Discover Alberta and British Columbia

Canada has always been a country I have enjoyed speaking to customers about, with contrasting east and west sides; iconic rail journeys; Alaskan cruises; ski resorts and many activities and experiences to consider. It has been a place I love to sell but have never visited myself, so I was beyond excited and very grateful to be offered this opportunity by Premier Holidays and Air Canada. Canada, countrywide, can appeal to all customers with varying interests - it has natural wonders, wildlife and plenty of outdoor activities to name but a few.  Western Canada is renowned for the Rocky Mountains and beautiful lakes, as well as Vancouver being a departure point for many Alaskan cruises. The images in brochures and on programmes I have viewed have always been idyllic, so I had high hopes of experiencing this. I was not disappointed, and my trip far exceeded any expectations I had.

We travelled in the Autumn at the end of September, a shoulder season between the end of the busy summer period and the equally busy ski/winter season in the Rockies. Some activities and experiences were winding down or had already finished and preparations had begun for the next season in November. The weather was changeable,  meaning we had to pack lots of layers. It ranged from snow and minus temperatures to mild sunshine with short sleeved t-shirts, so I was grateful of the 23kg luggage allowance on Air Canada!

Day 1

I met up with the rest of our small group at Heathrow Terminal 2 and our Air Canada host invited us to use the Maple Leaf Lounge before our departure. The direct flight from Heathrow to Calgary took 9 hours, economy seats were comfortable, the meal was delicious and I was able to enjoy the in-flight entertainment programmes. On arrival at Calgary we were met by Ian from Discover Canada who was to be our driver and guide for the duration of our trip. Calgary is a great gateway airport for the Rockies as it only took us an hour and a half to travel to our first stop at Banff, located within the National Park area. We stayed at the Caribou Lodge which is situated towards the end of the main road into the resort centre, about a 10-minute walk away from the downtown area. The hotel had a very homely feel with a big fireplace, comfy seating, bar and restaurant in the entrance.

Later that afternoon we headed to the Banff Gondola for a ride up Sulphur Mountain. This offered 360° panoramic views of the mountain ranges that surround Banff. There were plenty of photo opportunities, an interactive visitor centre, the Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen, a coffee shop and gift shop, as well as the opportunity to cross the boardwalk over Sanson’s Peak.

Day 2

As well as the mountains in the Rockies, there are many lakes that you can visit. In the morning we enjoyed a cruise on Lake Minnewanka, with an informative talk about the surrounding area and wildlife. This was followed by lunch at the Juniper Hotel, just outside of town, and a fantastic tour of Banff in a unique custom made open-top 1930’s style bus. Later that evening we had a site visit of the newly built Hotel Canoe and Suites in Banff.

Day 3

On our transfer between Banff and Lake Louise we stopped at Johnston Canyon to walk the trail to the lower falls, before moving on to the Lake Louise sightseeing Gondola. It was great to see how the bustling ski resort remains operational and is used for sightseeing during the summer months. It was very cold at the top, but the views of all the mountain ranges and turquoise Lake Louise in the distance were spectacular. Our afternoon was spent visiting beautiful Lake Louise itself, and its famous Chateau Lake Louise Hotel (a personal highlight for me) as well as Moraine Lake, which was also well worth seeing. Our stay overnight was at the Lake Louise Inn, with chalet style accommodation, and a great base for anyone exploring or skiing in the local area.

Day 4

Snow had started to fall when we awoke in the morning which made it feel quite magical, and we were shown around the hotel before we set out for our next stop at a frontier town called Golden. We had driven through snow and then rain as we arrived at the Golden Skybridge Outdoor Activity Centre so unfortunately it wasn’t the best weather to enjoy all the experiences the centre had to offer. We did manage to cross the highest suspension bridge in Canada and there were opportunities to ride a mountain coaster, zipline across the canyon or even venture out on a canyon swing!

On a short walking tour of Golden we learnt how the town had developed through many workers settling there after working on the construction of the railway. Our next overnight stay was at The Coast Hillcrest Hotel in Revelstoke, another railway township. Due to the recent wildfires, that significantly affected popular destination Jasper, many travellers have re-routed via places such as Revelstoke, so it was great to see these alternate destinations for myself.  We ventured downtown that evening for dinner at the Craft Bierhaus and were taken on an Art Alleries tour which showcased the street art designs on the buildings and alleys around the town.

