aussiedreamer

So I'm in the middle of a T/R from our UK trip in October and we've just confirmed with our traveling buddies, that we will go to Canada, next year.. As we have two daughters getting married this year, there will be NO trips for us in 2014. So with that in mind, we've finally made our decision to travel to Canada in late May 2015.

We will have 2 months (still flexible) and this will include a 7 night cruise into Alaska. We've started researching this part of the trip as we will be doing it with our friends. What we have determined so far is that we all have agreed to go with a smaller ship, approx. 60-75 people. We think we will do the Juneau to Ketchikan route, late May, then fly (?) to possibly Seattle and collect a motorhome and just start driving.

Our reasons for Seattle are, we've never been and its absolutely on our list of must see destinations and it appears much cheaper to hire the M/home in the US (still looking into if this is possible). Our friends will probably do the same but not as long. We are well travelled and love the freedom of driving. We've really thought about the train trip on the Rocky Mountaineer but it appears we can drive much the same route, taking our own time, for a fraction of the cost. We all agree that we would rather use that money, doing the best cruise we can afford.

So the map is out and I'd love to hear your must see, shouldn't miss or just your favourite place in Canada. There are of course the main city's that we will visit but our interests are more nature orientated, views, walks, photo ops, OH and FOOD we love trying local foods.

So there you have it......let the planning begin.

Ps. we have done the US quite a bit but our only visit to Canada was Niagara Falls and once when we were driving in Maine, we crossed the border.........just 'cause.

amer_can

What a WOW factor you have in store for you. Research the motorhome coming into Canada and where to drop it off assuming you are driving west to east if there are extra charges. Do you plan to drive all the way across Canada or drop down into the states for the flat prairie area. I have driven both ways and find that Montana, No. Dakota are a litle more interesting than eastern Alberta/Saskatchewan. Gas is cheaper also. Vanc. is a must as is Seattle. The Okanagon, the Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park in Montana ( but can't take the motorhome on Going to the Sun road..must leave it and take a bus but worth it). Oh there is so much and half the fun is planning!! Get to it!!

aussiedreamer

Thanks so much....heard back from the motor home rental agency and yes we can take it into Canada. Phew
And today we 'discovered' the ice field parkway....woh! I like your suggestion of N Dakota, we've covered a lot of the states but not this area and I'd love to visit.

Thank you again.

Aramis

you should travel through BC to Jasper-the RM route, roughly, and then drive south on the Icefields Parkway to Banff and Kananaskis and on to Calgary. from there I would head to Drumheller and the Badlands for its fascinating prehistoric history and scenery.
After that, Grasslands provincial park in SW Saskatchewan is wonderful rolling grassland country.

more suggestions depend on where you will end up. Back in Seattle or will you drop the RV somewhere in the central or eastern US?

amer_can

If you drive from Seattle north to Vanc. (tough traffic etc) then on either #1 or #3 through the mountians to Calgary east to Med. Hat so. to Wildhorse border crossing, east on #2 to Wolfpointe so. to Glendive and pick up the interstate and head east through Teddy Roosevelt N.P.. You will see some ofthe old west on this route and not so much of the seemingly endless wheat fields. there are 2 route so. to Glendive, one on the west side of Fort Peck Dam which is interesting or the one on the east. #3 in Canada, #2 in Montana are slower going as they are not 4 lane but do have left turn lanes and passing lanes. If you want to make better time from
Calgary go so. picking up #15 at the border in Coutts/Sweetgrass then so. to interstate #90 then east again. OMG there are so many ways to go..Will you drive across the continent then back or just one way??..This will impact your routing..Go one way come back another..I could write a book on these roads..Keep the questions, plans , dreams coming and we all can give great input..but the ideas/comments will be personal and you have to decide. I am not envious of this chore. You might like to know that each state/province has their own map in more detail than the big No. Amer. one. You can get them at you equivalant of AAA (I think)Anyhow away you go on your quest for adventure!!!

aussiedreamer

You guys are great, at this stage <I><b><U><red>probably</i></b></u></red> back to Seattle but will negotiate this with return flights and one way drop off fees. Your suggestions are amazing.........I will have SO many questions in the next 12months.

We're looking at doing the cruise first, there are some around the 20th May, then start our drive. I imagine with a few days in Seattle and Vancouver it will be mid to late June when we head towards the Ice Fields Parkway.......I'm going to guess that driving conditions should be just fine by then?

Carrabella

We fellow Aussies have had two 3 month driving trips in Canada, and a few shorter trips as well - what a treat in store you have! We've always booked hotels ahead, though our very first trip many years ago, was youth hostelling and camping! I would think camping grounds in June would be very busy, and you would need to book ahead for those too.

