This forum has some of the most knowledgeable and helpful members I've ever encountered! I hope you can give me some advice on an itinerary of 10 days to 2 weeks in mid-August. My husband and I will fly in and out of Calgary and rent a car. Our only plans so far are 5 nights at Moraine Lake Lodge - an anniversary gift to us. We would like to have two or three other bases from which to explore the beauty of the area and visit the parks. We like hiking - not too strenuous, and are looking forward to the spectacular scenery we've read about. I have a long list of suggestions from reading this website but I need help deciding what order to see them, what towns to stay in and how long in each. We'll definitely drive the Icefields Parkway. Would you advise staying overnight somewhere along the way? How long would you suggest staying in Jasper? We have the time for a leisurely trip, but we want to use it wisely. Also, any hotel recommendations? We'd like to keep the price under $200 US and stay in a variety of accommodations. I'm anxiously awaiting your advice!

Re: icefields parkway - If I remember correctly (and someone please correct me if I am wrong) there really was no hotel to stop at along the parkway. However - start out early in the morning - there are so many spectacular spots you will want to stop at and take in the view and walk around a bit. It really is one of the great drives - watch out for the wildlife !

With the currency exchange, you should have no problems finding comfortable lodgings for $200US per night. I recommend a stay at Lake Louise, staying at the Chateau Lake Louise. A real treat!

after 5 nights in banff, 2 nights in jasper should be good. the sawridge hotel is a standard, good hotel. if you have the time, consider a trip to drumheller, alberta and area. it's very interesting with a great meuseum, hoodoos, etc.

happy anniversary celebrations! i used to live in calgary & return frequently from the US. it is a large city with some attractions, too. if you find yourselves with a day there, consider the calgary tower for lunch (great views from revolving restaurant), heritage park ("old" calgary)& the zoo which is v. good & a good art gallery, downtown. just a few suggestions. the drumheller dinosaur museum is excellent (about 90 mins east of calgary). we are partial to hiking in kananaskis, southeast of banff. be sure to check in with park wardens regarding bears. not to frighten you. but, some years there are hiking trail closures secondary to bears foraging in the lower regions. i would also recommend that you read some hiking books about the area. check out the canadian booksellers website, chapters.indigo.ca & search "canadian rockies hiking" if you are in the national parks, try to attend some of the naturalists hikes/talks. they are generally v. good. have a wonderful anniversary celebration & enjoy your time.

I think the best thing to do in Alberta is go to a small town rodeo.<BR><BR>The next best thing is to eat a lot of Alberta beef. <BR><BR>On a more intellectual level, I've always found the exhibits at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary wortht the visit, and if you like dinosaurs, the trip to Drumheller is worthwhile, plus the scenery there is wonderful.<BR><BR>BAK