Its more than 30 years since I was in Vancouver but I still recall the ferry trip to Vanvouver Island being very scenic as it winds its way between the small islands. I also remember the museum in Victoria being very ahead of its time presentation-wise. Stanley Park is very nice as was the view of the city from the mountains (cable car from West Vancouver).
Not as bad as I'm doing in 2014, I'm using train/walking to go from Toronto to Vancouver whilst carrying all my stuff and tent with me and doing stuff for the different communities whilst on the trip.
Tell us all about it Nathan, I love a good adventure. Don't forget your bug spray and mozzy net, and a nice warm bag for the winter.
It'll be during 2 weeks in August so it won't be that cold (I don't think)
I drove across in someone else's car. They travel by plane and meet you at the other end. Free travel and two weeks to get across. Whether they still do this or not, I don't know.
Thanks Oakster for your comments as I was getting put off regarding the train especially as the cost is so expensive, from my point of view (selflessly)the train is the best solution as I am the only driver and to be honest I rather would not drive.
Hex, I didn't realise that Vancouver was such a lovely place, to me it was just the finishing point of a cruise and a possible starting point for a train journey, all your inputs really help, thanks again everyone.
I drove across in someone else's car. They travel by plane and meet you at the other end. Free travel and two weeks to get across. Whether they still do this or not, I don't know.
Rather trusting aren't they, good idea, but not certain I would trust someone with my car. Did you get it there in 1 piece?
CK, I take it you're looking at the packages for the train trip? Have a look at Viarail.com and just get a train OR the bus from Vancouver to Banff then Calgary. (Greyhound)
CK, I take it you're looking at the packages for the train trip? Have a look at Viarail.com and just get a train OR the bus from Vancouver to Banff then Calgary. (Greyhound)
Yes you are correct, its looks very interesting, but you are on a train, I was thinking you might miss a lot, but apparently they have "storytellers on board" a long as they don't make it up, then it should add something to trip I would have thought.
Went to Vancouver last year place is great. Drive to ockanagan breathtaking views and lovely hot down there rent out jet skis or boat. Vancouver island must visit as is grouse mountAin Fort Langley is very interesting as well.
Vancouver city is great got good shopping and then Stanley park aquarium and totem poles
Thanks Oakster for your comments as I was getting put off regarding the train especially as the cost is so expensive, from my point of view (selflessly)the train is the best solution as I am the only driver and to be honest I rather would not drive.
Hex, I didn't realise that Vancouver was such a lovely place, to me it was just the finishing point of a cruise and a possible starting point for a train journey, all your inputs really help, thanks again everyone.
Well I drove this morning across the Rockies from Revelstoke back home to here in Canmore - very scenic drive to say the least but the weather went from +10 & sunny in Revvy to -3 & snowing here . Four hours of driving & you pass through one small town (Golden) before you get to Banff...it's a big old country Canada...
Love Vancouver - its a beautiful city with loads to do, am there once a month for work- best food on the continent (if you like Asian food that is!) - you should also be able to fit in a Vancouver Whitecaps game & get to see Nigel Reo-Coker -watched their 1-1 draw with San Jose last night - NRC hardly strayed from the centre circle - looked a class above most of the rest though in terms of passing range & vision, one terrible tackle at the end!!
Vancouver Island is the friendliest place on Earth after Homer, Alaska. Go to Soprano's in Victoria...you'll meet mostly gay people, but there are also Inuits, Bear trappers, transvestites, once saw a Portsmouth fan...all life is here and nobody wants any grief...a truly beautiful place. Hire a car and go to Homer for a few days...the wildlife and flowers are fantastic. If a moose wants your breakfast, let him have it. The sign coming into town says "HOMER" a sleepy drinking village with a fishing problem. Victoria has the biggest sex shop you'll ever see, it's out of town but worth a visit. Both Victoria and Alaska (bar Anchorage) are hippie places, so expect plenty of peace and love.
The missus and I live in Edmonton and took a long weekend camping holiday in the Okanagan in September. I will vouch for Oakster's advice that Canada is massive. The drive from Edmonton to the Okanagan is about 10 to 11hrs if you don't stop too much and keep your foot down. I did most of the driving and it is tiring. It's a worthwhile means to an end and the scenery en route is incredible, but there's no getting away from the travelling being a bit of a chore. I have no experience of the train, but as long as you can make it work so you get to visit the places en-route with bit of flexibility, I'd say pay the extra and relax on your 'holiday of a lifetime'.
