My Canada Trips Brochure 2022

D IVERSE • EPI C • I NSPI RI N G • U N FO RG E T TABLE

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Welcome to

Few places on earth offer such diversity as Canada. The world’s second-largest country has an endless variety of landscapes that can only be described as epic.

Welcome to our new brochure which we have put together to give you some ideas and inspiration for your trip to Canada. Known for its breath-taking scenery and rugged mountain vistas, Canada offers so much more to see and do. Sophisticated cities, abundant wildlife, fascinating First Nations culture and outdoor activities galore; Canada has something to suit everyone.

Almost all the holidays we sell are tailor-made, each one reflecting the individual tastes or interests of our clients. (We can also provide those special additional touches if you are celebrating a special anniversary or birthday when you are abroad).

From your initial enquiry, you will be allocated your very own dedicated Canada Expert. They will always be on hand to help with advice, tips or to answer any questions you may have. They will work together with you to refine your itinerary until you are completely satisfied with it.

All our Canada Experts have travelled the country extensively and each has built up a wealth of knowledge over the years. Collectively, this means we have a massive bank of experience to tap in to when putting together your trip. This is how we guarantee a quality and individual service. You can rest assured that our Experts will always answer your questions with facts not guesses.

So, sit back, relax and have a browse through your brochure. We hope it will inspire and inform you in equal measure. When you are ready, call us on 0800 270 0010 and let one of our Canada Experts start planning your trip.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Laura Mehigan Canada Product Manager

Contents Alberta, British Columbia & The Rockies 06

Atlantic Canada

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Canada By Rail

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Yukon & Alaska

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Saskatchewan

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The Great Outdoors

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Ontario & Quebec

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USA

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Why choose us?

From the moment you contact us, you’ll be assigned your own personal Canada Expert who will stay with you through every part of your booking. They will work with you to plan an itinerary around your requirements including locations, attractions and activities you are interested in, and recommending others you may wish to consider.

They will also help you choose where to stay and how to travel, making the most of your time and budget. Every itinerary is as unique as our clients, and every Canada trip is a unique experience. We hope you’ll love Canada as much as we do.

Don’t just take our word for it… ‘‘We booked a trip to Canda for our Ruby wedding anniversary and the holiday left us with memories to last a lifetime. It was always a dream of mine to see Niagara Falls and they were every bit as impressive as what I hoped.’’

Mrs Willamson

Award-winning service Voted the UK’s Best Holiday Company to Canada.

Expert advice We don’t just know Canada, we love it.

Tailor made for you Every holiday is tailor made to your requirements.

Highly rated Our clients have rated us 5 out of 5 for service.

Your holiday is 100% protected We’re ABTA and ATOL protected so your money is 100% safe with us.

5.0/5

‘‘We’ve just returned from our trip to Canada and wanted to say how amazing it was. We were really impressed with how well organised it was by you, everything ran like clockwork.’’

Independent feedback based on 153 verified reviews

Dr Sarah Hirst-Winthrop

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Our Top Ten Canadian Highlights Icefields Parkway Drive the spectacular Icefields Parkway: a wilderness corridor lined by the sky-piercing peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Page 18

Algonquin Provincial Park

Cruise

Visit Canada’s oldest provincial park, a mecca for nature and activity enthusiasts alike.

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Sail the famous ‘Inside Passage’, one of the most scenic sea-lanes on earth.

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Whale Watching Set sail from St. John’s in Newfoundland to spot up to 22 species of whales and thousands of seabirds too.

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Yukon Northwest Territories

Nunavut Newfoundland and Labrador

British Columbia

Ski

Alberta Manitoba

tchew

an

Experience the thrill of the Canadian Rockies, for many it’s the best skiing in North America.

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Saska

Quebec

Prince Edward Island

Ontario

Nova Scotia New Brunswick

Travel by Train

Bear Watching

Cowboys

Journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, one of the world’s most spectacular rail adventures.

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Get up close and personal with grizzly bears, whales, moose and much more.

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Watch cowboys perform at the Calgary Stampede – ‘the greatest show on earth’.

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Polar Bear Watching Experience the excitement of polar bear viewing from an official Tundra Buggy.

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Niagara Falls Discover one of the world’s most visited natural attractions, Niagara Falls. Located within easy reach of Toronto.

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Alberta, British Columbia & The Rockies These neighbouring Provinces contain some of the most iconic sights and experiences that Canada has to offer. From dynamic Vancouver in British Columbia to the mighty peaks of the awesome Rocky Mountains.

Alberta For proof of Alberta’s amazing nature credentials head west to Jasper and Banff, two of the world’s oldest national parks. Despite their wild and rugged terrain, they remain untrammelled and easily accessible.

On everyone’s bucket list is the panoramic and unforgettable Lake Louise and the Columbia Icefield – travel east to the dinosaur-encrusted Badlands around Drumheller, south to the Crypt Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park, and north to spot bison in the vast, empty northern parklands. In the centre of the province, the wheat blows and the cattle roam; here you’ll find historic ranches, sacred native sights and the eerie landscape of the hoodoos. Alberta’s cities are of patchier interest; there are living people older than Calgary and Edmonton’s downtown. But what these metropolises lack in history they make up for with their spirit: Calgary

has become unexpectedly cool, with top museums and cocktail bars, while Edmonton’s fringe theatre festival is the world’s second largest.

British Columbia Visitors to Canada’s neighbouring provinces of British Columbia (BC) and Alberta should pack a long list of superlatives to deploy here; the words ‘wow,’ ‘amazing’ and ‘spectacular’ will only go so far.

Luckily, it’s not too hard to wax lyrical about the mighty mountains, deep forests and dramatic coastlines here that instantly lower heart rates to tranquil levels. But there’s much more to British Columbia (BC) than nature. Cosmopolitan Vancouver fuses cuisines and cultures from Asia and beyond, while mid-sized cities such as Victoria and Kelowna are increasingly creating their own vibrant scenes. Wherever you head, the great outdoors will always call.

Don’t just point your camera at it: BC is unbeatable for life-enhancing

Jasper

The most iconic mountain range in North America has to be seen to be believed.

• Vancouver

Vancouver Island

Calgary Banff

Sunshine Coast

Okanagan Valley

Tofino Victoria

You’ve seen pictures of the Canadian Rockies – dazzling peaks, lush alpine meadows, turquoise lakes, virgin forest, towering waterfalls and wildlife galore. Discover a network of protected national and provincial mountain parks on the Alberta-BC border. Feed your wanderlust in Jasper and national parks and Kananaskis Country, where you can hike, bike, ski, skate, dogsled, paddle, golf, raft and fish your way through some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet.

After a full day of adventures, relax and rejuvenate while enjoying all the alpine towns of Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper have to offer.

Prepare to have your breath taken away!

• Rocky Mountains

Lake Louise

Cariboo

Ucluelet

The Rockies

Highlights

Skeena Prince Rupert

skiing, kayaking and hiking experiences that can make this the trip of a lifetime.

Vancouver

Whistler

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Voted one of the top cities in the world to live in. A coastal city surrounded by mountains, its downtown area offers beaches, a harbourfront and even a rainforest. – See Page 8.

• Lake Louise

This iconic mountain lake is famous for it’s blue glacial waters – See Page 19.

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Vancouver

So many are seduced by Canada’s third largest city, the sparkling Pacific Ocean, the beautiful Gulf Islands, and the snow-capped Coast Mountains. In fact almost every street you look down in Vancouver gives unforgettable views. It has a mild climate, making it a year round destination.

Neighbourhood Villages Downtown is just the start of Vancouver.

Walk or hop on public transit and within minutes you’ll be hanging with the locals in one of the city’s many diverse and distinctive ‘hoods. Whether discovering the coffee shops of Commercial Dr or the hipster haunts of Main St, the indie bars and restaurants of Gastown or the heritage-house beachfronts and browsable stores of Kitsilano, you’ll find this city perfect for easy-access urban exploration. Just be sure to chat to the locals wherever you go: they might seem shy or aloof at first, but Vancouverites love talking up their town.

Creative Culture As the city awaits its long-anticipated new Vancouver Art Gallery building, there’s already a rich and ever-spreading canvas of cultural action to dive into around the city. Dig deeply and you’ll uncover a diverse grassroots scene that operates like a locavore movement for culture lovers.

Mingle with the regulars at eclectic festivals, sparkling theatrical events, toe-tapping live music, waterfront Shakespeare shows and a camera-ready menagerie of public art – as well as the city’s independent galleries and a huge, party-like open-house art crawl that lures locals and visitors 8

to East Vancouver every November.

Vancouver is known as “Hollywood North” due to its booming film industry.

It is the 3rd largest film production area, just behind Los Angeles and New York.

Films such as Fifty Shades of Grey, Deadpool and Twilight New Moon were all filmed in the city.

Outdoor Wonderland Those snow-dusted mountains that are peeking at you from between downtown’s glass towers? They’re less than 30 minutes away by car. The city’s North Shore nature doorstep offers snow sports, mountain biking and leisurely rainforest viewing, while the city itself is studded with sandy beaches, forest trails, kayaking routes, seawall bike lanes and Canada’s urban green-space jewel, the mighty and highly beloved Stanley Park.

Cruise Terminal The downtown area is home to the fourth largest cruise ship terminal in the world, known as Canada Place.

This terminal can hold up to 4 luxury cruise ships at one time. A popular add on to our holidays is a cruise to Alaska, we offer sailings to Alaska late April through to September.

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Seaplanes Experience the unforgettable sights of Vancouver and British Columbia by seaplane. Capture an exciting aerial tour of Vancouver, while flying overtop forested Stanley Park, sparkling English Bay, and Vancouver’s cruise ship capital – Canada Place. Admire the majestic Lions Peaks, capture the City skyline view and the breathtaking scenes of the North Shore. Soar high above the rugged landscape of the Coastal Mountains, where you’ll see ice-blue glaciers and waterfalls, and have the opportunity to land on a glacierfed lake.

Vancouver Island

The largest populated landmass between western North America and New Zealand – around 500km long and 100km wide – Vancouver Island is studded with colourful, quirky communities, many founded on logging or fishing and featuring the word ‘Port’ in their names.

You’ll find a wide range of attractions, experiences and activities that feel many miles from the bustle of mainland Vancouver. Which reminds us: to make a good impression, don’t mistakenly refer to the place as ‘Victoria Island.’ While the history-wrapped BC capital Victoria is the arrival point for many, it shouldn’t be the only place you visit here.

Victoria With a population approaching 380,000, long-touted as North America’s most English city with its double-decker buses, horse-drawn carriages, formal gardens and tearooms. Thankfully, the theme park version of old-fashioned England is changing. Fuelled by an increasingly younger, more cosmopolitan demographic, a quiet revolution has seen tourist pubs, eateries and stores transformed into the kind of brightly painted bohemian shops, coffee bars and innovative restaurants that would make any city proud. It’s worth seeking out these enclaves on foot, but activity fans should also hop on their bikes: Victoria has more cycle routes than any other Canadian city. Once you’ve finished pedalling, there’s BC’s best museum, a park fringed by a windswept seafront and outdoor activities from kayaking to

whale-watching. The area is also home to exhilarating scenery with an ocean or mountain view around every corner.

Whether your taste runs to golfing, hiking, biking and fishing, or you’re more the shopping, dining and theatre type, Victoria has it covered.

No visit to Victoria is complete without a trip the famous Butchart Gardens, which attracts over 1 million each year and is now a National Historic Site of Canada.

The gardens started as a vision Jennie Butchart had of turning her backyard which was a former quarry into Gardens, now at 55 acres and to this day is still family run. Every Friday and Saturday evening throughout July and August the gardens offer a spectacular fireworks display.

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My Canada Trips Staff Pick

By Laura

Vancouver Island Self-Drive After trips to Atlantic, Eastern Canada and the Rockies I really didn’t think it could get any better – until my selfdrive on Vancouver Island. The main highlights of my week on the Island were the capital Victoria, which has a laid back relaxed feel with a stunning Inner Harbour, a stay at Campbell River offering views over the Inside Passage, fishing and whale watching trips and finally a stay in Tofino. With no less than 6 beaches, a rainforest, walking/hiking trails, bear and whale watching tours and water based activities you will not be short of things to do and see in Tofino.

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Tofino and Ucluelet

Tofino

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Set on the west coast of Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim, Tofino and Ucluelet attract over 1 million visitors a year.

Whether it’s adrenaline you’re after or peace and tranquillity, there’s something for everyone! Separated by the Pacific Rim National Park, Tofino and Ucluelet are 30 minutes from one another by car on the same coastline!

Most of the pristine beaches are shared by both, but each has its own local vibe, offering something different. Winter months offer fantastic storm watching, in the spring months the whales return and the season kicks off with the Pacific Rim Whale festival. Summer months are the busiest months, and whilst the beaches aren’t crowded they are busy, the local markets are lively, the fishing is superb and the sun shines. In the autumn months the bears are crowded along the creeks and rivers feeding on the returning spawning salmon. The Pacific Rim of Vancouver Island is a magical place and many call it a true energy point!

In the autumn months the bears are crowded along the creeks and rivers feeding on the returning spawning salmon

The Pacific Rim National Park is one of the most stunning national parks in Canada, an otherworldly realm of misty rainforests, ancient cedars and 20km of postcard beaches. The West Coast Trail is strictly for the rugged wilderness trekkers – 75km of challenge that can take up to eight days to complete.

Tofino The stunning beauty and ecological diversity of Tofino’s location in the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is the source of all activities.

Imagine, all in one place, fishing, kayaking, whale watching, bear watching, bird watching, camping, hiking, storm-watching and First Nations cultural touring. Surfing is big here, and Tofino regularly gets named the best surf town in North America. For all this glamour, Tofino remains the rough-and tumble frontier town it has always been - easy going, outgoing, enterprising, unpretentious and resolutely friendly.

Yet it also boasts swank beachfront resorts, excellent restaurants and a dynamic arts scene rooted in nature and First Nations culture.

Ucluelet Pronounce it "Yew-Kloo-Let." In the language of the Aboriginal Nuu-chahnulth, it means "safe harbour." The unpretentious, outgoing people who live here call it "Ukee" and visitors are invited to do the same. That's the sort of easygoing place Ukee is. Ukee folk like to chat to strangers, walk them to their destinations, show them where to eat and introduce local legends like Oyster Jim, prime mover in creating the Wild Pacific Trail. The Wild Pacific Trail is a gentle walk that delivers 8.5km of eye-popping coastal panoramas to hikers.

The locals are also happy to help visitors choose their passions from Ukee's incredible selection of things to do. Hard to believe a small village can offer so many big experiences.

Tofino

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Sunshine Coast

Fringing the coastline from Langdale in the south to Lund in the north, is British Columbia’s best kept secret – the Sunshine Coast. Separated from the Lower Mainland by the Coast Mountains and the Strait of Georgia it has an independent, island-like mentality that belies the fact it’s just a short hop by ferry or plane from Metro Vancouver.

It’s a pacific paradise of quirky waterfront shops, friendly people and an easy-going lifestyle. From strolling the endless kilometres of windswept seashore to sailing up Princess Louisa Inlet, visitors find it hard to shake the inescapable feeling that they’re in on a secret the rest of the travelling world has yet to discover.

Sunshine Coast Communities The region’s dozen or so oceanside villages exude a charming atmosphere, with their artisan shops, inviting restaurants, farmers markets and all round breath-taking views.

Explore the harbour side landing in Gibsons with its eclectic mix of local wares, then drive 15 minutes north to laid-back Roberts Creek. Here you can revisit the 60s in funky shops and galleries.

Hop in the car for another 15 minutes to reach Sechelt, the region’s largest community and a central gateway to all things outdoorsy and artsy.

Revel in a glowing sunset from the flowing beach at nearby Davis Bay. Further up the coast, retreat to the small but delightful Halfmoon Bay, or discover the secrets of Secret Cove, a popular summer spot. Continue to the community of Egmont to view the awesome Skookumchuck Rapids.

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Another quick ferry ride from Egmont to Saltery Bay leads to the historic town site of Powell River. Here you can enjoy great diving spots, the Powell Forest Canoe Route and the Sunshine Coast Trail.

At the end of the road is Lund, a small, peaceful coastal village that is a haven for boaters. From here, water taxi to the white sand beaches of Savary Island.

Outdoor Activities In an area dedicated to the pursuit of sports, two stand out: kayaking and mountain biking. Welcome to paddling nirvana. Natural wonders abound here in Howe Sound. There are miles of protected waterways – bordered by mountains rising dramatically from the ocean, as well as clusters of small islands, which provide ideal picnicking areas.

The coast also offers many channels, inlets and sounds teeming with wildlife and nooks to explore. Highlight trips include kayaking around Keats Island and the Paisley Group. The Sunshine Coast also offers hundreds of kilometres of mountain bike trails for riders of all abilities.

Experience everything from cross-country and intense downhills, to free ride routes with ladder bridges and skinnies.

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Highlights Skookumchuck Narrows Twice daily, nature puts on a show as the tide changes and the flow of saltwater switches, reversing the direction and power of these incredibly turbulent rapids. The difference in water levels between one side of the rapids and the other sometimes exceeds 9 ft in height, with 200 billion gallons of water flowing through the Skookumchuck Narrows connecting Sechelt and Jervis Inlets. The Sechelt Rapids are famous for their spectacular whirlpools and, for their attraction to extreme kayakers and divers. “Skook”, as it is affectionately named, is one of the great whitewater wonders of the world, attracting thrillseekers from across the globe.

Whistler

Garibaldi Lake

No matter what time of year you decide to visit Whistler, you will not be disappointed by what it has to offer.

Whether you are looking to relax and unwind or are keen to go exploring and get back to nature, there is something for everyone – in Whistler, each day can be filled with a new adventure.

Whistler has so much to offer; from snow covered mountains to the record breaking Peak 2 Peak gondola, fine dining to horseback riding, ziplining to an outdoor Scandinave Spa, bear viewing to helicopter tours, Whistler covers it all and there is something for everyone!

‘The Village’ is the central neighbourhood of Whistler which is located at the base of both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.

Completely pedestrianised, you only need to take short stroll along the stone walkway to find all of the creature comforts you need, as well as a lot of luxuries you may even treat

yourself to. For those staying in the Village North and Upper Village, if you do not feel like walking, many of the hotels offer frequent shuttles taking you straight to the heart of the Village.

Whistler Village is a place where locals and visitors seamlessly mingle throughout the year. The village is never empty, with people shopping and renting skis and bikes, kids exploring the playgrounds or ice-skating.

