Music by Sam Roberts Band – The Canadian Dream
Day 1
Depart from Toronto in the morning; travel to the largest town in northern Ontario – Sudbury and visit the famous Big Nickel. Next stop at the City of Maple Leaf – Sault Ste. Marie, enjoy the beautiful scenery and sunset of the largest lake in the world – Lake Superior.
Day 2 Sault Ste Marie – Wawa – Thunder Bay
In the morning to visit the “wild goose” town – Wawa, Giant statue of Canada Goose. Pass by White River home of favorite cartoon character Winnie the Pooh. Headed to our next hotel which is in Thunder Bay and checked out the Terry Fox statue along the way.
Day 3 Thunder Bay – Kenora – Winnipeg
Depart in the morning to Dryden for a pit stop, then to Kenora for Husky the Muskie. Got a tour of the Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg. Visited popular sites in Winnipeg and stayed over night there.
Day 5 Regina – Calgary
Depart from Regina to Calgary. Arrived in Calgary in the afternoon. Checked out the downtown core and climbed McHugh Bluff stairs. Got some smoked Alberta BBQ beef brisket for dinner at a local restaurant. Stayed overnight at a Calgary hotel.
Day 6a Calgary – Banff – Lake Louise
Departed Calgary in the morning and headed to Banff National Park to stop at “The Jewel of Rockies” – Lake Louise. Amazing views of the lake as you walked along it. Later we took the lake cruise Minnewanka and got a treat in seeing a family of bears near the water.
Day 6b Calgary – Banff – Lake Louise
After we took Banff Gondola ride up to the Sulphur Mountain and enjoy the panoramic view of Banff and Lake Minnewanka. Then visit the picturesque bow falls- venue of the famous movie “River of No Return”. Had dinner in Town of Banff and headed to Canmore for overnight stay at a hotel. Day 6 was definitely the best day for attractions.
Day 7 Jasper – Columbia Ice field – Glacier Skywalk – Salmon Arm
In the morning visited Jasper National Park. Made a quick stop at Bow Lake. Then headed to Columbia Ice Field, the largest ice mass in the Rocky Mountains. Transferred by the big-wheeled “Snow Coach” for a closer look at more than 300 meters deep Athabasca Glacier. After that we headed to the The Glacier Skywalk which is a small glass walk path above a valley. After lunch, stopped by Peyto Lake and then traveled through the Rocky Mountains and Yoho National Park. Final stop was at Salmon Arm where our hotel was at and then headed downtown for dinner at an Indian restaurant.
Day 9 Stawamus Chief – All three peaks
Had great memories hiking around Vancouver a long time ago and was super excited to do one during my recent short stay in Vancouver. Found a meetup group that organized a hike to Stawamus Chief. Listed for intermediate hikers, this hike was more difficult than I originally thought. It required you to hike up and down very steep slopes, walk on jagged slippery rocks and climb up and down big boulders using metal chains and rusty ladders. Though it was dangerous and tiring; it was very rewarding in the end with great views of the area and great memories.
Day 8-12 Vancouver
Headed to our final destination which was Vancouver. Decided to stay a few more days to enjoy the city a little bit longer. Visited many popular locations such as Stanley Park, Gastown steam clock, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Lonsdale Quay, downtown Chinatown, Queen Elizabeth Park, Granville Island, Vancouver Waterfront, and Sunset Beach Park. As well as tried out some of Vancouver’s delicious food at Japadog, Ryuu Japanese Kitchen, Lonsdale Quay Market, Ba Le Sandwich, Tako, Wak Wak burger, and Miku. There are many great places I didn’t have time to visit and lots of food on my must eat list I haven’t tried. Will be back again in a few years to cross those off.
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