Hello. My wife, daughter (30yrs) and I are taking our first trip (2-3 weeks) to Canada this July (06) and, though we've travelled extensively in the USA, we know nothing of Canada. I have relatives whom we shall visit in Kelowna and Edmonton but, beyond those two 'must do' locations I don't know how to make the most of the opportunity. What are the locations that I should not miss and how long should we stay in each? We enjoy walking but not (serious)climbing Daughter does not travel well on boats and so Vancouver Island is not one we shall entertain. The plan, so far, is to fly in to Vancouver and out from Calgary. I enjoy driving and always seek out a good steak restaurant. Suggestions would be very welcome. Thanks.

Hello DavidBailey,

Maybe you could try something like this:

1 - Land in Vancouver

2, 3, 4 - Vancouver sightseeing

5 - Drive to Kelowna

6, 7 - Spend time with relatives and sight see in the Okanagan Valley around Kelowna

8 - Drive to Lake Louise (or Banff or Canmore)

9, 10 - Sight seeing in the LL / Banff / Canmore corridor. (An extra day here would be nice if you could afford the time.)

11 - Drive the Icefields Parkway to Jasper

12 - Jasper sight seeing. (Jasper could use a second day if you could afford the time.)

13 - Drive to Edmonton

14, 15 - Spend time with relatives and look around Edmonton. (Since you have relatives there, perhaps Edmonton deserves another day?)

16 - Drive to Calgary via Drumheller to see the dinosaur skeletons at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology. Overnight in Calgary.

17 - Look around Calgary.

18 - Fly home. Most UK-bound flights leave in the late afternoon / early evening, so you'd have time for some more sight seeing in the morning.

The best steakhouse in downtown Calgary is Hy's (but it's expensive). Outside of the downtown core, the best is Smuggler's Inn on Macleod Trail South. Moderately priced restaurants that have good steaks are Joey Tomato's and the Keg. These latter two restaurants are chains. Some people won't darken the doorway of a chain restaurant, but if you're looking for a decent meal at a fair price, these two chains deliver. Mind you, beef throughout Alberta is good. There are any number of restaurants around here at which you can find a good steak.

My web site has suggested itineraries and tips on weather, what to pack, national park entry fees, driving distances and times, sources of free maps and travel guides, etc.

http://groups.msn.com/CalgaryandCana...kiesTravelTips

Hope you have a good trip.

Say, I didn't know you had a website, Judy. When did that happen?

Hello April,

I created the site on May 31, 2004. But until recently I've felt too shy to mention it around here. It may be a stretch for you to believe I could be shy about anything, but there you have it. With all you experts around, I was afraid of getting egg on my face if anything on my web site was wrong.

I don't view my web site as a good resource for repeat visitors to the area. But I do think that for a first time visitor to Calgary, the Canadian Rockies, Vancouver and Victoria, it's a tool that can get someone up to speed with the logistics of travelling in this area.

Well, now that my site has been outed, so to speak, please do feel free to alert me to errors. I'll be happy to correct them. Also, if you have any ideas for additional content, please feel free to let me know. Unless I grossly disagree with your suggested content, I'll be happy to add it and to attribute it to you if you feel comfortable with that.

Another option, if we disagree with each other about your proposed content, is to include both suggestions with a notation to the effect that opinions differ.

An example I can think of, just off the top of my head, is which base is best for exploring Banff National Park in summer : Canmore, Banff townsite, Lake Louise or Field.

My web site is totally non-commercial. To preserve its neutrality, I deliberately have avoided recommending hotels or restaurants on the web site.

The time that I've devoted to creating and maintaing the web site has been donated for free. If anyone wants to contribute content, it would be done on the same basis as providing responses on this forum. It would be a voluntary service.

Oops, DavidBailey, sorry for hijacking your thread. Back to you now ......

But you're as expert as anybody, Judy! Good show.

The ferry to Vancouver island takes and hour and a half and it's damn near flat calm in June.

I get seasick too on small boats, but the ferry to the island is something else.

or does the slightest motion get her sick?

if she can take cars an dplanes she should be okay.

Yes...too bad about your daughter not being able to do the boat (and I agree about the ferry being dead-calm).

You'll be missing one of the very best parts of Canada.

It should also be noted that the ferry isn't just a boat, it's a massive ship that can contain hundreds upon hundreds of cars, trucks, motorhomes, moving trucks, etc, with several decks above featuring restaurants, cafes, viewing decks, gift shops, etc.

I tend to get nervous on small boats, however, I don't even think twice about the ferry - it doesn't even feel like a boat.