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Canada Sales Manual 2016-2017
Explore Canada
From coast to coast, Canada is filled with unexpected wonders that are sure to awaken your inner explorer. Our Sales manual contains all the practical information you need
to create a trip of a lifetime for your clients. No matter how your clients wish to explore Canada’s dramatic wonders, getting started here has already made it that
much easier to prepare for Canada as a holiday destination.
On behalf of Rail Plus, Destination Canada and our partners...
Welcome to Canada, eh.
Contents04 Map of Canada 06 Arriving In Canada 07 20 Things to do12 British Columbia14 Alberta15 Banff & Lake Louise16 Yukon 17 Rail through Canada18 Rocky Mountaineer24 VIA Rail28 Canadian Holiday Packages32 Grizzly Bears of Knight Inlet Lodge 33 Beluga Whales, Bears and Blooms34 Winter Wonderland 36 About Rail Plus & Destination Canada
Australia:Canada enquiries: (03) 8779 4828All other enquiries: 1300 555 003
New Zealand:Canada enquiries: (09) 377 5420
All other enquiries: (09) 377 5415 [email protected]
www.railplus.co.nz
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Atlantic Ocean
Hudson Bay
Arctic Ocean
Whitehorse
Yellowknife
Victoria
Edmonton
Regina
Winnipeg
Iqaluit
Toronto
Kingston
Niagara Falls
Québec City Halifax
Charlottetown
Fredericton
St. John’s
VancouverCalgary Saskatoon
Churchill
Montréal
Ottawa
Yukon
NorthwestTerritories
Nunavut
BritishColumbia Alberta
Saskatchewan Manitoba
Ontario
Québec
Newfoundlandand Labrador
New Brunswick
PrinceEdwardIsland
Nova Scotia
United States of America
Alaska
Greenland
Iceland43
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Inuvik
Jasper
Banff
Thunder Bay
Kelowna
Whistler
Dawson City
Provincial Capitals
National Capital
Major Railways
Major Roads
World Heritage Sites
National Parks
Map of Canada
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Atlantic Ocean
Hudson Bay
Arctic Ocean
Whitehorse
Yellowknife
Victoria
Edmonton
Regina
Winnipeg
Iqaluit
Toronto
Kingston
Niagara Falls
Québec City Halifax
Charlottetown
Fredericton
St. John’s
VancouverCalgary Saskatoon
Churchill
Montréal
Ottawa
Yukon
NorthwestTerritories
Nunavut
BritishColumbia Alberta
Saskatchewan Manitoba
Ontario
Québec
Newfoundlandand Labrador
New Brunswick
PrinceEdwardIsland
Nova Scotia
United States of America
Alaska
Greenland
Iceland43
44
45
34
27
2833
32
30
31
29
25
24
232119
20
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1817
15
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1411
10
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85
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35
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Inuvik
Jasper
Banff
Thunder Bay
Kelowna
Whistler
Dawson City
National Parks
1 Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada 2 Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada 3 Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site 4 Mount Revelstoke National Park of Canada 5 Glacier National Park of Canada 6 Jasper National Park of Canada 7 Banff National Park of Canada 8 Yoho National Park of Canada 9 Kootenay National Park of Canada 10 Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada 11 Elk Island National Park of Canada 12 Wood Buffalo National Park of Canada 13 Grasslands National Park of Canada 14 Prince Albert National Park of Canada 15 Riding Mountain National Park of Canada 16 Wapusk National Park of Canada 17 Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area 18 Pukaskwa National Park of Canada 19 Fathom Five National Marine Park of Canada 20 Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada 21 Georgian Bay Islands National Park of Canada 22 Point Pelee National Park of Canada 23 St. Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada 24 La Mauricie National Park of Canada 25 Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park 26 Torngat Mountains National Park Reserve of Canada 27 Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada 28 Forillon National Park of Canada 29 Kouchibouguac National Park of Canada 30 Fundy National Park of Canada 31 Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site of Canada 32 Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada 33 Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada 34 Gros Morne National Park of Canada 35 Terra Nova National Park of Canada 36 Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada 37 Vuntut National Park of Canada 38 Ivvavik National Park of Canada 39 Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada 40 Tuktut Nogait National Park of Canada 41 Aulavik National Park of Canada 42 Ukkusiksalik National Park of Canada 43 Quttinirpaaq National Park of Canada 44 Sirmilik National Park of Canada 45 Auyuittuq National Park of Canada
World Hertiage Areas
1 SGang Gwaay 2 Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks 3 Waterton Glacier International Peace Park 4 Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump 5 Dinosaur Provincial Park 6 Wood Buffalo National Park 7 Rideau Canal 8 Historic District of Old Québec 9 Miguasha National Park 10 Joggins Fossil Cliffs 11 Old Town Lunenburg 12 Gros Morne National Park 13 L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site 14 Kluane / Wrangell-St Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek 15 Nahanni National Park
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Arriving in CanadaEntry Requirements
Starting March 15 2016, Australia & New Zealand passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to visit or transit in Canada by air. Eligible travellers can apply online for an eTA. This new requirement will become mandatory and travellers will need an eTA before they can board their flight to Canada. Australian and New Zealand citizens do not require a visa to visit Canada for a period of up to six months. They need only a valid passport, evidence of return or onward transportation from Canada such as a return ticket and enough money to support themselves. Persons who are in Canada as visitors cannot apply to remain there permanently or change status to Student or Temporary worker. Other nationalities may require a visa to visit Canada.
Check with the Canadian Consulate General: canada.ca/eta Level 5, 111 Harrington Street, Sydney NSW 2000
General Office Hours Monday to Friday: 08:30AM to 4:30PM (excluding Public Holidays) Closed for lunch (walk-in clients only): 12:30PM to 1:00PM Tel: (02) 9364 3000 Fax: (02) 9364 3098
Money, Banking & Credit/Cash Cards
The Canadian currency is based on the decimal system with 100 cents to the dollar. Paper currency comes in $5, $10, $20 and higher denominations. Coins include penny (1¢), nickel (5¢), dime (10¢), quarter (25¢) and dollar (loonie) and two dollars (toonie).Standard banking hours are Monday to Thursday from 9:30 am until 4:00 pm. Many banks are open to 6:00 pm on Friday. Major credit cards such as Mastercard, Visa and American Express are accepted in Canada. Most cash or credit cards with a PIN number will get you cash from ATMs.
Airport Transport Services
All of Canada’s major airports offer bus, taxi or limousine transfers. All services to city centres, and their prices (which are based on distance) are advertised in air terminals. Major car rental firms have outlets at all major airports.
Electrical Appliances
Canada supplies electricity at an alternating current of 110 volts. Dual voltage appliances require a plug adaptor which will convert your plug to one with two flat parallel prongs.
Tipping
Tips or service charges are not usually included in the bill. In general, you should reward good service by tipping 15-20% of the total amount. This also applies to hairdressers and taxi drivers. Bellhops, doormen, porters and other staff at hotels, airports and railway stations are generally tipped $1-$2 CDN per item carried.
Tipping the server both at the bar and at the table is common in Canadian bars and nightclubs.
Canadian National Holidays
The main school holiday break is held in the summer. It commences around mid-June and continues until the first Monday in September. You’ll find more detailed information about Canadian National Holidays at http://www.statutoryholidays.com/2016.php
Travel Insurance
Travellers’ health insurance is highly recommended to cover any unexpected illness in Canada. Health care is of an excellent standard, but charges are expensive.
