For expert help planning your Alaska vacation, call a travel specialist at 1-800-942-3301
| Grand Canadian Rockies and Alaska Cruise - Outside Cabin - 2008
A 20-Day tour starting from $5,315
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| About This Tour | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Experience the majesty of the Canadian West, enjoying two-night stays in Victoria, Banff and Jasper. Then, after a two-day rail journey through the British Columbian wilderness, unwind on a seven-night luxury cruise through Alaska’s Inside Passage. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Insight's First Class Services
Quality Dining
*Exclusive to 20 Day Tour & Cruise Calgary Stampede OptionExperience all the excitement of the world’s largest rodeo and enjoy all the action at the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth!” Watch over 500 rodeo contestants testing their abilities in categories such as bull riding, bareback riding and chariot races. This fascinating event is included on the June 28 departure of the Grand Canadian Rockies & Alaska Cruise and the West-East Trans-Canada Odyssey. On these departures your itinerary is slightly different. Here are your two-day itinerary details: Day 1-7. As per the regular itinerary Day 8 - Banff - Calgary. Arrive at the luxurious Westin Calgary, your home for the next two nights. This afternoon, soak in the western-atmosphere of the Calgary Stampede. Later enjoy the evening chuckwagon races followed by live musical entertainment. Hotel: The Westin Calgary. (B) Day 9 - Calgary Stampede. Visit the world’s largest rodeo and enjoy all the action. The tour accesses all the events including the world-famous rodeo and fairgrounds. (B) Day 10 - Calgary - Yoho National Park. The tour continues as per itinerary. VIA Rail’s The CanadianRelive the romance of train travel aboard what National Geographic proclaimed as one of the top five journeys in the world: VIA Rail’s The Canadian, from Jasper to Vancouver. As you journey across an ever-changing landscape, you’ll be treated to the pampered comfort of Silver & Blue class service including special touches such as a shower kit, fluffy towels, 24-hour complimentary tea and coffee service, fresh fruit and a courteous staff attentive to your every need. Your warm and comfortable private quarters feature en-suite facilities, big welcoming armchairs and a large picture window. In the evening, your room is transformed into a cosy bedroom by the caring on-board crew. As a Silver & Blue class passenger you’ll enjoy an exclusive section of the train including the Park Car with its intimate Mural Lounge, and the wraparound windows of the Bullet Lounge. On the upper level you can relax and watch spectacular scenery in the 360-degree scenic glass dome. Dining in Silver & Blue class is, of course, exquisite. Meals are all freshly prepared by an on-board chef. For your pleasure, a selection of fine Canadian wines is available for purchase. Rarely has pampering been so much fun. Holland America Line Inside Passage CruiseSpacious comfort and timeless splendor define the ms Statendam. She features the largest staterooms of any premium cruise line with your choice of Inside, Outside or Verandah Staterooms. Complimentary room service and one-touch telephone concierge service are available 24 hours a day. For your dining pleasure, the intimate reservations-only Pinnacle Grill provides an elegant, sophisticated experience featuring distinctive Bvlgari china, Riedel stemware, Frette linens and gourmet cuisine. The two-tier Rotterdam Dining Room features impeccable service and an extensive wine list. For informal dining, wander over to the Lido Restaurant. With more than 50 scheduled shipboard activities—from kick-boxing to dancing, wine tasting to art auctions—you’re free to do as much or as little as you please. Watch gourmet cooking demonstrations at the Culinary Arts Center… indulge yourself at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon with its thermal suites, hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy pool, heated lounges and more…delight in the Las-Vegas style productions, singers, illusionists, comedians and variety acts appearing in the sumptuous Van Gogh Show Lounge… or dance the night away in the fashionable Crow’s Nest nightclub with its top-notch DJs and live bands. It’s no wonder travel experts call the ms Statendam world-class cruising at its finest. 