There are also plenty of people-watching opportunities from many of the sunny patios and restaurants. If this wasn’t enough reason to visit Whistler, depending on the season

you visit, you might just be lucky enough to catch some of the wonderful events held throughout the year, including free open air concerts, street entertainment and markets.

Why visit Whistler on your trip to Canada?

There is always something to see and do and the sights and sounds change with the seasons, making every visit new and exciting.

If you ask those who have already visited Whistler many will tell you about the special energy felt in this beautiful town – an energy that only people in a beautiful place, having a wonderful time can create – you can feel it every time you walk the Stroll; the smiles on everyone’s faces say it all.

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Inside Passage Ferry & Skeena

Gliding quietly past the dense spruce forests of the British Columbia coastline and along the shores of Alaska’s Inside Passage, a fleet of ferries carries passengers and vehicles along the Alaska Marine Highway System – an interconnected network of communities accessible by sea.

For locals, the 3,500-mile Alaska Marine Highway System is a handy way to get from town to town when the roads are impassable (or non-existent). For visitors, it’s a convenient and thrifty way to see the Pacific coastline without the pricey trappings or set schedules of a fancy cruise ship. You can walk on or bring a car; stay on board and view the passing show, or hop on and off at whim; bunk down in

a private cabin or sleep on deck under the stars. The 15 hour journey through northern British Columbia and southern Alaska from Port Hardy and Prince Rupert winds past hundreds of islands, inlets and fjords and has become famous for its rich marine life and glacier-capped mountains. Watch out for orcas, seals, dolphins, whales and bald eagles.

At times the channel between islands and mainland narrows so much you can feel the spray from the glacier fed waterfalls. This route is ideal for those who want to get on and off the ferry when they please, staying for a few hours or several days in each port of call.

VIA Skeena Train A region rich in first nations culture and history. Passengers on this two-day, 1,160km journey are treated to spectacular views of the Jasper National Park and the rugged Canadian Rockies, the hauntingly beautiful Pacific Coast, and the rustic 14

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settlements, farms and sawmills dotting the lake-studded landscape. The train stops overnight in Prince George and then winds through the Yellowhead Pass, across British Columbia’s interior plateau and long the mighty Skeena River.

Choose the wide seats, attentive service and picture windows of Economy Class, or upgrade to Touring Class to enjoy sweeping views from the extra-large panoramic windows of the Panorama car. You will also benefit from exclusive access to the domed observatory car and a complimentary selection of hot and cold meals.

Skeena – a region rich in first nations culture and history

Okanagan Valley

Located in southern British Columbia, Canada – the Okanagan Valley is one of the warmest regions in Canada. The Okanagan includes the cities of Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and Osoyoos. During the summer months, visitors are offered countless sandy beaches, hot sun and a variety of outdoor and water activities.

Highlights Kootenay National Park

Okanagan Lake provides the valley not only with excellent swimming but is also a spectacular backdrop to the golf courses and Okanagan wineries and popular ski resorts located in the rolling hills of this wine valley. In fact it’s hard to know which harvest is growing faster in this fertile land: tourists or fruit. The 180km-long Valley is home to orchards of peaches and apricots and scores of excellent wineries whose vines spread across the terraced hills, soaking up Canada’s sunniest weather. The valley has provided a summertime escape

for generations of Canadians who frolic in the string of lakes linking the Okanagan’s towns.

Osoyoos, near the US border, is almost arid but things become greener heading north.

Central Kelowna is a fast-growing city that’s a heady mix of lakeside beauty and fun.

In July and August the entire valley is as overburdened as a grapevine before harvest; the best times to visit are late spring and early fall, when the crowds lessen. Snowy winters also make nearby Big White resort an attraction for skiers and snowboarders.

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Established in 1920 as part of an agreement to build a new road across the Rockies, Kootenay National Park is a place of unique contrasts, from icy mountain rivers to steamy hot springs.

The Kootenay Rockies, protected within the park, are British Columbia’s answer to Alberta’s world famous Rocky Mountains and hold the same UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Big and beautiful, but less crowded, Kootenay Rockies are famous for incredible ski resorts, jaw dropping scenery, natural hot springs, abundant wildlife and championship golf courses.

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The Cariboo Region

The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast is a big region. It stretches from near the Alberta border all the way west to the Pacific Ocean. Over 600 km (375 miles) wide, people who come in search of wide-open spaces are never disappointed. Diverse in scenery, rich in history and full of adventure, this is British Columbia’s real west.

Visit real working ranches and ride over rolling rangeland. Fish the provinces best freshwater lakes and secluded saltwater inlets. British Columbia’s wild history comes to life with rodeos, heritage villages and historic First Nations communities.

In the 1800s miners from all over the world rushed to the Cariboo Chilcotin.

The small towns boomed into cities almost overnight with men eager to strike it rich in the gold fields. Gold fever had hit British Columbia and with it came a legendary era of saloons, cowboys and Wild West frontier adventure. Eventually, the gold rush died out. With it went the miners and the bustling cities soon turned into empty buildings. Today, the legends and ghost towns have been faithfully brought back to life in towns like Barkerville but the frontier adventure is still alive and well.

British Columbia’s wild history comes to life in the Cariboo Region 16

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Jasper

Mount Edith Cavell and lake

Spanning over 11,000 square kilometres, from just south of Grande Cache, to the northern tip of Banff National Park, Jasper is the biggest of all the national parks in the Canadian Rockies. It is home to some incredible features including Alberta’s tallest mountain, Maligne Lake – the biggest glacial-fed lake in the Rockies – and diverse animal species including wolverines, elk and bighorn sheep.

At the heart of this national park is the town of Jasper, a laid-back alpine community where the locals welcome you as they would long-lost friends. Inside the town you’ll find restaurants, hotels, bars and shops; perfect for those who enjoy their home comforts, great food and some retail therapy. For those looking to ‘get back to nature’ but are not quite ready to jump into a sleeping bag, surrounding the town are luxurious mountain resorts that offer fine dining and touring options that will allow you to explore the beautiful wilderness of Jasper National Park. Jasper has so much to offer including biking, fishing, hiking, spectacular walking in summer, amazing powder skiing in winter and an abundance of wildlife and sightseeing year-round. Jasper will delight and amaze all of those who visit.

Maligne Lake

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Icefields Parkway

Following the spine of the Canadian Rockies, view a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged snowy peaks, and over 100 glaciers. If you are taking a self drive be sure to allow set aside an entire day to spend in the majesty of Canada's two most famous National Parks, Banff and Jasper.

With many stunning view points, lakes, waterfalls and glaciers you will want to stop off many times along the way for a stroll and photo opportunities. Make a stop at Athabasca Falls, one of the most powerful waterfalls in Alberta, located just outside of the Jasper Townsite. Among the most powerful and breathtaking falls in the Rocky Mountains, the Athabasca River thunders through a narrow gorge where the walls have been smoothed and potholed by the sheer force of the rushing water carrying sand and rock.

Take in the Weeping Wall, Peyto Lake and the Crowfoot Glacier before joining the Trans Canada Highway near Lake Louise where a stop will be made to view the lake and famous Chateau, then continue on the Trans-Canada Highway, passing fortress formations of Castle and Protection Mountains to arrive in to Banff late afternoon/early evening.

On this drive or tour it is not uncommon to view wildlife in abundance, mainly Bears, wolves, big horn sheep and elk.

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Columbia Icefields The Columbia Icefield Centre is located on the boundary of Banff and Jasper National Parks. One of the largest accumulations of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle, it covers an area of nearly 325 square kilometres.

The continuous accumulation of snow feeds eight major glaciers including the Athabasca, Dome, and Stutfield, all visible from the Icefields Parkway. The Columbia Icefield is a true "continental divide," for its meltwater feeds streams and rivers that pour into the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans.

Facing the Columbia Icefield Visitors Centre lies the Athabasca Glacier a tongue of ice 6 kilometres long and one kilometre wide descending almost to road level. We recommend taking an Ice Explorer ride on to the Glacier for an Ice adventure and also take in the popular Glacier Skywalk.

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Lake Louise

Lake Louise

Lake Louise, known as the ‘Jewel of the Rockies’, is what makes Banff National Park the phenomenon it is – an awe-inspiring natural feature that is impossible to describe. Standing next to the serene, implausibly turquoise lake, the natural world feels (and is) tantalizingly close with a surrounding amphitheater of finely chiseled mountains that hoist Victoria Glacier up for all to see.

Famous for its teahouses, grizzly bears, hiking trails and some of the most spectacular sights in the Rockies – one that has captured the imaginations of mountaineers, artists and visitors for more than a century.

For the more adventurous visit Lake Louise in the winter and enjoy endless winter wonderland activities such as skiing, ice walks, ice skating, sleigh ride.

Perhaps even indulge in hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows whilst taking in the majestic scenery on a snowy evening.

My Canada Trips Staff Pick

By Tegan

The Rockies and Lake Louise The drive from Jasper to Banff via Lake Louise is one of the most scenic transfer/tours I have ever taken in all my years of travel. The drive along the Icefield Parkway was stunning, I had to remember at times to put the camera down, look out and take it all in. Surrounded by glaciers, waterfalls, lakes (frozen in May/early June) and an abundance of wildlife. We spotted a Black Bear, Stag and big Horned Sheep on this drive. We stopped off at many places along the way, making sure we took in the scenery and plenty photo opportunities, in particular Lake Louise – one of the world’s most photographed lakes which was breathtaking and had it’s beautiful blue, green and turquoise colours gleaming.

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Banff

Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies near the south eastern border of Banff National Park – Canada’s first national park, Banff caters to intrepid explorers who prefer to end their day’s in a nice hotel rather than roughing it at the campgrounds (though there are plenty of those too).

Nestled high (almost 1,500 metres above sea level) in the Canadian Rockies, Banff is a town that makes you feel at home and exhilarated with wonder all at the same time. There is no other place in the world where you can find a vibrant community of artists, athletes, families, outdoor enthusiasts, restauranteurs and hoteliers nestled in a 6,641km2 national park.

This is a town that truly celebrates its heritage, lives and breathes mountain culture and never takes its backyard for granted. Wander 15 minutes in any direction and you are in wild country, full of bears, elks and wolves.

Opportunities for adventure abound, so pick your sport: Ski down Mount Norquay,

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hike to the massive, free standing limestone pillars known as the Hoodoos, “scramble” up the face of the Stoney Squaw Mountain or bike along Healy Creek.

Ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain to experience a bird’s eye view of six mountain ranges. The Banff Gondola is located just five minutes from the Town of Banff, on the shoulder of Sulphur Mountain.

The 360 degrees view from the upper gondola terminal, view-decks and Summit Ridge Interpretive Boardwalk offer the very best vantage point in the area.

No trip is complete without a visit to the famous Upper Hot Springs, set at 5,200ft this is Canada’s largest operational Hot Spring.

Calgary & Stampede

Alberta’s largest city, Calgary is home to over a million people. Situated where the prairies end and the foothills begin, it’s the eastern gateway to the Rocky Mountains (just a 90 minute drive) and an important centre of trade and tourism for the western prairies.

A vibrant and rapidly growing city, Calgary surprises with its beauty, great eateries, nightlife beyond honky-tonk and a very long, worthwhile to-do list.

Once known to forsake quality for quantity, it’s a trend that’s changing with fantastic results. Community activists in emerging neighbourhoods like Inglewood and Kensington are finally waking up and smelling the single-origin home-roasted coffee, with new bars, boutiques, restaurants and entertainment venues exhibiting more colour and experimentation. The city that to non-Calgarians long served as a somewhat bland business centre or a functional springboard has become cool.

And we mustn’t forget – Calgary throws one of Canada’s biggest parties, the Calgary Stampede.

My Canada Trips Staff Pick

By Kelsey

The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth For a real Canadian experience I can highly recommend adding on the Calgary Stampede package to your trip. It is “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”. The Stampede is an annual 10 day rodeo, exhibition and festival in July that attracts over one million visitors.

The city and locals all embrace this event which includes the rodeo, chuckwagon racing, a parade, concerts and much much more. You will need to book early as hotels sell out very quickly for Calgary’s biggest annual event!

During your time in the city don’t miss out on a trip up Calgary Tower and head out on a popular foodie tour. Don’t miss out a visit to Heritage Park, Canada’s largest living history museum complete with steam trips, horse drawn wagon rides, heritage buildings and stories from the 1860s right through to the 1950s.

Visit us at mycanadatrips.co.uk

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Suggested Itineraries

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Lakes & Lodges

Ultimate West

A superb 14-day self-drive holiday featuring the lakes & lodges of western Canada. Spend 3 nights in cosmopolitan Vancouver before picking up your hire car and travelling to Tyax Lodge, Lac Le Jeune, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Moraine Lake Lodge and Emerald Lake Lodge before ending your trip with a 2-night stay in Banff, the heart of the Rockies.

A fantastic 21-day fly-drive road trip which showcases the very best of Western Canada. From the wine growing region of the Okanagan Valley to the resort towns of the majestic Rocky Mountains, cosmopolitan Vancouver to whale watching in Tofino, with a ride on a real Glacier and a stay in an historic lodge hotel in between, this trip really lives up to its name.

Day 1

Fly UK to Vancouver. Private transfer to your downtown hotel

Day 1

Fly UK to Vancouver, transfer to your downtown hotel

Day 2

Spend today at your leisure sightseeing in Vancouver. Take in Granville Island, Coal harbour, Stanley Park and a sunset at English Bay

Day 2

Explore Vancouver with your Hop on Hop off pass

Day 3

Travel into the Okanagan region; famous for its orchards & vineyards

Day 3

Discover Vancouver. Why not speak to one our Canada Experts for recommendations of pre-bookable excursions

Day 4

Kelowna Westside Story Wine Tour

Day 4

Pick up your car hire this morning and traverse to Gold Bridge for 2 nights at Tyax Lodge

Day 5

Scenic drive taking in waterfalls,peaks and lakes before arriving at Emerald Lake Lodge

Day 5

A full day to explore Gold Bridge and the surrounding area. Tyax offers a wide array of activities for all ages

Day 6

Relax and explore the activities at Emerald Lake Lodge

Day 7

Leisurely drive to Banff

Day 6

Return through Lillooet, turn east along Highway 99 toward Cache Creek.

From here travel a short distance to your overnight accommodation at Lac Le Jeune Resort, located in a stunning wilderness.

Day 8

Explore Banff, take gondola ride & relax in the Upper Hot Springs

Day 9

Traverse via Lake Louise & the Icefields Parkway to Jasper

Day 7

Today, follow the Thompson River to the snowy peaks of the Monashee Mountains. View Pyramid Falls and the Albreda Icefields; then on to the resort town of Jasper, for a 2 night stay

Day 10

Sightsee Jasper before an evening Wildlife tour

Day 11

Drive the scenic Yellowhead Highway to Alpine Meadows Resort

Day 8

Explore this charming mountain village close to many terrific scenic highlights

Day 12

Depart Clearwater for Tyax Wilderness Lodge along the Cariboo Highway

Day 9

This morning depart on the scenic Icefields Parkway that takes you through the spine of the Canadian Rockies. View a never-ending procession of mountains, jagged peaks, glaciers and pristine lakes before arriving at Moraine Lake Lodge

Day 13

Enjoy Tyax Wilderness Resort

Day 14

Head to Whistler for your 2-night stay

A short drive today through majestic mountain passes into Yoho National Park for your 2 night stay at Emerald Lake Lodge

Day 15

Explore Whistler with the Peak 2 Peak Gondola ride

Day 10

Day 16

Travel the Sea to Sky Highway to Horseshoe Bay for a ferry ride across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island

Day 17

Coastal Bear Watching Tour from Tofino

Day 18

Leave the Pacific Rim for Victoria

Day 19

Morning Whale Watching tour and the afternoon at your leisure

Day 20

Depart Victoria to Vancouver

Day 21

Fly Vancouver to UK

Day 11

Relax and enjoy the views and facilities on offer at Emerald Lake Lodge

Day 12

Enjoy the leisurely drive to Banff. Choose the Bow Valley Parkway, beside the Bow River, with an option for you to take a stop at Johnston Canyon before continuing to Banff

Day 13

A full day to explore Banff. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff Gondola (included) where you will see a panoramic view of the Bow Valley

Day 14

Drive to Calgary today and drop off your hire car before your overnight flight to the UK

Call us free on 0800 270 0010

Suggested Itineraries

Canadian Gold Rush

Vancouver, Bears & Whales

Enjoy a wonderful 12-day trip to Canada, including a stay in Vancouver and a rail trip through the majestic Rocky Mountains.

The highlight of this trip is a luxurious 3-day rail journey on the award-winning Rocky Mountaineer train as you wind your way in style and comfort from Vancouver to Jasper via Whistler and Quesnel, taking in Lake Louise and scenic Banff on the way.

A spectacular 15-day west coast Canada self drive road trip that features the cosmopolitan Vancouver, the wilderness of Knight Inlet Lodge and the rugged coastline of Tofino and the Pacific Rim National Park. Knight Inlet Lodge, is not accessible by road, so you’ll fly in by floatplane from Campbell River. Bring your camera - you’ll be going on a bear watching and wildlife viewing tour in search of the grizzly bears that frequent this area.

Day 1

Fly UK to Vancouver and transfer to your hotel

Day 1

Fly UK to Vancouver. Private transfer to your downtown hotel

Day 2

Sightsee Vancouver at your leisure with you Hop on Hop off Sightseeing pass.

Take in Coal Harbour, Gas Town, Stanley Park, English Bay and Granville Island

Day 2

Use your Hop on Hop off Vancouver 24 hour Sighseeing Pass to take in some of the city’s best sights. Highlights include English Bay, Stanley Park, Granville Island and Gastown.

Day 3

Continue to explore coastal Vancouver its sights. Perhaps even ask one of our Canada Experts to recommend an optional excursion

Day 3

Depart Vancouver and drive along the Sea to Sky highway to Whistler. This is a beautiful drive with many viewing points along the way

Day 4

Transfer to the rail station and join Rocky Mountaineer for a 3 day trip through the Rockies. Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to the alpine resort town of Whistler

Day 4

Explore Whistler; take a ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola (included), enjoy endless hikes and trails, add on a helicopter ride for a birds eye view of the mountain rangers, glaciers and lakes

Day 5

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer to the charming rural town of Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo

Day 5

Day 6

Your journey continues eastwards today to the majestic Canadian Rockies and Jasper National Park

Depart Whistler for Horseshoe Bay and sail for 1 hr 45 min on BC Ferries (ferry toll included) to Vancouver Island. Traverse to Campbell River for your overnight stay

Day 6

Scenic floatplane transfer to Knight Inlet Lodge for your wildlife adventure.

