Canada Travel Guide

Calgary is home to an abundance of things to explore whilst still being perfectly-located near the breath-taking Canadian Rockies. Stop off on the way to this famous area of natural beauty and journey to the top of Calgary Tower for 360 degree city and mountain views. Visit Heritage Park Historical Village, Canada’s second largest living history museum for an immersive cultural experience unlike any other. Downtown Calgary is home to a pedestrianised mall on Stephen Avenue with everything from sophisticated boutiques to pubs and steakhouses. Travel to Calgary in July and head to the iconic annual Calgary Stampede with bare-back riding and spectacular shows.

The Rockies are home to a diverse range of idyllic towns, including Jasper, featuring the longest and highest aerial tramway in Canada providing unforgettable views of the surrounding landscape. Banff is filled with outdoor activities galore including cross country skiing and hiking along with town centre shops, bars and museums, as well as art galleries and upscale restaurants. No trip to Banff is complete without a trip to Banff’s Upper Hot Springs. Last but not least is Lake Louise, known globally for its turquoise lakes and rugged mountain views, and an array of activities allowing you to immerse yourself in nature, such as paddling, dog sledding and a lakeside path for a walk with magnificent mountain views.

Whistler is the ultimate year-round destination, with plenty to explore no matter throughout the seasons. In summertime, head up Whistler Mountain in a glass-bottomed gondola on the Whistler PEAK 2 PEAK 360 Experience for panoramic views of this unique landscape; relax on a pristine beach by a mountain lake or keep your eyes peeled for black bears in their natural habitats on a bear viewing tour. In wintertime, the mountains come alive. Lace up your ice skates and zip around the heart of the Whistler Olympic Plaza, ski or snowboard on over 200 marked trails or head to the home of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic games for a professional-guided bobsled ride of a lifetime.

Vancouver is ideally-located between the snow-capped mountains and the Pacific Ocean, with a range of diverse attractions. Top spots in Vancouver include Granville Island Market, where you can live like a local and sample local produce, handcrafted gifts and more. Yaletown has a host of cafes, unique shopping and luscious parks including Stanley Park. There’s beaches, miles of paved trails, totem poles, the largest aquarium in Canada and many more hidden gems, including a miniature railway and water park. Gastown is a historic Vancouver landmark, with converted Victorian buildings that are now home to restaurants, cocktail lounges, independent art galleries and souvenir shops. Take to the seas on a whale watching tour or to the trees at Treetops Adventure, with suspension bridges hanging over an evergreen forest. For unparalleled views of Vancouver, take the Red Skyride up Grouse Mountain, also home to grizzly bears, ziplines and eateries, as well as walking trails and seasonal skiing.

Vancouver Island is has a rich heritage and many stunning places to visit. Victoria boasts historical sites, outdoor adventure sites and a culinary scene influenced by coastal flavours. Tofino is nestled in the UNESCO Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region, home to an extensive environmental culture, stunning beaches for surfing or kayaking and plenty of hiking and biking trails. It also has a long whale watching season and seasonal bear watching tours. Ucluelet is a chilled fishing village near the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Campbell River hosts a diverse culture with shopping along Pier Street and an expanding downtown area. Take the ferry to nearby islands including Quadra and Cortes to explore somewhere off the beaten track.

Hop aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and experience one of the world’s most amazing train journeys as you make your way through the otherwise inaccessible terrain of Western Canada and the stunning Rocky Mountains.

With four main routes and multiple itineraries to choose from, including visits and stopovers at some of Canadas most iconic destinations such as Lake Louise, Whistler, Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Victoria and Vancouver – there really a perfect Rocky Mountain Railroad Route for everyone, your carriage awaits.

Luxurious coaches provide two different levels of service – Silverleaf travellers enjoy comfortable single level carriages with oversized dome windows offering scenic views of the local countryside and resident wildlife. Two friendly hosts look after everything for you, from providing knowledgeable commentary and amusing anecdotes about the local area and stopover points, to bringing your food and drinks to your large comfortable seat food – the welcoming Rocky Mountaineer attendants have it covered.

Goldleaf travellers enjoy two level carriages – upper levels have fully domed windows and extra comfortable seating providing panoramic 360 degree views of the Canadian wilderness. Three to four hosts cater to your every need including serving sumptuous gourmet a la carte meals accompanied by a refreshing wine list in the downstairs dining area.

Stopover accommodations vary depending on which level of service you’re travelling on – Silverleaf travellers will stay in comfortable hotel rooms and suites with restaurants onsite or nearby dining options. Goldleaf customers enjoy upgraded accommodations and higher room categories in some of the world’s most enviable locations.

Awe inspiring, on-board cuisine pays homage to Western Canada’s diverse culinary landscape with menus created by award winning chefs Jean Pierre Geurin and Frédéric Couton. Prepared using the freshest of local ingredients, Silverleaf breakfasts include freshly baked cinnamon scones, fluffy cheese omelettes served with chicken sausage, skillet potatoes and tomatoes while delicious three course lunches feature a choice of succulent entrees including Fraser Valley chicken breast, prime Alberta beef short ribs and grilled Salmon all plated up beside a selection of local British Columbian wines and beers.

Goldleaf passengers have more choice. Start the day with a gourmet breakfast served in the exclusive lower level dining room where the crisp white linens and gleaming silverware only adds to the already indulgent atmosphere. Freshly baked butter croissants, warm cinnamon scones, Canadian cheddar soufflé, eggs benedict, cranberry apple French toast and field berry parfait are just some of the delightful options available – of course there’s plenty of freshly brewed coffee to go with whatever you choose to fuel up on.

Your Goldleaf culinary journey continues at lunch time beginning with Chef’s soup of the day or a seasonal salad followed by an array of local specialities including beef short ribs, Fraser Valley Chicken, roasted vegetable ravioli, seared albacore tuna, shrimp gyoza and prawns, slow roasted pork loin and roasted salmon with sea salt – complemented by a choice of refreshingly smooth BC wines.

With stunning scenery and spectacular wildlife around every bend in the track, the Rocky Mountaineer provides a unique insight into the natural splendour and beauty of Western Canada.

The ‘Coastal Passage’ connects the cosmopolitan cities of Seattle, WA, USA and Vancouver, BC, Canada with the breath-taking Canadian Rockies whizzing along the Pacific Ocean shoreline with spectacular views of the sea on one side and the Rocky Mountains on the other.

The ‘Rainforest to Goldrush’ takes you through luxuriant coastal rainforest, past stunning lakes and the impressive Fraser Canyon – visit the Gold Pan City of Quesnel, travel through the Rocky Mountain Trench before arriving at the largest National Park in the Canadian Rockies.

Travel high in the sky on your ‘Journey through the Clouds’ as you follow the route of the Fraser River, home to British Columbia’s biggest salmon run and spectacular white water rapids. The highlight of this tour is undoubtedly the spectacular views of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

Journey to Craigellachie the spot where the last spike on the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven home on the ‘First Passage to the West’ route. It’s one of the most popular trips and is the only passenger rail service running on this historic route. If spectacular canyons and dramatic mountains all dusted over with a bit of history is your thing then this is the route for you.