January 1, 2024 - WE TRAVELLER

Picturesque train rides worth exploring in America

All aboard! Look no further if you’re seeking a winter adventure to take you across America’s best backcountry winter wonderlands.

Here are four enchanting rail lines to take this winter, whether you’re looking for a 45-minute Polar Express, a weekend getaway, or a two-day excursion, all from the comfort of a warm railcar.

Cascade Canyon Winter Train (Durango, Colorado)

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad operates out of its original 1882 depot in Durango, Colorado.

From Nov. 19 through May 5, it embarks on a 26-mile winter wonderland journey to Cascade Canyon. The 5.25-hour roundtrip excursion offers views of the Animas River and the snow-clad peaks of the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Colorado.

“Cascade Canyon is a destination like no other and is the perfect setting for a fire-side lunch, photo opportunities or a walk along the Animas River during your 60-minute layover,” the railroad said.

The company’s signature locomotive, No. 473, has been on the line since 1923.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was voted “One of the World’s Top Ten Most Exciting Train Rides” by the Society of American Travel Writers in 2009.

Strasburg Rail Road (Strasburg, Pennsylvania)

A Christmas tradition has been chugging along for over 60 years at the historic Strasburg Rail Road in Pennsylvania.

Passengers can choose from four specialty-themed rides, like the most-popular Santa’s Paradise Express every November and December. Santa climbs aboard the historic steam train to greet families as they travel down the tracks to Paradise and back.

“Our standard coaches are beautifully restored in authentic Victorian style,” the railroad boasts. “Enjoy the comfort of potbelly

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Looking for an Airbnb this New Year’s? These are the top travel destinations where you can book one

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Looking for an Airbnb this New Year’s? These are the top travel destinations where you can book one

A fireworks display on New Year’s Eve

The holidays tend to be a busy time to travel, and they’re only getting busier. Deloitte’s 2023 annual holiday travel survey found that 40% of Americans intend to travel over the upcoming holiday season; that figure’s up over 31% from last year. Although hotels are a common choice, many vacationers opt for Airbnb rentals for their extra space and flexible pricing.

To help travelers with their holiday planning, MoneyGeek analyzed over 200,000 Airbnb listings across 18 popular U.S. travel destinations and identified the destinations with the most availability during the holiday season. We found that, while securing accommodations in popular spots like New York City and Hawaii can be difficult, alternative cities such as Columbus, Ohio, and Nashville, Tennessee, offer an abundance of options for travelers to consider.

Key findings

Columbus, Ohio, takes the lead in holiday Airbnb availability, with an average of 20 vacant days in the 30 days between mid-December and mid-January. Nashville, Tennessee, follows close behind, with 17 unoccupied days during the same timeframe.
Hawaii sees the least availability for Airbnb units during the holiday season, averaging eight unoccupied days within the 30-day period. In the Aloha State, the median rental rate is $287 per night, over double the median rate for all locations analyzed in the study.
New York City also faces low holiday availability, with an average of eight unoccupied days from mid-December to mid-January — that’s despite the city having over 40,000 Airbnb listings, the most of any destination considered.
Among the major U.S. travel destinations analyzed, the median rental price of an Airbnb is $130 per night during the holiday season.

MoneyGeek

Top US destinations with

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Woman sues West Jordan police alleging wrongful arrest while she was naked in hotel room

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A woman is suing West Jordan police alleging several officers violated her rights when they mistakenly arrested her at a hotel in September, dragging her outside in handcuffs, naked from the waist down.

Sheri Meyer filed the civil lawsuit earlier this month in 3rd Judicial Court, seeking damages for what her attorneys described as a “highly embarrassing and traumatic ordeal.” She alleges five officers violated her Fourth Amendment rights and later filed false police reports, claiming she tried to punch an officer.

Man arrested in Murray after allegedly assaulting woman, intending to kill her

ABC4 reached out to West Jordan police for comment, and they expressed confidence that the officers acted within procedure during the incident. Police added that a formal review of the case is underway, and they won’t comment further.

The lawsuit against the officers stems from an arrest in the early morning hours of Sept. 26 at the MyPlace Hotel in the Wasatch Front community roughly 10 miles south of Salt Lake City.

According to a statement from Meyer’s attorneys, the officers responded to a noise complaint, and mistakenly knocked on Meyer’s door around 4 a.m.

“Rather than leaving, or even speaking to the complainant, police knocked loudly and continuously on the door to Sheri Meyer’s room, until a sleeping Mrs. Meyer woke up and came to the door naked from the waist down,” the statement said.

She tried to crack the door, so as not to expose herself, and allow the officers to view the room, the attorneys said. Yet, police insisted that Meyer go into the hallway while they searched the room. They later refused to let her close the door and get dressed.

The officers blocked the door, the lawsuit alleges. When Meyer’s told them they needed

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