If you’ve been following my blog or social media for a while, you might know that visiting Canada is pretty high on my bucket list. I’m just completely in awe at the vast landscapes of the country and its absolutely breathtaking scenery. As I don’t drive, though, visiting Canada has always been something I have pushed to the back of my head. Little did I know that you don’t really need a car to discover – Rocky Mountaineer Train Holidays allow you to travel along four spellbinding routes showcasing some of the most beautiful destinations Canada has to offer.
To give you an idea of what you can expect, I’ll tell you a little more about four of my favourite destinations in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Lake Louise
Lake Louise or the Emerald Lake is a turquoise mountain lake created by glacier melt, located in Banff National Park and something you’d call an absolute Instagram hotspot these days. It’s set in front of the impressive backdrop of Mount Victoria and its hanging glacier and is a popular spot for all sorts of outdoor activities. There are numerous hiking trails, opportunities to go rock climbing or skiing or discovering the area by kayak or canoe. Just swimming might be a little cold, considering the lake is frozen most of the year, but hey, there’s always skiing or ice-skating, right?
Jasper
Jaspar was originally a tiny railway town nestled among sky-high mountains and crystal blue lakes, now the municipality that is located between the Victoria Cross Ranges in the Northwest, Pyramid Mountain in the North, the Maligne Range in the Southeast and the Indian Ridge in the Southwest is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and a true magnet for outdoor fans from all over the world. Jasper National Park is not only Canada’s largest park in the Rocky Mountains but also, the second largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world – allowing you to explore planets, stars, distant galaxies, the aurora and more.
Vancouver
Vancouver is the third-largest city after Toronto and Montreal and a great spot for everyone who loves the arts. The city has thriving art, theatre and music scenes and is also a popular location for movie productions with movies such as Final Destination, Fifty Shades of Grey, Deadpool or Legends of the Fall having been filmed in Canada’s version of Hollywood. Pretty impressive, yet not surprising at all if you have a look at the scenic views and vibrant city centre Vancouver has to offer. Top tip for all fans of a great skyline: Head to Stanley Park around sunset and enjoy mesmerising views of the city’s waterfront.
Whistler
If you love winter sports, chances are high that you’ve heard of Whistler and have it on your bucket list already. Whistler Village, located north of Vancouver, is the not so secret heart of Canada’s winter sports scene boasting fantastic tracks for alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding and facilities for pretty much any winter sport you can think of. At night, the village centre turns into a party hot spot but don’t worry, even if you’re after a relaxing break in the snow, you won’t be disappointed – just come mid-week and avoid the weekends.
Have you considered traveling through Canada and the mountains by train or would you prefer to go by car?
Leave a Reply