Western Canada Destination Guide
Stretching from Manitoba to the Pacific coast, western Canada offers a world of diverse contrasts. Starting with one of Canada's most beautifully situated cities, Vancouver, a visit to this awe-inspiring and beautiful area will leave you gasping with wonder and admiration. A region which offers spectacular coastlines, staggering and imposing white capped peaks, deep blue lakes, peace, tranquillity and isolation and an opportunity to experience amazing wildlife means that this is a holiday destination made in heaven.
Banff National Park
Banff National Park was the first one in the country and is joined to Jasper National Park with the spectacular Icefields Parkway running through both. This is a land of dramatic high mountains, glaciers and untamed scenery where meeting wildlife along the road is the norm. At the mid way point between Banff and Jasper, you can climb aboard a massive Ice Explorer and journey across a glacier over 1,000 feet thick. The Columbia Icefield is the largest sub-polar body of ice in North America.
The old town of Banff is the gateway to the National Park and is well worth a stop to stroll around the art and craft shops and admire the quaint, wooden shop fronts. Like many mountain cities, Banff has a very different character in winter and summer.
Calgary
The gateway to fabulous scenery in any direction you choose. This is an
oil town filled with gleaming medium rise buildings and its most
notable landmark, The Calgary Tower, offers great views over the Rocky
Mountains. It is best known for the Calgary Stampede - the rodeo and
wildwest show which takes place every July. If you plan to visit then,
book early!
Clearwater
Go rustic and commune with nature in this delightful, rural retreat. Situated on the edge of Wells Gray, it is the gateway to Mount Washington one of the highest peaks in the Rockies. Helmcken Falls is a glorious sight and you can take a sightseeing flight over the mountains and there is a bear viewing station with a visitor centre geared up to telling you how to find a bear!
Jasper National Park
The largest of the mountain parks where, in summer, you can take a ride up onto one of the glaciers. Jasper, itself, is an authentic old rail town surrounded by glorious views. In winter, it is transformed into a white wonderland and should temptation strike, you can take to skis. It's also one of the stopping stations for the famous Rocky Mountaineer train which travels across the Rockies from Calgary to Vancouver.
Kelowna
A great stopping off point and a change of scenery too, the relatively undiscovered town of Kelowna lies on the shores of the Okanagan Lake with its 68 mile long expanse of water and backdrop of rolling hills. It is also a wine-growing region, so has some alternative rest stops!
Lake Louise
Famous for the Chateau which sits at the lakeside, the landscape of a deep green lake and snow-capped peaks is everything you imagine. Take a trip on the lake during the summer, but remember that the lake is frozen throughout the winder until mid June. Thre are a wide variety of hiking trails and in winter, the nearby Lake Louise Mountain Resort offers amenities for alpine and cross-country skiing, as well as heli-skiing and snowboarding. Encompassing more than 4,000 square acres and 4 mountain faces, this resort is one of Canada's largest. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the beauty of Lake Louise, glaciers, natural springs, wildflowers and possibly even some wildlife. Discover why this magical place is home to so many grizzly bears as you explore one of the best bear habitats in Banff National Park.
Sun Peaks
A year-round resort located just north of Kamloops, which makes a perfect stopping off point en route to Vancouver. The village has a real alpine village feel and has excellent hiking, mountain biking and walking opportunities.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful city, surrounded by mountains and the Pacific Ocean, it has something for everyone. Stanley Park is the largest urban park in North America and offers a six mile sea wall for walkers and cyclists, a temperate rain forest, a collection of original totem poles and even beaches. Vancouver is young and lively and has a great selection of restaurants, nighlife and shopping. Vancouver was the proud host of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Whistler
One of the top North American ski resorts, which is open year round and is just two hours drive north of Vancouver along the "sea to sky highway". This alpine resort has been beautifully designed and if you don't plan to make it to the Rockies, it's still a great way to get a feel for the mountains. Gondolas operate year round and there are beautiful walks amidst glorious scenery.
Victoria
Around two and a half hours from Vancouver by road and scenic ferry ride, lies Vancouver Island and its capital, Victoria. Victoria itself has a quaint almost English feel about it and a visit to the famous Butchart Gardens is essential. Whale watching trips are popular and if you are lucky, you may eve see them from the ferry! The island is bigger than you might think and just north of Victoria are mountains and walking opportunities as well as spectacular coastlines.
The area surrounding Victoria is also an amazing place to explore if you're more inclined towards natural spots. From the Inner Harbour you can walk in either direction along the water to the very popular local Dallas Road, or you can cross "The Blue Bridge" and end up on the Westsong Walkway into Esquimalt. Both have beautiful views of the Inner Harbour and even Port Angeles across the water.
Alaska cruises
The USA's largest state does not border the USA, but rather Canada making the port city of Vancouver the perfect location from which to start your exploration of this awe-inspiring white wilderness. We're pleased to co-operate with APT Touring and Holland America Line to offer spectacular cruises to experience the rugged beauty of the extraordinary landscapes of Alaska. Cruises can be of differing durations, but will take you through the Inside Passage on spacious, but not overly large, ships carrying up to 1,500 passengers.
The ships are classically designed with spacious viewing lounges, teak decking and private verandas in some cabins plus a variety of restaurants to enable you to enjoy the very best cruising experience.
