When people ask me to describe our recent Canada tour experience, the first word that comes to mind is ‘mind-blowing’. But even then, how do you describe a landscape that’s so grand it impacts your every sense? Visually, Canada is beyond beautiful, but the intensity is amplified when you’re there, on the ground, absorbing the vastness of it all…
We want to take you on a visual tour of our recent journey through Western Canada – providing a small glimpse into what is, unquestionably, a landscape of natural wonder that will leave just about any traveller breathless.
This is Western Canada through our eyes…
Every hour on the hour billows of steam fill the air, drawing crowds to the heart of Vancouver’s historic Gastown. The oldest neighbourhood in British Columbia’s capital city, Gastown has been through many incarnations and today, is one of the major drawcards, its heritage buildings now housing trendy boutiques, bars, cafes and restaurants. We spent much of our first days in Vancouver here, enjoying our free time exploring the streets and lanes, sampling the coffee and window shopping.
It was time to join our fellow passengers and kick off the tour on one of the most iconic train journeys in the world, the Rocky Mountaineer. There was no more perfect setting to get to know each other, share the incredible experience of winding our way into the Canadian wilderness and ultimately the Canadian Rockies, and enjoy five star service.
The food aboard Rocky Mountaineer was just as beautiful as the views looking outward as we travelled on board for two days in a row, from dawn to dusk.
You will never forget an experience such as this, including the bond that is created between yourself and your fellow passengers, and of course, your amazing Canadian hosts, as you share the experience.
Upon arrival into Banff, our days were designed around the incredible wilderness that now enveloped us. West of the town, deep in the Canadian Rockies, lay three lakes formed in the Bow River valley.
Vermillion Lakes show off the natural beauty of Banff National Park, just outside of Banff town itself.
They say seeing a Moose at such close range is an incredibly rare experience. So it’s safe to say, luck was on our side.
Snow capped mountains, lush surrounds, a glacial fed river winding through it’s heart… One must appreciate the beauty of Banff from high above. A trip up the Banff Gondola gives you a panoramic view over the entire Bow Valley, town of Banff and Canadian Rockies.
But Banff is not just about the natural beauty, it is also about culture. From early explorers pioneering new trade routes, to wealthy and elite tourists who arrived when the Canadian Pacific Railway first started promoting Banff as an exotic Himalayan-like destination, people have been exploring the region on horseback for decades and the local cowboy culture is still strong. A visit to Banff Stables was the perfect introduction to this heritage, and we even picked up a few new skills…
Without doubt, Lake Louise is one of the most beautiful places on earth. We arrived in time to see the lake at it’s frozen best – and the views were mindblowing. Completely surrounded by towering Rocky Mountains, and with the majestic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise at it’s edge, these are images that will be forever imprinted in our mind.
The Columbia Icefield is the largest of it’s kind in the Rocky Mountains. On board a custom-built Ice Explorer vehicle, we embarked on an adventure onto the ice of the Athabasca Glacier itself.
Jasper National Park is such a peaceful part of the world. It is also one of the best places to spot prolific Canadian wildlife. On an evening discovery tour, we captured our first glimpse of a black bear, casually eating at the edge of the forest.
Onwards to Blue River, a stunning area of wilderness in British Columbia, we took our wildlife search onto the water hoping to spot bears and other native wildlife. Things were just as fascinating on the boat, chatting with our guide Deb – who is living out her dreams, running safari tours alongside her father, brother and children…
Of course, we were bound to find treasures like this, with the region boasting the only inland temperate rainforest in Canada.
High above Whistler on an eco friendly tree walk….
….we were taken right into the canopy of old-growth fir and cedar forest. Comfortable in knowing that not one tree had been moved, removed, or affected, we could explore until our hearts were content on the network of suspension bridges, boardwalks and suspended staircases that linked the forest together.
Our tour had come full circle and back in Vancouver, meeting Grouse Mountain’s resident Grizzly Bears, Coola and Grinder, was one of the most remarkable experiences we’ve had with nature. Rescued individually in the region back in 2001, the two grizzly bears are now at the heart of the alpine resorts wildlife refuge.
Looking out from Grouse Mountain onto the City of Vancouver and its surrounding beauty, this was the perfect day to finish a once in a lifetime adventure…
Is Canada on your bucket list? Tell us in the comments if you have been or what you would love to see if you went!
Offering the perfect balance of comprehensive inclusions and more free time, Travelmarvel provides premium cruising and touring experiences at exceptional value. Fun, exciting and hassle-free, Travelmarvel holidays are designed for those who seek organised travel on their own terms. From river cruising to land and rail journeys, Travelmarvel offers memorable experiences worldwide – from Europe to the Americas, Asia to the Outback.
