teacherD

We are looking into some escorted tours for land and rail to the Canadian Rockies for next spring or summer. Prices really vary and we are not familiar with some of the tour companies. Has anyone used Collette Vacations for an escorted tour to Canada or somewhere else? How would you rate them and the hotels/meals that were included? I know that cruise lines vary in price and service. Where would you place Collette...low, average or high? Thanks in advance.

teacherD

ttt
Since no one seems familiar with Collette, can anyone suggest a good escorted tour company for a land/rail trip to the Canadian Rockies?

pollyvw

I have traveled with Collette but not to the Canadian Rockies. Collette is an excellent tour group with knowledgeable, well-informed and personable guides. They make it a true pleasure to sit back, enjoy and learn while you travel.

That said, I will tell you what our travel agent told us about Collette in reference to Tauck (with whom I have also traveled and I can attest to what she said). The two groups take their travelers along almost the same routes and the sites included on many tours are precisely the same. BUT...there are differences (as noted by the difference in price). They might not be important to you but you will pay more for the additional ammenities Tauck provides.

Tauck includes more meals, usually all breakfasts, lunches and dinners except on the days when you stay in one location more than one overnight they do not provide lunch. On those days, you choose your own adventures for the day so the rationale is that you might not be 'on site' to participate in lunch at the hotel. (Collette has the same policy regarding stays of more than one day). Collette does NOT include lunches while you are on the road; Tauck does.

Also, Tauck lodging is just a 'tad' above what Collette provides. Often they stay in the same places (not so with Canadian Rockies), but Tauck travelers benefit from slightly more alete rooms. For instance, at Grand Canyon North Rim, Tauck tourist stayed in lodges RIGHT on the rim, we with Collette stayed in cabins one row removed from the rim.

When I was planning my Canadian Rockies trip, the lodging difference was important enough for me to committ to Tauck, who offered accommodations at the Fairmont Lodges (Jasper Park, Banff Springs & Lake Louise).

If lodging in those places is not important, I am sure you will be thrilled with your Collette tour. I loved our experience with them in the Western US National Parks; my sis in law just got back from a wonderful tour with them in the Greek Islands; and I will definitely travel with them again.

Hope this helps.

pollyvw

Woops...forgot to add regarding meals with Collette: They also do not provide dinner for the locations where you stay in the same place more than one night.

SallyCanuck

What are your plans in the Rockies?

A cousin and I took the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff, booked a hotel on our own, and just did day trips out of Banff - there are all sorts of tour companies.

After Banff, we took the bus to Calgary - had friends to stay with there. We flew home to our respective cities from Calgary.

Have you thought of doing the planning yourself? You could fly to Calgary, bus or rent a car to Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper. Then your time is your own; I've done guided tours and I did enjoy them but your have to be up at the crack of dawn most days.

The cousin was from England and loved it.

teacherD

Sorry it took me so long to get back...hard drive on my computer had to be replaced! The Collette tour we're looking at includes the Fairmont hotels in Lake Louise and Banff but we are in the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harborside in Vancouver and the Sawridge Hotel in Jasper and end up in Calgary at the Westin. Any comments on these hotels?

We thought that driving ourselves would mean that my husband as the primary driver would not be relaxed or able to "enjoy" the scenery. We don't know if the drive through the Rockies is anything like some drives we had in other mountains where the driver was afraid to not keep his eyes "glued" to the road for fear of an accident. Is that how it would be?

valtor

In June 2004 we were with Tauck in Canadian Rockies. It was a great tour. Every thung was perfect - the guide, the hotels (all Fairmont, and the best room there - for instance, at Lake Louise - only rooms with lake view). The driver, the car, the restaurants (all meals included, and you eat at what hour do you want, alone or with who you want and order what you want from the list).
The group was composed from very nice persons. I recommend you this tour, it was not too expensive for what they offer. Please check their web site www.tauck.com.

pollyvw

Driving in these mountains will not be like driving 'where the driver was afraid to not keep his eyes "glued" to the road for fear of an accident.' This drive is not what my husband calls a 'white knuckles on the arm-rest' drive. The scenery is spectacular, but the 'drop-offs' are not memorable to me and there are plentiful spots to pull over so even the driver gets to enjoy the views. I am referring specifically to The Icefields Parkway as I have no knowledge of the roads between Vancouver and the Rockies area.

SallyCanuck

If you take the train from Vancouver to Banff or Jasper, you can take day trip bus tours during the day - there are many choices including the Icefield Parkway. They drop you off in town; in Banff you can walk everywhere for meals. Just the walk on Banff's main street with the mountain and the end of it is spectacular. You really can do it without a car.

teacherD

Thanks for the additional info.re: visiting this beautiful area.
Any comments about the possible hotels included in the Collette tour?

pollyvw

Check the Collette site for the hotels they use; then come back here and inquire as to whether any are familiar with them.

teacherD

Earlier in this thread I did ask about these specific hotels:
" We would be in the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harborside in Vancouver and the Sawridge Hotel in Jasper and end up in Calgary at the Westin. Any comments on these hotels?"

Also in the Red Leaf service on the train...are the meals like airline food, i.e. mainly cold and pre-packaged?.

pollyvw

We stayed at the Westin the night before joining the Tauck tour. It is a very nice hotel and very close to Eau Claire Market (an enclosed shopping mall which we did not enter) and numerous varied-fare restaurants. We enjoyed our evening there. You will have a LITTLE hike to get to the 'plus 15' (an elevated walkway) to access the main part of town. Judy from Calgary can tell you all about that and other things to do while in Calgary. Her suggestions made our day and half there most memorable.

SallyCanuck

The meals are not at all like airline food - we were in Gold service which meant you went to a dining car - Red Leaf service is at your seat, very roomy seats, I might add - we were happy with the meals and choices - there are also warm cookies and refreshments anytime you want them. And wonderful commentary throughout the entire trip - which is only in daylight hours.

The hotel you stop at has a pool should you want to have a swim.

I've not stayed at the Fairmont Lake Louise but have stayed at the Banff location and bused it to Lake Louise.

At Lake Louise you can hike to the tea room with even better views over the mountains but the hike isn't for anyone. If you do it, wear good sturdy shoes and take water; some people act like it's a walk in the park and it isn't.