The Canadian Rockies. Majestic, Magnificent, Momentous. If you have not traveled to this corner of the world, I highly recommend you do so. We recently returned from our journey beginning in Vancouver and finishing in Calgary last month. Vancouver itself is a wonderful city and a case could be made to spend a few days exploring it prior to your departure. From Vancouver we traveled via seaplane, about a 30 minute flight, to Victoria. To see the harbor and the city from the sky was really remarkable and the city of Victoria in late September was filled with flowers and temperate weather. A trip to Butchart Gardens was a highlight and flower filled with delightful themed gardens throughout the grounds. The ferry returned us to Vancouver in time to board the overnight train to Jasper with beautiful vistas throughout the trip.

Jasper is so beautiful I contemplated living there, until I learned that average winter temps are -50. From Jasper we headed to Lake Louise with a stop to hike on a glacier and a visit to Peyto Lake. The walk to get to the lake was fairytale-like, the pine scented pathway opening to reveal the stunningly colorful beauty. The lake, due to the glacial runoff and rock flour, was a color blue I don’t think I have ever experienced in nature, absolutely breathtaking. The Chateau at Lake Louise is spectacular and we enjoyed our room overlooking the lake framed by mountains. The property is an outdoor paradise with boating options and lots of trails for hiking and several onsite restaurants for dining.

The final stop of our journey was “The Castle in the Rockiest”the Fairmont at Banff Springs.. A UNESCO world heritage site, this property was built more than130 years ago to bring railroad customers into the rockies. The property itself is grand, but the mountains and scenery surrounding it really steal the show. A trip on the Banff gondola gives you a birds eye view of the area a skywalk along the top for those brave enough to take the trip.

Full Shared Photo Album of our September 2022 Trip Here