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Behold the fiery Northern Lights
Float alongside grizzlies at the Great Bear Lodge
Go WILD in Churchill on a Polar Bear Safari
Canada is blessed with dozens of spots tailor-made for witnessing the swirling, bewitching lightshow that is the Aurora Borealis, from far-flung Iqaluit in the north-east of Nunavut territory, to Whitehorse in the Yukon, then south on Ontario’s Manitoulin Island, and far-east to Battle Harbour in Newfoundland and Labrador. But it’s Yellowknife – the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories – that stands apart.
Get going: Catch the Aurora Borealis above the Northwest Territories from late August to mid- April every year
During a stint at the secluded, floating Great Bear Lodge on the northern tip of Vancouver Island, it’s likely you’ll encounter a veritable ark of Canadian wildlife, from puffins and bald eagles to wolves and seals. But it’s unlikely any of those relatively ‘minor’ sightings will take your breath away like the Canadian grizzly bear sightings. Each day at the Great Bear Lodge you’ll have countless opportunities to approach the local grizzlies – on foot, on water or at a photographic hide. You’ll have a wildlife biologist on hand as your guide.
Get going: Book a Great Bear Nature Tour from May to October each year.
With no other human presence for miles, a stay in a Churchill Wild Lodge is a perfect escape. Choose from four world-class facilities with four distinct experiences: Dymond Lake Eco Lodge, North Knife Lake Wilderness Lodge, Seal River Heritage Lodge or Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Embark on a Polar Bear Photo Safari or Birds, Bears and Belugas tour, you’ll witness majestic wildlife. Guests routinely encounter black bears, moose, caribou, wolves and plenty of polar bears.
Get going: Seek adventure amongst the polar bears at a Churchill Wild Lodge staying at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge (or one of three others) in far north Canada Manitoba.
20 Things to do in Canada
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Snorkel with Canadian Belugas4Belugas, bears and blooms, oh my!During the summer months of July and August, Manitoba’s Churchill River is teeming with beluga whales that migrate here for the warmer, shallower waters so they can stock up on food and have a new batch of beluga babies. You’ll get the chance to witness their whale song in person as you explore the tranquil waters by boat, zodiac or kayak. Get a closer view by joining them in the water for the snorkelling adventure of a lifetime.To ensure guests experience a northern Canadian summer in full swing, these adventure packages are available only in a two-month window – these exclusive trips have a capacity of just 40 people per package, so get in quick!
Get going: Tours depart from Winnipeg on an early morning flight, but all the action happens on the calm waters of the Churchill River.
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Revel in the grandeur of an iconic Canadian Fairmont Hotel
Bask under Canada’s midnight sun
Bike and stroll around Stanley Park
Hurtle across history aboard The Canadian
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Canada’s stunning collection of Fairmont hotels and resorts are more than just places to rest your head – they’re genuine tourist attractions in their own right. Each holds a special place in the history of the nation, such as the Fairmont Banff Springs, opened in 1888 as Canada’s first grand railway hotel. Without exception they are architecturally splendid, like the Edwardian era Fairmont Empress on Vancouver Island, and most take full advantage of the world’s most sought-after destinations, such as the Fairmont Château Lake Louise, a sublime 19th-century former chalet perched on an emerald-hued glacier lake in the heart of World Heritage-listed Banff National Park. Synonymous with luxury, steeped in history and visually breathtaking, a stay in a Fairmont goes beyond mere hospitality; it’s an experience to be treasured. Vancouver alone is home to four Fairmont properties, with 15 more spread out across Canada.
Experience the beauty of perpetual daylight under Canada’s midnight sun. Sparsely populated, but rich with culture and natural beauty, the Yukon is a place of wide, scenic and varied expanses. Bordering Alaska, the Yukon lies far enough north to experience some of the longest summer days on earth. Travellers can enjoy an ongoing twilight at midnight, which baffles first-timers. Whitehorse, Yukon’s capital, is exceptionally pretty at day-night, and swells with travellers during summer, but we recommend a day-to-night-time journey to one of the glacier-fed alpine lakes at least once while in the Yukon
Get going: You can wonder at the midnight sun in Yukon during summer, which starts in June and ends in August.
Vancouver’s Stanley Park offers myriad recreational opportunities, be it swimming off one of its pretty beaches, strolling in the botanical or Chinese gardens, marvelling at the many landmarks and totems, or relaxing on one of the beautifully kept lawns. But the best way to experience all 400 hectares of the peninsula is atop a rented bicycle, as the park has an intricate system of purpose-built pathways – including a fringing 10-kilometre loop, ideal for running, which is around the seawall. There are many opportunities to walk the entire loop in a leisurely three hours, picnic, sightsee or tackle a dirt mountain-biking track.
Get going: All year round and close to downtown Vancouver
This transcontinental train journey takes four nights but days mean nothing when you recognise this half-kilometre-long silver vessel for what it is: a time machine. Departing the 1920s grandeur of Union Station, watch wilderness turn into fields and lumber towns as you dine on cuisine from locales flashing past at 100km/h. Stare up at the eternal Rockies through a glass-domed ceiling and wind back the hours in your sleeper cabin, literally, as you pass from Mountain to Pacific Time. One day even The Canadian will pull into its last station. Catch a ride before it journeys into the past forever.
Get going: From October to May, The Canadian departs twice weekly from Toronto’s Union Station, stopping at Winnipeg, Edmonton, Jasper, Saskatoon and Vancouver.The rest of the year it departs three times a week.
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Saddle up for the Calgary Stampede
Glaze through the glass domes of the Rocky Mountaineer
Bask under Canada’s midnight sun
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Channel your inner cowboy at the world famous Calgary Stampede. It’s not called The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth for nothing. For 10 dust-and-dazzle-filled days in Alberta at the beginning of each July, you’ll be rewarded with a front-row seat to top-flight rodeo events, hair-raising chuck wagon races, free live concerts, livestock shows, marching bands, fireworks, parades, quality markets and more authentic Old Western swagger than you can poke a branding iron at. But the pinnacle drawcard is unquestionably the nightly Grandstand Show, a musical extravaganza featuring hundreds of dancers, singers, horses, acrobats, lightshows and other spectacular performances. An iconic cultural event, agricultural fair and epic derby on the grandest possible scale, this truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Get going: Join the fun of the Calgary Stampede each July. Stampede Park is a lasso throw away from downtown Calgary.
Experience one of the world’s great train journeys aboard Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer. Frequently named as one of the world’s great rail experiences, the Rocky Mountaineer is the most spectacular way to soak in the majestic beauty of British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies. Winding its way along five unique routes, each trip is an unforgettable journey through some of the most varied and awe-inspiring scenery on the planet, including lush rainforests, shimmering lakes, cascading waterfalls and the snow-capped peaks of seven distinct mountain ranges. The train travels only during the day, so you can focus on enjoying the unfolding scenery through unique glass-domed roofs.It’s no wonder the past 25 years have seen almost two million guests peer at elk and bears, soaring bald eagles, grazing big horn sheep and more.
Get going: Experience the Rocky Mountaineer from April to October. There are 10 Rocky Mountaineer stations: the main HQ on Terminal Avenue in Vancouver, with one station each in North Vancouver, Kamloops, Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Quesnel, Seattle and Whistler.
Orca spotting off Vancouver Island11Meet the ocean’s most incredible mammal as part of a boat ride to remember. Ironically the great white whale of whale watching isn’t the white whale – it’s the elusive orca, which is actually a very large dolphin. Sometimes (a little unfairly) known as the “killer whale”, from April to October each year the Canadian west coast boasts relatively large numbers of orca pods, and during a self-guided paddle or an organised tour from Vancouver Island, you’ll likely see orcas, dolphins, sea otters, tufted puffins, bald eagles and more. If the waters are calm enough, you may get to listen in on a hydrophone, lowered directly into the water to pick up the vocalisations of the travelling pods as they frolic and call to each other in and around the Haro Strait where the Canadian and US waters merge.