Oakster is also right about the Okanagan. It is somewhere I hadn't heard of until I got here, but it's worth putting on your list as it is en-route between Vancouver and the Rockies. It's kind of like the Costa del Canada but not full of drunk Brits and with a lake instead of the Med. You can do lots of Vineyard tours etc and buy juicy fresh fruit straight from the Orchards plus it is hot and sunny (in Summer at least).
Loads to see and do in the Rockies, suggest you spend a few days in Jasper and few in Banff. From Jasper you can visit the Athabasca falls & the Columbia Ice Fields. From Banff you can visit Lake Louise (and the stunning Lake Agnes tea rooms if you are feeling energetic/your knees are up to it). Both places have slightly different, but equally appealing scenery. Loads of lakes to stroll around, plenty of places to potentially see wildlife you can take cable cars up a couple of the mountains and then walk flatish paths at the top or just get a coffee and admire the view. There are also various hot springs where you can go for a relaxing soak. Banff is more touristy and Jasper is a bit quieter but both are nice in their own way, but without a car you'll be relying on shuttle buses etc to get to places which will probably add to the cost.
Much as it pains me to say it, Calgary probably makes most sense as an end destination in Alberta. There are more regular flights to the UK and a bit more to see there from a tourist perspective than Edmonton. If you get chance while in Calgary, rent a car and take the shortish drive to Drumheller. There's not much to do in Drum itself, but the badlands and prairies around it are two more types of scenery you'll be able to enjoy and both are stunning in their own way. The Badlands are like something from another planet and getting out into the Prairies is a good way to get a sense for the scale of North America (they say you can watch your dog run away for days). The Royal Tyrell Museum is out that way too if Natural History is your kind of thing.
Thanks again Oakster, Maybe baby and exiled addick, your descriptions make me wish I was going tomorrow not about 14 months time, thanks for all the time and effort you put in writing such great adverts for Canada and I hope other posters might be inspired to visit by your great efforts.
Can I have your comments / opinions on an cruise / train / and a couple of days on a coach trip we are considering, think its about 3 weeks in total and we might shorten the train section to give us more wandering time.
Cruise 1 night in anchorage Day at sea Day in Sitka Afternoon in Juneau Day in Skagway Afternoon in Ketchikan Arrive Vancouver early morning
Depart 4 days free in Vancouver to enjoy and explore Depart on Rocky Mountaineer and 2 other train and coaches during our 11 nights of fun we visit the following places
1 night Kamloops 2 nights Banff 1 night Lake Louise 1 night Jasper 2 nights Whistler Final night in Vancouver before flying home totally knackered and wanting another holiday to get over that. My only disappointment is that we don't take in Calgery, but could we do it from Banff or as I expect Banff is to nice to move from that area.
On the cruise section all excursions are included, however there are a few that are subject to additional costs and these usually include flying on the train section about 6 excursion are including a 12 minute helicopter ride, and some form of ice bus to the centre of a glacier.
Anyway thanks for all your input, think my last opportunity will be next year as the old knees are getting worse, we are thinking of going early August, will there be any sport on ie ice hockey or similar as would like to see the difference between the atmosphere here and there.
I drove across in someone else's car. They travel by plane and meet you at the other end. Free travel and two weeks to get across. Whether they still do this or not, I don't know.
Rather trusting aren't they, good idea, but not certain I would trust someone with my car. Did you get it there in 1 piece?
I did, the car didn't. broke down in Winnipeg. 30 mile from anywhere.
I think a company specialises in setting up the car transportation, so the vehicle is fully insured for any breakdown.
Itinerary looks good, a lot of travelling involved. No point visiting Calgary unless you are flying out from there. When you are in Banff, you can travel 20 miles East by bus to Canmore (where I live!) - a nicer, less touristy town with incredible scenery and lots of things to do. You will love Lake Louise - take the gondola up the ski mountain to see the Grizzlies. If you have time in Vancouver - take a seaplane over to the Island - a memorable experience.
The trip from Lake Louise to Jasper will be the icing on the cake, the Icefields Parkway will stay with you for ever as you wind your way through mountains and glaciers.
In August you will be able to see MLS football in Vancouver and CFL Gridiron there as well. No hockey though it'll be the close season.
Great, thanks very much Oakster, will certainly keep in touch, should find out this week if its a goer or not, might have to modify the end portion if we think its to long, think we can get off and Banff and spend a few extra days relaxing there before flying home.
Like I said Kerry, if you want to see the mountains & the flights allow it - try to end up in Banff & fly out of Calgary - will save you 1-2 days & a heck of a lot of traveling...this is the way a lot of folks do it.
