This action-packed trip features a classic Canada rail tour from Vancouver into the Canadian Rockies highlighted by stunning mountain vistas from a private domed observation car.  But the adventure doesn't stop there.  Enjoy a floatplane ride over the Gulf Islands, a ferry cruise to Victoria, an Ice Explorer ride across Athabasca Glacier, and a float trip down the Bow River.  See Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier, Icefields Parkway, and one of Canada's highest waterfalls.  Tour Victoria's Butchart Gardens and the city of Vancouver.  Explore three national parks that are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  And stay at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts' finest properties in Western Canada. Day 1. Arrive Vancouver. Tour begins: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver at 18.00hrs. A warm welcome awaits in Vancouver, the premier city of Western Canada, with a picturesque setting framed by the Coast Mountains and the Strait of Georgia. We invite you to join us for a welcome reception and dinner. Meals: D Day 2. Vancouver / Ferry to Victoria.  Chosen as the host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and steeped in charm, Vancouver is home to a vibrant cultural scene, rich history and abundant natural resources.  View historic Gastown, Chinatown,, and trail-laced Stanley Park, on a guided city sightseeing excursion.  Board a ferry and cruise across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island and Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, or a two-night stay at the Hotel Grand Pacific, Victoria's only five-star hotel.  Your balconied Grand Harbour View room overlooks vistas of the stunning Victoria waterfront.  Meals: BD Day 3. The Butchart Gardens / Afternoon Tea.  Throughout your stay in Victoria, you'll discover more than a bit of England here admidst the rustic beauty of the Pacific Coast, including stately Victorian architecture and abundant gardens.  Nowhere is floral beauty more celebrated that an The Butchart Gardens, which began over a century ago with a Sunken Garden created by Mrs Jennie Butchart from what had been an abandoned limestone quarry on her family's Tod Inlet estate.  During your visit, explore what has grown to encompass 55 colourful acres of flowers and show gardens, including the Japanese, Italian and Rose Gardens.  Later, indulge in a beloved English ritual that has become one of Victoria's grandest traditions - the taking of Afternoon Tea in the restored Tea Lobby of the Fairmont Empress on Vitoria's Inner Harbour.  Return to the Hotel Grand Pacific, spend the rest of the day at leisure.  Meals B. Day 4. Victoria / Flightseeing. After a morning visit to Victoria's stunning Royal BC Museum, a scenic flight via floatplane over the Gulf Islands takes you back to Vancouver late this afternoon.  Enjoy leisure time and dinner on your own in historic Gastown.  Tonight, a champagne toast signals that all aboard The Canadian - for a memorable overnight rail excursion to the awe-inspiring national parks of the Canadian Rockies. Sleep to the rhythm of the rails tonight en route to this majestic alpine sancturay. Meals: B

Day 5. See the Rockies from a Private Dome Car.  As a Tauck exclusive, you can enjoy some of North America's most spectacular alpine scenery from a private domed observation car! Reserved for the use of Tauck's guests, you'll relax in style and comfort as the train winds along the North Thompson River and through the valleys of the Rocky Mountain Ranges. Towering peaks and glacial remnants line the route of this wilderness area that until 30 years ago was only accessible by rail. Cross the Continental Divide as the rails lead into the province of Alberta. Arrive in Jasper National Park for two nights at the popular Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Meals: BD

Day 6. Jasper National Park. Today is spent at your leisure pursuing what interests you most, your way. There are many optional activities (at additional cost) including biking, swimming, or golfing. Your entire day will be spent amidst the scenic grandeur of the mountains and lakes surrounding your resort - a picture-perfect setting! Meals: BD

Day 7. Icefields Parkway. The spectacular Icefields Parkway, linking Jasper and Lake Louise, is one of the most spectacular drives in North America. Travel the road as it winds between snow-domed peaks and immense hanging glaciers, where you may see moose, deer, bighorn sheep or bears. A specially designed "Ice Explorer" takes you for a ride on the Athabasca Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefields, the largest mass of ice outside of the Arctic Circle. Meltwaters from these icefields flow into the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans. Arrive late in the afternoon for your stay at the fabulous Fairmont Château Lake Louise overlooking Victoria Glacier and Lake Louise.  In the Spring there can be snow, framing the lake and the glacier with lofty snowbound peaks. Meals BLD

