American Orient Express The Great Transcontinental Rail Journey May 11-20 Led by Karl Zimmermann ITINERARY DAY 1 - WASHINGTON, D.C. / BOARD THE AMERICAN ORIENT EXPRESS In the early afternoon we meet at The Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. for a welcome reception. After boarding the train, we head south, through the rolling hills of Virginia and into South Carolina's piney low country. This evening, dinner is served in the dining cars as we overnight en route to Charleston. (D) DAY 2 - CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA We're in the South! Thanks to exceptional preservation efforts, Charleston greets us this morning with grand restored homes and immaculate cobblestone streets. We tour the historic district by horse-drawn carriage, and our guide shares the area's history as we move along the Battery, overlooking Charleston Harbor. After lunch, we visit Magnolia Plantation and its extensive gardens. This early home to the Drayton family maintains an outstanding collection of antiques, a wildlife sanctuary and a history that dates back 13 generations to the pre-colonial period. (B,L,D) DAY 3 - SAVANNAH, GEORGIA The port city of Savannah epitomizes antebellum grandeur, from its planned public squares and ornate architectural details, to the sprawling live oaks draped with Spanish moss. We tour the historic district by foot and by trolley, past restored Georgian row houses and literary landmarks. After a dose of southern hospitality and a progressive lunch served in private historic mansions, you are free to explore River Street and the city Market. Or choose to visit Fort Pulaski, for a tour focusing on the fort's role in the Civil War. (B,L,D) DAY 4 - RAIL TO NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA Enjoy a leisurely morning on board, riding the rails through the rural back-country of the south, across Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. Sit back, relax and partake in a lecture or the afternoon tea, prepared by our onboard pastry chef. Today offers perfect opportunities to explore the train, experience the changing landscape with optimal viewing in the dome car, and generally get a sense of the luxury that defined rail travel in the streamliner era. This evening, we enjoy dinner and overnight en route to New Orleans. (B,L,D) DAY 5 - NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA New Orleans is a city consumed with cool jazz, steamy night life, and Cajun and Creole cooking. The architecture here is awe-inspiring, and life is tempered by the unique mix of cultures and traditions. This morning we tour the Garden District and the St. Louis Cemetery. After lunch in the French Quarter, choose a guided walking tour of this eclectic section of town or explore and shop on your own. (B,L,D) DAY 6 - SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS After lunch on board we tour historic San Antonio, with visits to the missions of San Jose and the Alamo. The beautiful Mission San Jose, founded in 1720, is about five miles from the Alamo. The Alamo earned its fame almost two centuries ago for the tragic role it played during the Texas War for Independence. We board a barge and enjoy a leisurely tour along the famous San Antonio Riverwalk. Return to the train for dinner and overnight en route to Santa Fe. (B,L,D) DAY 7 --- RAIL TO SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO Riding the rails through stretches of western Texas, we enjoy the amenities of the train today and the ever-changing landscapes just outside our windows, including Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. This is a perfect opportunity to sit back, participate in the lecture series, and just enjoy yourself. We discover the history of the Rio Grande while following its river bed north -- the route the Spanish took between old Mexico and Santa Fe in the 1600s. This afternoon our onboard pastry chef presents afternoon tea in the lounge car, with pastries baked that day on the train. We pass ranch lands and follow the Rio Grande as we make our way northwest. (B,L,D) DAY 8 - SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO With New Mexico's stunning landscape as our backdrop, we experience the Spanish Colonial charm of Santa Fe, with a walking tour of the Old Plaza, the heart of the original 1609 Spanish settlement. This afternoon, we lunch at a local restaurant, with free time to browse museums, shops and galleries. Back on the train, we head over the Continental Divide into the sunset, silhouetting unusual rock formations in the desert, as we enjoy dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) DAY 9 - GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA The unparalleled majesty of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River greets us this morning. With its unfathomable dimensions -- 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and a mile deep -- this geologic wonder is perhaps the nation's most spectacular. We spend the day at the South Rim, where the constant play of light and shadow profoundly changes the colors of the plateaus and mesas within the chasm. From a stop at Yavapai Point, we are given the option to hike to El Tovar, a landmark hotel built in 1905, or continue on to the Mather Point Visitor Center for more spectacular views of the canyon. We lunch at the canyon, with time to stroll along the South Rim from the Hopi House to historic Bright Angel Lodge and Kolb Studio. (B,L,D)  DAY 10 - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA Our American Orient Express adventure ends in late-morning in Los Angeles, where you are free to sightsee or transfer to the airport for individual flights home. (B) Tour Prices Retail Price 90-179 Days Prior 180+ Days Prior Vintage Pullman $4,290 $3,990 $3,790 Single Sleeper $6,490 $6,190 $5,990 Parlor Suite $6,690 $6,390 $6,190 Classic Presidential  $6,990 $6,690 $6,490 Grand Suite $7,290 $6,990 $6,790 Sleeping Accommodations: Vintage Pullman Upper and lower beds, converted full-size couch, private sink and water closet. Single Sleeper Lower bed, converted single sofa seat, private sink, and water closet. Parlor Suite Larger cabin with two lower beds, and an extra upper converted bed, full couch, seat, private sink and water closet. Hand-held shower. Presidential Suite Double-size cabin with two lower beds, two converted single sofa seats or a converted couch, private sink, water closet and shower. Grand Suite Larger cabin with two lower beds in an "L" configuration, converted full-size couch and converted single sofa seat, pull-out table, private sink, water closet and shower. Terms & Conditions Included Nights on board the American Orient Express as indicated in the itinerary o welcome and farewell receptions on the train o all meals as described in the brochure o soft drinks, bottled water and house wine with dinner on board the train o all excursions and other group activities as described in the brochure o complete program of lectures and presentations o qualified tour managers throughout the trip o baggage handling o gratuities to local guides, escorts and drivers o amenities package. Not Included Airfare and taxes o accident / baggage / cancellation insurance o airport or hotel transfers o personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, fax charges and taxis o liquor o traditional gratuities to train staff. Group Discount Incentive Save $500 per person when you make a reservation with The Society of International Railway Travelers. Please note this discount is capacity controlled, subject to availability and cannot be combined with other American Orient Express offers. Reservations / Initial Deposit To reserve your place on this program, contact The Society of International Railway Travelers' Tour Desk at 800-478-4881 or 502-454-0277 and place a deposit of $500 per person with a major credit card. Alternatively, you may send a check, made payable to The Society of International Railway Travelers. Please indicate your trip name and departure date. As a booking bonus, Society members will receive a complimentary one-year's extension of their membership. Not a member? Book this trip and receive one-year's complimentary membership.  Final Payment Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure (March 12, 2005). Checks and most major credit cards are accepted for final payment. Cancellation, Refunds & Transfer Fees Deposits are refundable, less a $250 per person cancellation fee, until 60 days prior to departure (March 12, 2005). Less than 60 days prior to departure, no refunds can be made (including, but not limited to, additional components such as hotel nights, airfare and optional tours). "Name changes" are considered a cancellation and applicable fees and / or penalties apply. We highly recommend travel insurance. American Orient Express has many contractual and financial commitments with hotel properties, transport operators, guiding services and restaurants. Due to these commitments and the costly charges that result from cancellations and / or transfers from passengers, the full cancellation penalty will apply regardless of the reason, or whether the booking is transferred to another tour departure. Cancellation and applicable penalty will be based on the date that the notice is received in the American Orient Express Downers Grove office. Insurance The Society of International Railway Travelers provides optional trip cancellation and interruption insurance through Travelex Insurance Services. This insurance covers participant cancellations, emergency medical evacuation, accident and sickness coverage. It also covers other reasons you may need to cancel: strike, weather and burglary, among others. Also, this insurance provides a pre-existing condition waiver if you purchase full coverage within 21 days of making your initial trip deposit. We will send you a brochure upon confirmation of your booking, or in advance if requested.  Eligibility We consider these trips mildly physical programs, involving some walking, stair climbing and elevations over 8,000 feet. Life on the train is relaxed and casual. All members of the trip are expected to be in good health and able to either walk on own or with the assistance of a traveling companion, and enjoy traveling as part of a group. Please advise us of any special medical or dietary conditions. ADA Policy The American Orient Express was refurbished before the American Disabilities Act; and therefore, it does not comply with ADA standards. Certain safety regulations affecting the design of the train may cause difficulty for persons with limited mobility. The carriages cannot accommodate wheelchairs or walkers. The hallways in the sleeping carriages are 24 inches wide, and doorways leading into the cabins are 18 inches wide. Smoking Policy Smoking is limited to vestibule areas only. Smoking is not permitted in the train's sitting, dining or sleeping carriages or on any