Riding the Rails
There's a new Eurail Pass available
for travelling around Scandinavia. The Eurail
Scandinavia Pass allows for flexible rail travel in Sweden,
Denmark, Finland and/or Norway for
as few as four days or as many as ten days, all within a two-month
period. Of course the pass is available for individual or dual
countries as well. Passes are available in Adult, Youth, Saver
and First Class categories. For details visit www.scandinavianrail.com
or www.Eurail.com
for these countries and most of Europe where the passes are
available. They are also available from travel agencies worldwide.
The Eurostar trains between England and continental
Europe, and France's TGV trains, are familiar. Now we must add
Spain's AVE train (Alta Velocidad Española)
between Madrid and Barcelona
to the list. The new AVE travels at 300 km per hour and covers
the distance of 550 km between the two cities in less than three
hours. A total of 17 trains will operate daily on the route.
The new high-speed lines have also reduced travel times between
Madrid and Valladolid (to 55 minutes) and between
Madrid and Málaga (to 2½ hours).
Rail Europe is offering special web-only savings of up to 10%
on these routes. The Eurail Spain Pass prices start at $216,
while the Madrid-Barcelona AVE tickets start at around $157.
Rail Europe also offers the Madrid, Barcelona and Seville Cards
for public transporation around the cities and entrance to museums
and attractions. www.raileurope.com
or call 1 800 361 7245.
Here in Canada we have news
from VIA Rail, who are honouring all of Canada's
current and former Canadian Forces personnel, National Defence
employees, and their families, with a special appreciation fare
during the month of July. During this time, the Forces and Defence
personnel can enjoy free, unlimited travel in Comfort class
anywhere on VIA's network and can be accompanied by up to five
family members at 50% off the regular applicable fares. So if
there's a soldier in your family, spread the news! For more
information visit www.viarail.ca/forces
or call 1 888 VIA-Rail.
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