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Travelling with Class aboard @VIA_Rail #TravelVia

I love Fall. It is hands down my favourite season of the year. I love cool evenings, apple picking, but most of all, I love the Fall colours. Every year I try to take a long drive with the family to take in nature’s beauty. This year I did something different.

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I recently travelled to Toronto for a social media conference. I wanted to be able to enjoy the Fall colours while relaxing in comfort and get some work done if possible. I thought of the only logical thing to do. Travel Via. I hopped on the Via train here in Montreal and rode it straight through to Union Station in Toronto. I have never travelled business class aboard a train and was it ever worth it!

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I wound up taking an early morning train and was a little groggy-eyed to say the least. Fortunately my friend Patricia Oliver was traveling along with me. Our trip began with our wonderful train attendant greeting us with a huge smile and a large carafe of coffee. My excitement must have given me away as he jokingly set the whole carafe down and walked away, telling me I might as well help myself. He got to know me well, after a few rounds he stopped asking for refills and would just start pouring. Apparently he spoke the language of a sleep deprived mama. Out came the delicious cookie basket, more coffee, drinks then breakfast.

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I loved how fast the onboard internet was and I was immediately able to start working. Previously when I’ve flown somewhere, there’s always a certain amount of downtime when electronic devices have to be shut off and stowed away. No such thing with the train. We pulled out the comfortable desk and started working away while using the speedy wifi. If you’re heading to a meeting or conference, that extra four to five hours of work time can make all the difference, that is, if you choose to. Our meal of oatmeal, yogourt, croissants and coffee was gourmet, healthy and filling. The bottomless coffee was perfect.

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When we were done eating, we stretched our legs out all the way with the ample legroom on board. There’s nothing quite like the beautiful Fall colours zipping by as you munch on a great meal and sip delicious coffee. We chatted away while admiring the beautiful tones of gold, red and yellows, I could not turn away from its beauty.

The service on board was amazing, our attendant was really friendly, professional and engaging. He made us feel at home. In fact, every Via staff member we met made us feel at home. The four and a half hour trip came to an end all too fast. Before we knew it we were pulling up to Union station and saying goodbye, well fed and rested.

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Our return trip was just as relaxed and enjoyable. We made sure to check out the complimentary business lounge before boarding and helped ourselves to juice and coffee while catching up on the news. I was so glad to have travelled Via for business, I can’t wait to go back and travel Via with my family. Have you travelled Via lately?

 

DISCLOSURE: This trip was sponsored by Via Rail however as always, all opinions are 100% my own

 

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8 Comments

  1. Sounds like a great trip with a great view and you were able to get some work done on the way, that’s awesome! I haven’t been on a train in years and would love to go on a trip with the kiddos and hubby on a train just so my son could say he went on. He loves trains. Glad you had a great trip there and back! 🙂

  2. Yes I always travel Via Rail. However my last experience was not good with them and teir customer service was horrible that day. I am a loyal customer who uses the service monthly. I am in Toronto a lot on business. Sadly this last trip upset me and turned me off of via entirely. I respect that that was not your experience. Normally they are good. But last time that sealed it for me.

  3. I must say that after my first trip with VIA Rail this summer… we’re already planning for a long over night trip! Absolutely loved it even with a toddler! Delicious food, wifi and hassle free check in. Not to mention the friendly staff. Enjoyed seeing your tweets come through!

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