16 Days / 15 Nights

From Seattle To Seattle

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Seattle, WA

Day 1 | Arrive in Seattle, Washington

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Arrive at the airport. Pick up your rental car and proceed to your hotel. Seattle is known as the “Emerald City” because of the blue waters that surround it. Situated between the jagged Olympic Mountains to the west and the volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range to the east, the city sits on a narrow strip of land between Puget Sound and 18-mile-long lake Washington. The downtown area of Seattle has many excellent restaurants. You have two nights to enjoy the Seattle area. Accommodations: (STD) Seattle Pacific Hotel (2 Nights)

Seattle, WA

Day 2 | Seattle , Washington

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Today, enjoy all the sights and sounds of Seattle. Much of modern Seattle began in 1962 with the World’s Fair. It helped spark the creation of the Space Needle, the Seattle Center, the Coliseum, and other local landmarks. The fair prompted the further development of parks, roads, and transportation systems. One of the city’s major attractions is the Waterfront. Here you will find shops, restaurants and the Seattle Aquarium, Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center, and Ye Olde Curiosity. Take the time to visit Pike Place Market. The Market, which opened August 17, 1907, is one of the oldest continually-operated public farmer's markets in the country. It is a place of business for many small farmers, craftspeople and merchants. Make sure to see the fishmongers tossing their catch from person to person. Have a coffee at the first Starbucks, which was opened at Pike Place Market in 1971. After a long day of walking, relax on a tour boat and enjoy the views of the city from the waters of Puget Sound.

Totem Pole

Day 3 | Seattle - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city with packed with unique neighborhoods and surrounded by natural beauty and plenty of outdoor pursuits. Make sure to visit Stanley Park. One of the largest urban parks in the world, Stanley Park is nothing is amazinf. Sample the highlights on a delightful 1-hour carriage ride that winds through the forest, along Burrard Inlet, past cricket fields, rose gardens, and the park's superlative collection of First Nations totem poles. While you’re there consider a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium. This aquarium features the climate and habitats of animals, birds and vegetation from around the world. The Amazon Gallery includes tropical birds, piranhas and jungle plants. The enormous pools feature orcas, beluga whales and sea otters. Specimens from British Columbia and Canada's arctic underwater coast are also featured. This evening enjoy the dining splendor of Vancouver. Fresh seafood and hundreds of restaurants will leave your palette satisfied. A two night stay has been arranged in Vancouver. Accommodations: (STD) Accent Inn Vancouver Burnaby (2 Nights)

Vancouver, BC

Day 4 | Vancouver, British Columbia

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Take the time to wander the West End. The-shopping strip known as Robson Street is here where fashion rules. Each side street holds a corner café or an interesting shop just waiting to be discovered. Another must see is the the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Regional Park. The original bridge was built in 1889. Standing 230 feet above the Capilano River, the plank and cable bridge stretches 450 feet from one side to the other. Other attractions at the park include the world's largest privately owned collection of totem poles, totem carving demonstrations, hiking trails, two restaurants and a gift shop. Another worthwhile stop is the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Classical Chinese Garden. It was constructed in an authentic Ming Dynasty-style. The garden is renowned as being the first of its type built since the late 15th century. It was built with only carefully arranged rocks, wood, plants and water, all without using screws, nails or power tools. The principles of yin and yang opposites, such as light and dark and rough and smooth, are a strong element in this garden's design.

Vancouver, BC

Day 5 | Vancouver - Kelowna, British Columbia

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Kelowna is one of the fastest-growing areas in Canada. Next to the enormous Okanagan Lake and is the center of a vast fruit-, wine-, and vegetable-growing area. Known for its sunny weather and active pursuits, Kelowna is a popular resort for golfers and those that enjoy water sports. Downtown you will find a retail area that has a number of shops, galleries, and cafes. The pride and joy of Kelowna is lovely City Park, which has over half a mile of wide sandy beach. At the north edge is a marina where you can rent boats and recreational equipment, or sign up to learn to water-ski and parasail. You can also board a boat for a guided tour of the lake .Many wineries also offer tours, including the Calona Winery, featuring displays of many antique winemaking machines. An overnight stay has been arranged here. Accommodations: (STD) Accent Inn Kelowna (1 Night)

Glacier National Park, AB

Day 6 | Kelowna - Mount Revelstoke & Glacier National Park - Lake Louise - Canmore, Alberta

