Posts Tagged ‘guaranteed departure’

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Nantucket – Something for Everyone

April 3, 2013

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Stepping onto Nantucket changes your whole prospective. Immediately, the years pass away and you feel as if you have stepped back in time … a time when whaling ships sailed the seas and gaslit cobblestoned streets invited you to look further…into charming shops with one of a kind merchandise and to welcoming inns and bed & breakfasts – charming and quaint. The entire island of Nantucket is a historic district designated as a National Historic Landmark.  Being a small island, you won’t find any chain restaurants or big-name clothing stores (except for Ralph Lauren) – most businesses are family-owned or locally-owned, giving you the feeling that on this island interlude, you have truly escaped to a vacation wonderland.

May I suggest a few things to do while on the island?  You can find the remnants of the whaling industry at the Whaling Museum –fascinating and informational.  There are many great beaches, like Jetties and Surfside to relax and sink your feet into the welcoming sand.  If you prefer a sans-sand afternoon, inland you might want to visit a little gem like Cisco Brewers and enjoy a few free samples. Pop in and out of shops and restaurants or just relax with a glass of wine and soak in the surroundings.

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I have long been intrigued with Lighthouses and Nantucket has gorgeous ones.   With a long history of maritime pursuits, the three lighthouses that guard the island’s northern tip, eastern shoreline and harbor are proud reminders of a time when the people of Nantucket took their harvest from the sea. They truly symbolize the merging of past and present and have gallantly stood through decades of history as Nantucket evolved from the whaling capital of the world to a premier vacation resort. Now majestic landmarks, Great Point Light, Sankaty Head Light and Brant Point Light all played important roles in guiding sailors home, with their bright beacons guiding vessels safely  through the fog and around the shoals. Located on the northern tip of the island, Great Point Light overlooks miles of pristine conservation land and beaches- a favored spot for bird watchers. Sankaty Head Lighthouse, high atop Sankaty Bluff, overlooks one of Nantucket’s finest golf courses.  Finally, the Lighthouse most closely associated with Nantucket…Brant Point Lighthouse. With its original structure erected in 1746, it was the second lighthouse built in America and still stands proudly guarding the harbor.  Bring your camera and your beach shoes and plan to enjoy all of them as you explore the Nantucket harbor.

            If you’re fond of sand dunes and salty air,

quaint little villages here and there,

you’re sure to fall in love with Old Cape Cod.  

If you like the taste of a lobster stew,

served by a window with an ocean view,

you’re sure to fall in love with Old Cape Cod.

Please review the full itinerary and plan on joining us on this fully escorted tour  and discover for yourselves what Patti Page was singing about.

Nantucket, Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard in the Fall (click here for details & departure dates)  5 Days, 4 Nights

Eadie, Interlude Blog Team

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Navajo Nation and More!

February 16, 2013

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We would love to welcome you to the Navajo Nation’s Monument Valley.  While here,  you will experience one of the most majestic – and most photographed – points on earth. This great valley boasts sandstone masterpieces that tower at heights of 400 to 1,000 feet, and when the angle of the sun accents these graceful formations, the scenery is simply spellbinding!

Monument Valley was created as material eroded from the ancestral Rocky Mountains, and was deposited and cemented into sandstone. The formations in the valley were left over after the forces of erosion worked their magic on the sandstone. A geologic uplift caused the surface to bulge and crack. Wind and water then eroded the land, and the cracks deepened and widened into gullies and canyons, which eventually became the scenery you’ll see on this sojourn. Natural forces continue to slowly shape the land – it is a testament to the ever-evolving beauty of nature.

The tranquility of the land, culture, and traditions infuse the valley with a uniquely Navajo flavor. The landscape overwhelms, not just by its beauty but also by its size.  The fragile pinnacles of rock are surrounded by miles of mesas and buttes, shrubs, trees and windblown sand, all comprising the magnificent colors of the valley.  All of this harmoniously combines to make Monument Valley a truly wondrous experience.  You cannot help but thoroughly enjoy this beautiful land.

