Canadian Rockies

We did our tour without and help and had a fantastic time. It was towards the end of winter but most side roads were not open and there was very little traffic. We drove through snow storms and were being passed by Canadian drivers! I cannot recommend that to other drivers but we loved every minute.

Coming down the Icefield Partkway in brilliant sunshine we were in shirt sleeves it was so warm. It seemed unreal as both sides of the road were hemmed in with frozen snow about 6 feet high on average. It meant we could not see the Athabaska falls - frozen solid - or any lakes for the same reason even if a road had been open but the air was so pure and the scenery delightful.

From Vancouver we drove up into the Rockies and later down to Banff before heading south to Penticton where spring had almost eliminated the snow and ice and the lakes were clear. On the run back to Vancouver we ran into our last snowstorm which caused some concern in case we were delayed and could miss our flight back home.

Canada is such a super country to visit, west, central and east that my recommendation is to be free to do as you please, relax and enjoy what you find. Of course there are places such as Niagara that are a must for some and can be fitted in to your journey but for anyone who loves the great outdoors there is just so much to see that even a lifetime would not be long enough to enjoy it all.

If you want all the work done for you Titian Holidays are good - weve used them for USA and South Africa trips. If you want high end personal trips Audley travel do that.

However, weve just returned from an amazing trip to Vancouver and then on to the Great Bear Rainforest (pretty much what the Royals just did but in greater depth). We arranged it ourselves and are far from intrepid travellers. Flights to Vancouver from UK are direct and regular.

We've just come back from a tour of the Rockies with a tour group. Yes it is tiring but you get to see all the hidden gems that your local coach driver knows about. We ended it with a cruise to Alaska which really ended an already fabulous holiday on a massive high.

We did the trip independently flying to Calgary and picking up a hire car. Stopped of at all the usual places Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, but also went to some out of the way mountain places and Harrison Lake , a rally lovely place in the Okenaga Vally. Then Vancouver Island and Whistler before Vancouver. One of the best trips ever.

Do go, by whatever way you wish. You will enjoy it.

Have been to Canada many times....agree with above poster do it yourself as these are beautiful areas ....have gone in summer very hot ....in winter cold but spectacular...going this autumn and can't wait......Favourite was Banff and lake Louise
Train journey was amazing.....enjoy

We have recently returned from a tour of the Canadian Rockies - and it was wonderful. However, although we travelled to all the places that you do on an "escorted" tour, we organised it independently. This meant that we could have longer in some places (ie Bamff, Jasper and Vancouver) in order to wander around at our leisure, and this also avoided constant early starts. Our local travel agent suggested this as she said it would be much less exhausting and we would enjoy ourselves much more. She then did all the organising for us (using the itinerary of a well known tour company) and booked everything for us. The best benefit of all was that it actually came in cheaper than a "named tour group" holiday and we were much more relaxed (oh, and we could choose our hotels/flight times etc). Friends of ours have done exactly the same, and we both thoroughly recommend this approach. Very easy and, if you did have any problems, your travel agent is only at the end of the phone!

Thanks Jane10.

Our neighbours did this. They're not old but did return in need of a holiday! Lots of packing and unpacking and very early starts on escorted/organised tours. Certainly put us off. I'm sure that's just us though! Titan tours sound the company to go with.