A Romantic Canadian Rockies Vacation - Banff & Lake Louise
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A Canadian Rockies vacation is a spectacular wilderness adventure! Grizzly bears, waterfalls, scenic drives...(and that's on a slow day!)
For "seclusion lovers", the Rockies are one of the most accessible remote areas in the world.
Much of this area is still relatively untouched by man, and you can stand alone in places where there is no one else for miles!
Some of the best sights include:
A Canadian Rockies Vacation offers an unbeatable mix of outdoors, adventure, serenity and beauty. And with the low Canadian dollar, it's one of the more affordable wilderness vacations.
The Rockies are also becoming a real adventure travel hotspot: kayaking, hang gliding and mountain biking just to name a few. And there's all the usual fun, like hiking, golfing, fishing, and fantastic skiing.
And in the evening there's some fine places to eat, and even some nightlife too.
There are two main towns you should see on a Canadian Rockies tour, Banff and Lake Louise.
Banff - Canadian Rockies Vacation CenterThis is where most travellers begin their Canadian Rockies vacation. Banff is considered the gateway to the Canadian Rockies because it is only a 1 hour drive west from Calgary, the closest major city.
Since there is no major airport in the Rockies, flying into Calgary International Airport and then driving (or taking a tour or shuttle) to Banff is the best choice. You’ll enjoy the scenic journey on the Trans-Canada Highway. A rental car is the best way to really see the area.
The other option is flying into Vancouver, and then driving (8 hours) or joining a tour.
When most people say Banff, they mean both the town of Banff itself, and the 6500 square km Banff National Park.
It can get a bit crowded with people in July and August, but you can find lots of open space and beauty just a few minutes away in the National Park. It's been designated a World Heritage Site.
For the traveler, Banff has lots of facilities, including accommodation, shopping and Canadian Rockies vacation tours. There is a wide range of resorts, hotels, motels, inns and B&B’s.
When it comes to eating, this is no mountain outpost - there's American, Italian, Japanese and French cuisine offered. You can even find Canadian specialties like caribou, arctic char or buffalo on the menu at certain establishments!
In order to really get a taste of the National Park and the surroundings, plan at least 4 days here. And if you’re coming in the summer, book well in advance.
You’ve probably seen pictures of it: The Fairmont Banff Springs. It's an amazing 1800’s era hotel deep in the heavily wooded Bow Valley. If we were going to splurge anywhere and enjoy a romantic hotel in Banff, this would be the place.
Lake Louise
Here’s where the scenery goes from excellent to breathtaking! Lake Louise is called the jewell of the Canadian Rockies. It’s easy to see why – a gorgeous lake surrounded by snow-capped Mountains with glaciers. The many hiking opportunities wind thru forests, streams, canyons and waterfalls.
Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks will captivate you – this is one of the most photographed lakes in Canada. Take a quiet stroll alongside the waters edge, and you’ll find the calm, the beauty and the air simply wonderful.
For a panoramic romantic view of it all, you can ride a cable car up Mt.Whitehorn.
Banff/Lake Louise also has 3 world-class ski resorts, with top-notch facilities and of course, spectacular views. Travel to The Canadian Rockies VacationHere's some info for planning a trip to Banff, Canada and the Canadian Rockies:
For Canadian rockies accommodation, you can choose from hotels and bed and breakfast inns in Banff, and everything from deluxe resorts to cabins in the forest. There’s also camping in Banff and Lake Louise.
You’ll need to get to Calgary or Vancouver, and most likely by air. Calgary has service from many major airlines in Canada and the U.S. Vancouver however is the larger city of the two, and has direct flights from not only cities in the USA but many overseas as well.
Air Canada and WestJet are the two airlines with the most flights to these cities near the Canadian Rockies.
By car, the distance from Calgary to Banff is 78 miles (125 km), and the distance from Vancouver to Banff is 520 miles (840 km). Both are very scenic journeys.
You can rent a car at either Calgary or Vancouver airports. You could do a one-way rental between the two, which would save time driving back. There would most likely be a one-way rental charge added on however.
Another option to consider: Rocky Mountain Railtours, known as the most spectacular train trip in the world! They've got a variety of Canadian Rockies rail tours, with a choice of departures from cities including Jasper, Calgary, and Vancouver.
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Banff is a pretty town in a terrific alpine setting, and it’s still common to find wildlife occasionally walking down the streets!
Don’t miss the chance to get out on the water while you’re here. A great excursion for a couple is renting a canoe and enjoying the crystal clear waters and wildlife of the Vermillion Lakes! Check the brochure stands for rental location details. Or, the Boat Tours on Lake Minnewanka, where you might spot a bighorn sheep.
Romantic Tip: How about a dip for two in a hot springs? The Upper Hot Springs are only a 4km scenic drive out. Great place for a hot soak, even a massage! After, you could take the nearby gondola up Sulphur Mountain for great views, hiking, and a romantic picnic high up in the Canadian Rockies. Excellent!