S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y TRANS-CANADA BY RAIL LAND OF LAKES, PEAKS AND GLACIERS August 15 to 22, 2013 a program of the stanford alumni association
Gone are the days when flying on planes was both exciting and pleasurable. Seasoned travelers have come to dread the cumbersome ordeal that today s airline travel has become. Yet a vestige of the golden age experience still exists: when traveling on the world s remaining great railways most notably one right in our own backyard that traverses some of North America s most spectacular scenery. Join us on an epic journey as we cross the grand landscapes of Canada, from Toronto to Vancouver, aboard VIA Rail s Canadian. Along the way enjoy lectures by Scott Burns and Canadian historian Barry Lane, and spend two nights at the historic Jasper Park Lodge. We hope you can join us! Brett S. Thompson, 83, Director, Stanford Travel/Study Highlights MARVEL at passing wildlife in Banff National Park bears, elk, bighorn sheep and more with commentary provided by a local naturalist. Cover: BANFF NATIONAL PARK EXPLORE Athabasca Glacier, one of Canada s most popular geologic formations, on a snow buggy ride. ENJOY a full day exploring Vancouver, including a visit to the University of British Columbia s fascinating Museum of Anthropology. Beauvert lake, Jasper
C a n a d i a n R o c k i e s Jasper Vancouver Victoria Vancouver Island JASPER NATIONAL PARK BANFF NATIONAL PARK C ANADA Winnipeg Hudson Bay Great UNITED STATES Itinerary Thursday, August 15 DEPART U.S. / TORONTO, CANADA / EMBARK THE CANADIAN Fly on independent flights from home to Toronto and gather with fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner in the Royal York Hotel. Following dinner, transfer to the train station and board VIA Rail s Canadian for the start of our transcontinental journey. VIA RAIL S CANADIAN (D) Friday, August 16 ABOARD THE CANADIAN Spend an entire day on the train as we traverse the scenic lakelands of Ontario and cross over the Canadian Shield, the oldest part of the earth s crust and marked by a myriad of sparkling blue lakes, craggy granite cliffs and endless boreal forests. Along the way, enjoy scenic views from the train s observation cars and attend a program lecture. VIA RAIL S CANADIAN (B,L,D) Saturday, August 17 WINNIPEG / ABOARD THE CANADIAN Stop for a morning visit in Winnipeg, capital of Manitoba, and enjoy a walking tour of the historic city center. Reboard the train for lunch and continue our rail journey through the central plains of Saskatchewan, a land of sweeping prairies, waving golden wheat fields and endless blue skies. VIA RAIL S CANADIAN (B,L,D) Sunday, August 18 JASPER Enjoy the morning aboard the Canadian, then disembark in Jasper after lunch. Transfer to our deluxe lodge, one of Canada s premier resort hotels, built by the Canadian National Railway in 1922 and set on the edge of beautiful Beauvert Lake. Take advantage of some free time to relax or explore the area independently. JASPER PARK LODGE (B,L,D)
PATRICIA LAKE, JASPER Lakes TORONTO Toronto Monday, August 19 JASPER Depart this morning by coach along the famous Glacier Parkway, driving through Jasper and Banff national parks, accompanied by Peter Duck, one of Canada s foremost Rocky Mountain naturalists. The drive offers some of the finest mountain scenery in North America and an opportunity to take the popular snow buggy ride on the Athabasca Glacier. Return to Jasper, where we are at leisure the remainder of the afternoon. JASPER PARK LODGE (B,D) Tuesday, August 20 JASPER / ABOARD THE CANADIAN Established in 1907, Jasper National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and this morning we enjoy an interpretive nature walk with Peter Duck. Our walk takes us around Beauvert Lake located directly in front of the Jasper Park Lodge. The trail is flat and well-groomed and is about a mile-and-a-half in circumference. The pace is leisurely as Peter makes frequent stops to point out natural history elements and allow us to take in the stunning scenery. Check out of our hotel and enjoy lunch on our own at one of the many cafes or restaurants in town prior to boarding the train and continuing our journey west. VIA RAIL S CANADIAN (B,D) Wednesday, August 21 VANCOUVER / DISEMBARK After breakfast on board, arrive in Vancouver. Get to know this lovely coastal city on a guided tour, including lunch at the University of British Columbia s former Faculty Club and a guided tour of the university s Museum of Anthropology. Transfer to our historic downtown hotel for a farewell reception and dinner. HOTEL VANCOUVER (B,L,D) Thursday, August 22 VANCOUVER / U.S. Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for independent flights home. (B) Optional Post-trip Extension Victoria August 22 to 24 (3 additional days) Known for its beautiful gardens and temperate climate, Victoria is a charming city on Vancouver Island that boasts a large number of historic buildings. Spend two nights at the famed Empress Hotel, with ample time to relax and explore. Included is a tour of the Royal British Columbia Museum, lunch at the Butchart Gardens and a traditional high tea at our hotel. Additional details and pricing will be sent to confirmed participants.