Day 5

Our morning was spent travelling through the picturesque Okanagan Valley, with a short pitstop at the D Dutchmen Dairy, renowned for their traditional hand-made dairy products. We were hosted for lunch at the stunning ‘The Edge’ restaurant above the town of Vernon before heading to Kelowna, a city on the Eastern shore of the Okanagan Lake. During the evening we attended an immersive cookery class at Lakehouse Kitchen to learn how to prepare a delicious Thai meal.

Day 6

The sun was shining as we arrived at Penticton for our E-bike adventure with Epic Cycling. Riding along the old railway paths, past some of the vineyards and breweries that the area has to offer, we stopped for a light lunch and wine tasting at Moraine Estate Winery. I really hadn’t appreciated all the produce that comes from Canada, particularly in this warmer region, and there is so much more than just maple syrup to sample! We completed our 27km round trip bike ride and then rested on the journey to Osoyoos (pronounced oo-soy-us.)

Surrounded by mountains, vineyards and desert, and featuring beaches and watersports, it felt a lot like a holiday resort yet away from the coast. Here we stayed at the 3* Coast Osoyoos Beach Hotel, right on the waterfront. In the afternoon we visited the NK’Mip Desert Cultural Centre and were educated in the history and heritage of the First Nations People from the surrounding areas. Fortunately, we didn’t come across any resident rattlesnakes whilst we walked the outdoor trail, which showed what life was like for them through sculptures and replica buildings. We were invited for dinner at ‘The Bear, The Fish, The Root and The Berry’ that evening, a restaurant in the Spirit Ridge Hyatt hotel, close to the cultural centre. This hotel is the only property that has been allowed to be built on sacred land.

Day 7

On our way to Vancouver, we called in at Harrison Hot Springs for lunch and a short talk from an enthusiast at the newly opened Sasquatch Museum, detailing local sightings and stories of the mythical monster.

We then travelled on to our final destination of the trip to stay for two nights in the heart of the city at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. Driving in, you could feel the difference in pace from the towns of the Rockies to this vibrant city, and I was looking forward to exploring all that it had to offer.

Day 8

There was a lot to see during the two days we had in Vancouver. We started with a guided coach tour of the West End and West Side neighbourhoods. I didn’t even know that Vancouver features a number of beaches until we went to English Bay Beach, which is supposedly the best place to view sunsets. We were able to explore the delightful VanDusen Botanical Garden for a short while, as well as walk around the Bloedel Conservatory and take in the breathtaking city views from Queen Elizabeth Park. In the afternoon we enjoyed Granville Island, on a highly rated Vancouver Foodie Tour at the market there. It was a feast for the senses with plenty of local goods to try. We sampled breads, cheeses, meat, and fish, as well as sweet treats and hot drinks. You definitely need to allow a few hours here with its bustling atmosphere, food market, brewery, arts & crafts and street performers to keep you entertained! We had a guided coach tour of Yaletown and China town on our return to the hotel, covering several districts within the city all in one day.  It had been non-stop and we were given an hour to visit the shops on Robson Street prior to our last meal at Minami Restaurant with our own specialty Sushi menu, showcasing Vancouver’s most popular cuisine.

Day 9

Our final day began with a coach sightseeing tour through Stanley Park to view the story Totems and enjoy the views across the water. The autumnal colours were in full display on the many trees and plants of this 1000 acre site. We headed to the North Shore and Vancouver’s oldest attraction, the Capilano Suspension Bridge. With themed seasonal activities and bridge, treetop or cliff walks on offer, it is a must for any trip to Vancouver.

The last afternoon was spent exploring Canada Place and the Cruise Terminal, with a ‘FlyOver’ simulator experience in the terminal building, and waving the Holland America ship Eurodam off as she set sail for Panama after a season of Alaskan voyages. We also watched floatplanes taking off and landing on the water. Our trip ended with a guided walk in ‘Gas Town,’ watching the famous Steam Clock sound at four o’clock. We flew back direct to London overnight on comfortable Air Canada from Vancouver to Heathrow.

This extensive trip gave me so much insight - there was so much to see, appreciate, and learn in this iconic area of Canada, and I cannot wait to share my experiences with my colleagues and customers.

If you would like more information on Premier Holidays or Canada please visit your local branch. You can find Kate at Woodbridge‍