Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Chicago
All Pacific Coastal Odyssey tour members will meet the Tour Director in Chicago’s Union Station. The Metropolitan Lounge will be our base in Chicago. The Willis Tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings is close by. Other Chicago attractions are a short cab ride away.
We’ll board the Southwest Chief for its mid afternoon departure. Relax in your private Roomette sleeping accommodations. Bedrooms are available at an additional cost. Bottled water and coffee are available in the sleeping cars. Enjoy a full-course dinner in the dining car.
You will want to spend time in the Sightseer Lounge where the glass windows rise from floor level to the ceiling. It is a great place to view the passing scenery.
Meal(s): D
Day 2: En Route
Last night we traveled across the state of Kansas. We will be near the Colorado border when you awaken. Today you will experience the excitement of the Santa Fe Trail as we cross New Mexico and Arizona. You will have time for a trainside walk when we arrive in Albuquerque at mid afternoon.
Meal(s): B, L & D
Day 3: Los Angeles
Our arrival is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. We will board a comfortable motorcoach and strike out on an extensive tour of Los Angeles. The famous sites we’ll visit include Chinatown, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Exposition Park, and Mann’s Chinese Theatre where the hand and footprints of many stars are imprinted in concrete. Enjoy an “on-your-own” luncheon break at the world-famous Farmers Market. We’ll transfer to the attractive Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel.
Meal(s): B
Day 4: Embarkation
This morning is free to explore or relax. At noon we’ll transfer from our hotel to the beautiful Sapphire Princess®. This ship is a jewel on the high seas filled with innovative features and luxurious amenities. Swim in one of four sparkling pools or shop the boutiques or get a massage in the Lotus Spa. Dine casually or more elegantly in one of the many formal dining rooms and specialty restaurants. Following a luncheon buffet, you can relax or explore our beautiful home for 14 days. Departure is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
Meal(s): L & D
Day 5: Santa Barbara
When you begin your day, you’ll be anchored at the shores of beautiful Santa Barbara. Quietly nestled between the ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara represents the essence of California – the art and culture of a big city with the hospitality of a small, coastal town. Enjoy the shopping on State Street or sample the cuisine of some of the finest restaurants in the country. We can’t forget the miles and miles of beautiful beaches.
Today’s optional shore excursions include: a Santa Barbara By Trolley tour, a Wine Country Tour, a Solvang & Wine Country tour, and Whale Watching.
The Santa Barbara Channel is famous for its outstanding Whale Watching, over 27 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises come into the area at various times of the year including the giant blue whale, friendly humpback whales and sometimes even the exciting killer whale or Orca.
Look forward to another wonderful evening. We’ll be cruising to our next exciting destination, the city by the bay, San Francisco.
Meal(s): B, L & D
Day 6: San Francisco
You’ll soon realize why Tony Bennett left his heart here. San Francisco is a city of culture, historical landmarks and world renown dining.
Our ship will arrive at Pier 35 on the city’s bustling downtown waterfront. Many of the city’s major attractions are within walking distance or a short cab ride. Public buses and cable cars run every few minutes. For the shoppers, Pier 39 and the world famous Fisherman’s Wharf offer more than 110 stores, a dozen bay view restaurants, street performers, and live daily entertainment. Hyde Street Pier is the location of the National Park Service’s Maritime Museum; here you can board historic ships such as the 1886 square-rigger Balclutha and 1914 paddlewheel tug Eppleton Hall.
Today’s optional shore excursions include: a motorcoach tour of this beautiful city as well as tours to Sausalito, Muir Woods, and Alcatraz.
Tonight we’ll enjoy another great evening of dining and entertainment.
Meal(s): B, L & D
Day 7: At Sea
Wow! A full day to relax and enjoy this magnificent ship. Take a swim or play a round of mini-golf or try the virtual golf simulator. Indulge yourself with a relaxing massage. Shop in the duty-free Boutique featuring designer clothing and gifts, including Lladro, Swarovski, Calvin Klein, Tommy Bahama, Lancome, Clinique, Estee Lauder, and Fossil - all up to 30% off. Or just cuddle up with a good book as the Pacific Ocean drifts by.
Meal(s): B, L & D
Day 8: Astoria, Oregon
Astoria, a city of 10,000 located on Oregon’s pristine Pacific Ocean coastline, dates from the winter of 1805-06, when the Lewis and Clark expedition camped at Fort Clatsop. Astoria’s attractions include the 125-foot high Astoria Column, Columbia River Maritime Museum and the Fort Clatsop National Memorial.
Today’s optional shore excursions include: Oregon’s Scenic Coastal Highlights, Mount St. Helens, and Seafood Cooking School & Wine Tasting.
Tonight is another evening of various pleasurable activities.
Meal(s): B, L & D
Day 9: Seattle
Seattle, often considered a coastal city, isn’t even on the ocean; it is located at the inland-most end of Puget Sound, which winds its way north to the Pacific Ocean. On a clear day Mount Rainier, 50 miles to the southeast, will be visible from our ship’s top decks.
Today’s optional shore excursions include: Best of Seattle and Boats, Buildings & Billionaires.
Enjoy another evening of great dining and entertainment.
Meal(s): B, L & D
Day 10: Victoria
Victoria, Canada’s most British city, lies at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Double-decker buses, English inns, gardens, and pubs abound in this capital city. The world-famous Butchart Gardens, with 50 acres of floral magnificence, is the most famous attraction.
Optional shore excursions include: Grand City Drive & Empress Tea, Double-Decker Tour, Whale Watching Cruise and several variations of Butchart Garden tours.
We’ll enjoy a final night on our beautiful ship as it traverses the Strait of Georgia to our final port, Vancouver.
Meal(s): B, L & D
Day 11: Vancouver / Seattle
We’ll disembark this morning and spend time becoming familiar with Vancouver. It’s one of North America’s most prosperous cities and one of its most beautiful. Our tour of the city will include Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park, English Bay, Marine Drive, the waterfront, and Queen Elizabeth Park.
Following an “on-your-own” lunch, we’ll continue on to Seattle where we’ll board Amtrak’s premier train, The Empire Builder, for the return to Chicago.
Our departure is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. Sleeping accommodations and all dining car meals are included.
Meal(s):B & D
Day 12: En Route
Enjoy a delicious dining car breakfast and then head for the Sightseer Lounge car.
About 8:00 a.m., a dramatic panorama of snow-capped Rocky Mountain peaks will begin to rise above the horizon, becoming increasingly dynamic as we approach Glacier National Park. The scenery is striking as we wind past waterfalls, river gorges, and other sights. The rest of the day we’ll cross the remote flatlands of eastern Montana and western North Dakota.
Meal(s): B, L & D
Day 13: En Route to Chicago
Breakfast and lunch on the train are included. The train makes a brief stop in Minneapolis-St. Paul this morning and heads south along the west bank of the Mississippi River. The train travels between the river bank and high bluffs. Later we pass through the picturesque Dells Country of Wisconsin. The Empire Builder is scheduled to arrive in Chicago’s Union Station late this afternoon.
Many of our tour members will conclude their fabulous America by Rail vacation by transferring to other Amtrak trains bound for home cities. Some will spend the night in Chicago and continue home by air tomorrow.
Meal(s): B & L