They say Las Vegas has it all, but one has not lived until they have traveled the Reno Nevada Fun Train. This is adult decadence at its finest. The fun train steams round trip through Emeryville, Martinez, Sacramento, and Reno. You can be picked up at any of these locations though you are responsible for fares to these departure towns. Meals are provided the train on Friday evening and brunch on Sunday morning. Otherwise you are free to bring your own food and beverages on the train. If you wish to purchase food during your journey there is a Café\Bar car that offers light snacks and adult beverages. There is also a Piano Lounge with top notch entertainment. Sit in overstuffed leather bound chairs as you sip on a cocktail, listening to the Night Club Crooner. If you are traveling for the scenery, go into the Dome Car where you can see panoramic views of the Nevada desert as you travel from town to town. If the themed cars are not appealing to you, the passenger cars offer a more quiet and private ride.

The Fun Train offers a package with two night’s accommodations at some of Reno’s finest hotel. You can stay at the Eldorado, Harrah’s East or West Tower, Circus Circus Mini Suite, or Eldorado’s Players Spa. Each hotel has a casino within the building or on the grounds close by. Most offer five star service and present top restaurants as well. You are in Reno so the traditional buffets and free shrimp cocktails are still available. Most casinos offer free meals or cocktails while you are gambling. The tour also offers free ground transportation to your hotel. These transports are only to and from the train station. Additional transport is at the traveler’s expense. As you visit the casino’s the train’s staff will provide you with the ‘Winner’s Book” which is filled with coupons for food, drinks, and gaming tokens.

The Fun Train offers themed tours which occur only on specific dates. There is a murder mystery tour which includes dinner and wine tasting. The Mardi Gras theme happens in February and is sold out quickly. Other novelty tours include a Country and Western theme and a Hawaiian ‘Aloha’ tour. Don’t be surprised to see an Elvis impersonator or two on board during these party trips. Most of these tours are sold out early so plan far in advance to reserve your seat.

You must be 21 or older to go on the Fun Train Tour. It is adult oriented and may be inappropriate for the young ones. The cars are air conditioned and the seats are spacious and comfortable. If you wish to bring along your own alcoholic beverages the train staff will provide with glass, ice, and you may purchase the mixer of your choice. This is definitely a party train. Though the scenery and the romance of a train ride is there for those of them that look, most passengers let their hair down for a wild weekend in Reno.

Tags: Reno, Nevada, Fun, Train, Tour, Casino, Gambling, Cocktails, Adult, Oriented, Mardi, Gras

Winter driving is treacherous; so many travelers do not vacation during the cold and dreary months.  These trends of staying at home during the winter are being broken by train tours of the National Parks of the Rockies.  The train tour of the Rockies is offered by Amtrak and begins in Chicago, Illinois.  Two trains, the Amtrak’s California Zephyr and the Montana Empire Builder will take you through some of the most majestic scenery of the Rocky Mountain area.  Packed full of activities and excursions the train trip will take you through Yellowstone National Park, Teton National Park, the lower half of Glacier National Park, and many mountain towns of historical significance.

The fare includes rail fare round-trip from and to Chicago.  The fare also includes lodging for 10 days as you travel across the great West.  Any excursions or sightseeing adventures that you wish to go on will also be paid for through the one-time fare.  This all-inclusive train tour will include all your mails and all transportation to and from your activities.  The two trains have on board a hands-on staff professional tour director who will serve your every whim in your adventure across the mountains.  Of all the all-inclusive vacations out there seeing the Rocky Mountains by rail is one of the most adventurous and rewarding of them all.

Highlights of the tour include a rail ride from Denver up the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains to the Continental divide.  You will be immersed in total darkness as you travel the six mile long Moffat Tunnel.  On the other set of the divide you will see the headwaters of the Colorado River at they rage down Glenwood Canyon.  The end of the this day will land you in Salt Lake City where you will spend the night at a hotel directly across from the Mormon Tabernacle.  Here you will have time to visit shops, museums, and other attractions that Salt Lake City offers.

As you leave Salt Lake you’ll head northeast towards the Teton in Yellowstone National Parks.  There you will have an excursion into the back country using a horse-drawn sleigh which will allow you to view Elk, Buffalo, and other wildlife in their natural habitat.  You will see many areas of the parks that many visitors do not see including all the geysers, hot springs, and the natural wonders of nature.  You’ll be accommodated at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge in Yellowstone Park.  This will be the starting point from which you can pick from many adventures.

Leaving Yellowstone, you will cross the Montana Mountains to the lower part of Glacier National Park.  You will be served lunch in a sightseeing car where you will be able to see snowcapped peaks and large glaciers moving slowly down the mountain.  As you leave Glacier National Park, you will cross Montana’s prairies and will be able to view the Great Plains as they really are.  Eleven days from your departure in Chicago, you will have arrived back in Chicago.  The trip is longer than most tours, so adequate clothing and personal effects need to be planned for during the journey.  Remember that this is a winter tour, so bring plenty of warm clothes and any other winter equipment you might deem necessary for outside activities. Even though you are traveling in a warm passenger car, the excursions and the activities are usually outside.  After taking this wonderful tour you’ll realize that winter is also a vacation time of the year and not reserved for spring, summer, or fall.

Tags: Amtrak, Train, Railroad, National, Park, Rockies, Rocky, Mountain, Jeff, Mills, Coastal, Vacations