DAY 1: ATHENS - CALGARY - BANFF, ROCKY MOUNTAINS
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Meeting at the airport and flight to Calgary, located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada. The city, with a history dating back to 1875, is the 5th most populous in Canada and its population is growing at an impressive rate due to the economic development from Alberta's oil. We will then depart for the beautiful town of Banff in the Rocky Mountains, one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world, an ideal base for excursions in the surrounding area, with many accommodations and shops with winter activity equipment. Banff National Park covers an area of 6,641 sq km and its main commercial center is the town of Banff, in the Bow River Valley. The Canadian Railway played an important role in the early years of the park's establishment and attracting tourists. Since 1960, Banff National Park has been open all year round, and tourism has increased to over 5 million annually since the 1990s! Today, Banff is one of the most visited national parks in the world, and this poses a threat to the health of its ecosystem. In the mid-1990s, a two-year study was initiated, which led to new policies aimed at preserving ecological integrity. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Overnight.
DAY 2: BANFF, MORAINE LAKE
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Today's program "starred" the visit to the wonderful work of nature, Banff National Park, the "arch" of Canada's national heritage, which together with Jasper National Park, is considered by many to be the equivalent of Venice and Florence for Italy. We start with Moraine Lake, which coexists with a fantastic landscape, known as the "Valley of the Ten Peaks" (Valley of the Ten Peaks) is a valley in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, which consists of ten impressive snow-capped mountain peaks and also includes a lake, "Moraine Lake". This particular alpine lake is located at an altitude of 1,885 meters, has an area of 120 acres and a maximum depth of 14 meters. It is fed by water that comes from melting glaciers and its magical color changes depending on the sunlight and its reflection on the mountains. The "Valley of the Ten Peaks" is a natural landmark of Canada and a very popular visitor destination. The beautiful landscape with the sometimes turquoise and sometimes lighter blue colors of the lake make it look like a fairy tale setting. Each of the ten peaks has its own name, of course, but other peaks are also visible in addition to these ten. With the cable car we can go up to Sulphur Mountain, where we will enjoy a unique panoramic view of the Rockies, from the observatory there. The cable car ride takes about 7-8 minutes and at the top you will find a cafe, restaurant and souvenir shop. Lunch, dinner or breakfast can also be enjoyed at Rimrock Resort, near Upper Hot Springs, five minutes from the town of Banff.
DAY 3: BANFF, LAKE LOUISE
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The part of Banff National Park that gives it its unique identity as a natural phenomenon is impossible to describe in ordinary words… We will visit it by climbing to an altitude of 1,730 meters. Lake Louise borrowed its name from Princess Louise Caroline Alberta. We will admire the beautiful lake, The water of the lake has an emerald color, which is due to the color of the rocks at its bottom. Its surface is 0.8 square kilometers and its length is 3 kilometers. , surrounded by the wonderfully sculpted peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the "climbed" hotel, the Victoria Glacier, the ski slopes, the brown grizzly bears (we hope only through the information center!) and much more. The continuation of the program includes a visit to the Fairmont castle hotel, which "overlooks" the lake, and a good meal or coffee that will complete the excursion.
DAY 4: BANFF - JASPER, ATHAMASKA ICELAND, GLACIER SKYWALK
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This morning we will depart for the Athabasca Glacier, which we will travel to with special vehicles. One of the most famous glaciers in North America, the Athabasca is part of the Columbia Glacier, which extends over six square kilometers. However, this glacier has been melting continuously for the last 125 years, while its southern end has retreated approximately one and a half kilometers during this period. Experts believe that the speed at which it is melting today is the greatest ever recorded and the glacier is shrinking by 2 to 3 meters per year. Jasper Park, moreover, is a wonderful place that will steal your heart with its wild beauty. The highlight of your experiences will be the Glacier Skywalk Rocky Mountains glass platform, which is a glass walkway in the void, with a unique view. The glass walkway is located 280 meters above the ground, weighs 200 tons and can withstand the weight of two 747 airplanes., on which you will walk, with glaciers towering above your eye level and the deep ravine beneath your feet, which will send your adrenaline soaring! The "Glacier Skywalk" won an award at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona in 2011 and since then architects and teams have been trying to make it a reality.
Day 5: Jasper - Rocky Mountains - Edmonton
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Today's route through the Rocky Mountains will take us to Edmonton, the capital of the province of Alberta and its second largest city (after Calgary), located at an altitude of 670 meters in the middle of a very fertile plateau. Edmonton is an administrative center and transportation hub of western Canada. It is called the "Canadian oil capital", as major oil companies are headquartered here. Arrival, city tour and check-in at the hotel. After our introduction, you can visit the West Edmonton Mall, which for a period was the largest shopping center in the world, with shops, hotels and indoor recreation areas and is a tourist attraction. Overnight.