Get going: Spot an elusive orca from April to October, when they’re at their most prevalent. Vancouver Island is in the south-west corner of Canada, and Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, lies on its south-eastern tip. Near Victoria, orcas can be spotted in the Haro Strait to the east, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the west.
Go wild at Sonora in the Discovery Islands12Hidden in the intricate Discovery Islands archipelago, Sonora Resort is one of the most luxurious ways to experience remote British Columbia. You’ll be within a stone’s throw of Canada’s wildest coastal terrain – and the adventure it brings – yet retain access to all the conveniences of modern life. Sonora Resort runs a variety of activities catering to the surrounding natural environment, including kayaking, fly-fishing, watersports and archery, but it’s arguably most famous for its Grizzly Bear Tours, where you have the chance to take a boat up the Bute Inlet and see grizzlies up close in their natural rainforest habitat. Accompanied by a First Nations guide, you can witness these majestic creatures as they hunt for salmon. But if taking it easy is more your style, you won’t be left out: Sonora caters for both high- and low-impact wilderness experiences alike.
Get going: The adventure activities run year-round at Sonora Resort but some are seasonal, with Grizzly Bear Tours running from late August to October. Sonora Resort is best reached by helicopter or seaplane from Vancouver or Seattle, or via water taxi due south from Campbell River, the nearest point on Vancouver Island.
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Take a walk over the wild side for the best view in Toronto
Tiptoe across the centuries old snow of Canada’s Columbian Icefields
Jazz it up in Montréal
Feel the spray of Niagara Falls aboard Canada’s Hornblower
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Embrace your fears and push yourself to the limit by scaling the edge of a glass-panelled 500-metre-high building on this thrilling Unique Sky High Adrenaline Rush adventure with EdgeWalk at the CN Tower. What better way to kick start your heart than with a ride up 131 storeys in a glass-bottomed elevator before stepping out onto the roof of Toronto’s lofty communications needle? After you’re safely secured in your harness, it’s time to take the plunge. Your heart will race and adrenaline will course through your body as you tread the tower’s glass edge 356 metres above the bustling city street. Easily the most tremendous and terrifying lookout in all of Toronto, this extreme vantage point will give you a view of the city and the ant-like cars and people below – that you can’t experience anywhere else.
Get going: Test your nerves on a Unique Sky High Adrenaline Rush of CN Tower any time except winter, or during severe storms or winds.
A sprawling frozen plateau six times larger than Manhattan – and as deep as the Eiffel Tower is tall – the Columbia Icefields were formed during the Great Glaciation more than 240,000 years ago. Ponder on that as you stand atop its largest “finger”, the Athabasca Glacier, sipping water formed from melted snow that fell on its surface as long as 200 years ago. This 6-kilometre long tongue of ice flows down like a frozen river and is accessible on foot from Icefields Parkway below, but traversing it unguided is ill-advised – many have met their deaths in its multitude of hidden crevasses. That’s why giant Ice Explorer coaches mounted on six big-track tyres depart regularly from the Glacier Discovery Centre. Your driver on this 80-minute journey will explain the formation of this ice-aged giant as you reach its centre, then step out on to its crystalline surface at an elevation of 2700 metres.
Get going: Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre is on Icefields Parkway, midway between Jasper and Banff National Parks, 440 kilometres north-west of the city of Calgary, Alberta.
Here’s what you need out of a vacation: meet new people, experience new things and create unforgettable memories. Montréal’s International Jazz Festival could be just the ticket you’ve been looking for. Spread out over 10 music-filled days each June to July, 3000-plus musicians from unknown up-and-comers to veteran virtuosos take to the stage for almost 650 concerts – most of them free.
Get going: While the Jazz Festival is officially hosted in the heart of Quartier des Spectacles in the eastern portion of downtown Montréal, huge swathes of the city are given over to the event, from concert halls to open streets, cafés, bars and more. Just get to Montréal and follow the tunes.
Experience the awesome power of one of the world’s most famous waterfalls. This 20-minute catamaran ride takes you from the Canadian docks past the smaller Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls, into the mist of the 54 metre-high sheer deluge of the thundering Horsehoe Falls. If the thought of that has you needing a stiff drink, the night-time Illumination Cruise offers a licensed bar, music and fireworks throughout summer.
Get going: Driving to the falls from Toronto Pearson International Airport on the Queen Elizabeth Highway takes 1.5 hours. Go Transit bus does daily trips from Toronto and Ontario.
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Float your woes away on Canada’s Lake Louise
Forage for fossils in the Alberta Badlands
Spend a white Christmas at the Chateau Lake Louise
Tiptoe through the tulips at Canada’s Butchart Gardens
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Easily one of Canada’s most photogenic spots, Lake Louise is a gorgeous drop of azure water nestled between year-round snow-capped peaks of Banff National Park. In winter the glacial lake’s water freezes solid and is best used for skating and hockey – but in summer the water is relatively warm and invites travellers to get both in and on the lake. The boathouse of the lake-adjacent Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise rents out canoes by the hour throughout summer, with a special package that includes a packed breakfast and coffee – perfect for those early risers who like to greet the first sun of the day.
Get going: Canoes are only available in summer (May to September) and can be booked by the hotel’s concierge.
One of the richest areas on the planet for dinosaur fossils, the Alberta Badlands is a veritable playground for those who like to wonder what life was like before Homo sapiens roamed the earth. An UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, the remnants of more than 500 species of water-borne and land-based beasts have been found here – more than 35 species of dinosaur which have never been seen before. The best way to visit the park is to start with a quick whip around the Dinosaur Provincial Park Visitor Centre, where you can brush up on the considerable modern and very ancient history of the park and get an understanding of just how many fossils have been unearthed here over the decades. Then head off with a guide to tour the most fertile sites for fossils, while imagining what the beautifully barren plains must have looked like millions of years ago.
Get going: Meet the ancient beasts all year round. Alberta’s Dinosaur Provincial Park is about a two-hour and 15 minute drive east of Calgary, but keep in mind that some of the journey is on unsealed roads.
Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Well, we have the perfect place. No matter which part of the world you hail from, the idea of a traditional white Christmas has such universal appeal that it really must be experienced at least once in your lifetime. And the Christmas festivities laid on each year by the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise really do take some beating. It’s everything you’ve been imagining and more: endless free ice-skating on a gorgeous frozen lake with the crouching mountains as your backdrop; traditional sleigh rides tracing the lake’s edge while snuggled beneath blankets; roasting marshmallows under the stars; making maple syrup sugar pops poured straight into the crisp white snow; ice castles; barn dances; snowshoeing; Christmas tree and stocking decorating; Christmas Eve choirs and carolling; delicious Christmas Day brunches, lunches, dinners – and of course a visit from Santa himself. It’s no wonder the historic building is absolutely booked to capacity at this very special time. For many it’s an institution; for you it may be that first, most magical time.
Get going: Make your White Christmas dream a reality at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The closest international airport is at Calgary, or you could do a 2.5-hour scenic drive from Calgary.
Take some time to smell the roses (and tulips) at one of Canada’s most beautiful parks. For all its awe-inspiring natural beauty, British Columbia also has the market cornered on the cultivated variety, as more than a million annual visitors to these world-class floral gardens can testify. What you can expect to find depends on when you visit. In spring, witness the magnificent bloom of more than 300,000 bulbs. Summer turns the Rose Garden into a symphony of colours, and the night sky too, with fireworks every Saturday and orchestras performing on the lawn. During autumn, the Japanese Garden flushes flame-red, while winter is best viewed over the Christmas menu at the award-winning Dining Room. Whatever the season, it’s always worth visiting the Sunken Garden to spot the remnants of the old wall among the tulips, where more than a century ago Jennie Butchart poured topsoil over her cement-tycoon husband’s hollowed-out quarry floor and birthed an evergreen, 22-hectare botanical paradise. We are so thankful that she did.
Get going: Visit Butchart Gardens at any time of the year. Butchart Gardens is a 40-minute drive from Victoria, Vancouver Island.
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British Columbia
TRADE CONTACTSJoanne Motta Manager, Australia & New ZealandDestination British Columbia
[email protected] (+61) 403 180 751
PO Box 162, Balgowlah NSW 2093
www.HelloBC.com.au
Renowned for unmatched natural beauty
British Columbia is the kingdom of abundance. A land of giants. A wild place where nature, not man, creates the boundaries. Where our people, history and culture are shaped by nature in seamless choreography.
Amidst this nature are multi-cultural urban centres of astonishing beauty. The gateway to Western Canada, Vancouver is an extraordinary city on the edge of wilderness. On one side, the city’s glass towers reflect the peaks of the Coast Range, and on the other, the deep blue of the Pacific. Vancouver satisfies diverse tastes in all things from gourmet dining to world-class shopping to endless outdoor activities, from sidewalk to mountaintop, in a spectacular natural setting.
On the southern tip of Vancouver Island is the city of Victoria, BC’s capital. Victoria is a bastion of British ancestry, offering a profusion of parks and gardens renowned around the world. Voyage in a ferry across pristine waters alive with Orcas, dolphins and seals, through protected, pastoral Gulf Islands, each remarkable in their own right.
A scenic drive through winding routes along the rugged, steep beauty of the Sea-to-Sky Highway will take your clients to the town of Whistler. A four-season resort community, Whistler is naturally endowed with incomparable skiing, hiking and space to roam and flourish.
In the midst of this generous province, the Okanagan Valley spreads her abundance of vineyards and orchards up and down green, fertile hills, wrapping themselves around a chain of startlingly blue lakes, with views of possibilities in every direction.
Whether it’s the rush of feeling like you’re standing on the edge of the world, or the deafening quiet of a misty, mystical shoreline, the exhilaration of British Columbia reminds you of what it feels like to be alive. To connect with something real, something pure. Here, you are wild at heart.
Not to be missed (Vancouver)> A scenic walk along the seawall in Stanley Park, North
America’s largest urban park.> Immersing oneself in nature in the temperate rainforest at
the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.> Enjoying Vancouver’s best gourmet street food on the World’s
Best Street Eats Tour offered by Vancouver Foodie Tours.> Seeing Canada like never before at Vancouver’s new must-
see attraction, FlyOver Canada, a flight simulation ride that will take your clients from coast to coast.
> Experiencing a bird’s eye view of the city on a scenic floatplane tour.
Not to be missed (British Columbia)> Breakfast with the Bears - Enjoy early access to Grouse
Mountain, the Peak of Vancouver, to meet resident Grizzly Bears Grinder and Coola. Watch the bears explore their habitat and learn all about bear conservation from an experienced wildlife ranger, followed by a delicious bear-inspired breakfast.
> Where the Water Turns to Wine – The Okanagan Valley is home to more than 100 wineries. Their vineyards rise from the lakeshore to thick forest in the north, and desert sand in the south. The views are spectacular. The wines, superb. And the luxurious waterfront resorts and spas, the perfect compliment.
> Take Time to Smell the Roses - Fifty-five acres of floral finery await at The Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site of Canada located near Victoria. From the exquisite Sunken Garden to the charming Italian Garden, this colourful show place still maintains the gracious traditions of the past, in one of the loveliest corners in the world.
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Alberta
www.travelalberta.com
Home of the Canadian Rockies
Winter in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains is filled with extraordinary moments just waiting to happen.
Snowshoe at night under a winter moon so brilliant you need no artificial light. Soak in a natural hot spring, steam rising so thickly you can barely see the surrounding mountains. Snuggle into the back of a dogsled and let a team of huskies whisk you across the frozen landscape.
And what winter adventure would be complete without the ultimate ice experiences? Walk atop an ice-covered lake to wander through a maze of gigantic ice sculptures. Take a guided tour of a canyon draped in iridescent frozen waterfalls. Bundle up under a buffalo rug for a cozy horse-drawn sleigh ride, mugs of hot chocolate in your hands. Admire mountain peaks through a glass domed train on-board Via Rail’s overnight sleeper train connecting Vancouver, Jasper and Edmonton.
Imagine a magical White Christmas in the Rockies. Get into the festive spirit with “Christmas in November” in Jasper. Discover “Christmas in the Rockies” in Banff and view the Santa Claus Parade of Lights from the comfort of a main street café.
Just around the next bend, you can see your destination what looks to be a castle out of a fairy tale, nestled on the lower slopes of the snow covered mountain. Perhaps it’s an authentic mountain lodge you seek? Whether travelling alone or with the whole family, Alberta’s inns, lodges and chalets have the perfect room for you.
Retreats are as rustic or as luxurious as you like. Get away from it all in a cabin with no television or phone, or spoil yourself in a sumptuous lodge with fine linens and soaker tubs, crackling log fires and gourmet dining just steps away.
Not to be missed> Scenic helicopter flights over the Rocky Mountains> View the aurora borealis> Famous lakes frozen in wonder: Lake Louise, Peyto Lake,
Maligne Lake> Winter wildlife tour> Horse sleigh ride around Lake Louise> Calgary Zoo Lights> Banff and Jasper National Parks> Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary> Snowy Owl Dogsledding
Banff & Lake Louise
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Banff & Lake Louise
TRADE CONTACTS
Lukas Prochazka Manager, Asia Pacific
+1 (403) 762 0273
PO Box 1298, Banff, Alberta, Canada T1L 1B3
www.BanffLakeLouise.com
The World’s Finest National Park
Nestled amongst the peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Banff is known as a traveler’s Mecca for good reason.
Whether by rail, car, bicycle, skis, or canoe, in Banff National Park you can enjoy year-round discovery of the 6,641km2 mountainous landscape. As Canada’s first national park and a coveted UNESCO World Heritage Site, what makes Banff National Park so special is its combination of vast unspoiled and protected wilderness, mountain lakes like Lake Louise, and the gateways to it all: the vibrant communities of Banff and Lake Louise.
With 1,600 kilometres of trails, two gondolas, three ski areas, an exciting heritage and more dining options and activities than you have time for, Banff National Park is a premier destination for authentic hospitality and outdoor exploration.
Not to be missed> Float Trip - Go where the river meets the mountains and see
Banff at its best, with only the rush of water and the wind moving in the pines as background noise. A scenic, peaceful float trip takes you by large oar-powered rubber rafts along the sweeping curves of the Bow River, past the towering presence of Mount Rundle, and much more.
> Golf at the world famous Stanley Thompson Golf Course at The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. With breathtaking views in every direction, this is a captivating and challenging course.
> Hike along some of the most breathtaking hiking trails in the country at Lake Louise to two of the most breathtaking teahouses in Lake Louise. Be sure to ask the staff what it’s like to live up at the Plain of Six Glaciers teahouse. They’ll tell you their only way out is a 3-hour hike back to the Chateau Lake Louise.
> Canoe – explore the emerald coloured lakes by canoe. Rent in Banff, Lake Louise or Moraine Lake to get a different view of these spectacular mountain lakes.
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Yukon
TRADE CONTACTSRay Lane Trade Representative
[email protected] +61 2 9959 3599
www.travelyukon.com
Larger than Life!
Easily accessed from Vancouver, the Rockies, or Alaska’s cruise ports, Yukon offers a refreshing way to experience Canada. Unspoiled nature abounds, providing visitors with breathtaking vistas, wildlife sightings and an inner quiet they are joyful to discover.
