Pacific Northwest & Canadian Rockies Holidays
The Pacific Northwest Region straddles the US/Canadian border and encompasses two of Canada's most popular provinces - Alberta and British Columbia, and the US states of Oregon and Washington. From the Yukon to California and from the prairies to the Pacific Ocean this diverse region is a year-round adventure playground for visitors.
Oregon and Washington
Oregon and Washington State have one thing in common - a spectacular scenic backdrop for a tremendous variety of outdoor adventures. These two Pacific Northwest states share geographic and climatic features like the Cascade Mountain Range, which creates the maritime climate on the western third of the states and semi-arid desert on the eastern slope.
The difference is along the Pacific coastline, where there are many villages and resorts in Oregon, but in Washington the beaches and river inlets are wild and rugged. The trade-off in Washington State is the huge body of salt water called Puget Sound, which provides sailing, fishing and sea kayaking in protected waters. The up side along the Oregon coast are the resorts and inns which offer a wide range of creature comforts in a wilderness setting.
The Columbia River, second only in the US to the Mississippi River in volume of water, is the natural border between these two states. The Columbia River Gorge is a Natural Scenic Area, which offers visitors scenic drives, alpine, and cross-country skiing and hiking.
With four national parks - the Olympic, North Cascades, Mount Rainier and Crater Lake, plus Mount St.Helens National Volcanic Monument, a stunning varied coastline, abundant wildlife, history and culture, the two states have a great deal to offer the visitor.
Alberta and British Columbia
Alberta and British Columbia is a region of plenty. Plenty of mountains - the highest in the Canadian Rockies - plenty of lakes, plenty of rivers, wildlife, scenery, and plenty of holiday options for visitors with a love of the great outdoors. Plenty of natural wonders - and only a handful of cities - Calgary, Edmonton in Alberta, and Vancouver and Victoria in BC - a good balance with nature and four very different cities. 
For most visitors it is the spectacular Rocky Mountains of the interior that attract them most to the region. The Icefields Parkway linking Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper is the most scenic highway in North America. Stunning glacier-fed lakes, cascading waterfalls, majestic glaciers, tumbling rivers and impressive mountains make for an ideal setting for your holiday.
British Columbia has an abundance of scenic attractions from the majestic Rockies to the rugged coastline. Two beautiful port cities - Vancouver and the Provincial Capital - Victoria have excellent shopping, nightlife, hotels and a wide range of attractions. Whale-watching is possible from almost any village or town on the Pacific coast, skiing at world class resorts such as Whistler, heli-hiking and heli-skiing in the Rockies, rafting, hiking, gold-panning and many more outdoor activities are available to visitors of all ages.
Just America has a wide choice of escorted coach tours, self-drive tours, Rocky Mountaineer Railroad excursions and ski resorts. With direct non-stop flights from to the UK to Calgary, Seattle and Vancouver the region has easy access year-round.
Click here for our selection of Canadian Rockies self-drive tours
Click here for details of the Rocky Mountaineer train through the Rockies
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