Canada Itinerary

[rmagee611]

Hello all,

Planning a trip to Canada in September. Looking at just over two weeks. Have got the itinerary below in my head but was wondering if anyone has any suggestions, particularly when it comes to length of time in each place. We could maybe stretch to an extra night or two in the trip of thought it was really worth while, but at the same time I’m conscious of our budget.

Itinerary:
Fly into Calgary and straight to Banff - 3 nights (is it worth doing 2 nights Banff and one night lake Louise?)
Jasper - 3 nights
Kamloops - 1 night (break up journey)
Whistler - 3 nights
Tofino - 2 nights
Victoria - 1 night
Vancouver - 2 nights

Any thoughts?

We did pretty much the same trip but stayed 5 days in Tofino. We also stayed a couple of nights in Harrison Hot Springs after a night in Kamloops. HHS is a charming small town near a lake, we stayed in a B&B that brought a lovely breakfast to the room in a hamper and did some canoeing. Kamloops doesn't have much to recommend it really, quite boring. We didn't stay in Whistler so I can't comment. In Jasper we stayed in Pine Bungalows - log cabins with all modcons.

I hope you see some bears from a safe distance like we did. Definitely go whale watching in Tofino.

You can do Lake Louise from Banff - it’s only 45 minutes and it’s on the way to Jasper anyway so I would stick with the 3 nights in Banff.

We’ve done it twice and it was our favourite holiday.

Just checking - flying home from Vancouver?

Vancouver Airport is the most relaxing airport I've ever been in. There is a 'river' flowing through it and the sound of birdsong.

I can't comment much but we did a 10 day holiday in Banff alone and loved every second of it. We also did a day trip to Johnston Canyon/Lake Louise.

It is such a beautiful place. If you have the chance, have a meal at the Sky Bistro, or simply take the Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. The views are just incredible.

Caveat we went in February, so experienced the snow. I would return in a heartbeat to go experience it again in the Spring/Summer. Jealous.

We adored Banff too and spent a whole week there last time. Plenty to do.

How are you getting to Vancouver Island? It is a good 4 hour drive to Torino from the ferry ports. We flew in to Calgary and had 4 nights in Banff and then 3 nights in Jasper. Jasper was my favourite place in Canada. It’s beautiful. Did Lake Louise as a day trip.

We drove from Jasper to the Vancouver ferry port without a break in Kamloops as didn’t want to waste a day/ night there. Was a long day but only really 8 hour drive so not that bad. Had 5 days in Tofino and then 3 nights in Vancouver.

Do you really want to see Victoria? Look carefully at all the things to do around Tofino. One of the best things about Tofino is just how relaxing it is. Also if you haven’t booked your accommodation in the Rockies do it soon as it gets booked up. And be weather prepared. We were there in July and it snowed in Banff. Reasonably heavily!

I agree with others, do 3 nights in Banff and a day trip to Lake Louise. Go very early in the morning to avoid the hoards of tourists! Again, from Jasper drive straight to Vancouver Island, stay 4 or 5 nights in Tofino, 1 night in Victoria I feel you must, then head straight for Whistler for 3 nights, and finally 2 nights in Vancouver. In September, all places you've said will be booked out very soon, so look at getting your accommodation booked now. I'm currently facing a picture I took of Lake Louise, feeling very jealous!

@MooseBeTimeForSummer yes back from Vancouver.

@mondaywine
well I’d been thinking of driving and then ferry and just doing a really long day to push on and get there. And that might be the place for an extra day or two potentially...

Thanks for all the tips, does seem like Tofino seems to tip the scales over places like Victoria and Whistler.

How is Vancouver? Worth hanging around in or just travelling to to fly out of?

Honestly, I wasn’t wild about Vancouver but DH loved it. Depends if you like big cities. There’s plenty to keep you busy for two or three days.

