Saw this article about a luxury train called Rocky
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adventurous thrills are all well and good, but sometimes what we want most out of a vacation is simply some time to unplug and unwind from the daily stresses of modern life.
Here are ten ways to Relax with a capital R on your next Rocky Mountaineer adventure in the Pacific Northwest and Canadian Rockies.
1. Sit back and watch the scenery pass by.
Train travel is inherently relaxing, and Rocky Mountaineer brings the ultimate in luxury and comfort. From the soothing outdoor vestibule to the expertly mixed cocktails, every moment on your journey is designed to maximize relaxation. So settle in, and watch some of the world’s most beautiful natural landscapes sail quietly past your glass-domed car.
2. Go spa-hopping in Vancouver.
Vancouver is rife with fabulous spas just waiting for you to indulge. Why pick just one? Head to Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Pacific Rim for stunning panoramas of Burrard Inlet from their fifth-floor terrace before indulging in the Japanese Zen tub and a seaweed and thermal salt scrub. Then mosey over to the Greco-Roman-styled Spa Utopia at the Pan Pacific Hotel for a signature aromatherapy massage. Top off the day with a chocolate-vanilla body treatment at The Spa at the Wedgewood Hotel. Aaaah, bliss.
3. [Spend the night in a tree sphere.
/color]Yes, a tree sphere. For a night unlike anything you’ve ever experienced, the Free Spirit Spheres of Vancouver Island beckon. Hop on the ferry from Vancouver and venture into a coastal rainforest oasis dotted with three custom-made spherical tree houses equipped with beds and bathrooms. What’s more tranquil than being nestled in a maple tree, swaying softly to sleep? Not much.
4. Enjoy culinary excellence on the go.
Rocky Mountaineer’s GoldLeaf guests are invited downstairs each day on the train for breakfast and lunch in the elegant dining car, while SilverLeaf service enjoys their meal right at the seats as the scenery passes them by. Sit down with a glass of wine and let internationally trained Executive Chefs Jean Pierre Guerin and Frédéric Couton wow you with their fabulous dishes inspired by local ingredients. Five-star dining without even leaving the train? Talk about comfort food…
5. Find your bliss in Jasper, Alberta.
The alpine town of Jasper, tucked between snow-capped peaks and winding glacier-fed rivers, is an excellent place to unwind Rocky Mountain style. At the Mountain Wellness Day Spa, you can indulge in a three and a half hour Rocky Mountain Rejuvenation package with a heavenly honey, milk and lavender bath, a tension-relieving aromatherapy massage, a facial, and a sumptuous warm milk and flower petal mani-pedi.
6. [Soak your cares away in the Canadian Rockies hot springs.
/color]Banff Upper Hot Springs, Radium Hot Springs, Miette Hot Springs: take your pick. Each Rocky Mountain hot spring has its own unique blend of minerals, gases, and temperature, and each guarantees some serious relaxation. Spend a day soaking amidst the beautiful alpine surroundings, and feel your worries melt away.
7. [Get pampered at the Scandinave Spa in Whistler/color].
This tranquil haven, tucked into a spruce and cedar forest on the edge of Lost Lake in Whistler, BC, is the perfect place to unwind even further after a day on Rocky Mountaineer’s Rainforest to Gold Rush route. Spend the day meandering through the famous spa’s hot and cold baths, eucalyptus steam room, thermal waterfall, and wood-burning Finnish sauna. End your day in a hammock on one of the spa’s many terraces, overlooking Whistler’s incredible mountain vistas.
8. [Take a sunset cruise in Elliott Bay./color]
Seattle’s historic waterfront is especially gorgeous at sunset, framed by the great Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges in the distance. Hop on one of the many sightseeing ships, grab a cocktail, watch the light fade, and feel the coastal breeze on your face before or after feeling the mountain breeze of the Canadian Rockies onboard Rocky Mountaineer’s Coastal Passage route.
9. Luxuriate by the lake at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Located inside one of the Canadian Rockies’ most famous and most luxurious mountain resorts, the Spa at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise brings relaxation to new heights. After a day of outdoor activities, step inside this peaceful sanctuary and indulge in a foot massage or a facial before dinner at one of the hotel’s fantastic onsite restaurants.
10. ‘Wine-d’ down in Okanagan Valley.
This lush and stunning valley is home to over a hundred wineries, and produces some of very best wines in the world, some of which are served on your Rocky Mountaineer journey to help you relax even further. From Gray Monk Estate to Summerhill Pyramid to Tinhorn Creek, you can spend a day sipping award-winning vino paired with fabulous local cuisine while looking out at the rolling hills stretching into oblivion. Take a leisurely drive back through the Rockies towards the Okanagan following your journey on the train. Cares? What cares?