North America

If holidaying in North America poses one problem, it's 'where to begin'? North America possess a daunting variety of fabulous towns and cities to visit, man-made and natural wonders to marvel at and pleasureable activities to partake in.

Planning an itinerary which captures the highlights of either the USA or Canada, seamlessly integrates all necessary accommodation and transport and is guaranteed to please everyone can be a logistical nightmare.

A far better plan is to let Great Rail Journeys do all of the hard work for you. Specialising in the provision of quality escorted rail tours for more than thirty years, we offer unforgettable rail holidays in the USA and rail tours of Canada.

Leisure time is also built into our itineraries, giving you the freedom to add your own activities such as a boat trip to the foot of Niagara Falls, a stroll along Hollywood's iconic Walk of Fame or a helicopter flight over Toronto. Alternatively you may simply choose to relax and enjoy your hotel's facilities.

At Great Rail Journeys, we hand-pick accommodation that is suitably located and offers excellent value, facilities and service. Whenever possible we choose hotels that are locally run so guests can enjoy a more personal atmosphere. Sometimes, accommodation can be a highlight of the tour for example, selected tours in the USA include a night aboard the RMS Queen Mary.

Our professional staff are very familiar with the places you will visit and know all the essential details, from must-see places to the best eateries in town. Local guides are also used on a variety of activities and are happy to share their knowledge of the immediate area and its attractions.

Occupying almost five percent of the earth's surface, North America is the third largest continent. Accounting for the majority of North America's area, The USA and neighbouring Canada, share many of the same attributes - varied landscapes of ravishing natural beauty, iconic cities and rich cultures and histories - which make them endlessly enjoyable and rewarding to explore. Side by side, however, if the USA is imagined as the world's greatest theme park, Canada must surely be its best adventure playground.

Canada spans six time zones, such is its size, but every inch of space beyond its towns and cities is occupied with vast, breath-taking landscapes. The country boasts thirty-seven National Parks and a further eight National Park Reserves which between them cover every kind of terrain from grasslands to glaciers. This makes Canada an unrivalled destination for all kinds of outdoor activities from hiking and wildlife-spotting to snow-sports and mountain climbing.

Canada's climate is as varied as its scenery and will differ depending upon location. In summer, the western prairies tend to be hot and dry, central and southern areas experience humidity with the heat, whilst coastal areas remain milder. Spring and autumn are both generally temperate throughout Canada although rainfall is greater in the west. Winters can be extremely cold and snowy with temperatures commonly dropping below -20°C.

It's difficult to imagine a visitor that the USA doesn't cater for. Like Canada, the country is blessed with areas of magnificent scenery and natural wonders, but the USA's colourful and diverse history, culture and entertainments are equally compelling. Music lovers, wildlife-spotters, sports fanatics, sun-worshippers, gastronomes and culture buffs will all find plenty to delight them in the USA but for those who want it all, there could be few better ways to experience a little of everything that the country has to offer than by making the legendary journey from coast to coast.