Indulge your senses with some of best scenery the Southwest has to offer. This amazing adventure is steeped in history and full of opportunities to explore the magnificent scenery and iconic destinations of the region. The train winds for two days alongside rivers, through the Rocky Mountains, and past ancient rock formations as it travels between the mile-high city of Denver to the red rock formations of Moab.

Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on the Colorado River surrounded by red rock canyons while sipping a glass of wine and enjoying musical entertainment. Visit Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park with an expert guide. Enjoy a winery tour and tasting in Colorado Wine Country, named the third best wine region in the US. Many exciting adventures await you on this incredible rail and road vacation!

September 6-11, 2025

 

Package Includes:

• Round-trip airfare — Raleigh-Durham International Airport
• Five nights’ hotel accommodations
• 12 meals: five breakfasts, three lunches, and four dinners
• Rocky Mountaineer – SilverLeaf luxury rail service from Denver to Moab
• On-board hosts
• Sightseeing per itinerary
• Admissions per itinerary
• Deluxe motor coach transportation
• Professional tour guide in the National Parks and driver
• Our State hosts
• Baggage handling (one bag per person) and hotel transfers
• Hotel tips, restaurant tips for included meals, and local taxes

 

Itinerary Highlights:

• Two-day Rocky Mountaineer train adventure
• Regionally inspired lunch on Day One of the train ride
• Breakfasts each morning on the train
• Two National Parks – Arches and Canyonlands
• Boat cruise along the Colorado River with music and wine
• Winery tour and tasting at Two Rivers Winery and Chateaux
• Five course winemakers’ dinner at Two Rivers Winery and Chateaux
• Riverside Cowboy BBQ Dinner

 

Detailed Itinerary:

DAY 1 – Raleigh – Denver

Depart on your flight from Raleigh to Denver. Upon arrival there will be a group transfer from the airport to your downtown Denver hotel. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner while getting acquainted with your traveling companions at a local restaurant.

Hotel: Renaissance Hotel or Courtyard by Marriott
Meals: Welcome Dinner

 

DAY 2 – Glenwood Springs via Rocky Mountaineer

You will be transferred this morning from your downtown hotel to Union Station Downtown Denver for check-in. There you will gather at the Rocky Mountaineer boarding area. Today you will set out past the towering Rockies on your journey to Glenwood Springs. Enjoy a breakfast and beverage while taking in the scenic views of the Gross Reservoir Dam. Celebrate crossing the Continental Divide with a sparkling wine toast, while cutting through 6.3 miles of mountain in Moffatt Tunnel, an engineering marvel. Dine on a three-course regionally inspired lunch as hosts captivate you with stories of the region. Arrive in Glenwood Springs and disembark to the comfort of your hotel room for an overnight. Dinner is on your own.

Hotel: Glenwood Springs Accommodations – to be named 30 days prior
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

 

DAY 3 – Glenwood Springs – Moab

Depart Glenwood Springs heading southwest for another day of extraordinary views, venturing toward the colorful archways and amazing rock formations. While enjoying breakfast on-board, enjoy the stunning red rock formations alongside the cliffs of Ruby Canyon and Mount Garfield while crossing the state line into Utah. Arrive in Moab with its striking red sandstone backdrop. Board our private motor coach and head into Moab for shopping and lunch on your own before checking in to our hotel. This evening, enjoy a spectacular boat ride on the Colorado River surrounded by red sandstone cliffs while sipping a glass of wine and enjoying musical entertainment as a pre-cursor to the riverside Cowboy BBQ Dinner.

Hotel: Element Hotel, Moab, UT – Two nights
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

 

DAY 4 – Arches & Canyonlands National Parks

This morning we head to Arches National Park for spectacular scenic viewing. The 18,000 square foot Visitors’ Center will introduce you to the unique geologic forces that created the highest concentration of natural arches in the world, with over 2,000 named arches. Visit the park highlights including Balance Rock, The Windows, and Delicate Arch. Then we will take a scenic drive into Canyonlands National Park for spectacular views of this unique park. We will take a scenic rest stop to enjoy a picnic box lunch. We will return to the hotel for a short break before enjoying dinner as a group at the historic local restaurant with a spectacular view.

Hotel: Element Hotel, Moab, UT
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

DAY 5 – Moab – Grand Junction

Enjoy a leisurely morning enjoying the outdoor pool or spa at the hotel, or an early morning hike. We will depart to Grand Junction late morning with free time for some lunch and shopping. After you check in to your hotel, you will have time to relax and freshen up. We end the day with a visit to the charming and elegant Two Rivers Winery and Chateaux set against the Colorado National Monument. We’ll tour their wine production area followed by a wine-tasting in their beautiful tasting room, and a spectacular five course winemakers’ dinner, where we will enjoy wine-pairing and education with each course. This is a tour highlight and a great way to end the tour together with the friends you have made along the way.

Hotel(s): SpringHill Suites Grand Junction
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

 

DAY 6 – Grand Junction, Georgetown, CO – Denver

After breakfast, journey to Georgetown, Colorado. A historic picturesque town nestled in the heart of the Rockies full of small-town charm and history. Enjoy lunch at a popular local restaurant with time to explore before traveling to Denver Airport for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

 

Tour Rates:

$5,399 per person, based on double occupancy
Single rate – $5,999

 

For reservations and more information:

AAA Travel
Sandra Horton
919-489-3306 ext. 13505
sdhorton@acg.aaa.com

 

Additional Information:

What to expect on an Our State trip:

Traveling with a group of Our State readers is an enriching, enjoyable, and safe way to experience new cultures, people, and places. In addition to the informative narration from the tour director and local guides, an Our State host will be available to assist in making your trip successful.

We usually fly to our destination, then travel by a comfortable motor coach with anywhere from 35 to 50 people who appreciate learning about new regions. Your entire trip will be guided, planned, and arranged for your upmost enjoyment. Many activities are things you can only do because you are traveling with Our State. There is some free time built in for you to explore on your own.

You can also choose not to attend an activity if you prefer something different. Please let your tour director know if you are not coming on a scheduled day.

Many meals are included. Where you have meals on your own, suggestions will be provided.

Most of the motor coaches have restrooms but every effort will be made to make regular rest stops.

One of the best parts of traveling with Our State is that you will meet new people, many of whom you will already have much in common with since most travelers read the magazine. Many guests often develop friendships that go on long after the tour is finished. Our State trips are generally filled with dynamic and friendly people.
 

Physical requirements:

Our tours are physically active but not meant to be strenuous.

Please be aware you will be on your feet, walking and standing for much of the day, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions and terrains. There will also be extended time on the motor coach when we travel from place to place. If there are any mobility issues you will need to have an able-bodied traveling companion to accompany and assist you.

Most days are moderately paced with approximately two to three total miles of walking, possibly including some hills and stairs.

We regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Trip Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

If you have additional questions, please call Our State’s Travel Director Amy Wood Pasquini at 336-286-0600, or email apasquini@ourstate.com.