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Drive today to Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Park. Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks encompass the natural beauty and history of the Columbia Mountains. Rogers Pass National Historic Site, located in the heart of Glacier National Park, commemorates the story of Rogers Pass and its role as the most significant mountain pass in Canadian history.. The Columbia Mountains are steep and the valleys narrow, allowing for only a few easy hikes and a good number of challenging ones. These parks are home to a great diversity of wildlife including 54 species of mammals, 183 species of birds and 686 species of plants. Scan the avalanche slopes in Rogers Pass for both grizzlies and black bears. Beaver, mountain goats and muskrat can also be seen in the park. Visit the Rogers Pass Information Centre for insightful park guides. Continue on to Lake Louise. The beautiful blue lake sits at the bottom of Victoria Glacier. The lake has become one of Canada's best-loved and most-visited resorts. Château Lake Louise, built by the Canadian Pacific Railroad, is now the focus of shopping, dining and recreation on the upper slopes of the mountain. Farther below lies the village itself, which is composed mainly of resorts and the small Samson Mall. Carry on to Canmore for a two night stay. It was founded in the 1880s, when it was the center for the coal mines that fueled the Canadian Pacific Railroad's transcontinental trains as they climbed up over the Rockies. The old downtown area is on an island in the Bow River. Three street blocks are lined with shops, brewpubs, restaurants, and boutiques. The Canmore Museum tells the story of this are from the days of coal-mining camp to the 1988 Olympic host city. Accommodations: (STD) Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Canmore (2 Nights)

Banff National Park, AB

Day 7 | Banff National Park, British Columbia

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The town of Banff is actually located inside Banff National Park. Founded in 1885 following the discovery of the Cave and Basin Hot Springs, Banff is Canada's oldest and most famous national park. It includes a variety of outstanding geological and ecological features, including rugged mountains, glaciers, icefields, alpine meadows, lakes, mineral hot springs, deep canyons and hoodoos. Its diverse wildlife features 53 species of mammals, including elk, bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bear, wolf, coyote, caribou, and mountain lion. The Castleguard Caves in the remote northwest corner of the park form Canada's longest cave system. The Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff commemorates the establishment, growth, and development of Canada's national parks through interactive displays and exhibits. But with its roaring waterfalls and ice-blue glaciers, meadows full of wildflowers and breathtaking panoramic vistas, this is one park that is best appreciated on foot. Luckily, several turnouts along the Icefields and Bow Valley Parkways allow you to get a closer look without investing too much time or energy. A plethora of companies offer guided one-day and multi-day park tours via bus, bike, snowshoe, ski and hiking boot.

Mounties

Day 8 | Canmore - Calgary, Alberta

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Calgary was born when in the summer of 1875 a small portion of the Northwest Mounted Police came to the meeting place of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. They build a log fort and attracted several hundred settlers by the year’s end. With an economic history centered around cattle and oil, the city has develop, with a towering skyline. The many parks and outdoor recreational activities give Calgary a small town charm. In 1988, Calgary hosted the Winter Olympics. For this it constructed the Olympic Park and a host of other facilities. The Glenbow Museum has exhibits tracking western Canada's history and heritage. s with information on native peoples, European settlers and cultures from around the world. With realistic displays, life in Canada's early years is detailed, providing a glimpse of hardships, joys and domestic life. The Bar U Ranch is a National Historic Site an hour southwest of Calgary. This a well-preserved and still-operating cattle ranch that celebrates both past and present traditions of the Old West. Tours of the ranch's 35 original buildings are available. Special events include displays of ranching activities and techniques; since this is a real ranch, you might get to watch a branding or roundup. Accommodations: (STD) Holiday Inn Macleod Trail Calgary (1 Night)

Cattle Drive

Day 9 | Calgary - Glacier National Park - Kalispell, Montana

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Depart Calgary this morning and drive toward Kalispell. Kalispell sits near the head of Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Glacier National Park, with its majestic snowcapped peaks is close by. They can be seen from the downtown area where a well-established main street circles Kalispell's Courthouse at one end. This small, thriving city is home to the Conrad Mansion, a 19th century Norman-style mansion with 26 originally furnished rooms; Tiffany glass and eight fireplaces. An overnight stay has been arranged here. Accommodations: (STD) Red Lion Hotel Kalispell (1 Night)

Native Americans

Day 10 | Kalispell - St. Mary - Great Falls, Montana

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Depart Kalispell this morning and drive toward St. Mary. Today you will travel on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The 1.5 million acre reservation stretches north to the Canadian border. It is home to 7,500 members of what was the most powerful tribe in the Northern Plains. Consider stopping at the Museum of the Plains Indians. Here you will find a small collection of Indian arts and crafts, mostly blankets and jewelry. Continue on to Great Falls for an overnight stay. Buy cowboy boots and hats herewith the best selection of brand-name western wear in the Rocky Mountain West. Visit Holiday Village Mall with over 60 brand name stores. For those interested in art, visit the C. M. Russell Museum. A famous western artist, Charlie Russell produced many paintings depicting Indian and cowboy life on the northern plains in the early 1800s. Many of Russell's paintings and drawings are owned by the museum. Charlie Russell's original studio, on site near the museum, is also worth a visit. The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center is sits on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. It is near the great falls of the Missouri where Lewis and Clark took eleven days to make the 16-mile portage around five separate falls on the river in 1805. The center has numerous exhibits which describe the expedition's journey up the Missouri River and on to the Pacific Ocean. Accommodations: (STD) Holiday Inn Great Falls (1 Night)

