Day 1 - Arrive in Edmonton
Upon arrival at the Edmonton Airport you will be transferred by private sedan to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Moderate: Overnight Fantasyland Hotel – Superior Room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Hotel MacDonald - Fairmont Room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Hotel MacDonald - Deluxe View Room
Day 2 – Edmonton City Tour
Enjoy this half day tour featuring Edmonton's cultural and heritage sites. Visit the prominent neighborhoods of Historic Glenora and Old Strathcona. Explore downtown Edmonton, its ethnic communities, the Alberta Legislative Building, the University of Alberta and the scenic North Saskatchewan River valley.
After your tour, you may wish to explore the West Edmonton Mall, the world's largest shopping/attraction complex, offering over 800 stores and services. Visit the Las Vegas style Palace Casino, skate at the Ice Palace, play miniature golf at Professor WEM's Adventure Golf, take a submarine ride at the Deep Sea Adventure, or see marine life at the Sea Life Caverns and Sea Trek. Included in your package is the West Edmonton Mall 'Passport of Savings' coupon book, which entitles you to savings at West Edmonton Mall stores, services, entertainment & attractions.
Moderate: Overnight Fantasyland Hotel – Superior Room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Hotel MacDonald - Fairmont Room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Hotel MacDonald - Deluxe View Room
Day 3 – VIA Rail - Edmonton to Jasper
This morning, transfer by private sedan to the Edmonton train station and board VIA Rail for your rail journey to the mountain village of Jasper. Travel through the picturesque country of central Alberta, into the foothills and the Rocky Mountains. Experience the Canadian Rockies by train and enjoy the exhilarating winter wonderland that is Jasper National Park. Upon arrival at the Jasper Train station, transfer (on own) to your hotel.
Moderate: Overnight Sawridge Hotel
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Lakeview Junior Suite
Day 4 – Maligne Canyon Watchable Wildlife Tour
Come and enjoy the beauty of the striking Maligne Valley in winter. The tour includes a short walk around the top of Maligne Canyon, then a scenic drive up the valley past the mysterious disappearing Medicine Lake to Maligne Lake. The wildlife in winter can include moose, caribou, bull elk, big horn sheep, wolves, coyotes and more!
Moderate: Overnight Sawridge Hotel
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Lakeview Junior Suite
Day 5 – VIA Rail - Jasper to Vancouver
Morning at leisure. In the late afternoon, you will transfer (on own) to the Jasper train station. Here you will board VIA Rail's 'Canadian' train. Enjoy private bedroom accommodation, meals in the private dining car and relax in the 'Silver & Blue Lounge' or Dome car. You will depart Jasper National Park. You will pass Mt. Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, and you will see glaciers, snow covered mountain peaks and forests.
Moderate: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Superior: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Deluxe: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Day 6 – Arrive Vancouver / Vancouver City & Capilano Suspension Bridge Tour
In the early morning the train will arrive in Vancouver. Upon arrival in Vancouver, you will transfer by private sedan to your hotel. At the hotel, you will store your luggage with the bell desk and depart on a 5.5 hour tour while you wait for your hotel check-in time. This morning depart on a city tour of Vancouver & the Capilano Suspension Bridge. You will see Stanley Park, Gastown, Robson Street, English Bay, Queen Elizabeth Park and Granville Island. From Stanley Park, you will travel across the Lions Gate Bridge to North Vancouver. Swing 230 feet above the Capilano River as you cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge. You will swing 230 feet above the Capilano River as you cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge. You will also experience the new Tree Top Adventure, Treetops offers visitors a squirrel's eye view of a thriving coastal forest, as they venture from one magnificent Douglas fir tree to another via a series of elevated suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 100 feet above the forest floor. In the late afternoon, you will return to your hotel.
Moderate: Overnight Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Vancouver (includes buffet breakfast)
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Waterfront Centre - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Waterfront Centre Hotel - Fairmont Gold Harbourview (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 7 – Victoria & Butchart Gardens Day Tour
This morning, your tour takes you across to Vancouver Island aboard a large & comfortable BC Ferry for a spectacular 90 minute cruise through the Gulf Islands 'marine wonderland'. Upon arrival Vancouver Island (Swartz Bay), the tour will continue on to the world-renown Butchart Gardens with their 50-acre display. In winter the bare bones of The Gardens show the shape of things to come, with the gentle variance of texture and colour of the broad-leafed evergreens and conifers, the berried trees and shrubs. Hints of spring come from early pansies and English daisies, polyanthus and primroses. The bright red of holly berries and pink blooms of heather are a welcome contrast to the grey of a winter day. You'll enjoy some free time in the Butchart Gardens, then it's off to Victoria, BC's Capital City for a city tour. Highlights include Beacon Hill Park, Chinatown, Empress Hotel and the Parliament Buildings. Return to Vancouver at approximately 10:00 pm.
Note: From December 1, 2008 to January 7, 2009 Butchart Gardens celebrates Christmas at the Gardens. The Gardens dress up for Christmas in glorious style. They are transformed by a remarkable display of thousands of twinkling lights and seasonal decorations. Miles of fresh evergreen swags and wreaths, holly and ivy and winter berries adorn the walkways and lamp posts. Traditional holiday music adds to the magic.
Moderate: Overnight Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Vancouver (includes buffet breakfast)
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Waterfront Centre - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Waterfront Centre Hotel - Fairmont Gold Harbourview (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 8 – Depart Vancouver
Today you will transfer by private sedan from your hotel to the Vancouver International Airport in time for your flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 6 nights hotel accommodation, room tax and any mandatory service charges
- 1 night bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail
- VIA Rail from Edmonton to Jasper in Comfort Class
- Edmonton City Tour
- West Edmonton Mall Passport of Savings coupon book. Entitles you to savings at West Edmonton Mall stores, services, entertainment & attractions
- Maligne Valley Wildlife Tour
- Vancouver City & Capilano Suspension Bridge Tour
- Victoria & Butchart Gardens Day Tour
- Transfer by private sedan between Edmonton Airport & hotel, hotel & Edmonton Train Station, Vancouver train station & hotel and hotel & Vancouver International Airport including all gratuities
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Gratuities not listed as included
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)