From the Q&A mailbox:
Question:  David writes: We would like to plan a train trip from Chicago to Seattle and Vancouver.

Answer: A train trip is a wonderful way to experience the beauty of the Northwest. Amtrak has a route on the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle that travels daily along major portions of the Lewis & Clark trail. This route will take you through the plains of North Dakota, over the spectacular Gassman Coulee Trestle and into Big Sky country in Montana. Once you reach Seattle, Amtrak has continuing service to Vancouver on the Amtrak Cascades route. ... Read More

Question: David S. asks: We are planning a trip to Alberta Canada and visiting the Canadian Rockies this August; anything you can tell us about the Rockies would be most helpful. Also I believe there is an overnite train w/a glass top.

Answer: AAA travel publishing manager Renuka Sastri, who took this trip last summer, says: August is a wonderful time of the year to visit the Canadian Rockies area. There are a number of options that you could follow:

The no-drive option: Take a tour - The Rocky Mountaineer, the train with the glass dome top... Read More