Hi Olivia! You were recently lucky enough to travel aboard Rocky Mountaineer. How did it feel to board such an iconic train?
It’s difficult to put into words how it feels to step aboard Rocky Mountaineer for the first time. It’s a real feast for the senses and I felt compelled to take everything in; the sights, the sounds, the smells. When the wheels start to move and the landscape begins to change, it’s a very special feeling!
Tell us about the food! What did you eat while you were on board?
The food on Rocky Mountaineer was superb! On the first day, travelling from Moab to Glenwood Springs, we were treated to dinner. We kicked things off with hors d’oeuvres - a southwest chicken flautas with lime crema, black bean and corn slaw tossed in a Utah-made citrus habanero sauce. The starter was Ruby Canyon tapas; marinated mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, locally pickled carrots, mushrooms and asparagus. For the main course, we were spoilt for choice. I opted for the boneless pork rib which was served with a red pepper stuffed with quinoa, steamed carrots and honey barbecue sauce. Pudding was a Colorado lemon pie topped with strawberry coulis.
On day two, while travelling from Glenwood Springs to Denver, we enjoyed breakfast and lunch. For breakfast, I chose the wild mountain berry parfait which was served with house-made cinnamon almond granola, vanilla bean yoghurt, local berries and a croissant. Lunch was a real feast! I had the arugula, cranberry and shaved manchego salad to start with and chose the braised beef short rib with New Mexico fire-roasted green chile demi-glace for the main. For pudding, I had a rich chocolate torte which was topped with a mixed berry coulis - my sweet tooth was very happy!
Read next: Rocky Mountaineer: A journey a million years in the making
Rocky Mountaineer is renowned for its high level of service. What were the crew like?
Rocky Mountaineer’s reputation for great service certainly exceeds itself, our Hosts Mike, Neal and Sabina were superb! Mike was the head Host and his knowledge of the areas we journeyed through was astounding. His personal stories and anecdotes really added to the overall experience, too. I must say, every Rocky Mountaineer representative I met during my trip was fantastic. They offer a personalised service that truly goes beyond.
You travelled in SilverLeaf Service, how was it?
SilverLeaf Service was great. The glass-dome coaches give you a panoramic view of your surroundings, allowing you to take everything in - and there’s a lot to take in! The food was delicious and the service was even better. My favourite part of SilverLeaf, though, was the viewing platform at the back of the coach. Here, you get an authentic feel for the area you’re journeying through.
Lastly, what was the most memorable part of your experience?
I don’t think I could pick just one moment. I really enjoyed our visit to Arches National Park in Moab, it was unlike anything I’ve experienced before. The team from Moab Adventure Center, who guided us around the park, were fabulous and truly made it an unforgettable morning. I also loved the moment our Hosts son (on Rocky Mountaineer) came to wave at us on the platform, that was very special.
Thank you, Olivia! Want to experience Rocky Mountaineer for yourself? Click the link below to find your perfect cruise and rail package.
