Foreign Car Rental

Natives who beat drums to drive off evil spirits are objects of scorn to smart Americans who blow horns to break up traffic jams. 
Mary Ellen Kelly

Renting a car in a foreign country is pretty much the same as here, although it can be a bit daunting driving in a foreign country where the signs are not always in English, and the rules may be different.  The car company will give you some information.  And you can prepare before you go.  Tour books of the region you are going to will help, as will online information from the internet.

Driving near Meteora, Greece

Some countries require US citizens to have an International Drivers License in order to rent a car from them.  This is simple to get.  Go to your local AAA office before your trip and fill out the form.  It requires 2 passport size pictures, which they will take - for a fee, or you can bring your own.  It only takes a few minutes to get, and there is no test to pass.  You can find out which countries require the IDP and which do not, by calling your AAA office.  You do not have to be a member of AAA to get the IDP.

Most car rental companies will try to sell you car insurance when you pick up the rental car.  This is how they make money.  If you are in the United States, then most likely, your own car insurance will cover you even in  a rental car.  This is not true outside the USA.  You will not be covered by your car insurance company.  However, if you have a credit card, there is a good chance that the credit card company provides car insurance for your rental car.  You should check with your credit card company and find out before you travel if they will cover you.  Some companies have restrictions for what countries they cover, so always check before you travel.  If you decide to go with their coverage, then you must use that card when picking up the car, and you must decline their insurance.  Remember, that it may not cover you 100% if you have an accident and the car is totaled.

Cadiz, Spain

And when driving in foreign countries, remember that getting around in cities is going to be more difficult, just because of the way their cities are laid out. In many European cities you cannot just make a turn wherever you want.  There are lots of one-way streets, no turn streets and you have to wait for a roundabout before you can get off the street you are on.  By the time you find the roundabout, you may be a mile or so past where you wanted to turn, so you have to go back.  It can be a challenge.  While driving in Madrid, I heard words coming out of my husband's mouth that I had never heard him use.  It's better in a big city to just park the car and use public transportation.  And in Cadiz, Spain, the oldest city in Europe, the streets were so narrow we had to pull the side mirrors in so that they would not scrape other cars. 

Also, finding parking can be a challenge, and you will find that the Europeans tend to do a lot of double-parking, while they run in somewhere.  This also makes driving a challenge as this blocks roadways.  But driving in the country and on their freeways is not so different than driving here, and you do have the opportunity to see more of a country if you have a car.  You can get off the beaten path and explore.  Just drive safely.



Train Travel in Europe & Britain

“All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.”

Samuel Johnson

Here in the states, train travel is not something we think much about. I know that on the east coast it is more common, but at least here on the west coast, and all the areas in between, train travel is not considered to be that convenient.  I suppose that part of the reason is that we are such a big country, it takes several days, even by train, to get from one side to the other.  And Americans are all so tied to their cars, so we haven't made train travel that convenient.

But in Europe particularly, train travel is an excellent way to get from one place to another. The trains run frequently and on time, for the most part. And you can get just about anyplace you want to go. Once you arrive at your destination, then you can rent a car, or use public transportation, depending on whether you are in a large city where there is plenty of public transportation, or whether you are in a small town or village.



Picture taken from internet - Eurail train

You can purchase your train tickets before leaving home. In fact, if you plan on doing most of your traveling by train, you can save a lot of money by purchasing your Eurail or Britrail tickets before departing the U.S. I would suggest going to your local AAA office and purchasing them there, or with any travel agent. The travel agent can answer all your questions, and can get the pass that is best suited for your needs. You can also go on line and purchase them. http://www.eurail.com/eurail-passes or for Britrail passes go to http://www.britrail.com/passes/britrail-pass for Britain, Scotland and Wales.

The Eurail pass can be purchased for just one country, for 2, 3, 4, or 5 bordering countries, or you can purchase a Global Pass that you can use in all 23 countries that Eurail travels through. You can purchase tickets for as few as 10 days within a 2 month traveling period, or you can get a pass to travel every day for 3 months. Only non-European residents can use a Eurail Pass. The pass must be activated within 6 months of the issuing date.

