Discover the wonder of Canada, from the magnificent mountain ranges and wild beauty of the Canadian Rockies, to the vibrant wonder of its diverse cities, Canada offers a wealth of things to see and do.
Glacier-fed lakes surrounded by soaring peaks and dense pine forests, an abundance of rare wildlife to be spotted and charming resort towns nestled amidst the mountains; Banff National Park is a treasure trove of unmissable beauty. Spend time here and find yourself immersed in the idyllic Canada you'll recognise from postcards, with endlessly contrasting blues and greens creating a landscape that will take your breath away.
British Columbia is approximately four times the size of Great Britain and is Canada's westernmost province. Our rail holidays in British Columbia explore the majestic mountains and breathtaking scenery of a province which includes the Pacific Ocean coastline and the towering Rockies. On our tours of British Columbia you can explore the exciting city of Vancouver, visit the provincial capital of Victoria (on Vancouver Island) or enjoy a cruise along the shore towards Alaska. Our holidays also explore the small towns and resorts high up in the Rocky Mountains, including Kamloops, Prince George and Price Rupert. Every day of our journey through British Columbia offers a new excursion, a new sight to see and a new experience to treasure.
Located on a peninsula that juts into the North Atlantic, Halifax is the largest population centre east of Montreal and the provincial capital of Nova Scotia. It was Halifax's natural harbour - the second largest in the world after Sydney, Australia's - that first drew the British here in 1749, and today most major sites are conveniently located either along it or on the Citadel-crowned hill that overlooks the harbour. The old city of Halifax is small and friendly, its neighbourhoods all within walking distance (albeit a long but manageable walk) or a short bus ride's distance of each other.
Situated in the Canadian Rockies in the Athabasca River Valley, the town of Jasper is the primary commercial and accommodation centre for Jasper National Park - which spans an incredible 4,200 square miles (10,878 square kilometres). The town - and later the park - was named after Jasper Hawes, who used the area as a trading post in the late 19th century. The beautiful enclosure first became a park in 1907, and was granted National Park status in 1930. In 1984, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and now attracts almost two million visitors every year.
The city of Kamloops is located at the confluence of the North Thompson River and the South Thompson River. The name 'Kamloops' means "meeting of the waters" in the local aboriginal language. On a rail tour to Kamloops, you can enjoy time exploring the city and the surrounding mountain scenery of British Columbia. Nearby is Kamloops Lake, which has beautiful scenic surroundings and offers enjoyable boat rides. The city of Kamloops is a transportation hub for the region, where two major rivers and two major highways meet. The city also has the main railway line; perfect for a rail tour to the town.
With its varied history and mixed influences from a number of different countries, Montreal boasts a rich cultural heritage. After being settled by French colonists in 1642, Montreal was taken by the British in the 1750s. Though there was a strong resentment among many of the citizens, the city nevertheless emerged as the major economic, financial and transportation hub of Canada. This ushered in a new era of wealth, and during this time much of the stunning architecture seen in the city today was built. Today, Montreal offers many interesting museums and beautiful green spaces, and the city remains a favoured tourist spot.
Straddling the US-Canadian border, between the state of New York and the province of Ontario, Niagara Falls attracts as many as 12 million tourists every year. The Falls are split into three separate sections: the American Falls, the small Bridal Veil Falls, and the Canadian/Horseshoe Falls. The complex of the falls date back about 12,000 years, when melting glaciers allowed a passage of water from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It is believed that the waterfalls themselves were about seven miles away from their present site at that time, but that erosion has cut them back.
Québec City; a Canadian city with a pervasive European ambience, where a blend of relaxed café culture, sophisticated French cuisine, stunning architecture and hundreds of years of history come together to create a city quite like no other. Step back in time in North America's oldest French-speaking city, where the UNESCO-listed Old Town offers up a labyrinth of winding, cobblestone streets lined with 18th-century buildings, all neatly set within historic, fortified city walls.
Toronto is the largest and most heavily populated city in Canada, with over 2.5 million inhabitants. It is heralded as one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world, with more than 100 languages spoken here. Being home to the headquarters of Canada's five largest banks, it is arguably the country's economic powerhouse as well.
Vancouver blends natural beauty with cosmopolitan charm to splendid effect. The sea-facing metropolis is fringed by snow-covered mountains and green wilderness, and at its heart is both a cultural hotspot and food lover's paradise, with excellent museums, galleries and theatres, as well as restaurants offering cuisine from almost every corner of the globe. Relax in lush Stanley Park or discover the coffee shops and quirky boutiques of Gastown; there's seemingly no end of delights to be found here.
One of Canada's oldest cities, the city of Victoria was named, naturally, after Queen Victoria when it was settled by the British in 1841. Throughout the city's period of British rule, Victoria was an important centre for trade and commerce, and as such it became the capital and largest city of British Columbia.
On the eastern edge of the Canadian Prairies in the Manitoba province, the sprawling metropolis of Winnipeg, glittering 'gateway to the West' stands where two rivers - the Assiniboine and the Red River - meet: 'Winnipeg' in the language of the Cree native Americans means 'muddy waters'.