Category Archives: victoria

Rocky Mountaineer Train Packages 2012

Rocky Mountain Holidays now have all 2012 Rocky Mountaineer packages available for download. We are glad to see they have kept most of the packages the same with some of the popular packages having additional cruise ship departures added. One new route we are excited about is the “Coastal Passage” route which connects Seattle and Vancouver with the Rocky Mountaineer Train. The Whistler Mountaineer will no longer have dome service available for 2012. The dome trains used on the Vancouver to Whistler route will now be used for the new SilverLeaf service in 2012 which was introduced this year. For your convenience, we have provided links to all of the packages below. Alternatively, you can visit Rocky Mountain Holidays direct for their Rocky Mountaineer package download page.

2012 Rocky Mountaineer Circle Packages Start End Duration
Classic Rail Circle Vancouver Vancouver 8 nights
Classic Rail Circle with Pre Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 14 nights
Classic Rail Circle with Post Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 14 nights
Classic Rail Circle with Post Cruise Vancouver Seattle 16 nights
Canadian Rockies Getaway Vancouver Vancouver 8 nights
Canadian Rockies Getaway with Pre Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 17 nights
Canadian Rockies Getaway with Post Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 16 nights
Canadian Rockies Getaway with Pre Cruise Seattle Vancouver 16 nights
Canadian Rockies Circle Vancouver Vancouver 9 nights
Canadian Rockies Circle with Pre Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 17 nights
Canadian Rockies Circle with Post Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 16 nights
Canadian Rockies Circle with Post Cruise Vancouver Seattle 17 nights
Grand Rail Circle Vancouver Vancouver 11 nights
Grand Rail Circle with Post Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 16 nights
Golden Circle via Whistler Vancouver Vancouver 10 nights
Golden Circle via Whistler with Pre Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 17 nights
Sea to Summit Glacier Circle with Post Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 18 nights


2012 Rocky Mountaineer One-Way Packages Start End Duration
Classic First Passage to the West Vancouver Banff 3 nights
Classic First Passage to the West Banff Vancouver 3 nights
Classic First Passage to West with Pre Cruise Vancouver Banff 11 nights
Classic First Passage to West with Post Cruise Banff Vancouver 11 nights
Classic First Passage to the West Vancouver Calgary 3 nights
Classic First Passage to the West Calgary Vancouver 3 nights
Classic Journey through the Clouds Vancouver Jasper 3 nights
Classic Journey through the Clouds Jasper Vancouver 3 nights
Classic Journey with Pre Cruise Vancouver Jasper 12 nights
Classic Journey with Post Cruise Jasper Vancouver 10 nights
Classic Journey with Pre Cruise Seattle Jasper 11 nights
Classic Journey with Post Cruise Jasper Seattle 11 nights
Canadian Rockies Excursion (Eastbound) Vancouver Calgary 4 nights
Canadian Rockies Excursion (Westbound) Calgary Vancouver 4 nights
Canadian Rockies Excursion with Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 12 nights
Canadian Rockies Excursion with Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 12 nights
Canadian Rockies and Whistler (Eastbound) Vancouver Jasper 4 nights
Canadian Rockies and Whistler (Westbound) Jasper Vancouver 4 nights
Canadian Rockies and Whistler, Pre Cruise Vancouver Jasper 11 nights
Canadian Rockies and Whistler, Post Cruise Jasper Vancouver 11 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights – 5 nights Vancouver Calgary 5 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights – 5 nights Calgary Vancouver 5 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights – 6 nights Vancouver Calgary 6 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights – 6 nights Calgary Vancouver 6 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights with Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 13 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights with Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 13 nights
Canadian Rockies Adventures (Eastbound) Vancouver Calgary 7 nights
Canadian Rockies Adventures (Westbound) Calgary Vancouver 7 nights
Canadian Rockies Adventures, Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 15 nights
Canadian Rockies Adventures, Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 15 nights
Western Explorer (Eastbound) Vancouver Calgary 7 nights
Western Explorer (Westbound) Calgary Vancouver 7 nights
Western Explorer with Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 16 nights
Western Explorer with Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 14 nights
Western Explorer with Pre Cruise Seattle Calgary 15 nights
Western Explorer with Post Cruise Calgary Seattle 15 nights
Northern Explorer (Eastbound) Vancouver Calgary 8 nights
Northern Explorer (Westbound) Calgary Vancouver 8 nights
Northern Explorer with Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 15 nights
Northern Explorer with Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 15 nights
Canadian Rockies at Leisure (Eastbound) Vancouver Calgary 9 nights
Canadian Rockies at Leisure (Westbound) Calgary Vancouver 9 nights
Canadian Rockies at Leisure, Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 18 nights
Canadian Rockies at Leisure, Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 16 nights
Canadian Rockies at Leisure, Pre Cruise Seattle Calgary 17 nights
Canadian Rockies at Leisure, Post Cruise Calgary Seattle 17 nights
Northern Rockies at Leisure (Eastbound) Vancouver Calgary 10 nights
Northern Rockies at Leisure (Westbound) Calgary Vancouver 10 nights
Northern Rockies at Leisure, Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 17 nights
Northern Rockies at Leisure, Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 17 nights


