Canada
All aboard the Rocky Mountaineer for “the most spectacular train trip in the world”. Your journey begins as you depart the Calgary train station and travel the Kicking Horse Route to Kamloops. During the all-daylight rail tour you will ride through Banff and Yoho National Parks. The train will pass through the unique Spirals Tunnels, a remarkable engineering achievement. Crossing over the Continental Divide into British Columbia is Rogers Pass with its awe inspiring glistening glaciers, snow capped-mountains and tunnels. Next you will see Craigellachie, where the “last spike” was driven completing the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885. Finally winding through the vast ranchlands and along the Shuswap Lake you will reach the town of Kamloops, gateway to British Columbia’s interior. Upon your arrival in Kamloops you will be transferred to your overnight hotel. A great way to spend your evening is at the “Two River Junction Dinner and Revue”. Food, fun and music awaits you at the highly entertaining dinner and musical. The next morning you will reboard the Rocky Mountaineer and continue your journey westward to Vancouver. The train will meander along the nature path of the Thompson River and the impressive Fraser Canyon. One of the scenic highlights in the canyon is Hell’s Gate, where million of gallons of water per minute rush through the narrowest point of the canyon. Before you reach the coastal city of Vancouver, you will travel through the final range of mountains, the Pacific Coastal Mountain Range.
Article Published: February 18th, 2005
On August 17th 1896 George & Kate Carmack, Tagish Charlie and Skookum Jim made the discovery of gold on Bonanza Creek near Dawson City and the Klondike gold rush began. Join us this summer as we travel through the Yukon exploring this wonderful region full of rich Canadian history. Our journey begins in Whitehorse “Land of the Midnight Sun”. Whitehorse is named after the historic rapids on the Yukon River, which resembled the flowing manes of charging white horses. Our first morning will be spent touring this beautiful area with stops at Miles Canyon, Beringia Centre, the Transportation Museum and the SS Klondike. We will enjoy a guided tour of The SS Klondike, an old Sternwheeler that plied the Yukon River for many years taking Stampeders and supplies to Dawson City. This evening we will have a welcome reception at the Yukon Mining Company and then it is off to be entertained at the Frantic Follies, a vaudeville revue of actors, dancers, and musicians that recapture the spirit and enthusiasm of the Klondike gold rush. Next we head north to Dawson City. A full day is planned in this city, a National Historical Site, as we visit an actual Gold Mining Dredge and try our luck panning for gold. There are so many unique sites to see. Perhaps you can tour the historic Commissioners Residence or enjoy a recital of a Robert Service poem at his cabin. Tonight try and strike it rich at Diamond Tooth Gerties Casino, the oldest casino in Canada. Our Journey continues into Alaska over the Top of the World Highway.
Article Published: March 17th, 2005
Victoria, British Columbia “The Garden City”. Victoria has the mildest climate in Canada, spring begins as early as February – summer is warm and dry – fall begins in late September as trees change from green to gold – winters are moderate, ideal for a round of golf or a stroll around the inner harbor. But the real beauty of Victoria is that you can do a thousand interesting things there at any time of year. Afternoon tea is still taken in a traditional, unhurried manner in this romantic city where horse-drawn carriages travel along the streets and tall ships moor alongside the wharf. Victoria’s colorful Chinatown is the oldest in Canada. The mildness of the climate means there is always something blooming. From the fifty acres of glorious color and unparalleled design at the “Butchart Gardens” to the splendid baskets of cascading blossoms that grace the 19th century lamposts downtown. Victoria’s gardens bloom year-round and draws admiration from flower enthusiasts worldwide. One of the best ways to explore Victoria’s historic downtown is on foot. The inner harbor, old town Chinatown, James Bay, Fisherman’s wharf, and Beacon Hill Park are all within walking distance of each other. Downtown touring options include guided walking, double-decker bus tours, horse-drawn carriage tours, boat tours and coach tours. Victoria’s 140-year old history is carefully preserved in its many historic sites and heritage buildings. You will also find several wonderful museums and exhibits that bring history to life.
