Jonny Talks with Jim Marini of Railbookers and Amtrak Vacations

With Railbookers®, you can discover independent rail itineraries featuring worldwide destinations and experiences.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Okay, go go. Travel show Johnny Hertell at the Pittsburgh
Travel Showcase talking to Jim Marini of Railbookers and Amtrak Vacations.
Hey Jim, how are you, sir?

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Doing great? Excited to be here? So rail traffic and
rail travel is just exploding, it is. I mean it's
you know, honestly, if you don't feel like driving dealing
with traffic, if you want to see more than just clouds,
because I always say, the clouds look the same anyway
we fly anywhere in the world, so why not see

(00:32):
more of these beautiful states and beautiful countries around the world.

Speaker 1 (00:35):
And rail Bookers and amtract vacations. So Amtrak is basically
in the United States. But railbook you're talking worldwide.

Speaker 2 (00:42):
Travel, worldwide, worldwide, independent style vacation.

Speaker 1 (00:45):
What does that mean? Yep.

Speaker 2 (00:46):
So basically we have packages all put together and any
of them can be booked right through our TRIPAA travel partners. Hotels,
sight seeing tours meals the different types of trains from
local trains to high speed trains, to luxury trains to
iconic trains, even the different seating on board. So again,
if all those great, so I don't have to know

(01:06):
everything you take care of everything. We take care of
everything through Triple A Travel.

Speaker 1 (01:10):
All right, So let's say I want to go to Europe, yes,
and I want to travel to a number of different countries.
Now do you have different packages to choose from? Do
you make suggestions? What's the first thing I need to
know if I'm going to go, if I am interested
in European travel? Super super easy?

Speaker 2 (01:27):
So we always say wherever you think it are going,
and especially if it's multiple countries, We make travel into
multiple countries very easy, whether it's Italy, Switzerland and beyond.
Once you have an idea where you want to go
and when you're looking to travel and how many days,
and if you have kind of a price point or
budget that you're trying to stay within, you visit or
contact your local Triple A Travel agency and literally they

(01:47):
book everything, including your flights as well. Oh wow, okay,
so where is where is the hot destinations? Then I'm
glad you asked. It is Switzerland without a doubt, followed
by Italy. Actually yes, why Switzerland? Switzerland in one country alone?
Especially if for all those listeners out there who want
to see some of the most beautiful sites in the

(02:08):
world from snow cap mountains to also the trains this
one country has some of the most iconic trains. Two
that come to mind. Glacier Express, about a seven to
eight hour train ride right through the heart of Switzerland,
where your listeners can upgrade to Excellence Class, which is
the premium level on board the train. There's only twenty
seats available on every departure, full course meal that's included.

(02:30):
They have their own bar, car lounge, their own iPad
given them commentary, plus by priority boarding. We also include
Bernini Express where that's about a four to five hour
train ride throughout Switzerland and the entire train route is
considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Speaker 1 (02:46):
Really, yes, Okay, Now Amtrak is more domestic.

Speaker 2 (02:50):
Yes, So what.

Speaker 1 (02:51):
Is the hot destinations in America?

Speaker 2 (02:54):
National parks, national parks, national parks in particular.

Speaker 1 (02:57):
Yes, and I guess is it national parks?

Speaker 2 (02:59):
Yeah? National prodcast today?

Speaker 1 (03:01):
How did you know?

Speaker 2 (03:01):
Yes?

Speaker 1 (03:02):
What you like? Yellowstone mount Rushmore? Those are the kind
of destiny Yeah?

Speaker 2 (03:07):
Great, great? It is Glacia National Park number one. Yes,
I mean that is by far our most popular.

Speaker 1 (03:13):
Why is that?

Speaker 2 (03:14):
I'm gonna tell you exactly. Because it only operates in
the months of June through September, so it's a very
short season. But also the scenery is fantastic. Over a
million acres. I think the majority is in the Great
State of Montana, but it goes on the train known
as the Empire Builder, kind of that Northwest route from
They could start from Chicago, go out to Glacia National Park,

(03:34):
even continue on to Seattle if they want. Outside of Glacier,
it's Grand Canyon, Yellowstone in Yosemite. Those are pretty much
the top four.

Speaker 1 (03:42):
That is amazing, all right, So if somebody is interested
in finding more, do you have a website or do
you really recommend they go to a triple A travel agent.

Speaker 2 (03:48):
Triple A travel agent all the time, every time, because again,
not only are they going to help put the entire
package together or customize any trip if any of your
listeners want to add days, takeout days, or add in
certain visits or stops, but they could also book the
flights for them out.

Speaker 1 (04:03):
You're so passionate. I love talking to passionate people. Jim,
Thank you so much, and good luck this weekend. Thank
you so much.