There are ample ways to see the territory, whether by road, hike, bike, flight, canoe or dogsled. Or, travel the White Pass & Yukon Route by train over the same mountain pass the gold seekers climbed in 1898. Stories of the Gold Rush start in the Alaska panhandle and travel by river, train and road to Dawson City, the heart of the Klondike and a National Historic Site.
Whitehorse is a small and friendly capital city with museums, galleries, shops and eclectic restaurants. Visitors will delight in the historic community of Carcross and the beauty of Haines Junction’s mountains. With a mix of modern hotels, B&Bs and rustic lodges, the traveler’s choice is diverse. Whether you’re seeking uncrowded landscapes, adventure, local characters, or tales from the past, Yukon’s Larger than Life!
Not to be missed> Magical Northern Lights, or summer’s midnight sun> Jaw-dropping scenery, from the UNESCO site of Kluane to
Tombstone Park and in between> Majestic wildlife: moose, bears, mountain sheep and more> Outdoor delights to please every enthusiast> Unique and compelling history, from First Nations to Gold
Rush pioneers to today> A trip on board the Bennett Scenic Journey that traces the
past> Grand-scale road-tripping on iconic highways
Rail through CanadaGo places you can’t by car – No matter where you’re going, your vacation begins as soon as you board the train.
Ride pure mountain magic on the award-winning Rocky Mountaineer, a train that crosses Canada’s mountain landscape in style. Whether you’re a railway buff, a photographer or just someone who wants to sit back, relax and see the spectacular scenery change around every curve, the Rocky Mountaineer is the ultimate luxury rail experience.
Experience the grandeur of Canada by train from the Pacific Ocean to the Great Lakes. From coast to coast, through mountains, prairies, forests and skylines, VIA Rail invites you to take the journey of your dreams.
Relax with a good book, socialise with fellow passengers, or just sit back and enjoy the timeless rhythm of the rail as you watch the Canadian landscape unfold outside your window.
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Rocky MountaineerA life Changing ExperienceGuests experiencing Rocky Mountaineer for the first time will tell you it’s a bit like falling in love. You get goosebumps and at that very moment, the entire world seems perfect.
The breathtaking scenery of Western Canada’s snow-capped mountains, glacier-fed lakes and fertile river valleys, viewed from the shining carriages of blue and gold is the reason why you’ll be sitting nose pressed to the window, as the attentive and knowledgeable Hosts offer fascinating live commentary (rest assured, the windows are meticulously cleaned after each and every trip).
Whether your ultimate getaway is being swaddled in Banff’s lap of luxury or tracing the footsteps of early explorers, Rocky Mountaineer has something for everyone.
Let yourself be swept away to enigmatic landscapes that still defy civilisations. With five-star service and fresh regionally inspired cuisine, this isn’t just a luxury trip – it’s a life-changing experience that leaves tracks across the soul.
Browse through our list of Top selling holiday packages or our popular 2 day/1 night rail only itineraries. We can help you create a package that fits your timing and interests and lets you explore the Canadian Rockies to your heart’s content.
Your journey begins now.
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A life Changing Experience
The most popular route and the only passenger rail service on the historic Canadian Pacific track – famous for uniting the country and connecting British Columbia to Canada over 125 years ago. The trip begins or ends in Vancouver, BC or beautiful Lake Louise or Banff, Alberta.
Our newest route seamlessly connects the cosmopolitan city of Seattle, WA, USA with Vancouver, BC and with Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff, Alberta. Begin or end your trip in Seattle, WA, or Vancouver, BC. A breathtaking Rocky Mountaineer vacation makes a great beginning or end to a cruise departing from Seattle.
Enjoy diverse and extreme landscapes like BC’s Coastal Rainforest, the largest temperate rainforest in the world, as well as the desert like conditions of the Fraser Canyon and the ranchlands of the historic Cariboo Gold Rush region. This journey begins or ends in Vancouver, BC or the picturesque Canadian Rockies town of Jasper, Alberta.
You’ll witness unparalleled natural beauty including Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and the breathtaking Pyramid Falls. This journey begins or ends in Vancouver, BC or Jasper, Alberta, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
First Passage to the West
Coastal Passage
Rainforest to Gold Rush
Journey through the Clouds
Vancover > Kamloops >Banff or Lake Louise
Seattle > Vancouver > Canadian Rockies
Vancouver > Whistler > Quesnel > Jasper
Vancouver > Kamloops > Jasper
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Iconic, Cosmopolitan and quaint destinations
Rocky Mountaineer operates four routes, between April and October each year. Running East and Westbound, all travel takes place during the day, so you never miss out on the action. All daylight, all delight.
Can’t decide which service level – GoldLeaf or SilverLeaf– is right for you? Regardless of which service level you choose, there is no better way to see this unforgettable terrain than from the unparalleled vantage point of an all-glass-dome fleet. Impeccable service is the cherry on top.
Whatever you choose, you can expect the royal treatment.
World-Class travel at every level
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*All accommodations in Kamloops and Quesnel, while charming, are of moderate standard and cannot be upgraded.
Every night of your Rocky Mountaineer journey is spent in hotel rooms that range from charming to luxurious. And, if you’ve selected GoldLeaf Service for your journey onboard, you may want to indulge in the added option of GoldLeaf Deluxe Service, which gives you luxurious hotel upgrades.*
Service Level
Hotels*
Coach Style » Bi-level dome lets you sit up top and dine down below Custom-designed single-level dome
Window Style »Fully glass-dome windows with panoramic views upstairs, private dining room on the lower-level with large picture windows
Oversized domed windows
Included MealsServed Onboard » Gourmet à la carte meals Delicious hot entrée options plated to
your preference
Meal Service Style » Served in the lower-level dining room Served in the comfort of your seat
Number of Hosts » Three to four, plus full culinary team Two, plus a culinary team member
Alcoholic & Non-AlcoholicBeverages » Complimentary throughout journey Complimentary throughout journey
Gourmet Snacks » Included Included
Outdoor Viewing Area » Large exclusive open-air vestibule Outdoor viewing between coaches
Full Storytelling » Included Included
Style of Hotels &Room Selection »
Luxurious hotelswith premiumroom categories
Comfortable accommodations with restaurants on the property or within walking distance
Upgraded deluxe hotel accommodations with superior views and/or larger hotel rooms throughoutyour journey
DELUXE
Rail only & Classic Rail Vacations
Rail only itineraries (2 days/1 night or 3 days/2 nights)
Combine any rail package with an Alaskan Cruise
Classic Rail Vacations (4 days/3 nights)
Each of Rocky Mountaineer’s four routes has one distinct feature in common and that is, of course, their utter uniqueness. Each featuring stunning scenery and outstanding onboard service, with an overnight stay in comfortable hotel accommodation midway so that you don’t miss any of the spectacular natural beauty that surrounds you. Overnight accommodation in Kamloops, Whistler or Quesnel, daily breakfast and lunch are included onboard Rocky Mountaineer.
If you think your Rocky Mountaineer journey couldn’t be any more relaxing than life onboard the train, think again. After all, life onboard a luxurious ship is pretty spectacular too. Remote and isolated, Alaska is a land of natural beauty. Glittering forests of ice conceal a hidden world populated by playful seals, lumbering bears, and breaching humpback whales. Extending your journey to include a cruise at the beginning or end of any rail journey is easy. Cruise packages depart from both Vancouver, BC, in Canada, and Seattle, Washington, in the United States.
Survey the Canadian landscape for two days onboard Rocky Mountaineer, with one night of accommodation at the start and end of your journey included. Our Vacation packages will include one night in Vancouver plus a night in Kamloops or Quesnel and one night in your choice of Lake Louise, Banff, Calgary or Jasper.
