Holly’s Rocky Road Adventure

As you know I have just come back from the trip I can only express as spectacular . It is going to be difficult to put into words the overall experience as it was such a wonderful journey so I thought the best way to share my experience with you would be to do my blog in 3 parts which will all include the following. HIGHLIGHTS – DO’S AND DONT’S – NOT TO BE MISSED – TOP TIPS

This blog will focus on Day 1 – 4 of my adventure which includes

23RD APRIL MANCHESTER-HEATHROW AND OVERNIGHT HOTEL

24TH APRIL HEATHROW TO VANCOUVER

25TH APRIL DAY 1 ROCKY MOUNTAINEER VANCOUVER TO KAMLOOPS

26TH APRIL DAY 2 ROCKY MOUNTAINEER KAMLOOPS TO JASPER

My blogs will also feature my favourite photos and videos of the trip together with funny stories I encountered on the way. I hope you enjoy it and that also it either brings back wonderful memories of the trip if you have done this already or if this is something you wish to do then will give you a wonderful insight of what is instore. Enjoy 🙂

23RD APRIL MANCHESTER-HEATHROW AND OVERNIGHT HOTEL                                                          Highlights – I booked Meet and Greet Parking at Terminal 3 . From leaving my car to the bar and duty free  it took 15 minutes. Definitely worth the 59.99 price tag. most Meet and Greet car parks and within a short walking distance from your car to the terminal itself. 

Do’s and Don’ts – Great idea if you can to book an airport hotel if you want to make the most of your holiday and have a great night sleep the day before you fly. I stayed at the Renaissance Terminal 2 and was £60 for 1 night in a single room with breakfast.

Normally you fly into terminal 5 and fly out of terminal 2. If you are flying the same day, don’t leave your connecting flight with too much of a minimum connection. 2 Hours is not enough between flights when changing terminals if your regional flight is not booked on the same ticket as your flight to Canada. If you are flying BA regional to Heathrow and then Air Canada to Vancouver, ask BA if they will check your luggage straight through to Canada they did with me on the return even though my regional flights were on a different ticket. 

Not To Be Missed – The airport runway view at the Renaissance was fantastic to watch especially at night and the breakfast was fabulous to. Nice touch to offer you a bottle of water on checking in. The service at the Hotel is absolutely superb.

Top Tips – Ask for a runway view at the hotel. Starbucks is also attached to the hotel for your morning coffee. Loved the fact that card machines are now installed in the back of cabs at Heathrow so if you have no cash you can even pay by card for this service which is great. 

24TH APRIL HEATHROW TO VANCOUVER FIRST PART OF ROCKY MOUNTAINEERS WESTERN EXPLORER TOUR

HIGHLIGHTS – Where do I start. Even on day 1 it was amazing. On arrival in Vancouver we were taken to the Four Seasons Hotel which was about 30 minutes from the airport. The weather at this time of year was around 12 degrees so really warm. On arrival at the hotel we were taken to reception to check in and a bottle of water was given to us after our long flight, gratefully received. I knew this hotel was going to be great but wow the room was stunning. The bed and the pillows are genuinely the best of my life so far. 

My Bedroom, with 2 huge double beds , the room was spacious and luxurious with dressing gowns that were so fluffy.

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My View

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Stunning bathrooms with shower over the bath too

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Do’s and Don’ts – I flew with economy Air Canada and the flight was 9 hours 30 minutes, the seat pitch is ok but if you can it is worth paying for extra leg room or premium economy seats for that extra bit of comfort. Do catch a snack at the airport before your flight and take water on board too. I will be honest the food was ok but not the best I have had. On board you get one meal (chicken or a pasta dish) at the beginning of the flight , ice cream in the middle of the flight and a hot snack at the end of the flight. Service was good though and there was a great choice of movies to view too. 

Not to be Missed – On this particular package you do get a voucher to visit the Vancouver Lookout with wonderful views which you can use up until 9pm at night. We had a get together with the management team of Rocky Mountaineer at the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel and here are the views we experienced at Sunset

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Top Tips – Bear in mind that Vancouver is 8 hours behind UK time so when we arrived at 4pm local time it was actually midnight UK time. Stay up as long as you can. We did not have time to visit the Vancouver lookout but to visit here at Sunset would be just amazing. All included in the price too. The Hotel supplies you with cookies and a wonderful coffee machine in your room too. Plug sockets are in abundance together with all the toiletries you need plenty of bath towels and robes. The hotel is in the center of town so not far for a nice evening stroll once you have freshened up. Rocky Mountaineer take care of your cases so you normally you can leave them in your room and you do not see them until the room you are staying in in your next hotel which will be Kamloops if doing this journey this way round .

