Rockies, Sierras and Mexican Rivieras

Tour Information

GrandLuxe Rail Journeys operates America’s premier private train on 7 to 9 night itineraries through the Western United States, National Parks, and Canada. Enjoy fine dining and beautiful vistas in comfortable luxury aboard classic, restored and private railcars. Let the gentle motion of the train rock you to sleep each night, and then wake to a world of new adventures
On NCL’s Norwegian Star you will have 13 superb choices for dining, with tempting selections that range from Asian fusion and French Mediterranean to all-American and there is a wide array of staterooms and suites to accommodate however you choose to spend your time on board

Day 1

Denver, Colorado
Step into a luxe world of adventure and excitement. Fly into the Mile High city of Denver—enjoying the city’s sights if you arrive early. Board your GrandLuxe train in the late afternoon and toast the days to come during your first dinner in the Dining Car. (D)

Day 2

Rail through the Colorado Rockies
A daylight ride through the incomparable Rocky Mountains. After your first breakfast aboard your GrandLuxe train, sit back and enjoy the show as we take you through some of the country’s most stunning mountain scenery. Climb the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains to the Moffat Tunnel, one of the most famous railroad tunnels in America, whose six mile length through the Continental Divide enables trains to bypass 27 miles of difficult railroad. With average daily progress of just 21 feet, the tunnel took four years to bore and was completed in 1928. You’ll emerge in Winter Park in the Fraser Valley and follow the Colorado River through the renowned Glenwood Canyon—a sight that inspired the creation of the first glass-domed railcars. Roll down the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains into Grand Junction, where you’ll be served dinner and overnight on the train. (B,L,D)

Day 3

Arches & Canyonlands National Parks
Some of the most inspiring landscapes on earth. That’s how Arches and Canyonlands National Parks have been described. And today you’ll see why. After breakfast on the train, depart in motorcoaches for a day in these two natural red rock wonderlands, home to the largest concentration of natural sandstone arches in the world—more than 2,000 of them. Highlights include Grandview Point, one of the most scenic and frequently photographed spots in Canyonlands, and Balanced Rock, a precarious-looking 128-foot tower estimated to weigh more than 3,500 tons. After your day in the park, return to the train for dinner and overnight en route to Salt Lake City. (B,L,D)

Day 4

Salt Lake City, Utah
Discover the many sides of Salt Lake City. Your visit to Salt Lake City 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. Or you may choose to tour some of the surrounding mountain communities, including Robert Redford’s famous Sundance Resort. Re-board the train in the late afternoon for dinner and a trip through the Great Salt Lake Desert en route to our jumping off point for Lake Tahoe: Reno, Nevada. (B,L,D)

Day 5

Lake Tahoe, Nevada and the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Spend the day with one of the world’s most beautiful lakes. Wake up in Nevada and enjoy breakfast on board the train before heading to spectacular Lake Tahoe for a day of touring. A boat cruise provides the perfect vantage point for taking in the mountains that surround the 1,685-foot deep lake, the eighth deepest in the world. In the afternoon, re-board the train and take a seat by the window for the spectacular ride over Donner Pass and the descent through the Sierras into California’s historic Gold Rush country. (B,L,D)

Day 6

Napa Valley, California
Enjoy a taste of America’s culinary heartland. The endless rows of grape arbors passing by your window leave no doubt—you’re in wine country. Lunch is served in the Cask Room Cellar at Merryvale Winery, where long tables are elegantly set with vine covered candelabras and shimmering crystal glasses in a cobblestone hall lined with wine casks. Your three-course luncheon is paired with some of Merryvale’s best wines. Then spend the afternoon touring the area, including a visit to Copia, the American Center for Wine Food and the Arts. Conceived by Robert Mondavi with assistance from Julia Child, Eleanor Coppola, Martha Stewart, Alice Waters, and Wayne Thiebaud, Copia highlights everything that Napa Valley has to offer. Part of your comprehensive tour of the facility and its exhibits will be a lecture from a local sommelier or chef on wine or food. This evening your Farewell Dinner is served in the elegant dining cars on board the train. (B,L,D)

Day 7-8

San Francisco, California
A week of fabulous adventures. After breakfast, your GrandLuxe train arrives in Oakland, the final stop of your rail tour. After a short transfer spend the next two nights at the Westin St. Francis hotel; San Francisco’s historic flagship hotel. This great multi-national city offers an exciting assortment of entertainment options ranging from various shows, theatres, museums restaurants, shopping and more.

Day 9

After a short morning flight into Los Angeles; embark this afternoon on the Norwegian Star for the start of your Mexican Riviera cruise. Cruise is scheduled to depart at 4.00pm

Day 10

At Sea

Day 11

At Sea

Day 12-13

Acapulco - Arrive 12.00pm; overnight - Depart 12.30am
This stop will give you an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Acapulco. Stop at El Mirador, above La Quebrada, to enjoy a snack and drink while admiring the world-famous cliff divers. Marvel at the incredible beauty of the panoramic landscape and the bays of Acapulco and Puerto Marques. Continue to the outskirts of town and pass by one of two impressive hotels in the Acapulco Diamante hotel zone, the Acapulco Princess Hotel, constructed to resemble an Aztec Pyramid, or the Mayan Palace Hotel, built to resemble a Mayan Temple.

Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa Arrive 07.00am - Depart 2.00pm
See why this city is famed for its culture and history. Explore the local fish market, the town’s commercial hub and then to the town square to the church where your guide will impart its rich history. Cool off with a Popsicle, visit the museum and shop

Day 14

Puerto Vallarta Arrive 0900am - Depart 5.00pm
Take the opportunity to see the best of Puerto Vallarta including its Old Town, a visit to City Hall and the Cathedral of the Lady of Guadalupe. See Elizabeth Taylor and the late Richard Burton’s homes at Gringo Gulch and we pass the Conchas Chinas area too

Day 15

Cabo San Lucas Arrive 0800am - Depart 4.00pm
So much to see. Start by viewing the geographic beauty, the desert terrain, impressive coastline with rugged rock formations. Then be impressed by the local glass blowers at the glass factory. Continue on to San Jose del Cabo; stop at a cactus garden, then off to a restaurant for a drink.

Day 16

At Sea

Day 17

Los Angeles – Arrive 7.00 AM
Disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking. Independent transfer to the airport for you flight back to the UK

Day 18

Arrive back in the UK at your chosen airport

The Norwegian Star was built for Freestyle Cruising, with a long list of options for every type of client. You’ll have 13 superb choices for dining, with tempting selections that range from Asian fusion and French Mediterranean to all-American. There is a wide array of staterooms and suites to accommodate however you choose to spend your time on board, so treat yourself with a no-rules, freedom filled cruise north to Alaska’s pristine waters

What is included

Transatlantic flights on scheduled airlines
6 nights accommodation on the GrandLux Railway in Vintage Pullman cabin
2 nights accommodation in San Francisco in a 5 star hotel
Domestic flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles
8 nights NCL Freestyle cruising® on Norwegian Star based on Inside Stateroom
All meals and entertainment aboard ship and rail journey
All government fees and taxes – airline taxes and fuel surcharges