rjbriskin

My husband and I , ages 49 and 54, will be spending 5 days in Sonoma, California at the wineries. We are traveling in September and want to go either before or after to another destination where we could sightsee, relax and go to nice hotels and restaurants for 5 more days. We were thinking about the Canadian Rockies or the Vancouver area. We welcome suggestions as to which place to go to and ideas of what to do in that location.

tomfuller

Are you driving your own vehicle or flying and renting a vehicle or taking the train and renting a vehicle?
You could save a days travel by coming to Oregon and/or Washington.
Any interest in Yosemite or Crater Lake?

qwovadis

Fly cheaply into Spokane carrentals.com

up to the Okanagan RevelStoke Banff Lake Louise

area perfect journey for me have done it.

Emerald green lakes ice fields wildlife

Even the Okopogo the Loch Ness monster of Canada.

Managed to outswim him when I swam the whole lake

in the Canadian Ironman pretty cold but did not get eaten.

Came out pretty purple though chilly water but beautiful.

Fairmont Banff Springs Chateau Lake Lousie awesome there

Otel.com good deals facebook discounts cash back also now

Happy Journey,

rjbriskin

Thanks for all your replys. We will be flying and then probably rent a car if that is easier. We will definately look into the Fairmont on Lake Louise. We just need to know whre else to go or should we spend the entire 5 days at Lake Louise???

tomfuller

Spend at least 1 night in Jasper and hike in Maligne Canyon.
Peyto Lake just made the list as one of the 12 most beautiful lakes in the world (#2). Number 1 was Crater Lake.
The Icefield Highway is very scenic.

rjbriskin

Thanks tomfuller. I will definately look into those. Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

LindainOhio

It seems a shame to only spend 5 days in the Canadian Rockies--with a day of travel to get there, would you only end up with 4 days?

Perhaps Vancouver would be better since you have such a short time.

It seems like there would be so many wonderful places to visit near Sonoma that you wouldn't have to hassle with another flight. What about Yosemite and San Francisco? Maybe you live in California--or maybe these are just the places I would enjoy for 5 days.

I love the Canadian Rockies and there are several luxury hotels--the Fairmonts in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper, the Post Hotel in LL, Emerald Lake Lodge, Moraine Lake Lodge. You would fly into Calgary and then drive a couple hours to your lodging. For me, a week is barely enough time to visit here--even if you are not hikers.

rjbriskin

Lindainohio- We don't live in California but we have visited Yosemite and San Francisco that I thought it would nice to go somewhere that we have not been. Is there enough to do in Vancouver over the Canadian Rockies??? Where do you recommend that we stay and ideas of things to do in Vancouver?

krp329

The Canadian Rockies national parks (Banff, Jasper etc.) are 8 to 12 hours of driving from Vancouver. With only five days, I would suggest flying in to Calgary, which is only a little over an hour's drive away from Banff.

If you choose Vancouver, you could always make a side trip to Victoria, on Vancouver Island, or go up to Whistler.

Carmanah

From my understanding, you're wondering if there's enough to see and do in Vancouver to warrant spending 4 days there, and the answer is definitely yes... especially if you love experiencing the local dining culture. 3 days is often the minimum amount of time I recommend for first-time visitors to Vancouver, and after that you can start planning day trips or half day trips to the outlying areas, of which there are dozens (Whistler, Bowen Island, the Fraser Valley, Steveston, Harrison Hot Springs, etc.)

The Rockies, in my opinion, are more about the nature and the scenery, less about the infrastructure, and less about restaurants. It's dramatic scenery, and that should be the reason for going there.

Vancouver has a different type of dramatic scenery - the mountains right up against the skyline and the sea. You've got a blend of both worlds - gorgeous scenery, and a cosmopolitan urban culture with an excellent culinary scene.

September is an excellent time to visit in both areas. September's one of the sunniest, driest months to visit the otherwise rainy Vancouver.

rjbriskin

Carmanah- We now have decided to go to Vancouver from Sonoma CA. Where do you recommend that we stay? Should we change hotels to go to different areas or just stay in one hotel? What sites/activities should we do? Any restauramt recommendations?

glitzy40

If you are a nature lover you will love the Vancouver area. We are taking a southbound Alaskan cruise in September and will be staying an extra 3 days. The Sea to Sky Highway up to Whistler is a wonderful drive. There are several places to stop along the way for short/easy trails to waterfalls. Check out a travel book for the location of various stops on your way to Whistler. We are thinking about spending the night at one of the nice resorts up in Whistler-great prices for this off season!

In North Vancouver there is Grouse Mountain and Lynn Canyon. We love Lynn Canyon-beautiful trails, waterfalls and it's free! It even has a suspension bridge to cross.

There is plenty to do in Vancouver. Try priceline for a great price on a 4 star hotel in the downtown are and make sure you check out Stanley Park.

I am also checking out a trip to Vancouver Island when I stumbled upon your post.

Have a great trip-Sonoma is wonderful too! We have friends that live there and they treated us to a drive to the coast one day....it was beautiful!

rjbriskin

glitzy40- Thanks for your recommendations. If you find out anything interesting on Vancouver Island let me know!!! We have been to Sonoma before and it is beautiful.I will check out Stanley Park. Right now I have booked Pan Pacific in Vancouver. Do you have any opinions on that hotel?