Canada, Alaska, USA, Luxury Escorted Touring, Rocky Mountaineer, Lake Louise, Alaska Cruises, Whistler Canada
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66 | ROCKIES & ALASKA CRUISE HOLIDAYS Day 10. Calgary, Banff. Your sights set back on the Canadian Rockies, travel to Banff and acquaint yourself with the town during a tour. You can't visit Banff without a ride on the Banff Gondola, which whisks you to the top of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views out over six surrounding mountain ranges. On return to ground level, you'll Meet a Mountie and hear tales of the iconic Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Your travels will be rewarded with dinner at one of your hotel's restaurants. Two Night Stay: Banff National Park, The Fairmont Banff Springs. BD Day 11. Banff. It's your turn to choose how you'd like to familiarise yourself with the wilderness of Banff National Park today thanks to the Freedom of Choice activities on offer. You may like to take part in the Banff Experience – which includes a visit to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Alternatively, absorb captivating bird's-eye views of the park on a wonderful heli-flightseeing trip. Perhaps enjoy a float trip along Bow River or, for the more adventurous, join a guide and go for a paddle in a canoe. You might like to spend your morning relaxing at the Willow Stream Spa or set out on a cruise on Lake Minnewanka. With some free time at hand after your activity, there's virtually endless opportunities for both relaxation and adventure here in Banff National Park. B ROCKY MOUNTAINEER RAIL JOURNEY Day 12. Banff, Rocky Mountaineer, Kamloops. Board the Rocky Mountaineer and relax in your GoldLeaf carriage. Traverse Kicking Horse Pass, which takes you across the Continental Divide of the Americas. See the Spiral Tunnels, travel along South Thompson River and journey past Shuswap Lake to the city of Kamloops. Stay: Kamloops, hotel as assigned by Rocky Mountaineer (Kamloops has limited accommodation, two or three-star hotels). BL Day 13. Kamloops, Rocky Mountaineer, Vancouver. Your Rocky Mountaineer rail journey continues today. Sit back and relax as you glide past steep rocky slopes as your train follows the Thompson River, the thundering waters of Hell's Gate in Fraser Canyon and the towering peaks of the Coast Mountains as you travel to Vancouver. Two Night Stay: Vancouver, The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. BL COSMOPOLITAN VANCOUVER Day 14. Vancouver. Ice-capped mountain peaks emerging between gleaming skyscrapers, beaches fringing sprawling green areas – have you ever seen a city quite like Vancouver? On a guided tour, visit Stanley Park, a world-class, 400-hectare evergreen oasis located just steps away from downtown Vancouver. Then head to Granville Island, the bustling heart of Vancouver's cultural scene. Here, wander amid the colourful public market. You'll also see picturesque English Bay and Vancouver Harbour, before enjoying the afternoon and evening to spend at your leisure. You may like to wander through Gastown or visit the shopping mecca of Robson Street, or admire the beauty of Queen Elizabeth Park. Tonight, as the land portion of your tour ends, enjoy a special dinner with your fellow guests. BD ALASKA INSIDE PASSAGE CRUISE Day 15. Vancouver, Embark Ship. Board your ship and settle in for your unforgettable Inside Passage cruise. This evening, you'll be treated to a delightful Sail Away Dinner at the renowned Pinnacle Grill, featuring a selection of innovative dishes in an intimate setting. Seven Night Cruise: Holland America Line in a Verandah Stateroom. BD Day 16. Cruise the Inside Passage. Enjoy a full day at sea as your ship cruises along coastal British Columbia and the Alaska Panhandle. Glide past rocky headlands, fjords and islets as you make your way north through the Inside Passage, one of the most picturesque sea lanes in the world, and one of the few where deep-draft vessels can sail right up close to the mountain walls. Spend time taking in the scenery from your verandah or perhaps step above deck. BLD Day 17. Tracy Arm, Juneau. Cruise to the entrance of Tracy Arm, a narrow and twisting fjord which stretches for almost 50 kilometres. Later, arrive in Alaska's capital, Juneau, set at the foot of grand mountain peaks on the Gastineau Channel. Disembark and choose to explore at leisure or set off on one of the many available excursions (own expense). BLD Day 18. Skagway. Today you'll arrive in Skagway, at the Inside Passage's northernmost point. Once a gateway city for the Klondike Gold Rush, Skagway's frontier-style atmosphere remains evident today, with many of its colourful heritage buildings now protected as part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Here, a variety of unique excursions are on offer (own expense). BLD Day 19. Glacier Bay National Park. Wake to the breathtaking sight of World Heritage-listed Glacier Bay National Park. With its rivers of ice and skyscraping peaks, this may be the Alaskan scenery you've dreamt of all along. As you cruise through the national park, you'll benefit from the insightful commentary of local rangers who have come aboard your ship to explain the geological wonders and point out some of the diverse wildlife and marine mammals. Keep your eyes peeled and you may be Get back to nature at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa