Alberta, Canada

Day 1. Flying, Walking & Heights

My trip to Canada begins; it‘s time to meet my group, and we are all soon through check-in and security. Air Canada provided a good flight, and we arrived about 30 minutes ahead of schedule. After a short transfer (about 20 minutes, we arrived at our hotel for the next three nights, the Sandman Signature (Hotel In Downtown Calgary | Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel) in central Downtown Calgary. A very easy drive, and depending on the hotel you select (consider parking charges), I would recommend that clients consider airport pickup versus downtown. The hotel was not welcoming due to work at the front of the property. Reception was good a, nd we were soon all checked in and then had a couple of hours to chill, shower,r etc. before meeting for a guided walking tour. Being travel agents, we couldn't resist a quick drink in the hotel bar/restaurant Moxies - where,e to our delight, ht it was "Happy Hour" and a rather nice white wine cost just £2.61!!

Our walking tour was led by Judy from Calgary Walk & Bus Tours (Home - CalgaryWalks & Bus Tours). We saw the sights of Downtown including vibrant art installations like Wonderland & Alberta's Dream (the bow public artwork commissions calgary, alberta – Via Partnership, city skyscrapers like The Bow & Telus Sky, vibrant eating & shopping venues such as Stephen Avenue & The Core (shopping centre) as well as other sights like the Calgary Tower where we finished our tour and then entered the Tower to ride to the viewing platform where we enjoyed 360 degrees views of the city and tested our nerves on the glass floor (don't worry most of the floor is not made of glass). The views were spectacular, ar and I would suggest this as a must-do when visiting Calgary. If you would like food with a view, then enjoy lunch or dinner at the restaurant SKY 360 is located at 155 metres and completes a full rotation every 45 minutes during lunch and every 60 minutes during dinner.

From Calgary Tower (HOME | The Calgary Tower), we walked a short distance to Annabelle's Kitchen (Annabelle's Kitchen - Calgary, AB) on Stephen Avenue, a modern Italian restaurant where the emphasis is on family-style dining, so think big plates of food made for sharing. The restaurant is warm and welcoming, with seating for 70 guests,s and is open daily except Sunday.

After dinner, er we headed back to our hotel, the Sandman Signature, for a much-needed sleep. The hotel is well located and easy to get to all that Calgary has to offer.

Day 2. Exploring in Calgary, Stampedes, Music and History

The much-needed sleep didn't happen. Unfortunately, the downside of staying in such a central location, almost next to the tramline, meant the rumbles from the trams kept me awake. I would definitely recommend staying in a hotel a couple of blocks from the tramline - we saw some lovely properties that I would find much easier to recommend rather than the Sandman Signature. Today we started with a short transfer to the Fairmont Palliser Hotel (5-Star Luxury Hotel in Calgary - Fairmont Palliser). The property is located in the heart of downtown Calgary and offers regal charm just steps from the attractions, theatres and shopping in the city. We had a tour of the hotel and enjoyed a hearty breakfast afterwards. I would recommend this hotel to those who prefer a 5* stay without foregoing location.

We then went to the Sam Centre (Sam Centre - Calgary Stampede | The Calgary Stampede's Sam Centre) - I really enjoyed this place; it is an immersive hub with interactive displays, multi-media storytelling zones and engaging exhibits that celebrate the legendary Calgary Stampede (9th-18th July 2027) that takes place every year in the city. The Stampede brings over 1 million visitors to the city and it is the world's largest outdoor rodeo, it is home to the original Chuckwagon races and bull riding, barrel racing , the Bell Grandstand show and a nightly firework finale all feature along with so much more, it is also one of Canada's largest music festivals with four stages and over 100 music acts. This is definitely a must-visit attraction to learn all about the Stampede.

From the Sam Centre, we headed next to Studio Bell, the National Music Centre (Home of the National Music Centre | Studio Bell). The exhibits here cover five floors, and they offer several different tours; we took The Greatest Hits Tour. For music lovers, this place should not be missed. There are regular special events and concerts held, so if you are heading to Calgary,y it's worth checking those out. You can play instruments, visit the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio and definitely do not miss the amazing Kimball Theatre Organ ((2) Kimball Theatre Organ - YouTube)!

Studios are available for recording,s and the staff are very hands-on, bringing the music to life for you.