20 Days ~ British Columbia ~ Alberta ~ Alaska Tour Pace - Experience the majesty of the Canadian West, enjoying two-night stays in Victoria, Banff and Jasper. Then, after a two-day scenic rail journey through the British Columbian wilderness, unwind on a seven-night luxury cruise through Alaska’s scenic Inside Passage. DAY 1 – ARRIVE VANCOUVER. Welcome to Vancouver! Your adventure begins with a complimentary transfer from the airport to your hotel. After meeting with your Tour Director this afternoon, please join us at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Reception. Meet your fellow travelers and prepare yourself for an adventure like no other. Hotel: Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside DAY 2 – VANCOUVER – SUNSHINE COAST. The spectacular wilderness of the Sunshine Coast is just a ferry ride away as you cross Howe Sound and Jervis Inlet to Saltery Bay. Delight in some of British Columbia’s most beautiful marine landscapes and arrive at the Historic Lund Hotel, gateway to the famous Desolation Sound. This magical spot is B.C.’s largest marine park and is regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful cruising grounds. Enjoy a scenic eco-cultural dinner cruise, sailing along the breathtaking coastline, intricate waterways, bays and coves. Learn about the prolific marine wildlife and if bald eagles happen to be flying overhead, your crew will lure them with food, giving you the rare thrill of watching these regal birds dive for their dinner. Hotel: Historic Lund Hotel (B,HD) DAY 3 – SUNSHINE COAST – VICTORIA. Ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island and journey to the charming village of Chemainus, where antique stores, art galleries, quaint cafes and gift shops lurk around every corner. Follow the yellow footprints to the world’s largest outdoor art gallery where artists from around the world painted huge, magnificent heritage murals on the sides of buildings. Continue on to delightful Victoria, where an orientation tour introduces you to the Inner Harbour, the ornate Parliament Buildings, and Bastion Square. Then settle into the plush and welcoming Magnolia Hotel & Spa, your home for the next two nights. As an option this evening, why not experience the magic of Old Chinatown on a guided walking tour, complete with Chinese banquet? Hotel: Magnolia Hotel & Spa (B) DAY 4 – VICTORIA SIGHTSEEING. Start the day with breakfast at the famous Butchart Gardens, 55 acres of exquisite floral displays, meandering paths and spectacular views. A horticulturist joins you and explains the garden’s history and plants. There is ample time to explore these gardens which have delighted visitors from around the world for over a hundred years. The rest of the day is yours to leisurely explore Victoria. Popular optional activities include a whale watching cruise, horse-drawn carriage ride, High Tea at the Empress, or private garden tours. Dinner tonight is served at one of Victoria’s restaurants. (HB,HD) DAY 5 – VICTORIA – KELOWNA. After returning to the mainland, travel over the Coast Mountains and into the Okanagan Valley to Kelowna, one of Canada’s most beloved vacation spots. The lush Okanagan region is Canada’s wine capital with some 60 wineries producing world-class vintages. Learn about winemaking, sample local wines including some outstanding ice-wine, and find from a local expert how to pair the correct wine with any food. Stay the night at the beautiful Grand Okanagan Resort Hotel, located on the shores of Lake Okanagan. Hotel: Grand Okanagan Lakefront Resort (B) DAY 6 – KELOWNA – BANFF NATIONAL PARK. Today, journey through four of Canada’s most spectacular national parks: Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Yoho, and Banff. Travel from primeval forests to Ice Age glaciers, from spectacular waterfalls to soaring peaks. At Giant Cedar in Mount Revelstoke, enjoy a guided walk through a stand of 1,000-year-old red cedars. At Kicking Horse Pass, cross the Continental Divide, where all the rivers of North America are diverted to the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. Finally, arrive at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, a spectacular Scottish baronial castle, for a two-night stay in the heart of Banff National Park. This evening, exemplary service and a choice of five sumptuous restaurants await you for dinner. Hotel: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (B,HD) DAY 7 – BANFF SIGHTSEEING. This morning, head for the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum for a guided visit and an insight into the rich history, culture and traditions of the First Nations peoples. Taste bannock and jam while a mystery guest (sorry, we can’t say who) regales you with interesting stories. Back at the hotel, the rest of the day is yours to pursue your own interests. Perhaps enjoy an optional float trip