Vancouver & Rockies
 

hi Im travelling myself from Scotland for 2 weeks from 14th July. It is my 'dream trip'. Have booked sea-kayaking with Orca & will also be driving through Rockies. Will be spending first couple nights in Vancouver. Anyone know of a friendly restaurant/pub where there is a welcome especially when you are travelling alone? Will also stop in Kanloops, up at Wells Gray Park, Jasper & Banff. If anyone knows of good places there, & just general hints for travelling alone, Id really appreciate it :)

Vancouver's a pretty big city and there are friendly pubs all over. Some are "meet markets' and some are just clubby types while others are definately places you don't want to go. So obviously it's important to know where you're staying in Vancouver and what type of atmosphere you're looking for before recomending a place to go to even if you have a car.

Kamnloops is loaded with Hotels & Motels. If you're just looking for a bed for the night I reccomend the Thriftlodge on the East Trans Canada Highway where a single room with continental breakfast will cost less than $55. If you're looking for action then there are a whole range of places downtown where there are lots of pubs and a large Casino. But even an economy place will run about $90 and up.

Wells Gray is pretty basic so I would guess you're camping and/or canoing there. Jasper is well developed but much smaller than Banff. Accomodation in both places are very expensive. In Banff you can save money by staying just outside the park gates in Canmore but there's no equivilant for Jasper.

Of course I'm assuming you're on a budget but if you're not expect to pay at least $125 and up for a single in Banff and $150 in Jasper.

I'm not sure whether you're Male or Female but if you're the latter then just use the same common sence you would at home and use good instincts in the pubs. Most bad things happen to women when they hitchhike. If you're male then just don't flash a lot of money in the wrong places and again, use common sence and instincts when it comes to 'palling up' with strangers. Canada is a relatively safe and friendly country but shit happens and tourists traveling alone are often seen as easy marks.

I don't know of amny spots in Banff, but the Atha-B oub, in the Athabasca Hotel in Jasper, attracts a lot of young people (by "young" I am referring to 20-ish to 30-ish). Accomodations in Jasper and Banff are pricey and hard to find in peak season, which is July and August; however, Jasper has a lot of "approved accomodations" which are rooms or suites in private homes that are rented out.
When driving through the Rockies, bear in mind that the road conditions can change drastically for the worse if there is a rainstorm. Obey all speed limits, pay attention to the warning signs, and above all else, drive on the RIGHT side of the road. ;-p
Enjoy the trip - Canada is a beautiful country and we love to share its delights with visitors.

thanks for replies & ideas! I am female, so as you say, its wise to use common sense! Really looking forward to my trip!

in clearwater (by wells grey) we stayed at the jasper way inn. it was pretty inexpensive, deck overlooking dutch lake, public beach right beside it. it was a very nice view. clean and basic motel. it's about a 45 minute drive to the park.