Article Published: May 11th, 2006
Halifax is a modern port city teeming with culture and heritage and the perfect place for your next holiday vacation. Nature has blessed this area with sandy beaches, rugged shorelines and colorful gardens. This fine location was the site of the first British town in Canada, founded in 1749. Since then, the area has evolved to be home for a diverse mix of people. Charming fishing villages, farming communities and Atlantic Canada’s largest city awaits you. In the heart of the downtown you’ll find art galleries, museums, historic sites and churches, shopping, sidewalk cafés and friendly nightclubs. Lively pubs and entertainment, spectacular shows, first class sporting events, live theatre on both sides of the harbor, wonderful dining and non-stop fun are the ticket to a Halifax experience. If you seek peaceful nature scenes, head out of the downtown for nearby communities offering hiking, camping, and bird watching. Let yourself be romanced by the sea. Everyone is drawn to the ocean the crisp tang of salt air, fresh breezes, and an ever-changing panorama of color and light. Everyone should experience the pleasure of a broad sandy beach, the power of waves crashing against a rocky shore, or the simple pleasure of beachcombing for unexpected treasures from the sea. Stroll the boardwalks and see ships from around the world, watch fishermen at their timeless tasks or sail or kayak among the many islands of the beautiful bays Throughout the year you can enjoy music festivals, live theatre, outdoor concerts, symphony performances and good old fashioned Celtic music. Kaleidoscope Travel & Cruise will be including Halifax in our Maritimes Tour in October of 2007.
Article Published: August 17th, 2006
An excited and happy group left Calgary on September 19, 2007 bound for NEWFOUNDLAND, we were going to spend ten days travelling from east to west across ‘the rock’. We flew into St. John’s where we were met at the airport by a motor coach, and transported to our hotel overlooking the harbor. We rested on our first evening in preparation for the fabulous day that awaited us! Our explorations of St John’s, one of the oldest cities in North America, included Signal Hill, The Rooms (an amazing museum), a city tour and of course that evening we all got “Screeched”, a ceremony which includes a drink of the infamous Newfoundland Screech Rum and kissing the posterior of a puffin and repeating a semi-dialect, slightly risqué recitation. Now we are all ‘Honorary Newfoundlanders’. The following morning we spent time at the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador, which is located at the most easterly point of land in Canada, Cape Spear. We carried on to the town of Bay Bulls and after lunch we boarded a catamaran for a marine wildlife tour to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve where we enjoyed watching the puffins as they dove for fish. That evening we were superbly entertained by a local ‘legend’, ‘Stompin’ Darrin Steele’ – a most enjoyable evening included a traditional meal of local ‘fare’. The next day we continued on Gander through Terra Nova National Park. We visited the site of the memorial to the crash on December 11, 1985, of Arrow Air flight MF128– with a loss of all 248 passengers – members of the 101st Airborne Division. We spent time at the North Atlantic Aviation Museum before checking in to our hotel. The following day we spent on Twillingate Island where we enjoyed the museum – climbed to the top of a lighthouse and laughed and learned of the fishing industry at the local fisheries museum. – everyone agreed it was such a fun stop.
Article Published: November 21st, 2007
Part Two of the “Newfoundland Experience” Tour from Kaleidoscope Travel & Cruise. The next morning we departed Gander and journeyed to Rocky Harbor. On our way we will take time to visit the Mary March Provincial Museum, which told of the fascinating history and formation of Central Newfoundland. Another wonderful day as we travelled north to Plum Point. We spent time in Gros Morne National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch we continued on to St. Anthony, where we visited the home of Sir Wilfred Grenfell, the first doctor in the area. Another fun filled evening was spent at a ‘Viking Feast’. Once again the entertainment was unique and hilarious. The following day we boarded the ferry for an hour long crossing from Newfoundland to Labrador. In 1977 archaeologists began excavations that were to reveal what was Canada’s first industrial complex history of North America. Archaeology on the land has revealed the shore stations where whales were brought for processing and where their blubber was rendered into marketable oil by Basque Fisherman in the 1600’s. We spent the night in beautiful Labrador, before returning to Newfoundland on the ferry where the adventure continued as we spent time at the earliest known European settlement in the New World, L’Anse aux Meadows. The reconstructions of three Norse buildings are the focal point of this archaeological site. Exhibits highlight the Viking lifestyle, artifacts, and the archaeological discovery of the site. And now we retraced our steps and travelled south to Deer Lake. That afternoon we boarded a plane and flew to Halifax, Nova Scotia where we extended the adventure – the tour was now going to explore Nova Scotia – New Brunswick – PEI and Cape Breton during the next 12 days. Look for the continuing adventure December 19th, as Fun Was Had By All.
