Touring Western Canada - A Spectacular Winter Idyll

A trip to Canada is right for anyone with a sense of adventure and a love of magnificent scenery and friendly faces. Here we outline some highlights of a tour which starts in Calgary and ends in Vancouver - easily covered in 10 or 11 days, with a few nights in Banff and Jasper to savour the mountain scenes, and an unforgettable train ride too.

Starting in Calgary, a simple morning tour is a great way to take in the atmosphere of this go-ahead, elegant city of skyscrapers and diverse shopping centres. Amongst the attractions is Calgary's Saddledome, the city's 17,000-seat stadium hosting a huge variety of sporting and entertainment events.

After Calgary, a drive west takes you to Banff National Park, known as the gateway to the Rockies, and a spectacular mountain resort. There is so much to do here, including an excursion to Sulphur Mountain for a gondola ride with spectacular views of the mountain scenery, and a visit to Bow Falls. Main activities can be hiking, boating and fishing, and the extra-adventurous might try a helicopter trip over the mountains; or perhaps for those who enjoy the quieter life sometimes - a cruise on Lake Minnewanka?

From Banff, a great place to visit next is Jasper - but on the way it is a good idea to take in the resort of Lake Louise with its clear blue waters a perfect natural mirror which reflects the surrounding mountains and glaciers. The scenery here is breathtaking, with steep gorges, snow-capped mountain ranges, and turquoise lakes. Another stop might be the Columbia Ice field for a snow coach ride on the Athabasca Glacier. Great adventure.

Once in Jasper, you will marvel at the continuous stream of beautiful scenery again with hiking options (how about an evening hike looking for elk?), or a trip to Maligne Lake and its huge canyon. But Jasper is also famous as a starting point for a fantastic 2-day trip by rail on the Rocky Mountaineer - a classic rail journey from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast. It takes in Mount Robson the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies and follows the route of the 'Overlanders', 19th century homesteaders who tried to settle down in this wild region, and the Thompson River with views of the Monashee Mountains. Staying overnight at the ranching centre of Kamloops, the next days sees the Rocky Mountaineer continue on to Vancouver via the Fraser Canyon and the churning rapids of Hell's Gate where the Fraser river squeezes through a 100-foot gap.

The Rocky Mountaineer offers two choices of service. RedLeaf Service which provides guests with assigned, spacious, comfortable reclining seats, large picture windows, delicious chilled breakfast and luncheon selections served at your seat in an air-conditioned traditional rail coach environment.

On the other hand, the GoldLeaf Service allows you to use one of the 11 custom-built, bi-level GoldLeaf dome coaches with an upper level offering 360-degree panoramic views. The whole experience includes elegant dining and top class service - probably the rail trip of a lifetime for many.

After this, Vancouver offers beautiful beaches and fine harbour, Chinatown, Gastown, and the beautiful Stanley Park. From Vancouver you can sail across the Strait of Georgia through the Gulf Islands, an area known for its Mediterranean climate. A nice idea is to take in a sightseeing trip to Victoria with its Butchart Gardens and Bastion Square. An interesting collection of totem poles can be found in Thunderbird Park. Staying overnight before a return to Vancouver, you can enjoy a more leisurely stay in Victoria, which will repay you with memories of fine attractions such as the Royal British Columbia Museum, or afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel, or even a whale watching cruise on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

With flights by Air Canada amongst other to Calgary and back from Vancouver, this itinerary is a great recommendation for an unforgettable taste of Canada's pure and spectacular beauty.

Penny Church writes for several Travel Companies in the UK, including Country Connect and the Airport parking specialist http://www.airport-parking-offers.com who offer a wide variety of airport parking and hotel arrangements for UK travellers.

Touring Canada Highlights

Thinking of touring around Canada this year? From coast to coast this country is packed with beautiful scenery and interesting features. Being the 2nd largest country in the world, the best way to see all Canada has to offer is by taking an escorted or guided tour but going your own way can be as rewarding if you know the best places to visit.

Starting in the west, the Rocky Mountains are a breathtaking backdrop to a day exploring areas of Vancouver such as Chinatown, Gastown, and Stanley Park. Outside of the city is a paradise for nature lovers as the Rockies offer some of the best hiking and sightseeing found anywhere in the world. Kayaking, canoeing, sailing and white water rafting excursions are also popular and plentiful. North of Vancouver you'll come across Whistler. As the world watched Whistler host the 2010 Winter Olympics, you couldn't help but not want to be there and join in on the celebrating. Not just a Ski Destination, Whistler is a happening, hip city that charms and welcomes. A must do in Whistler is a trip on the world's highest and longest gondola ride but however you decide to spend your days, make sure you have your camera and plenty of batteries as rarely a minute will pass in Vancouver and Whistler that doesn't captivate you.

The drive from Vancouver through the Rockies to Calgary is a true photographer's heaven. After an incredibly scenic drive through the mountains, you will come across Jasper National Park where the white water rafting, kayaking and hiking is unsurpassed. For more amazing scenery and wonder, Lake Louise and Banff National Park are not to be missed. Canoeing on the spectacular Peyto Lake is almost surreal and hypnotic with its turquoise water glowing amidst the mountain peaks. If you time your trip right, head over to the Calgary Stampede for The Greatest Show on Earth.

From one coast to another, The Maritimes are charming in their own right. The Cabot Trail is repeatedly described as one of the most beautiful and scenic places on Earth. The Bay of Fundy features the highest tides in the world and for true Eastern Hospitality, visit the historical town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Also in Nova Scotia is Peggy's Cove, one of the most popular stops in Atlantic Canada with its iconic lighthouse. Of course, no stop to the Maritimes is complete without an ocean-side lobster dinner and the best way is with a smaller, local, family run restaurant to experience the authentic charm this part of Canada is famous for.

In between these uniquely Canadian locations is a corridor from historic Quebec City to the Majestic Niagara Falls. Along this corridor you'll find the cities of Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, and Toronto featuring historic forts, top vineyards, the CN Tower, first class live theatre, splendid architecture and some of the most multicultural areas in the world.

From The Pacific to The Atlantic Ocean and all cities and towns in between you could literally spend a lifetime discovering all Canada has to offer. Taking an Escorted Vacation not only maximizes your time and brings better insight to your trip but when you are dealing with a country the size of Canada, it is also the most economical way.

Fully Escorted Tour Operators like Trafalgar Tours bring an experience to traveling that leave you accomplished and that you didn't miss anything. Consider taking a Guided Tour through Canada for a journey packed with breathtaking scenery, excitement and charm.