On this Interlude you will experience spectacular sunrises and phenomenal sunsets. Your time at the Goulding’s Lodge provides scenic views from every room and the Lodge has terrific amenities to offer the traveler. Who could find fault with a place that provides an unparalleled view of Monument Valley?  The view from the Hill House is simply fantastic.  The restaurant is really good and there is a very nice trading post with Indian jewelry, rugs etc.  It is essentially an historic motor lodge built on the spot of an even more historic trading post. The motel has been recently fully updated and provides an authenticity to this unique adventure.  The Goulding’s Lodge Trading Post & Museum is a great stop if you’re interested in the movie history of the area.  The building is the original trading post that Harry and ‘Mike’ Goulding built a few years after they first arrived in Monument Valley.  Part of the museum is set up like the old trading post, another part is filled with movie memorabilia, and the upstairs- which was originally the Gouldings’ living quarters- is still set up with their furniture and some of their belongings.  I think you’ll find this fascinating.  When you visit Monument Valley and experience the land of the Navajo you will  discover its unique qualities and gain an appreciation of both the land and its people.

Monument Valley is only a small fraction of what you can see and do on this wonderful escorted tour.  Arizona, Las Vegas, and some of the most beautiful lands of Utah are part of this western adventure.  Please review the attached itinerary and make plans to join us.  The Canyon land is incredibly beautiful and you really don’t want to miss it!

The Canyon Country Experience (click here for details & departure dates)  
7 Days, 6 Nights

Eadie, Interlude Blog Team

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Rocky Mountain High

February 14, 2013

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You all know how much I love railroad travel and this interlude has a wide assortment of unique railroading experiences for you to savor and enjoy.  However, tucked in between all the tracks and cogs and rails is a very special and wonderful adventure.  The Colorado National Monument is on board for a visit on the evening of Day 6 of your train escapade and will be an absolutely AWESOME experience.  You have all been to big cities and experienced man-made beauty, but when in Colorado, you will witness the real beauty that only God and Nature can make.  Cameras are a MUST on this trip! (So are good shoes!!)

The drive there is absolutely breath-taking and the pullouts allow for safe picture taking.  It is absolutely huge, the colors are amazing and the rock formations make you truly appreciate the wonders of Nature.  And… you will be going in the evening when the lighting will add a special ambience to the entire view.  I guarantee you will not cease to be amazed at what awaits around every bend.

Sheer-walled canyons, monoliths, colorful formations, and a spectacular road reflect the environment and history of plateau-and-canyon country.  Gravity-defying boulders, tunnels carved of stone and red-rock canyons within a canyon define the sheer-walled landscape of the Colorado National Monument.  The monument’s 32 square miles of quiet, wild country have an otherworldly feel – up here, “all’s right with the world”.

Nature lovers and photographers have spotted desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, desert cottontails, collared lizards and, soaring eagles are among the many unusual birds who call the area home.

While navigating the drive and stopping at the scenic overlooks, you can check off a list of wind- and water-sculpted rock formations with shape-inspired names like Window Rock, Pipe Organ, Kissing Couple, Praying Hands and Sentinel Spire. It can be a bit of hide-and-seek to find the best angle and light for a frame-worthy shot of the massive monoliths – but my guess is that you will rise to the occasion.

The Colorado National Monument should be a “bucket list” item and is a marvel of 1930′s civil engineering and landscape architecture, NOT to be missed.  While in the National Monument, admire the modernist architecture of the 1963 Visitor’s Center – it’s most interesting.

So…enjoy the rails, unique and diverse as they are, savor the sightseeing, and delight in the “high” you’ll find when visiting the Colorado National Monument.  Can’t wait to see your pictures!!!

Please review the entire itinerary and sign up to guarantee your place on this wonderful escorted vacation into “God’s Country”.

Colorado Train Adventure (click here for details & departure dates) 
8 Days, 7 Nights

Eadie, Interlude Blog Team

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Iceberg Alley and So Much More!