Article Published: December 5th, 2007
Our adventure in the Maritimes began in the city of Halifax as Anita, and a group of excited travellers arrived from Calgary to join the group who had already completed their tour of Newfoundland and were anxiously awaiting the 2nd part of their vacation. The first day we was spent in Halifax on a city tour. We visited the Victorian Public Gardens, the Old Town Clock, the Titanic Grave Sites, the Maritime Museum, and Province House. Following this tour we journeyed to the famous Peggy’s Cove. a photographer’s paradise. Despite its popularity this tiny fishing village has been able keep the same relaxed atmosphere that has made it famous. Peggy’s Cove is certainly one of Canada’s gems. In the afternoon we spent time at Pier 21, where about a million immigrants, refugees, war brides and children began their lives as Canadians. That evening we dined at the Five Fisherman Restaurant – the building once served as a funeral home for some of the Titanic’s doomed passengers. The food was wonderful, and many of us overindulged ourselves at the ‘all you can eat mussel bar’, WOW. The next morning we visited the famous Halifax Citadel. the Citadel is Canada’s most visited National Historic Sites and everyone agreed a most interesting stop on our travels. We had a completely different afternoon – we toured the Alexander KeithNova Scotia Brewery. Actors in period costume took us back in time as we learned about the beer and the brewery. We then visited the Stag’s Head Tavern where we were entertained by
musicians, played games and of course sampled Keith’s fine ale. The next day we left Halifax and continued on to Mahone Bay, one of the most beautiful towns in Eastern Canada, we spent some time browsing and then took a short drive to Lunenburg. On waterfront is the home of the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and that afternoon we had a guided tour of the facility. The
Museum commemorates the fishing heritage of the Atlantic coast of Canada, and the guide , who was so informative, fascinated us with her stories.
Article Published: December 19th, 2007
Early the next morning we boarded Wood Island ferry and travelled to Sydney, Nova Scotia. Our afternoon coffee break was at the Rita MacNeil Tea House, it was a lovely stop. We continued on to Sydney, NS. And as it was thanksgiving Monday we attended the Celtic Colours International Festival where we ate traditional turkey dinner, which was followed by a concert featuring artist from all over the world playing their own brand of celtic music. Once again a highlight. Situated on one of the most picturesque coasts of Cape Breton Island, is Fort Petrie. And the following day we toured the two- story underground fort with it’s two gun emplacements. Later we found ourselves at the Cape Breton Miners’ Museum, – a fascinating stop. Some chose to take an underground tour of the Ocean Deeps Colliery, a coal mine located beneath the Museum A. Retired coal miner was the guide and he entertained us and informed us of the hard life the miners endured. In the afternoon we visited another fabulous destination – the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Park – the crown jewel of the Canadian Park Service and the largest historical reconstruction in Canada. And the next day another fabulous destination – as we travelled the Cabot Trail. It is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the world and the local guide who was with us kept us informed and entertained the whole day. We spent our last night at a beautiful hotel overlooking the Bras D’or Lakes. The stunning scenery is where Alexander Graham Bell, his wife Mabel, fell in love with Baddeck, and in the morning spent time at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site – located in the Village of Baddeck. After lunch we drove back to Halifax Airport for our flight home, but on the way we were a unique coffee stop! We were invited to the home of Anita’s relatives, who live in the country near Halifax, it was a lovely surprise to enjoy the renowned hospitality of Nova Scotia firsthand. We were treated to homemade goodies of all kinds , tea , coffee and punch followed by Uncle George playing the guitar and singing the traditional songs of Nova Scotia, including, ‘Fare Thee Well To Nova Scotia’ . I do believe a tear was shed by more than a few, as our trip was coming to an end, and it was going to be difficult to say goodbye to our new friends and this extrordinary area of Canada. This tour will be offered again in October 2009.
Article Published: January 2nd, 2008
All aboard the Rocky Mountaineer for “the most spectacular train trip in the world”. Your journey begins as you depart the Calgary train station and travel the Kicking Horse Route to Kamloops. During the all-daylight rail tour you will ride through Banff and Yoho National Parks. The train will pass through the unique Spirals Tunnels, a remarkable engineering achievement. Crossing over the Continental Divide into British Columbia is Rogers Pass with its awe inspiring glistening glaciers, snow capped-mountains and tunnels. Next you will see Craigellachie, where the “last spike” was driven completing the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885. Finally winding through the vast ranchlands and along the Shuswap Lake you will reach the town of Kamloops, gateway to British Columbia’s interior. Upon your arrival in Kamloops you will be transferred to your overnight hotel. A great way to spend your evening is at the “Two River Junction Dinner and Revue”. Food, fun and music awaits you at the highly entertaining dinner and musical. The next morning you will reboard the Rocky Mountaineer and continue your journey westward to Vancouver. The train will meander along the nature path of the Thompson River and the impressive Fraser Canyon. One of the scenic highlights in the canyon is Hell’s Gate, where million of gallons of water per minute rush through the narrowest point of the canyon. Before you reach the coastal city of Vancouver, you will travel through the final range of mountains, the Pacific Coastal Mountain Range.
