Alberta, CANADA

Calgary, Banff (Unesco World Heritage Site), Jasper & Kananaskis

Traversing across the Trans-Canada Highway flanked by towering peaks and stunning alpine landscapes was truly amazing, and we are thankful to have experienced it!
Was so excited to see a magnificent Black Bear on our way from Banff, driving the Icefields Parkway to Jasper - Magical. Nibbling white flowering plants...

Calgary

Day 1 - Thurs, July 3

5:13a.m. - Lyft to airport

7:30a Westjet SFO to Calgary
Pick up Alamo Rental Car -airport

Pre Calgary Stampede

Pd -Allianz Medical Ins

Marriott Hotel - downtown

Day 2 - Friday, July 4th

6a bkfst - Calgary - Marriott

See the Stampede Parade

7a Drive from Calgary to Banff -

Banff train station for parking

Drive to Marble Canyon - 36 min

Canadian Food: Eddie's Burgers-Poutine-beavertails

Lake Minnewanka - 15 min. drive from Banff

Otter Hotel - 4p check-in

What an amazing time we had in Calgary exploring the exciting city due to the Stampede, and people from all over the world were visiting. We ate at a restaurant in the downtown area, visited a few stores, and then went to the Fairgrounds where the Stampede took place. It was pre-stampede, so the Rodeo was not in progress on 7/3. We got a good taste of everything, from magic shows to dancing and food etc.
The next day was exciting as the Stampede Parade started. We were able to see the Grand Marshall - Shania Twain. I was fortunate as she passed me, I called her name and she looked at me, we made eye contact, a wink and a wave -

Then we took off to Banff.

Shania Twain

The Organizer

Banff an Unesco World Heritage Site
The Canadian Rockies

Day 3 - Saturday, July 5

6a Emerald Lake & Natural Bridge,

and Takkakaw falls (in this order for parking)

2p Sulphur Hot Springs

Banf National Park - (the entire town is the N.P)

Otter Hotel

The vibrant lake color comes from sunlight reflecting off fine particles of glacial silt, or rock flour, suspended in the water, and you see this amazing hue. The hue is from what is known as the Rayleigh scattering. It happens because of the particles that are the same size of the wavelength of green light which is about 450-500 nm.

A few of Canada's foods - Poutine is interesting with brown gravy and curds, and beavertails were decadent; lots of Elk & Bison Burgers

Banff: from top to bottom - Sky Bistro - Salmon; Beavertails downtown Banff; Eddie's downtown Banff; The Fat Ox Restaurant; Iron Goat in Canmore

The Canadian people in person were so kind and gave us an Anniversary dessert in our room

Day 4 - Sunday, July 6

3:00 a.m. pickup for sunrise trip to Lake Moraine &
Lake Louise - with Into the Wild Tour

Moraine is a glacial lake in Banff
National Park, Canada, is renowned for its
vibrant turquoise waters and the surrounding
Valley of the Ten Peaks. Hiked the Rock Pile trail
to see the stunning view and sunrise

Three sisters mountain range, Canmore - p.m.

Dinner - The Iron Goat Restaurant

Otter Hotel

Lake Moraine (approx. 1 hr 39 min from Banff) is nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. This gem is renowned for its blue waters and dramatic mountain backdrop, often cited as one of the most photographed spots in all of Canada.
We took the 3:00 a.m. Sunrise tour, which was peaceful for us, long before the crowds arrived. When we arrived, we were led the way to the Rockpile, offering local insights into the stunning surroundings. Wrapped in our blankets, we felt the magic of the moment as the beauty of the sunrise unfolded before our eyes. We spent about two hours wandering, unwinding, hiking, and capturing the beauty around you at your own pace.

Lake Louise
We spent two hours at the lake after Lake Moraine and had breakfast, and shopped at The Fairmont Chateau. We strolled along the lakeshore trail and admired the grandeur of the beautiful Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

To many people in the upper springs pool ...
Not a great experience going there

Otter Hotel (4 star Hotel) spent 5 nights - Upper Banff - awesome contemporary Hotel with a mountain view...We enjoyed the retreat nestled along the forest edge on Banff Avenue with a view of their spa pools with fire pits, a sauna, fitness room and awesome mountain.

Marble Canyon is a short drive from Banff and is nestled in Kootenay National Park, which is a stunning geological marvel with its limestone gorge and crystal-clear waters.

The Three sisters (Faith, Hope & Charity) seen from Canmore - Canada: I especially went to see this beautiful mountain range because I grew up with 2 (trio siblings) sisters and we used to stay at the convent with the nuns during the summer. A surveyor named the mountain range due to the snow peaks of the Three sisters, which looked like nuns during the snow season.

Tunnel Mountain - Beautiful view from above Banff - small mountain also known as Sleeping Buffalo.

Day 5, July 7th

Sudden Salley Restaurant, Banff - Bkfst

Tunnel Mountain - 6 min. from Banff

Johnson Canyon 30 min.
Lake Minnewanka

5:30p up Gondola Ride - down 7:50p

6:15 Sky Bistro dinner

Johnston Canyon - Banff National Park
This busy trail takes you into the canyon on narrow bridges and paths with railings that lead to the spectacular Lower Falls!

Lake Minnewanka, Glacial Lake in Alberta - Canada

Cave and Basin Historic Site has been a place for Indigenous Peoples for many, many years and continues to be so to this day. In 1883, three railway workers, Frank McCabe and brothers Tom and William McCardell, discovered the thermal springs, which created the first national park in Canada. Today, the site is a place for sharing stories and conservation

Gondola ride and dinner at the bistro
Banff is a charming town nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. It has a vibrant atmosphere that exudes Canadian hospitality, adventure, and excitement. Spent time exploring its quaint streets filled with charming boutiques, cafés, restaurants, and the welcoming local vibe that makes it so hard to leave. Enjoyed shopping on Banff Avenue and Bear Street,

Sky Bistro

Day 6, July 8th

12:15p Tea Fairmont Banff - 2 hrs prk.

At Rundle Bar

Fairmont Golf

Day 7, July 9th

Leave early a.m. and drive from Banff to Icefields Parkway - The Glacier & to Jasper

Bow Lake,
Peyto Lake,
Big Bend

12:30p Columbia icefield adventure

2 hrs + Skywalk

Bow Lake - early a.m. and raining...

Skywalk - Glass-floor observation platform - 280m drop - Jasper N.Park Icefields Skywalk

The Glacier's water travels to many places around the world - Cape Town too!

Day 8 - Thursday, July 10

Cruised for 90 minutes on a glass-enclosed boat to Spirit Island, a world-famous destination and one of the most photographed sites in Canada. Enjoyed a panoramic tour across the crystal waters of the magical Maligne Lake, fed by the glaciers of Jasper National Park, gliding and seeing jagged mountain peaks. Watched as the water began to transform into a vibrant emerald hue due to the presence of glacier-fed rock flour.

We stayed at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for 2 nights

Medicine Lake is located in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. It is a shallow lake and is glacial fed. Also saw an eagle's nest at the lake.

Day 9 - Friday, July 11

Hiked at Kananaskis and stayed at Kananskis Mountain Lodge; ate at the Italian Restaurant at the Lodge, and left early for Calgary to fly home.

Calgary Airport: We travel light, but flying back home, our small pull-on cases are always taken from us - a few presents ...
A Dream 36 Year Anniversary Vacation

Ruth Alexander

Author, Fashion Designer, Business Woman

Alberta, CANADA