Jewels of the Rockies

On arrival in Calgary, the gateway to the Rockies, rest up in style at Hotel Le Germain before picking up your car the next day to begin your adventure. Best known for the annual Calgary Stampede, this city also has some excellent bars and restaurants, including at your hotel, which has a gourmet restaurant, Charcut, as well as a stylish cocktail bar. Enjoy a massage on the top-floor spa – perfect for some indulgence after a long flight.

After picking up your car, begin the first leg of your journey to Field, nestled in the mountains of British Columbia, home to wildlife such as grizzly bears, elk and moose.

Your base here, Emerald Lake Lodge, oozes rustic charm and has a scenic setting by the shores of Emerald Lake. You’ll be right in the heart of Yoho National Park in premium Rockies territory: make the most of it by kayaking across the lake and hiking around the mountain trails, before returning to relax in the hot tub beneath the stars.   

Hop back in the car to Jasper for one of the highlights of your trip. En route, you’ll be rewarded by endless panoramic vistas as you experience one of Canada's, and the world's, most scenic drives. You'll travel along the iconic Icefields Parkway, which stretches over the Continental Divide for over 200km, around craggy mountains, plunging valleys of dense pine forests, glaciers, waterfalls and emerald lakes. Take your time so you can make the most of the views. 

Your hotel, The Crimson, is near downtown Jasper, and on the doorstep of the stunning landscapes of Jasper National Park, an outdoor wonderland where you can weave around the mountains and forests on foot or two wheels. Refuel with the delicious and hearty international buffet at the hotel’s C200 restaurant, and head to one of the bars in Jasper for some live music in the evening.

Yet another scenic drive brings you to Clearwater, which offers yet more spectacular mountain and forest landscapes, where black and brown bears roam and waterfalls tumble down the valley.

The Alpine Meadows Resort is a perfect spot to relax and recharge the batteries. Enjoy the pristine surroundings by kayaking on the lake, hiking to the waterfalls in Wells Gray Provincial Park, before unwinding on your private deck or in the lakeside Jacuzzi, and tucking into a sizzling wood-fired barbecue.

Today, head to Echo Valley, in the heart of Canada’s cowboy country, where mountains, forests and canyons stretch endlessly into the distance.

The Echo Valley Ranch & Spa, nestled in the forest at the foot of the Marble Range, offers a memorable taste of ranch life. Go hiking on the nature trails around the ranch, saddle up one of the Tennessee Walker horses and ride around the mountains and creeks, and explore the vast Fraser Canyon.

After all that, a spa visit is a must - there are two Thai-themed spas at the ranch, offering a wide range of treatments, while you can also relax in the hot tub, looking out over the mountain peaks.  

Your final drive brings you to the beautiful waterfront city of Vancouver and the elegant L’Hermitage, which has an ideal central location. Enjoy a swim in the pool or a soak in the Jacuzzi, and wake up to a breakfast buffet of local smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and Belgian waffles before heading out to explore. Vancouver is known for its cuisine (among many other things), and you can make the most of the many tempting food markets and gourmet restaurants showcasing food from around the world.

For culture vultures, the Vancouver Art Gallery isn’t far from the hotel, while for more of a taste of the outdoors, head to Stanley Park for a walk or bike ride (you can take out one of the hotel’s bikes), and see its colourful totem poles, before relaxing by the waterfront and enjoying the views over the cityscape.