The Award Winning Leader in Escorted Worldwide Rail Holidays
Set on the shores of the vast Lake Michigan, the 'Windy City' of Chicago is the capital of the state of Illinois. The area was first settled by Europeans in the early 19th century, though by 1830 it still had a population of just fifty. However, it was able to develop as a centre for trade with the more established East Coast cities; when the railway reached it in 1848, Chicago soon became the largest railway hub in the world. By 1900, the city was home to more than two million people, and it is now the third most populous city in the USA.
Today, Chicago boasts a magnificent skyline along with many highly-rated museums, restaurants and cafés. Naturally for such a large city, there are a range of diverse activities to be enjoyed here. The 110-storey Willis Tower was the world's tallest building on its completion in 1974, and has a great observation deck for views over, on a clear day, four states - Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana.
The nearby Hancock Centre also offers fantastic views of Chicago, with some excellent refreshment facilities at the top. Millennium Park, with its interesting sculptures, is also worth a visit. Boat trips (with guided commentary) are available, with themed trips including an "Architecture of Chicago" tour. The 'Magnificent Mile' of North Michigan Avenue offers excellent shopping opportunities, and nobody should leave Chicago without taking a ride on the "Loop" - Chicago's famous and iconic overhead metro.
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime coast to coast rail journey across the most diverse country in the world! Your photo album will include many of America's highlights including the Statue of Liberty, the White House, the Wild West, the Rockies, the Grand Canyon, Hollywood Boulevard and the Golden Gate Bridge.
… see more20 days from £3,995 pp
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Discover the vibrant, varied United States on a once in a lifetime journey that takes you to some of America's most famous sights including Alcatraz, the Las Vegas strip, the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls.
… see more19 days from £4,395 pp
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Experience the USA in style on this enhanced version of our successful USA Coast to Coast tour, staying in many unique hotels entangled with key moments in American history. Take in the Rockies by rail, enjoy a dinner cruise around the San Francisco Bay and view the Grand Canyon on a heritage rail journey.
… see more20 days from £6,795 pp
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Explore the USA from New York to San Francisco, on a 15-day Stateside adventure by rail. Travel on iconic Amtrak trains and visit incredible American cities en-route, from bustling Washington D.C. to Chicago, Denver and Salt Lake City, for a comprehensive tour of the United States.
… see more15 days
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Beginning and ending in London, we travel just under 23,000 miles across the globe on this incredible worldwide adventure. Starting in the iconic 'Big Apple', we chart a course across the heartland of America, to the West Coast. From there, we cross the Pacific into Asia and immerse ourselves in the rich legacies of China, before boarding the iconic Tsar's Gold Train for the journey across Russia. For the final leg of the journey, we head into central Europe, south through the imperial cities to Venice, boarding the luxurious Simplon-Orient- Express for the journey home.
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… see more50 days
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Lived up to 'premium' expectations. Well organised and managed. Group size just right. Good balance between organised and free time. Fantastic hotels - quality and location.
very well organised and great value for money.tour guide Chris was fab,didnt intrude too much but told us what we needed to know.hotels very good quality,loved not having to deal with our suitcases and all the coach drivers we had were really good,especially Tom who took us up and down the mountain in the snow safe and sound.Denver and thd Rockies were disappointing,would have liked to have stayed jn Chicagoi longer instead.hated the sleeper compartment, would have preferred to have slept in a normal seat,they were far comfier but apart from that, everything else was amazing,would definately travel with you again and recommend you.
By Jack Stacey
5 June 2019
For this blog, in honour of the British-American state visit, we’re going to be looking at those presidents who have left an indelible mark on the literal political landscape.
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By Katie Shaw
8 April 2019
Iconic rail journeys, authentic cowboy ranches, hungry gators and energetic cities: it’s the final instalment of Tony Robinson’s worldwide rail adventure, and he’s in the grand old USA.
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By Lorna Heatley
8 February 2019
It’s not rare for an immigrant community to band together in foreign countries and make a home-away-from-home.
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By Katie Shaw
6 December 2018
While it’s well known that here at Great Rail Journeys we are passionate about rail travel, it just so happens that we believe aviation is something to be celebrated, too!
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Excellent tour. Great breadth of experience. Well organised. Good city tours. We were given time on our own to explore different cities.