down the Bow River or a guided hike to Sunshine Meadows. A round of golf on the magnificent hotel course, a helicopter tour or just luxuriating in the hotel’s Willow Stream Spa are other options for you to consider. (B) DAY 8 – BANFF – YOHO NATIONAL PARK. Enjoy an interpretive walk along Lake Louise, Canada’s “Diamond in the Wilderness.” Learn about the history, geology and wildlife of this spectacular area before moving on to another great icon of the Canadian Rockies - Moraine Lake, crowned by ten notable peaks. As you approach Yoho National Park, encounter the famous Spiral Tunnels, constructed so freight trains (typically a mile long) can safely climb the narrow valley. Pass by the spectacular Natural Bridge, patiently carved by the Kicking Horse River and arrive at the exquisite Emerald Lake, one of Canada’s most outstanding wilderness settings. Your home tonight is the historic Emerald Lake Lodge, built of hand-hewn timber and featuring massive stone fireplaces. After dinner, enjoy a cordial and s’mores by a lakeside bonfire accompanied by an informative presentation by a local expert on the area’s early explorers, geology and notably on the famous Burgess Shale. Hotel: Emerald Lake Lodge (B,D) DAY 9 – YOHO NATIONAL PARK – JASPER NATIONAL PARK. Today motor along the unforgettable Icefields Parkway and witness spectacular scenes like Crowfoot Glacier (hanging improbably from a cliff face some 900 feet above) and Columbia Icefield, North America’s largest sub-polar ice pack. At Athabasca Glacier, one of the icefield’s six principal “toes,” climb aboard a specially-designed Ice Explorer for a once-in-a-lifetime guided tour over steep grades, snow and ice as you ascend partway up the glacier. Your home for the next two nights is in the heart of Jasper National Park, an alpine wonderland of immense forests, jeweled lakes, soaring waterfalls, soothing mineral hot springs, rugged glaciers, colorful alpine meadows lakes and, of course, spectacular mountains. After dinner, a local wildlife expert will lead an informative discussion about some of the park’s most interesting residents which include elk, moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, black bear, beaver and caribou. Hotel: Sawridge Inn (B,D) DAY 10 – JASPER NATIONAL PARK SIGHTSEEING. Join your Tour Director for an interpretive walk at Maligne Canyon, one of the most spectacular gorges in the Canadian Rockies. Stroll along the canyon’s trail, past beautiful waterfalls, spectacular rock formations and learn about the underground river system. The rest of the day is yours to do as you please. Jasper is the base for a host of optional tours and activities including river rafting, canoeing, horseback riding, and wildlife spotting. You can take a boat cruise on Maligne Lake, ride the Jasper Tramway up Whistler Mountain, or join a guided hike up Mount Edith Cavell along the “Path of the Glacier.” The choice is entirely yours! (B) DAY 11 – JASPER – THE CANADIAN TRAIN. Relive the golden age of rail travel aboard VIA Rail’s The Canadian for one of the world’s great rail journeys. It all begins with a champagne reception after climbing aboard. From the comfort of your armchair you can admire immense forests studded with sparkling lakes. At night you’ll be rocked gently to sleep in your private compartment that has been converted into a cosy bedroom. And all the while you are pampered by prestigious Silver & Blue service. This is truly “The Art of Touring in Style.” (B,D) DAY 12 – ARRIVE VANCOUVER. On arrival back in Vancouver, start exploring the city. Stop in the evergreen oasis of Stanley Park and learn of the significance of the park’s famous totem poles to the aboriginal people. Discover the eclectic community of English Bay and historic Gastown, where Vancouver was originally built in 1867. Explore Chinatown, North America’s second largest Chinese community after San Francisco’s, and mosey down to quirky Granville Island Market. Later on this afternoon, head out to North Vancouver and Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park. Make your way across this spectacular suspension bridge, 230 feet above the Capilano River, and join the award-winning Treetops Adventure, a guided nature tour along a series of elevated walkways. End the day with dinner served at a local restaurant before retiring to your hotel. Hotel: Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside (CB,HD) DAY 13 – VANCOUVER – DEPARTURE OR INSIDE PASSAGE CRUISE. Enjoy breakfast at the Vancouver Aquarium, where a marine expert later introduces you to beluga and orca killer whales. Guests on the 20-Day Coach, Rail & Cruise tour are transferred to Canada