Rail Plus can help extend your trip with additional hotel nights in the Canadian Rockies, or add on a sightseeing tour to get the most out of your visit.
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Coach Style » Bi-level dome lets you sit up top and dine down below Custom-designed single-level dome
Window Style »Fully glass-dome windows with panoramic views upstairs, private dining room on the lower-level with large picture windows
Oversized domed windows
Included MealsServed Onboard » Gourmet à la carte meals Delicious hot entrée options plated to
your preference
Meal Service Style » Served in the lower-level dining room Served in the comfort of your seat
Number of Hosts » Three to four, plus full culinary team Two, plus a culinary team member
Alcoholic & Non-AlcoholicBeverages » Complimentary throughout journey Complimentary throughout journey
Gourmet Snacks » Included Included
Outdoor Viewing Area » Large exclusive open-air vestibule Outdoor viewing between coaches
Full Storytelling » Included Included
Style of Hotels &Room Selection »
Luxurious hotelswith premiumroom categories
Comfortable accommodations with restaurants on the property or within walking distance
Upgraded deluxe hotel accommodations with superior views and/or larger hotel rooms throughoutyour journey
Top selling packages
Western Explorer 8 days/7 night
Canadian Rockies Excursion 5 days/4 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights 7 days/6 nights
Experience this trip first-hand to discover why it has been our most popular holiday for more than a decade. Here’s a hint – all the must-see sights of the Canadian Rockies are included in this eight day itinerary.
Package includes two days on the ‘Journey through the Clouds (Vancouver – Jasper)’ itinerary.
Package includes two days on the ‘First Passage to the West (Vancouver – Banff)’ itinerary
Package includes two days on the ‘First Passage to the West (Vancouver – Banff)’ itinerary.
A relaxing, memorable two-day journey onboard Rocky Mountaineer capped by a stunning helicopter tour of the Rockies’ legendary looming crags.
Go West! To many, Banff and Lake Louise represent the holy grail of Canadian tourism. Embark on a journey of luxury and romance to Canada’s most talked about destinations.
Browse through our most popular and unique holiday packages. Rail Plus can help you create a package that fits your timing and interests and lets you explore the Canadian Rockies to your heart’s content. All our packages include hotel accommodation, sightseeing tours and activities and rail station transfers. Itineraries are also available in the reverse direction.
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8
Vancouver Kamloops Jasper Jasper Lake Louise Banff Calgary Tour Ends
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7
Vancouver Vancouver Kamloops Banff Lake Louise Calgary Tour Ends
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5
Vancouver Kamloops Banff Calgary Tour Ends
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Canadian Rockies Highlights 7 days/6 nights
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Key
Start your Tour Summit Helicopter Tour
On Bus
Gondola Walking
DriveTour EndsOn Train
Overnight Accom.
Sightseeing
Canadian Rockies at Leisure 10 days/9 nights
Golden Circle via Whistler 11 days/10 nights
Experience all the must-see sights in the Canadian Rockies on this epic journey, which includes two nights’ stay in Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff – plus sightseeing tours, an Ice Explorer ride, helicopter flightseeing, the Banff Gondola and more!
Package includes two days on the ‘Journey through the Clouds (Vancouver – Jasper)’ itinerary.
Experience the ultimate rail journey through the Canadian Rockies. Overnight in Whistler before journeying to Jasper. Lake Louise, and Banff, where there will be plenty of time to shop. explore. and max out your camera’s memory card.
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10
Vancouver Kamloops Jasper JasperLake
LouiseLake
Louise Banff Banff Calgary Tour Ends
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11
Vancouver Whistler Quesnel Jasper Jasper Lake Louise Banff Banff Kamloops Vancouver Tour Ends
Journey through the Clouds Discovery Drive 8 days/7 nights
Flower-dotted meadows, weeping waterfalls, and wildlife-packed mountains await discovery on this jaunt through two national parks, where casual drives morph uncannily into nature documentaries.
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8
Vancouver Kamloops Jasper Jasper Lake Louise Banff Calgary Tour Ends
Package includes two days on the ‘Journey through the Clouds (Vancouver – Jasper)’ itinerary.
Package includes three days on the ‘Rainforest to Gold Rush (Vancouver-Whistler-Quesnel-Jasper)’ itinerary and two days on the ‘First Passage to the West (Banff –Vancouver)’ itinerary.
VIA RailAcross CanadaFrom coast to coast, through mountains, prairies, forests and skylines, there is nothing quite like seeing Canada by rail. VIA Rail invites you to enjoy a unique perspective on Canada. Your vacation begins as soon as you board the train.
Rail PassesFor people who want to go a long way on a limited budget, there’s no better choice than the Canrailpass.
Travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific or anywhere on the VIA network in Economy class with the Canrailpass. If your needs are limited to the Québec City-Windsor corridor, then the Canrailpass (Corridor) is your solution.
The Canrailpass gives you the choice between a set number of one-way trips or unlimited travel either Canada-wide or within a specific region.
For more details, visit www.railplus.com.au /.co.nz
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Across Canada
Jasper - Prince Rupert
Plunge deep into British Columbia’s wild side on board the Jasper – Prince Rupert train which takes you on a 1,160-km journey through the highest peaks of the Rockies and touches the Pacific coast.
Departing three times weekly year round, this train makes a two-day journey between Prince Rupert, British Columbia, and Jasper, Alberta, with an overnight stop in Prince George. Passengers will need to book their own accommodation in Prince George.
Your journey in Touring class includes:
• Exclusive access to the dome car with a 360-degrees view of the passing scenery
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner - including wine with dinner
• Baggage check (three items free)
Available during the summer peak period.
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The Canadian
The Canadian takes you between Vancouver and Toronto, with stops in Jasper, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and other cities in between. The total trip takes four nights and three days, but there’s so much to see along the way, you may want to stop for a while.
Much more than a way to get there, The Sleeper Touring class offers the romance and sophistication of a classic overnight rail experience. Enjoy the best of Canadian cuisine, freshly prepared and served in the stylish dining car with china, silverware and linen and a selection of wines. Pause for a drink in the Skyline car or the Park car, or climb up to the observation dome for a 360-degree view of your surroundings.
Your journey in Prestige Sleeper Class includes:
• A high-end Prestige Sleeper cabin offers stylish and modern décor and is 50% larger than a cabin for two in Sleeper Plus class
• Access to the Prestige Park car – the perfect place to sit back and relax or enjoy a pleasant conversation
• Electric radiant heated cabin floors• Private bathroom and shower • Leather L shaped couch by day and a Murphy bed for two by night
facing a large window to admire the breathtaking sights• Personalised concierge service throughout your trip• Priority reservations in the dining car• Priority baggage handling• All – inclusive dining and complimentary drinks service
Your journey in Sleeper Touring class includes:
• Comfortable cabins with nightly bed turn-down service. • Exclusive use of shower facilities, with complimentary personal
shower kit• Delightful all-inclusive meals; à la carte wines• Exclusive use of lounges and observations domes• Informative sessions, movie viewings, wine tastings and other
activities• Onboard activity co-ordinator• Baggage check (three items free)• Priority boarding• ‘Welcome aboard!’ reception with appetizers and sparkling wine
Economy class seating also available.
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Quebec City – Windsor corridor
The Ocean
Windsor. Niagara Falls. Toronto. Kingston. Ottawa. Montreal. Quebec City. The Quebec City – Windsor corridor connects the modern attractions of Canada’s urban landscape with the proud history and diverse cultures of Ontario and Quebec at every stop. Trains in the Quebec City – Windsor corridor are typically used for intercity trips, offering a relaxing journey from station to station.