January 6, 2013

thCAXMTUMNOn your Interlude to Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, the most easterly edge of North America, you will witness some of the most beautiful maritime exposures. Lighthouses, natural beach fronts, fascinating bird sanctuaries and so much more!  This is where the sun rises first and is home to the oldest settlement and the oldest city in North America, but also is the youngest province of Canada. A vast land, with a relatively small population, Newfoundland and Labrador has some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Here, you can immerse yourself in wilderness solitude one day and embrace a vibrant culture at the cutting edge of the contemporary western world the next. This is a land of rich history and natural wonders: stunning coastlines, breaching whales, icebergs, and some of the most incredible skyscapes you’ll ever see. From vibrant cities to quaint, historical outports, mountain ranges, rivers, waterfalls and winding coastlines, there are always fascinating places to see and countless things to do and this tour brings you the best of all possible choices. Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the best places to see and appreciate nature in all its glory.

The province is also home to three National Parks, 18 Wilderness and Ecological Reserves, and breathtaking botanical gardens. I was interested to discover that this place has no ragweed, no snakes, no skunks, no raccoons, and no poisonous insects or arachnids.

Icebergs totally fascinate me and there is no place like Iceberg Alley for viewing these 10,000-year-old frosty giants. On a sunny day, you can view these glacial giants from many points along the northern and eastern coasts – in every shape and size, ranging in color from snow-white to the deepest aquamarine. What a site!!!! Their sheer size sends the mind racing, and that’s not even counting the ninety-percent still unseen below the surface. It was these types and sizes of bergs that sank the infamous Titanic, a mere 400 miles from the coast- daunting.

Interestingly, Icebergs are so plentiful that they have been put them to good use. There is Iceberg Water and Iceberg Vodka, Gin, and Rum and, of course, the popular Iceberg Beer – all so refreshing, no matter what time of year.  A must to try  and the food is fantastic as well.

This 13 day sojourn has something for everyone.  Please review the attached full itinerary and plan to spend July amidst the marvelous, majestic, maritime visages on a fully escorted adventure.  What are you waiting for??

Circle Newfoundland and Labrador (click here for details & departure dates)
13 Days, 12 Nights

Eadie, Interlude Blog Team

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A Masterpiece

October 19, 2012

With the Grand Tetons standing so tall and the park curling cozily at their feet, you cannot fail to appreciate the surrounding environment of rivers and high valley floor. Grand Teton National Park features a young range of old pre-Cambrian granite, sliding upward along a 40-mile-long fault sculpted over the course of the last 13 million years, with some help from geological upheaval, retreating glaciers, and erosion. The result is truly a masterpiece of dramatic and scenic splendor. Shimmering lakes, thickly carpeted forests, and towering peaks blanketed with snow throughout most of the year are simply remarkable.  While here, you will have time to really savor the breathtaking beauty that surrounds you on this interlude.

You may have seen many photographs by famed American photographer Ansel Adams, many featuring the landscapes you will enjoy on the sojourn.  His dramatic, panoramic photographs that celebrate the redemptive potential of the natural world were made in the American West, including a large group of works made in the Yosemite Valley. You will see firsthand what so captivated the lens of this famous photographer.

Yellowstone and Grand Teton are so much more than photo ops and places where animals roam free. Both parks are works in progress; they are living, breathing wilderness areas. Be sure to bring a comfortable pair of walking or hiking shoes and explore. On this escorted vacation you will enjoy pristine, forested glades with nothing to distract you but wild moose and awe-inspiring mountains.

Your time at Jackson Lake Lodge located beside Jackson Lake, Grand Teton National Parks largest lake, offers wonderful opportunities to shop and dine. The lodge was built in the 1950’s- be sure to take in the unique architecture which includes a flat roof and great big windows ideal for the stunning views that surround the lodge. While there you are sure to experience all that Grand Teton National Park has to offer.  Keep those cameras ready – the sights are incredible!

While visiting the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone you’ll learn of the geologic story of the canyon, its historical significance as a barrier to travel, its significance as destination and attraction, and its appearance in Native American lore and in the accounts of early explorers. The “ooh-ahh” factor is a given:  enjoy the beauty and grandeur of this masterpiece. Please review the full itinerary which allows for escorted travel as well as enough time on your own to pursue that which speaks to your soul.  While here you will see and do things that are guaranteed to make your heart sing.  Join us.

Did you know?  There were no wolves in Yellowstone in 1994. The wolves that were reintroduced in 1995 and 1996 thrived and there are now over 300 of their descendants living in the Greater Yellowstone Area.

