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Rail packages including accommodation to Western Canada
are available with Rocky Mountaineer Railtours. VIA Rail is Canada's national passenger railroad.
Tour companies include: Australian Pacific Touring (APT) Evergreen Tours Scenic Tours Adventure World Explore Holidays Qantas Holidays Venture Holidays Creative Holidays World Discovery Tours Tel: 1800 645 055 Responsible Travel
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Vancouver is a beautiful city flanked by mountains. Victoria has an elegant British ambience with gardens and lovely buildings. Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise offer some of the world's most jaw-dropping alpine vistas, and Calgary is affectionately nicknamed "cow town" for its annual stampede. Vibrant harbour city Ex-pat Christine O'Connor moved to Vancouver more than 20 years ago and she loves the lifestyle. "Vancouver has lots of outdoor activities. Skiing and kayaking are popular. If you like kayaking, boating and hiking, you'll love it here. I do the hike up Grouse Mountain. Not bad for a 50-something," she said. "When friends from Australia visit, I tell them about cheap ways to go sightseeing. You can jump on a ferry for a bargain harbour cruise. And everyone should visit Stanley Park. Wherever you go in the park it's beautiful, and it's surprising how much original pine forest still stands in the hub of a big city. I recommend hiring a bicycle because the CBD has a great network of bike and footpaths." Vancouver has everything you'd expect of a stylish modern city. The hot spots for shopping and dining include Robson Street, and historic Gastown which is filled with native art galleries and souvenir shops. Visit Granville Island, home to a bustling market, and see artisans at work blowing glass and throwing clay. Ice hockey is the national obsession and NHL teams can be seen in action for much of the year. Gracious Victoria Garden lovers are drawn here when the spring blooms appear in February kicking off weeks of festivities. The International Blossom Walk is held in April - choose from seven walks ranging from five to 42km along waterfront walkways and picturesque neighbourhoods. Don't miss the world-famous Butchart Gardens, lovely any time of year. Rocky Mountain high At the northern end is Jasper, and Jasper National Park. There's a myriad of outdoor activities and bear-sightings are common. Further south, don't miss the Athabascan Glacier and Lake Louise. A unique Snocoach ride takes you up on the glacier while beautiful Lake Louise is famous for its scenic walks. Ride the gondola to an elevation of 2016 metres for breathtaking views across the Great Divide. Banff National Park is another of Alberta's treasures. A town of four seasons, it is the best of alpine beauty and modern facilities. Top off a day in the outdoors with a refreshing soak in the hot springs. Banff has fine dining and a thriving arts culture evidenced by the Banff Centre - recognised as one of North America's leading art institutes. The annual Banff Arts Festival showcases talents from music, comedy, dance and visual arts and is held July through to August. Calgary used to be a big country town but today it's a city of tall skyscrapers, where the cattle and oil barons wear suits and drink cappuccinos. The annual Calgary Stampede is one of Canada's biggest events. The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth is usually held in the first two weeks of July. Book early to get a hotel room because the city swells with visitors who want to experience classic rodeo, complete with bucking broncos, chuckwagon races and rodeo clowns. Touring by rail Rocky Mountaineer Railtours offer a luxury package. Their trains run during daylight hours to ensure you don't miss any of the scenery. Take the Yellowhead Route from Vancouver to Jasper, or the Kicking Horse Route from Vancouver to Calgary via Banff. They offer two levels of service: RedLeaf or GoldLeaf. Both have full meal service and roomy reclining seats, the latter include travel in glass-domed carriages where the views are literally through the roof! They have just introduced two packages: Classic GoldLeaf Tour and Lodges of the Canadian Rockies, for travellers who want more time touring the sights of British Columbia, or who want to stay at exclusive mountain lodges. VIA Rail operates in all regions of Canada connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific and everything in between. Classes of service range from the most economic to the most luxurious. The Skeena begins in Jasper and makes its way to Prince Rupert on the Pacific Coast of BC. The two-day journey with an overnight stop in Prince George is a wonderful way to explore the native culture and attractions. The Canadian travels between Toronto and Vancouver. The three-day journey moves through the picturesque lakelands of northern Ontario, the western plains of Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan, the spectacular Rockies and ending on the Pacific coast of BC. The Snowtrain is a seasonal service that operates November to March with three departures per week from Vancouver to Jasper. VIA Rail offers excellent savings and packages for seniors (aged 60 years and above). In conjunction with VIA's partners, seniors can take advantage of the great offers available to the Rockies, Ontario, Atlantic Region and trans Canada vacation packages. VIA Rail is currently offering all seniors who purchase a full seniors fare (still receiving the standard 10% seniors discount) a free economy fare companion ticket or 75% discount on other classes, that can be used by a travel companion of their choice regardless of age! Children under 11 can travel free with an accompanying adult, applicable to adult or seniors fares purchased. Certain conditions apply. All seniors travelling on VIA's extensive Canadian network will also enjoy a 10% discount which also applies to already discounted packages and services. Seniors can keep informed about great upcoming specials through the VIA Rail email newsletter which includes discounts, promotions and contests. It is free and only requires an email address to subscribe. Low impact tourism The company has a philosophy of low-impact tourism, and they donate a share of proceeds towards C.A.R.E. Australia and other charities. They encourage clients to live like locals in self-contained apartments, or B&Bs. Managing Director Trevor Crosby, said, "one of our most popular products is called 'home away from home' in Western Canada. This includes the remote and beautiful west coast of Vancouver Island staying in ocean-side cottages available to rent for a week or a month". |
Dining out Getting around BC Ferries operate car and passenger ferries between Vancouver and Victoria, the Gulf Islands and north along the scenic Pacific Coast. Coach travel is operated by Greyhound Canada. Tipping Senior discounts
Accommodation Ferries Seniors discounts Coaches
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They
say after one trip to Western Canada you'll be hooked for life.
The stunning coastal and mountain scenery combined with the relaxed
Canadian lifestyle make it a popular destination for Australians.
Our dollar goes further here than in the USA and except for a few
'Americanisms', such as tipping and driving on the right, Canadians
share many of our customs.