Have found that the travel insurance to go to Canada/USA have made them not viable.Sorry.
Wow! What an amazing photo tour. Canada has been on my bucket list for a very long time now. Maybe a windfall will enable me to go soon.
Dale, it’s definitely a beautiful country to visit with so much diversity and well worth it when you do!
Where is your favourite place to travel too?
Clint
Wow! The photos are just beautiful! The scenery looks amazing and it looks like a great adventure. I’d love to go to Canada and see and do the things from your photos – if I got to see and do half of those things I’d be happy. I havent travelled overseas much due to me having my family young then returning to full time study. I’ve only been to Asia so far because it’s cheap, and I loved the experiences. I’m hoping to go on a much bigger holiday soon. Love the pictures cos it gives me incentive to go and see the world.
Trish
Gordon my sister and I did Canada on 2014 with a stop in Las Vegas on way and our travel insurance wasn’t too bad. Some places wont cover USA. Make sure you get multiple quotes, we used 1 Cover.
Thanks for sharing that info Christine, much appreciated. Cheers
Great pictures of amazing scenery! Can also recommend getting to the East Coast and historic cities such as Montreal and Quebec City with the fabulous French Canadian culture and hospitality! Thanks to my wife being from there we get to experience it every Canadian summer.
Fingers crossed I can go to the east coast soon as I’ve heard great things. How different is it to the West coast Peter?
After a 5% survival chance from melonoma I thought if I die I will die happy by realising a childhood dream of going to Canada. It surpassed my dreams and gave us a magical show of what nature at its best bedazzles you. “Oh my God” would have to be the most uttered sentence of the entire journey. Everyone should experience this beautiful country, the food and the people. Love your photos. Bought it all back. Thank you
You’re welcome Suzanne and yes, its definitely a place where the word ‘amazing’ is so easily overused!
Where is your next adventure?
Cheers
Clint
HelloPeter, greetings Lyn & Darrel Overs. We experienced Canada in May 2016. We saw many of the same locations as the photos show as well as some different locations. Top of the bucket list.This
year we went to Tasmania for 10 days in April and absolutely loved it. In late August we travei to Canberra unite with friends and head across the Nullarbour to spend approx 7 weeks through Western Australia coming home to north Queensland from Broome, Kununnara, Mt Isa to Ingham. Our friends will be accommmodated in Big 4 Units while we use our A/Van caravan.We are looking forward to it very much.
Sounds like a great trip planned Darrel and plenty of good times. Tasmania is a special place indeed and close to my heart especially the east coast bay of fires region…..plus your list of destinations brings back fond memories of our travels around Australia in our caravan… Where do you call home?
Cheers Clint
What amazing photos! We have never been to Canada but looking at your photos we can live it with you. Thank you so much.
Kate, It’s definitely one of my favourite places on the planet and happy to hear that you enjoyed the photos. And the photos don’t even do it justice as its just so ethereal. We have a competition coming up to win tickets x 2 when the show goes to air so you may be a chance 🙂
If you had to choose one place in Canada to visit could you pick?
Cheers
Clint
We just arrived home from Canada yesterday and very interested in your story and photos much better than those that I took, we did the Rocky Mountaineer, a bus trip, plus the cruise to Alaska, absolutely magnificent, the scenery, the snow which continued past its usual time, and yes, Lake Louise was just so beautiful. Beyond what I had expected.
The Rocky Mountaineer is definitely a highlight. Ohh… the Alaska cruise – what was that like Mae as I have never been and have always wanted to go?
Cheers
Clint
I stood in those exact spots in Lake Louise (the lake was frozen)and Banff, took the gondola and overlooked that exact spot, except I went in winter 2 and a bit years ago. Stayed at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and was the hotel member guest of the day and had some goodies provided in my upgraded room. I am hoping you had a Nutella and banana Beavers Tail in Banff! Yum! I loved The Columbia Icefield and while the bears were sleeping I saw wolf and an amazing array of wildlife in Jasper. Minus 15 and less during the day and it was wonderful. Thank you for the lovely pictures as a reminder of my amazing holiday. And of course I would so love to go again, everywhere in Canada.
Ha ha ha… I did see those beaver tails and they looked delicious… I purchased one on the last day we were on top of Grouse Mountain. Sounds like Canada is one of your favourite destinations – where else would you recommend to go in Canada?
Cheers
Clint
So Glad you got to have a Beavers Tail! I loved the Yukon. Truly incredible, got to see the northern lights, I think it would be incredible in any weather. There’s an amazing wildlife preserve there.( hot springs also ) I also went to Niagara, just had to see those falls and worth it, though you get really wet doing the boat (worth it). I would go to Canada again in a heart beat, and noticed your comment about a comp. during the shows upcoming. thanks!