Yellowstone Wildlife Safari (click here for details & departure dates) 
 7 Days, 6 Nights

Eadie, Interlude Blog Team

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By The Beautiful Sea

October 7, 2012

St. Andrews today continues to reflect the dominant themes of social order – peace, order and stability of its historic past. On this Interlude you will enjoy its famous gridiron street plan, and its quiet, tree lined residential homes, which preserves its unique heritage. After your Whale Watching adventure, you have the afternoon to yourself to experience the picturesque and charming town of St. Andrews By The Sea.  Steeped in history, St. Andrews offers a wealth of museums, historic sites and marine wonders for you to explore and enjoy. Artists continue to flock to St. Andrews, giving it a wide selection of galleries and studios to wander through and savor.

A highlight on your free afternoon might just be a visit to the Garden at Kingsbrae.  Kingsbrae beautifully celebrates St. Andrews’ heritage of fine gardens with its use of old and new gardening styles. You will be delighted to find these great traditions in gardening in the White, Rose, Knot, Perennial and Cottage Gardens, to name but a few. Newer styles are reflected in the Gravel, Edible, Secret and Ornamental Grass gardens as well.  As a traditionalist, I prefer the older style gardens, but make your own decisions as you meander through this floral mecca.

Kingsbrae Garden is also home to a growing collection of sculptures, principally in the Sculpture Garden. The marriage of art and gardens is a natural one. Around the 27-acre Kingsbrae site are metal and glass creations, several works on loan from the Beaverbrook collection, and a variety of animal figures.  Be on the lookout for the Dutch Windmill.  Kingbrae was recently named as one of the top five North American gardens worth travelling for – so add it to your list and join us.  

St. Andrews is truly a unique place. Considering its relatively small population (year round 1700, summer 2500), this wonderful town boasts a public art gallery, a community college, a world class golf course and numerous other amenities often associated with larger centers.

Seafood is plentiful all year (lobsters, oysters, crabs, mussels, clams, scallops, and salmon) and prepared in as many ways as there are chefs. According to Fodor’s you can cast your line just about anywhere in New Brunswick and you’ll find some kind of fish-and-chips. Try snacking on dulse, a dried purple seaweed as salty as potato chips and as compelling as peanuts. Don’t you just love new food experiences?

The old world charm is sure to enchant you and the treasure trove of original architecture is magnificent. St. Andrews boasts some of the most awe-inspiring and unparalleled scenery New Brunswick has to offer and it is waiting to totally enthrall you. Steeped in turn-of-the-century charm, St. Andrew’s By the Sea is only one of the fabulous destinations on this Atlantic Maritimes sojourn.

Please review the complete itinerary and become part of this lovely escorted vacation.

Atlantic Maritimes (click here for details)
13 Days, 12 Nights

Eadie, Interlude Blog Team

•For immediate service, please call (317) 913-0387 or email us •Share your Interlude stories and photos on this blog •Sign up for our email newsletter •RSS this blog

 

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“Ga-ron-teed” Fun!

September 22, 2012

On this escorted vacation you will enjoy a tour of the French Quarter, where all the old French, Spanish and Creole splendor are preserved, and visit market places, wharves, dueling places, millionaire homes and dramatic gardens. And after visits to Jack London’s Square, the Garden District, Saint Louis Cemetery and City Park it’s time to roll up your sleeves and create – at the New Orleans Cooking School, where we’ve arranged for you to be the CHEF!  This fun filled culinary class will have you cutting, chopping, and sautéing a full meal.  You will receive the recipes and a New Orleans School of Cooking apron too.  After all your hard work, you are free to enjoy the house red or white wine, Abita beer or lemonade, iced tea, and coffee and dine on what you have created – and how cool is that! What a perfect place to bring out the inner “foodie” in you and share in an absolutely great time as well.

Since 1980, the New Orleans School of Cooking has introduced countless visitors from around the world to the wonderful world of food – Louisiana and New Orleans style.