25th APRIL VANCOUVER TO KAMLOOPS ROCKY MOUNTAINEER SILVER LEAF SERVICE

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Highlights – Wow there are so many but for me one of the main highlights was when you arrived at the Rocky Mountaineer station. The atmosphere was electric with a gentleman playing the piano and with the bagpipes playing and the whole Rocky Mountaineer team waving to you as you boarded the train. There is a whole team waiting for you when you arrive and coffee and pastries are also served. 

 

Silver Leaf Carriage

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Silverleaf Menu

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Do’s and Don’ts – Don’t worry whether you book Silver Leaf or Gold Leaf, both experiences are amazing . I enjoyed Silver Leaf service and the food on board is absolutely fantastic. Be aware that the train leaves at 7.30am so you will leave your hotel around 7am. Pack a bottle of water and the odd snack or two as breakfast isn’t served until 8.15am. All you will need for this journey is camera, mobile phone if you prefer to use that. The train is warm on board so layers is ideal. I wore just trousers and a blouse on board but add a jumper and coat too. Don’t expect too much of Kamloops this is just for an overnight stop. Although there is a few bars and restaurants nothing much else apart from the park which was stunning, pictures below

. I did a walking tour on arrival for around 2 hours but this could have been condensed quite easily into an hour.  It is  a long day so after a meal and a Gin and Tonic I was in bed by 11pm.

The park in Kamloops which is one of the busiest places during the summer months due to the wonderful weather they have.

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Poutin is a speciality in Canada which is basically chips and gravy. Coming from Lancashire I was in my element. 

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Not To Be Missed – The scenery as you pass through Vancouver to Kamloops. The staff on board are fantastic in their knowledge and constantly update you on places of interest and history as you pass through each township. Wildlife is on everyone’s mind so if there is anything to see eg, any bears elks etc they will let you know but always have your cameras at the ready as the train is on average travelling at 35 miles an hour so can easily be missed.

Top Tips – Breakfast is served in Silver Leaf at around 8.15 and is 2 courses, followed by a 3 course lunch at around 12.15. The drinks trolley comes from 10.30 in the morning and every hour and this consists of alcoholic and soft drinks. Always take your mobile device charger everywhere you go as there are sockets on every seat to charge your mobile or ipad etc. 

25th APRIL KAMLOOPS TO JASPER ROCKY MOUNTAINEER GOLD LEAF SERVICE

Highlights – We saw 7 bears on this route which was totally exciting for everyone on board. Alot of the bears were tucked away behind the trees but we did see a mum and her 2 cubs by the side of the track. They do say that on this route you will see more wildlife but not only that the scenery as you reach Jasper is absolutely breathtaking, This was my favourite route for sure albeit a long one as we were on the train from 8am until 7pm that evening but worth every minute. Jasper was absolutely stunning and we stayed at the Best Western Jasper Inn. Due to the late arrival and the early start the following morning we didn’t see much but what I did see I just loved. 

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Do’s and Don’ts – You will find on arrival into Jasper that the weather changes and is alot cooler so warm clothing is needed. The air you breath is so clear and fresh and the night sky is the most beautiful.  Don’t worry about your luggage as this is organised by Rocky Mountaineer and taken from one hotel room to your next hotel room. Just pack what you need for the day in either a back pack or handbag. All the hotel rooms are stocked with coffee machines, many plug sockets and toiletries and all hotels had ironing board too which when you are living from a suitcase is a godsend.

Not to be Missed – If you get the chance then take a walk around the town of Jasper as it is like something out of a postcard. Very traditional and kind of cute. The hotel Best Western is a lovely hotel where your room is on two floors, kitchen and lounge downstairs with the bedroom upstairs on like a balcony so you can see the lounge area from the bedroom. Rooms very small but totally adequate. 

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Top Tips – I spent the day in Gold Leaf Service today and the coach was wonderful, the benefit of this is that you have a separate dining restaurant where you can go and mingle with other guests whilst watching the scenery chatting and having breakfast and lunch. This was a nice touch and the seating areas were a little more luxurious. Being really honest I liked them both. I thought the staff were much more knowledgable and humourous on Silver Leaf Service. This is such a wonderful trip whatever you decide will not deter from the memories you make. 

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I will continue the rest of the trip next time , I will be totally honest the best is yet to come.

If you have any questions at all please call me on 08004086114. Or you may wish me to look at booking this for you for next year, not a problem just give me a call. Remember I did this trip Vancouver to Calgary but you can also do this trip Calgary to Vancouver and then add an Alaskan cruise on at the end which most people do. 

Cheers Holly x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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