Some trains require you to have seat reservations in advance, and particularly during high season (May-Sept.).  The overnight trains always require reservations for sleeping accommodations.  So you may need to do some advance planning as to when you will be taking the train, and make those reservations as far in advance as possible, to be sure you get what you want.

You are free to start from any country, and can travel back and forth between the countries, but you must decide which countries you will be in and purchase the pass for those countries. You are not allowed to travel through a country where your pass is not valid, even if you don't stop there, unless you buy a separate ticket that covers just that one portion of the journey.

When traveling between 2 countries that are considered bordering, but that are actually separated by water, the ferry is quite often covered by your Eurail pass. For example, Greece and Italy are considered bordering countries, but to go from one to the other you must take a ferry. The ferries operated by Superfast Ferries, Blue Star Ferries and Minoan Lines are covered by your pass.

Benelux is three countries in one. Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are considered one country for Eurail purposes. And Benelux and Ireland are considered to be bordering countries, though they have no direct rail or ferry link. While Finland and Norway are not considered to be bordering.

Picture taken from Internet - Britrail train

If you are under the age of 25 you can get a youth pass, which will save you 35%, but it is good for 2^nd class travel only. If a youth wants to travel first class, then they must purchase an adult ticket. There is also a Family Pass, which covers adults and kids all on one pass.

The Britrail pass is good in England, Scotland and Wales only. It can be purchased for as few as any 3 days within a 2 month period, and up to 15 days within 2 months. Another option is a consecutive days pass for 3 days up to 1 month. It provides access to all trains on Great Britain's National Rail Network and you can hop on and off the trains as you wish. You also get a discount on the Eurostar, which is the train that goes through the Chunnel to Paris or to Amsterdam. Once you get there you would need a Eurail pass to continue traveling by train.  The Britrail pass can only be purchased by non-UK residents.

Train travel in Britain and Europe, is relatively inexpensive, easy, comfortable, and a great way to get around. I recommend you give it a try.

Countries that Eurail covers:

Austria                  Finland          Italy                  Slovakia

Belgium                 France           Luxembourg        Slovenia

Bulgaria                 Germany        Netherlands        Spain

Croatia                  Greece           Norway               Sweden

Czech Republic       Hungary         Portugal             Switzerlad

Denmark                Ireland           Romania

Flying

“There is nothing safer than flying – it's crashing that is dangerous.” Theo Cowan

“There are only 2 emotions in a plane, boredom and terror.” Orson Wells

What can I say about flying, you either love it, or you hate it.  No matter what your feelings, it's a necessary part of travel.  Sure, I know people who never fly and still travel.  I used to have a client that went to Europe every year, usually for several months at a time. He and his family drove to the east coast, took a ship over, rented a car there and drove, then took a ship back and drove back home. It worked for them.  But most of us don't have that much time, so we fly.

There is nothing quite like being stuck in coach, elbow to elbow with the person next to you.  Your legs crammed under the seat.  The seat in front of you is lowered so that your tray is pushing against you.  And you are on the plane for 13 to 14 hours. You try to sleep so you will be ready to go when you get to your destination, but it's hard to get comfortable, besides the fact you have a 5 year old behind you kicking the seat.

We've all been there and done that.  I always look forward to going somewhere new, but dread the actual getting there and getting home part.  I'm not a fearful flyer, I've flown a lot.  But the trip is long, and boring and usually cramped.  And then there is the airport security and the lines to get through before you even get on the plane.

A word on security.  Since 9/11 things have gotten stricter. Some of the procedures you may not agree with, but they are there, and there is no way around them, so go with the flow. You can pack almost anything in your checked luggage, knifes, drinks, scissors, shampoo, lotions, etc.  But in your carry-on luggage there are restrictions.  Anything liquid, which includes toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, must be 3 oz. or smaller and must be in a plastic bag that you can take out of your bag and place in the tray separate from the suitcase.  If you have any questions as to what you can or cannot carry-on, go to the TSA website - http://www.tsa.gov/