Comments
They travel by plane and meet you at the other end.
Free travel and two weeks to get across.
Whether they still do this or not, I don't know.
Hex, I didn't realise that Vancouver was such a lovely place, to me it was just the finishing point of a cruise and a possible starting point for a train journey, all your inputs really help, thanks again everyone.
Thanks for the tip I will check it out,
Vancouver island must visit as is grouse mountAin
Fort Langley is very interesting as well.
Vancouver city is great got good shopping and then Stanley park aquarium and totem poles
Love Vancouver - its a beautiful city with loads to do, am there once a month for work- best food on the continent (if you like Asian food that is!) - you should also be able to fit in a Vancouver Whitecaps game & get to see Nigel Reo-Coker -watched their 1-1 draw with San Jose last night - NRC hardly strayed from the centre circle - looked a class above most of the rest though in terms of passing range & vision, one terrible tackle at the end!!
Oakster is also right about the Okanagan. It is somewhere I hadn't heard of until I got here, but it's worth putting on your list as it is en-route between Vancouver and the Rockies. It's kind of like the Costa del Canada but not full of drunk Brits and with a lake instead of the Med. You can do lots of Vineyard tours etc and buy juicy fresh fruit straight from the Orchards plus it is hot and sunny (in Summer at least).
Loads to see and do in the Rockies, suggest you spend a few days in Jasper and few in Banff. From Jasper you can visit the Athabasca falls & the Columbia Ice Fields. From Banff you can visit Lake Louise (and the stunning Lake Agnes tea rooms if you are feeling energetic/your knees are up to it). Both places have slightly different, but equally appealing scenery. Loads of lakes to stroll around, plenty of places to potentially see wildlife you can take cable cars up a couple of the mountains and then walk flatish paths at the top or just get a coffee and admire the view. There are also various hot springs where you can go for a relaxing soak. Banff is more touristy and Jasper is a bit quieter but both are nice in their own way, but without a car you'll be relying on shuttle buses etc to get to places which will probably add to the cost.
Much as it pains me to say it, Calgary probably makes most sense as an end destination in Alberta. There are more regular flights to the UK and a bit more to see there from a tourist perspective than Edmonton. If you get chance while in Calgary, rent a car and take the shortish drive to Drumheller. There's not much to do in Drum itself, but the badlands and prairies around it are two more types of scenery you'll be able to enjoy and both are stunning in their own way. The Badlands are like something from another planet and getting out into the Prairies is a good way to get a sense for the scale of North America (they say you can watch your dog run away for days). The Royal Tyrell Museum is out that way too if Natural History is your kind of thing.
Can I have your comments / opinions on an cruise / train / and a couple of days on a coach trip we are considering, think its about 3 weeks in total and we might shorten the train section to give us more wandering time.
Cruise
1 night in anchorage
Day at sea
Day in Sitka
Afternoon in Juneau
Day in Skagway
Afternoon in Ketchikan
Arrive Vancouver early morning
Depart 4 days free in Vancouver to enjoy and explore
Depart on Rocky Mountaineer and 2 other train and coaches during our 11 nights of fun we visit the following places
1 night Kamloops
2 nights Banff
1 night Lake Louise
1 night Jasper
2 nights Whistler
Final night in Vancouver before flying home totally knackered and wanting another holiday to get over that. My only disappointment is that we don't take in Calgery, but could we do it from Banff or as I expect Banff is to nice to move from that area.
On the cruise section all excursions are included, however there are a few that are subject to additional costs and these usually include flying on the train section about 6 excursion are including a 12 minute helicopter ride, and some form of ice bus to the centre of a glacier.
Anyway thanks for all your input, think my last opportunity will be next year as the old knees are getting worse, we are thinking of going early August, will there be any sport on ie ice hockey or similar as would like to see the difference between the atmosphere here and there.
I think a company specialises in setting up the car transportation, so the vehicle is fully insured for any breakdown.
Itinerary looks good, a lot of travelling involved. No point visiting Calgary unless you are flying out from there. When you are in Banff, you can travel 20 miles East by bus to Canmore (where I live!) - a nicer, less touristy town with incredible scenery and lots of things to do. You will love Lake Louise - take the gondola up the ski mountain to see the Grizzlies. If you have time in Vancouver - take a seaplane over to the Island - a memorable experience.
The trip from Lake Louise to Jasper will be the icing on the cake, the Icefields Parkway will stay with you for ever as you wind your way through mountains and glaciers.
In August you will be able to see MLS football in Vancouver and CFL Gridiron there as well. No hockey though it'll be the close season.
Stay in touch.