Despite the vast beauty of Canada as a whole, there are some travel experiences within our country that are more of a "must-do" than others. Visiting the Rockies certainly ranks high among these. The stunning scenery, towering mountains, glacial lakes and roaming wildlife within UNESCO-protected Banff and Jasper National Parks, along with their key towns of Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper, are responsible for the area's "iconic" status, and rightfully so. But they're not just beautiful. Each of these vacation spots offers itineraries that can tick the boxes for any type of traveller.
Whether you're an outdoor explorer, a culture vulture or a lover of luxury (or you're part of a group that's travelling with any of these), here are three ways to plan your time in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper.
There is also another way to make sure all your vacation expectations are met – and surpassed – by booking a journey that allows to you to see and experience it all. Explore the best of Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff on a luxury rail trip with Rocky Mountaineer. No matter what your travel personality, this Canadian company offers dozens of packages to the Rockies through British Columbia, allowing you to customize your journey accordingly.
If you appreciate the finer things in life, you can expect attentive Hosts, and a choice between two levels of service: GoldLeaf Service and SilverLeaf Service. Relax in spacious seats, sample local wine and enjoy delicious meals while you peer through glass-dome or oversized windows. Culture vultures can feed their love of knowledge thanks to the charming storytelling of the train’s onboard Hosts, who make the local history and culture of the areas the train passes through come alive. Meanwhile, nature enthusiasts will be awed by the opportunity to travel through so many diverse landscapes, and be at home on GoldLeaf Service’s outdoor viewing platform, where you can enjoy the fresh mountain air or try to do some wildlife-spotting.
No matter what kind of vacation you prefer, you’ll be able to experience it all in the Rockies. Is it time to explore?
Rocky Mountaineer travels across four routes through the Pacific Northwest and into the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Its GoldLeaf Service, launched in 1995, features bi-level, glass-dome coaches with stunning panoramic views on the upper level and a dining room and outdoor viewing platform on the lower level. SilverLeaf Service features oversized windows, delicious meals served at your seat, and the same impeccable service and astounding views.
This content was produced by The Globe and Mail's Globe Content Studio.
The Globe's editorial department was not involved in its creation.