Whenever I can, I try to upgrade to business or first class on long flights.  However, most the time it is too expensive.  I do have frequent flyer miles and have used them for upgrades, but sometimes those just aren't available, and you use a lot of miles for upgrades and there is still a fee, so I don't always have enough miles to upgrade.  Personally, I would rather use the mileage towards and upgrade then a free ticket.  On a long flight, business or first class is certainly worth it.



passengers on a plane

I always take several books, or lately my nook, with lots of books uploaded in it, to keep me reading for the entire trip.  I also take a neck pillow, a light blanket and some light sleeping pills, which I take on the over the Atlantic part of any trip to Europe.  Since you usually arrive the next day in the morning, you really need some sleep in order to keep going that first day.  If you get to Europe and then sleep during that first day, it will take you longer to get used to their time zone.

I'm also an avid believer in Airborne.  I know there is no scientific evidence that says that it prevents illness, but it is a high dose of vitamin C, and I just feel like it gives me a boost against getting sick.  It certainly won't hurt me, so why not take it.  You are going to be shut into a plane with lots of people which means lots of germs.  I hate getting sick when I am traveling, so an ounce of prevention is a good thing.  I also carry medicines with me in case I do get sick – cold medicines (day & night), the Chinese herb tea I bought in China when I had a cold there, and some antibiotics my doctor prescribed for me to carry in case of illness.  I'd rather be prepared.

No matter how strict they become with security, I will not stop flying, because flying gets me to new destinations, and new adventures.  I will put up with a lot in order to travel.

I found quite a few great quotes on flying, just had to give them all to you:

 

"Now I know why they tell you to put your head between your knees on crash landings. You think you're going to kiss your ass good-bye".
Terry Hanson

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"If God had really intended men to fly, he'd make it easier to get to the airport".
George Winters

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"I feel about airplanes the way I feel about diets. It seems to me that they are wonderful things for other people to go on." Jean Kerr

*pictures taken from the internet

Where Should I go on Vacation This Year?

“There is nothing better then travel to move you, transform you, and place you firmly in the world.” - quote from the travel channel

One of the things always perplexed me when I was a travel agent, was people asking me "where they should go on vacation."  I never understood not knowing where you wanted to go.  I always know places I want to go, I have my list.  But I would never tell someone else where they should go. My idea of what is fun or interesting isn't necessarily something someone else would find fun or interesting.  So then I would have to do some exploring, finding out what that person liked and disliked.  Are they a beach person?  Cold weather or warm?  What are their hobbies, sports, etc.?  Then I would at least have a place to start, where I could make some suggestions.

Shakespeare's home in Stratford

So, if you are one of those people who would like to take a trip, but have no idea where you would really like to go, then ask yourself what you are most passionate about. Do you love to cook, or are you a foodie? Are you into literature, or photography, lighthouses, trains? Are you a sports person, and if so what sports? And then think about places tied to what you are interested in. Did you know there are trips you can take, that go with almost every interest out there?

For instance, if you were into literature. There are tours in England that are for Jane Eyre or Bronte fans, for Shakespeare lovers or for Harry Potter fans. In France you can do a tour related to the book “The DaVinci Code” by Dan Brown. If you like the book “Anne of Green Gables” then you can tour Prince Edward Island, Canada.  And of course if you have a favorite movie, you can quite often find a tour to the area the movie was made, and if it was a very popular movie, there will probably be a tour set up associated with it.  If you go to Austria you can still take a "Sound of Music" tour.

Popular tours have sprung up all over for those interested in learning to cook. You can go to France to learn to cook French, or Italy to learn Italian cooking. Just pick a cuisine and go to that country on a Cooking tour. Or if you want to go on a tour that is just about eating or wine tasting, there are great tours set up for that also.

Sherwood Point Lighthouse
Door County, Wisconsin

A few years ago, my husband and I went on a tour of the lighthouses of Door County, Wisconsin. We have always loved lighthouses, but I wasn't really aware that there were lighthouse tours. We actually won this tour in a drawing, but it was great. We flew to Green Bay, Wisconsin where we met the group (all lighthouse lovers). We were transferred to Sister Bay where we stayed for the rest of the week. From there we toured different lighthouses. Most of these are not available for the general public to go inside of, since they are still working lighthouses, but they arranged it just for the tour. So we actually climbed to the top of several of them. We took a boat ride on Lake Michigan to see some of the lighthouses on the lake. And there were other fun things to do on the trip, like sampling the seafood in the area and visiting the cute towns. Lots of shopping opportunities as well.

