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Canadian Rockies, Vancouver & Victoria - WIBW TV
Rail Journey through the Canadian Rockies
Two National Parks
Victoria
Two Scenic Ferry Rides
Sky 360 Calgary Tower
Ralph Hipp
Ralph Hipp
Host Ralph Hipp is enjoying retirement and Holiday Vacation journeys after 30 years of anchoring the news for WIBW-TV, capping off more than 50 years in radio and television. Fans have thanked him for his dedication to broadcasting 13 News…
Discover the Canadian Rockies and vibrant cities of Western Canada, featuring two breathtaking national parks and one overnight rail journey. Begin in Calgary, just east of the Rockies, and explore its art, history, and culture. Visit Banff for a guided tour of the city and national park, before enjoying a savory lunch at the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Travel along Icefields Parkway and feel the powerful beauty of Athabasca Glacier up-close at the Columbia Icefield. Next, we board VIA Rail’s Canadian train for phenomenal mountain views and decadent onboard service as we travel in comfortable Sleeper Plus cars for a top-class experience. Arrive in Vancouver and find your adventurous side with a thrilling walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge! The next day, take a ferry to Vancouver Island and visit The Butchart Gardens® with time to roam independently. Then spend two evenings in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, to witness the rich culture and British atmosphere during a guided tour and time at leisure. Our adventure concludes with a ferry ride to Washington State, where we drive along the Olympic Peninsula and arrive in Seattle for a wonderful Farewell Dinner.
Trip overview may vary by departure.
Highlights
Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure™
Explore interpretive exhibits in the Glacier Discovery Centre before boarding our Ice Explorer, a special all-terrain vehicle with six wheels, for a thrilling ride onto the famous Athabasca Glacier. Delight in up-close views of this geological wonder as our driver-guide shares the history of the icefields and how they contribute to nearby ecosystems. Then, step out onto the ice to feel its power beneath your feet as you take in its breathtaking beauty and sip fresh glacial water.
VIA Rail’s Canadian Train
Enjoy the freedom to move about during your rail adventure. Rest in your cozy Sleeper Plus cabin, delight in regional gourmet meals in the dining car, and visit in the Skyline car’s scenic dome section to lounge near windows that extend to the ceiling for breathtaking views.
Banff National Park
Spend the day in Canada’s first national park! Its stunning glacial lakes, majestic wildlife, and picture-perfect mountain town draw in tourists from all over. Meet a retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and revel in stories from their time in service. Take in aerial views on a gondola ride, then see the awe-inspiring beauty of Lake Louise. Watch for bears, cougars, elk, bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and more. Savor lunch at the grand Fairmont Banff Springs hotel with views of the valley and Mount Rundle before an afternoon to explore independently.
The Butchart Gardens®
Previously a limestone quarry, this National Historic Site is a horticultural wonderland of meticulously designed landscapes, vibrant flowerbeds, and themed gardens. After Robert Butchart depleted the limestone deposits, his wife created the famous Sunken Garden. Since 1906, it has expanded to Japanese and Italian-style gardens as well as stunning rose gardens. Now there are over 900 plant varieties that bloom every year, attracting more than a million visitors annually.
- Day 1: Fly to Western CanadaUpon arrival, we check in to our accommodations in Calgary.
- Day 2: Discover CalgaryWe begin our morning by meeting our local guide to learn about this spectacular city that sits just east of the Rocky Mountains. After enjoying the highlights of Calgary, we travel 630 feet above downtown to the top of Calgary Tower for lunch at Sky 360. Relax and savor a delectable meal in the revolving restaurant while taking in exceptional views of the city and mountains. Later, we journey through some of the best natural beauty in the world and stay two fantastic evenings in Banff.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 3: BanffOur day in Banff National Park starts with visiting a Mountie, a retired Canadian Mounted Police member, to hear intriguing stories of their years in service and learn about the “Red Serge” uniforms of scarlet tunics. After the meet and greet, we immerse ourselves in this unique mountain town and take a panoramic tour of all that Banff has to offer. Lunch today provides a savory meal and breathtaking views at the historic and grand Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. We then take a relaxing gondola ride to a mountaintop for bird’s-eye views of the awe-inspiring vistas that surround us and have an evening at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 4: Columbia IcefieldToday’s adventure is a journey into Jasper National Park, featuring captivating vistas along Icefields Parkway. This beautiful area is famous for the glacial blue waters of its many lakes nestled among the mountains. Upon reaching the Columbia Icefield, we board a giant Ice Explorer that drives us to a 10,000-year-old sheet of ice, known as Athabasca Glacier. Enjoy the unique experience of walking out onto this natural wonder and take a sip of fresh glacial water as we learn about its powerful history. Later, we travel to Jasper and check in to our accommodations for the evening.
