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By Elyse Green
North & South America
*The Canadian, Canada
*Coast Starlight, United States
*Sierra Madre Express, Mexico
*Cuzco to Machu Picchu, Peru
Canadian Rockies
* Canada

Canadian Rockies - Banff Virgin wilderness, snow-capped peaks, crystalline lakes: The Canadian Rockies fulfill just about any outdoor fantasy you can imagine. So chug up into the Rockies: high and heavily glaciated, they resemble the Swiss Alps even more than their sister Rockies in the States. Starting in Vancouver, VIA Rail's Canadian offers a seven-day trip through the heart of these spectacular mountains and into some of the most pristine parks in the world. You'll travel through Canada's largest national park — Jasper — to the Columbia Icefields and spot Bighorn sheep, elk, moose, and grizzlies. Further along, the Canadian winds through Banff and then Yoho National Park, home to Takakkaw Falls, one of the highest waterfalls on earth. See www.viarail.ca.

California Coast
* United States

The Coast Starlight It's hardly a secret. In fact, you've probably heard so much about California's mix of coast, mountains, and cities you feel like you've already visited. Well now's the time to go — or go back. Originating in Seattle, the Coast Starlight hits Olympia, Portland, Klamath Falls, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles. And why not take your time? Get the ticket that allows for frequent stops to wander the lush Cascades, the high Sierra, Big Sur, or the Monterey Peninsula. See www.amtrakwest.com/coaststarlight.

Copper Canyon
* Mexico

Mexico's Copper Canyon Forget the name"Express" — down here, that means nothing. In fact, the Sierra Madre Express takes its own sweet time amid the dramatic Chihuahuan/Sinaloan landscape. Crossing some 300 miles of high desert, mountains, and canyons, the route winds through 87 tunnels and across 35 bridges to Mexico's fabled Copper Canyon. The 8,000-foot peaks and deep chasms provide spectacular views, and you'll interact with the Tarahumaras, the nomadic tribe that winters in Copper Canyon's orange groves. The Express' last stop, "Barranca del Cobre" to the locals, is reputed to be larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon. See www.sierramadreexpress.com.

Cuzco to Machu Picchu
* Peru

Peru's Machu Pichu The height of luxury? Nope. In fact, there's only one train with toilets. But railing it on local train from Cuzco to Machu Picchu is perhaps the best way to reach this ancient Incan wonder. Departing from the Incan capital of Cuzco — at nearly 11,000 feet, it's one of the highest cities in the world — you'll enjoy three hours of zigzagging through the Andes to the Urubamba Valley and Machu Picchu. Once at the summit, you'll descend slowly to the Rio Urubamba, with towering green peaks surrounding you on all sides.

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[from Outside magazine]