| First
Class Tour with superior hotels
and expert tour guide (except on trains)
Several meals included |
See
the grandeur of the prairies, the majesty of the mighty Canadian
Rocky Mountains including Jasper and Banff, Hell's Gate, the
Classy cities of Vancouver and Victoria in British Columbia. All
in First Class comfort!
Day 1
Our tour begins in bustling Toronto with
arrival at our hotel.
Day
2
VIA RAIL
Our incredible train journey begins! Transfer to Union
Station (downtown) for our departure (Tuesday, Thursday
or Saturday). All aboard the "VIA Rail Transcontinental"
bound for the Pacific Coast. Our first class rail cars
are refurbished to the 1950's genre in Art Deco. The observation
dome offers unequalled views as we roll across the Appalachian
Shield of Ontario. The private bedrooms are comfortable
and all meals are included (Checked baggage is not available
until day 5, smaller overnight bag is recommended on the train).
Be sure to visit the Bullet Car for a nightcap.
Day
3
VIA Rail
Each day is a culinary delight as all meals are included.
We pass sparkling lakes and boreal forests as we roll into Manitoba,
the province of 100,000 lakes. Drink in the vistas from
the dome cars and enjoy the terrific on-board service.
We arrive in Winnipeg for a brief stop and continue our train
journey.
Day 4
VIA Rail to Jasper, Alberta
Enjoy a delicious breakfast and relax as we forge across the
great wheatfields of Saskatchewan before our morning arrival
into Edmonton, capital and most vibrant metropolis in Alberta.
After a brief stop we continue the train journey to the "Jewel
of the Canadian Rockies" Jasper, Alberta. Disembark
and we are transferred to our hotel. Keep on the lookout
for wild animals often seen in and around the town.
Day
5
Jasper to Banff
Some free time this morning or join an optional cruise on spectacular
maligne Lake. This lake rivals its sister, Lake Louise,
in spectacular color and beauty. Depart Jasper for Banff
on our deluxe motor coach along the Icefields Parkway. This
is one of the "most scenic drives on earth". We'll
ride a Sno-Coach (weather permitting) onto the Columbia Icefield's
Athabasca Glacier. The Columbia Icefields are 125 square
miles in size (massive!), with no fewer than 30 glaciers where
3 river systems flow to three different oceans.
Arrive in Banff for the first of two nights here.
Day
6 Banff
Join us on an afternoon tour up Sulfur Mountain by gondola.
The views will take your breath away. In the evening we
can enjoy an optional dinner featuring cuisine and entertainment
all about Canada. The very adventurous can choose to take
a helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies.
Day
7 Lake Louise
The Bow Valley delivers us West to beautiful Lake Louise, a
most spectacular spot. We see the reflection of Mount
Victoria in her aqua blue waters and we'll find out how rock
flour helps the water retain its mesmerizing color. Continue
to Kelowna by motor coach in the sunny Okanagan via Kicking
Horse Pass. Pass over the Continental Divide and begin
our slow downhill descent to the Pacific Ocean. Travel
through Glacier National Park and see Illecillewaet Glacier.
Later into Canada's wine country and on to Kelowna, British
Columbia.
Day
8 Lake
Louise to Whistler B.C.
Today,
through the Cascade Mountains down to the coast. Traverse
the alpine Duffy Lake Road to famous Whistler, B.C.
Day
9 Victoria,
Vancouver Island
Follow the "Sea to Sky"
highway past 1,000 foot Shannon falls to board the ferry through
the Strait of Georgia. Step onto Vancouver Island.
Continue to the most British of North America's cities, Victoria.
After an afternoon tour we dine on traditional Canadian Fare.
Day
10
Victoria
After breakfast we depart for World famous Butchart Gardens.
The millions of flowers and awesome landscaping delight one
and all. It is absolutely astounding to think this paradise
was once a dismal rock quarry. Free time this afternoon
of how about taking a carriage ride through the streets of this
lovely "Colonial British" city. Overnight
Victoria.
DAY
11 Victoria to Airport.
Board our ferry for the journey back to the mainland. We provide
transfers to Vancouver International airport en route or you
may choose to extend your stay and visit Vancouver or embark
on an exciting Alaska Cruise.
Map
& Picture Highlights |
Included:
VIA Rail's Scenic views of the great rugged northland, of lakes,
forests and colourful prairies en route from Toronto to Jasper.
Jasper National Park Stay in the heart of this mountain National
Park.
Columbia Icefields Enjoy an exciting Ice Explorer tour on the
side of the Athabasca Glacier.
Banff National Park Two nights in this renowned National Park
including a trip on the Sulphur Mountain Gondola.
Canada's National Parks Travel through the Columbia Mountains
via Yoho, Glacier and Mount Revelstoke National Parks.
Strait of Georgia Scenic ferry crossing through pine covered
islands.
Victoria Sightseeing tour including Bastion Square and Thunderbird
Park.
Butchart Gardens Visit these world-famous gardens.
Dining Highlights
A
welcome drink hosted by your our Director.
7 Full breakfasts on tour
3 Continental breakfasts onboard the train
3 lunches on-board the train
4 three-course dinners on-board the train and in hotels
1 local specialty restaurant dinner in Victoria (Highlight Dinner)
18 included meals in total (see day by day itinerary)
First Class Travel Highlights
Three-day
independent rail journey on "The Canadian" from Toronto
to Jasper.
First-class Silver and Blue service includes private "dome"
and dining cars plus comfortable sleeping accommodation with
private facilities in single and twin compartments.
Transfers in Toronto and Jasper between rail station and hotel.
The services of one of our professional Tour Directors on the
motorcoach portion of the tour.
Travel on our luxury air-conditioned motorcoaches with reclining
seats and restroom facilities.
Return ferry from the Canadian Mainland to Vancouver Island.
You'll stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
All hotel service charges, baggage handling fees (one suitcase
per person) and local taxes.
A stylish travel bag and wallet containing tour documents and
helpful information.
Map
& Picture Highlights
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