NEW! 2012 Coastal Passage Tours Start End Duration
Canadian Rockies Highlights + Coastal Passage Seattle Calgary 7 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights + Coastal Passage Calgary Seattle 7 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights + Coastal Passage, Pre Cruise Seattle Calgary 12 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights + Coastal Passage, Post Cruise Calgary Seattle 14 nights
Western Explorer + Coastal Passage Seattle Calgary 9 nights
Western Explorer + Coastal Passage Calgary Seattle 9 nights
Western Explorer + Coastal Passage, Pre Cruise Seattle Calgary 15 nights
Western Explorer + Coastal Passage, Post Cruise Calgary Seattle 15 nights
Classic Coastal Passage, Pre Cruise Seattle Jasper 11 nights
Classic Coastal Passage, Post Cruise Jasper Seattle 11 nights
Classic Coastal Passage, Pre Cruise Seattle Banff 10 nights
Classic Coastal Passage, Post Cruise Banff Seattle 12 nights


2012 Trans-Canada Packages Start End Duration
Trans-Canada Rail Adventure (Eastbound) Vancouver Toronto 11 nights
Trans-Canada Rail Adventure (Westbound) Toronto Vancouver 12 nights
Trans-Canada Rail Adventure with Pre Cruise Vancouver Toronto 19 nights
Trans-Canada Rail Adventure with Post Cruise Toronto Vancouver 20 nights
Coast to Coast by Rail (Eastbound) Vancouver Halifax 15 nights
Coast to Coast by Rail (Westbound) Halifax Vancouver 16 nights
Coast to Coast by Rail with Pre Cruise Vancouver Halifax 23 nights
Coast to Coast by Rail with Post Cruise Halifax Vancouver 24 nights


2012 Rail and Self-Drive Packages Start End Duration
Banff the Beautiful Rail and Drive Vancouver Calgary 5 nights
Banff the Beautiful Rail and Drive Calgary Vancouver 5 nights
Banff the Beautiful with Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 13 nights
Banff the Beautiful with Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 13 nights
First Passage to the West Discovery Vancouver Calgary 7 nights
First Passage to the West Discovery Calgary Vancouver 7 nights
First Passage to the West, Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 15 nights
First Passage to the West, Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 15 nights
Journey through the Clouds Discovery Vancouver Calgary 7 nights
Journey through the Clouds Discovery Calgary Vancouver 7 nights
Journey through the Clouds, Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 16 nights
Journey through the Clouds, Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 14 nights
Journey through the Clouds, Pre Cruise Seattle Calgary 15 nights
Journey through the Clouds, Post Cruise Calgary Seattle 15 nights
Rainforest to Gold Rush Discovery Drive Vancouver Calgary 8 nights
Rainforest to Gold Rush Discovery Drive Calgary Vancouver 8 nights
Rainforest to Gold Rush Drive, Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 15 nights
Rainforest to Gold Rush Drive, Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 15 nights


