Vancouver:
Often regarded as a cultural and gastronomic capital of Canada, Vancouver offers a plethora of experiences, from outdoor activities, leisure beach holidays to food trails as well as some refreshing art and cultural insights that will leave you mesmerized. With snow-capped peaks overlooking its harbor and sandy beaches, it is easy to go skiing in the morning and spend a lazy afternoon soaking in the sun on the beach, while in Vancouver. And in between, you can cycle or walk your way around town to explore its bustling art and culture scene or indulge in some value purchases at quirky shops in China town, experiment with authentic Asian kitchens and take a guided tour of the historic Gastown. One of the highly recommended attractions in Vancouver, Stanley Park offers tranquil walking trails and quaint cycle tracks along the sea wall, overlooking the English Bay. And if the mountains are your call, head to the northern shore for some of its amazing mountain biking, kayaking, hiking and snow sports opportunities.
Whistler
A short drive from Vancouver, Whistler is a quaint hilly village known for its winter and adventure sport opportunities. For a scenic view of the surrounding expanses, hop on a cable car to the tip of the Whistler Mountain and then a Gondola to the peak of the Blackcomb Mountain, to take in the surreal views of the clear lakes and the gleaming peaks of the surrounding mountains, overlooking the rustic village below. Apart from being a ski heaven, Whistler is also gaining popularity for its summer sports, including golf, mountain biking, kayaking and white water rafting.
Wells Grey Provincial Park
A drive through some of British Columbia’s most scenic vistas will bring you to the exquisite Wells Grey Provincial Park. En route, marvel the expansive ranch lands and the mighty Fraser River, as you make your way through the historic gold mine of yesteryears. And if you found the drive mesmerizing, the Wells Grey Provincial Park is set to enchant you. With dramatic landscapes comprising of craggy mountains and lush green forests with streaming waterfalls and lakes, you will suddenly find yourself surrounded by soothing tranquility. Popular as much for its diverse wildlife – with mosse and grizzly bears and deer being the dominant inhabitants; as for its hiking trails, you can choose from a horseback ride, a lazy cruise, a bicycle or plain walking to explore the vast and picturesque park. We also recommend a visit to the Helmcken Falls, known to be twice the height as that of the famed Niagara Falls.
Jasper
Next on the map are the mighty Canadian Rockies. Located to the east, along the scenic Thompson River, you may take a brief one hour pit stop to appreciate the wildlife around the Blue River, through a guided jet boat trip. Look out for the mighty Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, before you arrive in Alberta province, into the quaint town of Jasper. With several outdoor activities to choose from, a boat trip to Spirit Island to enjoy some of the best views of the Rockies, is highly recommended. Also not to be missed is the surreal wildlife at the Jasper National Park, the vistas at the Maligne Lake and Canyon and the leisurely walk through scenic alpine meadows, overlooking the views of the Angel Glacier. And after a long day in the wilderness, indulge yourself in some of jaspers numerous spas, restaurants and bustling markets for some retail therapy!
Lake Louis
An exciting drive through the most dramatic route, crossing the Montane, the Sub-Alpine and the Alpine life zones of the Rockies, will bring you to Lake Louis. En Route, you can sight the abundant wildlife of the region, from ptarmigans, mountain goats, bighorn sheep and wolves. A compelling pit stop is the Athabasca Glacier, one of the largest non-polar ice bodies in the world, with its glass-floored Glacier Skywalk that offers breathtaking views of the glacier and the surroundings. Once at Lake Louis, you can indulge in leisure walking trails to sight the abundant wildlife or head uphill towards Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes, to marvel at the scenic Alpine landscapes. The Moraine Lake, located in close vicinity, is famous for the picturesque views of the valley of ten peaks while the Yoho National Park houses the Takakkaw water falls, commended as the highest in the Rockies.
Banff
Known for its hot springs, the drive to Banff winds through the scenic Bow Valley Parkway and the Johnston Canyon that serve as ideal pit stops for taking in the wild life and the popular waterfalls and cold water springs in the area. The town of Banff houses some interesting museums while the notable hot springs of the Cave and Basin National Historic Site are worth visiting. Alternately, you can also indulge in a gentle canoe trip down the Bow River, or go white water rafting, take the gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain or just simply wander around the mountainous wilderness through the many hiking and walking trails.
Calgary
Often referred to as the Rodeo town of Canada, Calgary is a metropolis that is full of surprises for the modern traveler. From Modern skyscrapers that deceive the old world charm, Calgary si the quintessential farmer land, or a classic Western “Cowtown”. Some of the must visit while here include the Glenbow museum, the National Music center and the Contemporary Calgary for art lovers. Spend a day at the Heritage Park Historical Village to catch a glimpse of the ancient lifestyle and rustic look of Calgary. Further, to catch some authentic traditional action, cross over to the Prince’s Island park to watch a live folk music performance in the open amphitheater. Spend leisure evenings by some of the fancy bars and eateries and celebrate the night away at the new party hotspots, before you bid adieu to Canada.
