Trans-Canada by VIARail, from Quebec City to Vancouver

We had a wonderful trip which included stops in Toronto, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff Springs, Jasper again, and Vancouver. We had an opportunity to drive to and walk across the Columbia Ice Fields and take the gondola ride at Banff. Our hotel accommodations were superb, and we also had superb assistance at the front end from an amazing trip planner who helped us with the details of the trip and sent us detailed instructions that provided a day-by-day outline of our activities. I cannot say enough about her, including, apparently, her name. She was terrific.

A couple of small things could have been improved. We were confused as to how much time to allow for the gondola ride, because the trip plan said 2 hours, but it turns out that it was 8 minutes each way, and we could have stayed at little as 20 minutes or longer if we chose. This detail would have been helpful in planning our checking out of our hotel, etc. I think we got a little tired of the one-night-per-site aspect of the end of the trip, but i'm not sure there's any solution to that, other than staying a lot longer for a lot more money. We didn't have enough energy to explore the places in the Rockies because we had to focus on checking in, out and how much time we had between. Our energy level had more to do with that. The Rockies were spectacular, and being on a real glacier was an experience. The one thing I would suggest changing about the trip, and this is a VIARail issue, not a Fresh Tracks issue, and that is being able to use a credit card for all bills on board the train. This is what the cruise ships do, and it's very convenient not to have to worry about currency for tips, etc. And getting drinks was a bit more complicated because we couldn't keep arunning tab, but had to pay different people at meals and at other times if we wanted drinks. These are rather small issues, but would make the trip easier if they could be addressed The reservations were handled very competently and it was nice not to have to worry about planning things. We are grateful for that.