Belinda
Yes, don’t forget to enter the comp for a chance to win the trip… fingers crossed!
Shoo, I want to go. Please Lord help me get there!!
Giulio, you will have a chance to go to Canada with a friend as there is a competition available to join during the show this year so keep your eyes and ears ready!
What’s been your favourite destination to travel to so far?
Cheers
Clint
Sounds like a fabulous holiday. We have just returned from America.
The American people were so friendly, polite and helpful. We also had a great holiday.
Where did you holiday June?
Cheers
Clint
I went for 6 weeks this time last year. It was an amazing trip and something I had always wanted to do. Some of my most memorable moments included the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, a bear viewing tour in Whistler (got within 20 meters of a black bear), the beautiful colour and surrounds of Lake Louise, the snow and stunning views on Sulphur Mountain in Banff and goldleaf class on the Rocky Mountaineer Train. I wish I was back there now.
That sounds a lot like our trip – did you have a favourite Louise?
Cheers
Clint
Born UK my wife and I started our life together by migrating to Canada where we lived for 19 years raising 3 Canadian sons before migrating to Australia 36 years ago.
We now enjoy visiting Canada every couple of years or so catching up with old friends .
One recommendation we always give to friends that if you are visiting Western Canada you must take the BC Ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island, the trip alone is spectacular as well is the city of Victoria which is the capital of British Columbia. Visit Butchart Gardens and also Empress Hotel for ‘Afternoon Tea’ while there.
Last year we returned to Australia from Vancouver on a repositioning cruse of 22 days to Sydney.
What a way to finish our trip to Canada.
Neville, you’ve definitely named some great places to visit which I’ve been lucky to experience also. Granville Island was another I would have to add to the list as its a quick trip from the Vancouver city. Are there any other secret areas of Vancouver to visit that you can fill me in on?
Cheers
Clint
We leave Perth WA for Vancouver in 2 weeks, can’t wait!
9 days Vancouver / Victoria, the train to Jasper and 9 days Jasper to Banff, 5 days in Calgary for the Calgary Stampede.
If you have any tips or special places to visit let us know!
You’ll love it Greg. Sounds like you’re into the horses if heading to the Calgary Stampede?
Visit Gastown, Grouse Mountain, Stanley Park, and Granville Island in Vancouver. Victoria you can go on a zodiac boat ride and see some Orca’s plus take a horse drawn carriage ride around Victoria and take in the history plus Butchart Gardens as there is so much to see. The gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff for panoramic views as well as the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel which has to be seen to be believed. If you’re up for an adventure then while in Banff visit the Banff Trail Riders as its good fun. You’re going to have a great time – enjoy and let us know how you go?
Cheers
Clint
I was there in 1989, but travelled across to the Rockies from Toronto, where I was based for about 3 months, and didn’t get to experience Vancouver.
My husband and I have just booked with TravelMarvel for August 2018, encompassing the West Coast, Rockies ànd Inside Passage, as well as their East Coast, New England tour.
This is to celebrate 3 milestones – my 40th year working, our 20th wedding anniversary, and my husband’s 60th which is early 2019.
So looking forward to the experience again and sharing this beautiful country with my husband. Also hoping to catch up with my girlfriend just outside of Toronto (it will be 29 years since we were in the same place!)
Oh wow, this trip is well due Kathyrn!
You’re going to have a ball and remember to send us some pics of your travels and share the experience as I would love to know your thoughts. Enjoy.
Haven’t visited Canada since 1998 but I’ve never forgotten how beautiful it was. Planning on taking kids for a white Christmas next year. If you had to pick, would you recommend Banff or Whistler?
I loved Whistler and we were there in the summer. Whistler in the snow would be incredible!
With both places, you cannot go wrong. Good-luck with the trip.
We will be in Vancouver in two weeks!! Doing the Rocky Mountains tour and then the cruise to Alaska, absolutely cannot wait!!
You are going to love it, Anne.
Remember to let us know what it was like?
We were fortunate enough to be on this tour with Clint and his team. I was wondering if their is a chance we could get a copy of this segment once it has aired on Channel 10.
Hi Del and Graham, I hope you made it home safely? Click on this link and you will see all of the Canada episodes on our website: https://placeswego.com/videos/#results
They are under Places We Go TV on our website at https://placeswego.com/
Good to hear from you both and what an incredible trip – I want to go again..!
Would love to seecthe wild lufe , brown besrs , moose to name a few the snow as never seen before and how they have created sustsinable soloutions
What time of the year was it
Hi Brian, this was in the first half of May! So late spring 🙂