Your itinerary
1.
London, Calgary and Banff
Your door-to-door driver takes you to London Heathrow for your
non-stop Air Canada flight to Calgary. Continue to the 4 diamond
Royal Canadian Lodge for your two-night stay in Banff.
2. Banff
Today's optional trip to Banff National Park introduces you to
some of the area's best vantage points including the wind-shaped
hoodoos, Surprise Corner, Tunnel Mountain Drive, Bow Valley and the
Cave and Basin exhibits. Take a gondola ride to the summit of
Sulphur Mountain to visit the hot springs or take an optional
helicopter tour along the Goat and Sundance ranges for panoramic
views of the heights, meadows and lakes. Alternatively, the day is
free for you to explore the boutiques and bistros of Banff town at
leisure.
3. Banff to Jasper
Journey by coach along one of the world's most spectacular
mountain highways, following the breathtaking Bow Valley to the
crystal-clear waters of Lake Louise. After a short stop to admire
the awe-inspiring mountain and glacial scenery, cross the North
Saskatchewan River for an afternoon visit to the Icefields Parkway
and a chance to take an Ice Explorer ride on the Athabasca Glacier.
This evening, check in at the Chateau Jasper, your 4 diamond home
for two nights.
4. Jasper
Spend today discovering the beauty and history of Jasper on an
optional tour to Jasper National Park - see Medicine Lake and
Maligne Lake, one of the most picturesque spots in the Canadian
Rockies, take a cruise to the world-famous Spirit Island, or enjoy
an optional floating raft trip on the Athabasca River. Otherwise,
the day is at leisure.
5. Jasper to Sun Peaks
Travel through the twists and turns of the Columbia Mountains
for incredible views of gorges, waterfalls and forestry, including
a stop at Mount Robson, before arriving at the ski area of Sun
Peaks for one night at the 4 diamond Sundance Lodge.
6. Sun Peaks to Vancouver
Follow the Yellowhead Highway and the Cariboo Wagon Road to the
coast and journey along the fertile Fraser Delta to Vancouver,
where the waterfront Pan Pacific Hotel (5 diamond), adjacent to the
cruise terminal, will be your home for one night.
7. Inside Passage Cruise
Spend the morning at leisure exploring or relaxing in Vancouver
- perhaps take a stroll in Stanley Park or visit one of the
underground shopping malls - before heading to Canada Place to join
your Holland America Line cruise ship, the 5 diamond MS Volendam
for 2006 departures and MS Zaandam for 2007. Relax and enjoy the
luxury of shipboard living and full-board accommodation as you set
sail on your cruise of the Inside Passage. D
8. Inside Passage Cruise
Pass beautiful bays and coves while cruising the thin stretch of
sea that runs between the mainland and numerous scattered tiny
islands. Enjoy the moving panorama of evergreen forests, tranquil
waters and occasional fishing settlements - there may even be
sightings of whales as you cruise towards Juneau. B L T D
9. Inside Passage Cruise - Juneau
Cruising into the port at Juneau is one of the only ways to
reach Alaska's capital. Here you will have a chance to visit the
stunning mile-wide Mendenhall Glacier and some of the city's
museums. B L T D
10. Inside Passage Cruise - Skagway
Experience the frontier atmosphere today as you visit the gold
rush town of Skagway, home to old-time saloons and wooden
boardwalks. Visit museums offering a fascinating insight into
frontier life or explore the area on one of the optional tours
available, including the historic White Pass and Yukon Route
Railroad, to see traces of the rugged trail that leads to the gold
fields. B L T D
11. Inside Passage Cruise - Glacier Bay National
Park
See rivers of ice flowing to the sea and the phenomenon of ice
calving on today's unforgettable visit to the Glacier Bay National
Park. Enjoy a full day cruising in the park while nature experts
come aboard to explain the area and its wildlife, particularly the
summer migration and feeding habits of humpback whales. B L T D
12. Inside Passage Cruise - Ketchikan
Sail to Alaska's oldest city today; originally an Indian fishing
camp, Ketchikan is now the 'salmon capital' of the world. Explore
the area's native origins with an optional tour to Totem Bight
State Park, take a flightseeing tour of the Misty Fjords National
Monument, or simply shop and enjoy a fresh salmon lunch in this
picturesque hillside city. B L T D
13. Inside Passage Cruise
Relax and enjoy the seascapes on the final day of your cruise as
you return to Vancouver. B L T D
14. Vancouver and flight home
Arriving in Vancouver, enjoy a morning city tour including
visits to Stanley Park, False Creek, Gastown and Chinatown before
crossing the Lions Gate Bridge to Capilano Park for lunch and a
chance to walk on the park's 100-year-old suspension bridge. This
afternoon, head to the airport for your non-stop Air Canada flight
to London Heathrow. B L
15. London
Your door-to-door driver will take you home.
Holland America Line
Sailing with Holland America Line (5 diamond) allows you to
explore Alaska's miles of untamed wilderness and natural beauty
while enjoying luxurious on-board accommodation.
Offering genuine attention to service and a 'tradition of
excellence', the MS Volendam and Zaandam. provide modern amenities
including a fitness centre, spacious pool area, antique-adorned
lounges and tables set with Rosenthal china in the silver service
dining room. Alternatively, reserve a table at the intimate
Pinnacle Grill for superlative food, fine wines and a menu choice
that includes fresh fish and prime aged beef (a $20 cover charge
applies for each person). The third restaurant, the Lido, ensures a
variety of menus to suit every preference. Complimentary hot and
cold hors d'oeuvres are served during cocktail hour.
Your spacious, air-conditioned stateroom has a private bathroom,
twin beds, double wardrobe, telephone and colour television. A
variety of cabin upgrades is available - ask our Reservations team
for details.
During the day, there is a choice of land excursions available,
as detailed in the itinerary.
Travel notes
You will need to carry US and Canadian currency on this
cross-border tour. You never know what might catch your eye. The
Rockies tour on its own is one of the best introductions to this
fabled region. And the Holland America Line Alaska cruise really is
something special: as a pioneer of tourism in this area, the
company has a much-coveted permit to sail among the ice-floes and
calving glaciers of the awesome Glacier Bay - out of bounds to most
shipping. A gratuity of US$10 per person per day will be added to
your shipboard account for dining and stateroom
service.
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