Our next stop was the Best Western Plaza Hotel (Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel | NE Calgary Hotel Near Airport & Downtown), located midway between the airport and the city, a great budget choice if you do not want to be in the centre but with good transport links to take you there easily. We had a tour of the property and then an excellent lunch in Barrington's - the hotel's on-site restaurant.

After lunch, we visited the Heritage Park (Heritage Park Calgary | Popular Living History Museum in Canada), a fantastic outing for anyone staying a few days in the city; within minutes, you are transported back to what Calgary would once have been like. The Heritage Park spans 127 acres and is full of exhibits. The staff all dress the part as well. As you travel through the park, you take part in immersive exhibits; you are transported through fur trade forts, settler homesteads and early 20th-century prairie towns. There are plenty of activities to choose from, including riding on a steam train (the collection of train carriages is interesting), taking a cruise on a paddle-wheeler, panning for gold, uncovering fossils, and so much more. With four restaurants, plus snack vans, you can spend a whole day here without the fear of hunger,r and I really would suggest a full day as there is so much to do. Gasoline Museum is a must-visit at the park for petrol heads and even those who are not. The quality of the cars and displays in this area was incredible.

After a short rest & refresh, we headed to The Westley Hotel (Westley Calgary Downtown, Tapestry Collection by Hilton), again located in Downtown; this hotel would make a great choice for couples who are looking for a boutique hotel feel, with an on-site bar and restaurant that are very popular. The hotel is well decorated, leaning toward the 70s style; all the rooms have tea/coffee facilities in the room. After a short tour (the hotel was fully booked), we headed to Fonda Fora (Fonda Fora), the on-site restaurant for dinner; the theme here is inventive cocktails and Mexican-inspired food, which was extremely good. We then headed back to our hotel.

Day 3 Fossils & Dinosaurs

Today visited Dinosaur Provincial Park (Dinosaur Provincial Park | Alberta Parks). This has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, offering unforgettable views, guided adventures and direct access to a rich part of Alberta's history. It is one of the most significant dinosaur fossil sites on earth and is a rugged Badlands (Badlands - Wikipedia)area. As well as the amazing scenery, there is a Visitor Centre, Explorer's Bus Tour and some fantastic walking available. A great stop for anyone driving the route to Winnipeg.

After exploring in the park, we headed back to the city. I went for a wander to visit the central shopping area and purchase some souvenirs but decided against the cowboy boots (there were lots)!

For dinner we went to the Orchard Restaurant (Orchard Restaurant Calgary - Asian Mediterranean Cuisine), this was an excellent venue and the food was amazing, European with more than a definite Asian twist.

Day 4 - Tastings, Buffalos, Bears & Beauty

What a day!

We started with a site visit at the Delta by Marriott Calgary Downtown (Calgary Alberta Hotel | Delta Hotels Calgary Downtown). Perfect for those looking to be very central and in a quality 4* hotel. We enjoyed a good breakfast here.

We then hit the road; our next stop was about an hour away - the historic town of Turner Valley, a great stopping point for those heading south from Calgary. It's a quaint place and home to the Eau Claire Distillery (Eau Claire Distillery | Award Winning Spirits) - Alberta's first craft distillery, where we sampled a range of small-batch spirits - whiskies, vodkas and gin; my favourite was the Prickly Pear Vodka!

Next was a quick stop at Okotoks Erratic, or "Big Rock", a place of great spiritual importance to the Blackfoot people (Okotoks Erratic – ‘Big Rock’ | Alberta.ca). Located in flat terrain, the 18,200-ton boulder arrived here after a rockslide thousands of years ago. We were then back on the road to our next stop and a definite highlight of the entire trip - Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site | Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump). If you are ever headed to Waterton Lakes, this is a must-stop! A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, it is one of the world's oldest, largest and best-preserved buffalo jumps, and whilst its stories are gory, it's a fascinating insight into a method of hunting practised by native people for almost 6000 years. Quinton Crow Shoe was our guide, and his knowledge of his people and lands was immense.

