Canada Travel Advice

[Grizzly]

Next year to celebrate having survived 50 years I plan to travel to Alberta and British Columbia with the possibility of an Alaskan Cruise to follow. At the moment I plan to undertake a fly drive to Calgary and then travel to Vancouver via Banff, Jasper, Icefield Parkway visiting all the usual tourist spots. This is where it gets tricky, once I arrive in Vancouver I have the option of Vancouver Island or a cruise. From what I can gather Vancouver Island gives me the opportunity of Bear and Whale watching trips at Tofino and Port Hardy which is something I would really like to do. Knight Inlet is an expensive option, is it worth it? or will Tofino and Port Hardy/ Campbell River suffice.

In addition the Alaskan Cruise seems like a tourist rip off trip. The excursions and the towns seem to be geared up purely to take your hard earned cash.

I would be grateful if anyone could provide any advice or guidance. Do's or do'nts so that it really turns into the trip of a lifetime.

Thank you in anticipation of any advice you can give.

[knotty]

Depending on the time allowed & money you could start in Vancouver then onto Vancouver Island. Our awn Steve Aston is in Victoria. Tofino is very tourist these day butcan be interesting. Campbell River has whale watching through Painters Lodge I believe. I think the Painters also has an excursion to Knight Inlet. The big draw there is a chance to see grizly bear. Continueing on to Port Hardy to the British Columbia Ferry Inside Passage to Prince Rupert. The route is similar as the croise ships without all the tourist stops. Docking in Rupert you would travel to Price George & then onto the Yellowhead Highway to Jasper. The animals you could expect to see on the Yellowhead include deer, elk, black & grizly bear, mountain goats & big horn sheep. The things you could see near Calgary is bison or go to Drumheller to the dinosaur dig.

Craig
Dont hesitate to contact me if you would like more info

[KenB]

Vancouver has lots to do & see, as does Victoria (check out FanTan Alley)

As with any vacation trip, you never have enough time to see all you would like. Plan on seeing the top choices on your list and spend time really enjoying them.... then plan on a return trip.

Certainly Tofino is beautiful, rugged and very special - they have whale watching and I suggest you choose the tour that uses Zodiacs (very cool and exciting)

The Alaska Cruise is also really beautiful, yes, expensive but the vistas and views are spectacular.

Regardless of your choices I'm sure you will have a really fabulous trip.

[Dangerdean]

All I can say is give yourself more time than you think you need. There are so many things to do and see in all those areas that the mind boggles.

[xman]

I think it comes down to what you like to do. A cruise wouldn't be my first choice anywhere. That's just me. You can sure have a lot of fun on the island(s) if you want. A couple of days on Salt Spring or Gabriola could be quite enriching.

Let us know when you're around and maybe we can arrange a kilt night.

[Grizzly]

Thank you all for some great advice. I now have a lot more research to do. I was hoping to include a trip to Victoria as well and to say hi to Steve and it would be great to have a kilt night if possible. Hopefully we are looking at late May early June so will update when booked.

[lukeyrobertson]

Hi Grizzly,
Let me welcome you in advance to the Alberta Foothills just south of Calgary. May/June can be cool so be sure to bring a jacket. There will still be lots of snow in the higher elevations and many lakes will still be frozen! The landscape is breath-taking and dramatic. Bears will just be waking up in June and late May. Early to mid June is snow-pack melt time and high stream flow advisories. Highways through the mountains are usually very clear and good. Be aware however that weather changes rapidly. It is possible that there will still be snow on the road side and in high elevations on the road... Just drive appropriately.

It is 1100kms from Calgary to Vancouver. I would allow a few days to travel, stop and explore. Be aware, if this is your first visit to Canada, distances are vast compared to the UK and Europe in general. All of the UK fits in Alberta.

Personally, I would forgo the cruise and explore Vancouver Island. Tofino is very popular, but it's wild Pacific coast... For me, a very special part of the world and well worth the visit and time. Just driving there is an adventure! Vancouver Island is a treasure trove of lots of coves, fishing, and wilderness.

Be sure to visit the museum of natural history in Victoria. Our Steve knows it very well.

Back to Alberta, Calgary is a very modern city with a western history and a some very fine museums, parks and eateries. The world-reknown Royal Tirell Dinosaur Museum east of Calgary is not to be missed, and south of my town the "Head-Smashed in Buffalo Jump is also a fine Blackfoot First Nations interpretive site. You would drive right by my town, so PM me if you like to stop for a coffee...

Grizzly, you will have a wonderful time here. We are a polite friendly lot here in Alberta.

Let me know how your plans are coming.

[Grizzly]

Thank you for the excellent advice . Great recommendations and suggestions that you don't find in the brochures I think you have tipped the balance in favour of Vancouver island rather than the cruise. Will keep you updated on my plans but won't be able to book till January so still very much in the planning stage.