You’ll be going on a bear watching and wildlife viewing tour

Day 7

Enjoy an extra Bear Viewing trip, interpretive hike of Kwalate River Valley and interpretive forest walk in the Glencove area

Day 8

Early morning Bear Viewing opportunity before your return floatplane journey to Campbell River. Continue on to the Pacific Rim for your 3 night stay in Tofino

Day 9

Today enjoy a Whale Watch cruise or a Bear Viewing Cruise

Day 10

You may wish to walk along the famed Long Beach or explore the rainforests on a selection of well groomed trails

Day 11

Traverse to Victoria & relax at the Inner Harbour

Day 7

This morning you have the Maligne Lake & Guided walk tour followed by an evening Wildlife Discovery tour

Day 8

Today we travel the famous Icefields Parkway, considered one of the most scenic highways in the world, as we travel to Lake Louise. Enjoy the wildlife, pristine lakes, and breathtaking mountain peaks along the world famous Icefields Parkway before arriving at the spectacular Lake Louise

Day 9

Check-out from your Lake Louise hotel and transfer to Banff for a final 3 nights in the Rockies

Day 10

Discover Banff and its Wildife with Gondola out. Remainder of the afternoon at your leisure

Day 11

Spend your final day in Banff taking in the sights and/or shopping for any last minute gifts

Day 12

Enjoy a whale watching cruise this morning in search of orcas

Day 12

Transfer from Banff to Calgary for your overnight flight to UK

Day 13

Depart Victoria for Vancouver, via a stop at Butchart Gardens before continuing on to BC Ferries from Swartz Bay (included) The day is yours to discover the coastal city of Vancouver

Day 15

Overnight flight from Vancouver to the UK

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Suggested Itineraries

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Canada & Alaska Sojourn

Classic Rockies & BC

An exceptional itinerary offering best of Canada. Fly to Toronto and take in the magnificent Niagara Falls before heading to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, visiting Banff and Jasper, before embarking on a 2 day trip on the award-winning Rocky Mountaineer in luxurious GoldLeaf Service from Jasper to Vancouver. In Vancouver, join Holland America Line for a breathtaking 7-night Alaska cruise.

This itinerary has everything you would want from a holiday in Western Canada – taking in the truly magnificent Canadian Rockies by luxury rail onboard Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf Service, as well as the best of Vancouver. Then head west to the charming coastal capital of Victoria. You’re certain to fall in love with this incredible landscape of mountains, lakes, glaciers and scenic towns.

Day 1

Fly UK to Toronto

Day 1

Fly UK to Calgary, coach transfer to Banff

Day 2

Explore Toronto at leisure and take a ride up the CN tower

Day 3

Niagara Falls full day tour inc cruise, lunch, winery tour with tasting

Day 2

Enjoy Banff this morning at your leisure before your afternoon sightseeing tour, where you will visit the “Jewel of the Canadian Rockies,” Lake Louise and the world renowned Moraine Lake. Both lakes are a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Day 4

Fly to Calgary, transfer to Banff

Day 5

Discover Banff & its Wildlife tour, afternoon at leisure

Day 3

A day at leisure to enjoy Banff. Ask one of our Canada Experts for optional excursion that we can pre-book in Banff for you

Day 6

Scenic Icefields Parkway tour to Jasper inc Ice Explorer ride & Glacier Skywalk

Day 7

Maligne Lake & Guided walk tour

Day 4

Travel on board the Rocky Mountaineer from Banff to Kamloops. Your journey takes you through a spectacular array of scenery as you travel between the glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies

Day 8

Rocky Mountaineer, Jasper to Kamloops

Day 9

Rocky Mountaineer, Kamloops to Vancouver

Day 5

Continue west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver.

On today’s journey, you will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment, through winding river canyons and pristine forests, to the Coast and Cascade mountains

Day 10

Use your Hop on Hop off Sightseeing Pass to take in English Bay, Stanley Park,

Day 11

Day at leisure to continue sightseeing or pre-book an optional tour to Victoria or Whistler

Day 6

Use your Vancouver Hop on Hop off Sightseeing Pass to take in English Bay, Stanley Park, Granville Island and Gastown

Day 12

Board your Alaska Cruise

Day 7

Depart Vancouver this morning for your trip to Victoria & Butchart Gardens

Day 13

Cruise the Inside Passage

Day 14

Juneau

Day 8

Day 15

Skagway

Whale Watching tour from Victoria this morning. This coastal excursion is an exhilarating round trip of 50 to 80 kilometres in search of Orcas, minke whales, grey whales, porpoises, harbour seals and other marine wildlife

Day 16

Glacier Bay Cruising

Day 9

Explore Victoria, famous for its English style architecture and Inner Harbour

Day 17

Ketchikan

Day 10

Traverse back to Vancouver for your 2 night stay

Day 18

Cruise the Inside Passage

Day 11

Spend today at your leisure taking in the very best of Vancouver

Day 20

Overnight flight from Vancouver to the UK

Day 12

Scenic drive from coastal Vancouver along the Sea to Sky highway to the alpine resort of Whistler. Afternoon at your leisure

Day 13

Today is at your leisure to explore Canada’s most famous mountain resort of Whistler

Day 14

Transfer from your hotel in Whistler to Vancouver airport for your overnight flight to the UK

Call us free on 0800 270 0010

Suggested Itineraries

Northern BC & Rockies Explorer

Rockies & Rainforests

A terrific 17 day rail holiday experience through Canada’s Northern British Columbia on the famous Skeena route and the Rockies, including a stay in Victoria and Vancouver. If this wasn’t enough experience the Inside Passage on a ferry cruise from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert. The Inside Passage & Rockies are a paradise for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Discover snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes and dense rainforests; ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain for stunning views and on the surface of the Athabasca glacier for the thrill of a lifetime. Stay in pretty mountain villages, lakeside resorts and on the Pacific coast with its crashing rollers. Watch for whales as you cruise on Clayoquot Sound and for bear, elk and mountain sheep.

Day 1

Fly UK to Vancouver. Transfer to Whistler (included)

Day 1

Fly UK to Vancouver, transfer to your downtown hotel

Day 2

Explore Whistler with your Peak 2 Peak Gondola pass

Day 3

Enjoy Whistler, with endless walks, lakes and activities on offer you will not be short of things to do

Day 2

Discover the coastal city of Vancouver. The spectacular setting invites you outdoors; experience Grouse Mountain Skyride (included) and Capilano Suspension Bridge (included) at your own leisure.

Day 4

Coach transfer from Whistler to Vancouver this morning before taking the afternoon VIA Rail to Jasper (1 dinner included)

Day 3

Day 5

Travel towards the Canadian Rockies and Jasper. Enjoy breakfast while surrounded by dramatic scenery as you follow the banks of the Northern Thompson River through the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains

Pick up your car hire this morning and south to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal for a 90 min Ferry ride (ferry toll included) to Swartz Bay. On-board BC Ferries enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia.

From Swartz Bay continue onto the charming city of Victoria.

Day 4

Today is free to explore Victoria. Admission is included to the Butchart Gardens with its over 50 acre display of magnificent colour

Day 6

Travel by coach today to Banff via one of the most scenic highways in North America - the Icefields Parkway

Day 5

Travel to the rugged West Coast of Vancouver Island and head to Pacific Rim National Park for a 2 night stay in Ucluelet or Tofino

Day 6

Enjoy either a whale or Bear Viewing cruise

Day 7

This morning, tour the town of Banff and its environs. Among the highlights are visits to the the Hoodoos (shaped by centuries of wind) & Bow Valley Viewpoint, Surprise Corner, Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka and Bankhead.

Afternoon at your leisure

Day 7

Depart for journey to Parksville. En-route stop to take in the Mars WaterBombers at Sproat Lake

Day 8

Spend today at your leisure. Ask on of our Canada Experts

Day 8

From Departure Bay sail on BC Ferries to Horseshoe Bay and traverse along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler

Day 9

Express coach this afternoon from Banff to Jasper

Day 9

Day 10

Discover Jasper at your leisure, perhaps add on a wildlife tour or aerial tramway ride

Experience the beauty of Whistler’s alpine environment with a scenic ride on the Peak2Peak Gondola

Day 10

Travel north today to Wells Gray Provincial Park A full day to enjoy all the wonders Wells Gray has to offer

Day 11

Embark on a journey with VIA Rail ‘Skeena’ across British Columbia’s Cariboo Region to the waters of the Pacific Ocean and Prince George

Day 11 Day 12

Day 12

Continuing west, the train follows the Skeena River and meanders through spectacular canyons and open valleys in the presence of ever present mountain ridges, ending in Prince Rupert

Set out for Jasper along the scenic Yellowhead Highway and take in the breathtaking vistas of the steep-walled gorges and crashing falls of the North Thompson River

Day 13

Jasper offers many terrific scenic highlights to explore

Day 13

Sail to Vancouver Island through a maze of enchanting islands, relishing the ever-changing vistas of deep fjords, densely forested shorelines, massive iceflows and jagged inlets

Day 14

Day 14

This morning depart on a scheduled flight to Vancouver

Your scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway today takes you through the spine of the Canadian Rockies. View a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged peaks, over 100 glaciers and pristine emerald coloured lakes

Day 15

Spend today at your leisure taking in the best of Vancouver

Day 15

A full day to explore Banff and the surrounding area

Day 16

Explore Vancouver, be sure to visit Coal Harbour & Stanley Park

Day 16

Drive from Banff to Calgary for your overnight flight to the UK

Day 17

Overnight flight from Vancouver to the UK

Visit us at mycanadatrips.co.uk

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Canada

by Rail The distances in Canada are extraordinary. A tour including a rail journey is the most relaxing way to experience the stunning scenery that Canada has to offer. The picturesque landscapes, the exhilarating cities, the welcoming people, the rail tours into parts of the country inaccessible by any other means – Canada by rail is a truly memorable experience, a unique way to see the stunning mountain scenery this country has to offer.

We offer rail travel with VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer, both of which offer a variety of routes throughout Canada. No matter which one you pick you will be sure to be able to relax in the comfort of your own seat whilst taking in the vastness of the Canadian prairies, the sparkling lakes, the majestic Rocky Mountains or perhaps even some of Canada’s vibrant cities.

Enjoy the food onboard food as you swap stories with your fellow travellers.

Most rail tours operate in both directions and can be combined with a city break, fly drive, coach tour or even an Alaska Cruise.

Rocky Mountaineer

Relax in the comfort of your own seat whilst taking in the vastness of the Canadian prairies, the sparkling lakes, the majestic Rocky Mountains or perhaps even some of Canada’s vibrant cities

VIA Rail

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Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer

One of the six iconic rail journeys in the world, a trip aboard the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer is without a doubt an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.

Travel the across the stunning scenery of the Canadian Rockies during daylight on a full 2 or 3 day journey from Vancouver to Jasper, Lake Louise or Banff onboard the world famous Rocky Mountaineer train and experience unparalleled onboard service, panoramic views and open-air viewing platforms. You can expect glistening snow-capped peaks and glacier-fed lakes that reflect the sky above and their mountain surrounding; cascading waterfalls and soaring forests, keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife – bears, moose and mountain sheep.

Their routes take you to the heart of the Canadian wilderness, all with a drink in your hand. Allow the award winning chefs to wine and dine you with gourmet meals locally sourced. Rocky Mountaineer offer 3 key routes, all of which you can take in the opposite direction.

First Passage to the West Retraces the steps of the 19th century explorers who first marvelled at this untamed wilderness and gives a living history lesson on the building of a nation.

Board the train in Vancouver and get off in Lake Louise or Banff. Your two day journey includes a stop in Kamloops where you will overnight in a hotel.

Highlights include Cisco Crossing,

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Black Canyon, Hoodoos, Craigellachie, Kinbasket Lake, Kicking Horse River, Spiral Tunnels and Castle Mountain.

Journey through the Clouds This two day route takes you through some of the most untouched, most breathtaking natural beauty on the planet. Board the train in Vancouver bound for Jasper, your two day journey includes a stop in Kamloops where you will overnight in a hotel. Highlights include Fraser Valley, Coast and Cascade Mountains, Hell’s Gate, Fraser Canyon, Kamloops Lake, North Thompson River, Monashee and Cariboo Mountains, Mount Robson, Pyramid Falls, Yellowhead Pass and Jasper National Park.

Rainforest to Gold Rush This three day route takes you from one extreme to the next, in the best way possible. From the world’s largest temperate rainforest to desert landscapes.

From a vibrant city to a quaint mountain town. From tranquil ranchland to some of the most untamed wilderness anywhere on the planet. Start your journey from Vancouver with stops and overnights at hotels in Whistler and Quesnel. Highlights include Howe Sound, Porteau Cove, Green Lake, Anderson Lake, Seton Lake, Fraser Canyon, Mount Robson.

Call us free on 0800 270 0010

My Canada Trips Staff Pick

By Kelsey

Rocky Mountaineer Throughout, the journey you get to relax and watch beautiful scenery and wildlife as you roll your way across the country. Goldleaf is definitely a must for your train journey. Whilst service was great throughout the train on both levels of service, going down to the dining area and feeling like you were in a restaurant, with the choice of food and extras make this a dream for those willing to spend a little more on food, drinks and comfort. During lunch we heard the exciting news that there was a black bear sitting on the tracks to the side of the train – the driver slowed down and we all got a chance to photograph the beautiful wild bear enjoying a snack.

Rocky Mountaineer - Service

Rocky Mountaineer offers two terrific services – SilverLeaf Service and GoldLeaf Service. Whichever level you choose you can expect to experience exceptional levels of service and pampering. The main differences between the levels are the coach you travel in, food and overnight hotels.

SilverLeaf Service Includes -C ustom-designed single-level glass-dome coach - Oversized dome windows - Delicious hot entrée options plated to your preference. Served seat side.

- Reclining, comfortable pre-assigned seating - Attended by two hosts, plus one culinary team member - Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Beverages Complimentary throughout journey

GoldLeaf Service Includes

- Gourmet Snacks Complimentary throughout journey

-C ustom-designed bi-level dome lets you sit up top and dine below

- Outdoor viewing between coaches

- Fully domed windows with panoramic views

- Full storytelling by onboard hosts

- Exclusive outdoor viewing platform - Pre-assigned seating in comfortable, reclining chairs - Gourmet a la carte meals served in private dining room - Complimentary gourmet snacks throughout the journey - Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, complimentary throughout the journey

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VIA Rail

VIA Rail

With a country as vast as Canada you need to be able to get around. VIA Rail provides comfortable rail travel to passengers across the nation.

Routes

Service Levels

Travel from Vancouver to Jasper or continue onto Toronto with the Canadian, crossing open prairies and the Rockies, taking four days to complete. A popular route is the mesmerising Skeena from Jasper to Prince Rupert on the Pacific Coast or join the “Le Massif de Charlevoix” and discover Baie-St-Paul and La Malbaie in Quebec. VIA Rail is the ideal way to travel between Eastern Cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec and even continue on the overnight train down to the capital of the Maritime Provinces, Halifax.

VIA Rail offer Economy and Business Class on short routes, Economy and Touring on the Skeena, Sleeper Plus and Prestige class on longer journeys.

Economy Class includes spacious seats with snacks and drinks available for purchase.

Business Class includes access to the business lounge, priority boarding, ergonomic seats and meal service with a glass of wine.

Touring Class – exclusive on the Skeena route (between Jasper and Prince Rupert).

Includes spacious recliner seats, meal service with glass of wine and tea/coffee.

Sleeper Plus includes access to the business lounge, priority boarding, berth with washroom and shower room access, meal service, hot drinks and snacks, activities on board such as wine tasting, live music and more.

Prestige – exclusively between Vancouver and Toronto. Includes access to business lounge, priority boarding, premium cabin with sofa during the day turned into a bed for night, private washroom with shower, personal concierge, meals and unlimited non alcoholic beverages.

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Suggested Itineraries

The Maritimes, Quebec & Ontario

Rockies & Alaska Experience

Experience the delights of Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario on this wonderful itinerary. The first part of the holiday is spent in Nova Scotia, with time in Halifax before picking up a car and driving the Cabot Trail, one of the most scenic drives in the world.

We then travel onboard VIA Rail (Sleeper Plus & Business Class) stopping at Montreal and Ottawa before reaching Toronto, where you visit the magnificent Niagara Falls.

Explore the abundant nature, culture and tradition of British Columbia, relax to the railway rhythm of the award winning Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf Service, one of the most luxurious ways to see the majestic, snow–capped Rocky Mountains and the mighty waters of the Thompson & Fraser Rivers. Enjoy the vibrant charms of Vancouver and embark on an unforgettable Alaskan cruise (choose from Holland American Line or Celebrity), spotting orcas.

Day 1

Fly UK to Halifax, make your way to your hotel

Day 1

Fly UK to Calgary, transfer to Banff

Day 2

Peggy’s Cove Tour

Day 2

Discover Banff and its Wildlife tour, remainder of afternoon at leisure

Day 3

Traverse from Halifax to Baddeck, the start of the Cabot Trail

Day 3

Short transfer to Lake Louise, afternoon at leisure

Day 4

Drive the famous Cabot Trail - Cape Breton Highlands National Park is known for its spectacular highlands and ocean scenery

Day 4

Scenic Icefields Parkway tour to Jasper

Day 5

Maligne Lake & Guided Walk tour, remainder of afternoon at leisure

Day 5

Travel south from Baddeck to Liscombe Mills

Day 6

Rocky Mountaineer, Jasper to Kamloops

Day 6

Enjoy the activities on offer at Liscombe Mills

Day 7

Rocky Mountaineer, Kamloops to Vancouver

Day 7

Drive from Liscombe Mills to Halifax

Day 8

Vancouver Hop on Hop off Sightseeing Tour at your leisure

Day 8

VIA Rail Sleeper Plus Service Halifax to Montreal

Day 9

Board your Alaska cruise

Day 9

Sightsee Montreal, be sure to take in the city views from Mont Royal

Day 10

Cruise Inside Passage

Day 10

Full day tour to Quebec and Montmorency Falls

Day 11

Juneau

Day 11

VIA Rail Business Class Service Montreal to Ottawa

Day 12

Skagway

Day 12

Discover Ottawa with your hop on hop off tour

Day 13

Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier

Day 13

VIA Rail Business Class Service Ottawa to Toronto

Day 14

Ketchikan

Day 14

Embark on your full day Niagara Falls Day Tour inc. Niagara City Cruise, lunch at fallsview restaurant & wine tasting at Niagara-on-the-lake

Day 15

Cruise the Inside Passage

Day 15

Explore Toronto’s sights & attractions – visit the distillery district, take a Harbour cruise, or even trip up the iconic CN Tower

Day 16

Fly Vancouver to UK

Day 16

Fly Toronto to UK

Visit us at mycanadatrips.co.uk

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Saskatchewan A four-season destination, Saskatchewan also offers an impressive range of experiences, from thrilling outdoor adventures to relaxing getaways; from exploring nature to enjoying lively urban hotspots.

