Day 1 - Toronto, Ontario to Calgary, Alberta - Air Canada

We took the same flight last year in September and things have definitely changed. Instead of being in an almost empty plane, we were in a full plane and passengers on stand-by.

People were lining up at the counters after our temperature check. Getting through security was still a breeze even though it was a lot busier than back in September. Masks are still mandatory in the airport as well and seating is still spaced out. Before boarding the plane, Id is verified and we received our 'care package' including a masks, wipes and hand sanitizer. We booked Premium Economy Seats and had a bit more room and with a configuration of 2-3-2 we had no other traveler beside us. A water bottle was in our seat and later on we received a box lunch which was a cheese plate and of course tea and/or coffee as well as pop and juice.

As we only traveled with a carry-on, we were out of the airport in no time and were the first at the car rental office. We were offered an upgrade as the car we booked was not ready yet. As much as we loved the upgrade, we declined because we knew our hotel's parking garage could not fit pick-up trucks or larger SUVs.

I love the Regency Suite hotel in Calgary. It is so easy to get to from the airport. It is still listed as a 2-star hotel but rates 4 on trip advisor and we like the location and that it is clean and has a full kitchen. The staff has always been super friendly. Back in September, we ordered breakfast and staff would hand us what we ordered but this time the 'help-yourself buffet' was back. Again, nothing special - just the usual items like pancakes, sausages, bacon, eggs, cereals, yogurts, bagels, toast and muffins.

We were early at the hotel and of course our room was not ready so we went over to Eau Claire Park and the Peace Bridge to walk on the other side of the Bow River and returned via Prince's Island. We then made our way to Stephen Avenue and had a quick lunch at Bank & Baron P.U.B.

Masks are not mandatory any longer but in Calgary most servers still wore masks at the restaurant.

Day 2 - Calgary to Banff

We left Calgary around 9:30 am and took Highway 1A instead of the Trans-Canada Highway/Highway 1. Highway 1A took us north of the Bow River while Highway 1 runs south of the river. Once passing Cochrane, the scenery is great and traffic becomes light. We arrived in Banff just before lunch. We drove to Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake. We just started walking on our little hike at Johnson Lake when a park ranger stopped us and asked us not to continue as there is a female bear with two cubs but we were clear to walk on the other side of the lake. We returned to Banff and had a beer and snack at the Elk & Oarman and I was really surprised that no one wore a mask. We settled in at the hotel and had dinner at the Farm & Fire restaurant and no one wore a masks here either. It was strange as Banff was a place last fall where 98% of people wore masks even on the walkways.

Day 3 - Banff

We got some coffee at the coffee shop downstairs and were heading to Morraine Lake but all parking lots were already full so we decided to make a stop at Johnson Canyon and accessed it from the west side (the road is closed on the east side) Beautiful drive on Highway 1A again. While busy at Johnson Canyon, we still got a parking spot and walked up to the Lower Falls.

We dropped off our car. The drop-off location was just one street over so perfect. In the afternoon, we were to get our rapid Covid-19 test done which was mandatory for our journey on the Rocky Mountaineer. We already had done the online health-check-in. We had dinner reservations again at Farm & Fire with some colleagues and while we were having dinner all of us got our test results. Some of us then went to the Bow Falls. It was a nice evening walk.

Day 4 - Banff to Kamloops - Boarding the Rocky Mountaineer

At 7:10 am, we boarded our shuttle bus to the train. At the train station, we boarded our rail car and left around 8:00 am. The staff wore masks the entire time but we were allowed to take them off while in our seats. We had an amazing hostess, Leigh and host, Marty. The seats were very comfortable and even had heat and a foot rest control, etc. There was lots of leg room and a hook to hang a jacket or mask. We traveled along the Bow Valley, Lake Louise went through the spiral tunnels, and had great views of Castle Mountain, Mount Temple, Cathedral Mountain and more. There is a yellow house near the town of Canoe and Doris and her dog have stepped out to wave to the Rocky Mountaineer for years but today she and her dog are absent and is missed by everyone.

Breakfast was served around 9:00 am and in our seats as we would go through the Spiral tunnels and beautiful scenery. Later on, lunch was served downstairs in the dining section. Lunch was amazing too! Wine, Beer and Spirits were served the entire time until an hour before Kamloops. Due to the wildfire around Kamloops and other areas in B.C., Rocky Mountaineer informed us that we might continue our journey on coaches.

Day 5 - Rocky Mountaineer Kamloops to Vancouver - on coaches

Unfortunately, due to the fires and especially in respect of the town of Lytton, B.C, the train did not continue and we took coaches to Vancouver. Therefore, the entire schedule was changed and we were having breakfast and lunch at the hotel and then would leave in the early afternoon with a coach change in Hope, B.C.

After breakfast, we walked around the town of Kamloops and the park, had lunch and boarded the coaches. Of course, a coach is not as comfortable as the train and no beverages or food was served.

Our staff from the Rocky Mountaineer was with us and they continued to tell us about the area we travelled through etc. They did the best they could.

Once at the Vancouver train station, we picked up our luggage and the staff called us a cab and we went to our hotel on Howe Street, the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Vancouver Downtown. This is a 3-star hotel and has a rating of 2.5-4.0, depending on what website one is checking. I am still not sure how I feel about this hotel and I am not sure if it is also used as a residence. The rooms are dark with dark furniture and cheap doors etc. but it was clean and quiet. It was a 20-minute walk to Canada Place, a 8-miunte walk to Robson Street and Burrard. I have stayed at the Marriott Pinnacle on Hastings Street before and would recommend that over the Holiday Inn & Suites.

Dinner with colleagues at Mahony's Tavern at the Convention Centre.

Day 6 - Vancouver

Last minute decision to rent a car (car rental place was right in the hotel) After my husband visited with some clients of his, we had lunch at Bridge Brewing Company in North Vancouver and then decided to drive to Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and go for a short walk along the Baden-Powell Trail and the 30 Foot Pool. We headed south to Steveston and had dinner at Sockey City Grill. When we lived in Vancouver, we used to come here almost every weekend to get our fresh seafood right of the boat.

Day 7 - Vancouver

In the morning we met friends that we hadn't seen in over 20 years and enjoyed a delicious Brunch at LIFT Bar & Grill View, right across from Stanley Park. Great outdoor Patio and great food. We had so much to talk about and said our good-byes in the early afternoon walked back to the hotel and had the crazy idea to go to Whistler. We were in Whistler at around 5:30 pm but it was crazy busy and not really enjoyable so we left an hour later. We stopped at most of the viewpoints on our way back and wanted to have dinner in Horseshoe Bay. We arrived there just after 8:00 pm and all restaurants were closing down for the day. We were quite surprised so we drove back to Vancouver and found a wine bar in Yaletown and only a 12 minute walk from our hotel. We sat outside with a view of the marina and enjoyed some wine and appetizers.

Day 8 - Vancouver to Toronto

Our flight was not until later this afternoon so we headed over to Stanley Park for a morning walk afterwards we returned the car, checked out and took the train from Yaletown-Roundhouse Station to Vancouver airport. It took 20 minutes by train and cost us $3.05 CAD per person. An Uber would have costs us almost $50.00 CAD.

Westjet flight back and flight was packed again. Boarding the flight, we were handed a wipe and that was it. We were offered coffee, tea, water, pop, juices twice and with each service we received a back of pretzel.


Until next time!