Your journey in Business class includes:
• Large, comfortable seats with meal and bar service
• Exclusive use of the Panorama lounge at major stations
• Priority boarding and assigned seating
• Hot and cold meals – Afternoon and evening bar service
• Electrical outlets, Wi-Fi access at every seat
For more budget conscious travellers, Economy class is also available.
Running between Montreal, Moncton and Halifax, the Ocean gives you access to attractions in eastern Quebec, northern New Brunswick and central Nova Scotia. The total journey takes about 21 hours from station to station and is an overnight train providing cosy cabins, panoramic views in the observation dome and the opportunity to savour the flavours of the region in the dining car.
Your journey in Sleeper Touring class includes:
• Cosy cabin for two, with or without shower and all the amenities
• Delicious meals highlighting regional specialities. Catered meals (no chef on board).
• Priority boarding from the exclusive pre-boarding lounge in Montréal and Halifax.
• Exclusive use of lounges and observation dome in the Park car
• Baggage check (three items free)
Sleeper and Economy classes are available year round.
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Trans Canada Rail Adventure (15 days/14 nights)
Package price includes:
Starting on the Pacific coast and ending on the other side of the continent in the beautiful Maritime Provinces, this 14-night journey is the ultimate Canadian rail experience. Along the way you will pass through towering forests, skirt spectacular rivers and lakes, walk on a glacier, cross the endless prairies, stand in awe at one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls and finally alight on the edge of the Atlantic with an unforgettable backdrop of coastal islands and dramatic seascapes. The trip includes three legendary Canadian rail voyages: the superb Rocky Mountaineer between Vancouver and Banff, VIA Rail’s Canadian, an iconic passage from Jasper to Toronto, and VIA Rail’s The Ocean, which takes passengers from the French charm of Montreal to Halifax’s historic waterfront.
• Hotel accommodation in Kamloops, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax
• Sleeping accommodation on board VIA Rail for 3 nights between Jasper and Toronto and 1 night between Montreal and Halifax
• Glacier Skywalk
• Sightseeing tour of Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and Quebec
• Ice Explorer ride onto Athabasca Glacier
..... and much more
All tours include a welcome pack delivered to your hotel including a Canada Guide & Map. All tours offer 3 grades of hotels – Moderate, Superior and Deluxe. For a full list of inclusion, dates and prices please visit our website: www.railplus.com.au/co.nz
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Canadian Holiday Packages
Snow Train to the Rockies
Spectacular West
(7 days/6 nights)
(4 days/3 nights)
Package price includes:
Package price includes:
Traverse the Rocky Mountains on a rail and coach adventure offering incredible diversity. Setting off from the Pacific coast, VIA Rail’s Canadian winds its way up past lush green mountainsides and salmon-filled rivers on an overnight voyage to the beautiful Rocky Mountain resort of Jasper. After a guided walk through the ice-clad Maligne Canyon the journey continues south along the Icefields Parkway to spectacular Lake Louise for an unforgettable sleigh ride by the frozen lake, then on through scenic Bow Valley to Banff. Canada’s premier winter resort town offers shopping, boat cruises, skiing and the option of a luxurious spa at the Fairmont Banff Spring Hotel, before a final journey across the Great Central Plains to Calgary, with its unique mixture of modern sophistication and pioneer charm.
Explore Canada’s wild and beautiful West by combining one of the world’s greatest rail journeys with some unforgettable alpine experiences. The journey begins on the legendary Rocky Mountaineer as it travels from Vancouver to Jasper, along the way delivering some of Canada’s most dramatic scenery, including the salmon-filled Fraser River, the remarkable Pyramid Falls and the majestic Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. From Jasper travel south along the Icefields Parkway for an Ice Explorer ride on the Athabasca Glacier and a Glacier Skywalk over rushing waterfalls, before discovering Lake Louise and Banff, Canada’s premier winter resort town. The journey ends with a trip across the Great Central Plains - Canada’s breadbasket – to Calgary, a bustling metropolis surrounded by some of the country’s finest national parks.
• Hotel accommodation in Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff
• Sleeping accommodation on board VIA Rail for 1 night
• Maligne Canyon Ice Walk
• Sleigh ride at Lake Louise (subject to dates
...and much more)
• Hotel accommodation in Kamloops, Jasper and Banff
• Full day tour between Jasper and Banff with picnic lunch included
• Ice Explorer Ride, Columbia Icefield
• Sulphur Mountain Gondola ride
... and much more
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Mountains, Lakes & Glaciers
Few voyages are as stylish or entertaining as VIA Rail’s iconic Canadian. From the comfort of your cabin you can look out on some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery – from pristine forests and sparkling lakes to powerful waterfalls and vast glaciers – as you climb on an overnight journey into the heart of the Rockies. Get up close to the stunning wildlife surrounding beautiful Jasper before taking arguably North America’s most scenic highway, the Icefields Parkway, to Lake Louise, along the way making time for an Ice Explorer ride on the Athabasca Glacier and an adrenaline-fueled stroll on the Glacier Skywalk’s glass-floored observation platform. On to the mountain resort town of Banff for a gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain’s spectacular summit before crossing the prairies to bustling Calgary, Alberta’s largest metropolis.
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Rockies & the Yukon (10 days/9 nights)
Package price includes:
Package price includes:
Two of the world’s most spectacular regions – and two extraordinary rail adventures - combined in one truly unforgettable trip. Board VIA Rail’s iconic Canadian in Vancouver and travel in style through dramatic landscapes, including glacier-fed lakes and thundering waterfalls, as you climb towards Jasper. Over the next few days encounter some of the Rocky Mountain’s most celebrated attractions, including the Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise and Banff, stopping along the way to explore the Athabasca Glacier, wander along the celebrated Glacier Skywalk and ride a gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain. After crossing the Great Central Plains to Calgary you fly north to discover Whitehorse on the banks of the Yukon River, and take a trip to the deep-water port of Skagway, Alaska, on the narrow gauge White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, an engineering masterpiece blasted through the coastal mountains during the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898.
• Hotel accommodation in Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff and Whitehorse
• Sightseeing tours in Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff and Whitehorse
• Scheduled flight Calgary to Whitehorse and returning to Vancouver
• Full day Whitehorse to Skagway tour, including White Pass & Yukon Railroad
...and much more
• Hotel accommodation in Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff
• Sleeping accommodation on board VIA Rail for 1 night
• Glacier Skywalk and Banff gondola ride
• Evening Jasper wildlife tour
...and much more
(7 days/6 nights)
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Best of the Rockies
Yukon Northern Lights Tour
(6 days/5 nights)
(3 days/2 nights)
Package price includes:
Package price includes:
The Icefields Parkway runs through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, creating one of the world’s most scenic journeys. Starting in the charming mountain town of Jasper, where visitors can encounter some of Canada’s famous wildlife, the tour passes the Columbia Icefield, Bow Lake and the Athabasca Falls on its way south to dazzling Lake Louise, stopping along the way for a ride on the Athabasca Glacier and a chance to stand tentatively atop the Glacier Skywalk’s glass-floored observation platform, hovering 280 metres above stunning valleys and rushing waterfalls. Next is a drive through Bow Valley to Banff, a mountain playground renowned for its lakes, forests and wind-carved Hoodoos, as well as its unforgettable gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain. Finally descend to the foothills of the Rockies and cross the Great Central Plains to Calgary, centre of Canada’s cattle-ranching country.