motorcoaches. Currency Fares are quoted and payable in U.S. dollars. Photography American Orient Express reserves the right to take photographs during the operation of any tour and while on the train. These photographs may be used in the future by American Orient Express for the use of promotional materials. By booking a reservation with American Orient Express, passengers agree to allow their image to appear in such photographs. Passengers who prefer that their image not be used are asked to notify the tour leader at the commencement of their tour, once on the train. Meals Meals that are included in the tour packages are noted at the end of each day's itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) Special Diets Special diets should be specified either at the time of booking or on the Personal and Health Information Forms included in your Preliminary Document Package in order that we may do all that is possible to accommodate your request. Optional Tour Disclaimer Excursions, transportation and other services arranged for American Orient Express passengers on optional tours are provided by independent contractors, not American Orient Express, as further defined in your Passage Agreement. American Orient Express acts as an agent only with respect to these optional services; it does not control or operate and is not responsible for actions of the operators providing the services. Tickets for these optional services and refunds, therefore, are subject to the terms and conditions set forth by these operators. American Orient Express passengers using the optional services agree that American Orient Express is not liable for any loss, death, injury or other damage to person or property arising out of or in any way connected with the optional services. Passengers should carefully read and understand the terms and conditions of the optional services provided by the independent contractors. Air and Hotel Supplement Program Extra hotel nights and round-trip air from a variety of gateways in the 48 contiguous United States can be arranged. Please call IRT at 800-478-4881 for more information. The availability of the Air Supplement Program may be limited from each gateway. American Orient Express reserves the right to withdraw any gateway without prior notice. Air prices are based on airfares in effect at time of printing and are subject to change. American Orient Express reserves the right to schedule air itineraries in accordance with tour schedule and flight availability. Air date deviations are subject to additional air charges. Seat assignments and special requests such as meals and wheelchairs are the passenger's responsibility and must be made directly with air carrier(s). Airline tickets issued by American Orient Express have restrictions and cannot be exchanged for an alternate carrier or routing. Cancellation or change fees may be assessed by an airline for any changes made to an itinerary; any changes incurred by voluntary itinerary changes are the responsibility of the passenger. American Orient Express is not liable for any penalties, costs or losses incurred to persons holding air tickets not issued by its air department in the event of changes in airline or tour schedules, airline irregularities, space availability or acts of God. Responsibility The Society of International Railway Travelers, Inc. (IRT) and American Orient Express act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and hotels and exercise every care possible. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident or irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, ship motorcoach, train or other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. We cannot accept responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, acts of God or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make alterations to this published itinerary. The right is reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline or accept or to retain any person as a member of the tour. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour. The price of the program is based on tariffs and rates in effect in October, 2004, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate or fuel surcharge will be passed on to the participants. Baggage is carried at the owner's risk. It is understood that the air ticket, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. The Society of International Railway Travelers and American Orient Express accept no liability for the carrier's cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of non-refundable tickets connected with the tour.  Complaints The stated mission of The Society of International Railway Travelers is to offer the very best in rail travel around the globe for our members. However, if you have a complaint during your journey, please bring it to the attention to your tour leader right away. Should the problem remain unsolved, please write to the Society at its main office at 1810 Sils Ave., Louisville, KY 40205. Our desire is to set things right. We cannot accept liability for any claims not made to us in writing within two months of completion of your journey. We also cannot tender any refunds for any reason outside the terms set forth above. All claims will be settled by arbitration in Louisville, Kentucky. The Society of International Railway Travelers 1810 Sils Ave., Louisville, KY 40205 800-478-4881 or 502-454-0277

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