A vibrant artistic and cultural landscape, colourful festivals and a delicious culinary scene provide unforgettable travel memories.

Imagine a place where you don’t go looking for solitude, solitude finds you. A place about the size of France but with 1/60th of the population, where you have to go looking for cities and towns, versus escaping them, and where the sky comes alive with the distant rumble of an approaching thunderstorm, the grass sways to the beat of a silent drummer and the only sound you hear is the odd cricket cranking out a tune. You can go for hours and not see another car, yet in that time see deer, moose and millions of gophers, and experience enough solitude to drive an agoraphobic right over the edge.

Welcome to Saskatchewan.

You won’t find mountains here, nor oceans or enormous cities. But you will find something that most people could use a bit more of – peace and quiet. There’s no need to exaggerate the vastness of this prairie flatland. Once you get off the main highway it’s more akin to an ocean going journey – instead of riding on the watery waves you set sail on an ocean of wheat, drifting with the currents of quiet roads and stoic landscapes. On your voyage you’ll arrive in towns that feel like ports populated with low-key locals. Sometimes the days will be long and the scenery will meld into a stagnant image, but when you arrive at an island of paradise and you’re the only one there, all efforts will be rewarded.

Set sail on the land of the living skies and get acquainted with one of the largest untouched sections of wilderness left on the planet.

Visit us at mycanadatrips.co.uk

Imagine a place where you don’t go looking for solitude, solitude finds you.

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Ontario & Québec These two Provinces are home to Canada’s oldest and most sophisticated cities – Toronto, Ottawa (Canada’s capital) and Montreal with its unique French atmosphere.

Ontario

Québec

Ontario has both Canada’s political capital, Ottawa, and its commercial capital, Toronto. Around 40% of Canada’s population lives here in an area four times the size of the UK. Its vast wilderness has over 250,000 lakes, including the Great Lakes bordering the US, which contain a fifth of the planet’s fresh water.

Most Ontarians call behemoth Toronto or Ottawa, the nation’s cosmopolitan capital, home.

Foodies, fashionistas and funsters converge on Toronto’s vibrant multicultural neighbourhoods where immigrants from far and wide live in hockey-following harmony.

Both cities have hopping arts and entertainment scenes, kept current by the neighbourly influences of New York and Montréal. Whether you want to reconnect with nature or lose yourself in the excitement of the most multiculturally diverse and socially cohesive region on Earth, Ontario is the right place.

With French as the sole provincial official language, Quebec truly feels like a country within a country, encompassing the linguistic and cultural identity of its European counterpart but with all of the vast Canadian wilderness and cosmopolitanism included.

Quebec embraces everything, from its language to gastronomic flair, giving it a real feel for being a city which takes pride in its multicultural heritage by seamlessly blending both European and North American identities.

Montréal and Québec City are bustling metropolises with a perfect mixture of sophistication, playfulness and history-soaked preserved quarters tucked away around town.

The rustic allurements of old Québec are scattered among the Eastern Townships and produce from bucolic Charlevoix graces the tables of the region’s stellar restaurants. Past these creature comforts is the raw outdoors: the jagged coasts of the unblemished Gaspé Peninsula, the vast taiga and tundra of the North Shore and the windswept isolation of the Îles de la Madeleine.

Ontario and Quebec offer vast wilderness, Great Lakes, Niagara Falls and vibrant cities

Highlights

Ivujivik Algonquin Chisasibi Provincial Park (Fort George)

Charlevoix Regional County

Moosonee

Gaspe

• Ottawa’s Parliament Buildings A magnificent and dignified home to Canada’s democracy and a reminder of its constitutional monarchy.

– See Page 41.

• Niagara Falls Quebec

Thunder Bay Hamilton London

Ottawa Toronto

Eastern Township Montreal

Niagara Falls

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One of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls. – See Page 39.

• Algonquin Provincial Park This incredible wilderness region offers endless walking and canoeing opportunities. – See Page 40.

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Toronto

Cultured and cosmopolitan, Toronto nevertheless manages to remain relaxed, liveable, and fun all at the same time. Canada’s centre of the arts and media has plenty of pleasant tree-lined streets in Yorkville for windowshopping and wandering; a host of independent galleries in West Queen West with edgy works; big-name music festivals year-round; and an adventurous, constantly evolving food scene.

Toronto’s impressive sights may be what pull you in but its vibrant neighbourhoods, artistic happenings, and friendly locals will make you want to return.

One of the most multi culturally diverse cities on the planet with over 140 languages spoken, it’s estimated that over half of Toronto’s residents were born outside Canada. When the weather is fine, Toronto is a blast: a vibrant, big-time city abuzz with activity.

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Some of the world’s finest restaurants are found here, alongside happening bars and clubs and eclectic festivals.

Toronto’s must see attractions include the CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, Ice Hockey Hall of Fame, boat ride to Toronto Island and a visit to the distillery district.

Families will find plenty to keep them busy, we recommend Ripleys Aquarium, Toronto Zoo with Splash Island and Canada’s Wonderland - theme and waterpark.

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My Canada Trips Staff Pick

By Kevin

Toronto’s most prominent attraction is the CN Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the western hemisphere and it now includes EdgeWalk, a thrilling hands-free walk around the outside ledge of the tower.

Standing at 1,815 feet tall anddesignated as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, this engineering marvel is not only a topnotch dining and entertainment venue, it’s a Canadian icon and an enduring symbol of Toronto.

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Only a 15 minute drive from the Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake has a lot to offer, from antique shops to horse drawn carriage rides, hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and wineries. Often called the ‘loveliest town in Ontario’, it has a long and distinguished history.

While you’re here, catch a performance at the world-renowned Shaw Festival Theatre dedicated to George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries.

Follow the wine route signs on a romantic journey to small boutique wineries, exquisite estates and superb restaurants in one of the premiere wine regions of the world, which boasts more than 40 varieties of grapes and more than 75 wineries.

Watch massive freighters navigate up the Great Lakes via the Welland Canal. Then go golfing with the roaring Niagara River as a backdrop in a region where the views are breath-taking and the 40 courses can be demanding.

Arrive in the Niagara Region any season of the year to enjoy Niagara’s famous festivals celebrating wine, flowers, music and winter.

In 1792, Newark – as it was named by Governor Simcoe, became the first capital of the newly-created colony of Upper Canada, and the legislature met here for five sessions, until Lieutenant- Governor John Graves Simcoe moved the capital to York.

The physical appearance of the town, with the exception of the powder magazine at Fort George was virtually erased by the burning of the town by the Americans during the war of 1812.

My Canada Trips Staff Pick

By Gavin

Niagara-on-the-Lake offers amazing architecture, historic homes and buildings and a laid back ambience, this is a superb resort. Spring is less crowded and when everything starts to bloom it’s a wonderful sight to see. Get off the main street and wander the historic residential areas to see the remarkable restorations, and perfectly preserved homes and hotels.

History The site of the old Neutral Indian village of Onghiara, it was settled at the close of the American Revolution by Loyalists coming to Upper Canada, many of whom had been members of the much feared Butler’s Rangers based during the American Revolution at Fort Niagara, then under British control.

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Niagara Falls Niagara Falls

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No trip to the east coast of Canada would be complete without a visit to the famous Niagara Falls.

With plenty to see and do, from an unforgettable ride on a Niagara City Cruise or jumping on the Whirlpool Aero Car, to checking out the Skylon Tower – where you will get the best view around – you will have no trouble filling your time at the Falls.

Grown-ups, honeymooners and empty nesters have more things to do in Niagara Falls than ever before. Most visitors love to spend an afternoon sipping Chardonnay on a Niagara wine tour before enjoying a candlelit dinner at a Fallsview restaurant! A romantic kiss at the Niagara Falls fireworks is the perfect ending to the evening.

There are award-winning golf courses for those who feel like teeing off while in Canada and relaxing Spas for those who would prefer to be pampered. Whichever way you prefer to spend your time, Niagara Falls has something for everyone.

Niagara Falls Adventure Pass This pass offers you admission to many of Niagara Falls’ most popular attractions and allows you to avoid long wait times.

Once you have your pass, you also have the luxury of reserving a time that’s convenient for you and proceeding to the priority entrance at your given time. No more queues!

Attractions included in the pass are: WEGO transportation, White Water Walk, Journey Behind the Falls and Niagara Fury.

The Horseshoe Falls We can’t blame anyone for wanting a more personal view of the Falls as it really is unbelievable. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get up close!

Niagara City Cruise The legendary boat tour of Niagara Falls is Canada’s most iconic visitor experience and a must for all who visit! With new boats, enhanced booking and check-in services, night-time and Sunset Cocktail cruises, Falls Illumination and Falls Firework Cruises, Niagara City Cruise is the ultimate must-do experience!

Niagara’s Fury Once you’ve seen Niagara Falls in 4-D, you’ll never look at it the same way again.

Niagara Parks has recreated the sights and sounds of the creation of the Falls using technology previously only used in satellites and medicine. This Universal Studios-style attraction unfolds in a 360-degree theatre that executes a multisensory experience. The temperature will drop, the floor will tremble and water will bubble and spray!

White Water Walk For those who would prefer to see the Falls in real life with their feet firmly planted on the ground, a walk on a boardwalk at the very edge of one of the wildest stretches of white-water is the ideal way to do so.

It’s the perfect viewpoint to marvel at the power and beauty of trillions of gallons of water forcing its way downstream.

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Algonquin Provincial Park

Ontario’s oldest and second-largest park is a sight for city-sore eyes, with over 7600 sq. km of thick pine forests, jagged cliffs, trickling crystal streams, mossy bogs and thousands of lakes.

An easily accessible outdoor gem, this rugged expanse is a must-visit for canoeists, hikers and seekers of piney fresh air. Highway 60 intersects a small portion of the park near its southern edge. Numerous campgrounds, lodges, attractions and short hiking trails are accessible from this well-trodden corridor.

The vast, wooded interior of Algonquin is only accessible via 2000km of charted canoe routes and strenuous hiking trails.

The park has around 25 wolf packs and the park authorities have been at the forefront of wolf research since the 1950s.

On Thursdays in August they arrange communal ‘wolf howls’ that elicit ready

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responses from wolves in the area: a spine tingling way to interact with nature.

The park is also a great place to see moose, deer, beaver and black bears in their natural habitat

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Ottawa

Located in Ontario at the Quebec border, it’s a place where you’ll hear English and French spoken in the streets; where you can discover Canada’s proud heritage at impressive national sites and famous landmarks, including the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

It’s a city steeped in culture, its main attraction is the vast assortment of stateof-the-art museums. From the smooth undulating walls of the uber modern Museum of Civilization, to the haunting gothic arches of the Museum of Nature, each attraction is an inspired architectural gesture with an intriguing exhibition space.

This is a city that enjoys the finer things in life, with a culinary community that’s earning wide acclaim, unique boutiques and shopping districts, a lively local music and art scene, and exciting nightlife.

My Canada Trips Staff Pick

By Jennifer

Ottawa Ottawa is a must see on your trip to Eastern Canada, it’s Canada’s capital and home to Parliament and many museums. Some of the main highlights of my time in Ottawa were the Ottawa Locks a boat trip on the famous Rideau Canada, a visit to Parliament Hill and the Canadian War Museum. We spent some lovely evenings at the Byward Market in some of the many tavernas, popular with both locals and tourists.

This city is a uniquely beautiful place: an urban centre on the edge of nature where you’ll enjoy the great outdoors. There’s an easy cosmopolitan vibe here and Ottawa is known for being both welcoming and walkable. Explore the distinctive local neighbourhoods, including the historic ByWard Market: by day this area boasts a bustling farmers’ market and chic shops, by night it hums with activity at the restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs.

Ottawa’s cultural diversity is evident in the mix of local cuisine. Chinatown and Little Italy have been local mainstays for quite some time but recent years have witnessed an influx of dynamic flavours from Africa, France, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, not to mention a variety of aboriginal choices.

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Montreal

Canada’s second-largest city may be the second-largest French-speaking metropolis on the planet (after Paris), but the attention lavished on its Frenchness – Bistros! Baguettes! People saying “Bonjour”! – tends to nudge aside the many other ethnic communities within Montreal’s remarkably diverse urban sprawl.

Italians, Portuguese and Lebanese have a very visible presence and the city hosts annual festivals dedicated to everything from Asian-American films to Caribbean food. Throw in a pulsing alternative community and creative scene and a whole new Montreal opens up. That said, it’s this secret blend of French-inspired joie de vivre and cosmopolitan dynamism that has come together to create such an exciting city.

A city culture that has fostered a flourishing arts scene, a music explosion, a medley of world-renowned boutique

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hotels, the Plateau’s extraordinary range of fantastic restaurants and a cool Parisian vibe that pervades every terrace in the Quartier Latin. It’s easy to imagine you’ve been transported to a distant locale, where hedonism is the national mandate.

Only the stunning vista of a stereotypical North American skyline from Parc du Mont Royal’s Kondiaronk Lookout will ground you.

Whether your passion is Syrian cuisine, contemporary art or vintage shopping, Montreal serves it up with aplomb.

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A blend of French-inspired joie de vivre and cosmopolitan dynamism that has come together to create an exciting city

Quebec City

With its alluring setting atop Cape Diamond (Cap Diamant), Quebec is a city of delightfully stark, yet virtually seamless contrasts; centuries-old fortification walls lead to chic open-kitchen restaurants and cobblestone streets give way to bike paths and innovative art institutions.

The capital of Quebec province and one of the oldest cities in North America, Quebec City received a major face lift before its 400th anniversary in 2008.

The only walled city north of Mexico, visitors come for the delicious and inventive cuisine, the remarkable historical continuity and to share in the seasonal exuberance of the largest Francophone population outside of France. It has much of the charm of major European cities: it’s largely walkable with great public transportation, its architectural gems are both modern and historic and it’s imbibed with a vibrant culture and history – bronze church spires and picture perfect sidewalk cafés.

Quebec also has a vivacious rebel of French chic, liberal attitude, sinfully delicious cuisine and beautiful people. You’ll find the Québécois as vibrant and inviting as the colourful Victorian facades, lush rolling hills and romantic bistros strewn across this magnificent province. It’s a Canadian province, so you’re never too far away from nature, proudly paraded in protected parks, majestic mountain ranges and windswept rugged coastlines.

The rustic allures of old Québec are scattered among the Eastern Townships and produce from the farmlands is the fayre that graces the region’s stellar restaurants.

The Laurentians are abound with ski resorts

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and peaks, while the jagged coasts of the unblemished Gaspé Peninsula and the cliffs soaring high above the Saguenay River are equally as breathtaking.

Bonjour Quebec!

Quebec also has a vivacious rebel of French chic, liberal attitude, sinfully delicious cuisine and beautiful people

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The Eastern Townships

The Eastern Townships (also known as les Cantons de l’Est and formerly as l’Estrie) refers to the southeast corner of the province of Québec, bordering Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, and is known for its mountains, spas, charming small towns, lush forests, and many vineyards.

In winter, the Townships are the place to be for serious ski and snowboard enthusiasts, boasting many of the province’s highest peaks and most challenging trails. In summer, boating, swimming, sailing, golfing, in-line skating, hiking, and cycling take over. And every fall the inns are booked solid with visitors eager to take in the brilliant foliage. Fall is also a good time to visit the wineries (although most are open all year). Due to its mild microclimate, the Townships area has become one of the more prominent wine regions in Canada, with a dozen of Québec’s 33 commercial wineries.

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There remains a sizable, albeit dwindling, English population here, mostly the descendants of Empire Loyalists who fled first the Revolutionary War and later the newly created United States of America.

The Loyalists were followed, around 1820, by the first wave of Irish immigrants. Some 20 years later the potato famine sent more Irish pioneers to the Townships. The area became more Francophone after 1850 as French Canadians moved in to work on the railroad and in the lumber industry. The region still looks more like New England than New France, with redbrick villages, tidy Protestant churches, and white clapboard farmhouses with big

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verandas. During the late 19th century, English families from Montréal and Americans from the Border States began summering at cottages along the lakes.

Charlevoix Region

The rural valleys of Charlevoix, surrounded by snow-covered mountains during the winter, are transformed in the summer by beautiful weather, complimented by the deep blue tones of the St Lawrence river.

Highlights Visit in Spring for whale-watching, as minke, beluga and humpback whales migrate from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In summer head to the region’s two national parks – Les Grands-Jardins and Hautes-Gorgesde-la-Rivière-Malbaie – for hiking, biking, camping and kayaking. Plan a summer or fall trip and Drive along the St. Lawrence River coast and then follow the rolling hills of the aptly named Flavour Trail, dotted with more than 40 farms, mills and breweries open for tastings and tours. And in the winter you don’t have to be a skier or boarder to hit the snow at Le Massif de Charlevoix Ski Resort. Ride a snow taxi up to the summit and sled down on the 4.5-mile “rodeling” (sled) trail opened in 2012. Choose the traditional wooden Austrian-style sled to sit up and enjoy the scenery, or go for speed and zip face-first down the mountain on a luge-like steel sled.

Classed as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, this stunning region spans 6000 sq km and has become one of the preferred escapes for the residents’ of Quebec City, having previously been a summer retreat for the privileged and wealthy, for the past 200 years. Home to just 30,000 residents, there is a sense of pride within the population.

The nearby towns, such as Baie St Paul, also offer visitors a truly unique experience, through boutique shops, authentic ateliers (artists’ studios) and numerous art galleries lining the small, picturesque streets.

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Suggested Itineraries

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Best of the East

A Tale of 4 Cities

A terrific fly-drive itinerary offering some of the best highlights of Ontario and Quebec. Visit the magnificent Niagara Falls, enjoy the outdoor life at Algonquin Park before heading to the city destinations of Ottawa, Quebec City and Montreal. Return to Toronto, via Kingston, and take a wonderful Cruise of 1000 Islands.

A classic tour consisting of 4 contrasting Canadian cities; Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa and Toronto. Experience the “French” feel of Montreal and Quebec City, before heading to the capital of Ottawa and finish with a stay in Toronto, with a day trip to Niagara Falls included.

