Vancouver - This summer, VIA Rail Canada invites you to discover the "hidden" beauty of Vancouver Island, aboard its Malahat Train in service from Victoria to Courtenay. Beautiful mountains and the Pacific coast will entertain you on this four-and-a-half hour trip through some of the most breathtaking scenery in British Columbia. It's the perfect escape; and with a number of stops along the way to choose from, there'll be no shortage of thinking what to do when you get there.

The Malahat operates year-round, using VIA's unique and newly refurbished self-propelled rail diesel cars. Comfortable seats by large windows provides customers with an opportunity to relax, tour the lower East coast of the Island and take in the spectacular views from a perspective only the train can provide. Bring along a picnic to enjoy on the train or once you get to your destination. Like the new energy efficient lights featured on Victoria's parliament buildings, taking the train also reduces your "carbon footprint", and shows your support for environmental consciousness and the survival of our planet.

And with a number of festivals taking place over the summer months, why choose just one when there's a train departure every day! Follow the footsteps that line the streets in Chemainus and visit the town's famous murals, plan a picnic by the water at Qualicum Beach or head up to Parksville in August to experience the annual Parksville Beach Festival. You won't want to miss the highlight of the festival, the sandcastle building competition, featuring professional teams from around the world. The public is invited to watch these teams create amazing sand structures and can vote for their favourite. The public can even build a castle of their own, or simply have their face painted.

Whatever the season, or the reason, VIA's Malahat daylight service awaits you.

For more information about events at other VIA Rail stops across Canada, please visit viarail.ca/events. Customers can visit VIA's secure website at viarail.ca to book a trip anywhere in the VIA system, or by calling 1 888-VIA RAIL (842-7245) or TTY 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired) or through their travel agent.

As Canada's national passenger rail service, VIA Rail connects the entire world to the West's vibrant tourism industry. With more than 700 employees in Western Canada, VIA is dedicated to improving the quality of passenger service. From Northern Manitoba, across Saskatchewan and Alberta, to British Columbia's Pacific Rim, VIA serves more than 100 communities. VIA continues to develop, market and deliver services to meet the needs of Western Canadians, in partnership with the people, communities and businesses served by passenger rail.

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