MONTRÉAL - In eastern Canada the autumn season is short, sweet and too exquisitely beautiful to miss. Let VIA take you there in comfort and style, leaving your hands free to capture the moment with camera in hand. From vineyards at harvest time to vast maple forests, and so many other destinations to choose from, the magnificent seasonal colours serve as inspiration and setting for celebrations of nature, culture and tradition.

For travellers eager to experience autumn where Mother Nature does its best, there is no better option than VIA Rail's Windsor-Québec City Corridor services. Why drive hours between destinations? Relax with loved ones, enjoy VIA Rail's outstanding service, and marvel at the changing season drifting past large picture windows.

VIA's convenient Corridor services provide safe, affordable and comfortable travel, with multiple daily departures. In premier VIA 1 Class, travellers can stretch out, enjoy a delicious meal accompanied with a cocktail and wine service as well as take advantage of new pay-per-use wi-fi service. VIA 1 Class passengers can also take advantage of pre-boarding and use of Panorama Lounges where available. Comfort Class (Economy), also is offered.

Travellers planning to use VIA's Corridor services can take advantage of the CorridorPass, which offers 10 days of travel within the Québec City-Windsor Corridor, available in VIA 1 or Comfort Class. Adult fares are $693* for VIA 1 and $265* for Comfort Class. Travellers also win big with VIA's "Flexi Fares" and senior companion fares. Depending on availability, passengers may choose from Regular Fares, with no service charges for changes or cancellations, Discount Fares, offering discounts with some flexibility or Supersaver Fares, with a deep discount representing great value for travellers who do not foresee the need to make changes to their tickets. VIA's senior companion fares allow passengers age 60 and over travelling in Comfort class to bring a companion, of any age, along for free. For sleeper class, a senior's travel companion receives a 75% discount* off the regular adult fare. Visit www.viarail.ca for further information.

Travellers can visit www.viarail.ca/calendar featuring more than 250 major events across Canada accessible by train. The following are some of the best reasons for exploring Canada with VIA Rail this fall.

Toronto/Niagara region (www.tourismtoronto.com): The Niagara Wine Festival (September 22-October 1) proudly displays this renowned region's wide range of vineyards and wineries. Visit www.grapeandwine.com for more information. Similarly, the Taste of Toronto (September 7-10) fills the city's entertainment district with a cornucopia of food booths plus entertainment, sports, cultural activities, arts and crafts and more. See www.thedistrict.ca for more information. And Toronto's Downsview Park will hold its 6^th Annual Fall Fair on September 17, with a Terry Fox run, music and other entertainment and family activities.

Montréal area (www.tourisme-montreal.org): The world-famous Montréal Botanical Garden, with its 22,000 plants, 30 thematic gardens and ten exhibition greenhouses, is the setting for the annual Great Pumpkin Ball this October. Highlights include theatrical productions, a Halloween maze, storytellers, pumpkin and decorating contests. For more information visit www.ville.montreal.qc.ca. International Flora Montreal 2006, continues until October 9, bringing the latest trends in the art of gardening and landscaping together. Apart from endorsement from the American Bus Association's magazine, the Globe and Mail recommends the event as one of the season's six must-see destinations, and Tourisme Québec has selected the event as a "hot pick." For more information visit http://www.floramontreal.ca.

The Orgue et Couleurs Fall Festival (September 22-October 1) combines the changing leaves with organ and organ-inspired music performed by musicians from around the world. More than 7,000 people are expected to attend the concerts, talks and exhibitions. Visit www.orgueetcouleurs.com. For those seeking a thrill or two with their fall foliage, the Montréal International Adventure Film Festival is running October 26-28, featuring screenings of outdoor/adventure movies from around the world (www.espaces.qc.ca/fifam).

Among the colourful natural attractions in the Montréal region is Mount Royal Park, right in the city and designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who also designed New York's Central Park. Extending from southern Québec to the shores of the St. Lawrence River, the Laurentian Mountains also are worth a leaf-peeping side trip.

Ottawa area (www.ottawatourism.ca): Fall Rhapsody (September 29-October 15) features the fall colours at the Mackenzie King estate in Gatineau Park. The festival's activities include the Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off, guided tours of the park, family and children's activities, and more.

The capital region also hosts the Fall Gardens and Fall Fair, which will take place September 16-17 at the Upper Canada Village Heritage Park in Morrisburg. Composed of over 40 historic buildings, including mills, trades shops, farms and churches, the attraction celebrates fall with a traditional 1860's harvest fair featuring livestock, agricultural and dairy products, produce and fine arts. Old-fashioned games and traditional entertainment round out a wonderful weekend. Visit www.uppercanadavillage.com.

Québec City area (www.quebecregion.com): The Québec City Festival of Sacred Music (October 27-November 5) celebrates spiritual traditions worldwide (www.festivalmusiquesacree.ca). La Grande Virée Couleurs (www.mont-sainte-anne.com), September 22-October 9, enjoy good health and vitality in the open air with friends, family or loved ones with exclusive outdoor activities such as Kids Zone, public entertainers and musicians. Another fall favourite is The Fete des Vignobles (www.vignerons-du-quebec.com) Québec's prestigious wine festival, with numerous vineyards offering samples of the world's most northern wines.

Leaf-peeping highlights in the Québec City area include Cap Tourmente, with its marshes, lowlands, mountains and impressive bird life along the St. Lawrence River - an easy 45-minute drive from downtown Québec City; Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier, a vast mountainous plateau with deep gorges and steadily flowing rivers ideal for hiking, boating, biking and fishing; and Montmorency Falls in the Laurentian Mountains. Less than half an hour from downtown Québec City, the Falls - higher than Niagara Falls - offer a breathtaking view of nature's sheer beauty and a dazzling display of fall colour. Nearby is the Ile d'Orleans, a forested island dotted with old farms and orchards, perfect for an apple-picking excursion.

For more information on VIA's Corridor services or its other offers, products or promotions, contact VIA at 888-842-7245 (888-VIA-RAIL) or on the Internet at www.viarail.ca. For tour programs that highlight VIA's Corridor services, please visit the package section of VIA Rail's website at www.viarail.ca/packages.

As Canada's national passenger rail service, VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to provide efficient, environmentally responsible and cost effective passenger transportation services, both in Canada's busiest corridor and in remote and rural regions of the country. VIA serves more than 450 communities with a network of inter-city, transcontinental and regional trains. Demand continues to grow as more Canadians turn to train travel as a safe and convenient travel choice.

- 30 -