Day 1 – Arrive Calgary / Transfer to Banff
Upon arrival at the Calgary International Airport, you will travel by regular scheduled motor coach service to the mountain resort town of Banff. Surrounded with snow-frosted Rocky Mountain peaks, Banff awaits your arrival.
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont Gold View (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 2 - Discover Banff & Lake Louise Tour
The morning will be at leisure to enjoy the facilities at the hotel, go shopping, or just relax. This afternoon you will discover the natural heritage of Canada's oldest national park on this tour of the Banff & Lake Louise region. Build a connection to this World Heritage Site as you visit Banff's landmarks. Highlights include Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos Lookout. Your tour continues through wildlife corridors on the Bow Valley Parkway before arriving at Lake Louise. You will have time to walk and explore the shoreline of Lake Louise, the final destination of the tour, before returning to Banff.
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont Gold View (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 3 – Banff to Jasper Winter Tour / Welcome Dinner Reception
The tour from Banff will take you through some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in North America. Following the spine of the Canadian Rockies, view a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged snow covered peaks and over 100 glaciers. The entire day is spent in the majesty of Canada's two most famous National Parks, Banff and Jasper. Departing Banff you will head northwards on the Ice fields Parkway, one of the most scenic stretches of highway in North America. Stop for the photos at the Weeping Wall, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and the Crowfoot Glacier. Travel along the Ice field Parkway to Tangle Ridge and a stop is made at the Columbia Ice fields to view the Athabasca Glacier. From here, follow the Athabasca River to the frozen Athabasca Falls, where the waters of the river cascade to the valley floor. Upon arrival in Jasper, you will check into the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
Deep in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, on 1000 acres of pristine wilderness land, stands the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, all aglow for the holiday season. You will be surrounded by the sights, sounds and scents of Christmas and everything the seasonal spirit entails. Delight in the floor-to-ceiling Christmas trees garlanded in scarlet & sparkling lights and decorations of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The beauty and majesty of this area, combined with elegant surroundings and impeccable service, creates this grand Canadian Lodge experience. Enjoy a prelude to the inspirational treasures you will experience with the fabulous Stand-up Welcome Dinner Reception in the seasonally decorated Great Hall of the Lodge. (Dinner)
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – Deluxe room
Day 4 – “Christmas in November” Events
This morning enjoy breakfast at the Lodge. After breakfast, prepare to immerse yourself in a wide range of festive activities and fascinating demonstrations as you join your hostand The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for the 20th annual Christmas In November and explore all the sinful pleasures of the holiday season.
You will have an opportunity to interact with talented guest presenters including notable chefs, designers and decorators from across North America. In small, personalized groups you are privy to their techniques, suggestions, and to their best-kept secrets for dazzling guests during the holidays. Since the Yuletide in Canada is a celebration drawn from a wide variety of cultural influences, you are also welcome to introduce a few traditions of your own. The daily line-up provides ample time for socializing as well. In addition to workshops with florists, chefs and artists, and learning about fine wines, there is plenty of time-out to rejuvenate in the resort's luxurious spa. This evening enjoy a Reception and Dinner at the Lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Reception & Dinner)
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – Deluxe room
Day 5 – “Christmas in November” Events
After breakfast, the festivities continue with more entertaining demonstrations that will give you ideas on how to create exquisite holiday gifts and crowd-pleasing cuisine at home. Later, board a horse drawn wagon for a tour of the delightfully decorated holiday cottages. The cottages are decorated using garlands, bows, fresh greenery and thousands of twinkling lights. Discover lots of super ideas for decorating your home. This afternoon, stroll through a winter wonderland on easy walking trails, do some holiday shopping or just unwind with a good book by the warm and cozy fireplace.
This evening you’ll be among the guests of honor at the Lodge’s gala Christmas dinner featuring fabulous cuisine and dazzling desserts. (Breakfast, Lunch, Reception & Gala Dinner)
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – Deluxe room
Day 6 - VIA Rail - Jasper to Vancouver
This morning is at leisure to enjoy your continental breakfast & brunch before depart the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. In the afternoon, you will transfer by hotel shuttle bus 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. (Continental Breakfast, Brunch & Dinner)
Superior: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Deluxe: Overnight VIA Rail in a "Romance by Rail" Suite
Day 7 - Arrive Vancouver
In the early morning the train will arrive in Vancouver. Upon arrival in Vancouver, you will transfer by private sedan to the Vancouver Airport in time for your afternoon flight departure home. (Breakfast)
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 5 nights hotel accommodation and any mandatory service charges & room tax
- 1 nights bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail
- Discover Banff & Lake Louise Tour
- Banff to Jasper Winter Tour
- “Christmas in November” Package: Welcome gift, all Instructional Seminars including cooking demonstrations, craft classes, cottage tours, kitchen tours and wine tasting
- Meals at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge: 2 Breakfast, 1 Continental Breakfast, Brunch, 2 Lunches, 1 Welcome Stand up Dinner Reception, 2 Receptions, 2 Dinners
- Motor coach transfer between Calgary Airport & Banff hotel
- Private Sedan transfers between Vancouver Train Station & Vancouver Airport including gratuities
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Activities not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)