Just back from Canada. What a superb tour. We saw 4 wild bears, deer, cayotees, bald eagles and elks.
I did upgrade to gold train when I booked and I'm glad I did. Freight trains pass often and whilst they are passing it could take about 20 minutes but you can still see the scenery as you are up so high in gold. Food superb. I recommend the North Shore trip which takes you up Grouse Mountain the 2 bears up there have a huge compound and large pond to swim in.
Lovely hotels all through. We were extremely lucky as we were upgraded in Jasper to the Fairmount instead of the Lobstick but that was because people who had been evacuated from the large fire in Alberta had taken the rooms. They are now returning back to their homes.
I did the river raft and it was extremely calm on the water.
The full day Victoria is a long day. It takes a long time to get to Victoria itself after getting the ferry (90 minutes) and then an hour's drive.
Butchat gardens were pleasant and ice cream Shop did a good trade.
Having regularly travelled to the USA I did find the prices were higher in Canada don't forget the price you see is not the price you pay you have to add sales tax.
There were 24 of us. Most travellers gelled together. We had Brian Croft as our tour manager.
He got us on the road early to see the wildlife and how fortunate were we. It was as if he had arranged for the wildlife to be in certain areas as we travelled through the areas.Thank you Brian for a lovely holiday.