Western Provinces
A very large and diverse area, beginning on the beautiful west coast of Canada, through the spectacular Canadian Rocky Mountains, the Prairie provinces, covered by grasslands and plains to the immense boreal forest covering a large area of Manitoba. (Personally, l have just experiences the west coast region.)
Vancouver, British Columbia
Probably the most well-known city in the west is Vancouver, British Columbia, situated on the waterfront and on the western side of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, a culturallydiverse population, urban city offerings as well as a great natural setting make it one of the best all-around cities in Canada.The historic Gastown section is the heart of trendy restaurants and pubs.
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria has a rich history of a connection with England - from the fantastic beauty of Butchart Gardens (for over 100 years), to the colonial architecture of the grand Fairmont Empress hotel still serving traditional Afternoon Tea to tourists.
Off this southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is an excellent jumping off point for whale watching, and other ocean adventures.
Calgary, Alberta
Calgary has always been Canada’s oil capital - but is probably best known for the annual Calgary Stampede every July, celebrating it’s “Cowtown” rodeo past, welcoming over one million visitors per year.!! Its actually known as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”.!!Calgary has always been Canada’s oil capital - but is probably best known for the annual Calgary Stampede every July, celebrating it’s “Cowtown” rodeo past, welcoming over one million visitors per year.!! Its actually known as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”.!!
(also explore the city’s pioneer-era Heritage Park that “provides an immersive experience that connects people with the settlement of Western Canada”)
Calgary’s location at the foothills of the Canadian Rocky Mountains allows some of the best National Parks just short drive away for hiking skiing and sightseeing.
The Quintessential “Canada Postcard View”
In my opinion, there is no better mountain viewpoint in Canada than Moraine Lake and the surrounding valley in the Canadian Rockies. (the area is referred to as the ‘Valley of Ten Peaks’ and is absolutely stunning).
Like many mountain lakes, the blue green colour of the water is created from glacial silt - and at one time, the image of Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks in Banff National Park appeared on the back of our Canadian $10 dollar bill.
(Now, many would argue that Lake Louise and the grand railway era Chateau Lake Louise Hotel is the ultimate experience in Banff National Park - but l personally think the paved trail around the lake, rental canoes and Lake Louise Gondola, that travels up Whitehorn Mountain for incredible views are all fantastic, but for the wilderness beauty, also take in Moraine Lake)
After a 20 minute drive from Lake Louise, it’s just a short walk from the parking lot to a nice lookout on top of a natural rock slide that dams Moraine Lake.
Butchart Gardens
The Butchart family owned a huge piece of land, just north of the city of Victoria, in Brentwood Bay, that was an unused limestone quarry. In 1912 this became Jennie Butchart’s passion project to landscape it into a Sunken Garden. Now over a million visitors a year enjoy this National Historic Site, for the many speciality gardens, as well as the “Magic of Christmas” with decorations, lighting and outdoor ice skating rink.
(It is still a family run operation even today.)
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