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2007 ITINERARY
Day 1 – Jackson, Wyoming
Welcome to GrandLuxe. Fly into Jackson, Wyoming—often called "Jackson Hole"—and meet your fellow travelers at a special Welcome
Dinner. Spend the night at a Jackson/Teton Village area deluxe hotel. (D)
Day 2 – Grand Teton National Park
Be awe–inspired by sheer mountains that reach straight for the
sky. Pine forests and delicate strands of aspen decorate the valley at the base of the serrated Teton Mountains. This morning, explore this range, perhaps
the most abrupt and breathtaking in America, with Grand Teton towering 13,770 feet. Centuries ago, Native Americans hunted the great elk herds that gathered here. You'll explore Jenny
Lake—majestic, yet tranquil, a favorite site for photographers and sightseers—and the Church of the Transfiguration, a rustic log chapel. For an additional cost add on an optional
excursion that begins with an early breakfast, followed by a gentle, scenic float trip on the Snake River before reuniting with the group. Spend time enjoying the collection at the National
Museum of Wildlife Art, which overlooks the elk refuge. After a full day of touring, your deluxe hotel provides dinner and overnight accommodations. (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The world's first national park teems with wildlife and
natural wonders. The two million acres of protected land at Yellowstone National Park are inhabited by bears, bald eagles, and herds of bison and elk. More than 10,000 boiling springs, mud pots, and geysers—including Old Faithful—are testimony to the geothermal activity rising unusually close to the earth's surface. Guides lead you to the Fountain Paint Pots and then to Old Faithful, where you'll stop for lunch. You'll also visit West Thumb Geyser Basin, one of the smallest—yet one of the most scenic—geyser basins in Yellowstone. For an additional cost, add on a –3mile hike to a backcountry geyser to learn even more about Yellowstone's thermal features. Later, transfer to the train for dinner and the
first night on board the train as we travel to Salt Lake City. (B,L,D)
Day 4 – Salt Lake City & Park City, Utah
Discover the many sides of Salt Lake City. Your visit to Utah gives you a chance to tour Olympic venues and perhaps even listen to a recital by an organist for the world–famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City before unwinding in the beautiful resort town of Park City, site of the recent Winter Olympic Games. Enjoy a night on the train en route to Las Vegas. (B,L,D)
Day 5 – Las Vegas, Nevada with Options to Zion (additional cost) or Grand Canyon
City or wilderness—you choose. Spend the day touring Vegas—where you can see everything from the Eiffel Tower to the canals of Venice––and indulge in world–class shopping and dining along the way. Or, choose to visit the Hoover Dam or visit the Grand Canyon's West Rim. For an additional cost, we also offer the option of a Grand Canyon float trip or a day trip by plane to Zion National Park in an area the early settlers called the "Heavenly City of God." Later, enjoy dinner and a night on board the train as we continue on to the Grand Canyon. (B,L,D)
Day 6 – Grand Canyon National Park
One of the America's most spectacular geologic wonders. Its unfathomable dimensions—277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and a full mile deep—make the Grand Canyon one of the nation's most spectacular geologic wonders. We'll spend the day at the South Rim, where the colors of the plateaus and mesas change with the shifting light and shadows. From a stop at Yavapai Point, you can hike to El Tovar, a landmark hotel built in 1905, or continue on to the Mather Point Visitor Center for breathtaking views of the canyon. Enjoy lunch canyonside, with time to stroll along the South Rim from the Hopi House to historic Bright Angel Lodge and Kolb Studio. Back on board the train, enjoy dinner and then gather around the baby grand in the club car as we travel toward Flagstaff. (B,L,D)
Day 7 – Sedona, Arizona
A feast for the eyes and palate. We awake this morning as the train completes its final leg to Flagstaff, and then board luxury coaches for the short ride to Sedona. Sedona is as full of beautiful art as it is surrounded by natural beauty. Enjoy lunch al fresco (weather permitting) amidst the red rock spires at Sedona's top rated resort, followed by shopping at Sedona's arts and crafts village or a visit to the little known artist community of Jerome. Perched high on the hillside, Jerome's mining history becomes obvious as you stroll the main street and investigate the galleries overlooking the scenic Verde Valley. Back on board the train, dinner is accompanied by spectacular desert scenery on the way to Santa Fe. (B,L,D)
Day 8 – Santa Fe, New Mexico
"The city different," one of America's great art and culinary capitals. Santa Fe calls itself "the city different," and your visit will clearly show you why. Santa Fe is a city that embraces its natural environment unlike any other in the United States. Renowned for its amazing artists and inventive chefs, Santa Fe is the perfect place to spend the last full day of your GrandLuxe adventure. Enjoy a self–guided walking tour of downtown and a tour of an artist's home and studio. Take time by yourself to visit the many world–renowned galleries, shops, and museums—including the Georgia O'Keefe Museum and the Institute of American Indian Arts. Enjoy lunch at a fine restaurant in this culinary city. Later, reboard the train for our farewell dinner and then cozy up in your cabin for your final night aboard. (B,L,D)
Day 9 – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Say farewell to the friends you've made on
your journey. Your GrandLuxe rail journey comes to a close this morning as we arrive in Albuquerque, a city that traces its roots back three centuries. Stay on in Albuquerque for additional sightseeing or head to the airport to fly home. (B)
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