Family train fun in wintry Canada

For families who are fans of travelling by rail then there are holidays all over the world that let you spend lots of time gazing out at the passing landscape.

However, few landscapes can rival the beauty of North America's Rocky Mountains in Western Canada.

Among the ways of getting out and seeing the great mountain views is to make a journey on the Rocky Mountaineer train.

On a two-day trip from western Canada up to the Canadian Rockies, the Rocky Mountaineer offers holidaymakers non-stop views of snow-covered peaks and icy lakes, as well as plenty of Christmassy fir trees.

For December, the train's special station in Vancouver will be festively decorated, and there will be a special coach with children's entertainment, with songs, decoration making and games onboard, as well as a special mid-route stop for children to meet Santa.

For adults, entertainment comes in the form of a specially renovated coach featuring dancing, live jazz music and a bar serving festive drinks including mulled wine and spiced eggnog.

The train has two classes of travel, with top class offering extras such as two-storey glass-domed coaches, and a wider range of menu options as well as seasonal dishes such as turkey with all the trimmings. The children's menu features grizzly bear-themed pancakes and train-themed pasta.

Departure dates for the two-day rail journey are December 19th and 27th 2006, eastbound from Vancouver to Banff, and December 21st and 29th 2006, westbound from Banff to Vancouver, with coach transfers to or from Calgary also available.

Prices start from £279 per adult in RedLeaf. In GoldLeaf, the journey costs £575 per adult. All prices include two breakfast and lunch meals, overnight hotel accommodation and dinner in Kamloops, British Columbia.

If two-days is not enough, then Rocky Mountaineer Vacations also has an extended winter rail package lasting six or seven nights which includes a night in Vancouver, as well as the two-day rail journey to Banff.

Once in Banff, holidaymakers have a choice of Canadian winter activities including skating, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, dogsledding, walks and skiing.

The package includes six nights accommodation, some meals, a tour of Banff, including admission to the Whyte Museum, transfers and admission to the Vancouver Lookout and Calgary Tower.

The journey starts in Vancouver on December 18th and 26th and in Calgary on December 17th and 25th, with prices from £639 per adult, based on two sharing.

For more information see www.winterrailvacations.com

Flights with Air Canada are available from £595 per person. For more information see www.aircanada.com XXX