Event description

ADDITIONAL SPACE ADDED for trip dates: May 19-26, 2022

Join Our State as we marvel at the magnificence of passing scenery on a Rocky Mountaineer Gold Leaf Service train ride through the Canadian Rockies. Includes extra days to explore spectacular Vancouver, Victoria, and Banff.

Package Includes:

  • • Round-trip airfare — Raleigh/Durham International Airport
  • • Rocky Mountaineer Gold Leaf Service® train experience
  • • Three nights in Banff at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies”
  • • Three nights in Vancouver at the Waterfront Fairmont
  • • One night in Kamloops
  • • 13 meals: seven breakfasts, four lunches, two dinners
  • • All sightseeing per itinerary
  • • Our State host & guided tours
  • • Luxury air-conditioned motorcoach with Wi-Fi, reclining seats, and onboard restroom
  • • All hotel service charges and gratuities, baggage handling fees, and local taxes

Itinerary Highlights:

  • • Butchart Gardens, Victoria, B.C.
  • • Vancouver North Shore Tour, including Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
  • • Rocky Mountaineer experience from Banff to Vancouver, including rushing waters of Hell’s Gate; Thompson River; Rogers Pass; Kicking Horse Canyon; Spiral Tunnels; and, of course, the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies
  • • Lunch at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
  • • Tour and gondola ride in Banff • Athabasca Glacier

Itinerary:

Thursday May 19:

Fly from Raleigh Durham to Calgary, British Columbia. You will be met upon arrival by our guide for a group transfer to breathtaking downtown Banff. Afterwards, check into the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel (mountain view room), your home for three nights. Located in the heart of Banff National Park, the world famous Fairmont Banff Springs hotel stands as a landmark, Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies,” and has been providing legendary hospitality to guests for more than 125 years. Join your fellow travelers for an exclusive Fairmont Welcome Dinner before retiring for the night. (D)

Friday May 20: 

After breakfast, join our guide aboard our motor coach for a tour of Banff including the Banff Gondola, getting a bird’s eye view of the six mountain ranges surrounding Banff.  Next, you will take in the splendor of Lake Louise with an included buffet lunch at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel. After free time to explore the lake, return to Banff to explore downtown at your leisure. Dinner on your own this evening.

Saturday May 21:

After breakfast, we will continue exploring  Banff National Park by joining our guided motorcoach to see the sights. We will view amazing mountain peaks and step onto the Athabasca Glacier during our tour of the Icefields Parkway. Lunch is included at the Glacier Discover Centre during our tour. This evening, enjoy the lively and quaint town of Banff, dinner on your own. (B, L)

Sunday May 22:

Our rail journey begins on board the Rocky Mountaineer. Gold Leaf service includes exclusive train hosts with breakfast, lunch, snacks and unlimited drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). On this life-changing rail journey into the most dramatic scenery of the Canadian Rockies, you will pass Kicking Horse Pass, the Spiral Tunnels, glaciers and snowcapped peaks. Overnight in Kamloops, our stop for the evening, where dinner will be on your own. (B, L)

Monday May 23:

Today our journey continues on board the Rocky Mountaineer. Our Gold Leaf service includes breakfast and lunch on board. On our rail journey into the interior of British Columbia, you’ll see dramatic changes in the scenery from the peaks of the Rockies as they wind through lush green river valleys into the coastal plains. Upon arrival into stunning Vancouver, you will be transferred to our hotel, the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, our stop for the evening. (B, L)

Tuesday May 24:

After breakfast, join our guide for a full day of sightseeing on the island of Victoria. Our motorcoach will leave directly from our hotel, board the BC Ferry and then disembark on the island of Victoria. Our fully guided tour of the island will include Butchart Gardens, as well as time for lunch on our own. After free time to explore Victoria, you will board the motor coach for the ferry return to our Vancouver hotel. Refreshments are available for purchase aboard the ferry. (B)

Wednesday May 25:

Enjoy a guided six-hour sightseeing tour of Vancouver’s spectacular North Shore. Travel across the Lions Gate Bridge and into the Coast Mountains. Experience the Capilano Suspension Bridge where you will discover the coastal temperate rainforest and continue on to Granville Island, including the famous Public Market, home to more than 50 independent culinary and cultural venues. A farewell dinner with your fellow travelers will be included this evening. (B, D)

Thursday May 26:

Following breakfast, board a motorcoach for a group transfer from your Vancouver hotel to the airport for our flight home to Raleigh-Durham.

 

Register

For reservations and more information:

AAA Vacations
Sandra Horton
919-832-0543 x 16050
sdhorton@aaacarolinas.com

Regular Rate: $5,399 per person, based on double occupancy. All inclusive, including air.

More

What to expect on an Our State trip:  Traveling with a group of Our State readers is an enriching, enjoyable, and safe way to experience new cultures, people, and places. In addition to the informative narration from the tour director and local guides, an Our State host will be available to assist in making your trip successful. We usually fly to our destination, then travel by a comfortable motor coach with anywhere from 35 to 50 people who appreciate learning about new regions. Your entire trip will be guided, planned, and arranged for your upmost enjoyment. Many activities are things you can only do because you are traveling with Our State. You can also choose not to attend an activity if you prefer something different. Please let your tour director know if you are not coming on a scheduled day. Many meals are included. Where you have meals on your own, suggestions will be provided. Most of the motor coaches have restrooms but every effort will be made to make regular rest stops. One of the best parts of traveling with Our State is that you will meet new people, many of whom you will already have much in common with since most travelers read the magazine. Many guests often develop friendships that go on long after the tour is finished. Our State trips are generally filled with dynamic and friendly people. Physical requirements: Our tours are physically active but not meant to be strenuous. Please be aware you will be on your feet, walking and standing for much of the day, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions and terrains. There will also be extended time on the motor coach when we travel from place to place. If there are any mobility issues you will need to have an able-bodied traveling companion to accompany and assist you. We regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Trip Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it. If you have additional questions, please call Our State ’s Travel Director Amy Wood Pasquini at 336-286-0600, or email apasquini@ourstate.com.