Canada is a country of wide open spaces. Go to Canada and spend some time in the major cities for shopping, restaurants etc. then get out into the countryside. Your biggest decision will be which part of this vast country do you want to see. Is it the Rockies, Vancouver island and the Pacific coast? Perhaps it is the triangle of Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal including Niagara Falls? Or maybe head to the Atlantic provinces for the dramatic coastal Cabot trail and some of the best whale watching in the world? Canada has a lot to offer for every season.

This itinerary covers the highlights of Western Canada concentrating on the Rockies.

DAY 1&2 - Start off in Edmonton, the provincial capital of Alberta and Canada's most northern metropolis. Begin this morning with a brief orientation tour that will conclude at North America's largest shopping experience - The West Edmonton Mall. With over 800 shops, 110 restaurants, water park and ice rink, it is so much more than a shopping mall. However for those who wish to venture away from the mall the city has museums, galleries and parks galore, as well as Fort Edmonton Park, a reconstruction of the old Hudson's Bay Company fort and the surrounding town circa 1885.

DAY 3 - A relaxed start today as we have some last minute free time in Edmonton before we board our coach for the journey across Alberta to Jasper. This drive starts in rolling hills until the first views of the Rockies can just be seen. Stop in Hinton to climb the Athabasca fire lookout tower for the most spectacular sight.

DAY 4&5 - Board the coach for an unforgettable sightseeing journey, beginning with the spectacular Maligne Canyon, where sheer limestone walls plunge to depths of over 50 metres. Your journey continues to Maligne Lake, the second largest glacier fed lake in the world. Time to relax here and take a boat cruise around the exquisite lake, passing glacier studded mountain peaks to the world famous Spirit Island. There are lot's of choices of things to do like kayaking, white-water rafting, climbing Mt. Edith Cavell and then relaxing in Miette Hot Springs.

 

DAY 6 - An early start this morning as you board the famous Rocky Mountaineer for your spectacular rail journey to Kamloops. One of the sights to be viewed from the large train windows is Mount Robson, one of the most photographed sights of the region at 12,972 feet and the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. The stunning backdrop of lakes and forests nestled into the ragged peaks will keep you amazed as the train winds its way westwards. This afternoon pass the snowy peaks of the Monashee Mountains and then the rolling plateau of the North Thompson River to Kamloops, gateway to the interior of British Columbia. On arrival you spend the night in a hotel

DAY 7 -Your second day aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and another exciting journey of stunning vistas awaits you. While the same high levels of service continue, the ever moving scenery evolves into the Fraser and Thompson River canyons and the fertile farming lands of the Fraser River Valley. As the end of your exciting journey draws near, the skyline of Vancouver is soon in sight.

DAY 8&9 - Start your first morning with a city tour in order to welcome and introduce you to one of Canada's most beautiful cities. With the unique combination of mountains and open sea, every viewpoint offers a photographic opportunity. After the tour there will be the opportunity to go to Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain, take a stroll around Stanley Park and visit the unmissable Vancouver Aquarium or enjoy the sophistication that Vancouver has to offer in its shopping and dining opportunities. The is not to be missed. Maybe take a day-trip to Vancouver Island and Victoria, the provincial Capital or walk through Vancouver's Gastown with its cobbled streets, gas lamps and famous steam clock. The Harbour Tower offers a panoramic view of the city from its observation deck or enjoy the experience while dining at their revolving restaurant.

Day 10- Either begin your journey home or perhaps take an Alaskan cruise?

Canada can be visited at any time of the year. In the fall, make sure to visit any of the National Parks and wonder at the brilliant changing colours of the leaves. Perhaps go to Churchill to see the polar bears, as they congregate on Hudson's Bay waiting for it to freeze over.

If you are visiting in the winter, plan on outdoors activities like world-class alpine and cross-country skiing, ski-dooing, snow-shoeing and sleigh rides. In Ottawa the 5km Rideau Canal becomes one of the world's longest skating rink, with stops along the way for hot chocolate and "beaver tails". In Quebec, Fete de Neige celebrates the snow with ice sculptures, skating rinks and various outdoor events in Jan/Feb.

The summer is the best time to head to the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Spend some time with First People in this wild and isolated part of Canada. Fantastic whale-watching can be done both on the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans and there is much flora and fauna to be seen in any of the National Parks including Grizzly, Black and Brown bears, Moose, Wolves and Coyotes, Lynx and Cougars, Caribou and Bison. Outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, canoeing, white-water rafting and horseback riding to name a few, can be found all over the country. Summer is also the time for events like Klondike Days, the Fringe Theatre Festivals, the Calgary Stampede, International Jazz Festivals and other local events.

Shopping is excellent value in Canada as well as visitors being eligible for a refund on the GST (7%). All the major cities have rich, cultural programs of theatre, ballet and opera.

 

TRAVELAINE believes that Canada is still in the shadow of its neighbour to the south but that is changing. The word is slowly getting out that Canada is the destination to head to in North America for fantastic wildlife viewing, stunning scenery, lively cities and still relatively unspoiled.

If you prefer to go to the USA, then we do organise holidays there, so please do call or e-mail us.

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