Extra four to seven days, what to do???
 

I have booked a tour from Calgary to Vancouver 13-27 September and I have the possibility of flying north up to a week before the tour commences in Calgary. At this stage I'm not entirely sure what to do with the time as I could literally stop anywhere between Australia and Canada for those days. Thoughts so far include:

1. Arrive in Calgary earlier and go to banff - mountain bike, hike, look around for 4-7 days (our tour only stops one night in banff before heading through the national park).

2. Fly to New York and check it out, maybe see Niagara Falls too

3. Fly into Vancouver and do something around there (I've got a couple of nights on Vancouver Island as part of the tour). Inside passage????

4. Fly to Hawaii and catch some sun...

I've been to California plenty of times but never canada or northeast USA / Hawaii. I know this seems like some really different options but they are all viable. At this stage I'm thinking more of Canada but I really don't know. I love mountains, lakes, natural scenery, maybe some mountain biking - note I'm a single female 30 something traveller so I also want to feel safe.

Cheers for any ideas...

Option #1 gets my vote. 1 night in Banff is NOT enough time.

Choice 1... Save the East for another trip and do a thorough tour of Banff...

Choice 1.

With one night in Banff you will barely see anything. Rent a car and take the time to see Banff NP, explore around Canmore and Kananaskis. You can get inexpensive housing in hostels, check out some of the best mountain biking areas in Canada and do as many hikes as you would like. Gorgeous time of year and it will not be crowded!

I wouldn't worry about being a lone woman - I've had great experiences throughout the parks and never felt unsafe. I'd stay in the hostels - they attract a wide range of ages, have some activities, provide a place to meet hiking partners and you can get a private room if you want.

Young, single? Stay in Banff. Amazing scenery, bars, places to eat,shop, stay, the lake etc. Hot springs pool at the Banff is open to public( for a small fee) and while we were staying in town, we went there after a day of biking. Mineral water was amazing to soothe muscles.http://zoomjer.com/bacon/bacon-blog/...of-activities/

Awesome thanks everyone for your replies. Option one it is...now to investigate further...

Looking at hostels and there are a few of them. Would anyone be able to recommend the best hostel / or two? Location? Will be getting single room...

It is unrealistic, physically and financially, to think of a quick trip to the east. Calgary is worth a few days and you have good advice about Banff. I promote, as a special interest, a drive to Drumheller, northeast of Calgary and the centre for some of the world's great archaeological dinosaur digs. Here is a sample of the attractions: http://www.drumheller.worldweb.com/S...tions/Museums/