Starting off, get all the travel books from the library you can, and continue on this wonderful forum. The east coast of Canada is beautiful too, and there is so much to see. Happy planning!

amer_can

60 plus years and have not seen all the wonderful areas. But the poster has to start somewhere and aussie poster (Carrabella) come on back!!

arjaykay

I honestly believe you don't have enough time to do a round trip - unless viewing Canada out of your windshield is what you call sightseeing. Remember that part of your 2 months is taken up with Alaska so you don't actually have 2 months for Canada. In the time left, you can stop here & there to get a sense of whatever place it is you find yourselves enjoying.
If you must do a round trip, then I suggest that to get the sense of the vastness of our country, stay on the #1 while you're fresh & heading east. Return via the southern route & check out American sights like the Badlands,Little Big Horn & Glacier Park

Above all, have fun!

aussiedreamer

Lots of planning and research has been done, with still lots to do. Thoughts/suggestions so far would be appreciated.

Do the 7 night Alaskan Cruise with Silver Seas/Silver Shadow, departing May 14 or 28, Vancouver to Seward. We will then catch the train to Anchorage (inc in cruise price) and stay for two nights (?) to give us a full day in Anchorage.

Then hire a car to drive the 4 hours aprox to Denali. The reason for the drive is to take the full day to get there stopping along the way for photos, sight seeing etc. Three nights in a Wilderness Lodge (suggestions of a really nice one?)to have two full days in the park. Drive back to Anchorage for a flight to Seattle.

Few days in Seattle, collect motor homes/RV's and if we haven't spent time in Vancouver pre-cruise we will make that our first stop. Then roughly in this order, duration of stops to be decided...........

Whistler, Kamloops, Jasper, Banff (via the icefields parkway) Calgary.

After Calgary our traveling buddies may leave us here and head back to Seattle and fly to another US destination (first visit for them) for flight home.

We are thinking of 'dropping' down in the US after Calgary, spend time driving to Rapid City/Mt Rushmore, then onto Yellow Stone NP then back to Seattle.

Still in the very early planning stages for 2015, we will have 2 months maybe 2.5. I know to some it will seem like a lot of driving but we are very experienced and us Aussies don't mind a drive. Remember for us every view is a new one.
AD.

dottyp

And as a Kiwi who has travelled around Aussie, you get used to driving long distances to visit an area!

We were in Calgary, Jasper, Banff, Vancouver and Vancouver Island last September/October and just loved it. Admittedly we didn't drive but instead took tours to see the sights. As we are not skiers we were disappointed in the tour to Whistler. Granted the weather was damp, but there wasn't much to do if you were not a "snow bunny".
Depending on what you are interested in I think no more than 4 nights/3 full days in Jasper would be enough, as many as you can for Banff (guess which place I really liked and felt comfortable in!), and at least a week in Vancouver. There are some interesting places around Calgary that we didn't have the time to get to, such as the Dinosaur Park, but would visit if we were lucky enough to return. Have you been on the Vancouver Tourism site www.hellobc.com for some ideas? Can we join you, please??????

aussiedreamer

Thanks for the link dottyp........sure come along. ;-)

aroadtripping

we're on our own Canadian roadtrip at the moment and I can't recommend it highly enough. There are so many amazing places to see and Canadians are awesome people. If your after some great walks/hikes you'll love the trip around Lake Superior. Lake Superior Provincial park/Sleep Giant provincial park are beautiful and must-sees. Also some great wildlife spotting.

Canmore, Banff and surrounding areas having some great hikes/outdoor adventures to be had. Johnston Canyon is a great day trip. Definitely checkout the ice fields parkway and Jasper as well.

We just got back from Kamloops, not that much they're to do. Checkout the local ice hockey team play which is a bit of fun.

If your into food, they're some awesome coffee in Calgary... check out Phil&Seb. Also Market Restaurant for an awesome lunch, we loved it!

I haven't been to Vancouver yet, but heard its a great place to get a good cuppa coffee and has a great vibe, Vancouver Island & Gwaii Haanas National Park is apparently amazing... stunning views & hikes.

We've started a blog about our roadtrip, www.canadaroadtripping.com with some other great little side trips along the way. Feel free to email me with any questions. You guys will have such an awesome time!!

teamflames

hi guys - i know this is an old thread but we are an aussie couple looking on advice for long road trips in canada - we are looking at doing 3-4 months. Those of you on this thread who mentioned you have done this could you tell us in more detail whether you rented or bought? what type of vehicle etc
many many thanks
James

janisj

Welcome to Fodors. You have topped two old threads -- it is generally better to start a new thread of your own with your own specific questions because often folks won't notice the dates and continue responding to the OP/original poster.