Donna Lord

My husband and I will be visiting Canada in June/July 2001 and would like some suggestions for must sees. We are interested in going to Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Banff, Jasper etc. We would also like to take a cruise to Alaska to do the inside passage. I would appreciate any info regarding car hire, must sees, weather at this time etc. We have been to the US twice, visitng both the East and West coasts. My husband did a lot of driving on both trips. <BR>Thanks in advance.

Bob Brown

Being from Australia, you know all about long distance driving, I am sure!! <BR>My suggestions for the Banff - Jasper area would be to allow ample time for the Icefields Parkway -- the road between Lake Louise and Jasper. It is a very pretty drive. For Jasper, if you are planning to be there in July or August, I suggest advanced reservations. <BR>You can find the Parks Canada website and hopefully before you leave obtain a copy of the Parks Approved Accommodations. This is a list of private homes that have overnight accommodations. Usually the facilities are nice and cheaper than conventional motels. Barring that, I stayed at Jasper House Bungalows. The rooms are actually small apartments, in some cases, with a kitchen. The price can be a little steep, however, because Jasper is a popular destination. And Jasper House is in league with the tour bus operators. Beckers Roar River Chalets is another good place for Jasper. <BR>For Lake Louise, you will find prices high for what you get. We usually stay in the town of Field, over the Great Divide in Yoho National Park. <BR>You can find a list of places to stay by following the links in the home page for the Burgess Shale Learning Center. <BR>(I am serious.) The Burgess Shale is an internationally famous deposit of Cambrian shale that has a super fantastic collection of fossils. The learning center is under construction in the town of Field. We were there last summer and got to see some of the fossils because the lady who lives in the house where our overnight apartment is located also works for the learning center. I actually got to hold one of the priceless fossils in my hand. (It wasn't fragile; it was still encased in its shale matrix. Had I dropped it, I doubt if it would have been more than dropping any other rock.) <BR>In Calgary, I have no firm recommendations for places to stay. <BR>We used the Holiday Inn, but I think the Greenwood Motel near the airport would have been better. <BR> <BR>As for rental cars, we have always gone with the major company that had the best price: Hertz or Avis usually. I have used both from Seattle and from Calgary. <BR> <BR>Of the parks my favorite is Yoho. <BR>But thatis because of its trail network. <BR>If you are not hikers, it means nothing much. <BR> <BR>If I can answer specific questions, don't hesitate to ask me. You are in for a special time of it. And perhaps you can give me a few tips on planning a visit to Australia. I haven't really gotten into that mode yet. But I will.

Brett

I was a resident of Vancouver Island for about 3 years and have travelled extensively through Western Canada. In my opinion you should not miss Banff and Jasper. But I would go out of my way to spend at least 3 days on Vancouver Island. Vancouver is a very beautiful and exciting city but Victoria is by far my favorite BC city. Tofino and pacific rim national park are also must sees. June and July can be good times for salmon fishing also.

Ariel

For Lake Louise try staying at the Lake Louise Youth Hostel - great prices, small good grill and excellent accomodations. It is like a large lodge, really beuatiful. You have picked an excellent area of Canadato visit (this coming from someone living in Ontario!) Vancouver island sreally is worth the visit. You may even want to visit some of the smaller island between Vancouver & Vancouver Island, i.e. Gabriela Island (sp?). Banff & Jasper really are worth the drive. Go to the natural spa at Banff (I think, or maybe Jasper), I also got a massage there for $10! I hired a car in Vancouver about 5 yrs ago and visited Vancouver Island, Vancouver, Banff & Jasper - lasted about 3 weeks. We booked before we came through CAA - check on-line for Budget or Hertz. Also check with your credit card - some provide car insurance if you pay for your rental car with your credit card. Weather will be great - beautiful summer weather.

rand

There is also a BC Ferry running from (dig out your map) Port Hardy on the northern tip of the Island to Prince Rupert. Fairly pricey with a car but you will need one with you for the drive north to Alaska. Fairly common route to ferry one way and drive the other looping through Jasper and Banff and back to Vancouver. Oh yes, in July book the ferry.

Ba

Well if you take the ferry from Pt Hardy to Pr Rupert, then you need to change ferries and travel north to Alaska via the American ferry out of Pr Rupert. You would need a car...distances are great! If you chose to drive to Alaska from Rupert...you must go inland to Kitwanga BC and then drive several hrs north(with not much of anything except trees), before you even can get gas/food.Part of road is not paved. Good luck

Marilyn Gerald

I would suggest taking the rocky mountain railtour through the rockies. This is a slow train with stops in Kamloops, Jasper, Banff and you can get a return back to Vancouver or go to Calgary and Fly back to Vancouver. <BR>You might also want to look into an Alaska Cruise as there are excellent buys in June and July and it is a shame to come all this way and not see Alaska.

xxxxx

Marilyn, I think your little effort at advertising is a bit late - if you read the original post they are due in Canada in a week or so!!