THE CANADIAN ROCKIES & MORE

09/11/2010 - 09/19/2010

HIGHLIGHTS: Victorian Victoria, BC, Butchart Gardens, Drive across the Rockies, Ice Fields Parkway, Snow Coach Ride, Moraine Lake, Special luncheons at Banff Springs Hotel and Lake Louise, Cascade Mountain Loop, Leavenworth, 15 Meals 

The Canadian Northwest and the Rockies...tall jagged mountains, serene shimmering lakes, endless glaciers...from Vancouver Island and Victoria, to Banff  high in the Rockies, big cities and quaint villages...we explore the rugged beauty of British Columbia and Alberta in a wonderful autumn experience!  2 nights in Victoria, 3 nights in Banff and lots more.  

SEP 11…  We depart and transfer to the Airport  for our transcontinental flight to Seattle.  Our deluxe motorcoach transfers the group to British Columbia, where we ferry across to Vancouver Island and spend 2 nights in the quaint village of Victoria.   Dinner tonight is a fitting welcome to this charming city that is known as ‘the most British of Canada”.  (D) 

SEP 12 …  After breakfast, we'll enjoy a leisurely visit to Butchart Gardens, one of the world's foremost floral wonders with eye-stopping landscapes in every hue.  This day should certainly prove one of the highlights of our trip. Lunch is included in the gardens. Later, returning to Victoria this afternoon, we have time to stroll the picturesque harbor of this lovely village.  (B,L) 

SEP 13 …   A morning crossing by ferry of the Straits of Georgia brings us to the mainland of British Colulmbia.  We travel eastward along the Coquihalla Highway, riding along the crest of the mountains of British Columbia and the Frazer River to the town of Kamloops.  Our motorcoach will stop at lovely Minter Gardens for a tour and lunch in route.  Overnight in a local hotel.   (B,L)

SEP 14 … We'll begin our climb today high into the Canadian Rockies. The mountains hold spectacular scenery as we wind our way through valleys and around towering peaks.  Our adventure ends in Banff, Alberta, a village nestled high up in the mountains.  Be on the lookout, as elk often are seen parading down the main street!  We will stay in Banff for 3 nights. (B,L) 

SEP 15…  This morning we’ll enjoy a tour of this breathtaking area…Bow Falls, a gondola ride to the 7,500 foot peak of Sulphur Mountain, the Hoodoos, and then we have lunch at the Banff Springs Hotel.  The remainder of the afternoon is for you to enjoy in Banff, with its shops and restaurants surrounded by towering mountains. (B,L) 

SEP 16… Breakfast and we go higher into the Rockies, as we visit picturesque Moraine Lake, a shimmering mirror reflecting the surrounding snow-capped Ten Peaks.  Next is the beautiful Lake Louise, and here we enjoy a lavish luncheon along the shores of this pristine glacier-fed lake.  This afternoon adds some excitement as our group rides a snowcoach on the Athabascha Glacier at the Columbia Icefields.  We return back to Banff along the spectacular Ice Fields Parkway, with glaciers rising on both sides of the roadway.  This day will go down as one of the most scenic parts of this wonderful tour. (B,L)

SEP 17 … Our descent of the Rockies takes us through the Avalanche Trail of Rogers Pass and into the fertile Okanagan Valley, the primary agricultural area of British Columbia. We overnight along the beautiful  lakeside area of the Okanagan Valley.  (B,D)

SEP 18 …  Re-entering the United States into Washington, we drive along the scenic Cascade Loop for our lunchtime stop in the Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth.  Crossing over the mountains through Snoqualmie Pass, we arrive in the Emerald City of Seattle.  Tonight's Farewell dinner gives us a chance to reflect on the beautiful sights we have enjoyed during the past days.  (B,D)

SEP 19 …  We transfer to the airport early for our flight home after visiting one of the most beautiful areas of the World!       

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