West Coast Canada with Rocky Mountaineer

Follow my trip day by day on the 6 night itinerary.....

Day 1: chaotic but full of kindness, care and those little touches that make all the difference.

Touchdown in Canada… eventually!

After a long first day of travelling, a delay, a missed connection and luggage deciding to take its own route, we finally made it to Vancouver. I somehow managed to stay awake for 27 hours (with a couple of snoozes on the plane!) and we checked in to the lovely 4* Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in downtown Vancouver.  With no bags and no toiletries, the team at the hotel went above and beyond: they actually went out and bought toothbrushes for all of us. Such a small thing, but it made a huge difference after a very long day.  Waiting in our rooms were gorgeous welcome bags from our fabulous hosts CSM – Canada Sun & Mountains, my number one contact for bookings in Canada – such a warm way to start the trip.

We were then whisked out for drinks and snacks at Joeys Vancouver before finally collapsing into the comfiest bed for some much‑needed sleep.

Day 2: Exploring Vancouver  and seeing what is on offer in this great city with the mountains within touching distance

Around 15 hours on the go and worth every second.

We started at the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Treetops Adventure, walking high above the forest floor with towering evergreens and the river rushing below. Then it was up the Grouse Mountain gondola to the top of the mountain, where we had the magic moment of the trip so far: spotting our very first bear in the wild. The day was interspersed with amazing food: a delicious breakfast at the Coast Coal Harbour Downtown hotel where we are staying, a lovely hosted lunch at the Pan Pacific hotel, and later a walking food tour with scrumptious bites throughout and a couple of glasses of wine to toast it all. In the afternoon we swapped mountains for the Pacific Ocean, speeding out by zodiac boat, full throttle in parts, towards beautiful Bowen Island. After a short stop to soak it all in, we headed back towards the city as the mist descended around us, creating the most atmospheric, almost eerie journey home. Back on dry land, we left Granville Island and headed to the Gastown area for a night walking tour, with cobbled streets and moody lamplight the perfect way to end an unforgettable day.

Day 3: A bucket list ticked by travelling on the Rocky Mountaineer in Gold Leaf

A true pinch me moment when I boarded the train to the sound of bagpipes.

Day 3 in Canada and it was a bucket-list kind of day. The first of two unforgettable days on board the iconic Rocky Mountaineer, travelling from Vancouver to Jasper with an overnight stay in Kamloops. Stepping onto the train in Gold Leaf Service was a real pinch-me moment: glass-domed panoramic carriage, plush seating and the most incredible views in every direction. All meals are included, served in the elegant dining carriage below the seating area, with drinks brought straight to your chair and an outdoor viewing area that is perfect for those iconic photos and videos. Overnight was spent in a hotel in Kamloops and it was an early start this morning for day 2. I honestly couldn’t wait to get back on board and see what the following day and had  everything crossed for some wildlife spotting.

Day 4: A luxurious journey continues!

Back on board the train to experience 1st class service and sights.

Day 4 in Canada: our second unforgettable day aboard the Rocky Mountaineer . Today we travelled from Kamloops to Jasper, winding our way through ever more dramatic scenery: glass‑smooth lakes, soaring peaks and endless pine forests, all from the comfort of our glass‑domed carriage. We were treated to delicious food, free‑flowing drinks and wonderful storytelling from the onboard hosts, with views you simply cannot see from the road. On arrival in Jasper we visited the beautiful Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for a site inspection: a stunning hotel in a magical lakeside setting, surrounded by the Rockies and wrapped in that cosy mountain‑retreat feel. The evening finished perfectly with a nightcap in Jasper, where elk casually wander the streets and remind you that this really is the wild. Sadly no bears spotted yet, but there is always tomorrow.

Day 5: Heading further into the Rockies and a day for heights!

Memories captured for a lifetime with the stunning scenery and dramatic landscapes that I saw.

