Canada's Winter Wonderland - Itinerary
Luxuriate in magnificent hotels nestled in the shadow of the mighty Rocky Mountains in Canada’s holiday wonderland! Begin in Edmonton and learn what life was like in this frontier town over a century ago. Take advantage of the opportunity to shop at the world-famous Edmonton Mall, featuring over 800 stores and themed sections named after destinations such as Paris and New Orleans. Board the Snow Train Express for an unforgettable journey to Jasper, surrounded by awe-inspiring beauty.
Travel the scenic Icefields Parkway among imposing cliffs, rushing rivers, and thundering waterfalls. Relax at the historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, named for the daughter of Queen Victoria. Drive along the Bow River to Banff, a world-renowned resort town near the hot mineral springs of Sulphur Mountain. Find unique Christmas gifts in the town’s many shops, explore its historic buildings and museums, and relax at the “Castle in the Mountains,” the majestic Banff Springs Hotel.
The sequence of touring and days may be altered to adjust to religious holidays, special closings of sites, air schedule changes, etc. Hotels listed subject to availability. Meal inclusions may vary by departure.
Day 1: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - Tour Begins
Majestic and sublime, the Canadian province of Alberta is a land of scenic delights. With accommodations as spectacular as the mountains themselves, get set to be pampered in the heart of the Rockies. Your tour begins with an overnight in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta.
Day 2: Edmonton - Jasper
Following breakfast you depart for Fort Edmonton Park, Canada’s largest historic park, where you will discover four different living villages. Step back to the fur trade era at Fort Edmonton; then explore a frontier town on 1885 Street. Afterwards, a brief stop is made at the world-famous West Edmonton Mall. This incredible shopping center is a phenomenon you must experience for yourself. The various sections of the mall are themed after such famous destinations as Paris, New Orleans and England. It features over 800 stores, a professional size ice-skating rink, and an 18-hole miniature golf course. Later, sit back and relax as you travel by train aboard VIA Rail Canada's Snow Train Express from Edmonton to Jasper and experience a winter wonderland! Every turn of the tracks uncovers nature’s beauty with prairies giving way to the mighty Canadian Rockies, undeniably one of the most extravagantly beautiful ranges on Earth. Arrive at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge where you will enjoy an overnight stay. The story of the Lodge embodies the coming of the railway to Jasper National Park. Located on 903 acres of pristine wilderness, the lodge had its humble beginnings in 1915…a few tents on the shores of Lac Beauvert. Today, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is an Alpine village of cedar chalets and heritage log cabins connected by picturesque paths. Like royalty and movie stars before you, the historic lodge is yours to experience during an overnight stay. (B, D)
Day 3: Jasper - Icefields Parkway - Lake Louise
Today's drive to Lake Louise travels one of the world's most scenic highways, the Icefields Parkway. Connecting the Banff and Jasper national parks, the well-named Icefields Parkway passes within viewing distance of many glaciers. A leisurely trip allows you to absorb the magnificent scenery, from thundering waterfalls and rushing rivers to imposing cliffs. Your drive ends at the incomparable Fairmont Château Lake Louise where you will enjoy a two night stay. The hotel, a Rockies icon, has a setting as scenic as the Victorian lodge itself. (B, D)
Day 4: Lake Louise
This morning enjoy a historical tour of the Château Lake Louise - and learn about the property's secrets. The hotel, opened in 1890, overlooks Lake Louise, named for Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, and her namesake, the Victoria Glacier, located at the far end of the lake. Later this afternoon you will enjoy a cooking demonstration and a kitchen tour for a first-hand look at how the Fairmont Château Lake Louise operates behind the scenes! (B)
Day 5: Lake Louise - Banff
Today a 35-mile drive takes you along the Bow River to the world-renowned resort town of Banff. The town of Banff prospered at its current location for two reasons: the railway opened this part of the Rockies and the hot mineral springs on adjacent Sulphur Mountain. Browse the many shops in the village before relaxing at the “Castle in the Mountains”, the beautiful Fairmont Banff Springs, your home for the next two evenings. (B)
Day 6: Banff
This morning, enjoy a historical tour of the Banff Springs Hotel where you'll learn that it was originally built in 1888 as a railway hotel for adventurous travelers crossing the Canadian Rockies. Next, step into the kitchen to make your own holiday pastries while enjoying some hot cocoa. Later this afternoon, enjoy some time on your own. Time at leisure in Banff allows you to explore heritage buildings, shops with unique holiday gifts, and local museums. Of course, you never have to leave your hotel…there are many amenities to enjoy like the quiet sanctuary of the famous Willow Stream Spa. (B, D)
Day 7: Banff - Calgary - Tour Ends
As your tour ends, you are left with many pleasant memories of your holiday vacation to one of the world’s most beautiful areas, the incomparable Canadian Rockies. (B)
