Western Canada with Rocky Mountaineer and more
From Ocean Zodiacs, Luxury Train Journey, one of the Worlds most beautiful drives to Honky‑Tonk Nights
There are some trips that do more than tick off places on a map. They get under your skin, surprise you at every turn and leave you plotting your return before you have even unpacked. My recent journey through Western Canada did exactly that.
From sea spray in my face off Bowen Island to line dancing in a Calgary honky‑tonk, this was a trip that mixed wild landscapes with big skies, iconic rail journeys and unforgettable city moments. Here are just a few of the highlights that will stay with me for a long time, and that I would love to help you experience for yourself.
Bowen Island by Zodiac: Vancouver’s Wild Neighbour
Just a short hop from Vancouver lies Bowen Island, but arriving there by zodiac made it feel a world away.
We roared out across the water in our small, sturdy boat, the city skyline shrinking behind us while the mountains and forested islands ahead grew larger and more dramatic. The zodiac ride itself was part thrill, part nature documentary: the smell of the ocean, the wind in our faces and that wonderful sense of freedom you only get out on open water.
Bowen Island is the kind of place that invites you to slow down. Think pine‑fringed shores, pretty little coves and a laid‑back village feel. It is somewhere you can kayak, hike, potter around independent galleries or simply enjoy a long lazy lunch while watching the boats bob in the harbour. For me, it was the perfect way to balance Vancouver’s urban buzz with a dose of West Coast wilderness. We also experienced Capilano, Grouse Mountain, Stanley Park, some hotel site visits and a city walking/food tour.
The Rocky Mountaineer: Rail with a Golden Glow
No matter how many photos you have seen, nothing quite prepares you for the Rocky Mountaineer.
From the moment we stepped on board, it felt special. Glass‑domed carriages flooded with daylight, attentive hosts who seemed to appear with a coffee or a cool drink just when you fancied one, and delicious meals served as the landscapes rolled past like a film reel.
And what landscapes they were: jade‑green rivers, sheer canyon walls, thick pine forests and snow‑dusted peaks glowing in the sun. There is something wonderfully old‑school and indulgent about exploring the Rockies by rail, without airports, traffic or sat navs. You simply sit back, sip a glass of wine and let Canada unfurl in front of you.
It is a journey that is as much about pace as place, turning travel time into an experience in its own right.
Icefields Parkway: One of the World’s Great Drives
If you love a road trip, the Icefields Parkway is the stuff of dreams.
Often described as one of the most beautiful drives on the planet, this route between Jasper and Banff is an ever‑changing gallery of glaciers, turquoise lakes, waterfalls and vast valleys. Around every bend there is another “wow” moment: mirror‑still water reflecting jagged peaks, sweeping icefields that seem to stretch to the horizon, and forests that feel truly endless.
What I loved most was the sense of scale. You feel wonderfully small here, with nature doing all the talking. There are plenty of places to stop for short walks, viewpoints and photo opportunities, and it never feels rushed. It is one of those days where you want to leave your phone in your pocket and simply drink in the scenery.
Night in Calgary: Towers, Steaks and Two‑Step
After days of mountains and lakes, Calgary offered a different kind of excitement and it absolutely delivered.
We started at the top of the Calgary Tower, taking in panoramic views of the city fringed by those iconic prairie skies and distant Rockies. It is a fantastic way to get your bearings and a reminder of just how vast Alberta really is.
Dinner was a treat: hearty, flavoursome and exactly what you crave after an adventurous few days. Then came the truly unforgettable part of the evening: a local honky‑tonk bar.
Think live country music, cowboy boots, friendly locals and an infectious energy that has you tapping your feet before you have even finished your first drink. Before long we were line dancing, laughing and getting an authentic taste of Calgary’s western heritage. It was one of those spontaneous travel moments that feels both completely out of your comfort zone and absolutely right.
Bringing Your Own Canadian Adventure to Life
This trip reminded me why I love crafting tailor‑made itineraries so much. Western Canada can be as relaxed or as action‑packed as you want it to be. You might:
Pair time in Vancouver with a zodiac trip to Bowen Island and some gentle coastal hiking.
Add the Rocky Mountaineer for a touch of luxury and a completely different perspective on the Rockies.
Drive the Icefields Parkway at your own pace, stopping for photo spots, short hikes and scenic picnics.
Finish in Calgary with rooftop cocktails, steak dinners and, if you are feeling brave, a little line dancing of your own.
If this sounds like your kind of adventure, I would love to design a Canadian journey that feels personal to you, whether that is a special occasion trip, a once‑in‑a‑lifetime rail holiday or a family self‑drive with a twist.Contact me to start planning your own Rocky Mountain escape, and let us turn these highlights into your memories.
