North America - Clean Breaks: 500 New Ways to See the World - page 203

Canada by train

Flying may be the fastest way to cross Canada, but travelling by train is the scenic way
to explore this enormous country, from the rugged coastline on the eastern seaboard
to the wilderness of the prairies in the central provinces and the magnificent Rocky
Mountains in the west. The country's national rail network, VIA Rail ( W www.viarail.ca)
runs three main services that enable you to cross all of Canada by train: the “Ocean”, an
overnight service between Halifax and Montréal (19hr); the modern inter-city service
between Montréal and Toronto (4hr 40 min); and the transcontinental service known
as the “Canadian” between Toronto and Vancouver (a whopping three days and three
nights). Below are some suggestions on the best things to do along the way.

269 Fresh air in nova Scotia
Before boarding the train to Montréal, it's worth
spending a couple of days in Halifax - home to
one of the world's finest waterfronts. At Point
Pleasant Park, there are plenty of walking trails
and a small sandy beach, and if you'd like to fill
your lungs with salty air, Four Winds Charters
runs a 2.5hr boat tour of the harbour. Highlights
of the province of Nova Scotia include the
highest tides in the world at the Bay of Fundy
and the Cape Breton Highlands National Park,
where there are 25 hiking circuits.

trip to Toronto take time to visit this huge
environmental museum, which replicates four
types of ecosystem under glass: a tropical forest,
an estuary, a Laurentian mixed forest and the
polar regions. Over 750 plant species and 230
animal species inhabit these areas, which you
can tour on walkways. A great choice for kids.

Need to know For information on the latest
exhibitions and virtual tours see W www.biodome.
qc.ca; T [phone]. As well as VIA Rail's
overnight train from Halifax to Montréal, a daily train
(the “Adirondack”) runs from New York to Montréal
(10hr 50min); for prices and departures see
W www.amtrak.com; T [phone].

Need to know For attractions, accommodation
and visitor info on Nova Scotia see W www.
novascotia.com. Four Winds Charters: W www.
fourwindscharters.com; T [phone].

271 Stock up on food at St
Lawrence market, toronto
With a three-day train ride ahead of you, it's a good
idea to make a stop at Toronto's St Lawrence market
- the city's best food and drink emporium - to stock
up on essentials. In the heart of Toronto's old town, the
market is packed with fresh fruit, vegetables, meats
and craft stalls. The North Market building is home to
the farmers' market (Sat only), while the South Market
building (Tues-Sat) is home to over fifty permanent
vendors.

270 Visit Montréal's biodôme
Montréal's train station is in the heart of
the city, from where it's just a few minutes'
walk to the Biodôme, so before you make the

Hide and peek, Biodôme Parc
Olympique, Montréal

Need to know For opening times and details of stalls
visit W www.stlawrencemarket.com. As well as VIA Rail's
services, a daily train (the “Maple Leaf”) runs from New
York to Toronto in 12hr 20min; for prices and departures
see W www.amtrak.com; T [phone].