Company Founder

Martin is the founder of Canada Rail Vacations. He has achieved the goal of turning a travel junkie’s passion into a reality of full-time travel. Martin has travelled to nearly every location in Canada and has stayed in every hotel we work with. He has been creating and guiding tours since 1995 and has personally guided over 10,000 guests in the past 26 years. Many of these guests have come back to Canada specifically to take a tour with Martin.
Martin speaks fluent English and German and was previously a competitor in the sport of luge. After realizing he couldn’t make a career out of travelling around the world sledding down icy chutes, he figured he would stop the sledding and just travel. In his spare time, Martin likes hiking, cycling, cross country skiing, travelling, and visiting excellent restaurants worldwide. Martin’s favourite tour is our Canadian Trip of a Lifetime. This was the trip he took his mother on to celebrate her 65th birthday.

These days, Martin spends more of his time as a guide with our clients. If you would like a private guide or if you would personally like to customize your dream holiday, please contact him at martin@canadarail.ca.

Customer Experience Manager

Spencer has been with Canada Rail Vacations for over 6 years and is our most experienced Vacation Planner. Originally from Hamilton, Ontario (which is just south of Toronto) Spencer also has extensive experience in the golf industry.

Prior to Canada Rail Vacations he worked at world-class golf courses for 5 years including Greywolf and Kananaskis. He’s played just about every major golf course in Western Canada and is your go to guy for questions about our Golf Tours and the Toronto area.

On his days off and his free time, you can most likely find him on the golf course. If he’s not on the links, you can most likely find him on an adventure in the mountains in Canmore, Kananaskis, Banff or Panorama. The days spent in the city, you can find him exploring downtown Calgary and enjoying local food, restaurants and live music.

Should you need an extra playing partner for your round of golf, or have any local dining questions, please reach out to Spencer. He will be happy to assist you with any questions about your journey to Canada.

Tour Operations Coordinator

Dalton has been with Canada Rail Vacations for more than 6 years. He is originally from Toronto, Ontario where he completed a diploma in Tourism Management. Following college, Dalton moved out west to the Rockies for a summer job in Kamloops, British Columbia, and hasn’t looked back since. Over the years, he has lived all over Canada with his two favorite stops along the way being a summer in the remote mountain town of Jasper, Alberta, and a year on Canada’s east coast in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Dalton has traveled in many different styles, including a study abroad in France where he had the opportunity to spend a couple of months traveling all over Europe, as well as six months traveling the coast of Australia in a camper van. He has done multiple road trips across Canada and the United States, spent plenty of time on beaches throughout the Caribbean, and has now been on five of our train trips throughout Canada and the US.

In his time off he can be found on the golf course or hanging out with his dog.

Dalton’s favorite trip is our new Rockies to the Red Rocks route between Denver and Moab as it offers a fresh view of the Rocky Mountains before transitioning to the unique landscapes of Utah’s National Parks where he can continue to golf in the winter months.

Business Operations Coordinator

Born and (mostly) raised in Calgary, Whitney has found her way back home after spending over 6 years living in Vancouver. While not much of a hiker, she’s had the opportunity to explore some of the beauty Western Canada has to offer – a favorite being the stunning drive between Calgary and the West Coast.

Whitney has spent some time travelling internationally, having visited Seoul, done some road tripping through the Central/Pacific U.S., and enjoyed some gorgeous beaches in Mexico and Cuba. Over the last few years, she’s been more interested in vacationing in Canada, where Sechelt and Kelowna are top of the list. Taking the Rocky Mountaineer has been a lifelong dream, and she was so excited to be on her first train in 2022.

When she’s not working, Whitney is busy cuddling with her pup, Bailey, watching scary movies, and making art. She’s very passionate about her friends and family, making connections with new people, and helping others accomplish their goals.

Administrative Coordinator

Sarah grew up in small-town Alberta and has called Calgary home since 2013. She has road-tripped all over Western Canada, and her favourite travel destinations include exploring beautiful southern British Columbia, camping in Northern Alberta, and tasting local brews at every small-town craft brewery she comes across! Internationally she has spent time in Italy and the Caribbean and has a mile-long bucket list of future travel dreams.

Studying both Hospitality and Tourism Management and Marketing in school, Sarah has found a love for helping guests have the best experience possible, anything from recommending top-notch dishes at unique restaurants or local attractions off the beaten path that are sure to make a trip extra memorable.

In her free time, you will most likely find Sarah behind her pottery wheel, camping, or checking out new restaurants and live music in the city.

Vacation Planner

Sebastian is originally from Bogota, Colombia but has been living in Canada for the past 10 years. Upon completing his degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management back home in Columbia, Sebastian decided to come to Canada in order to improve his English by living abroad. After a few years of studying in Vancouver, working in Banff and completing a post graduate program in Toronto he knew he was In it for the long run.

Sebastian has lived in the Rocky Mountains for over 5 years, and the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place contributed greatly to his appreciation for adventure and natural surroundings. He moved to Calgary two years ago in order to stay close to the mountains and has loved it ever since. Apart from his extensive Canadian travels, he has explored some places in South America, including Argentina and Brazil and has even road tripped though Montana, Washington and Florida in the USA.

His other hobbies include reading, playing guitar, working out, snowboarding and climbing.

Vacation Planner

Nikki is another true Calgarian on the Canada Rail Vacations team! After having lived most of her life here, she ventured off in 2016 to Vancouver so she could experience the West Coast, where she discovered her love of the ocean, marine wildlife, and fresh coastal air. Aside from exploring British Columbia, Nikki has driven across Canada, travelled overseas to Thailand, and made her way around New York City (which has now made the top of the list as her favourite place she’s been). There’s no shortage of places she wants to see, but her number one priority is getting to Greece.

With over 15 years in Hospitality, Nikki loves connecting with people, sharing stories, and making new friends. She has a passion for creating the perfect experience for all our guests, and if you’re ever looking for great restaurants or activities to check out in Vancouver, Calgary or Montreal – don’t be afraid to ask, she’ll point you in the right direction!

Trying new foods, cooking at home, watching documentaries, and spending time with her friends and family are just a few of her favourite things! Always looking for the next adventure – which for the CRV team is our upcoming team experience on the Rocky Mountaineer from Denver to Moab!

Tour Guide

After travelling the world for years, Julian met his wife Jen and decided to settle near Banff National Park in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. There, he worked as lead guide and sales manager with a leading travel company showcasing Canada, to the Spanish market. Julián started his journey with Canada Rail Vacations as our guide in 2013. He is one of the most knowledgeable guides in Canada and his “on the ground” experience helps make our clients’ trips even smoother.

Originally from Spain, he was raised between Madrid and the little ski town of Jaca in the Pyrenees. In his personal time, he is skiing every possible powder run he can find.

Although Julian has travelled every region in Canada, our country never gets boring. Traveling Canada coast to coast by train, with The Canadian Trip of a Lifetime is on his “to do next” list.