Place to board Holland America Line’s ms Statendam for an unforgettable Inside Passage cruise. (D) DAY 14 – INSIDE PASSAGE SCENIC CRUISING. Enter a region so isolated, it can only be accessed by sea or air. Come face to face with the grandeur of the Ice Age. Slowly glide past a maze of bays, glacier-carved fjords, channels and waterways protected from the open sea by islands and other land masses. The ms Statendam is designed for Alaskan cruising with its airy lounges, teak decks and roomy verandahs, allowing for comfortable observation of the ever-changing panorama of unspoiled virgin forests and vast wilderness that stretch from British Columbia to Skagway, Alaska. (B,L,D) DAY 15 – JUNEAU. Juneau is a place to let your imagination run wild. Stop in rustic shops offering beautiful sculptures of jade and ivory, silver jewelry, carved wooden masks, intricate beadwork and apparel designed by native Alaskans. Visit Gold Rush-era bars like the Alaska Hotel & Bar with its ornate Victorian furnishings or the Red Dog Saloon showcasing Wyatt Earp’s gun. Take a guided tour of the State Capitol, or climb aboard the Mount Roberts Tramway. Follow in the footsteps of the original North Americans as you explore the massive Mendenhall Glacier and the immense Juneau Icefields just outside the city, or trek through the lush Tongass National Forest. And don’t hurry: daylight here lasts well into the evening. (B,L,D) DAY 16 – SKAGWAY. Established in 1897 as a trading post for prospectors headed to the Klondike Gold Rush, Skagway once was “hell on earth,” an untamed, violent town controlled by organized criminals. Today, of course, the town is a bit more civilized, though its colourful past is carefully preserved in the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. For a truly memorable excursion, take a short ride on the narrow gauge White Pass and Yukon Railroad, which was built in 1897 to take miners over treacherous terrain to the distant gold fields. The railway still uses vintage parlor cars, the oldest built in 1883. (B,L,D) DAY 17 – GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK SCENIC CRUISING. In the watery wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park, witness a landscape at its literal moment of creation. Your ship becomes a time machine as you travel thousands of years back in time, witnessing the life cycle of a new land from maturing Sitka-spruce forests alive with grizzlies and wolves to thin-skinned tundra, to the algae, lichens, and mosses that were the beginnings of life in the region. In this isolated land the shrill noises of modern life are replaced with the deep, thunderous boom of building-size icebergs calving into the sea from a vast river of ice. It is raw, primordial… and unforgettable. (B,L,D) DAY 18 – KETCHIKAN. Welcome to the salmon capital of the world! Part of the town is built along a steep hillside, part is built on pilings over the water where bald eagles watch from waterside perches. An outstanding collection of totem poles makes the town an essential stop for anyone interested in native art. To make the most of your time ashore, consider taking a guided tour through town, a harbor cruise, or a float plane “flightseeing” trip. If you prefer a more hands-on experience, you can take a sport fishing charter, kayak expedition, jeep ride or mountain excursion on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The adventure never stops. (B,L,D) DAY 19 – AT SEA. Today is a day of relaxation as your cruise returns to Vancouver. Take advantage of the ship’s many outstanding facilities, or simply relax on deck with a drink and watch unmatched scenery glide by your floating palace. (B,L,D) DAY 20 – DEPART VANCOUVER. After disembarking, a complimentary transfer takes you to Vancouver International Airport and the Insight hotel in Vancouver for guests extending their stay. (B) Hotels - Contrast the modern comforts of The Magnolia Hotel & Spa in Victoria with the spectacular lake-front lodge at Yoho. Stay in the heart of the national parks in Banff and Jasper, while the Holland America Line cruise is the ultimate floating resort. Fellow Passengers - This tour is an excellent choice for a complete Western Canada & Alaska experience. Aside from Alberta’s stunning national parks, there is a chance to explore the remote Sunshine Coast, charming Vancouver Island and dramatic southwest Alaska. Highlights- Visitors will be spoilt for choice. Admire the immense glaciers and dramatic peaks along the Icefields Parkway; cruise the rugged Sunshine Coast by ferry; take a scenic rail journey across Western Canada; and relax for seven nights on board a luxury cruise ship.