2012 Rocky Mountaineer City Stop Add-Ons Start End Duration
Explore Vancouver Vancouver Vancouver 1 night
Explore Victoria from Vancouver – Pre-Tour Vancouver Vancouver 2 nights
Explore Victoria from Vancouver – Post-Tour Vancouver Vancouver 2 nights
Explore Whistler from Vancouver – Pre-Tour Vancouver Vancouver 2 nights
Explore Whistler from Vancouver – Post-Tour Vancouver Vancouver 2 nights
Explore Victoria and Seattle (Northbound) Seattle Vancouver 2 nights
Explore Victoria and Seattle (Southbound) Vancouver Seattle 2 nights
Whales and Bears of Tofino Vancouver Vancouver 3 nights

Source

2011 Summer Holiday Packages – Canada

What a great start we have had to 2011 with about a metre of snow received by the ski resorts across Western Canada over the past week! Now that we are into 2011, the busy summer season does not seem so far away. With the early-bird deals starting to “fizzle” out or become less attractive for the summer, especially with the Rocky Mountaineer train packages, now is a good time to get a good deal on a 2011 spring, summer or autumn/fall package. Rocky Mountain Holidays have brochure downloads in PDF (Portable Document Format) and as always, we have provided the links below for easy reference. These packages can be easily customised based on your preferences (as long as the changes fit in with the rail or cruise schedule). Be sure to take advantage of specials such as free nights and activities in Vancouver – value added rather than discounts are the way to go.

Self-drive holidays are becoming increasingly popular in the Canadian Rockies as it gives you the independence but you also have full support when you are out here and the peace of mind that you won’t struggle to find accommodation during the peak season months in the Canadian Rockies. When booking a self-drive package, check to see if you have Loss Damage Waiver insurance coverage with your credit card provider as this can save you about $30 per day. Also, check out what the one way drop-off fees are from Vancouver to Calgary for example. When you book independently they can be as much as several hundred dollars whereas through a tour operator, typically the rates are about $75-$100.

Other things to look out for if you are shopping around are hidden fees such as “credit card surcharges”. This is a common technique used by some companies to squeeze some extra cash out of you after you have already agreed to the booking. It is also good to ask the straight question – “what extra costs will I have to pay in additional to the package price?”. Any good tour operator will be able to list these for you immediately so you know where you stand with the total of your holiday cost.

Here are the holiday brochures for 2011 – available for download through RockyMountainHolidays.com.

Wishing you all a healthy and happy 2011.

Rocky Mountaineer Holidays 2010

The Rocky Mountaineer® Train offers spectacular rail journeys across Western Canada in the spring, summer and autumn months.

The Rocky Mountaineer® train operates through the Canadian Rockies in either direction to Vancouver from Calgary, Banff or Jasper and also to Whistler from Jasper. The train only operates during daylight hours to maximise your viewing experience and pleasure.

Rocky Mountaineer Routes

The Whistler Mountaineer™ train now known as the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb, is a three-hour experience connecting North Vancouver and Whistler which allows you to take a complete rail loop from Vancouver, Whistler and Jasper.

Make sure you make your holiday in Western Canada a Rocky Mountaineer Holiday.

Source: Rocky Mountain Holidays

Rocky Mountaineer Tax Increase 2010

Rocky Mountaineer Logo

With the introduction of the new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in British Columbia, Rocky Mountaineer Holiday packages will increase by up to 7%.

For those of you who are planning to book your holiday in Canada, or are about to book your holiday, be sure to read the following as you could save up to 7%. If you book and pay in full by the end of this month (April 2010), then you will only have to pay the standard Federal goods and services tax (GST) of 5%.


IMPORTANT ADVISORY – CHANGE IN CANADIAN SALES TAXES

The Province of British Columbia, Canada, has tabled legislation to introduce a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on goods and services, effective July 1, 2010. This tax will merge federal (GST) and provincial taxes (PST) into one single amount, the HST and will, unfortunately, increase the cost of your Rocky Mountaineer® Holiday by up to 7%.

The HST applies to all Rocky Mountaineer bookings with travel dates beginning in Canada after July 1, 2010.

