A wine tasting tour complete with shrimp, caviar and sushi.  An exclusive board of director's retreat in comfort and privacy with audiovisual and other meeting services. These are not images usually associated with trains.  But then VIA Rail Canada is not the typical North American train service.

Priva, VIA Rail's chartered car service, gives a group exclusive use of one or more cars. Services are tailor-made for your meeting, conference or special event: Economy, VIA 1, Silver & Blue or Easterly classes... Tell VIA Rail what you need!

Just tell VIA Rail the itinerary you require. With Priva, their entire network is open to you.  Indicate the number and type of cars you need. With Priva, you can even reserve an entire train for your group's exclusive use!

Let VIA Rail know what services you would like. With Priva, you can enjoy the services of their Economy and first classes - and even services designed especially for your group.

Choose the itinerary that suits your clients

VIA Rail can give you almost any itinerary - anything from a two-hour spin across the city, returning to the point of departure, to a trip across Canada lasting several days. Here are some examples.

View the list of stations or trains.

Choose the class that suits your group

• VIA 1 (southern Québec and southern Ontario) Full service, with careful attention to the smallest details. Start your meeting aboard or simply relax. Enjoy the service. Start networking. Aperitifs are served prior to excellent meals with a choice of main courses and wines. In the evening, they'll serve your group after-dinner liqueurs.

• Silver & Blue class (Toronto-Jasper-Vancouver) A memorable journey from start to finish with private sleeping cars and excellent eating in the dining car (all meals are included). A few steps away, there's a Skyline with a panoramic section, lounge and coffee shop. VIA Rail can make Coach cars available to your group for holding a meeting or a working session; your group can also make use of the Skyline car to entertain your companions and build relationships.

• Easterly class (Montréal-Halifax/Gaspe) VIA provides the cozy ambience of a country bed and breakfast with private sleeping cars and an art-deco Park car with three cozy lounges at the rear of the train. Treat yourself to delicious meals in the dining car or in the Skyline car with a panoramic section, lounge and coffee shop. VIA Rail can make Coach or Skyline cars available to your group for holding a meeting or a work session.

• Comfort class (entire network) A Coach car for your group's exclusive use. Passengers can purchase their own food and drink from an attendant or have these purchases charged to a company credit card.

• Comfort Plus service - (southern Québec and southern Ontario) Their Comfort class services, including a cold dish with salad, desert, and tea or coffee served at your seat. The economical way to give your group all the benefits of customized service.

Would you prefer customized service?

VIA Rail can provide a memorable custom trip for your special event. Customized menus, on-board activities, "Murder and Mystery" trains, face-to-face seating for meetings: anything can be arranged to guarantee that your trip with VIA Rail is special.

Let your imagination wander... Here are two examples of the kind of trip VIA Rail can arrange:

• The "Theatre" train from Toronto to Stratford - From the private priority boarding area set aside for your guests, to the musical atmosphere during the meal aboard, VIA will work in concert with you to ensure that your private train journey to Stratford is a palpable hit. Surf & turf menus, delicious deserts, plus beers and wines for a trip your guests will not forget. Set the tone by decorating the cars to match the theme of your meeting.
   
• The Niagara wines train - A special outing for a very special occasion. Guests board in Toronto and make the trip in the tasting car, where they can try the wines of the Niagara region. VIA can arrange to have an expert on board to enhance your guests' enjoyment of the experience. This service includes a sophisticated selection of cold and hot appetizers to please the most demanding palate. View a sample menu!

Rates

With Priva, rates are set per car, regardless of the number of passengers that actually board. Click here now to view the current Fare guidelines.

Additional information and reservations

Contact VIA Rail's Meetings and Conventions Desk for further information: the exact price of your journey, services provided, etc.  Dial 1 800 361-8010 or Fax 1 800 545-0444.

Don't forget that VIA can also provide a special fare for people traveling to attend a meeting or conference.