IRT SOCIETY TOURS - 2000
(Please click on tour name to see detailed itinerary.)

An Austrian Railway Feast (April 30-May 14) - Join Senor Tour Director George Drury on this very popular tour. Included are scenic mainlines such as the first standard-gauge mountain railway over the Semmimering Pass; meter- and smaller-gauge lines such as the Murtalbahn, the Achenseebahn, the famed Mariazellerbahn and the tiny steam Zillertalbahn. Extensive visits to Vienna, Graz, Salzburg and Innsbruck - and their trams and urban trains - also are included as is Mr. Drury's excellent guide book, "A Railfan's Guide to Austria."

The Three Faces of Switzerland: A Railfan's Quest (May 16-29) -Join rail guide author George Drury on a wonderful journey through the French, Italian and German parts of Switzerland. From the Alps to Ticino, this trip is packed with a plethora of great trains and trams and wonderful hotels. Our homes will include lovely four-star hotels on Lakes Geneva anad Maggiore, and in Zurich and Lucerne. A copy of Mr. Drury's guide book "A Railfan's Guide to Switzerland" is included in the tour price.

Fjordland Fantasy: A Scandinavian Rail Journey (July 2-14) - "It was the best vacation I ever had!" This was just one of the comments from travelers aboard the Society's 1998 Scandinavian rail journey. Sample the best of this region with all four-star hotels, first-class trains, some of the most scenic journeys in the world and expert guide Dr. Anthony Perl, one of IRT's senior contributing editors and an internationally known expert on rail transportation. Click here for detailed itinerary.

The Canadian Rockies by Rail - and More (Aug. 1-8) - Come delight in one of the most beautiful regions in the entire world - sparkling Vancouver, B.C. and the Rocky Mountains of Canada! We board two of the top rail experiences in the world - with their top classes of service - VIA's Canadian, and The Rocky Mountaineer. The hotels are all four and five-star. "Nothing could surpass this except for another IRT tour," said James Carter of Roanoke, VA. "Wonderful! Outstanding. Excellent" Dave and Phyllis Prizer of Spring City, PA.

A Customized Journey Through Southern Africa (Sept. 1-20) -Two of the world's 20 best railway trips in the world - Rovos Rail and the Blue Train - plus the Train de Luxe, pulled by Zimbabwe Railways' massive double-articulated steam Garratts and the all-steam-hauled Union Limited - are the rail highlights. Add in all-five-star hotels and visits to a private game reserve, Victoria Falls, Johannesburg, and one of the world's most beautiful cities, Cape Town, and you have one magnificent trip. This tour will sell out, so book early!

In the Path of the Rajas: India's Palace on Wheels (Oct. 28-Nov. 8) - Join IRT President Owen Hardy as he climbs aboard one of the most famous trains in the world, The Palace on Wheels. Originally the personal railway coaches of the rulers of the princely states of India, today's Palace on Wheels is fully air-conditioned and includes two restaurant coaches and a lounge coach with bar and attached library. The chambers are twin-bedded, with complete attached private bath/shower. Tour colorful Rajasthan aboard this magnificent train. Plus this exciting pre-tour option: "Journey into the Clouds: The Darjeeling Himalayan Toy Train," as well post-tour Bombay visit and ride on India's crack overnight Rajdhani Express; and journey to Kathmandu and jungles of Nepal.

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