Provincial Capital Commission.

For more cemetery tales, click on Canadian Roadstories (Glenn and Judy's Excellent Adventures in Canada).

Will border fees cancel second Amtrak train to/from Vancouver?

I guess it was too good to be true.

Although a second daily train to Vancouver, BC was added for the Winter Olympics (and recently been extended through Oct. 31, 2010), it looks like it may soon be a mere memory.

In a Sept. 23, 2010 press release from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the headline tells the sad news: Washington state working to keep second Amtrak Cascades train service to Vancouver, B.C. / Canadian federal government imposes nearly $550,000 in annual fees for border-clearance services

The Canadian federal government announced that it would require WSDOT to pay nearly $550,000 a year for border-clearance services. The money would cover additional staffing by the Canada Border Services Agency for the 10:50 PM second-train arrival.

Obviously, both Washington state and British Columbia are disappointed. According to Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond, the second train brought an estimated $11.8 million in economic benefits to BC during the year it was allowed to operate. "Does it really make sense for $550,000 in annual border inspection fees to be the reason the service ends?" questioned Hammond.

The transportation secretary said the state has no money to cover the added cost; nor will they ask Washington travelers to pay more for their tickets. Currently, customers traveling into Washington don't have to pay a US Customs fee.

The Canadian government cites fiscal concerns as the reason for the additional fee.

Ridership on the second Amtrak Cascades train between Portland and Vancouver, BC grew steadily in the first year of operation, carrying nearly 245,000 passengers. Of these, 26,837 traveled across the U.S./Canadian border into Vancouver, BC.

Having just spent two weeks in Italy, where we relied on trains to get around, I'm disappointed that the Canadian feds don't have the vision to see that the second train between our two countries is a good thing for both sides of the border.

Bah humbug!

Amtrak Cascades arrives in Bellingham en route to Vancouver, BC
Photo by Sue Frause

Fake lake? Ontario has plenty of real ones

I had to laugh about the fake lake that's being banged about by the media in Canada.

The almost $2 million media center for G8 and G20 in Toronto includes a fake lake, based on a lake in Muskoka. That's the district about 90 minutes north of Toronto where the G8 will be held June 25-27, 2010. The G20 is in Toronto June 26-27, 2010.

The media center is located at Toronto's Direct Energy Centre.

According to WikiAnswers, Ontario is home to around 250,000 bodies of water that are classified as lakes. Plus one fake lake.

Sunset over Lake Ontario while aboard VIA Rail Canada from Ottawa to Toronto. Photo by Sue Frause.

Artist Louise Bourgeois of 'Maman' at the National Gallery of Canada dies at age 98

Louise Bourgeois' Maman at the National

Gallery of Canada in Ottawa in November 2009. Photos by Sue Frause.

10 Most Popular Canadian Cities selected by Canoe.ca

Art Gallery of Ontario. Photo by Sue Frause.

I'm not surprised that the biggest city in Canada is the most visited. It just makes sense.

But I was surprised at the #2 city, even though I visited it last year on my cross-Canada train adventure. And happy to see that one of my favorite cities, Halifax, made the cut.

Here are Canoe.ca's 10 Most Popular Canadian Cities among U.S. and international visitors in 2008:

1. Toronto
2. St. Catharines, Niagara Falls
3. Vancouver
4. Montreal
5. Quebec City
6. Victoria
7. Ottawa-Hull
8. Calgary
9. Edmonton
10. Halifax

Rocky Mountaineer celebrates 20 years

Rocky Mountaineer station. Photo by Sue Frause.

There was a big party in Vancouver last month, and it involved a very big train. On April 19, 2010, hundreds of people gathered to celebrate Rocky Mountaineer’s 20th anniversary -- many of them were also curious to see the official unveiling and dedication of its new train design.

Featuring the company's new gold and blue colors, logo and word mark, the train broke through a 28-foot branded barrier located at the west end of the Rocky Mountaineer Station.



Randy Powell, President and CEO of Rocky Mountaineer, made remarks at the ceremony. “The success of Rocky Mountaineer has been built on years of dedication and hard work and an unwavering commitment to provide our guests with unparalleled service and an unforgettable travel experience," said Powell. "We look forward to the future and to continued excellence as we embark on the next 20 years.”

The event also included a special dedication of locomotive #8011 to Peter Armstrong, Founder and Executive Chairman of Rocky Mountaineer.

The Rocky Mountaineer received worldwide exposure last year when The Bachelorette's Jillian Harris rode the rails with her wanna-be boyfriends from Vancouver to Alberta.

To celebrate its two decades, Rocky Mountaineer is offering train travelers a credit of up to $500 CDN per couple toward additional vacation experiences when booking a rail tour of 7+ nights. That means you can extra hotel nights, city tours, meals, airfare, car rentals and even a ride on the Rocky Mountaineer Whistler Sea to Sky Ride. The offer is available for 2010 bookings, which must be made before May 28, 2010.

Postcard from the Pacific NW: Amtrak to Vancouver (PHOTOS)

I went on a pre-Olympics trip to Vancouver several days before the XXI Winter Games opened, and I'm planning another via Amtrak Cascades next week. 

Above are scenes from Everett, WA to Vancouver, BC. There is direct service to Vancouver, BC from Portland, OR and now two round-trips daily from Seattle, WA. Don't forget your passport. All aboard!

Photos by Sue Frause

Vancouverites can now take a morning train to Seattle with twice-daily, round-trip service

For Vancouverites not swept away with the soon to explode Olympics fever, it may be a fun time to head south.

And now with twice-daily round-trip service between Vancouver-Seattle, you'll arrive at a decent hour instead of late at night. That's if you don't mind catching the 6:40 AM southbound train. The good thing is, you should arrive around 11 AM. The second train leaves Vancouver at 7:45 PM.

Amtrak makes stops along the way in Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, Everett and Edmonds and it's a super scenic ride. Try to snag a seat on the water side and consider spending a bit more ($13 one-way) to go Business Class. It's quieter, you'll receive a discount card for food/beverages but be allowed to board and de-train first.

Keep in mind there are going to be a glut of travelers in February, with the Winter Olympics running from Feb. 12-28, 2010. I just booked a one-way ticket from Seattle to Vancouver during the Winter Games, and it was $51.30. That's because Amtrak handles seat inventory like the airlines do: when seat sales increase, the fares are bumped to the next level.

In other words, purchase early.

Also, security is going to be much tighter this month, as I reported in my Seattle Travel Examiner site: Amtrak steps up security to Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Don't forget to bring your passport.

Seattle's iconic Space Needle as seen from Amtrak
Photo by Sue Frause