VANCOUVER JASPER PARK LODGE CANADIAN CANADIAN PARK CAR VIA Rail s Canadian Our journey includes four nights aboard VIA Rail s Canadian train from Toronto to Vancouver. Accommodations aboard the Canadian are in cozy Sleeper Touring class compartments, with upper and lower berths that fold up during the day to reveal a sitting area, and en suite washrooms with toilet facilities (single compartments have an in-room toilet and sink). A shared shower room is available in each train car. All meals on the train are included with priority seating at staggered times, and participants have access to the Park Car s upper observation deck with 360-degree views. STANDARD DOUBLE STANDARD SINGLE Cost * DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE OCCUPANCY STANDARD DOUBLE $7,795 $9,695 Approx. 36 square feet with upper and lower berths, plus attached washroom with toilet STANDARD SINGLE N/A $8,795 Approx. 23 square feet with lower berth, plus in-room sink and toilet (covered by bed at night) SUITE $9,195 N/A Approx. 72 square feet (two standard doubles combined) with two lower berths, plus attached washroom with toilet *Association nonmembers add $200 per person
Trip Information Dates August 15 to 22, 2013 (8 days) Size Limited to 46 participants INCLUDED 3 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations 4 nights aboard VIA Rail s Canadian 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 7 dinners Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions Bottled water on excursions Gratuities to porters, guides, drivers and train crew for all group activities All tours and excursions as described in the itinerary Transfers and baggage handling on program arrival and departure days Minimal medical, accident and evacuation insurance Educational program with lecture series and pre-departure materials, including recommended reading list, a selected book, map and travel information Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program NOT INCLUDED International and U.S. domestic airfare Passport and visa fees Meals and beverages other than those specified as included Independent and private transfers Trip-cancellation/interruption and baggage insurance Excess-baggage charges Personal items such as internet access, telephone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services Air Arrangements International and U.S. domestic airfare is not included in the program cost. Economy-class airfare from San Francisco to Toronto and return from Vancouver to San Francisco is approximately $650 as of December 2012 and is subject to change without notice. What to expect We consider this expedition to be a mildly active program that is at times physically demanding and busy. Four days of the trip are spent almost entirely onboard the VIA Rail Canadian train. Excursions off the train may involve up to one mile of walking over uneven terrain. Participants must be physically fit, in good health and should feel comfortable walking in a rocking rail car. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program. Terms & Conditions Deposit & Final Payment A $1,000-per-person deposit is required to hold space for this program. Complete and return the attached reservation form or place your deposit online. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. As a condition of participation, all confirmed participants are required to sign a Release of Liability. Cancellations & Refunds Deposits and any payments are refundable, less a $500-per-person cancellation fee, until 120 days prior to departure. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and your place(s) can be resold, in which case a $1,000-perperson cancellation fee will apply. We recommend trip-cancellation insurance; applications will be sent to you. Insurance Stanford Travel/Study provides all travelers who are U.S. or Canadian citizens with minimal medical, accident and evacuation coverage under our group-travel insurance policy. Our group policy is intended to provide minimal levels of protection while you are traveling on this program. We strongly recommend that you subscribe to optional baggage and trip-cancellation insurance. A brochure offering such insurance will be mailed with your confirmation about one week after we receive your deposit. The product offered in this brochure includes special benefits if you postmark your insurance payment within a specified window: 15 days of the date listed on the confirmation letter for the Waiver of Pre-existing Conditions and coverage for Financial Insolvency; 21 days for the Cancel for Any Reason benefit. Eligibility We encourage membership in the Alumni Association as the program cost for nonmembers is $200 more than the members price. Parents and their children under 21 may travel on one membership. For more information or to purchase a membership, visit alumni.stanford/ goto/membership or call (650) 725-0692. Responsibility The Stanford Alumni Association, Stanford University and our operators act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and exercise every care possible in doing so. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in connection with the service of any automobile, motorcoach, launch or any other conveyance used in carrying out this program or for the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50 arrangements of the program. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, force majeure or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make such alterations to this published itinerary as may be deemed necessary. The right is reserved to cancel any program prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the program. No refund will be made for an unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk entirely. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time that passengers are not onboard their plane or conveyance. Neither the Alumni Association, Stanford University nor our operators accept liability for any carrier s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket in connection with the tour. Program price is based on rates in effect in December 2012 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges. Tel (650) 725-1093 FAX (650) 725-8675 Email travelstudy@stanfordalumni.org COPYRIGHT 2012 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Printed on recycled, FSC-certified paper in the U.S.
Faculty Leaders SCOTT BURNS, BS 69, MS 70, is a professor of geology at Portland State University and has taught geology and ecology at the university level for over 40 years. He is the recipient of numerous awards for excellence in teaching and has led 23 previous Travel/ Study programs. During our trip, his lectures will cover the adaptation of plants and animals to the mountain ecology of southern British Columbia and the geologic origin and glacial history of the Rocky Mountains. BARRY LANE, a native of Saskatchewan, studied history at the Royal Military College of Canada. His interest in North America s European roots, and how they have evolved differently in Canada and the U.S., led to a passion for educational travel and a desire to provide visitors to Canada with a unique perspective on his country s history and cultures. During our program, Barry will discuss Canadian history, ecological and development issues within the national parks and the legacy of Canadian Pacific s transportation empire. Travel/Study is pleased to welcome Barry on his 14th Stanford program. S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y Reservation Form Trans-Canada by Rail SIGN UP ONLINE! MR. / MRS. / MS. MISS / DR. / PROF. NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS MR. / MRS. / MS. MISS / DR. / PROF. NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS ADDRESS CITY / STATE / ZIP PHONE CELL / WORK / HOME Here is my deposit of $ ($1,000 per person) for space(s). Enclosed is my check (payable to Stanford Alumni Association) OR Charge my deposit to my: Visa MasterCard American Express EMAIL ADDRESS If this is a reservation for one person, please indicate: I wish to have single accommodations. OR I plan to share accommodations with: CARD # EXPIRATION DATE OR I d like to know about possible roommates. CARDHOLDER SIGNATURE DATE BED PREFERENCE: Twins Double TRAIN COMPARTMENT PREFERENCE: Standard Suite Mail completed form to address on mail panel or fax to (650) 725-8675 or place your deposit online at alumni.stanford.edu/trip?canada2013. Submit your reservation only once to avoid multiple charges to your account. 8770
Stanford Travel/Study Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center 326 Galvez Street Stanford, CA 94305-6105 (650) 725-1093 TRANS-CANADA BY RAIL LAND OF LAKES, PEAKS AND GLACIERS August 15 to 22, 2013 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Stanford Alumni Association For me the lasting impression is a blend of the mellow, rhythmic train experience punctuated by grand stretches of the most marvelous scenery imaginable all shared with excellent guides and friendly companions. Ethelynn Bloom, Trans-Canada Rail Expedition, 2010 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y VICTORIA