The stunning lights of the aurora borealis can dance across the sky in ripples, scattered clouds and even shooting arcs, but whatever form they take the performance is always extraordinary. This tour gives you a front-row seat at one of the greatest shows on earth. During the day explore the many attractions of Yukon’s capital, Whitehorse, including Schwatka Lake and the legendary sternwheeler SS Klondike, and then at night be spirited away to the perfect spot, sitting around a fire or snug in a cabin or walled tent, as you watch charged particles from the sun collide with the Earth’s atmosphere in an unforgettable display. Optional Winter Clothing Package can be requested.
• Hotel accommodation in Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff
• Full day tour between Jasper and Lake Louise with picnic lunch included
• Ice Explorer ride on to Athabasca Glacier
• Sulphur Mountain gondola ride
...and much more
• Return flights from Vancouver
• Hotel accommodation in Whitehorse
• Hot drinks and snacks at viewing chalet
• Aurora Borealis certificate
...and much more
Knight Inlet is a 100km long fjord carved by glaciers in the coastal mountains. This pristine wilderness is the native habitat of the Grizzly Bear. Every spring when the bears come out of hibernation, they can be seen from a boat on the banks of Glendale Cove eating sedge grasses, mussels and barnacles that abound in the cove.
In the fall the bears feed heavily on the returning salmon on the Glendale River and can be seen in large numbers from the specially constructed viewing platform.
Situated 60 kilometres from the mouth of the inlet is Knight Inlet Lodge. The floating lodge is tucked into Glendale Cove, which offers one of the few protected anchorages in the inlet and it is here that you will begin each day’s adventure.
The lodge is an assortment of 5 modern cement floats containing 18 guest rooms, a dining room, a lounge, an interpretive centre and support buildings. Most of the rooms consist of two queen beds with a private bathroom. Most of the guest building have lounges with wood burning stoves in them, for relaxing in the evening or on a cool day.
Package price includes
• Return flight from Vancouver to Campbell River with daily departures from Vancouver during 30 May -14 October. Packages available for 2 – 4 nights
• 1st night accommodation in Campbell River• Balance of nights’ accommodation at Knight Inlet Lodge• Return airfare from Campbell River Float Plane dock to
Knight Inlet Lodge• Welcome orientation for wildlife viewing• All meals and snacks at the lodge• Bear viewing tour• Use of kayaks on organised estuary tours • Scheduled Floatplane transfer between Vancouver &
Victoria harbours also available
Grizzly Bears of Knight Inlet Lodge
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6 days/5 nights
Beluga Whales, Bears and Blooms
During the summer months of July & August, the Churchill River is teeming with beluga whales who migrate into the warm shallow waters to give birth and feed on small fish. Known as “Canaries of the Sea”, these friendly and inquisitive creatures will capture your heart as you enjoy their whale song by boat, zodiac, kayak, or – for the more adventurous – by joining them in the water for a snorkelling adventure.
While on land, enjoy the view as the surrounding landscape erupts into colourful blooms. Exploring by Tundra Buggy, you will have the chance to see a multitude of northern wildlife. You might even have the opportunity to see the first of the summer polar bears as they migrate into the area.
Package price includes
• 2 nights’ accommodation in Winnipeg• 3 nights’ accommodation in Churchill• Return flight Winnipeg – Churchill• Boat tour including Fort Prince of Wales• Dog carting• Beluga zodiac tour• Tundra Buggy Excursion• Eskimo Museum
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Most of the country is cold and crisp from November through March, with the exception of the BC coast, where winters are moderate. Average January temperatures in places like Winnipeg, MB, Whitehorse, YT and Saskatoon, SK, can drop to -22° C; Montréal and Québec City, QC, hover around -15° C; while mild Pacific coastal cities like Victoria and Vancouver, BC, are a balmy 10° C. Nearly everywhere has plenty to offer both “outdoor adventurers” and “urban explorers.”
Packing for a winter trip to Canada doesn’t mean buying a fur coat or a whole new wardrobe. The trick to staying warm and dry just about anywhere in the country during winter is in layering. Have your clients pack multiple, thin inner layers to hold in body heat. Fleece and wool are the warmest. They should also bring a warm hat, scarf, insulated gloves and mittens. Remind your clients to bring sunglasses - winter in most of Canada can be bright, with the sun reflecting off the fresh snow.
Canadians love winter. Sure, it’s cold and snowy, but our winter offers limitless opportunities for outdoor fun you just can’t get in summer.
From exotic pursuits like dogsledding, kite-skiing and nocturnal snowtubing to more traditional winter activities like downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and frozen pond skating, winter is a fantastic time to visit Canada, especially for lovers of the great outdoors.
Canada also boasts some of the world’s finest winter festivals - all excellent reasons to go outside and play. Afterward, your clients can cosy up to a roaring, wood-burning fire with a glass of maple whiskey, mulled wine or hot cocoa in an all-season or winter resort.
Winter is also an excellent time to visit Canadian cities like Vancouver, BC, Calgary, AB, Banff, AB Montréal, QC and Toronto, ON for fine dining, culture and shopping before or after heading out on a winter wonderland adventure.
Rail Plus can tailor-make an itinerary to ensure your winter adventure in Canada is one that your clients will never forget!
Winter Wonderland
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About Rail Plus
About Destination Canada
Contact Details
Australia:Phone: (03) 8779 – [email protected]
New Zealand:Phone: (09) 377 – [email protected]
Rail Plus is the pre-eminent rail wholesaler in Australasia, with offices in Melbourne and Auckland and sales representatives based in all states across Australia. We’re your “one stop shop” for rail requirements across the globe. The key to the success of Rail Plus is our specialist, dedicated structure. Our entire focus is centred around rail products, which allows us to provide expert, quality advice as our knowledge is extremely specific. We are firm believers that no holiday to Canada is complete without experiencing Canada’s majestic mountains “up close and personal” on board any one of our rail journeys. For our full range of passes, Canadian holiday packages, point-to-point tickets, seat reservation, city sightseeing essentials contact Rail Plus. We welcome your enquiries.
We want to inspire you to explore Canada.
In 1995, our government established Destination Canada to promote the growth and profitability of Canada.
We are responsible for sustaining a vibrant and profitable Canadian tourism industry; market Canada as a desirable tourist destination and provide information about Canadian tourism to the private sector. Our goal at Destination Canada is to inspire the world to explore Canada. We work with the tourism industry to market Canada as a four season destination.
If you’re interested in learning more, visit: www.canada.travel/corporate.
The Canada Specialist Program is Destination Canada’s online training tool open to both retail and wholesale agents. Once registered at www.csp-au.canada.travel, agents will be asked to complete 8 online training modules to become a ‘Canada Specialist’ agent. This will not only increase your knowledge on Canada but also help close more Canada bookings.
Contact Details
Nathan McLoughlinDestination Canada Phone: 0407 897 814Email: [email protected]
2735
THE BEST CHOICE FORTRAVEL TO CANADA
Daily service from Australia to CanadaFly Air Canada non-stop from Sydney or Brisbane to Vancouver and enjoy easy connections to amazing Canadian destinations.
From mid-2016 we are introducing new cabins on our year-round services to Vancouver from Sydney and Brisbane*.
Travellers will have the choice of three classes of seating aboard our Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Seating options include International Business class with next generation lie-flat beds, Premium Economy, or Economy Class with touch screens at every seat.
For more information visit aircanada.com
* All images Air Canada Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Air Canada’s new International Business Class, new Premium Economy and New International Economy Class cabins (pictured) arrive on the following dates: AC34/33 (B777-200LR aircraft) Sydney-Vancouver-Toronto-Vancouver-Sydney from 17 May, 2016; AC36/35 (B787-8 Dreamliner aircraft) Brisbane-Vancouver-Brisbane from 03 June, 2016. Air Canada begins non-stop daily service from Brisbane to Vancouver on 19 June, 2016. Information is correct at time of publication and subject to change.