Below summarises three options for consideration in the implementation of HST:

1. Bookings received prior to May 1, 2010 with a payment due date by April 30, 2010

Transitional rules allow bookings made prior to May 1, 2010 to be taxed under the old GST rules if the payment is due and paid for by April 30, 2010.

2. Bookings made after April 30th, for travel before July 1, 2010

Transitional rules allow bookings made prior as of May 1, 2010, for travel before July 1, 2010 to be taxed under the old GST rules.

3. Tax rate increases for bookings made after April 30th, for travel after July 1, 2010

The changes required to comply with the new HST will result in tax increases to an effective rate of 8% – 11% for Rocky Mountaineer bookings. Please note the following exceptions: Whistler Sea to Sky bookings all have a 12% tax rate, bookings with a cruise or VIA Rail component will have a tax rate determined by the originating province of the trip.


Please visit RockyMountainHolidays.com for more Rocky Mountaineer Tax Information.

Vancouver to Calgary Itinerary 10 day 9 nights

Here are a couple of Rocky Mountain Holiday itineraries departing on Friday August 14 2009 for 10 days / 9 nights from Vancouver finishing in Calgary:
1) Holiday Package with Rocky Mountaineer®:
FRI AUG 14 – Arrive Vancouver. Overnight Vancouver.
SAT AUG 15 – Vancouver City Tour – AM. Overnight Vancouver.
SUN AUG 16 – Victoria Day Trip from Vancouver. Full day. Overnight Vancouver.
MON AUG 17 – Explore Vancouver on your own. Overnight Vancouver.
TUE AUG 18 – Vancouver to Kamloops onboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Overnight Kamloops.
WED AUG 19 – Rocky Mountaineer to Jasper. Overnight Jasper.
THU AUG 20 – Maligne Valley Sightseeing and Boat Cruise. 5-6 hours. Overnight Jasper.
FRI AUG 21 – Jasper to Banff along spectacular Icefields Parkway. Snowcoach onto Athabasca Glacier included. Overnight Banff.
SAT AUG 22 – Banff Sightseeing Trip – AM / Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Sightseeing Trip – PM. Overnight Banff.
SUN AUG 23 – Depart to Calgary Airport YYC on scheduled airport shuttle.
Holiday Package Includes:
– 4 nights Vancouver – Mid-Range (moderate) Hotel
– Vancouver City Tour (4-5 hours)
– Victoria Day Trip (includes return ferry, Butchart Gardens admission, Royal London Wax Museum admission & return transportation from you Vancouver hotel)
– Rocky Mountaineer® Train, RedLeaf Service to Kamloops
– 1 night Kamloops (moderate) Hotel
– Rocky Mountaineer® Train, RedLeaf Service to Jasper
– 2 nights Jasper – Mid-Range (moderate) Hotel
– Maligne Valley Sightseeing and Boat Cruise (5-6 hours)
– Jasper to Banff with Snowcoach onto Glacier included
– 2 nights Banff – Mid-range (moderate) Hotel
– Banff Sightseeing Group Tour
– Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Sightseeing Group Tour
– Scheduled Airport Transfer to Calgary Airport YYC. Available departures from Banff (takes approx. 2 hours): 8:30, 12:30, 13:30, 16:00, 18:00, 19:30
Total Discounted Package Price for 2 Adults = CDN$4,786 ($2,393 per person). This rate includes ALL taxes, promotions and discounts. Upgrade to GoldLeaf service on the Rocky Mountaineer for CDN$930 per person.
We have VERY LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE ON THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER® so please CONTACT US immediately if you would like to book this holiday package.
To keep costs down, you can take the overnight train from Vancouver instead of the Rocky Mountaineer®:
2) Holiday Package without Rocky Mountaineer®:
FRI AUG 14 – Arrive Vancouver. Overnight Vancouver.
SAT AUG 15 – Vancouver City Tour – AM. Overnight Vancouver.
SUN AUG 16 – Victoria Day Trip from Vancouver. Full day. Overnight Vancouver.
MON AUG 17 – Explore Vancouver on your own. Overnight Vancouver.
TUE AUG 18 – Vancouver to Jasper onboard the overnight train. Departs Vancouver: 20:30
WED AUG 19 – Arrives Jasper 16:00. Overnight Jasper.
THU AUG 20 – Maligne Valley Sightseeing and Boat Cruise. 5-6 hours. Overnight Jasper.
FRI AUG 21 – Jasper to Banff along spectacular Icefields Parkway. Snowcoach onto Athabasca Glacier included. Overnight Banff.
SAT AUG 22 – Banff Sightseeing Trip – AM / Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Sightseeing Trip – PM. Overnight Banff.
SUN AUG 23 – Depart to Calgary Airport YYC on scheduled airport shuttle.
Holiday Package Includes:
– 4 nights Vancouver – Mid-Range (moderate) Hotel
– Vancouver City Tour (4-5 hours)
– Victoria Day Trip (includes return ferry, Butchart Gardens admission, Royal London Wax Museum admission & return transportation from you Vancouver hotel)
– Overnight Train to Jasper – Economy (Seat)
– 2 nights Jasper – Mid-Range (moderate) Hotel
– Maligne Valley Sightseeing and Boat Cruise (5-6 hours)
– Jasper to Banff with Snowcoach onto Glacier included
– 2 nights Banff – Mid-range (moderate) Hotel
– Banff Sightseeing Group Tour
– Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Sightseeing Group Tour
– Scheduled Airport Transfer to Calgary Airport YYC. Available departures from Banff (takes approx. 2 hours): 8:30, 12:30, 13:30, 16:00, 18:00, 19:30
Total Discounted Package Price for 2 Adults = CDN$3,186 ($1,593 per person). This rate includes ALL taxes, promotions and discounts.
Please note that rates are subject to change. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express for payment.
To book or for more information, contact rocky-peak Holidays:
Freephone U.K.: 0800-567-7542
North America Toll-Free: 1-888-747-6259

