Day 1: Arrive Seattle
Guests arrive in Seattle today and transfer to the Mayflower Park Hotel, a small boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Seattle. Tonight is a special ‘Welcome Dinner,’ a chance to meet and greet fellow travelers. D
Day 2: Seattle, Boeing tour – Victoria
After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive north to Everett, WA and the Boeing manufacturing facility. After lunch w return to Seattle for the 3 hour catamaran trip through Puget Sound to Victoria, B.C., our home for the next two nights. During the night the Parliament Buildings light up the sky with over 3,300 light bulbs causing a magical spell. B,D
Day 3: Victoria, B. C.
After breakfast we will enjoy an informative tour of the Parliament Buildings and the Royal British Columbia Museum. Of course, later today, a visit to Butchart Gardens followed by Afternoon Tea. We will return to Victoria this afternoon allowing you time to explore Government Street for that special souvenir, or explore the lobby and shops of the Empress Hotel. B, AT
Day 4: Victoria to Whistler
This morning we board a BC ferry for the 90 minute cruise through the beautiful Gulf Islands to Horseshoe Bay. We travel on the Sea to Sky Highway north to the mountain resort town of Whistler. Our hotel, the Hilton Whistler Resort, is located right on the promenade of Whistler. You’ll have time to explore the village, home of the 2010 winter Olympics. Dinner this evening will be on your own to stroll town or dine at the hotel in the Cinnamon Bear Grille. B,L
Day 5: Whistler to Quesnel, B. C.
We have an early morning departure from Whistler. Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery as we roll North & East from the lush Coast Mountains through majestic canyons, Fraser Canyon and into the rich lands of the Caribou Plateau. Our overnight stop is the gold pan city of Quesnel, at the junction of the Quesnel and Fraser Rivers. B,L
Day 6: Quesnel to Jasper, AB
Another early morning departure, but worth the early rise. Today we will continue our journey through the Rocky Mountain Trench and some magnificent scenery into Jasper National Park. En-route we will pass Mt. Robson, at 12,972 feet, in the Rocky Mountain Range, one of the most prominent mountains in the Canadian Rockies. Upon arrival we will transfer to our hotel for the next two evenings. You might enjoy a short walk to explore the Jasper Township for a bite to eat and to stretch the legs. B,L
Day 7: Jasper
A mid-morning departure for a tour of Jasper before visiting the longest, deepest and most interesting limestone canyon in the Canadian Rockies, Maligne Canyon. Enjoy a stroll along the canyon before our lunch in the café. After lunch we continue to Maligne Lake for a one hour boat cruise, stopping at one of the most photographed spots in the Rockies, Spirit Island. We return to Jasper in the afternoon, giving you more time to explore the town. B,L
Day 8: Jasper to Banff
Have your camera ready, today you will travel the length of the Icefields Parkway, considered the most scenic 140 miles in the world. The Parkway runs from Jasper to Lake Louise and is named for the Columbia Icefields. A highlight will be a journey by Sno-Coach onto the Athabasca Glacier where you have a chance to walk on ice, safely of course. In late afternoon we check in the Banff Park Lodge. B,L
Day 9: Banff
This morning we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Banff to familiarize you with what you may wish to do later followed by the gondola up Sulphur Mountain for a magnificent view of the mountains and the surrounding area. We have a treat in store today; lunch at the famous Banff Springs Hotel. When the Canadian Pacific Railway was coming West, they built this hotel, saying that since they ”could not export the scenery, they would import tourists.” You’ll have the remainder of the day to further explore Banff. If you brought your swim suit, you may wish to indulge in a dip in the Banff Hot Springs before returning to town. Or, you might wish to relax at our hotel and use their hot tub and pool. Dinner this evening is at your leisure. B, L
Day 10: Banff, Lake Louise
For breakfast this morning we have quite a treat: Chateau Lake Louise where you will enjoy their famous breakfast buffet. We’ll give you time to explore the hotel, perhaps walk along the lake shore, or just take in the scenery. Later we will visit Moraine Lake and the Valley of Ten Peaks. This afternoon we return to Banff where you may visit the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, one of our favorites. Our Farewell Dinner this evening will be at the acclaimed Le Beaujolais for a grand dining experience at our favorite restaurant and a favorite of the Royal family. Enjoy! B, D
Day 11: Journey Home
Enjoy breakfast before our departure for Calgary, arriving by 11am where easy connections can be made for all US Points.
Highlights
- Fully hosted from start to finish by a professional tour manager to handle all the details.
- Overnight stay in Seattle at the classic Mayflower Park Hotel in the heart of downtown along with time to explore the Emerald City. We have included a visit to the Boeing Factory and you will see where the huge jets are made.
- Travel aboard the Victoria Clipper to Victoria, BC where our guests enjoy the luxury of a two night stay, also downtown near the famed Parliament Building and Royal British Columbia Museum. We have included a visit to Butchart Gardens along with Afternoon Tea in this lovely setting.
- Overnight stay in beautiful Whistler with plenty of time to enjoy this gorgeous mountain resort town at the superb Hilton Whistler Resort.
- The Rocky Mountaineer train from Whistler to Jasper over a spectacular trip through rain forests, the Coast Range Mountains, the gold country of interior British Columbia where we follow valleys cleaved by white water, before ascending the Rockies and passing Mount Robson, a glorious two-day journey. We pause for the evening in Quesnel, BC where a nice hotel awaits so not a mile of spectacular scenery is missed at night.
- Two nights stay in Jasper, our favorite village in the Canadian Rockies with complete touring including Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake where we enjoy the boat cruise to Spirit Island.
- The Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff, frequently considered the most scenic drive in North America. En route, we stop at massive Athabasca Glacier for a Sno-coach ride onto the actual glacier.
- Three night stay in the heart of Banff Township at the Banff Park Lodge with extensive sightseeing here including the famed Gondola Ride up Sulphur Mountain, Banff Hot Springs, Cascade Gardens and much more.
- Memorable dining including lunch at the Banff Springs Hotel one day, brunch at stunning Chateau Lake Louise and a special farewell dinner at Le Beaujolais in Banff, a favorite of the Royal Family.