DAY 6: EDMONTON - VANCOUVER (FLIGHT) - TOUR
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Transfer to the airport and flight to Vancouver. At noon we will begin our tour of the beautiful city, during which we will explore its most important attractions. We will visit the historic Gastown area, the Shopping Center, the picturesque Kitsilano district, as well as the harbor with its traditional fish taverns. We will pass by the impressive Convention Center with its characteristic white sails reminiscent of a sailboat, and we will enjoy the beautiful Stanley Park. In the afternoon we will board the Seabus Ferry for a 15-minute ride to the north shore. At the Lonsdale Wharf, an impressive market awaits you, while the Fisheries Center and the Salmon Market are of particular interest. Finally, we will visit the impressive Capilano Suspension Bridge, which was built in 1889 and extends for a length of approximately 140 meters, suspended from the treetops! The revitalized Yaletown neighborhood with its upscale boutiques and trendy restaurants will charm you. Also: Queen Elizabeth Park, English Bay Beach, Europe Hotel, Chinatown, Stanley Park, etc. Return to Vancouver
DAY 7: VANCOUVER - VICTORIA - VANCOUVER
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Day trip to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, a city more… English than England itself! It is located in a wonderful location on a magnificent natural harbor, its climate is considered Mediterranean, the pace of life is slower and its center is beautiful, with many flowers, parks and bike paths. The passage to Vancouver Island, where Victoria is located, is by ferry. Victoria is the capital of the Canadian province of British Columbia. The city is built on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and on the northern side of the Straits of Juan de Fuca. The coastline of British Columbia is characterized by many steep bays, inlets (fjords) and isthmuses created by glaciers. Near its coastline, there are about 6,000 islands, the largest of which are Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte Islands. The western side of Vancouver Island and almost the entire west coast of British Columbia is covered by virgin forests of the temperate zone. The area is one of the few remaining undisturbed temperate ecosystems in the world. Time to visit Butchart Gardens. On the site of an abandoned quarry, Robert Butchart and his wife began in 1904 to make their dream come true. What was it? To satisfy the senses as much as they could… So Butchart Gardens quickly became a favorite place for locals and foreigners. Today, Butchart Gardens is a national historic site of Canada. As you wander through the gardens you will find remains of the original cement factory and millions of plants in more than 900 varieties. Return to Vancouver in the evening.
DAY 8-9: VANCOUVER - ATHENS
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Transfer to the airport and boarding the flight to Athens. Arrival the next day.
Economy class airfare Athens-Calgary (with stopover) and
Vancouver -Athens (with intermediate station).
The domestic flight Edmonton -Vancouver
Selected 4* hotels & 3* lodges in the Rocky Mountains.
Excursion to Victoria Island.
Special vehicles on the Athabasca Glacier.
Tours, guided tours, entrance fees to various attractions, as described
Airport/hotel transfer in Canada
Experienced Greek leader-escort.
Liability insurance.
ETA Canada version.
Experienced Greek-speaking leader/guide
Travel forms
Airport taxes and fuel surcharges, visa waiver program (eTA) and application fees, special individual travel insurance & Covid-19: €945
Gratuities, Porters, Local Taxes (NOT for Guides/Leaders) mandatory C$200 payable upon arrival on the first day
Anything not listed in the included items
GENERAL REMARKS
All prices are per person in Euros and have been calculated on 15/02/2025 based on the applicable equivalent/prices of air fares and hotels. The airlines and hotels listed are the usual cooperating ones and are finalized 16 days before departure.
Breakfast in the US is not included in the room rate.
The child price is calculated on the double room rate and applies to ages 2-12 years old in the same room with 2 adults.
TAXES/INSURANCE/ESTA/ETA: The cost includes airport taxes, fuel surcharges, local accommodation taxes, special Covid-19 travel insurance & ESTA fee.
The SMART PRICE discount applies to early bookings made for the first 7 or 10 people.
TIPS: The cost includes transportation and tips per passenger and are mandatory. They cover hotel transportation, driver tips, etc. and entrance fees where mentioned in the detailed programs. They DO NOT cover a tip for the Leader/Guide.
For Greek passports, ESTA & eTA approval is required for entry into the USA & Canada respectively (Visa Waiver Program). In case you have traveled to SYRIA, IRAQ, IRAN, SUDAN, LIBYA, SOMALIA, YEMEN & NORTH KOREA after March 1, 2011 & CUBA after January 12, 2021 you will need a Visa for the USA., the traveler is no longer eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) and must apply for a visa to enter the United States.
The flow of the program may change if deemed necessary for its best outcome, without omissions.
Pre-selection of seats in groups is not always guaranteed and on most airlines there is an additional cost. It is done after ticketing or at check-in.
On transatlantic flights, the first piece of luggage per person (up to 23 kg) is free. With EMIRATES & TURKISH, 2 pieces of luggage are free. In case the group is less than 10 people, you are only entitled to one piece of luggage. On domestic flights, there is a charge for the first piece of luggage and it is estimated at $30-35 per route.
In the USA and Canada, a triple/quadruple room consists of two double beds.
9 days
27-07-2025