7-Day Round-Trip Itinerary from Vancouver

A sample 7-day itinerary from Vancouver with rocky-peak Holidays which takes advantage of current travel specials. This itinerary can be completely customised and you can easily upgrade to a luxury package.

SAT AUG 15

Arrive Vancouver. Overnight Vancouver.

SUN AUG 16

Overnight Train to Jasper departs 20:30.

MON AUG 17

Train arrives Jasper 16:00. Overnight Jasper.

TUE AUG 18

Jasper to Banff along the spectacular Icefields Parkway. Snowcoach onto Athabasca glacier included. Overnight Banff.

WED AUG 19

Banff Sightseeing Trip – AM / Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Sightseeing Trip – PM. Overnight Banff.

THU AUG 20

Depart Banff onboard the Rocky Mountaineer Train, RedLeaf Service, to Kamloops. Overnight Kamloops.

FRI AUG 21

Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf Service to Vancouver. Overnight Vancouver.

SAT AUG 22

Victoria Day Trip from Vancouver. Full day. Overnight Vancouver.

Package Includes:

– 1 night Vancouver – Mid-Range (moderate) Hotel

– Overnight Train to Jasper – Economy (Seat)

– 1 night Jasper – Mid-Range (moderate) Hotel

– Jasper to Banff with Snowcoach onto Glacier included

– 2 nights Banff – Mid-range (moderate) Hotel

– Banff Sightseeing Group Tour

– Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Sightseeing Group Tour

– Rocky Mountaineer Train, RedLeaf Service to Kamloops

– 1 night Kamloops (moderate) Hotel

– Rocky Mountaineer Train, RedLeaf Service to Vancouver

– 2 nights Vancouver – Mid-Range (moderate) Hotel

– Victoria Day Trip (includes return ferry, Butchart Gardens admission, Royal London Wax Museum admission & return transportation from you Vancouver hotel)

Total Discounted Package Price for 2 Adults = CDN$3,990 ($1,995 per person). This rate includes ALL taxes, promotions and discounts. Price will be confirmed at time of booking.

Contact rocky-peak Holidays for more information or to book:


Freephone U.K.: 0800-567-7542

North America Toll-Free: 1-888-747-6259