I collect Christmas ornaments and love anything that is Christmas themed. So I have gone on two tours of Christmas markets in Europe. They of course take place in December, when it is cold. Really got me in the Christmas mood.


Gettysburg

 For History buffs, there are lots of tours.  If you are intersted in Civil War history, there are tours that will take you to Gettysburg and all through the south to the southern mansions and the battlefields. Or if you are more interested in earlier history, there are tours all over Europe that will cover history as far back as you want to go. 

If you are a baseball fan, then a tour of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York might interest you. Or if you are into music you might enjoy the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

There are tours for just about any interest. You just have to find what moves you, what you are passionate about, and go out there and find it.  Make your own list of things that interest you, and then you will always know where you want to go.

**All of the pictures above were taken from the internet.

Our day in Pompeii

" A journey is like marriage.  The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it." 

 John Steinbeck

Isle of Capri

We went to Italy for our anniversary. Part of that trip we did as a tour, Rome, Venice, Florence. We spent the last week of our trip in Sorrento, which is across the bay from Naples. We spent one day on the isle of Capri, which was wonderful. We wandered the streets of Sorrento, explored the Amalfi area, and drank lemoncello. We only had one day left, and we had planned to go to Pompeii that day and see the ruins.

We got up early and started walking down the hill from our hotel to catch the train. About half way there the sky opened up and the rains came down. Now, I grew up in Washington state, so a light rain would not have stopped my plans, but believe me when I say – IT RAINED! We were drenched in seconds and headed back up the hill to the hotel. We got dried off and sat on our balcony and watched the rains over the bay of Naples.

Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvias

Around 2PM the rain finally stopped and the sun actually came out. I said to George that maybe we should still try to go to Pompeii, it was our only chance to see it. So we headed back down the hill, caught the train and went to Pompeii. I understand that usually Pompeii is packed with tourists. The lot is usually full of tourist buses and it is a crowded spot. But because of the rain that day, the lot was empty and the ruins were also empty. It was an eerie feeling, walking around the ruins with no one else there.

plaster casts in Pompeii

If you have never been to Pompeii, you might not realize that they have plaster casts of people. When the ash came down the people of Pompeii huddled down and put there arms over their heads, and they were buried in ash. When excavating the place they found holes and pored plaster down into them and they came of with the shapes of people huddling down to avoid the ash. So some of those plaster images are there to see. You can feel the horror of those people by looking at those casts.

So we are walking around Pompeii, and we are feeling a bit eerie, because we are all alone, not another soul in sight. Then we hear music, children singing. It is sweet, and it is floating on the air. We feel like we are hearing ghosts from the past. We followed the sound of the music and discovered a group of children. A school bus had just arrived and the children were going to tour Pompeii, but they stopped to sing some songs first. We were glad to see that it wasn't ghosts, but children of the present.

I will always remember that day in Pompeii, and the voices of the children floating on the air.

I Got My Kicks on Route 66

If you ever plan to motor west
Travel my way, the highway that's the best.
Get your kicks on Route 66!

Swa Frantzen

For those old enough to remember, there was a show on television called Route 66.  And it was about two guys, Tod and Buz, in a red corvette who traveled Route 66.  There was a different story every week about their adventures along the way.  It was on TV from 1960 to 1964.

Route 66 earned the title “Main Street of America” because it wound through small towns across the Midwest and Southwest, lined by hundreds of cafés, motels, gas stations, and tourist attractions.  It is also quite often called the "Mother Road".

