Airline & Route: WestJet

London Heathrow - Calgary - Vancouver // Calgary - London Heathrow

Flight experience: Our flights were in Economy, and we were all pleasantly surprised by the quality of the aircraft and the spacious seats. All flights operated on time, the planes were new and clean, and the staff were friendly. Everyone was also impressed with the great entertainment options on the international flights. The food was of a decent standard, we weren’t offered an option on the way out (vegetarian curry), but we did have a choice between chicken or veggie on the inbound.

The domestic flight from Calgary to Vancouver offered a great bird’s eye view of the Rocky Mountains.

Airport experience: The transit in Calgary was smooth, as the airport is not too big.

Destination overview: We arrived in Vancouver tired and a little jetlagged, but we did go for a wander along the Waterfront. Watching the sun set over Vancouver Harbour was a great start to the trip, and the Pan Pacific Vancouver was the perfect place to watch it from.

Interesting destination fact: We arrived in the evening, but the days are long in Canadian summer, and the sun didn’t set until way past 10pm.

Top tip: It’s not essential to prebook a transfer from the airport in Vancouver unless you want to - taxis offer fixed rates, but to escape the rush hour I would recommend the train! It runs regularly from the airport into the city centre for approximately £3 per person. We took the train from the airport straight into the Waterfront station and were at the hotel in less than 30 minutes.

Where we stayed: Pan Pacific Vancouver

Hotel top tip: This hotel is a great choice for everyone (not just those boarding cruises). The location is excellent and the rooms are spacious.

Destination overview: We arrived in Kamloops after our first day of travelling on the Rocky Mountaineer. The Rocky Mountaineer ran smoothly, and every element worked like clockwork. We enjoyed a stunning trip through plantation fields and arid gold-rush area landscapes, weaving through river rapids and past endless freight trains. The Rocky Mountaineer really does offer one of the most iconic rail journeys in the world.

Interesting destination fact: Kamloops has a huge craft beer and wine scene, and over 2000 hours of annual sunshine! Sign me up!

Top tip: For delicious food in a lovely beer garden setting visit The Noble Pig, Kamloops' first and only Microbrewery.

Destination overview: Jasper was our gateway into the Rocky Mountains, and it didn’t disappoint. After leaving the barren landscape of Kamloops behind, our train journey took us through valleys, lakes, waterfalls and dense forest on the way to Jasper. As we travelled past Mount Robson the snow-covered peaks of the Rockies started appearing, and arriving at Jasper felt like both the beginning and end of our Canadian experience.

Interesting destination fact: It is quite common to see elks roaming around town, in the parks and even outside your hotel!

Top tip: Jasper is better for wildlife spotting and less crowded compared to its famous cousin, Banff. If you don’t have a car, book onto the Jasper Wildlife Discovery tour, and for those wanting a longer stay to incorporate more activities, I would highly recommend the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge!

Where we stayed: Chateau Jasper

Hotel top tip: Situated a 20 minute easy walk from the main stretch of restaurants, bars and railway station, Chateau Jasper provided a great base for our stay. The rooms are big and the beds are comfortable, but I would recommend going out for breakfast to make the most of the local dining spots.

Destination overview: The journey between Jasper and Lake Louise was one of the highlights of our trip as we did our MUST DO Columbia Icefields Discovery tour. This journey is so varied and full of diversity, with the Rocky Mountains becoming more dramatic as we travelled south, with plenty of wildlife spotting to enjoy.

Our guide was incredible, providing relevant information and keeping everyone entertained. We saw waterfalls, stopped at the Athabasca Glacier for the glacier experience, had lunch at the Glacier View Lodge (which is included in the excursion), visited Peyto Lake and braved the glass floor of the skywalk. We also saw mountain goats, big horn sheep, elk, deer and black bears! Overall, a great full day - I would highly recommend this day trip to everyone. Make sure to book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Top tip: When travelling from Jasper, chose the righthand side of the coach for dramatic scenery. The coach continues to Banff, but it does stop in Lake Louise for about 20 minutes or so, so if you’re short for time you will still see Lake Louise even if you don’t have time to stay the night.

Where we stayed: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Hotel top tip: An incredible, iconic property in a beautiful setting. I recommend that you upgrade to a Fairmont Lakeview Room, for the best experience. Make sure to take a walk along the lake shore to spot marmots and squirrels.

Destination overview: Banff is incredible - framed by the beautiful Rockies, this lively town offers so much. The Rockies are at their peak here, with every corner of the town offering stunning mountain views.

Interesting destination fact: Banff was founded in 1883 when railway workers discovered natural hot springs on Sulphur Mountain and discovered they could start charging people for the pleasure of soaking these waters!

Top tip: Banff Gondola is an absolute must but make sure you book it for a time where you can enjoy a lovely lunch on the Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen (NLAK) restaurant. The restaurant offers a wonderful buffet lunch (fantastic beef brisket) and amazing 360 views of the Rockies.

Where we stayed: Fairmont Banff Springs

Hotel top tip: If you’re a golfer make sure to book a round at the Fairmont Banff Springs course. An outstanding 18-hole course with dramatic mountainous background, this is one of the most iconic golf courses on the planet.

This trip was incredible and we all felt lucky to have done it. The Rocky Mountaineer is such an iconic train and journey, and we quickly understood why this trip makes it onto so many bucket lists.

From the dramatic scenery to the flawless service and stunning food, the friendliness of the Canadian people filters through to every aspect of the Rocky Mountaineer experience. The GoldLeaf upgrade is absolutely worth it! The higher up seating provided better views over the treeline, and the big observation deck offers a more dynamic and enhanced train journey.

To be able to take it all in, make sure your Western Canada itinerary isn’t rushed and don’t miss out by prebooking. Whether you are self driving or travelling by train, there are endless possibilities and no wrong way of experiencing the Canadian Rockies.