Judy

Our current thinking is to spend about two weeks in August in Western Canada. Should we fly into Vancouver and then drive to Calgary? Or should we fly into Calgary and then drive to Vancouver. Are two weeks enough to see the interesting places in both provinces? Where should we stop along the way between Vancouver and Calgary. <BR>Is Fodor's a good guide book for Canada? <BR> <BR>

Paul

I'd definitely recommend Victoria, if you're going to Vancouver. Way prettier and lots of stuff to see and do.

April

I would not miss the Banff-Jasper region above all else. Therefore I'd start in Calgary so as to not run out of time in the Rockies. <BR>

bross

I agree start in Calgary. Tour the Rockies and drive to Vancouver. If you want to stop between Calgary and Vancouver stop in the Shuswap or the Okanagan If you are planning a trip the first Monday in August ( it is a long holiday weekend here) The busiest tourist weekend of the year. Make reservations or stay put that weekend. Shuswap or the Okanagan hot summer weather is a for sure. Nice beaches. I am not sure about Fodors for Canada I have never read the book. Vancouer is my hometown. not living there now. Lots to see and do in Vancouver. If you get a chance I agree Victoria is fabulous. <BR>Enjoy!

BobbyB

Try to work in a trip to the Columbia/Windermere Valley. It is one of the most scenic areas in Canada. You drive from Banff through the Banff/Kooteney National parks to get there. It is a pretty leisurely very scenic drive from Banff to Windermere/Invermere.

Bob Brown

Hi Judy. My traveling companion and I have visited Western Canada many times in the last 12 years. Since 1987 we have made 7 trips, with our 8th coming up in August. A lot of where you fly to depends on your ability to find a bargain fare. We have flown into Calgary, Seattle, Great Falls Montana and Kalispell, Montana. This year we got a good fare on Air Canada into Calgary via Toronto. Living in Georgia, we essentially have two choices: drive to Atlanta and fly from there to a variety of places, or take the puddle jumper to Charlotte and fly USAir to Seattle. If you can swing the airfare, my suggestion would be to fly open jawed your home to Calgary and return from Vancouver. (Or vice versa, depending on schedules and prices.) <BR> <BR>You could easily spend the two weeks in the Canadian Rockies. Trying to see the Rockies and Vancouver and Victoria will mean sampling the best of it and noting places to visit again. The drive from Banff to Vancouver is an all-day affair if you do nothing but drive. There is so much to see in between that it would be a shame to take a grind it out approach. If you are interested, I can make several suggestions that might be lengthy. You can read some of my earlier posts on this subject by searching on Canadian Rockies as a topic, I think. <BR> <BR>

lisa

I did this trip a couple of years ago, bought several guidebooks and found Frommer's to be the best -- much more reliable and useful than Fodors (which I have found to be true on other trips as well). Don't miss Banff, Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, and the Icefields tour! Overall I was not as fond of Jasper as I was of the area in and around Banff but the drive between the two is gorgeous. Make frequent stops, get out of the car and hike as much as possible to really see the area. I flew in and out of Calgary. There is so much to see in the area! Given your limited time I would recommend using Calgary as a point of arrival/departure only and not spending much time there -- it is a short drive to Banff and your time will be much better spent outside of Calgary.