Day 8. Yoho National Park and Banff. Travel through Kicking Horse Pass into Yoho National Park to see the Natural Bridge, the Spiral Tunnels and Takakkaw Falls, conditions permitting, and the Continental Divide. Spend the afternoon enjoying the spectacular scenery of Lake Louise and Banff National Park before continuing your journey to the Fairmont Banff Springs.  In the early 1880's, the accidental discovery of the Cave and Basin hot springs by several Canadian Pacific Railway workers led to the establishment of the Banff National Park, the first in Canada's history.  Styled after a Scottish baronial castle, the hotel was built a few years later, as Canadian Pacific opened tourism to the Rocky Mountains.  A symbol of Rocky Mountain magnificence for more than a century, few hotels in the world can rival the majesty, hospitality and scenery of the Fairmont Banff Springs. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight.  Meals: BLD

Day 9. Bow River Valley / Banff. Take a raft trip along Bow River this morning before spending the remainder of the day as you wish.  One of the world's major recreation destinations, Banff National Park contains over 2,500 square miles of valleys, mountains, glaciers, meadows and forests.  Take advantage of your resort's many amenities and optional activities (at additional cost); venture into the village of Banff for some additional sightseeing; or enjoy a hike along some of the park's more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails.  Join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner. Meals: BD

Day 10. Journey Home
Tour ends: Travel to Calgary this morning (approx. 80 miles) for your journey home. Tour ends Calgary Airport, at 10.00 hrs.  Please allow a minimum of two hours for the flight check-in. Meals: B

About the Train - A TAUCK EXCLUSIVE!

Tauck World Discovery is the only company offering a private domed Skyline observation car, exclusively for the use of Tauck's guests, on the train journey aboard Via Rail's The Canadian, traveling between Vancouver and the magnificent national parks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Enjoy unparalleled views amidst the relaxing atmosphere of a private lounge!

The Canadian, refurbished to its stainless steel exterior and art-deco style of the 1950s, offers a nostalgic travel experience. From the vantage point of the private domed Skyline car, your enjoyment of the scenery along your travels is truly enhanced.

Doubles are accommodated in bedrooms with a window and two armchairs, which are replaced by upper and lower beds for sleeping. Amenities include a small closet, mirror, sink / vanity and private toilet. Singles are accommodated in smaller single bedrooms with a window seat that converts to a bed folding out from the wall. Triples are accommodated in one twin bedroom and one single bedroom. Amenities include sink / vanity, mirror and toilet; single bedroom toilet is not accessible when bed is lowered. There are rest rooms, and a public shower, in each sleeping car.

The Canadian is owned and operated by VIA Rail Canada, a Canadian Federal Crown Corporation.

Departure dates 2010
9 Days / 8 Nights
Begins Vancouver or Calgary

May: 22 
Jun: 01, 10, 19, 2
Jul: 08, 17, 22, 31
Aug: 05, 14, 24
Sep: 02, 11 21

Additional dates may become available as these sell out.    Date in green indicate Small Group Departures with no more than 26 Tauck guests, priced from £3069 per person double.

Prices 2010
Price Per Person
May
Twin £2345
Single £2959
Triple £2129 (twin with roll-away)

June 01 - 18
Twin £2499
Single £3115
Triple £2279 (twin with roll-away)

June 19 - September 23
Twin £2655
Single £3269
Triple £2439 (twin with roll-away)

18 Meals Included: B = Breakfast,  L = Lunch,  D = Dinner

Special Airfares: Airfare to Vancouver and from Calgary is additional. Just America will be pleased to quote for transatlantic airfares please enquire at time of booking.

Night 1. Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver, B.C.
Nights 2 & 3. Hotel Grand Pacific, Victoria, B.C.
Night 4 Aboard The Canadian Train
Nights 5 & 6 Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper, AB
Nights 7 Fairmont Château Lake Louise, Lake Louise, AB
Night 8 & 9 Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, AB