(In my case I think it was just the shock of high rise after the stunning scenery elsewhere)

The drive wasn’t bad. There were 3 of us and my daughter was 9 at the time. Be prepared. Have snacks and work out where you’ll stop. I would do it again as it was a good way to claw back time and stay where we really wanted for longer.

The best museum in Vancouver is the one about the First Nations at the university. It’s a pain to get to but it’s superb. Vancouver has a fun day out at Granville Island and Stanley Park. It’s sea facing areas are great and there is a good science museum. They hosted the Red Arrows when we were there. It’s a fairly relaxing city and breaks up the travelling and flying home. I took 3 flights out of Vancouver airport in September 19. No River but the aquarium is quite nice! Some areas and departure gates are very poorly signed.

Vancouver Island is 400 miles long. It’s a long haul to get to Tofino from Whistler if you don’t break the journey up. Vancouver Island is worth a week on its own. I would increase your time to 18 days so you can relax a bit.

@rmagee611 - just checking! Although beautiful, you probably didn’t want to face a 10 hour drive from Van to Calgary at the end of your holiday.

I live in Canmore, which is the Calgary side of Banff.

I’d echo what a PP said about Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise. Both easily accessible from Canmore/Banff. Get to JC very early as parking fills quickly and the footpaths can be single file and slow - reminiscent of that photo of the waiting queue to ascend Everest.

And yes. Book accommodation now. Whistlers Campground in Jasper is closed until 2021. That means 1500+ spaces are closed. It’s causing a squeeze on hotel spaces.

What sort of activities are you into? What sort of accommodation are you looking for?

I’m in Kamloops if you want suggestions let me know; hotels restaurants etc

@MooseBeTimeForSummer we basically are travelling for the scenery. We like hikes but would probably stick to half day rather than anything hardcore. We’d probably also have a go at white water rafting and whale watching.

Definitely hoping to get stuff booked in the next week or so.

@fallfallfall oh amazing! Would appreciate some restaurant suggestions. Hotel wise we aren’t fussy particularly as we just are viewing it as a place to sleep so don’t require much!

i'd recommend the sandman signature on lorne street. it's in a good location to enjoy riverside park. with a good ice cream shop that's worth going to for a treat.
currently my favorite restaurant would be "Raj" it's indian and very good indian (east indian not first nations) not a far walk from the hotel.
along the main downtown streat (victoria) there are several options from; high end the brownstone, fun fusion mittz kitchen, or jack of all trades/something for everyone at frick&frack. my daughter said the fish and chips at the noble pig was excellent.

took 3 flights out of Vancouver airport in September 19. No River but the aquarium is quite nice! we were there in 2007. There was an artificial river depicted in its different stages with trees and wildlife meandering through. Its a shame if they've got rid of it.

We were there (Vancouver airport) in June 18 and and there was scaffolding everywhere with work going on.

Ah that explains it.

Banff - If you’re ok with walking, most of the hotels/lodges are decent along Banff Avenue, which is the main Street. The Moose Hotel is relatively new. Higher end would be places like the Rimrock and the Fairmont. I’m a big fan of the Wild Flour Cafe. The Park Distillery is good. I love their gin.

Consider Canmore. There are lots of fully serviced Apartments like Rundle Cliffs and Solara with full kitchens and laundry. The chains - Best Western etc are good. There’s a newly renovated motel called The Lamphouse that’s getting good reviews. That’s on 8 St, which is the “high street”. Good Earth and Communitea are nice cafes. The Grizzly Paw Brewery has two locations to eat. Both are good. The Crazy Weed and Blake are higher end.

I’d take a look at the Grassi Lakes Hike in Canmore. The “more difficult” route (which isn’t hard) takes you up stone steps alongside a waterfall. You can go back the way you came or take the “easy” route, which is a gravel service road.

Jasper - most hotels based on Connaught Drive. The Crimson is nice. We’ve also stayed at Alpine Village Cabins. Jasper Park Lodge is another Fairmont and although it’s a nice place it is expensive! Jasper is probably better for being your location for the white water rafting.