Day1
Having not travelled since 2019 I was really apprehensive of how the airport experience was going to be but on arrival at Heathrow the check in experience was very straight forward, making sure I was prepared was key, having all the entry requirements sorted well in advance definitely made the process less stressful. Once through security, we were treated to the Air Canada Business class Lounge which was a great start to the trip especially as we might have bumped into a little celebrity! Air Canada have great comfortable planes, great service and pleasant flight experience.
On arrival into Calgary, we were met by our wonderful Travelsphere and Just You tour director Lezli who was just the oracle on everything Canada, she guided us to our very nice coach which then took us on the 2-hour drive to Banff. On arrival in Banff, I was just in awe of the scenery, the town sits nestled in between two mountains with hiking trails running around the town the old style chalet buildings mixed with the well-known brand names. Because we arrived late into Banff dinner was grab and go and then it was straight to bed at the Mount Royal to be up and ready for our next day of exploring.
Day 2
The morning started with a walk to breakfast where we ate at a local restaurant called Farm & Fire, it was light and airy and the food was great. After breakfast, we boarded the coach and had a mini tour around Banff to see some of the local sights, one of our first stops was Lake Minnewanka (yes the child in me had a little chuckle) a beautiful emerald green water lake where you can take boat trips out. Our next stop was Bow Falls, you hear them before you see them as the sound of the water crashing over them was really loud but again what a stunning view.
We were then given a few hours free time to explore Banff where we decided to walk to the Banff sign it took about 20 minutes and the walk was lovely along the Bow river, we even found a small walking trail through some woods on the return only to be told that a Grizzly Bear likes to hang out there luckily, all we saw were squirrels, phew.
Later that afternoon, we headed to the Banff Gondola which was a 10 minute drive out of Banff. Soar to the top of Sulphur Mountain to experience a stunning bird's-eye view of six incredible mountain ranges. With breath-taking vistas in every direction, your adventure begins with an eight-minute journey to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in a modern, fully enclosed four-passenger gondola cabin.
Glide up over the treetops to the crest of a steep-sided Rocky Mountain peak and step out into a jaw-dropping mountaintop experience at an elevation of 2,281 metres (7,486 feet). Stroll along the ridgetop boardwalk where the views get better with every step. Then warm up in their newly transformed, state-of-the-art summit facility. With new restaurants, interactive interpretive exhibits, a multi-sensory theatre and a breath-taking 360-degree rooftop observation deck. Hats and gloves were definitely needed at the top as we even had a flurry of snow.
On arrival back into Banff, we were taken for dinner at a local Japanese restaurant call Shoku Izakaya and hosted by Banff and Lake Louise Tourism it was a lovely meal which was sharing plates and we got to experience the diverse cultures that inhabit Banff. Later that evening we discovered that it was the end of ski season and that all the skiers and boarders all dress in brightly coloured clothes and go out on the pub crawl it was definitely and experience to be seen.
Day 3
The morning started early again with breakfast at another local restaurant called Coyotes, it was a traditional looking deli and grill and the food was to die for, everyone enjoyed breakfast a lot. We then made our way over to our fist adventure of the day for our Guided Banff Townsite eBike explorer, this is the best way to see Banff's highlights. This leisurely guided e-bike ride travels through Banff townsite, including highlights Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, Banff Springs Hotel, Banff Downtown and Cave & Basin National Historic Site. These bikes go really fast and once the ebike kicks in, you have to make minimal effort but they just weren't for me as I'm quite little, I struggled with the size of the bike but they were great for seeing the sights of Banff out in the open.
Next was one of my favourite experiences, it was the 35 minute Helicopter tour of the mountains up to Athabasca peak. Unfortunately, the peak was covered by cloud but the Bow river and the miles upon miles of mountain peaks more than made up for it, I also got to see where the continental divide was and this is where rivers will either flow one to pacific or the opposite way to the Atlantic depending on which side of the divide it falls on.
Dinner was again hosted by Banff and Lake Louise Tourism at the Banff Ave Brewing Co they were big on steak on burgers, everything Alberta is know for their amazing Beef.
Day4
Early start today so I did a grab and go breakfast from a local bakery called the Wild Flour, the pastries were amazing, and we were all feeling very full on our Two and half-hour drive to the Columbia Icefield Adventure Tour the drive from Banff to the Icefield was just beautiful. On arrival at the icefield, we boarded a normal coach which took us to the monster coaches that were take us up onto the Icefield. The wheels on these coaches where over 6ft in width and height and we could see why once we got onto the Icefield it was cold up on the glacier so hats and gloves and good walking shoes were needed.
You can only do this tour in the summer months as in the winter temperatures can drop to minus 50. After travelling back down, we boarded the normal coach again which took up the glacier sky walk which is purpose-built glass structure that extends out over the canyon at over 120ft up so if you’re scared of heights this one might not be for you.
We then continued our journey onto Jasper where we arrived at our hotel for the night. the Lobstick Inn. It was more than comfortable, a little bit out of town but more than easy walking distances to town. We had dinner at one of the local restaurants which again was lovely food and a traditional setting. That evening we wandered into town and found a bar call the Dead Dog, a traditional sports bar showing Ice hockey games then it was early to bed as another early start as we were travelling back to Lake Louise.
Day 5
We were up early to travel to Lake Louise but had the most amazing sight in the Train station, the Rocky Mountaineer so we made a quick pit stop to take some photos and see it up close and personal, what an awesome looking train and I can see why people want to travel on it. On route to Lake Louise, we encountered a black bear just strolling down the road holding up traffic. On arrival in Lake Louise, we pulled up at the Fairmount Lake Louise, what an awe inspiring building it sits at the base of Lake Louise and mountains either side. Lake Louise was still frozen and left us feeling excited of what it would look like when it was thawed.
Lunch was taken in the hotel and it was delicious and set us up for our next journey to Calgary. On arrival in Calgary the weather was lovely and we realised the difference in the mountains and the prairies. Our hotel for the night was the Hilton, a great central hotel with a short walk to the tram system and local shops and bars while we were there, there was a very big Ice Hockey match seeing all the jersey's walking around was definitely a sight to see.
Day 6
Our last day in Canada, we got to explore the city of Calgary, our first stop was Studio Bell a museum dedicated to the Canadian Music stars, it had 4 floors filled with different experiences. We then had some free time to go shopping, grab some lunch and just see what Calgary had to offer before heading over to the tower, it was a great way to see the city from a birds eye view.
Our travel back to airport left us feeling sad that we were leaving such an amazing country but Air Canada made the journey less painful and we arrived back in Heathrow ready to share our experience.
Travelsphere and Just you offer multi tours and even one in the winter where you can see the Rockies in a different season and also be less busy.
I would go back in a heartbeat as Canada is such a special place with so much to explore I have definitely fallen in Love.