The entertaining cooking classes are taught by well-known local chefs; skilled in the arts and traditions of Cajun and Creole cuisine. On this escorted mini-vacation you (the chef) will be treated to a wide range of local classics.  You will learn the basics of Louisiana Cooking in a way you’ll never forget. Fun is a primary ingredient in this kitchen! The Creole/Cajun experts teach New Orleans specialties such as Gumbo, Jambalaya and Pralines, and all the recipes are seasoned with history, trivia and tall tales. It’s a “ga-ron-teed” good time for all.

Let’s talk about something the locals wish you wouldn’t find out about – just so they can keep more to themselves. Always part of the first meal of the day, and often part of the last thing you think about before you go to sleep, is coffee and dessert.   This is some of the best eating you’ll do when in New Orleans. The New Orleans School of Cooking has coffee and sweets in stock in their general store, and you can buy them for your own personal use or bring them home as souvenirs for your friends who weren’t smart enough to book this trip. When you choose to take home a little piece of New Orleans, you can blend up some delicious New Orleans coffee, close your eyes and be right back in the city – do you hear those tenor saxophones on Bourbon Street?

Take a look at the attached full itinerary and mark your calendars to include this truly fun-filled adventure to the Big Easy – you’ll thank yourself!

Azaleas, Plantations & Cajuns (click here for details
7 Days, 6 Nights:  March 14-20, 2013

Eadie, Interlude Blog Team

•For immediate service, please call (317) 913-0387 or email us •Share your Interlude stories and photos on this blog •Sign up for our email newsletter •RSS this blog

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Steamboatin’

May 29, 2012

Steamboatin’  – a truly unique way to enjoy a Mississippi  river cruise and experience the history, heritage and the true culture of America’s heartland. Gracious, elegant, and modern in her amenities, the American Queen takes you back to a time when travel was an unhurried and relaxing experience.   The largest steamboat ever built, the grand American Queen is a gracious and elegant triumph of American ingenuity.

When you join this fascinating Interlude, you’ll discover a side of our country that few ever see, from the indescribable perspective of the river itself.   Forget speed, forget lines, forget all the hustle and bustle of deadlines, etc.  and step on board a bit of Americana for a journey that will long be remembered.  Combining the best of the old and the new, this beautiful lady of the river epitomizes the grace and grandeur of a bygone time.  Steamboatin’  is a treasured American tradition and once you are on board you will understand why.

You know I’m always about the food. Are you ever in for a treat!! Run by a celebrated American chef who draws her inspiration from our great Heartland, the kitchens aboard the Queen offer a veritable and delectable movable feast. From piping hot beignets and bananas foster French toast for breakfast to succulent five-course dinners, every day celebrates the culinary senses.   The food – superb, as are the well-appointed choices of dining venues on board – all are waiting just for you.   The opulent J.M. White Dining Saloon is the centerpiece, serving breakfasts, lunches and dinners that are extraordinarily grand. The Front Porch of America offers a wide variety of classic American favorites that will satisfy any craving, AND it’s open 24 hours a day – the kitchen that never sleeps!. The Calliope Grill serves up views that every bit as spectacular as the grilled fare and fresh salads and offers romantic, alfresco dining in the evenings.  And …you also must seek out the delightful Moonlight Supper in the Engine Room Bar which offers midnight delights to those who just need a “little something” before retiring from a thoroughly wonderful day.

Do you love to sing – well every evening you can sing away in the Main Deck Lounge before enjoying a lavishly luscious show in the two-deck-tall, not to be believed, Grand Saloon – an elegant showstopper on the river and that’s before the show even starts.

Because packing can often be a dilemma, I went right to the source to see what advice was offered.   Please see below:

We suggest you check a national weather source, such as the Weather Channel, its website at http://www.weather.com, or the national weather listings in your newspaper to plan what to pack for your voyage. For daytime, dress is casual. Be sure to bring sportswear and comfortable, nonslip walking shoes for ports of call and shore excursions. Slacks and shorts are acceptable in all public areas of the steamboat and ashore. You may want to bring a swimsuit for the pool or for lounging on the Sun Deck. For evenings, we suggest a dress, a dressy skirt and blouse, or a pants suit for ladies. While gentlemen may wish to wear a sport coat, one is not necessary and formal wear is not required any evening onboard. We recommend that you pack a raincoat and for spring and fall trips, a sweater or jacket and perhaps a hat or scarf. Though the boat is usually down south during the winter, occasionally it can still get chilly. A warm coat is recommended.