Back on the roa,d we had 90 minutes taking in the scenery as we approached our next stop - Waterton Lakes National Park (Waterton Lakes National Park). We joked about how great it would be to see a bear, and shortly after we entered the National Park,k we were amazed to see a Grizzly and her two cubs!! We spent a while at this impromptu stop taking photos. We then headed through the wonderful scenery to reach our abode for the next two nights at Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort (Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort – Waterton Park Hotels and Accommodations). After settling in, it was soon time to meet up again and head for dinner at Lakeside Chophouse & Wine Bar (Waterton Restaurant - Lakeside Chophouse Restaurant Waterton, Alberta), a lovely restaurant - the only lakefront restaurant in the National Park- it enjoys fantastic views of Waterton Lake and is a great place to meet friends and enjoy excellent food. After dinner, we headed to the Thirsty Bear (Waterton Restaurant with Scenic Views - Thirsty Bear Kitchen + Bar) and enjoyed listening to some local live singers before heading to our beds.

Day 5 - Cruising, Eating, Walking & Dark Skies

One thing is for sure - you don't go hungry in Canada. We started our day at Trappers Mountain Grill just a short walk from our hotel. Trappers has great food, friendly staff and an excellent shop (would have been rude not to shop!). After breakfast, we strolled down to Shoreline Cruise boathouse (Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co. - Waterton Lakes National Park) and took the 1000hrs cruise on Upper Waterton Lake; the scenery was amazing, and the staff told us about the geology, wildlife and history of the area. We even crossed the International border into Montana's Glacier Park. I would highly recommend this trip,ip and it's a definite must whilst staying in lovely, laid-back Waterton Lakes.

We then drove to the Prince of Wales Hotel (Prince of Wales Hotel: Iconic Accommodation in Waterton Alberta), set on the hillside above Waterton Lakes. This iconic hotel has a rich history and fantastic views, making it a must-see stop whether for an overnight stay or Afternoon Tea in the lobby with its views!

Next stop - food (again) - this time at Weiners of Waterton (Wieners of Waterton | best restaurants in waterton | 301 Wind Flower Avenue, Waterton Park, AB, Canada), a local institution offering gourmet hot dogs & outdoor seating - oh, they were good!

Time to walk off some of the food we have been consuming; we did the Red Rock Canyon and Blakiston Falls Walk (Red Rock Canyon Waterton Park: Complete Guide - Canada Crossroads). Think vibrant red cliffs and crystal-clear waters in one iconic landscape, with some well-placed viewing platforms to see the stunning scenery fro; the walk was rated as Easy. There are many walks/trails in this area, all marked with distances and ratings, making it easy to choose the right one for you.

After our walk,k we headed back into town and enjoyed pre-dinner drinks back at the Lakeside Chophouse. It was a beautiful afternoon, so we took our drinks outside and admired the scenery.

For dinner this evening we ate at the lovely Lamp Post Dining Room The Lamp Post Dining Room - Waterton Park Restaurants & Dining - the Kilmorey Lodge located on Upper Waterton Lake with views of Emerald Bay and the mountains, it was a fabulous dinner in a wonderful setting.

After dinner, we were collected for a Dark Skies Experience (Dark Sky Guides)in the National Park. The evening was spent exploring the night sky and learning all about star clusters, constellations and galaxies far away through stories we were told whilst we viewed so much through the provided telescope.

We then returned to our hotel, and I, for one, had a very good night's sleep after all of the fresh mountain air we enjoyed today.

Day 6 - Riding & Ranching

After breakfast, we check out of our hotel; we are heading back up north, and our first stop is at Boundary Ranch in Kananaskis. We are surprised that en route we experience such diverse weather - we have sunshine followed by rain, sleet and then snow!

Fortunately, when we arrive at Boundary Ranch (Legendary in the Alberta Rockies| Canadian Rockies| Boundary Ranch)the sun is shining again and we firstly enjoy a wholesome lunch set in the main dining room here, then we are given a tour of the property including the on-site Guin Wildlife Museum and the ranch area. Then it's time to saddle up and get on our horses! We enjoy (most of us anyway)an hour's horse ride along easy trails with the amazing scenery of the Rocky Mountains. I find the time passes quickly, and we are soon back at the ranch, where I say Goodbye to my steady Jake. We then have a tour of the other facilities available at the ranch, ch including their wedding/conference venues, different entertainment they can provide and of course the all-important shop.

Once we say farewell to the ranch we head for the Canmore Inn & Suites, located a about 15 minutes' walk from Canmore town centre. This is a large hotel, suitable for all, especially those seeking action, adventure and winter skiing without paying the price to stay in nearby Banff. Later we head out to dinner at Crazyweed Kitchen (Crazyweed); this is a very busy restaurant, and the food served tells us why. A lovely evening in a busy social setting.

Day 7 - Flying, Hiking & Rafting.

