Visit Vancouver and Victoria before boarding a train for a nostalgic train journey during daylight hours to the Canadian Rockies, where you'll stay in celebrated mountain resorts - Fairmont's Jasper Park Lodge, Château Lake Louise and Banff Springs. This exciting itinerary includes travel by train, ferry steamer and float plane! 1. Arrive Vancouver. Tour begins: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver at 6:00 PM. 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 2. Vancouver / Stanley Park. See Vancouver's landmark attractions and sights including Chinatown, Queen Elizabeth Park, historic Gastown and Stanley Park; the afternoon and evening are at your leisure to explore your special interests. Meals: B 3. Victoria / Flightseeing. Board a ferry early this morning and cruise through the Gulf Islands to Vancouver Island and Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, where you'll discover a bit of England amidst the rustic beauty of the Pacific Coast. Visit colorful Butchart Gardens and its floral displays, then fly by floatplane over the Gulf Islands back to Vancouver. Upon arrival it's all aboard The Canadian, whose rail cars were originally built in the 1950's; they have been restored to meet modern standards while retaining their classic art-deco style. Dine on-board the train as you journey to the majestic Canadian Rockies. Meals: BD

4. Canadian Rockies by Rail. 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

5. Jasper National Park. Today is spent at your leisure pursuing what interests you most, your way. There are many optional activities 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

6. 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 "Snocoach" 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

7. 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: BL

8. 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; 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

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

Travel East or West - both itineraries are identical. "West" tour begins at Calgary airport at 3pm and ends in Vancouver. Vancouver Island is visited on Day 8

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 2008
9 Days / 8 Nights
Begins Vancouver or Calgary

EAST - Vancouver to Calgary
May 11, 18, 25
Jun 01, 08, 15, 22, 27, 29
Jul 06, 13, 18, 20, 27
Aug 01, 03, 08, 10, 17, 24, 31
Sep 07, 14, 19, 21

WEST - Calgary to Vancouver
May 21, 28
Jun 04, 11, 18, 25
Jul 02, 07, 09, 16, 23, 28, 30
Aug 06, 11, 13, 20, 27
Sep 03, 08, 10, 17

Additional dates may become available as these sell out.

Prices 2008
Price Per Person
May
Twin £1669
Single £2059
Triple £1589 (twin with roll-away)

June 01 - 18
Twin £1799
Single £2275
Triple £1679 (twin with roll-away)

June 22 - September 30
Twin £1919
Single £2489
Triple £1779 (twin with roll-away)

17 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.

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

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