Fall is a wonderful time to explore the Northern exposures of the Mighty Mississippi and become embraced by the vibrancy of the changing season.  Experience what two centuries of travel on the river can provide, the locks, the quaint towns, the immeasurable pleasure of steamboatin’.  Celebrate with us as we pay homage to our glorious heartland and the expansive river that provided so much to the lure and legend we all cherish. Check out the impressive itinerary and call today to reserve your place – cabin space is limited!! Then look forward to “rollin on the river.”

Steamboatin’ Fall Colors Cruise & Tour (click here for itinerary)
October 16-22, 2012 (7 days, 6 nights)

Eadie – Interlude blog team

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North West Scenic Adventure

March 20, 2012

The purest of alpine experiences await you on this impressive visit to our Northern neighbor. Banff is bursting with great scenery, and I can only hope to give you a tiny taste of what is in store for you on this spectacular tour. You will enjoy all the comforts of home in the town of Banff and the village of Lake Louise. The hamlet of Lake Louise, located just minutes from the lake itself, has been developed over the last century to serve the needs of travelers visiting this picturesque area of Banff National Park.  It’s all just waiting for you to explore and enjoy.

Banff  National Park was Canada’s first established national park and is situated in the very heart of the Rocky Mountains. Boasting a gorgeous amalgamation of coniferous forests, dramatic mountain terrain, ice fields and glaciers, it is a haven for sightseers, nature lovers and all kinds of adventurers.  It boasts unparalleled mountain scenery nestled in the heart of the magnificent Canadian Rockies. I’ve been told that you are likely to see a grizzly bears, caribou and wolves!   The Park astonishes all who visit it with its sheer natural beauty and scenery.  A photographer’s dream!

On this escorted Interlude, you will marvel at the emerald waters of Lake Louise, walk amongst the flower-filled areas at Sunshine Meadows, and drive beneath the towering jagged peaks lining theIcefields Parkway. Snow-capped peaks, glistening glaciers and sweeping vistas are just one part of the allure that is calling you to Banff.  Lake Louise has become symbolic of the quintessentially Canadian mountain scene. This alpine lake, known for its sparkling blue waters, is situated at the base of the very impressive glacier-clad peaks that have long been at the heart of Canadian mountaineering. Lake Louise is a protected mountain destination that is located very close to world-class hotels, postcard perfect lodges, dining options and all kinds of activities. Just the photo ops make this destination a real MUST.  And to sweeten the pot, the assortment of shops and boutiques in both Banff and Lake Louise make this adventure a treasure-trove of opportunity.

Banff’s only Gondola takes you up to the top of Sulphur Mountain where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the Canadian Rockies.  Whisking you up to an elevation of 7,486 feet in about an 8 minute ride, the Sulphur Mountain Gondola gets you to a summit with some of the most incredible views of Banff and the mountains surrounding it,  and, of course, the proverbial gift shop. You may have an opportunity to walk on the boardwalk to the next peak and the observation decks.  Because it is usually colder at the top, I suggest that you dress in layers so you can comfortably enjoy the landscapes.

As you travel along the Trans Canada Highway you’ll have the opportunity to see one of the greatest engineering feats of the modern world – the Spiral Tunnels. The famous Spiral Tunnels on the CP Rail Line were opened on September 1st, 1909. The route called for two tunnels driven in three-quarter circles into the valley walls. The construction and extra track effectively doubled the length of the climb and reduced the gradient to 2.2%. The labor force to build these tunnels through sheer rock amounted to about a thousand, and the cost was about 1.5 million Canadian dollars. This is one of the steepest, most scenic railway lines in North America, crossing the Kicking Horse River, and running under Mount Ogden and Cathedral Mountain, towards the town of Field, BC.

On the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) there is a very interesting display detailing the history of the tunnels, how they were made, and how they work. If you arrive at the right time, you may see a train using the tunnels. It’s indescribable, as the train looks like a snake in a coil. Unfortunately though there isn’t any consistent time when you’ll see a train pass through, so it’s up to pure luck, I’ll keep my fingers crossed!

