Sue54

My husband and I are planning a trip to Calgary and Banff area in August for 4 nights . We'll fly in and out of Calgary and rent a car. We'd like to stay in the Fairmont Lake Louise for at least two nights and spend our last night in Calgary. We are both active people. Some areas of interest are: easy hiking, scenic drives, scenic train rides, all kinds of food, botanical gardens, biking, walking and just relaxing in a beautiful setting. We'd like to make the most of our short visit without turning it into an endurance event. We prefer not to change hotels every night.

Any suggestions for "must-sees"? Would 2 nights at the Fairmont Lake Louise be too long? Is Calgary an easy city to navigate by car? Should we stay in Banff and skip the overnight in Calgary?

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

dottyp

Hi, Sue54,

I've copied some website addresses for you to peruse, if you haven't already!

We are visiting the same area in late September, staying one night in Calgary, 2 nights in Jasper, and 5 nights in Banff. I did a lot of research first before determining how long and where we would stay. Curses though, I didn't allow for enough time in Calgary, and by the time I realised that, it was too late to change plans as our time was defined by our Rocky Mountaineer booking.
We have a trip booked in Jasper, and 3 booked for Banff, one of which includes Lake Louise. We will not be driving, so at least you will have the freedom of time and places to go.

http://www.banfftours.com/banff-activities-and-tours
http://www.experienceouralberta.com/page2.html
http://www.canadianrockies.net/

Good luck with your planning.
We are really looking forward to visiting Canada, and just wish we had longer to do so.

amer_can

Sue54..You might consider joining the Fairmont Presidents Club and see what you can come up with as to doscounts at the Lk. L. Fairmiont and the Palliser in Calgary. We have received outstanding deals on different occasions. Having said that you are coming at the height of tourist season in August.
dottyp..the same goes for you and you might be in luck in Sept.

dottyp

Hi, amer_can,

Thanks for the tip, but we've already booked accommodation for this trip. Will pass it on to those we know travelling in this area, and file it away in case we are able to return.
Dot

Sue54

I will definitely check into the Fairmont President's Club as we have been to the Fairmont in Seattle and we are always looking for deals.

The links from dottyp will be very helpful. I briefly scanned the sites and I think we will do the bus tour of Lake Louise and stops in Banff for lunch.

Thanks everyone for responses and I'll keep watching or more suggestions.

LindainOhio

You don't mention when your flight arrives but with such a short time, I would skip Calgary. Here are some ideas

Day 1: Pick up car and head to Banff. Have lunch, tour the town, stop at the Banff Springs Hotel and then head to Lake Louise, taking the Bow Valley Parkway. Check into your hotel, take a walk along the lakeshore path or if you want a longer hike, head to the Lake Agnes Teahouse. Dinner.

Day 2: Drive over to Moraine Lake (my dream would be to stay at this lodge rather than Chateau Lake Louise but I have never stayed at either). Walk to the top of the rockpile, maybe take the very easy hike out to Consolation Lakes. Drive out to Emerald Lake Lodge(did stay here and loved it) for lunch, walk around a bit head back to Lake Louise stopping at Takkakaw(sp)Falls.

Day 3: Drive the Icefields Parkway. Pick up lunch at the deli(Laggans or the Trailhead Cafe) Do this drive on the first clear day you have in Lake Louise. The views along the drive are spectacular. Lots of places to stop along the way--everyone stops at Peyto Lake. Drive as far as you want and then drive back. Some people drive to the Columbia Icefields Center before heading back. I would spend this last night in Banff or Lake Louise unless you have a very early flight home.

This is a beautiful area. You will wish you could stay longer.

Sue54

Thanks so much for the detailed itinerary. If you think of anything else, please send on....This is our 40th wedding anniversary trip so we're going all out with the accomodations.

Our flight gets in before noon in Calgary.

Rimwall

Sue54,
I think LindainOhio gave you a very good itinerary with regard to your short time (if ever possible I'd strongly suggest you extend your stay to at least 7 nights or more, similar to dottyp's).
Since you mentioned you both are active people and like hiking, one thing I'd recommend is to hike Lake O`Hara, which in my view is THE most beautiful place in the whole Canadian Rockies, and is only 12 km away from Lake Louise. Plus early and mid August are the best time to visit it.
Following URLs provide more info about it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_O%27Hara
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho/activ/ohara/a.aspx

LindainOhio

Here's my trip report from an earlier trip. Maybe it will help you.

http://www.fodors.com/community/cana...-report.cfm?23