Destination - Western Canada & The Rocky Mountaineer

"Bear in mind that the special advantage of vagabonding is the experience of not really knowing what happens next, which you can obtain at bargain rates in all cases....The challenges you face offer no alternative but to cope with them. And in doing that, your life is being fully lived."
Ed Buryn 

Canada, where English and French are the official languages, is the world's second largest country in land area with urban cities, small towns, large mountain ranges and vast coastlines. It is a highly developed, stable democracy with a vibrant economy.
 

Lake Morain in
Banff NP

Canada may not seem like a foreign country, especially Western Canada, but it is. Before 9/11 we could cross into Canada without a passport. But today, you must have a passport (or a border crossing card) when you enter Canada. Western Canada is not very different from the states, and will not feel at all foreign. While the Eastern Providences may seem a little more foreign because the main language is French, so make sure you learn some basic sentences in French, and always greet them with “Bon Jour”.

I'm going to start with Western Canada. There are quite a few wonderful places that you should visit in this area. The principal cities are Vancouver, Victoria and Calgary. They all are great places to visit with lots to do.

Parliament House in Victoria

Victoria is on Vancouver Island. You can take the Victoria Clipper from Seattle, but that is passenger service only, no car. You can take your car on the ferry from Anacortes, Port Angeles or Vancouver. Victoria is very British in its look and feel. There are hanging baskets of flowers on the streets. Its most famous attraction is probably Butchart Gardens, which is actually out of the city, but you can book a day tour to it, if you don't have a car to drive. The Legislative buildings are very impressive and remind you of the ones in Britain. And the Empress Hotel is a beautiful hotel where you can book a “high tea”.

Butchart Gardens, Victoria

Washington State Ferries carries vehicles, buses or motor homes and passengers from Anacortes, WA to Sidney, BC. Vehicle reservations are recommended and may be made online or by phone (206) 464-6400 Seattle, toll free in state 1-888-808-7977.

British Columbia Ferries sails from Vancouver, B.C. through the Gulf Islands to Swartz Bay, 20 miles north of Victoria. There are several departures throughout the day and reservations are accepted. 1-888- BC Ferry (223-3779)
.

Black Ball Ferry Line travels from Port Angeles, WA to downtown Victoria, B.C. This routes links the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island. Reservations are recommended. 1-360-457-4491

http://www.clippervactions.com/ Travel between Seattle and Victoria is fast and easy! Hop aboard a high-speed passenger-only Victoria Clipper ferry to Victoria B.C.and enjoy thethree hour cruise through the Puget Sound and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca on your way to Victoria’s Inner Harbour.  Enjoy a meal or shop the onboard gift shop, or step out on deck and enjoy the passing scenery.

Statue of Jack Deighton
in Gastown

The city of Vancouver is home to the famous Gastown area, Stanley Park and has a nice Chinatown area. Gastown dates back to 1867 and its most famous landmark is the steam powered clock. It is named after “Gassy” Jack Deighton, a Yorkshire steamboat captain who opened the first saloon in Vancouver.

A fun day trip from Vancouver is Grouse Mountain.  You can take a tram to the top of the mountain on North America's largest aerial tram system.  It climbs from an elevation of 1000 feet to 3700 feet in less then 12 minutes.  During the trip (weather permitting) you can see all of Vancouver and the surrounding area.  When you reach the top there is plenty to do. In summer you can hike, zipline through the forest, watch a lumberjack show, take a helicopter tour or just look at the view from the viewing platform. In winter you can ski or snowboard, or go for a free sleigh ride. While on this day trip you can also stop at the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The bridge spans 450 feet across and 230 feet above the Capilano River. But don't worry, even though it sways and creaks, it's very strong

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Calgary Tower

Calgary is most famous for it's Stampede which takes place every year in July. It is  very popular, so book early if you plan to attend the Stampede. The soul of Calgary is the bustling, cosmopolitan Stephen Avenue Walk, which was declared a National Historic District in 2002. Shops and restaurants in restored, turn-of-the-20th-century sandstone buildings line the promenade, while shoppers, businesspeople, and street performers pack the street. In warm weather, outdoor patios spill onto the sidewalks and are perfect for people-watching. There is also a large China town area. And you can go to the top of the 626 foot Calgary Tower with its revolving observation deck, or have dinner in the restaurant at the top.

Lake Louise

Also not to be missed in Western Canada is Banff National Park and Lake Louise. This area has some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere. We visited the area in 2011, and I was more impressed with the scenery here than in Alaska, and that is saying alot. We also saw bears, deer, mountain goats and a variety of other wildlife. Nearby is Jasper National Park. Between Lake Louise and Jasper is the Iceland Parkway where we stopped at a glacier and we were able to walk up to the base of it. The beautiful Lake Louise is home to the famous hotel Chateau Lake Louise. Moraine Lake nearby is also beautiful. There is an aerial tramway in Banff that will take you to the top of the mountain for some wonderful views, and it is dog-friendly, so you can take your 4 legged friends with you.

The Rocky Mountaineer Train

Rocky Mountaineer Train

If you want to see this area but don't want to drive, a great trip would be on the Rocky Mountaineer. This luxurious train travels by daylight through Canada's west and is the best way to experience the majestic Canadian Rockies. As a travel agent I booked this for clients and everyone who went raved about it when they came home. They have trips that range from 2 days to 25 days and have 4 different routes that you can book. They travel only by daylight so that you can see the spectacular scenery. At night you stay in hotels along the route. There are 3 classes of service, the Red Leaf, Silver Leaf and the Gold Leaf. These classes will determine where you are on the train, as well as the type of hotel you will stay in along the route.

Banff National Park

With the Red Leaf service you are in a train car with comfortable seats, lots of leg room and large picture windows. You will get a Continental breakfast and a cold lunch. Wine and beer or soft drinks come with the lunch and continuous snacks throughout the day. Overnight at a popular hotel.

Silver Leaf service is in a single level dome car. Seats can turn so that groups can sit facing each other. You get a hot breakfast and hot lunch with beer, wine or soft drinks, and snacks provided. Your luggage will be transferred to your hotel.

Fairmont Hotel in Banff

Gold Leaf service is in a double level dome with a restaurant below. It is in the last car on the train, so you can step out onto the balcony in back for picture taking or viewing. There is a chef on board to prepare gourmet meals, with complimentary wine, beer and snacks. Your luggage will be transferred to an upscale hotel for your overnight stays. Most of the hotels in this class are the Fairmont Hotels.

You can also combine the Rocky Mountaineer Train trip with a trip on VIA Rail which will take you to Toronto, Montreal and Halifax. This trip is 16 days, which includes the stops along the way. You spend two full days on the Rocky Mountaineer, then five days in cabin accomodation onboard VIA Rail. Along the way, take guided sightseeing tours of Banff, Yoho Park, Jasper, Icefields Parkway, Niagara Falls and Montreal. The trip ends in Halifax. Overnight accommodations are provided at the different stops along the way. For more information: http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en_US_CA/

My next posting will be on the Eastern area of Canada.

**Some pictures taken from the internet