This luscious escorted vacation puts you in six National Parks, exposes you to many once in a lifetime experiences and offers great dining, shopping and sightseeing.  Please review the entire itinerary and check your passport to be sure it’s valid before signing up for this impressive north western sojourn.

U.S. and Canadian National Parks (click here for itinerary)
(9 days, 8 nights)

Eadie – Interlude blog team

•For immediate service, please call (317) 913-0387 or email us
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Swiss Sojourn

February 29, 2012

When I think of Switzerland I think of cable cars, chair lifts and mountain railways, however what I failed to consider was what happens when the snow on the Alps begins to melt in the springtime.  Much of that snow ends up in the large lakes creating a wonderful network of more than 100 boats on 14 lakes.  I doubt that there are many lakes around the world that can boast the impressive panoramas offered throughout Switzerland.  You are in for such a treat as you travel by boat across the pristine and spectacular Lake Brienz, shimmering with the reflection of the mighty Alps.

Typically a Swiss lake steamer is either a modern diesel-driven boat or a traditional steam-driven sidewheeler. A few of the older steamers date back to the early part of the century.  Be on the lookout for the red Swiss Flag whipping above the wakes of these immaculate white vessels as they make their way across the sparkling water.

But that’s only the tip of your travel experience!!  You will be boarding rail trains, cog-rails, funiculars, scenic intermountain cable cars and a Postbus.  Not to mention, strolling through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. No jumping into an automobile to go somewhere…here you will experience firsthand all modes of travel – delectably un-American in concept.

PostBus is the leading bus company in Switzerland’s public transport network. It incorporates more than 2,000 vehicles at its disposal. Its trademark – the three-tone horn and the yellow Postbuses – are part of Switzerland’s cultural identity. The PostBus brand embodies the values of reliability, security and trust.  You might want to include this as a great Trivia question for your friends when you return from this awe-inspiring Interlude.

Also included in this tour is an adventurous sojourn aboard cog railways.  Cog railways were an important part of the Swiss Alps infrastructure meant to help even non-climbers access the high alpine environment and enjoy the breath-taking scenery of the highest peaks of  Switzerland. These cog railways are among the first of the many mountain railways and cable cars in the European Alps. Some of these cog railways belong to the most visited tourist attractions in Europe and you will share this sightseeing adventure with people from all over the world. And…have your camera at the ready for some of the most delicious vistas your eyes will ever feast upon.

One of the most unique and daring means of travel in Switzerland is via a funicular, also known as an inclined plane or cliff railway. Not being familiar with the word, I had to investigate and find out how these work.

The basic principle of funicular operation is that two cars are permanently attached to each other by a cable, which runs through a pulley at the top.  at the top of the incline. Counterbalancing of the two cars, with one ascending and one descending, minimizes the energy needed to lift the ascending car. Winching is normally done by an electric drive which turns the pulley.  Sheave wheels guide the cable to and from the drive mechanism and the incline cars. Now we know.  Sounds wondrously fascinating!

Part of this marvelous travel package includes a 7-day travel pass called the Berner Oberland Pass. The Bernese Oberland is one of the most famous regions inSwitzerland, having been discovered by British tourists in the nineteenth century. You will surely notice the strong British influence still felt in many of the old habits and manners which occur in this part of  Switzerland. Many of the hotels in Wengen and Grindelwald boast of a particular art noveau style that is a reminder of a former era.  The landscape in the Bernese Oberland is characterized by an intriguing mix of lakes, pristine alpine meadows and huge, wild mountains – all waiting to be captured by you and your camera.

Whether you are walking through an alpine forest, strolling through picturesque villages and hamlets, riding the scenic Swiss rail train, enjoying the Cog rail, sightseeing from a Cable Car or chugging across shimmering waters on a Lake Steamer, your Interlude to Switzerland will be overflowing with awe inspiring landscapes and fun-filled adventures.  Just breathing the clear mountain air will fill you with a sense of well-being.  There is so much to see and do on this escorted vacation and it is just waiting there for you.  Please check out the full itinerary and call soon to reserve your Swiss Sojourn.

Backroads of Switzerlans (click here for details)
9 Days, 8 Nights Departures:  July 30 – August 7, 2012

Eadie, Interlude Blog Team

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