Trains & Spas of the Rockies

What a combination. The class and luxury of VIA Rails' renowned ''Silver and Blue Service'' followed by pampering and relaxing in one or more of Canada's premiere spas. Plenty of sightseeing opportunities await including the Icefields Parkway, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful drives in the World. This tour can start from any major Canadian city. If you want to be treated special, then this trip is for you!

Sioux Lookout - Winnipeg - Saskatoon - Edmonton - Jasper - Banff - Lake Louise - Kamloops - Vancouver
Tuesday and Thursday  departures.  Add a couple days in Jasper and/or Banff.  Ask for prices
SPA Jasper  /  SPA Banff  /  SPA Vancouver

 
Day 1  Tuesday/Thursday Our incredible train journey commences!  Board VIA Rail train at Union Station (downtown) for our 9:00AM departure.   Our first class rail cars are refurbished to the 1950's genre in Art Deco.  The observation dome offers unequalled views as we roll across the Appalachian Shield of Ontario.  The private bedrooms are comfortable and all meals are included (Checked baggage is not available until day 5, smaller overnight bag is recommended on the train).  Be sure to visit the Bullet Lounge in the Park Car for a nightcap.  We can arrange a pre-night stay at a Toronto hotel near to the train station! 
VIA RAIL BEDROOMS  /  DINING CAR  /  DOME CAR  /  PARK-LOUNGE CAR

Day 2  Wednesday/Friday  Each day is a culinary delight as all meals are included.  We pass sparkling lakes and boreal forests as we roll into Manitoba, the province of 100,000 lakes.  Drink in the vistas from the dome cars and enjoy the terrific on-board service.  We arrive in Winnipeg for a brief stop and continue our train journey.  

Day 3  Thursday/Saturday   Enjoy a delicious breakfast and relax as we forge across the great wheatfields of Saskatchewan before our morning arrival into Edmonton, capital and heart and soul of the province of Alberta.   After a brief stop we continue the train journey to the "Jewel of the Canadian Rockies" JASPER, Alberta.  Disembark and we are transferred to the magnificent Jasper Park Lodge.  Built between two lakes this alpine resort has been visited by Marilyn Monroe and King George V.  The Spa here is a retreat unto itself.  You are pampered with soothers, pediques, mountain wraps, aromatherapy, mineral bath, massage and a variety of beauty treatment. 

Day 5  Saturday/Monday  Depart Jasper for Banff on our deluxe motor coach along the Icefields Parkway.  This is one of the most scenic drives on earth.  We'll ride a Sno-Coach (weather permitting) onto the Columbia Icefield's ATHABASCA GLACIER.  The Columbia Icefields are 125 square miles in size (massive!), with no fewer than 30 glaciers where 3 river systems flow to three different oceans.   The Icefields Parkway delivers us  past BOW LAKE and MISTAYA LAKE  south to LAKE LOUISE, one of the most enchanting spots on earth.  We see the reflections of the mountains in her aqua blue waters and we'll find out how rock flour helps the water retain its mesmerizing color.  Continue further into BANFF NATIONAL PARK to the majestic town of  BANFF.  Early evening arrival and overnight at the world famous Banff Springs Hotel.  Styled after a Scottish Baronial style castle it is perched on the side of a mountain overlooking a Bow Falls.
  

Ask about our comfortable suites

Fabulous cuisine and scenery

Day 7  Monday/Wednesday      Rent a car, take the BANFF GONDOLA to the top of Sulfur Mountain for amazing views, stroll the massive Banff Springs Hotel or take one of the many hikes available from town.  Helicopter tours can be arranged as well as boat tours on LAKE MINNEWANKA or you might want to soak in the Upper Banff Hotsprings.  Consider a visit to beautiful LAKE LOUISE  which can be easily arranged at the hotel or hike past 7 waterfalls at JOHNSTON CANYON.  Those wishing a second day of pampering in the spa will not be disappointed.   Overnight Banff Springs Hotel

Day 8  Tuesday/Thursday  This morning, board the Rocky Mountaineer westbound (Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays).  The Rocky Mountaineer is all daylight travel and is one of the most dramatic train trips in the World.  Service by on-board multi-lingual attendants is superb.  You will travel through rugged terrain and experience the great Spiral Tunnels (where the train circles around inside a mountain and comes out over itself) and ascent over Rogers Pass.  Roll on through 5 mountain ranges to the city of Kamloops.  We stop and transfer to our hotel for the night (included).  

Day 9  Wednesday/Friday  Re-board the Rocky Mountaineer in the morning and continue west.  This region of Canada is interesting as we emerge from the great Rockies into Canada's only desert.  Dramatic scenery rolls by as we parallel the mighty Thompson and Fraser Rivers past Hell's Gate.  Arrive in Canada's most beautiful city, VANCOUVER in the early evening.  Transfer on your own to one of our downtown spa hotels.  We recommend the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (5 star hotel, same management as the Fairmont Banff Springs and Jasper Park Lodges), Sheraton Vancouver Wall Center (4 star) or the Sutton Place Luxury Hotel (5 star).  

Vermilion Lakes

 
Day 10 Thursday/Saturday  This is another of those amazing days that we all live for!  Enjoy another day of "special treatment" at the spa facilities of the resort you have chosen.  This evening we recommend a visit to "Seasons" restaurant a very classy and romantic restaurant near to QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK.  Other options include a harbor dinner cruise with buffet dinner or a visit to one of the two revolving restaurants that have amazing views of Vancouver's waterfronts. 
Information on Sheraton Wall Center SPA.  Overnight at your choice of Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (5 star hotel, same management as the Fairmont Banff Springs and Jasper Park Lodges), Sheraton Vancouver Wall Center (4 star) or the Sutton Place Luxury Hotel (5 star). 

Day 11  Friday/Sunday  Transfer to Vancouver International airport BUTCHART GARDENS and the city of VICTORIA  on Vancouver Island or travel up to WHISTLER Resort area (North of Vancouver).   

We include:   Via Rail Trans-Canada train journey including private bedroom (all meals are included aboard the train but not on motor coach tours or in hotels), Rocky Mountaineer train journey, tourist-class or superior hotels across Canada, motor coach tours as per itinerary,  GST tax is additional 7%.  Checked baggage is not available on the train, smaller overnight bag is recommended.