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Insight's First Class Services
Quality Dining
*Exclusive to 20 Day Tour & Cruise Calgary Stampede OptionExperience all the excitement of the world’s largest rodeo and enjoy all the action at the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth!” Watch over 500 rodeo contestants testing their abilities in categories such as bull riding, bareback riding and chariot races. This fascinating event is included on the June 28 departure of the Grand Canadian Rockies & Alaska Cruise and the West-East Trans-Canada Odyssey. On these departures your itinerary is slightly different. Here are your two-day itinerary details: Day 1-7. As per the regular itinerary Day 8 - Banff - Calgary. Arrive at the luxurious Westin Calgary, your home for the next two nights. This afternoon, soak in the western-atmosphere of the Calgary Stampede. Later enjoy the evening chuckwagon races followed by live musical entertainment. Hotel: The Westin Calgary. (B) Day 9 - Calgary Stampede. Visit the world’s largest rodeo and enjoy all the action. The tour accesses all the events including the world-famous rodeo and fairgrounds. (B) Day 10 - Calgary - Yoho National Park. The tour continues as per itinerary. VIA Rail’s The CanadianRelive the romance of train travel aboard what National Geographic proclaimed as one of the top five journeys in the world: VIA Rail’s The Canadian, from Jasper to Vancouver. As you journey across an ever-changing landscape, you’ll be treated to the pampered comfort of Silver & Blue class service including special touches such as a shower kit, fluffy towels, 24-hour complimentary tea and coffee service, fresh fruit and a courteous staff attentive to your every need. Your warm and comfortable private quarters feature en-suite facilities, big welcoming armchairs and a large picture window. In the evening, your room is transformed into a cosy bedroom by the caring on-board crew. As a Silver & Blue class passenger you’ll enjoy an exclusive section of the train including the Park Car with its intimate Mural Lounge, and the wraparound windows of the Bullet Lounge. On the upper level you can relax and watch spectacular scenery in the 360-degree scenic glass dome. Dining in Silver & Blue class is, of course, exquisite. Meals are all freshly prepared by an on-board chef. For your pleasure, a selection of fine Canadian wines is available for purchase. Rarely has pampering been so much fun. Holland America Line Inside Passage CruiseSpacious comfort and timeless splendor define the ms Statendam. She features the largest staterooms of any premium cruise line with your choice of Inside, Outside or Verandah Staterooms. Complimentary room service and one-touch telephone concierge service are available 24 hours a day. For your dining pleasure, the intimate reservations-only Pinnacle Grill provides an elegant, sophisticated experience featuring distinctive Bvlgari china, Riedel stemware, Frette linens and gourmet cuisine. The two-tier Rotterdam Dining Room features impeccable service and an extensive wine list. For informal dining, wander over to the Lido Restaurant. With more than 50 scheduled shipboard activities—from kick-boxing to dancing, wine tasting to art auctions—you’re free to do as much or as little as you please. Watch gourmet cooking demonstrations at the Culinary Arts Center… indulge yourself at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon with its thermal suites, hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy pool, heated lounges and more…delight in the Las-Vegas style productions, singers, illusionists, comedians and variety acts appearing in the sumptuous Van Gogh Show Lounge… or dance the night away in the fashionable Crow’s Nest nightclub with its top-notch DJs and live bands. It’s no wonder travel experts call the ms Statendam world-class cruising at its finest. |
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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||