Jasper

We spent three nights at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge tucked within gorgeous Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage. The lodge is a scenic village of cabins with adventure and wildlife right outside your door.

There is so much to do here – hiking, fishing, horseback riding, biking, golfing, paddleboats, canoeing –  and truly something for everyone. We got to experience a beautiful hike, challenging bike ride, white water rafting (brr!) and a host of other amenities that the lodge has to offer. Jason enjoyed a round of golf while Joey and I lounged at the pool and took a stroll around the lake.

 

A highlight of our stay was a fabulous dinner on the lake, exclusive to Tauck guests. It reminded me a bit of having a bush breakfast while on safari. The kids had a ball playing ladder golf and soccer while the parents sat back with a cocktail. They even had a fire pit for all to enjoy s’mores!

Virtuoso Amenities, compliments of McCabe World Travel, offered at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge:

·         Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests

·         $100 USD Equivalent Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)

·         Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

OH CANADA!

For my family’s summer vacation, I elected to explore Canada with Tauck Bridges, a tour product that Tauck offers geared toward families. After landing in Calgary, we enjoyed a two hour drive to the Fairmont Chateaux Lake Louise. The scenery is breathtaking – worth every minute of the drive. The Chateaux sits on breathtaking Lake Louise which boasts colors that you’d expect to see in the Caribbean: combinations of blues and greens.

On our first day, we enjoyed a wonderful hike with our guide who was great interacting with the kids making the experience both educational and fun. A little Canadian Wildlife Trivia: We learned about a tiny animal called the Shrew. In the winter, a Shrew will shrink their body size and brain mass in order to survive with lower energy intake. Average body mass will decrease by 19%!

 

After a fantastic first day at Lake Louise, we drove on the famed Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park. This gorgeous stretch of highway is one of the most  scenic drives in the world. Every time we turned a corner, we were treated to another spectacular sight: majestic mountains, crystal clear lakes, massive glaciers and thundering waterfalls. You absolutely cannot miss this drive if you are in the Rockies!

 

Another fun fact: the Canadian Mountain Peak feeds three different oceans – Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic. They say the only other place in the world that this happens is Siberia!

Stay tuned for our adventures in Jasper!

Virtuoso Amenities offered at the Fairmont Chateaux Lake Louise

-Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

-Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guest in restaurant

-Souvenir personal portrait session with professional photographer during their stay with picture frame.

-Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

Insider’s Tip - Take time to sip one of the superb ice wines and enjoy the fondue specialties, including bison and the traditional Swiss cheese.