American Orient Express:
Pacific Coast ExplorerCulinary ThemeOctober 24-31, 2004
8 days, 7 nightsSeattle · Portland · Napa Valley · San Francisco ·
San Simeon · Los Angeles
DAY 1 - SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
We meet at the Hotel Monaco Seattle for our private champagne reception and welcome dinner. We overnight at the hotel. (D)DAY 2 - SEATTLE / BOARD THE AMERICAN ORIENT EXPRESS
This morning greets us with stunning views of Mount Saint Helens and Mount Rainier as we head out with the American Orient Express chef for a morning at Pike's Market. The vibrant market is abuzz with people delivering fresh meats and vegetables and transactions out in the open air. Their will be plenty of time to explore the towering stands of fresh produce, bins of organic herbs and exotic mushrooms and to watch the legendary fish-tossing workers at the seafood counters. After lunch at a local restaurant, we board the American Orient Express and head to Portland. (B,L,D)
DAY 3 - PORTLAND, OREGON
The Columbia and Willamette Rivers converge at Portland, a well-planned community known for culinary creativity, microbreweries and exquisite test gardens. We enjoy a guided city tour, emphasizing this region's contributions to the gourmet scene, with a special visit to Clear Creek Distillery, where they feature the highest quality Pear Brandy in America, along with other spirits that utilize the fruits of Oregon's bountiful orchards. We have lunch at a local restaurant, then carry on to the spectacular Multnomah Falls. Afterward, we visit the Bonneville Dam Fish Ladders. As our guide explains, these special steps have been engineered to allow Pacific Northwest Salmon to ascend the dam. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 - EN ROUTE TO NAPA VALLEY
Wake up this morning to the breathtaking vista of northern California - green and lush, its fertile soil and sunny atmosphere create superb growing conditions for the finest produce marketed throughout the world. We spend a leisurely day on board enjoying the amenities of the train. Today's lecture series focuses on the cultural influences on culinary traditions - a perfect complement to our recent adventures. Later our pastry chef presents afternoon tea, as views of the mountains, including Mount Shasta and Mount Lassen, rise above the pine forests. (B,L,D)DAY 5 - NAPA VALLEY
The endless rows of grape arbors passing by our windows leave no doubt - we're in wine country. Napa Valley supports about 250 vineyards and wineries in a 25-mile-long area. The lush rolling countryside invites us to indulge in its fruits, and we abide with a tour of Domaine Carneros and a sampling of their superb sparkling wines. Later, we stop at the Merryvale Winery for a private, specially catered candlelight lunch in the Cask Room cellar - paired with selected fine wines - followed by guided exploration of the property. Overnight in San Francisco's elegant Hotel Ritz, with time to explore the city independently this evening. Dinner will be at your leisure. (B,L)
DAY 6 - SAN FRANCISCO
Culturally rich and diverse, San Francisco sets culinary trends that influence the entire country. Some of the country's finest and most exciting restaurants are located here, and innovative fusion and techniques are created in their world-class kitchens. Today, we set out on a guided culinary tour through this spectacular and historic city, with a special walking tour of Chinatown. Or participate in a cooking class with an Epicurean San Francisco chef. Learn how to prepare a gourmet meal and then revel in the culinary delights that are created just for you. This afternoon we board the train in Oakland and make our way over the rolling California countryside toward Paso Robles. (B,L,D)
DAY 7 - SAN SIMEON / HEARST CASTLE
This morning we journey to Hearst Castle, a 165-room, 127-acre estate built by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. Atop a mountain that overlooks the Pacific, the extravagant San Simeon abode harbors an extensive collection of antiques and fine art. Later, we visit Eberle Winery for lunch prepared by the culinary staff of the American Orient Express and expertly paired with the vineyard's fine wines. Tonight we enjoy our farewell cocktail reception and dinner aboard the train. (B,L,D)DAY 8- LOS ANGELES
This morning, we journey south along California's bold and breathtaking coastline of windswept cliffs and white sandy beaches, finally reaching our destination and the end of our American Orient Express journey. We will detrain in the late morning for return flights home. (B)This tour includes:
- Overnight at the Hotel Monaco Seattle with welcome cocktail reception and private dinner on the first night
- Deluxe rail accommodations for 5 nights
- Overnight stay at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
- 6 dinners with complimentary wine, 6 lunches, 7 full American breakfasts and optional continental breakfasts
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Napa Valley wine tastings; professionally guided tours of Hearst Castle, Muir Woods, San Francisco and Portland
- Comprehensive lecture series
- Live piano music nightly
- Personal service by rail car attendant
- Farewell cocktail reception2004 Rates
*To qualify for special group rates, tour must be booked by April 27, 2004.
Special group rate* Retail price Vintage Pullman $2,690 $3,190 Single Sleeper $3,990 $4,490 Parlor Suite $4,190 $4,690 Deluxe Suite $4,490 $4,990 Presidential Suite $4,790 $5,290 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.
Deluxe Suite
Larger cabin with two lower beds in an "L" configuration, converted full-size couch and converted single sofa seat, table, private sink, water closet and 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.Terms & Conditions
Included:
Hotels as indicated in the itinerary · first night private welcome reception and dinner · introductions and briefing · full American breakfast at hotel · hotel gratuities and taxes · nights on board the American Orient Express as indicated in the itinerary · welcome and farewell receptions on the train · all meals as described in the brochure · soft drinks, bottled water and house wine with dinner on board the train · all excursions and other group activities as described in the brochure · complete program of lectures and presentations · qualified tour managers throughout the trip · baggage handling · gratuities to local guides, escorts and drivers · amenities package · live entertainment on train.Not Included:
Airfare and taxes · accident / baggage / cancellation insurance · airport or hotel transfers · personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, fax charges and taxis · liquor · traditional gratuities to train staff.Group Discount Incentive
Save $500 per person when you make a reservation with The Society of International Railway Travelers by April 27, 2004. 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 and reservation number.Final Payment
Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. 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. 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 14 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 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 March, 2003, 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.
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-IRT-4881
www.irtsociety.com