Day 1

Fly UK to Toronto

Day 1

Day 2

Enjoy Toronto’s waterfront - a scenic backdrop for many popular and attractions including Harbourfront, Ontario Place, Skydome, the CN Tower, and the Toronto Islands

Fly UK to Montreal and make your own way to your downtown hotel. (transfer not included)

Day 2

A day at leisure to enjoy Montreal. Montreal offers a number of unique attractions. From some of North America’s oldest and most spectacular architecture to professional sports and botanical treasures. Enjoy a 3 hour tour of the city (optional)

Day 3

A full day tour ‘Quebec City & Montmorency Falls’. This all-day tour, guided to and from Quebec City, includes your return transportation and sightseeing tour in Quebec with a local licensed guide. This tour will take you back more than 400 years to the historic landmark of the French regime. You will be charmed by the old world atmosphere of Quebec City with its narrow streets, steep hills and numerous historical treasures on the banks of the St. Lawrence River

Day 4

Today you head for Ottawa, the nation’s capital city. Travel by rail with VIA Rail in business class Enjoy the facilities of the Business Class Lounge before boarding instructions. Your rail journey to Ottawa is around four hours and takes you from Quebec into rural Ontario, with maple forests and pastureland Ottawa is not just the capital of the Canadian government, it is also one of the most diverse cities in the world, offering everything from world class sporting events and shopping adventures, to museum and family activities.

Today is a free day to explore on your own

Day 3

Pick up your hire car and travel along the shores of Lake Ontario, and through the orchards and vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula, arriving stopping at Niagara-on-the-Lake before continuing onto Niagara Falls for a ride on the famous Niagara City cruise

Day 4

Your drive takes you north, past Toronto and into Ontario’s “cottage country” bound for Algonquin Park, the serenity of the Canadian wilderness

Day 5

Enjoy hiking, observing wildlife and canoeing

Day 6

In the morning enjoy the park before departing for the nation’s capital, Ottawa

Day 7

Sightsee Ottawa. Many of the city’s attractions are within sight of Parliament Hill

Day 8

Today head north east to the jewel of the Laurentians, Mont Tremblant, a European styled all season resort village

Day 9

Enjoy the scenery as you travel from Mont Tremblant to Quebec City

Day 5

Day 10

Experience the old world charm of Vieux Quebec with a guided tour of the old city on foot (included). This UNESCO World Heritage site is complimented by artisan shops, cafes and landscaped parks

Day 6

Explore and enjoy Ottawa’s sights

Continue onto Montreal following the St. Lawrence River, pass from city suburbs to the rural landscapes of forests and rich pastures, dotted with tiny villages that extend to Montreal.

Day 7

Business Class travel onboard VIA Rail to Toronto, afternoon at leisure

Day 11

Day 8

Sightsee Toronto. Explore the Distillery District, Harbourfront, Centreville/Toronto Island and take an optional trip up the CN Tower for spectacular city views

Day 12

Explore Montreal and its sights

Day 13

Travel south to the city of Kingston. On the way enjoy the visit of Upper Canada Village (included). Before reaching Kingston, stop at Gananoque to join an hour cruise of the 1000 islands (included)

Day 9

Today you have a full day Niagara Falls tour. A breath-taking tour through the orchard-laden Niagara Peninsula to Niagara Falls, one of the great wonders of the world

Day 14

Traverse from Kingston to Toronto

Day 10

Overnight flight Toronto to UK

Day 15

Overnight flight from Toronto to the UK

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Suggested Itineraries

Canada’s West & East Tour

Quebec Splendour

See the very best that the world’s second-largest country has to offer in this ‘Best of Canada’ holiday. An unforgettable journey that even includes a trip through the Rockies by luxury rail onboard Rocky Mountaineer. Our West & East tour is the ideal way to experience Canada’s stunning scenery. From glacier-strewn mountains to rolling prairies, vast inland seas to vibrant cities.

Discover the splendour of Quebec on this 10 day road trip.

Explore the cities of Montreal and the UNESCO heritage site of Quebec City. Discover the beautiful Charlevoix region and take a whale watching trip from Tadoussac. Travel onwards through the delightful Saguenay and Lac St Jeans areas, before exploring the Eastern Townships prior to your return to Montreal.

Day 1

Fly from UK to Calgary, transfer to Banff

Day 2

Discover Banff & its Wildlife with Gondola ride tour

Day 3

Explore Banff. We offer many pre-bookable excursions in Banff, ask one of our Canada Experts for their recommendations

Day 4

Traverse from Banff to Jasper via Canada’s most scenic mountain roadway; The Icefields Parkway. This is the route to over one hundred visible glaciers, turquoise lakes, and rushing waterfalls

Day 5

Maligne Lake & Guided Walk tour with option to add on cruise. Afternoon at leisure

Day 6

Today you join The Rocky Mountaineer for a classic rail journey through the Rockies! Travel on-board the Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to Kamloops (breakfast, snacks, lunch & beverages included)

Day 7

Day 8

Your journey onboard Rocky Mountaineer continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. You will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the interior, through winding river canyons and pristine forests, to the Coast and Cascade mountains and the lush green fields of the Fraser River Valley (breakfast, snacks, lunch & beverages included) Sightsee Vancouver with your Hop on Hop off pass. Highlights include English Bay, Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown, Chinatown, Robson Street, and the Entertainment District

Day 9

Full day tour of Victoria & Butchart Gardens is included

Day 10

Internal flight from Vancouver to Toronto for your 3 night stay

Day 11

Sightsee Toronto, take a trip up the CN Tower for the best city views (included) and visit the historical Distillery District

Day 12

Full day tour to Niagara Falls including a ride on the Niagara City Cruise, free time at Niagara Falls, lunch at Fallsview restaurant and wine tasting at Niagara-on-the-Lake

Day 13

Overnight flight from Toronto to UK

Day 1

Fly from the UK to Montreal for an overnight stay

Day 2

Trace the St Lawrence River, heading north towards Quebec City. Travel Route 138, taking you off the mundane highways in order to experience rural Quebec

Day 3

A day in Quebec City – experience the old world charm of Vieux Quebec with its cobblestone streets and fortified city wall

Day 4

Depart for La Malbaie, in Quebec's beautiful Charlevoix region

Day 5

Travel from La Malbaie to the small city of La Baie, taking in a whalewatching tour from the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord

Day 6

Spend today visiting the attractions of the Saguenay & Lac Jean areas

Day 7

Depart from the Saguenay region and take the ferry over the St Lawrence River to Riviere-du-Loup

Day 8

Travel to Quebec's Eastern Townships region, with the chance to visit the chocolate museum in Bromont or the L'Orpailleur Winery in Dumham along the way

Day 9

Today you have the opportunity to explore the Eastern Townships region.

Visit the Abbey of St Benoit du Lac, Magog or Coaticook with it canyon, park & suspension bridge

Day 10

Return to Montreal for your overnight flight to the UK

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Cape Breton Coast 48

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Atlantic Canada Located on Canada’s East Coast, the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island boast Canada’s most spectacular and pristine coastline.

Atlantic Canada is closer to Europe than any other part of North America. Made up of the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, it’s an area that boasts Canada’s most spectacular and pristine coastline. Dominated by the sea, with a long, jagged coastline punctured by picturesque bays, sandy beaches, towering cliffs, some of the prettiest towns in Canada and the freshest, tastiest lobster in the world – Nova Scotia’s slogan “Canada’s ocean playground” is no exaggeration.

Indeed, the ocean was crucial to the development of the provinces, not only in bringing waves of settlers but also accounting for its greatest industries: shipbuilding and fishing.

Forestry became important in the nineteenth century, and even today, the bulk of the region remains intractable wilderness – 84 percent of New Brunswick, for example, is covered by trees. The Maritimes were also at the heart of the epic struggle between England and France for North America in the eighteenth century, now boasting a

rich legacy of historic sights, many associated with the French-speaking Acadians who were usually caught in the middle.

Most travellers focus on Nova Scotia, where the provincial capital of Halifax makes an appealing base from which to explore the picturesque coastline, then head north to Cape Breton Island.

Driving from the US or the rest of Canada, you’ll pass through the often overlooked province of New Brunswick, with plenty of world class diversions of its own: the gritty, revitalized port of Saint John (never “St John”, and not to be confused with St John’s, Newfoundland), the Acadian Coast and the Bay of Fundy, whose taper creates tidal surges of up to 12m. Prince Edward Island (PEI) was linked to the mainland by the whopping Confederation Bridge in 1997 and possesses one of the region’s most enticing culinary scenes. Leafy, laidback Charlottetown is well worth at least a couple of days, especially as it’s just a short hop from the magnificent sandy beaches of the Prince Edward Island National Park.

The range of possible itineraries in Atlantic Canada is practically endless (you could do a kayaking itinerary, or a French-towns itinerary, for example), so we’ve focused on a few of our favourites. Even a month is not enough to see all of the Maritime Provinces but the four itineraries in this guide, touching on the “greatest hits” of each province should get you started.

Feel the energy of the Acadian community! Be amazed by the talented musicians, dancers, chefs, and artisans. This tight knit, French speaking community, spread throughout the Island, is welcoming and enthusiastic about the discovery of their traditions and sharing their stories with you. You will find festivals, authentic experiences, cuisine, and historical sites to discover.

Highlights

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Lunenburg

Walk the cobbled streets and explore the maritime history of this charming seaside town.

– See Page 50.

• Iceberg Alley Prince Edward Island Cape Breton Island Fredericton Bay Of Fundy St Andrews

Halifax Peggys Cove

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is one of the best places in the world for viewing Icebergs. – See page 57

• Cabot Trail

Drive along one of the world’s most spectacular roads around the northern tip of Cape Breton Island. – See Page 51.

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Nova Scotia

Peggy’s Cove Peggy’s Cove is the home of Canada’s most photographed lighthouse. As you wind along the edge of St. Margaret’s Bay, woodlands eventually give way to rugged outcroppings that were deposited when the last glaciers swept through.

On one side, massive granite boulders stand semi-erect in scrubby fields; on the other, they lie prone, creating the granite shelf on which Peggy’s Cove is perched. The hamlet itself consists of little more than a Lilliputian harbour with a tiny wooden church, a cluster of shingled houses, and some salt-bleached jetties. What distinguishes Peggy’s Cove, though, is the solitary lighthouse towering over a slab of wave-blasted rock. Just don’t be tempted to venture too close to the edge – many an unwary visitor has been swept out to sea by the mighty surf that sometimes breaks here.

Lunenburg Twenty years ago the facades of the wood-built buildings in Lunenburg, a UNESCO-listed fishing town in Nova Scotia, were white with black trimming. The only exceptions were the red buildings down by the wharf. But in 2007 the new owners of the Mariner King Inn kick-started a trend.

They decided to repaint their multi-building property, which dates from 1830, in bright hues, reflecting how it would have appeared during Victorian times. In the 1800s the captains of fishing vessels painted their homes the same bright colours as their boats. It was both a practical means of using 50

surplus paint and the unique colour scheme allowed boats to be rapidly identified as they sailed into harbour. The colourful façade on King Street was soon nicknamed ‘the UNESCO fresco’ and other property owners soon followed suit, quite literally painting the town red, among other colours.

Lunenburg isn’t a big place. If you don’t stop, you can stroll from one side of the town to the other in under fifteen minutes. That said, the historic architecture of the Old Town provides plenty of reason to pause. It was inscribed as North America’s second urban UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

This coastal town is laid out on a grid pattern and is home to around 2300 permanent residents. Some are descendants of the German, Swiss and Huguenot French settlers brought here to colonise the area on behalf of the British in 1753.

Annapolis Royal The community’s efforts to restore and promote their village as a tourist destination have made Annapolis Royal one of the most delightful places to visit in the region. At the time of writing, it remained one of the only well-trodden towns in the province without a ubiquitous Tim Horton’s coffee and donut franchise. As teeny-tiny as it feels, Annapolis Royal is dripping with historical significance: the area was the location of Canada’s first permanent European settlement and was capital of Nova Scotia until the founding of Halifax in 1749. Formerly called Port Royal, it was founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1605. As the British and

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French battled, the settlement often changed hands. In 1710 the British had a decisive victory and changed the town’s name to Annapolis Royal in honour of Queen Anne.

Halifax

Proud Halifax locals (known as Haligonians), many of whom have come from other parts of Nova Scotia, have a great quality of life: sea breezes keep the air clean; leafy, manicured parks and gardens nestle between heritage buildings; there’s a thriving arts, theatre and culinary scene; and the numerous pubs, as well as an ever developing craft-brew culture.

It’s not just a city for the young – Halifax’s longevity ensures something of appeal for everyone. Stroll the historic waterfront, check out a museum or two, catch some live music and enjoy the best of what Eastern Canada has to offer – you’ll find Haligonians to be more than happy to share their fabulous little city with visitors from around the world.

Explore Halifax’s visitor attractions and heritage: Citadel Hill – a National Historic Site, the Citadel is the fortified summit of Citadel Hill overlooking the city and the harbour.

Take a guided or self-guided tour, watch the 78th Highlanders in their period uniforms and soak up the sound of the bagpipes and drum. Time your visit for the ceremonial firing of the noon gun.

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic – Canada’s Oldest & Largest Maritime Museum located on the waterfront.

Exhibits and galleries include the RMS Titanic and the story of how Nova Scotians helped with the recovery, Shipwrecks and Halifax Explosion.

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 – a former ocean liner terminal and immigration shed, it became known as the “Gateway to Canada”.

Alexander Keith’s Brewery – One of the oldest working breweries in North America. Take a tour of the original brewery, set in a historic building, experience real Nova Scotian good times with live music from young musicians, stories and a fine variety of ales.

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Cape Breton Island

Cabot Trail

There isn’t much new in the north-eastern corner of Nova Scotia and that’s precisely the point; Cape Breton Island’s reputation rests on simple pleasures and heartfelt hospitality. Spectacular scenery doesn’t hurt either, and the very best of it is found on the Cabot Trail, a scenic 298-km (185-mile) stretch of road, winding along ocean-side cliffs.

The Cabot Trail is considered one of the world’s most scenic destinations, with stunning ocean vistas, old-growth forests, prehistoric rock scarred by glaciers, and the mysterious Cape Breton Highlands.

Stop off at Black Brook Cove, Neils Harbour, Pleasant Bay and Margee Harbour amongst various view points in between. Along with the fine scenery, the Cabot Trail offers visitors a fantastic culinary experience. Lobster is a specialty in many restaurants along the Cabot Trail, as fresh local seafood can be found in all communities. Look for crab, oysters, mussels, clams, scallops, and mackerel, all raised or caught locally.

Bras d’Or Lake – a vast, almost landlocked inlet of the sea occupying the entire centre of Cape Breton – is still home to ancient Mi’Kmaq communities, yet it appeals equally to an international contingent of boaters who come to cruise the lake’s unspoiled coves and islands.

This rugged terrain made the Highland Scots, who settled here in the 18th century, feel right at home with their influence remaining obvious: North America’s first single-malt whisky distillery is on Cape Breton, as is its only college devoted to Gaelic language, arts and culture.

There are 26 beautiful hiking trails in the National Park, ranging from easy strolls to challenging climbs – they all lead to panoramic views of canyons, highlands and the coast. Not to be missed is the Skyline Trail, located about a 15-minute drive from the Cheticamp park entrance, it is also not uncommon to spot moose.

Elsewhere on the coast you’ll find Francophone villages full of Acadian joie de vivre, plus historic attractions like the mighty Fortress at Louisbourg, which bear witness to the area’s long-standing French presence.

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North America’s first single-malt whisky distillery is on Cape Breton My Canada Trips Staff Pick

By Julie

The Cabot Trail roads are wide, quiet and very easy to drive on, offering coastal views that take your breath away, the forests, fishing villages and beaches make every inch of this route a photo opportunity. My stay in Baddeck, a picturesque sleepy town was the perfect place to base ourselves for this route. Some of the many highlights of our drive on the Cabot Trail were Ingonish Beach, Black Brook Beach, Pleasant Bay for a whale watching trip and hiking the Skyline Trail (the sunset here is one of the most spectacular), also a visit to Glenora Inn & Distillery – home to North America’s first single malt whisky.

Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown

Prince Edward Island is a camera-ready landmass – from coast to coast, rich, sienna-coloured soil nourishes luminous green pastures, shores are lined with rose and golden sand, and the patchwork of lush rolling fields, tidy gabled farmhouses and seaside villages has barely changed.

It’s so much more than just another pretty place. Its people are both warm and inviting with their heartfelt hospitality and slow-paced lifestyle enticing visitors to return year after year. When the Confederation Bridge opened between Borden-Carleton and Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick, in 1997, traditionalists feared it would destroy the island’s tranquility – as you explore the villages and fishing ports, it’s easy to see why they cherish it, yet outside the tourist hub of Cavendish, the Island still seems like an oasis of peace in an increasingly busy world.

and the result is fine swimming conditions.

Best of all, the Island’s 1,100-mile coast means a beach is always close by.

Highlights

The island is, as far as islands go, largely self-sufficient and has gained a reputation as a farm and ocean-to-table culinary destination. Its size makes it easy to explore by car or bike – the island’s Confederation Trail is one of the world’s best cycling destinations.

• The land and shores

Explore Charlottetown, site of Canada’s birthplace - Province House National Historic Site was the scene of meetings that led to the formation of Canada as a country in 1867. You can explore picturesque Prince Edward Island National Park on the island’s north shore - see sand dunes, beaches and Green Gables, fictional home of Anne, the character created by Canadian writer Lucy Maud Montgomery and beloved by millions worldwide.

The land and shores surrounding Skmaqn-Port-la-Joye-Fort-Amherst, which have been part of historic Mi’kma’ki since time immermorial.

The first permanent European Settlements on the Island - then called Epekwitk by the Mi’kmaq or Isle Saint-Jean by the French established here in 1720.

• Rustico

The Farmers Bank in Rustico is one of the oldest communities established in “La Nouvelle Acadie” following the Treaty of Paris in 1763 and is the oldest Acadian settlement in Prince Edward Island.

• Room at 3 Rivers

This historic site brings to life the story of Jean Pierre Roma, the French merchant who in 1732 established an international trading post at Trois Rivieres.

In summer, thanks to the relatively shallow Gulf of St. Lawrence and circulating Gulf Stream, Prince Edward Island beaches have the warmest saltwater north of the Carolinas – temperatures can reach 70ºF in July and August. Factor in sandy strands

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Bay of Fundy

Hopewell Rocks

The chilly and powerful Bay of Fundy is where the world’s most extreme tides rise and fall twice daily, and is some of New Brunswick’s most dramatic coastline.

There is a lot to see and do along the Fundy route so there are options along the way to Saint John such as Hopewell Rocks, located on the shores of the Bay of Fundy at Hopewell Cape. This attraction is one of the Marine Wonders of the World and is the site of some of the World’s Highest Tides. Walk on the ocean floor in the shadows of the majestic flowerpot rocks, unique formations carved by erosion over thousands of years. Experience tides rising up to 4-storeys high, making it possible to kayak, at high tide, over the same area you may have recently walked at low tide.

