Touring Holiday of the Canadian Rockies with Victoria!
01/09/2025
Don’t just take our word for it that Canada is an awe-inspiring place to visit; some of the Hays Travel team have experienced the country for themselves and can’t wait to share their adventures with you - including Victoria Carney from our Commercial Department.
MEET VICTORIA!
What an experience this was for my first ever Touring Holiday, visiting the Canadian Rockies with G-Touring - this trip had it all and really is the best way to get the most from a destination! Not only did I get the chance to explore the city of Calgary in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies; but also, to delve into the delights of the mountain towns of Banff and Jasper and beyond. Here’s what I packed into the trip…
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ITINERARY
DAY ONE: CALGARY
Calgary mixes big-city energy with warm Western hospitality. An overnight stay at Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown in the heart of Calgary’s East Village - walking distance from The National Music Centre, Calgary Stampede, and River Walk - kickstarted my Canadian Rockies adventure in style. First up was a visit to Studio Bell – home of the National Music Centre – to see treasures like Elton John’s songwriting piano, performance costumes of K.D. Lang and Shania Twain, and more. A walking tour including a stop at the famous Calgary Tower was followed by dinner from Charabar’s woodfired grill.
DAY TWO: BANFF
Today started with a visit to Heritage Park Historical Village – Canada’s largest living history experience; before the journey to experience Banff and Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies. Lunch at Three Bears Brewery and a self-guided driving tour followed; before checking into the Mount Royal Hotel in Banff. Late afternoon brought a thrilling trip on the Banff Gondola to the mountain top for a delicious dinner with views over the Bow Valley and Sulphur Mountain - which are nothing short of spectacular!
DAY THREE: BANFF AND LAKE LOUISE
One of the most exciting and memorable parts of the trip for me was the five-kilometre Johnson Canyon Icewalk in the freezing ice and snow - taking in all the frozen lakes and the glittering tower of ice that rises 30 metres above your head. We then travelled to the iconic Lake Louise for lunch at the famous Fairmont Chateaux Lake Louise; followed by a walk along the gorgeous lakeshore. Dinner and a drink back in Banff was the perfect end to the day.
DAY FOUR: JASPER
A relaxed drive along the famed Icefield Parkway was the chance to catch sight of the Athabasca Glacier, waterfalls, and the snow-covered mountain scenery enroute to the finale of the trip – the town of Jasper – for two nights at Lobstick Lodge. Jasper Planetarium beckoned later to witness the Northern Lights – but unfortunately the sky wasn’t clear enough!
DAY FIVE: JASPER AND MALIGNE VALLEY
The final day started with a Maligne Valley sightseeing tour - stopping at Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake, and Maligne Lake – before a ride on the Sky Tram to Whistler Mountain’s summit for an exciting snow shoeing adventure. A Downtown Foodie Tour was the ideal opportunity to visit four local eateries and taste four carefully handpicked dishes paired with boozy treats; while listening to Jasper's top tales along the way. Free time later gave us chance to explore Jasper’s quaint and charming downtown – and to fit in some last-minute shopping, of course.
HERE'S HOW VICTORIA SUMMED UP HER CANADIAN ROCKIES TRIP!
This tour had a perfect mix of opportunities to experience the stunning scenery the Rockies is famous for; to the relaxing evenings the towns of Banff and Jasper have to offer. Having your own holiday director with you for the entire trip is another highlight, the knowledge and passion they bring to the tour is extraordinary; this just enhanced the experience even further. This was truly a trip of a lifetime that I will never forget - if I could change one thing…I would have loved to have seen a Bear!!!
Tips: The scenery of the Rocky Mountains was unbelievable; my pictures don’t do it justice! The weather is unpredictable, so I’d advise dressing for every season and layering up.
WANT TO EXPERIENCE ALL THIS AND MORE ON A CANADA HOLIDAY?
If Victoria’s memorable trip to the Canadian Rockies has sparked your sense of adventure and left you dreaming of icy landscapes and thrilling activities, why not take the next step and experience a Canada touring holiday for yourself? With a range of breathtaking itineraries to choose from, turn your dreams into reality with a once-in-a-lifetime journey.