Page 8 - AAA Schuylkill County – AAA Now! – Fall 2019

TRAVEL
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AAA TRAVEL'S CRUISE & TOUR SALE • SEPTEMBER 14-28
A TRAIN ADVENTURE IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
By Diane Parkansky, Travel Agent
The Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise and Rocky Mountaineer – what an amazing combination of wonder! When Rocky Mountaineer offered a travel agent training trip I immediately accepted.
My adventure began with two nights in Vancouver. A city tour included the Vancouver Lookout and a visit to Flyover Canada, a simulated flying experience, as well as a visit to Granville Island. Granville Island’s Public Market has an amazing assortment of fresh food and flowers, and delicious dining. Later, we explored Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, which offers adventure along with beauty. Besides the main 230-foot bridge above the Capilano River, there are seven suspended footbridges in the Treetops Adventure and a stunning cliff walk.
The Rocky Mountaineer offers elegant rail tour service in the Pacific Northwest and the Canadian Rockies, with four rail routes. My tour was on the First Passage to the West, beginning in Vancouver and traveling through the Canadian Rockies, with stops in Kamloops, Lake Louise, Banff and Calgary. Rocky Mountaineer offers two service levels – SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf Service. Both have their own style and advantages.
It takes nearly 12 hours to reach the town of
Kamloops, but the ever-changing scenery and entertaining service ensure it is an enjoyable ride. Kamloops is a small town on the Thompson River in British Columbia. After a leisurely day onboard the train, I enjoyed strolling through Riverside Park before a night of rest at the Hotel 540.
The next day’s train ride was much more scenic. We saw three black bears and a grizzly, eagles and sheep. This was another 12-hour day until we arrived in Banff, a resort town in Banff National Park surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. The town of Banff is quaint, with many restaurants, boutiques and hotels. Just outside of the main town are two luxury resorts, the Fairmont Banff Springs and the Rimrock Resort Hotel. Both are AAA Four Diamond hotels providing the utmost in service and views.
On the next day I enjoyed a visit to the Fairmont Lake Louise, which is a 45-minute scenic ride from Banff. Besides the beauty of Lake Louise and the grandeur of the hotel, this hotel has a very interesting history. Lake Louise is a small resort town with just
a few hotels and shops. It is a ski town in winter, but primarily a vacation spot in summer.
Back to a day of adventure! We traveled by coach to the Banff Gondola, a scenic ride to the
top of Sulphur Mountain, where you are treated to amazing 360-degree views of the Rockies. We departed Banff by coach towards Calgary, with a stop along the way for a thrilling helicopter ride. A tour of the Calgary Tower included a headset with recorded stories on the history of Calgary that you could enjoy listening to as you observe the city from 626 feet high through the glass floor.
This was an amazing adventure from start to finish. I went for the Canadian Rockies, but fell in love with the cities of Vancouver, Banff and Calgary. I look forward to exploring more routes with
Rocky Mountaineer.
EXPERIENCE THE UNFORGETTABLE.
Join us onboard Rocky Mountaineer for an indescribable journey through the Pacific Northwest and the majestic Canadian Rockies. Complemented by exquisite cuisine, vibrant storytelling and impeccable service, a Rocky Mountaineer journey is a feast for the senses.
AAA members receive exclusive AAA Vacations® complimentary inclusions on qualifying Coastal Passage and Circle Journey packages. Plus, ask about Rocky Mountaineer’s current promotional offer for added value.
For more information, call (570) 622-4991, click AAA.com or
visit 340 South Centre St., Pottsville, PA 17901
AAA Exclusive Cruisetour Amenities:
• Music of Denali Dinner Theater
• Breakfast at King Salmon Restaurant • Breakfast at North Fork Restaurant
• Dinner at 20,320 Alaskan Grill
join us for a alaska vacation planning seminar
AAA Exclusive Cruisetour Amenities applies exclusively to tour 14N & 14S. ©2019, Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. Ships of Bermudan and British registry.
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FALL 2019
Now!