Don't know if anyone can help us with some advice re a Canadian holiday.
Both the wife and I might have the opportunity of a lifetime to go to Canada in 2014, for a few weeks next year, as the wife hates flying we want to make the most of our time out there, we got the chance to cruise to Alaska from Vancouver and either returning to their or San Francisco (worried about the USA immigration if we enter USA, just heard its a lot of aggro) also want to take the opportunity to go on the rocky mountaineer whilst we are out in Canada (I don't think the wife would fly that distance again), can you suggest which is the best route to see the scenery / wildlife, we probably could a tour / tours up to a maximum of 10 days on the train, plus 6 to 10 days on the cruise (most seem to be 6 days).
Cruise to Alaska seem to go from late April till August / September, which appears similar to the train, my question is is there a better time to go, ie spring etc, and what would the weather be like, at the moment with no knowledge we where thinking of August, would think we wold be out there for around 3 weeks, therefore would have have a few days spare between or before / after our trips, and was wondering if there must see things in the Vancouver area that would keep us out of mischief, we will both be in our early sixties and I got dodgy knees which limit the amount of continuous walking / climbing to around a maximum of an hour.
Regards
Kerry
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A few years ago my wife and I took a trip to Canada flying into Calgary staying at a airport hotel.
The next day driving to Banff, stayed for a couple of days, then drove to Lake Louise for a few days easy walking and then onto Jasper – stayed in a log cabin (saw black bears) – drove to Vancover – then across to Vancouver island (a must see) then back to Vancouver and flight back to the U.K.
We’ve travelled extensively in U.S. (I’m about to have a book published about mature travellers) and never experienced big problems with U.S. immigration.
Book a hotel for you first night after flying into Canada but check into hotels along your journey.
Others may have views on The Rocky Mountaineer but I’m not convinced.
Tofino on Vancouver Island is a great little town, worth a couple of days.
Will certainly think about a car, but will definitely do the cruise. I suppose with the car you got more flexibility and can stay for as long as you like when you find somewhere interesting. Sorry this really is showing my ignorance of North America, if we stayed in Vancouver could we commute to America and return same day, is San Francisco drivable in a day and how many days do you need there to do it justice. How long should you allow to drive from Vancouver whilst taking in the sights along the way to say Banff, for some unknown I always wanted to see Banff. I think what I am trying to say, including a week cruise to Alaska, would 3 weeks be enough to have x number of days in San Francisco and do a car / train tour of the Rockies?
Not sure about visiting San.Fran. from Vancouver mainly because San.Fran is worth at least 2 days to explore.
My advice would be to take one way car hire from Vancouver to Calgary or the opposite way, with the route suggested in my previous post, (Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Whistler, Vancouver Island). We took this route in May/June a couple of years ago and it took us 16 days.
You could add a cruise from Vancouver to make your 3 weeks.
Do your internet research – plan very loosely and I’m sure you will have a wonderful trip.
Rule No1 for road trips: Never underestimate the size of North America. Vancouver to San Fransisco is 950 miles. I always take the safe(ish) rule of thumb of assuming I'll average no more than 50 miles an hour (plus your time at the border crossing) to incl. food, fuel stops, etc. so you are looking at 19 hours - that's two solid days in the car each way really without stopping at any sights en route. (Both Washington and Oregon states are sufficiently interesting to easily use up a two week break no trouble. And you wouldn't really want to be there and miss out on the Redwood National Park and Yosemite either.)
I took the right clothes but for the wrong reasons! If you're going in the summer, the weather is generally what you'd think of as back to front: It's cool and misty down by the Pacific and very hot and dry up in the mountains.
I haven't but some years ago my Dad did the cruise thing (up the Vancouver Island Channel I believe) and said it was the most boring thing he had ever done! Just trees, in the distance on the port side and trees in the distance on the starboard side.
John thanks am now starting to research your suggestion as that would overcome the crossing the border.
Hire a tandem and have a day exploring Stanley Park in Vancouver.
Wish I was coming with you.
Also worked on a cruise ship going from Seattle / Vancouver to Alaska (Princess cruises) - you wont regret that trip... stunning!
My mate worked out there (married a Canadian lass) and spent 2 nights lost on that mountain !
The remaining 2 weeks will be the touring part and will be free time for me and the wife so we want to take advantage of canada whilst we are there and to enjoy ourselves.
Pleased you think the cruise part is spectactular as we are both seasoned cruisers and are looking forward to it, thanks to everyone else who have offered advice, been most informative.
PS good luck Nathan, sounds a fantastic trip for a youngster, hope you have a great trip and hope you don't get rogered by a bear :-)
Some on here would hope he does ;0)
Basically a camper van.
The mountains are breathtaking beyond belief and you should see plenty of wildlife. Not sure how many days the trip is, but i would seriously look at this option as the train is such a good, relaxing way to enjoy the sheer diversity of scenery you will encouter.