Store near Kingman, AZ

Beginning in the late 1950s and continuing gradually over the next 25 years, old Route 66 was bypassed section by section as the high-speed Interstate highways were completed. Finally, in 1984, when the last stretch of freeway was finished, Route 66 was officially decommissioned; the old route is now designated Historic Route 66.  You can drive the entire byway in four or five days, but to enjoy it, plan for several days per state.  Not all of Route 66 is accessible, as the new highways were sometimes built right over the old road, so now in order to drive the entire route, some of it will have to be done on major freeways.  Interstate 40 covers quite a bit of the old Route 66.  You should also get a good map that shows where the bypasses to 66 are.  AAA carries a nice guide map to Route 66, it is in their bookstore section and there is a charge for it.  The road goes from Los Angeles, California to Chicago, Illinois, over 2400 miles.

During the Great Depression, hundreds of thousands of farm families, displaced from the Dust Bowl, made their way west along Route 66 to California.  After World War II many more families came west on the "Mother Road" to find jobs in sunny Southern California.  Today, the charm, the history, and the atmosphere that make up Route 66 bring travelers from all over the world to experience America the way it used to be. 

Cadillac Ranch

Route 66 passes through a marvelous cross-section of American scenes, from the sunshine of Los Angeles, past the Grand Canyon and the Native American communities of the desert Southwest, to the streets of St. Louis and Chicago.  Along the way there are many sights to see.  In Missouri there are the Fantastic Caverns where you are driven through the caverns in a car/train type vehicle.  In Amarillo, Texas you can visit Cadillac Ranch.  There you will see a line of old Cadillacs half-buried nose-first in the ground.  It is visible from the highway, and though it is located on private land, visiting it (by driving along a frontage road and entering the pasture by walking through an unlocked gate) is encouraged.  In addition, writing graffiti on or otherwise spray-painting the vehicles is also encouraged, and the vehicles, which have long since lost their original colors, are wildly decorated.

Winslow, AZ

In Arizona there are many sights along Route 66, including the Petrified Forest, The Meteor Crater, and the Grand Canyon.  You can stop and spend the night in a concrete Wigwam, or have dinner at the Road Kill Cafe.  And why not stop and stand on a corner in Winslow, Arizona - reminscent of the old Eagles song.

There are many other sights along the way, and lots of diners and cafes that have stayed in business over the years because of the popularity of the old highway.  The road ends at the Santa Monica Pier.

Whether you are motivated by an interest in its history, feel a nostalgic yearning for the good old days the route has come to represent, or simply want to experience firsthand the amazing diversity of people and landscapes that line its path, Route 66 offers an unforgettable journey into America, then and now.

Here are a few websites that will help with planning a driving trip on Route 66:
www.historic66.comwww.drivingroute66.com
http://www.national66.com/
http://www.route66.org/
http://www.oklahomaroute66.com/
http://www.missouri66.org/
http://www.bygonebyways.com/

Remember the old Burma Shave signs along the highway?  They are all along Route 66.  This one says - Big Mistake, Many Make, Rely on Horn, Instead of Brake, Burma Shave.  As a kid I always loved reading those.

45 Places to go in 2012

Just read an interesting article that lists the 45 places to go in 2012.  The list was put together by the New York Times.  I was thrilled to see that many of the places on my list as well as places I have been, made the list.  Even better, San Diego is number 14 on the list and since that is my home, it made me proud to see it there.  There are also quite a few places that I had not really considered, and may now add to my list in the future.  For anyone wanting to check it out, here is the link:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/travel/45-places-to-go-in-2012.html?pagewanted=all

Destination - Eastern Canada

"When you travel you experience, in a very practical way, the act of rebirth. You confront completely new situations, the day passes more slowly, and on most journeys you don't even understand the language the people speak....You begin to be more accessible to others, because they may be able to help you in difficult situations."   Paulo Coelho

In my last posting we talked about Western Canada and the train trip on the Rocky Mountaineer, which can be combined with a rail trip on Via Rail to the eastern cities of Canada.  There are some great places to visit on the eastern side of Canada, whether you do it by rail or other methods such as a driving trip or flying.  The main cities to visit on the East Coast of Canada are Toronto, Montreal, Quebec and Halifax, as well as other smaller towns, especially in Nova Scotia.  French is the main language of most of Eastern Canada.