100-billion tonnes of seawater gush in and out of the bay twice a day. The time span

between low and high tide is 6 hours and 13 minutes, meaning you can experience both in one day.

Here are a few of our key Bay of Fundy tidal locations to explore: Cape Enrage Designated by Frommer’s Guide as the Best View in Canada, have the undisputed best view of the Bay of Fundy at this award-winning attraction!

From atop the 46-m cliffs, you’ll see a panoramic view of the entire bay from Apple River to Dorchester to Quaco.

Winner of American Travel Writer’s Phoenix Award, Cape Enrage is a complete Fundy Adventure waiting for you.

Highlights • Saint Andrews The town of Saint Andrews, or St. Andrews by-the-Sea as it is often called, has long been one of New Brunswick’s premier vacation destinations. Located along the Bay of Fundy, this seaside town offers spectacular views, fantastic dining options, incredible whale watching and many other activities. Whale Watching in the Bay of Fundy The Bay of Fundy has been compared in marine biodiversity to the Amazon Rainforest, known globally for its ecology, geology, tidal energy currents, and habitats. It is renowned for having the most extreme tides on the planet at 17 metres (50 feet), five to ten times higher than the rest of the world’s tides. The tides of the Bay of Fundy offer a summer feeding ground for the endangered North Atlantic Right whale, among 12 other species whales and other marine life and countless birds.

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Fundy National Park of Canada (a designated Dark Sky Preserve) - Alma At Fundy National Park the giant tides of the Bay of Fundy mark nature’s subtle cadence.

Take advantage of the park’s natural setting, explore the forest, and discover the creatures of the inter-tidal zone.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is one of Canada’s hidden gems! Explore its small towns and villages, scenic river valleys, wilderness parks and coastal islands.

Troll the art galleries and craft studios for antiques and fine local pottery, make the rounds of the weekend farmers’ markets, and catch some live Maritime music at one of the summer festivals or local pubs.

northern end of the Appalachian mountain range in Mount Carleton Provincial Park, the coastal path around Grand Manan Island, or cycle from B&B to B&B along quiet country roads.

Take in Saint John City Market, the oldest market in North America or even visit Canada's oldest continuing museum - New Brunswick Museum. You may even wish to pick take in a wine tour.

In the early 20th century, the New Brunswick wilderness was world-famous and fashionable. Wealthy American sportsmen and glamorous Hollywood starlets regularly journeyed north to fish its rivers and hunt in the vast forested interior. US President Franklin Roosevelt made his summer home on Campobello Island, along the southern sea coast.

Gradually New Brunswick slipped into relative obscurity; a terra incognita lying between Quebec and Nova Scotia. But the unspoiled wilderness is still there.

So are gentle green valleys dotted with farms, colourful fishing villages along the coast, and a maritime culture melding the heritage of the early Acadian and British settlers with strong aboriginal traditions and those of recent immigrants.

Fredericton

Shediac

City of Fredericton New Brunswick’s capital city is rich in culture and riverside beauty. Blessed with lovely Odell and Wilmot parks, you’re sure to find the perfect picnic spot. Or go for a freshwater swim at Killarney Lake Park. Be in downtown’s Officers Square for outdoor concerts, films and theatre – all for free that will fill your days and evenings with pleasure. Fredericton is a cultural treasure with the world-class Beaverbrook Art Gallery and The Playhouse… one of the best farmers markets in Canada… and an array of award-winning celebrations such as the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival.

A vacation paradise nestled along New Brunswick’s spectacular eastern seashore.

Known as ‘The Lobster Capital of the World’ for lobster fishing, processing plants, live-lobster tanks and the famous Lobster Festival. Take a dip in the finest saltwater beaches in Eastern Canada!

With waters peaking at 24 degrees Celsius, it’s some of the warmest water north of Virginia. Boating, windsurfing, golf and hiking are just a few of the attractions on or near its pristine, sprawling beaches. About town, there are many fine restaurants serving succulent seafood to tempt your palate, from scallops to Atlantic salmon to lobster, of course! Stop for a rest at an outdoor café, or search for that special trinket in the many shops, boutiques and art galleries.

New Brunswick offers outstanding opportunities for enjoying the great outdoors. Whale-watching around Passamaquoddy Bay and Grand Manan is so good it comes with a sighting guarantee. Sea-kayak outfitters offer a rigorous day out on the waves. The inland lakes and rivers have unlimited opportunities for canoe-tripping. Hike the

Saint John A delightful port architecture against a perfect backdrop to the market square, where you can stroll along and watch the cruise ships dock at the harbour, taking in fine restaurants and shops along the way.

View the famous Reversing Rapids as the tides of the Bay of Fundy actually force the waters at the mouth of the Saint John River to reverse its flow.

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Newfoundland & Labrador

St.Johns

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Magnificent mountains, sweeping vistas, colourful wooden houses perched on rocky sea cliffs, hidden fjords and the deep blue sea define Newfoundland. “The Rock”, as the island is sometimes affectionately called, lures visitors with the promise of dramatic landscapes, incredible hiking and outdoor experiences, and the warmth of the people.

Canada starts here, from the east, on the island of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic. Labrador, to the northwest, is on the mainland bordering Québec. With a coastline spanning nearly 17,699km, the province is ideal for spotting humpback whales feeding near the shore, millions of nesting seabirds and 10,000 year old icebergs slowly drifting by fishing villages.

Highlights Iceberg Alley When it comes to viewing icebergs, this is one of the best places int the world.

Gros Morne National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, words do not give the vistas justice. The park is populated by little villages, bare topped mountains with its forests populated by moose and caribou.

L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the only authenticated Norse site in North America. The Vikings, the first Europeans recorded to reach the new world, landed at L’Anse aux Meadows over 1,000 years ago.

Terra Nova National Park - four hundred square kilometres of paradise for hiking, camping, and exploring. Here you can kayak or boat from sheltered bays to breathtaking coastlines, amongst whales and seabirds. Dense forests and quiet coastlines wait to be explored along 11 beautiful hiking trails. As you walk along the twisting paths you might spy a moose, lynx, beaver, or an eagle.

Torngat Mountains National Park takes its name from the Inuktitut word Tongait, meaning place of spirits. It is 9,700 square kilometres of spectacular wilderness stretching north from Saglek Fjord to the northern tip of Labrador, and westward from the Atlantic seacoast to the Québec border. It’s a land of mountains and polar bears, small glaciers, and caribou, where the Inuit hunt, fish, and travel, as their predecessors did for thousands of years.

Fogo Island & Change Islands - home to 12 communities, each with its own distinctive flair and allure. ogo has become a haven for artists from around the world, who come to work in incredible, inspiring modern studios. While on Change Islands, you’ll discover a distinct part of our cultural heritage – the noble Newfoundland Pony

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Suggested Itineraries

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Acadian Adventure

Treasures of New Brunswick & Nova Scotia

Experience the best of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island & Prince Edward Island on this amazing road trip! Set off on unique adventures to explore picture-perfect villages, hike coastal trails, view the world’s highest tides and enjoy the thrill of whale watching in the Bay of Fundy. Drive the breath-taking Cabot Trail, regularly voted one of the world’s top 10 scenic drives, then visit the world-famous Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse.

New Brunswick is one of Canada’s hidden gems! With Nova Scotia being its neighbour, you will get the best of both worlds on this scenic road trip. Find yourself embracing the coastal scenery and wildlife, particularly whales. During your 14 night trip, you may wish to hike on coastal trails, visit one of three UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites such as the Grand-Pre National Historic Site, kayak around the Hopewell Rocks and even dine on fresh seafood.

Day 1

Fly from the UK to Halifax

Day 1

Arrive in Halifax and transfer to your downtown hotel

Day 2

Today is free to explore Halifax. Get a terrific view of the city from the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Day 2

At leisure in Halifax

Day 3

Start the day travelling along the Atlantic Ocean, visiting the picturesque fishing village of Peggy's Cove before arriving at Annapolis Royal

Day 3

Pick up your hire car this morning and drive to Mahone Bay before continuing to Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the afternoon at Peggy’s Cove

Day 4

Drive along the Digby Neck to experience a whale-watching excursion in the nutrient rich waters of the Bay of Fundy

Day 4

Leave Halifax this morning and head to Pictou, renowned as “birth place of New Scotland”

Day 5

Bound for Prince Edward Island today, following the curvature of the Bay of Fundy

Day 5

Start your New Brunswick road trip at Shediac, known as the lobster capital of the world!

Day 6

Explore Prince Edward Island, the home of Anne of Green Gables

Day 6

Day 7

Depart Charlottetown, stopping at the Orwell Corner Historic Village.

Continue on to the Wood Islands Ferry crossing to Caribou, then make your way to Baddeck, Cape Breton Island

Take a dip in the finest saltwater beaches in Eastern Canada! With waters peaking at 24 degrees celsius, it’s some of the warmest water north of Virginia in the USA

Day 7

Day 8

Explore the famous Cabot Trail, regularly voted in the top ten of the worlds most scenic drives. Drive towards Ingonish and visit Cape Breton Highlands National Park visitor centre

There is a lot to see and do along the Fundy route. Today head to Hopewell Rocks - one of the Marine Wonders of the World, and home to some of the World’s highest tides

Day 8

Make your way to Saint John, which offers delightful port architecture against a perfect backdrop to the market square

Day 9

Another chance to drive the Cabot Trail

Day 9

At leisure in Saint John

Day 10

This morning head north to discover the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site and make a visit to the Alexander Grahame Bell National Historic Site

Day 10

Continue your journey to St.Andrews or St Andrews by-the-Sea as it is often called, it has long been one of New Brunswick’s premier vacation destinations

Day 11

Take a full day for the return trip to Halifax along the scenic Bras d'Or Lakes, the Canso Causeway and Marine Drive

Day 11

At leisure in St Andrews

Day 12

Short drive to Saint John for your ferry over to Nova Scotia. Take advantage of the viewing area to search for whales and other sea life

Day 12

The day is free to explore Halifax on your own. Among the optional activities are a tour of Alexander Keith's Original Brewery or the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Day 13

Drive to Annapolis Royal, a quaint settlement housing Victorian mansion on the banks of the Bay of Fundy

Day 13

For your last day in Nova Scotia, take in some last minute souvenir shopping before heading to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK

Day 14

Explore Annapolis Royal

Day 15

Overnight flight from Halifax to the UK

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Suggested Itineraries

Newfoundland Discovery

Ultimate Nova Scotia

Discover the wonders of Newfoundland & Labrador on this 14-day self-drive tour. Set sail on the Atlantic and enjoy a whale watching cruise (included) as thousands of Atlantic puffins fly overhead. As you drive through the coastal fishing communities of this region, keep your eyes peeled for 10,000-year old icebergs as they journey south along ‘Iceberg Alley’.

An incredible 16-day road trip around Nova Scotia. Whale watching, visiting vineyards, taking coastal hikes along the famous Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island, having a lobster dinner with a glass of Nova Scotia’s finest whilst watching the sunset - all of this plus more awaits you on this fantastic tour.

Day 1

Fly UK to St.Johns and pick up your car hire

Day 1

Fly from the UK to Halifax

Day 2

A morning of sightseeing in St. John’s. Drive up Signal Hill for spectacular views and take a trip out to Cape Spear National Historic Site

Day 2

Halifax is a great city to explore by foot. Be sure to take in Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Day 3

Drive to Bay Bulls to take a boat excursion to see Whales and the Atlantic Puffin - if you are lucky you may even spot an iceberg. Along the way explore the little villages that dot the coastline

Day 3

Short Drive from Halifax to White Point Beach stop off enroute at Peggy’s Cove, Mahone Bay & Lunenburg

Day 4

Make your way from White Point Beach Resort along the lighthouse route to Yarmouth, where you will spend 2 nights

Day 4

Traverse from St.Johns to Trinity. When arriving in Bonavista visit the Ryan Premises National Historic Site. In this small village you will also find the red and white stripped Bonavista Lighthouse

Day 5

Spend today exploring Yarmouth & Acadian shores

Day 5

Explore the enchanting village of Trinity with its restored white and pastel coloured clapboard houses. Set along a dramatic coastline you will discover a sense of Newfoundland’s history and nature

Day 6

You have a scenic drive from Yarmouth to Annapolis Royal, one of the oldest places of European settlement in North America

Day 7

Day 6

Venture to Port Rexton today and hike the Skerwink Trail. This very walk-able trail will take you along the rugged coastline for spectacular view of the surrounding villages set against the ocean

Today is your’s to spend at your leisure exploring Annapolis Royal – visit Port-Royal National Historic Site – one of North America’s earliest European settlements

Day 8

Day 7

Enroute to Twillingate, pass through Terra Nova National Park. Twillingate provides an opportunity to see Icebergs are they travel along Iceberg Alley

Traverse to Wolfville, famous for its local award winning vineyards & restaurants. Wolfville experiences the Bay of Fundy’s record setting tides each day

Day 9

Day 8

Bound for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gros Morne National Park, words do not give the vistas justice

Explore Wolfville at your own place, why not take an optional tour of one of the many nearby wineries

Day 10

Short drive to the beautifully located waterfront resort Pictou Lodge. Spend this afternoon enjoying the facilities and activities on offer

Day 11

Head off from Pictou to Baddeck on Cape Breton Island, the start of the famous Cabot Trail

Day 12

Coastal drive clockwise from Baddeck to Ingonish on the famous Cabot Trail, stopping at many places and view points

Day 13

Relax at the Keltic Lodge Resort & Spa before continuing to Fortress of Louisbourg, a National Historic Site

Day 14

Enjoy and experience the historical site of Louisbourg

Day 15

Travel to Liscombe Mills for a one night stay at Liscombe Lodge Resort, enjoy many of the water based activities on offer

Day 16

Traverse from Liscombe Mills to Halifax for your overnight flight to the UK

Day 9

The morning is free to explore the area with your rental car. Enjoy a boat ride tour of the freshwater fjord of Western Brook Pond

Day 10

Enjoy a day exploring all of Gros Morne National Park on your own viewing glacial valleys, intriguing rock formations, magnificent sea arches, and numerous types of wildlife

Day 11

Heading toward St. Anthony, visit Port Au Choix National Historic Site where three ancient cemeteries of the Maritime Archaic People were discovered

Day 12

Visit the L’Anse aux Meadows Historic Site comprising the remains of the earliest European settlement in the Americas

Day 13

Make your way back down the peninsula to Steady Brook

Day 14

Drop off your car hire and fly from Deer Lake to the UK

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Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve 60

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Yukon & Alaska To many people Alaska and the Yukon can only be described as the ‘Top of the World’ and although they are in separate countries, both are lands filled with glaciers, raging rivers, towering mountains and dense forest.

The Yukon & Alaska Lying at the northernmost tip of the USA, Alaska – which is actually the USA’s largest state – encompasses great tracts of Arctic tundra and huge tidewater glaciers that calve into the chilly waters of the Gulf of Alaska. Inland, you will find the mighty Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, and the impressive centrepiece of the spectacular Denali National Park!

Crossing the border into Canada, the Yukon is a very special place to visit and has so much to offer those willing to venture further North than most people do on a trip to Canada. Home to vast numbers of moose, caribou and bears, The Yukon provides magnificent wildlife viewing opportunities set against

breath-taking backdrops of pristine mountains and tranquil lakes!

For those more into their culture and history, Yukon is home to The Klondike Goldrush and a visit to Dawson City makes for a very entertaining stop on your trip. To this day, the town is still a lively place, bursting with heritage sites and attractions. Visitors take pleasure in enjoying a stroll on the boardwalks with characters straight out of history, touring historic buildings, attending shows and whooping it up like a stampeder.

Highlights

Yellowknife Anchorage

Inland you will find the mighty Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America

Inuvik

• Bear watching Alaska has some of the best grizzly bear viewing in the world.

– See Page 72.

• Alaska cruises

Seward

Kluane National Park

Churchill

Denali National Park

The breath-taking scenery and tiny settlements of Alaska’s coast are best viewed from the water.

– See Page 69.

• Denali National Park Home to mighty Mount McKinley and prolific wildlife.

– See Page 67.

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Yukon

Emerald Lake

Yukon This exhilarating and varied region is truly bear country: 34,000 people live in the Yukon alongside ten thousand black bears and seven thousand grizzlies.

The promise of gold is what called Canada’s Yukon Territory to the worlds attention with the Klondike gold rush of 1897-98. As many as 100,000 people set off for the confluence of the Yukon and Klondike rivers, on the promise of nuggets the size of basketballs just waiting to be picked up. In the end, roughly a dozen of them went home rich in gold, but all who returned did so rich in memories and stories that are still being told.

seeked out survival for thousands of years, hunt and trap as they always have.

Any visit will mean much time outdoors: Canada’s five tallest mountains and the world’s largest ice fields below the Arctic are all within Kluane National Park, while canoe expeditions down the Yukon River are epic. See the bears’ migration route, canoe Seal River or take guided walks to areas the bears frequent.

Even though the autumn is the busiest time of the year for this frontier town, winter and summer are also becoming popular with travellers returning to see the northern lights and the amazing diversity of the Arctic summer.

This vast and thinly populated wilderness, where wildlife far outnumber humans, has a grandeur and beauty only appreciated by experience. Few places in the world today have been so unchanged over the course of time. Aboriginal people, having

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Kluane National Park Set like a jewel in the southwestern corner of the Yukon, Kluane National Park contains some of the territories greatest but most inaccessible scenery within its 21,980 square kilometres, and for the most part, you’ll only see and walk the easterly margins of this UNESCO World Heritage Site from points along the Alaska Highway (no road runs into the park). Together with the neighbouring Wrangell-St Elias National Park in Alaska, the park protects the St Elias Mountains, though from the highway, the peaks you see rearing up to the south are part of the subsidiary Kluane Range.

Beyond them, largely invisible from the road, are St Elias’s monumental Icefield Ranges, which contain Mount St Elias (5488m) and Mount Logan (5950m) – Canada’s highest point – as well as the mighty Denali (6193m), part of the Alaska Range and the highest point in North

America; these form the world’s second highest coastal range, after the Andes.

Below them, and covering more than half the park, is a huge base of mile-deep glaciers and ice fields, the world’s second largest non-polar ice field (after Greenland) and just one permanent resident, the legendary ice worm. Yet global warming is taking its toll on the ice fields, with levels dropping by approximately 1.8m a year.