Yellowstone Ntl. Park, WY

Day 11 | Great Falls - Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

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Depart this morning for Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone was the first national park in the world, the example on which parks everywhere are modeled. One of the most famous park features is Old Faithful. This famous geyser got its name because of its punctuality and predictability. Eruptions at Old Faithful last anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes, and spray water and steam up to 184 ft vertically. Yellowstone also has freely roaming herds of buffalo. It also includes the nation's largest wildlife preserve, an enormous lake, the Continental Divide, some 10,000 hydrothermal features, and over 1,000 miles of trails. Its diversity of attractions is a match for any location on the planet. Explore the interesting park locations and the hydrothermal features by strolling the boardwalks built over top them. Yellowstone's wildlife is as spectacular as the hydrothermal features. Because of the park's remote location, and because of its large size, animals roam freely and are able to live in a natural way much as their kind has lived for centuries. Moose, elk and buffalo are among the most populous of inhabitants. You have two nights to enjoy the park. Accommodations: (STD) Days Inn West Yellowstone (2 Nights)

Yellowstone Ntl. Park, WY

Day 12 | Yellostone National Park, Wyoming

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Today is yours to explore more of Yellowstone. Consider stopping at one of the many lodges or visitor centers for interpretive information and shopping for unique gifts. Keep your eyes on the lookout for bear and moose, a special viewing treat within the park. One of the most impressive areas of the park is the deep canyon of the Yellowstone River, featuring the upper and lower portions of Yellowstone Falls. The picture below shows the canyon and Yellowstone Falls from Artist's Point on the south rim. There are many historic buildings in Yellowstone, befitting its long time as a national park. The most famous is Old Faithful Inn. The Inn was originally constructed in 1903-1904, and enlarged in both 1913 and 1928. The Inn area also includes restaurants, shops and other facilities.

Rocky Mountain Elk

Day 13 | West Yellowstone - Missoula, Montana

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Travel today to Missoula, Montana. Along the way, you'll drive on little-traveled roads into a mountainous area. Continue on passed Georgetown Lake, a popular tourist destination in both summer and winter. Finally, Arrive in Missoula for a overnight stay. While here, consider a visit to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Wildlife Visitor Center. See the educational displays, a wildlife art gallery and a gift shop. The Historic Museum at Fort Missoula is another top attraction. It features over 22,000 objects 13 historic structures. It offers a rare opportunity to see how pioneers lived in western Montana. Accommodations: (STD) Holiday Inn Parkside Missoula (1 Night)

Spokane Riverfront Park

Day 14 | Missoula - Spokane, Washington

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Depart Montana and drive toward Spokane, Washington. It is the second largest city in Washington. It is a haven of natural beauty, surrounded by lakes and one of the largest urban waterfalls. Visit Riverfront Park, created for the 1974 World's Fair Expo and set on an island in the middle of the Spokane River, 100-acre Riverfront Park is the heart of the city. This revitalized area has brought the community together with an area created for family fun. The Rotary Riverfront Fountain is a stainless-steel sculpture that's also a choreographed fountain. Take a spin on the restored 1909 Looff Carrousel. There is also an IMAX Theatre where 70mm films are shown on screens five stories high. The park is situated along the Spokane River, which cascades over Spokane Falls. For panoramic views of the falls, take a ride on the Spokane Falls Sky Ride. These gondolas swing out over the falls before crossing to the far side of the river. Latah Creek Winery is widely regarded as one of the leading Merlot producers in the Pacific Northwest. This vineyard located east of downtown Spokane resembles a Spanish mission, and it is one of the most popular in the Spokane Valley. Accommodations: (STD) Pheasant Hill Inn & Suites (1 Night)

Day 15 | Spokane - Seattle, Washington

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Return to Seattle today for the final night of your tour. Take an elevator ride 520 feet above ground level and visit the observation deck of the Space Needle. Here you will find superb city views. High-powered telescopes allow you to zoom into the distance. For a twist on the traditional museum experience, visit the Experience Music Project. Created by Paul Allen and designed by architect Frank Gehry, this rock 'n' roll museum is a multicolored spectacle. Originally planned as a memorial to Seattle native Jimi Hendrix, the museum grew to encompass not only Hendrix but all of the Northwest rock and the history of American mainstream music. There are many the interactive rooms where you can play guitars, drums and other instruments. Another exhibit focuses on the history of guitars and includes some of the first electric guitars, which date from the early 1930s. For another unique experience, visit the Museum of Glass. A soaring 90-foot steel cone forms the building's core and many exhibitions showcase contemporary works of glass. Visit the Hot Shop Amphitheater, a working glass studio where you can see the process of glassmaking. Don't miss the Bridge of Glass, the conceived by famous glass artist Dale Chihuly. Accommodations: (STD) Seattle Pacific Hotel (1 Night)

Western Tanager

Day 16 | Seattle - Seattle Tacoma International Airport

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Depart at leisure for the SEATAC International Airport.