A busy day again today - just great having so much content in our itinerary,y and today is truly amazing.

We start the day with a visit to Creekside Villa (Creekside Vill.), I know when I come back to Canmore this is where I would want to stay. Such a lovely, relaxing boutique hotel on the outskirts of town (5 minutes to drive and a bus stop around the corner, as well as a restaurant or two). Very cosy with just 12 rooms.

Then we move on to what proves to be an amazing experience: we take a helicopter ride (Alpine Helicopters | Canmore Helicopter Tours |) over the Rocky Mountains -a true once-in-a-lifetime grand experience that I would highly recommend to everyone. We had views over Canmore, beautiful river and lake scenery, and of course the mountains themselves,s including the Three Sisters Peaks, which looked amazing and had snow-covered peaks even at this time of year. A real highlight of our travels.

We take lunch at the local establishment, Beamer,s and then head off for our afternoon activities.

We start with Buffalo Stone Woman aka Heather (Indigenous Tour Guide, Certified Hiking Guide, Blackfoot, YYC, Calgary, Mohkinstsis, Travel Alberta, Indigenous Tourism Alberta) for our hiking and indigenous experience. We start to climb up through the foothills of the Rockies, stopping to listen to stories from our guide about the use of the different plants we see growing that her people use for eating and medicine. The journey up the mountain is wonderful, with fantastic views; as we go higher, we discover lakes full of fantastic colours, witness climbers braving the mountain face and take part in an emotional cultural blessing. We return down the mountain and wish Buffalo Woman a fond farewell.

Our next activity is located close by, and we first take a quick stop at the Canmore Nordic Centre (Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park | Alberta Parks), which was a host venue for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. We then stop at Bow River, er where we take a ride on the river with Canmore Raft Tours (Scenic float tours: Relax & Raft in the Rocky Mountains: Canmore). We soon take our seats and settle in for an adventure that takes us downriver whilst being surrounded bby ig mountain views and scenic forested slopes, whilst our guide tells us all about life on the river and the history of the Canmore area. After this two-hour experience, which is educational and fun, we head back to our hotel for a short rest.

This evening we eat at Bridgette Bar(Canmore — Bridgette Bar); the food here is hearty, and the atmosphere is great. Afterwards, some of us head for a drink or two at The Rose & Crown,n which is all decked out in Oktoberfest Style.

Day 8 - Sights, Gondolas and a Perfect Ending

Well, ll I can hardly believe it is our last day already; it's been an amazing experience, and I have met some wonderful people - thank you all for sharing this special trip with me and thanks to Prestige Travel for the opportunity and the experiences and memories which I will forever remember. But before we say "Goodbye", we have another wonderful day.

We start with a site inspection of The Malcolm Hotel (The Malcolm Hotel | A Canmore Luxury Hotel) - this is another fantastic choice in Canmore and highly recommended. It is a good four-star property and very well located in Canmore. The outdoor pool area is a real plus. We then board the mini-bus and take the trip over to Banff (about 20 minutes away). We start our tour of Banff with visits to Bow Springs, Surprise Corner, The Hoodoos and Lake Minnewanka; these are all exceptionally scenic and very enjoyable. Next we head to the Banff Gondola (Banff Gondola Official Site | Amazing Views & Dining on Sulphur Mountain)and enjoy a ride up and down Sulphur Mountain, with time at the top to explore and take photos another very good way to spend a couple of hours amongst more stunning scenery. We then took a drive up and down the main street of Banff to help us see how close different hotels are to the resort centre, with all its shops, bars and restaurants. Banff is certainly a buzzing place!

Next we visited the Fairmont Banff Springs (Fairmont Banff Springs | Luxury 5-Star Resort in Banff) - opened in 1888, this hotel is quite rightly referred to as "Castle In The Rockies", and this 5* hotel is certainly a special place to stay. Located just a minute from the heart of Banff. For me, this hotel is all about the communal areas, whether that is the pool terrace with its stunning backdrop, the relaxed ambience of the Fairmont Gold Lounge or one of the many eateries within the hotel; there is always somewhere special to spend your time. We are given a lovely lunch in the hotel's stunning French restaurant, Vermillion - a perfect end to a perfect trip,p as now it is time to head back to Calgary for our flight back to London.

It's been an amazing first trip to Canada for me, and I just know that I will return.

With thanks to Prestige Travel, Tourism Calgary & Travel Alberta