Day 5: Canada has well and truly taken my breath away.  An early start and strong coffee in Jasper, then we were off on a Brewster coach tour bound for beautiful Banff. Our first stop was Tangle Falls for a quick photo stop, before continuing on to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Stepping out 280m up on a glass walkway was completely nerve jangling, but so worth it for those vast Rocky Mountain views.  Then it was on to the Athabasca Glacier, travelling by massive Ice Explorer “terra buses” to stand right on the ice itself. Exhilarating, a little surreal, and one of those pinch me travel moments. We refuelled with lunch at the lodge before heading down towards Banff.  The drive was nothing short of dramatic, with scenery I know I’ll never forget. Wildlife spotting did not quite go to plan with no bears this time, but we were treated to sightings of elk and mountain goats along the way. We also squeezed in a short stop at the iconic Chateau Lake Louise, but more on that as we went back for a full site inspection.

Day 6: Hot tubs, misty mountains & one last taste of Canada 

A big tick in on the travel list as I got to visit Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and put myself in the photo that I looked at when I 1st started in travel over 35 years ago.

Our final full day in Canada did not disappoint. Waking up at the stunning Canalta Lodge in Banff, where the outdoor hot tubs and firepits are a true focal point: the perfect setting for a cosy mountain morning. We began the day with hotel visits in Banff, viewing three beautiful properties I can book for you:• The Otter• The Moose• The Canoe each with its own character and style, and all perfectly placed for exploring Banff. Next up was the Banff Gondola for aerial views of the Rockies. The weather did not quite play ball, so our mountain views were more misty and atmospheric than panoramic, but it was still a special experience to rise above the treeline and feel wrapped in cloud. From there, we headed back to Lake Louise for a real highlight: afternoon tea at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Opened in 1890, this grand lakeside hotel attracts visitors from all over the world to its dramatic setting at the foot of the lake, and it absolutely lives up to the hype. Elegant surroundings, beautiful views and a real sense of history. Sadly, that meant our journey was drawing to a close. We transferred from Lake Louise to Calgary for our final night in Canada, rounding off the trip with true Canadian hospitality: a cowboy hat ceremony at the Calgary Tower, followed by a visit to a line dancing bar to finish our adventure in full cowboy style. The perfect finale to a magnificent day and an unforgettable tour of the Canadian Rockies.

Day 7:  Sad to leave this amazing area of Canada but all good things have to come to an end!!

Travelling back from Calgary to Manchester via Toronto with Air Canada, I had the loveliest surprise at Calgary Airport: the YYC PALS therapy dogs. I met Kevin (black labrador) on my way home and he was so gentle, sweet and calm. His owner actually has two other dogs and comes to the airport each week to walk them through the terminal, along with other volunteers, simply to bring comfort and smiles to travellers passing through. In the middle of all the queues, security checks and take-offs, it was such a heartwarming reminder of the kindness and care that can be part of the journey too. I only wish more airports around the world would introduce something similar and a lovely way to end our time in Canada.

After seven incredible days, what stays with me most is not just the scenery, but the feeling this journey evoked. Canada wrapped us in towering peaks, mirror‑still lakes and vast forests, yet it was the moments of human kindness and care that truly elevated the experience: the hotel team buying us toothbrushes after a long, chaotic travel day, the warm welcome from my amazing partners at Canada Sun & Mountains, the storytelling on board Rocky Mountaineer, and even Kevin the therapy dog at Calgary Airport, quietly spreading calm in the middle of the departure hall.  From hanging high above the treetops in Vancouver and skimming across the Pacific by zodiac, to gliding through the Rockies in Gold Leaf luxury, stepping out onto a glass skywalk, standing on ancient glacier ice and sipping afternoon tea at the legendary Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, every day delivered another “pinch me” moment. Banff’s hot tubs and firepits, elk wandering the streets of Jasper, moody mountain mists and those endless cinematic views have all firmly earned their place in my travel memory bank. This trip was a powerful reminder of why I love what I do after more than 35 years in travel: it is not just about ticking off the big sights, but about crafting journeys that feel special at every step, with trusted local partners, thoughtful little touches and experiences you simply cannot replicate on your own.

If this 6‑night taste of Western Canada has sparked your wanderlust, I would love to help you create your own version, tailored to you. Whether that is travelling on Rocky Mountaineer, waking up to lake or mountain views, or combining Canada with another bucket‑list destination, get in touch and let’s start planning your Canadian adventure.