At the edge of the ice fields a drier, warmer range encourages a green belt of meadow, marsh, forest and fen providing sanctuary for a huge variety of wildlife, including grizzlies, moose, mountain goats and a four thousand strong population of white Dall sheep. These margins also support the widest spectrum of birds in the far North, some 150 species in all, including easily seen raptors such as peregrine falcons, bald and golden eagles, together with smaller birds like

arctic terns, mountain bluebirds, tattlers and hawk owls.

Dawson City Beautiful Dawson City is the prime specimen of a Yukon gold-rush town.

Since the first swell of hopeful migrants more than 100 years ago, many of the original buildings have disappeared or were victims of fire, flood and weathering.

Plenty remain though, and it’s easy to step back in time, going to a performance at the Palace Theatre, erected in 1899, or stepping into a shop whose building originally served stampeders. If you didn’t know its history, Dawson City would be an atmospheric place to pause for a while.

It’s one of the most historic and evocative towns in Canada, set on a narrow shelf at the confluence of the Yukon and Klondike Rivers, a mere 240km south of the Arctic Circle. Dawson was the centre of the Klondike Gold Rush. Today, you can wander the dirt streets of town,

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passing old buildings with dubious permafrost foundations and discover Dawson’s rich cultural life – it’s a thriving centre for the arts – the yearly summer music festival is one of Canada’s biggest – and as the last touch of civilization before the deep wild, it’s where hikers share tables with hard-core miners at quirky local restaurants. Dawson can be busy in the summer, especially during its festivals.

By September the days are getting short, the seasonal workers have fled south and the 1400 year-round residents are settling in for another long, dark winter.

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Alaska

Skagway Skagway was the gateway to the Klondike gold rush in 1898 and the glory days still resound through the town. Stroll through Skagway and browse the restored buildings and wooden boardwalks at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park or take a ride on the White Pass & Yukon narrow-gaugerailway and finish up in the Red Onion Saloon!

Ketchikan With shops and houses built out over the water, Ketchikan clings to the shoreline of the Tongass Narrows. The stairways are weathered and the vibe is cheerful in the town that calls itself the Salmon Capital of the World. Besides the main attractions – Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Village – try a flight sightseeing trip to Misty Fjords National Monument.

These deep-water fjords were gouged out by retreating glaciers, leaving granite cliffs towering thousands of feet above the sea and countless waterfalls plunging into placid waters.

Tracy Arm The narrow Tracy Arm Fjord twists is way through the Tongass National Forest, surrounded by 300 foot high granite walls!

The melting snowcaps create waterfalls which dot the shoreline, along with trees growing at odd angles from the rocky outcroppings. Catch a glimpse of the varied wildlife that make their home in and 64

around the fjord’s icy waters, including black & brown bears, wolves, deer, moose, seals and whales At the end of the Fjord, view the dramatic Sawyer glaciers which are framed by the mountains.

Juneau, the capital of Alaska, has an air of mystique – a town you cannot reach by road, you need to fly or come by sea!

Juneau Juneau, the capital of Alaska, has an air of mystique – a town you cannot reach by road, you need to fly or come by sea!

Juneau delights with an abundance of water, forests and mountains. Situated between the Coast Mountains and the Gastineau Channel, Juneau offers a lot of variety, with the immense Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Icefields at its back door and the Tongass National Forest stretching out to the northeast. Juneau offers a variety of activities from shopping downtown to dogsledding, hiking, whalewatching and so much more.

Icy Strait Point An incredible opportunity to view wildlife in their natural environment, including eagles, brown bears and humpback whales. Icy Strait Point, a uniquely Alaskan place, is home to Alaska’s largest Tlingit village, the place the Tlingit people have called home for thousands of years. Take this incredible opportunity to view eagles, brown bears and humpback whales at home in their natural habitat.

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Nearby Alaska’s largest Tlingit village exists a uniquely Alaskan place - lcy Strait Point. The island on which Icy Strait Point is located is home to one of the largest concentrations of brown bears in the world.

Sitka Located east by majestic snow-capped mountains, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Explore this Russian-influenced fishing village with a tour of the onion domed cathedral perched atop Castle Hill.

Alternatively venture out on sea excursion and even try your hand at catching halibut.

Hubbard Glacier & Glacier Bay

Hubbard Glacier Hubbard Glacier, Alaska: The Hubbard Glacier is located about 30 miles north off the coast of Yakutat and is by far one of Alaska’s most spectacular natural gems.

Expect awe-inspiring picture-perfect views of this glorious mount of ice from about every angle on your ship. Named after Gardiner Hubbard, the founder and president of the National Geographic Society, Hubbard Glacier is the longest tidewater glacier in the world. Dramatically massive at around 7-miles wide, 76-miles long and as tall as a 30-story building above the waterline, it’s the largest river of ice in North America.

While most of the world’s glaciers are retreating, the Hubbard Glacier has continued to thicken over the years and on rare occasion will partially block Russell Fjord, temporarily damming its passage.

Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve Glacier Bay is located in Southeast Alaska west of Juneau. Glacier Bay is for a must see on any trip to Alaska. Marvel at the ever-changing glacial seascape of this renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site where the silence is punctuated by the thunderous sound of ice splitting and crashing, in great chunks, into the water.

Nothing will come close to the wilderness and scenery of Glacier Bay.

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Denali National Park & Lodges

Denali National Park

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Denali National Park is Alaska’s most popular land attraction. For many travellers, it’s the beginning and end of their Alaskan adventure. Here is probably the best chance in the interior (if not in the entire state) of seeing a grizzly bear, moose or caribou and maybe even a fox or a wolf. Unlike most wilderness areas in the country, you don’t have to be a hiker to view this wildlife – the window of the park bus will do just fine for a close look at these magnificent creatures, roaming free in their natural habitat.

For those with a bit more time and the desire to get further into the wild, there are vast expanses of untracked country to explore – more than six million acres of it, to be exact. That’s more landmass than the US state of Massachusetts.

At the centre of it all is the icy behemoth of Mt McKinley, known to most Alaskans as Denali and to native Athabascans as the Great One. This is North America’s highest peak and rightly celebrated as an icon of all that is awesome and wild in the state.

There’s only one road through the park: the 92-mile unpaved Park Rd, which is closed to private vehicles after Mile 14.

The park entrance area, where most visitors congregate, extends a scant 4 miles up Park Rd. It’s here you’ll find the park headquarters, visitor centre and main campground, as well as the Wilderness Access Centre (WAC),

where you pay your park entrance fee and arrange campground and shuttle-bus bookings to take you further into the park.

In a trailer across the lot from the WAC sits the Backcountry Information Centre (BIC), where backpackers get backcountry permits and bear-proof food containers.

Although much of Canada still has the flavour of the “last frontier”, it’s only when you set off north to the Yukon, Northwest Territories or to Nunavut that you know for certain you’ve left mainstream North American life behind. In the popular imagination, the North figures as a perpetually frozen wasteland blasted by ferocious gloomy winters, inhabited – if at all – by hardened characters living outside the bounds of civilization.

In truth, it’s a region where months of summer sunshine offer almost limitless opportunities for outdoor activities and an incredible profusion of flora and fauna;

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a country within a country, the character of whose settlements has often been forged by the mingling of white settlers and Aboriginal peoples. Most visitors come to the North West Territories to fish, canoe, hunt, hike, watch wildlife or to experience Aboriginal cultures and ethereal landscapes.

Coppers, purples, reds, browns, golds and blacks streaked across the earth violently, sweeping up and over, a kaleidoscope of dirt and rock that challenges even the most jaded of hearts to not fall under her spell

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Cruises to Alaska

Glacier Bay

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The 49th State, the largest in the U.S., is perfect for cruisers, with numerous opportunities to appreciate its vast natural beauty. Sail along the Inside Passage to visit the immense ice formations of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait, as well as popular ports such as Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau, the only U.S. state capital that’s not accessible by car. Travel further north to the Kenai Peninsula and nearby Anchorage, a perfect jumping off point for cruisetours to Denali, Fairbanks and Canada’s Yukon.

On an Alaska cruise, you’ll encounter massive tidewater glaciers, iconic wildlife, Klondike Gold Rush history and fascinating Native Alaskan cultures. No matter which cruise to Alaska you choose, you’ll travel to the best places for viewing wildlife and experience scenic cruising along Tracy Arm, Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay, your Alaska cruise is a pleasure from start to finish.

One of the finest ways to experience all the splendour of Alaska is on one of the many cruises that sail the magnificent waters of North America. At the end of each exciting adventure, you’ll return to the elegant comfort of your ship. There is so much to do and see on board – from refreshing spa treatments and video-editing workshops to live music and a wide variety of entertainment each evening – your cruise ship is a destination in her own right.

We feature many cruise lines such as Holland America Line, Celebrity, Cunard, Princess, Oceania, Norwegian Cruise Lines as well as ultra-luxurious Silversea and Regent Seven Seas. We can amend our itineraries to a cruise line of your choice.

Holland America Line Holland America Line offers a traditional cruising experience with a modern twist. On board their elegant mid-sized cruise ships, you will enjoy an inviting atmosphere in comfortable and stylish surroundings.

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line take pride in their freestyle cruising concept which is designed to deliver the ultimate in flexibility. You can enjoy the informal and relaxed atmosphere and experience a range of restaurants, entertainment and leisure facilities.

Oceania Oceania Cruises offer a luxury cruising experience with a warm and inviting country club atmosphere. With a high staff to guest ratio, you can expect impeccable service and attention to detail.

Silversea

My Canada Trips Staff Pick

By Richard

Alaska Cruising On your Alaska Cruise a whale watching trip is an absolute must.

If you are celebrating a special occasion I highly recommend a meal in the Pinnacle Grill on any of Holland America Line ships, the food is outstanding!

Silversea offer an ultra-luxury cruising experience for those who enjoy cruising the world in the most sumptuous surroundings.

Silversea’s small ships have an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere and their highly trained staff provide friendly and attentive service.

Regent Seven Seas Regent Seven Seas Cruises offer ultra-luxury, all-inclusive cruises for those who enjoy the finer things in life. A cruise with Regent Seven Seas cruises is a sumptuous and personal cruising experience where your every need and want is catered for.

Celebrity Each Celebrity cruise ship offers a unique experience whilst delivering Celebrity’s high standards. Expect spacious modern accommodations, exceptional service and a brilliant range of amenities and activities on board.

Cunard Cunard Line is a name synonymous with quality and sophistication which maintains the British traditions of luxury cruising.

Cunard’s dedication to excellence and quality shows throughout their elegant ships.

Princess Princess Cruises offer an American style cruising experience and are known for their relaxed atmosphere, impeccable service and delicious food. They are one of the largest cruise lines at sea, comprising of large and mid-sized ships.

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Canada’s Wildlife Canada is a superb wildlife destination. It is a vast country and consequently has a large diversity of habitats and ecosystems. There are hundreds of thousands of lakes, streams and rivers, enclosed by great oceans, which are home to an amazing variety of mammals, including the unique Narwhal, the Beluga, and many other whales, seals, dolphins and beavers. On land bird migratory paths cross both coastlines as well as the interior. Caribou, Wolves, Moose, and Grizzly, Black and Polar Bears, all inhabit the country’s vast expanse of mountains, forests and wilderness areas.

Wolves

Moose

The wolf is one of the world’s most notorious animals.

Around 50-60,000 wolves inhabit Canada, the second largest population in the world after the former Soviet Union. Today, Canadian wolves occupy about 85 percent of their original range, and although some local wolf populations are fluctuating, the overall number is pretty stable. Wolves range in colour from black to creamy white in the far north – white hair contains more air pockets than pigmented hair and provides better insulation as well as camouflage against the snow. They are social animals, gathering in packs of up to 20 members.

You will hear wolves on many outdoor adventures, particularly in the Algonquin Park, Ontario, where wolf howling is organised. Wolves are now permanently protected, not just inside the Algonquin Parks, but throughout the surrounding townships.

This horse-sized animal is the largest member of the deer family with long, dark brown hair, high, humped shoulders and long ears. Each April, the male moose or bull, grows a set of antlers reaching 120-150 cm which he loses in the winter after rutting season.

Moose can be found across Canada, particularly in the Matane Wildlife Reserve, Quebec. They are also to be seen in Newfoundland and Ontario and quieter National Parks.

Elk The North America Elk, is the largest species within the deer family. It is estimated that there are around 72,000 Elk across North America.

Whilst they are mainly harmless and tend to run off when you get close they are wild animals and therefore unpredictable. They are the most vocal of the deers, if you are visiting Banff National Park it is highly likely you will see or hear them.

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Bears

One of Canada’s most popular activities, the country’s bear watching is second to none – British Columbia is king when it comes to grizzlies. Home to half of all Canada’s grizzly bears in this province alone, and offers one of the longest bear-watching seasons in the world.

Grizzly Bears

Black Bears

Seeing bears while just driving around Western Canada is a real possibility but better yet, My Canada Trips has a range of specialist bear watching experiences; you can see black and grizzly bears from boats, watch bears catching salmon from hides and view bears on foot with specialist guides. However, such is the popularity of bear viewing in Canada now, you need to book as early as possible. To see the majestic polar bear you’ll need to go to Churchill and watch the bears from a Tundra Buggy or a remote lodge.

Black bears can be seen in most parts of Canada and are the most common to be spotted when just driving around. Watch out for them, especially on quieter roads where they may just be grazing by the side of the road. A popular place to see them is in Tofino on Vancouver Island, where there are day bear-watching day trips by boat, and also in Whistler, on a 2-3 hour Nature Walk from May to October.

From mid-July to mid-September, you can see black bears in the Laurentide Wildlife Reserve to the north of Québec City, staying overnight in a wilderness lodge. Ontario has over 100,000 black bears and a stay in Algonquin Park offers one of the best opportunities to see them in this part of Canada.

Spirit Bears First Nation legends tell how the Raven, the creator, made the unique white-coated Spirit (Kermode) Bear as a reminder of the last ice age. Actually a black bear, although coloured white, these elusive and breath-taking creatures are destined to live in peace and harmony forever and sight of them brings good fortune. Today, possibly fewer than 400 of the gentle creatures exist and they are found only in the Great Bear Rainforest on the Central coast of British Columbia. You can search for the Spirit Bear at Spirit Bear Lodge, and the best time being August, September or October.

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British Columbia is king when it comes to grizzlies, home to half of all Canada’s grizzly bears in this province alone.

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My Canada Trips Staff Pick

By Laura

A stay at a bear lodge is a once in a lifetime experience. There is nothing better than watching bears in the wild in their natural habitat as they should be. Great Bear Lodge was top of my bucket list and it surpassed all expectations.

I was in awe from the moment I boarded the floatplane for our 45 minute scenic transfer over the Great Bear Rainforest to the remote location of the floating lodge, the excitement of spotting your first bear is incredible. Don’t delay add this exhilarating experience to you trip to Canada.

Bear Lodges

Knight Inlet Lodge (2–6 nights)

Departs from Vancouver or Campbell River Knight Inlet is a 100km long fjord carved by glaciers in the coastal mountains. This floating resort is tucked into Glendale Cove, is home to one of the largest concentrations of grizzly bears in British Columbia. Every spring when the bears come out of hibernation, they can be seen from a boat on the banks of Glendale Cove eating sedge grasses, mussels and barnacles that abound in the cove. In the fall the bears feed heavily on the returning Salmon to the Glendale River and can be seen in large numbers from the specially constructed viewing platform. The lodge contains 18 guest rooms, some of which cater for families.

What’s Included – Floatplane transfer Campbell River to Knight Inlet Lodge, 1st night in Campbell River, remainder at Knight Inlet Lodge, all meals & snacks at the lodge, house wine with dinner, bear viewing trips, boat cruise, interpretive hike, interpretive guide.

Great Bear Lodge (3–6 nights)

Departs from Vancouver or Port Hardy

Great Bear Lodge is located in the Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia, this area is one of the best places in the world to observe grizzly bears and many other forms of wildlife including black bears, wolves and bald eagles. The fully self-contained floating lodge only has 8 rooms, taking a maximum of 16 guests, offering you a personalised wilderness adventure. This ecotourism lodge is the ideal base for photography and wildlife viewing tours, nestled at the mouth of a pristine salmon river.

What’s Included – 3 or 6 nights at Great Bear Lodge, floatplane transfer Port Hardy – Great Bear Lodge, morning & afternoon bear viewing sessions, guided by a wildlife biologist, gourmet meals inc wine and beer with dinner, interpretive walks or boat excursions.

Klahoose Wilderness Resort (3–4 nights) Klahoose Wilderness Resort offers an immersive exploration into this pristine region rich in diverse wilderness, cultural significance and wildlife including grizzly bear viewing tours in Toba Inlet. Only accessible by boat or seaplane, the off-the grid resort is located within the heart of Desolation Sound, Klahoose Wilderness Resort resides upon Homfray Channel between the Coast Mountain peaks of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast and the Salish Sea and the southern edge of the Great Bear Rainforest. Embark on several adventures and transformational experiences that may include watching grizzly bears fish for salmon, kayaking beside a pod of porpoises and forest hikes into an ancient western red cedar grove. Grizzly Bear season starts from late August.

What’s Included - 3 or 4 nights at the resort, Return transfers between Powell River Airport or Lund and Klahoose Wilderness Resort (including a boat transfer between Lund and the Resort), activities such as Indigenous storytelling, cedar weaving, wood carving, ocean foraging, all meals including house wine with dinner, use of resort great room lounge, free WiFi, satellite phone.

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Polar Bear Experiences

Canada provides perhaps the best chance you’ll ever have to see and get close to the magnificent Polar Bear.

Seeing these majestic creatures in the wild is awe-inspiring – an intense and unforgettable wildlife encounter.

We offer various Polar Bear experiences, where you have the option to learn more about Churchill, the way of life in the north, with the option to take a helicopter flight over the tundra or go dogsledding.

Polar bears can be seen in Churchill any time from July to November. The biggest concentration occurs from mid-October to mid-November when the bears congregate for the ice to form so that they can leave the land for their hunting grounds.

Polar Bears at Tundra Buggy Lodge (5 nights)

Classic Churchill Polar Bear Adventure (5 nights)

The most rewarding way to experience the polar bears of Churchill is to immerse yourself in their environment; from the moment you wake up, throughout the day and into the endless winter nights. Lodge guests have a chance to wake-up and get going right in the bears’ playground.

This Churchill hotel-based adventure allows you to experience the excitement of polar bear viewing from an official Tundra Buggy, as well as enjoying the electric charm of this unique northern town. The Churchill Town and Tundra Adventurer includes full-day Tundra Buggy excursions in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area (CWMA), where polar bears await the freezing Hudson Bay. You will spend plenty of time watching these majestic mammals, and other artic wildlife, in their natural environment.