Toronto and the CN Tower

Toronto is situated on the northern shore of Lake Ontario. Toronto is Canada’s largest city (with a population of 5.5 million).  People are drawn to the charm of the harbourfront district, the high-rise splendor of Yonge Street, the trendy shops and quaint cafés along College and Queen Streets, and the flourishing music and performing arts scene.  There are several distinctive neighbourhoods, such as Greektown, Little Italy and Chinatown. The CN Tower is Toronto's tallest and most defining landmark. Photos of Toronto are often defined by the building, stretching more than 550 metres into the sky.  The tower has become a major tourist destination. Visitors can test their courage by walking across the glass floor 113 stories above the ground. The first of its kind in the world, the glass floor gives you that dare-to-walk-on-air experience, with only 2.5 inches of glass holding you 342 metres in the air. The glass floor is actually stronger than most commercial floors and has the strength to hold 14 hippos! Or if you dare, travel higher up the tower to the Sky Pod another 33 storeys above ground.  The tower's revolving 360 Restaurant offers an award winning wine list and spectacular views for a romantic evening.

Niagara Falls is only a 2 hour drive away from Toronto, an easy day trip. At Niagara Falls you can take The Maid of the Mist boat ride that takes you to the base of the falls, expect to get wet. The Journey Behind the Falls tour sounds like thunder as you descend to tunnels that travel to observation decks literally behind the falls.

Old Town, Montreal

Montreal, with its unique mix of old world charm, radiates sophisticated glamour. Renowned for its innovative fashion, extensive arts community and delectable bistros, the city has plenty to offer the visitor. Spend an afternoon exploring the Old Montreal, taking a horse and buggy ride, tasting the famed cuisine, or retreat to the fine museums and the stunning Notre-Dame Basilica. The city’s history is rooted in Old Montreal and the Old Port, where you can stroll the cobblestone streets and walk along the banks of the mighty St. Lawrence River. We were there a few years ago, and had lunch at Jardin Nelson in the Old Town area.  It was a delightful place with a pretty outdoor courtyard and wonderful food. 

Quebec City

Quebec is the only walled city north of Mexico.  Visitors come to Quebec for its old-world atmosphere, its cobblestone streets and charming alleyways.  Quebec City is the cradle of French civilization in North America and the capital of Quebec province.  It is a busy seaport on the St. Lawrence River and the name literally means "where the river narrows."   Historic Quebec was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.  The city is famous for its array of quaint shops, outdoor cafes and strolling musicians.  There is a funicular that will take you to the Upper Town, to reach the castle-like Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, one of the best-known landmarks in Quebec.  From there you have an excellent view of the St. Lawrence River, the Ile d'Orleans and the Laurentian Mountains.  You can take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the city.

Montmorency Falls

Just 9 miles outside of Quebec are the Montmorency Falls.  The falls at 275feet  high, are the highest in the province of Quebec and 98 feet higher than Niagara Falls.  The falls are at the mouth of the Montmorency River where it drops over the cliff shore into the St. Lawrence River.  There is a suspension bridge over the top of the falls.

Halifax, is the capital of Nova Scotia and the largest city in the Atlantic provinces.  Halifax is the major centre of the Maritimes. Combined with its steep streets and the famous Citadel overlooking the city, Halifax is world-renowned for its beauty, character and vibrant nightlife.  Halifax is also a gateway to many of the other treasures that Nova Scotia has to offer: charming seaside towns, sparkling coves and miles of rugged shoreline guarded by graceful lighthouses.  Not to be missed is Peggy's Cove on the shores of the scenic St. Margarets's Bay.  It is famous for the natural beauty of the area, its lighthouse, and the freshest seafood.

Peggy's Cove

I've only touched on parts of Canada, there are so many more areas to explore.  "Canada is a country so vast that it is difficult to convey an adequate idea of its size; so fertile that nothing short of official returns will exonerate a description of it from a charge of exaggeration; so prosperous as to not only rival, but to surpass all other countries on the face of the earth; so healthy in climate, so beautiful in scenery, so abundantly supplied with magnificent lakes and rivers, so full of commercial resources, and so rich in minerals, that I am overpowered with the magnitude of the task I have imposed upon myself in attempting to convey even a faint idea of it."—Haliburton.

**Some photos taken from the internet

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