Meals Included: Lunch
- Day 5: Ride the RailsThis morning, we board VIA Rail’s historic Canadian train and begin our scenic journey to Vancouver in their Sleeper Plus cars. Enjoy top-notch service and unforgettable experiences on board as you roll past majestic mountains, lush forests, and spectacular waterfront in areas that are only accessible by rail. Select from a variety of chef-prepared gourmet meals to enjoy in the dining car and lounge comfortably in the skyline car’s dome section for outstanding views with windows that extend to the ceiling.
Meals Included: Dinner
- Day 6: VancouverFollowing an included breakfast on the train, we arrive in Vancouver. Surrounded by water on three sides and nestled along the Coast Mountain Range, this vibrant city is the largest in British Columbia. We find our adventurous side on a walk across the iconic Capilano Suspension Bridge, providing spectacular views from over 200 feet above the rushing river below. Those not ready to conquer a fear of heights can visit the nearby Trading Post to shop for locally made crafts and goods. After lunch on our own in North Vancouver’s waterfront market, Lonsdale Quay, we settle into our accommodations and have time to relax before dinner together at a downtown restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7: The Butchart Gardens®This morning, we board a ferry for Vancouver Island to visit The Butchart Gardens®, one of the most acclaimed horticultural exhibitions in the world. Stroll along pathways through themed gardens that are wonderfully landscaped, including seasonal floral displays and Ross Fountain, playing water patterns every four minutes. Later, we arrive in enchanting Victoria, the provincial capital of British Columbia. Shops, cafes, and interesting attractions are just a stroll away from our accommodations for the next two evenings.
Meals Included: Lunch
- Day 8: VictoriaOur day starts with joining a local guide for a tour of this capital city. It began as an outpost for the Hudson Bay Company in 1843 and is now known for its rich British culture, magnificent architecture, and time-honored traditions. We view historic sites, including the Parliament Building on the lovely Inner Harbor, as well as beautiful flower beds and gardens that reflect the area’s passion for gardening. After a delicious lunch together, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to browse charming shops or visit local attractions, such as the Royal BC Museum or Craigdarroch Castle.
Meals Included: Lunch
- Day 9: Ferry to WashingtonThis morning, we depart Victoria by ferry to cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca and international border, arriving in Washington. A picturesque drive along the Olympic Peninsula then brings us into Seattle for the evening. Tonight, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner at the beautiful hotel to celebrate our adventures through the Canadian Rockies and Western Canada.
Meals Included: Dinner
- Day 10: Fly HomeWe bid farewell to Canada and our new friends as we depart for the airport.
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 1 night in Calgary
- 2 nights in Banff
- 1 night in Jasper
- aboard VIA Rail’s Canadian train
- 1 night in Vancouver
- 2 nights in Victoria
- 1 night at DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport
Attractions & Highlights
- Banff & Jasper National Parks
- Calgary guided city tour
- Banff Gondola Ride
- Mountie Meet & Greet by Banff Lake Louise Tourism
- Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure™
- Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island
- The Butchart Gardens®
- Victoria guided city tour
- Ferry to Washington
12 Excellent Meals
- Welcome Lunch at Sky 360 Calgary Tower
- Lunch at Fairmont Banff Springs hotel
- Lunch at the Columbia Icefields
- Gourmet meals onboard VIA Rail’s Canadian train
- Farewell Dinner in Seattle
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
Topeka - Hotel Topeka At City Center