Departs from Winnipeg

The Tundra Buggy Lodge is comprised of specialized modules that, when linked end to end, stretch almost 100 metres long. The Lodge consists of two sleeper cars (housing 18 and 20 guests respectively), the lounge, dining and utility cars. While on the Lodge during the evening, guests are encouraged to utilize open decks between cars to experience the polar bears and northern lights (weather permitting).

What’s Included 2 nights in Winnipeg, 2 nights at Tundra Buggy Lodge, 1 night Churchill, return flights Winnipeg to Churchill, 2 day trips on Tundra Buggy and full board while at Tundra Buggy Lodge and in Churchill.

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Departs from Winnipeg

What’s Included 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill, 2 days Tundra Buggy® bear watching excursions, return flights between Winnipeg and Churchill, Churchill and area tour, Churchill Itsanitaq Museum and evening cultural presentation, Polar Bears International House visit, Full board beginning with breakfast on Day 2 and ending with dinner on board the plane on Day 5.

Whale Watching

Prince of Whales Whale Watch Tour

More than 33 species of whale live in Canada’s three oceans and these mighty mammals are a magnificent sight. You can watch whales from small zodiacs, sailing boats, comfortable cruisers and, in Newfoundland, even from the shore.

Check out popular whale watching tours in Tofino, Ucluelet, Telegraph Cove, Port McNeil, Campbell River, Victoria on Vancouver Island, Vancouver or even Brier Island in Nova Scotia.

Orca/Killer Whales The distinctive black and white orca or killer whales live in the Pacific Ocean off Vancouver Island. Marine wildlife whale watching and nature day trips run from Victoria at any time of the year, with whale watching from 1 April to 31 October.

The glorious waters of the Johnston Strait between the island and the main coast are home to nearly 300 of these majestic and playful creatures from late June to October.

Grey Whales The enormous grey whales can be seen puffing and blowing fountains of sea water off the coast of Vancouver Island. Day whale-watching trips run out of Tofino on the west coast between March and October; the best time being March and April when they migrate northwards.

Humpback Whales

Practical Points

Every summer up to 100 humpback whales gather in the rich waters of the Frederick Sound in central Southeast Alaska. Here you can wonder at the sight of 50 tons of whale ‘breaching’ – heaving itself out of the water – and landing in an explosive splash. Probably best viewed from on board The Snow Goose, you can also see them from any ferry or cruise ship. The humpback can also be seen off Newfoundland, Vancouver Island and in the Saguenay-St Lawrence Marine Park, where you can also see the snow-white belugas (otherwise seen only in the Arctic Ocean) and many other species of whale.

- Peak season for whale watching is between May and October - Most whale watching operators require advanced reservations - Dress in warm layers as boat decks can be breezy - Sea sickness is generally not an issue but for trips on open waters, be prepared for some movement

Other Whales Twenty-two species of whale live along the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. An astonishing five thousand humpbacks visit during the summer months. Minke are common, as are fin, sperm, porpoise and dolphin. In New Brunswick, you might catch a glimpse of the declining right whale. Head to Quebec or Manitoba to see the beautiful beluga. You can see these monsters of the deep on a variety of day whale-watching trips.

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RVs & Motorhomes

With the freedom of the open road and a pace set by yourself, a motorhome tour of Canada is the perfect way to explore this extensive, diverse country.

Motorhomes, also known as RVs or camper vans, are extremely popular in Canada with tourists and locals alike, who use them to discover new and exciting areas. This popularity means you will find a multitude of RV parks throughout Canada, featuring a vast choice of activities, entertainment and leisure facilities. Kids and adults alike will love the sense of adventure and fun a motorhome holiday has to offer. And with its long roads and spectacular views, Canada is the ideal destination to give an RV holiday a try.

RVs range in size from compact camper vans to luxurious mobile homes. We’ll help you choose the one that’s right for you, advise on how to make the most of your motorhome experience, and help you plan your amazing road trip itinerary.

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Ski Canada

If you love to ski, Canada offers a great range of resorts as diverse as its spectacular landscape. The East Coast has the advantage of being closer for European visitors and comes with the added flavour of the French Canadian culture.

The country’s westerly provinces, in particular British Columbia, are an outdoor enthusiast’s dream! A vast expanse of land studded with breathtakingly beautiful mountains, rugged coastline, forests, snowmelt-fed lakes and some of the best skiing in the world. Bordering British Columbia and the Rocky Mountains, Alberta is an alpine wilderness of woodlands, mountains and lakes. World-class ski resorts such as Banff and Jasper attract holidaymakers back year after year.

If you don’t want to spend all of your holiday skiing, think about combining a ski holiday with a trip to one of Canada’s vibrant cities. We can offer the scenic snow train travelling between Vancouver and Jasper.

And when you have worked up an appetite you’ll find a fantastic apres ski scene in all of Canada’s main resorts.

We can tailor make an experience that suits you, and most of all we’ll help create the best possible holiday, at the best possible price.

Canada has the added bonus of many of its ski resorts close to its major cities.

We have highlighted Whistler in British Columbia and Banff in Alberta, two of our favourite ski resorts across Canada.

However we also offer alternative popular ski resorts such as Big White, Panorama, Fernie, Sun Peaks, Revelstoke, Jasper, Lake Louise and Mont-Tremblant.

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My Canada Trips Staff Pick

By Tegan

Ski Canada Canada is such an exciting destination, the winter season is by far my favourite. There is so much fun to be had and the snow just adds to the incredibly scenic landscape.

Having worked at Big White I cannot recommend this resort enough.

Even if you are not a skier there is still lots of non-ski activities on offer throughout Western Canada, such as sleigh rides, snowshoeing and dog sledding and much much more.

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Winter Experiences in Canada

Canada is a year round destination, in the winter we offer ski holidays and non-ski Winter Experiences. If you are looking for an authentic Winter Experience we offer a range of fun activities such as northern lights tour, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, canyon ice walks, snowmobiling, dogsledding and much much more.

Alberta offers some of the most thrilling activities, we recommend at least 6 nights in the area to give you the opportunity to take in the best of the Rockies and these fun activities. You can extend your stay in the area or combine it with a snow train trip to Vancouver for a city stay and/or head up to Whistler for some alpine adventure, with more winter activities on offer there also.

Revel in the sheer beauty of the snow capped peaks and blue skies, let Canada be your magical winter wonderland.

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Suggested Itineraries

Alberta Winter Delights

Rockies Snow Train

A delightful 7-day winter experience in Alberta taking in the spectacular Canadian Rockies and famous Lake Louise.

The winter months may come with their fair share of ice and snow, but the residents of Alberta sure know how to make the most of them. Enjoy winter activities such as Canyon Icewalks, snowshoeing, and sleigh ride, there is something for everyone.

Explore coastal Vancouver and the Rockies in the winter as you travel by rail & coach from Vancouver to Calgary, via Jasper, the iconic Lake Louise and Banff. You can expect to experience the wonders of the Maligne Canyon from the ground up on an Ice Walk tour! Relax and cosy up on a sensational sleigh ride beside the famous Lake Louise. An epic experience this winter with plenty of winter activities to keep you busy and having fun!

Day 1

Fly UK to Calgary, transfer to Banff

Day 1

Fly UK to Vancouver, make your way to your downtown hotel

Day 2

Snowshoe on an easy trail winding through a forest of pine trees to the Paint Pots, a cultural treasure within the National Park. Along the way you will hear stories of Banff’s indigenous people, explorers and fur traders who lived in and travelled through the Rockies

Day 2

Take in the best of Vancouver with our complimentary 48 hour Hop on Hop off sightseeing pass. Gastown, Stanley Park, English Bay and Granville Island are some of our favourite stops

Day 3

Scenic transfer from Banff along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper. Take in snow covered mountains, frozen waterfalls and broad-reaching valleys on this spectacular drive through glacier country

Day 3

Continue to explore Vancouver with your sightseeing pass. Perhaps even pre-book an organised tour - full day Victoria & Butchart Gardens, Whistler and the Shannon Falls or even a popular foodie tasting tour of Gastown or nearby Granville Island

Day 4

Explore Jasper with a Maligne Canyon Icewalk – explore this wonderland of rock and ice, be amazed at the canyon that has withstood 10,000 years of erosion and has created a 50m gorge

Day 4

This afternoon, check in at Pacific Central Station and board VIA Rail’s ‘Canadian’ for the famous train journey to the majestic Canadian Rockies

Day 5

Traverse Jasper to Lake Louise and take an evening sleigh ride beside the famous lake front

Day 5

Rise to the snowy peaks of the Canadian Rockies today as you arrive in Jasper and transfer to your hotel. The day is free to explore this unique alpine community. (Breakfast included today onboard Via Rail)

Day 6

Explore Lake Louise at your leisure and take in optional winter activities Day 6

Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour. The canyon has withstood 10,000 years of erosion and has created a 165 foot gorge. Certified guides will lead groups of no more than 12 along the frozen canyon floor and its ice-clad limestone walls

Day 7

Travel southward along the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise. This spectacular drive through glacier country features massive snow covered mountains, frozen waterfalls and broad-reaching valleys. Included this evening is a wonderful 40 minute sleigh ride that takes place beside the lake

Day 8

Depart Lake Louise mid-morning for a short drive to Banff via the scenic Bow Valley

Day 9

A free day to enjoy Canada’s premier winter resort. Try the unique shopping in Banff, skiing or boarding at one of 3 ski resorts in the area (not included) or soak and have a massage at the luxurious spa at the Fairmont Banff Springs (not included)

Day 10

This morning is free to explore Banff, before your scheduled coach to Calgary for your overnight flight to the UK

Day 7

Transfer to Calgary for your overnight flight to the UK

Few places on earth offer such diversity as Canada. The world’s second-largest country has an endless variety of landscapes that can only be described as epic.

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United States of America Away from the America of TV and popular culture is the real America. A vast land of forests, deserts and deltas. Towering mountains, and winding canyons. A melting pot of cultures from small town America to cities that never sleep. And landscapes that have inspired generations to Go West. Which America will you explore?

You’ve seen it all before. For more than a hundred years, Hollywood has captured every angle of this vast and dynamic nation. From Manhattan to Sleepless in Seattle, Miami Vice to the Streets of San Francisco, America’s iconic cities with their hustle and bustle, glamour and clamour call to us.

It’s a foreign land made familiar, but sometimes all the stranger for it (what exactly is a Twinkie?).

But take a step beyond and uncover the other side of America. Pumpkin patches and cranberry beds, pilgrim fathers and Native American cultures. Neon diners and rock and roll, crickets chirping under a velvet night sky. Wolves, coyotes, bears and bald eagles. A vast landscape full of adventure, history, stunning scenery, and once in a lifetime opportunities.

Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge into California’s wine country. Shout “yeehaw” at a cowboy experience in the desert of west Texas.

Catch the presidents’ eyes at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, or drive the famous Highway 101 to Big Sur and beyond to where coastal redwood trees tower 380 feet above you.

Whether your dream is drive the California coast, journey by rail to the Red Rock landscapes of Utah, breathe in the fresh air of Yosemite and Yellowstone national parks, to take in the coastal landscapes and seafood of New England or dive into the rhythm of the Deep South, there’s an America for you, and we’ll help you discover it.

From vast canyons and chromatic deserts, to red sandstone landscapes that twist through the bright blue sky, the Rocky Mountaineer southwest rail route is a must.

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Yellowstone National Park

Tucked in the north west corner of Wyoming is one of the world’s most wonderful national parks. In fact it’s also the world’s first national park! This vast tract of wilderness sits atop a giant volcanic hot spot, where hot springs, geysers and bubbling mud pots bring the landscape to life, and wildlife roams free as it has for aeons.

High in the Rocky Mountains, this special park with its aspen forests and alpine meadows, plunging waterfalls and dramatic canyons is home to a host of wildlife species, all adapted to their mountainous habitat. In fact it has been named America’s Serengeti. Vast herds of bison and elk and antelope roam the landscape, keeping a watchful eye for grizzly bears and wolves, while beavers and muskrats help keep the forest ecosystem in balance.

If ever a park had a flair for the dramatic it’s Yellowstone—geysers, grizzlies, and its very own Grand Canyon. After all these years, the world’s very first national park is still one of its most imposing, a blend of land and water, forest and field, wildlife and geo-thermal features that often seem to be living things.

of backwoods trails will take you where human feet seldom step.

The most impressive entry is from Gardiner, Montana, in the northwest, a road that ducks beneath the famous Roosevelt Arch and meanders along the Gardiner River to Mammoth Hot Springs and the park headquarters, where the U.S. Cavalry kept watch over the park before the National Park Service was born. That brimstone smell that permeates the air is from the hot springs, a cluster of limestone travertine terraces that cascade down a hillside like a steaming waterfall.

Highlights • Old Faithful A cone geyser, famed for its regular and impressive eruptions

• Grand Prismatic Spring Largest hot spring in the United States

• Hayden Valley Watch untouched wildlife on America’s Serengeti

•G rand Canyon of the Yellowstone Carved out by the Yellowstone River

The massive park offers five different approaches that feed into the Grand Loop Road, a figure-eight highway in the middle of the park. Rather than a single focus, Yellowstone has five main hubs—Old Faithful, Grant Village, Lake Village, Canyon Village, and Mammoth Hot Springs—each linked to a unique geological or geographical phenomenon.

There are accessible trails at most locations but for the more adventurous, a network

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Yosemite National Park

Nestled high in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the beautiful landscape of Yosemite will take your breath away.

Yosemite boasts some of the best views and hiking trails in America. It is the ultimate outdoor playground!

One of America’s most popular national parks, it’s just a few hours drive from San Francisco, but truly a world away. The summer months lend themselves to hiking and basking in breath-taking scenery, while winter blankets the valley with snow, giving the perfect opportunity to try your hand at snowshoeing.

be spotted in the north-eastern part of the park. Yosemite is also home to numerous bird populations, including the rare California spotted owls and great grey owls.

First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its spectacular scenery. Within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area and much more.

Highlights • Half Dome

At the heart of Yosemite is the Valley, a 7-mile-wide canyon with incredible rock formations, including El Capitan, the world’s tallest granite monolith — one of the world’s top rock-climbing destinations.

Yosemite Falls is the largest waterfall in North America with breath-taking views.

The park is also known for its Giant Sequoia trees, which are estimated to be over 3,000 years old.

A granite dome, 8,800 ft above sea level — look for the climbers on its sheer face!

• Yosemite Falls At 2,425 ft it is one of the tallest waterfalls in North America.

• Yosemite Valley

The expansive forests and variety of rich habitats within Yosemite National Park hold over 400 animal species. Black bear, mule deer, foxes, and other mammals can be found throughout the Yosemite Valley. At higher elevations, the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep can occasionally 82

A glacial valley famous for its waterfalls and granite monoliths.

• Glacier Point Viewpoint above Yosemite Valley.

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Suggested Itineraries

Western Trails

The Classic West Self Drive

This stunning Western Trail 15 day self-drive showcases the United Sates wealth of natural beauty in all its splendour. Commencing from Salt Lake City in Utah, collect a car and head North through Idaho, traversing the towns of Lava Hot Springs, Boise, and McCall, enroute to Coeur d’Alene, part of the Lewis and Clarke Trail. Next stop is Glacier National Park in Montana with its stunning scenery and diverse choice of activities. Continue onwards to the Iconic Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, the jewels in Wyoming’s crown, home to wildlife, geysers and picture-perfect mountain ranges.

Dive into the culture and sights of the western U.S. From famous national parks and Indian reservations to natural wonders like the Mojave Desert and Grand Canyon, this tour encompasses all that makes the West so grand. There are so many highlights on this trip, it’s hard to pick out the best. Nature lovers will relish Yosemite and Tahoe, along with rugged beauty of the Grand Canyon. City Slickers will enjoy the cosmopolitan cities of L.A. Las Vegas and San Francisco. This tour really does have something for everyone.

Day 1

Fly to Salt Lake City and transfer to your downtown hotel.

Day 1

Arrive in Los Angeles and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2

Head to Bear Lake State Park to catch your first glimpse of untamed Idaho.

Stop at Soda Springs to view the world’s only captive geyser.

Day 2

Drive through the Mojave Desert for Laughlin, an Oasis town bordered by the desert and the Colorado River.

Day 3

Enroute to Boise admire the towering spires and unique rock formations of City of Rocks.

Day 3

Drive a section of Route 66 then turn North for the Grand Canyon. Spend the afternoon on the South Rim and walk part of the rim trail.

Day 4

Take one of the Boise Township Tours or head to the the indoor/outdoor World Center for Birds of Prey.

Day 4

Day 5

Visit Nez Perce National Historic Park to learn about the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) people.

Early risers can be rewarded by sunrise over the Grand Canyon, a once in a lifetime opportunity. Then travel east through the Painted Desert and Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, before arriving at Monument Valley Tribal Park.

Day 5

Travel onwards to Lake Powell, through Black Mesa.

Day 6

Traverse to Montana to spend the next two nights in the pretty mountain town of Whitefish, gateway to Glacier National Park.

Day 6

Traverse to Bryce Canyon is famous for its unique geology, a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheatres with thousands of colourful limestone spires called “hoodoos”.

Day 7

Spend the morning in Bryce Canyon before heading west to Las Vegas via Zion National park, known for its canyons and spectacular views.

Day 8

Day at leisure in Las Vegas.

Day 9

Travel west to Death Valley where you will stay overnight.

Day 10

Travel North to the High Sierra Mountains of Yosemite, famed for its sheer granite cliffs, waterfalls and giant Sequoia Trees.

Day 11

Head to Lake Tahoe.

Day 12

Drive through Gold Rush era attractions, through Sacramento and onto San Francisco, perhaps take a detour en route to the wine producing Nappa.

Day 13

San Francisco at leisure, explore Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square & the Iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

Day 14

Fly San Francisco back to the UK.

Day 7

Drive the magnificent 53-mile Going-to-the-Sun-Road keeping an eye out for grizzly bears, elk, mountain goats and bighorn sheep.

Day 8

Take a boat tour through the Gates of the Mountains, a dramatic stretch of the Missouri River

Day 9

Walk the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs before heading into the Lamar Valley – look out for wolves, bison, coyote & bears.

Day 10

Visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake, Norris Geyser Basin, Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring.

Day 11

Drive the 42-mile Scenic Loop of Grand Teton National Park.

Day 12

En route Casper head through the Wind River Reservation for an insight into Native American culture.

Day 13

Visit Fort Laramie, the largest military post on the Northern Plain.

Day 14

Cross the border into Colorado, making a stop in the spectacular Rocky Mountain National Park on your way to Denver.

Day 15

Explore the sites of downtown Denver before joining your overnight flight.

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My Canada Trips