Mountains, bears and lakes – when you hear the word Canada, you immediately think of vast forests and landscapes that no one lives in. But Canada has a lot more to offer besides nature. You just have to know where to start.
Blick shows you how to explore the western stretch from Vancouver to Calgary in just one week. And those who don’t feel like boring car journeys will be surprised, because the journey is by train, plane and gondola, through hills and valleys!
1. Vancouver – the metropolis with something special
The port city of Vancouver offers the perfect starting point for exploring Canada. Between the Pacific and the mountains, you have the opportunity to combine the unique Canadian nature with a real urban feel. With a population of 630,000, Vancouver is more of a small metropolis. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to experience here. Because in addition to the classic shopping streets with boutiques, there are many museums, entertainment events, parks and a wide variety of cuisine options.
A pleasant stroll in the harbor at sunrise? A little shopping spree on the coveted Robson Street in the afternoon? And a treat in Chinatown for dinner? Vancouver offers something for every taste.
Fly: If you are planning a city trip to Vancouver, you should plan enough time to explore Chinatown. Because this is where history meets modern times. Just walking the streets and looking at the markets is helpful to understand the important role played by Chinese immigrants in Canada. Those who want to learn more about the culture and history of Chinatown can take a trip back in time at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre.
Good to know this: If you don’t have much time and want to explore the city as quickly as possible, it’s best to rent a bike. You can quickly explore the big city and feel the breathtaking nature of Canada on a tour of Stanley Park.
2. Vancouver to Banff – on Rocky Mountaineer!
Swiss people are public transport people. Good thing this travel deal is also available in Canada! Rocky Mountaineer takes outdoor enthusiasts from Vancouver to Kamloops and the resort town of Banff. Here you can enjoy the flora and fauna for two days in a panorama car, possibly Canada’s most luxurious train. And if you think boredom now, you are wrong! Because on the Rocky Mountaineer you will not only be offered good food, drink and snacks during your journey, but you can also breathe fresh mountain air on the viewing platforms and feel the real Canada.
However, you will not be able to spend the night on the train, otherwise you will miss the entire scenic view because of the darkness. Therefore, buses and hotels are ready at the first stop in Kamloops to welcome guests for a short night’s sleep before heading to Banff early in the morning.
Fly: It’s not worth napping too much in the Rocky Mountaineer’s comfy seats, as with a little luck you might spot coyotes, deer, lots of birds, and even bears along the way. So keep your eyes open and watch out for the edge of the forest!
You can find out more about Rocky Mountaineer here.
3. Banff – a place to relax and de-stress
Banff is considered the ultimate mountain resort. It’s also an ideal place to finally get moving again after a two-day train journey. You can hike, ski, bike ride in the middle of Banff National Park or simply enjoy nature from your hotel room.
If you still want to go out but prefer to stay calm, you can rent an e-bike in town and use it to explore the wilderness. So with the right power and not too strenuous routes, you can quickly cross hills and mountains and enjoy a wonderful mountain view.
Fly: If you prefer not to exercise at all, but want to enjoy the beautiful scenery, you can easily take the Banff Gondola to Sulfur Mountain and enjoy the view of nature as a whole from there.
You can find more information about the Gondola here.
4. Calgary – big city with history
With a population of approximately 1.3 million people, Calgary in the province of Alberta is Canada’s fourth largest city. There’s a lot going on in the city. Because there are plenty of breweries and cyder breweries here as well as sports bars and restaurants. But other leisure activities make this city worth seeing.
For example, Heritage Park. Here you can truly relive history, as Heritage Park takes its visitors back nearly 150 years. Railroads, wagons, houses and even clothes – everything reminds of a time before the modern skyscrapers that graced the Calgary skyline.
Fly: Those who prefer to see the city from above can easily see it from the Calgary Tower. With its 190 meters, it offers a magnificent panorama over the entire city.
You can find out more about the Calgary Tower here.
This post was created as part of a press tour.