VACATION DETAILS

Squamish, British Columbia, is a logging town located 50 mi/80 km north of Vancouver that sits on the beautiful Howe Sound. As a fast-growing bedroom community to popular Whistler and Vancouver, it is dubbed the "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada."

It is the premier windsurfing territory in North America; it hosts the world's largest loggers' sports show every August (Squamish Days); and it's a popular destination for more than 160,000 international rock climbers and hikers each year. These brave souls go to conquer the Stawamus Chief, which at 2,139 ft/652 m high is said to be the second-tallest granite monolith in the world (Gibraltar is No. 1). With nearly 200 routes, climbs range from beginner to strictly expert. In winter, the area becomes a haven for hundreds of bald eagles. If time and budget permit, take an aerial tour over the glacial scenery.

Just east of Squamish is Garibaldi Provincial Park, near Whistler and the Blackcomb Mountains. The park is home to several natural wonders, including majestic Mount Garibaldi, the Barrier (a natural dam enclosing Garibaldi Lake) and the Black Tusk (a volcanic peak).

South of Squamish is Shannon Falls Provincial Park, with its spectacular 1,099-ft/335-m waterfall.

The small town of Brackendale, just north of Squamish, is best visited in winter, when the splendor of British Columbia's natural wilderness and the majesty of the region's wildlife come alive during the annual Bald Eagle Count, held November-February. The town's bald eagle festival takes place in January, but you can witness hundreds of eagles soaring overhead and diving into the Squamish River to feast on the abundant salmon throughout winter.

Vancouver is a thriving metropolis surrounded by natural beauty. With parks, beaches, gardens, museums, art galleries and the second-largest Chinatown in North America, Vancouver lives up to its promise of offering something for everyone. With modern buildings set against green, rolling hillsides, this city is breathtaking; no location offers a more spectacular view than Stanley Park - with a zoo, aquarium, totem poles and honking geese. A short walk from the park leads to Robson Street, which offers the town's best window-shopping. Stores with European flavor share the avenue with delicatessens and tea rooms ready to serve. As architectural heart of the city, Robson Square features a central plaza with a food fair and an old provincial courthouse, which now houses Vancouver Art Gallery. Be sure to stop at 8 Pender St. - "the narrowest building in the world." Other points of interest include the Museum of Anthropology; Japanese-style Nitobe Memorial Garden; and VanDusen Botanical Garden. Capilano Canyon is site of the world's longest and highest suspension footbridge.

Lake Louise is a beautiful yet often-overlooked mountain getaway. Among countless other winter activities, enjoy some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. In the summer, try trail riding, hiking, whitewater rafting and mountain biking. Lake Louise, with its blue-green water set against the stark backdrop of Victoria Glacier, is probably the most beloved and most photographed scene in the Canadian Rockies.

An hour from Calgary, and less than an hour from Canmore and Banff, the unparalleled beauty of Kananaskis Country (K-Country) captures the hearts of Albertans and visitors worldwide. A unique entity, K-Country encompasses rolling foothills and aspen parklands which gradually give way to the rugged grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. Consisting of more than 4,000 square kilometers, Kananaskis offers superb four-season sightseeing and recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking, fishing, camping and skiing.

Waterton Lakes National Park is a unique tableau of nature. Here, at the southwestern point in Alberta, along the United States border, craggy mountains meet true prairie grassland. Buffalo roamed this land as much as 10,000 years ago. Here you'll find some of the oldest rock in Canada's Rocky Mountains and Upper Waterton Lake, the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies. Across the border from Waterton Lakes, these majestic peaks define Glacier National Park in Montana. In this pristine place, two nations co-operate to let Nature come first.

This modern cosmopolitan city of Calgary was once home to Blackfoot Indians for at least hundreds of years. Fort Calgary came into existence as a Northwest Mounted Police settlement in 1875, and Canadian Pacific Railway arrived in 1883. With the close railway, Calgary became a transportation and meatpacking hub. The world-renowned Calgary Exhibition and Stampede has been held since 1912. A museum worth a visit is Glenbow Museum and Art Gallery. The Calgary Tower offers a first class view of Calgary area. It is a landmark symbol that became well known during the 1988 Winter Olympics - when a flame burned from the top. Besides an observation gallery, there is a revolving restaurant and cocktail lounge. Canada Olympic Park houses many facilities used for the 1988 Winter Olympics. The Olympic Hall of Fame is a museum paying tribute to the Olympics and its athletes. Heritage Park Historical Village authentically portrays life in a typical town of Canadian west prior to 1914. Calgary Zoo is one of the best in North America.