A journey to the Maritimes

I must admit that I had never considered heading out to the Maritimes by train; although eating, reading and watching the landscape roll by for long hours with the comforting sounds of a train is a pastime that I thoroughly enjoyed during many years that I spent in Europe. The train is not only pleasant – but it is a great place to get to know a landscape, to talk to people and really journey somewhere.

News of a recently launched service has lead me to reconsider my summer plans, which already include a cultural visit to Nova Scotia. I am scheduled to fly. Now, I am reconsidering.

VIA Rail has caught on to the notion that rail travel and the cultures that inhabit the landscape are interconnected with the launch of their Maritime Learning Experience. The cultural navigator that I am appreciates how this railway company has chosen to make travelling by train an educational experience. Thumbs up!

The railway company has enhanced its Sleeper Touring class between Montreal and New Brunswick or Nova Scotia to include a learning coordinator who engages passengers about the culture and customs of the Maritimes. Socializing also takes place in a 360 degree panoramic dome car where you dine on sumptuous dishes including fillet of beef, grilled halibut or crispy crab-cakes!

The Maritime Learning Experience is an upgrade to Via Rail’s sleeper class, but it promises interactive presentations and the possibility to acquire knowledge about the folklore, history and culture of a region that has many stories to tell. The Ocean runs from Montreal to Halifax six times a week throughout the year, with the educational program ending on October 12th.

For more information on train schedules or to book a trip anywhere in the VIA system, customers can visit VIA’s Web site at viarail.ca. Passengers also can book their tickets by calling 1 888 VIA-RAIL (1 888 842-7245), TTY 1 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired), or through their travel agent.