Arriving in Lax flying to YVR

[irv]

Just about to book the Rocky Mountaineer and then I think those are the two critical ons done.[/QUOTE]

Others can probably advise you better as we did the drive through BC, but I have been told you miss out on a lot of the scenery on the train as opposed to the road. Look forward to the responses.

 

[RooFlyer]

That would be my view, but others who have done the train really enjoyed it. The train from Vancouver to Jasper, then drive down the Ice Fields Parkway to Lake Louise and Banff, and exploring from there sounds a great combination.

I hope they have time to go down Highway 93 to Radium Hot Springs - very scenic and good chances of seeing multiple road-side bears.

FM - are they coffee drinkers / lovers? If so, you can make a hero out of yourself by marking their card with the Wild Flour Café in Banff. Best coffee in the Canadian Rockies. (And in Calgary, its Deville Coffee, on 1st St SW, downtown, right near the Calgary Tower and Saltlick Steakhouse )

 

[lakeman]

Hi FM.
What a great mother/mother in law you are for organising this.
I am not sure if you have all your plans sorted but I flew AA to LA and then onto YCR in february so I guess that is the original flight you were considering.
The terminal to the vancouver flight was reached by bus from terminal 4 after security and as noted you have to clear TBIT and reenter through security.
I Had a concierge who helped us jump a few queues but we had plenty of time in the lounge in terminal 4 and there is a small lounge in the satellite terminal.
I wouldnt fancy waiting till after 1 pm to leave if I had a choice.
Hope this helps

 

[Flying mermaid]

I actually gave Miss FM the choice of the 9:45 flight and the 2pm flight and asked her which she preferred, without putting any of my preferences or worries in there and she chose the 2pm.

Qantas really stuffed her around last year on a NZ flight and caused a huge amount of stress for her, so she prefers to have the big gap.

I think the two day train trip will be nice to give them time to get over jetlag a bit, before they start driving. They stop in Kamloops in a hotel overnight, so you are not quite on a train for two days. I have read that it sometimes derails, so that could be a problem. They are going to overnight in Jasper and then a slow drive to Banff and they will have 5 nights at the Rimrock resort, so plenty of time to explore the area.

I have taken note of the various ideas - Miss FM doesn't drink coffee but fiance does

 

[Flying mermaid]

Others can probably advise you better as we did the drive through BC, but I have been told you miss out on a lot of the scenery on the train as opposed to the road. Look forward to the responses.

too late unfortunately, as booked and paid for, but I think it might be good as it gives them time to get over jetlag, before they start driving - they will have a fair bit of time to explore the area - also young enough to go back again

 

[Pushka]

I think the Rocky Mountaineer is one of those things you have to do. Damn expensive though. Gold leaf carriage?

 

[legseleven]

We stayed at the Sheraton Eau Claire in Calgary last month, very pretty area to walk along the river nearby and a couple of great restaurants opposite. What a great honeymoon you/they have planned!

 

[RooFlyer]

One of the better choices in a big city with mostly mediocre chain hotels. The best is probably Le Germain whilst the Fairmont Palliser, whilst not in the 'chateau' style, is one of the grand old CPR hotels.

Did you do Joey Tomato's at Eau Claire ?

 

[Flying mermaid]

I think the Rocky Mountaineer is one of those things you have to do. Damn expensive though. Gold leaf carriage?

No - they are poor - silver leaf

 

[legseleven]

Only a drink there before heading to Bow River Barley Mill, great fun driving from there to Vancouver.

 

[irv]

FM - are they coffee drinkers / lovers? If so, you can make a hero out of yourself by marking their card with the Wild Flour Café in Banff.

Wish i knew this in 2011

 

[Flying mermaid]

FM - are they coffee drinkers / lovers? If so, you can make a hero out of yourself by marking their card with the Wild Flour Café in Banff.

Wish i knew this in 2011

I am putting together a list of hints and ideas for them and this will certainly be there! Miss FM doesn't drink tea or coffee but her fiancé is a coffee lover.

Does anyone have any ideas on hotels in Niagara? (Canadian side). Sheraton looks nice but outside their price bracket. I am leaning towards Raddison at the moment - one of their rooms with a good view, plus breakfast is around $330.

I have booked L'Hermitage for them in Vancouver. Outside their price bracket, but the good thing about me booking and paying, with them to reimburse me, is I can slip a few little subsidies in, without them noticing

 

[RooFlyer]

There's a fair bit on Vancouver in the forum and no doubt you have been/will be trawling there. But on the 'to do' list/suggestions:

* Museum of Anthropology at Uni British Columbia;

* Granville Island markets;

* Yaletown for restaurants;

* Gastown for restaurants and atmosphere;

* Stanley Park for walks on the harbour edge, cycling etc;

* Day trip (drive) to Whistler and ride in the gondolas (I've only ever done it in Summer)

* Harbour side walk from the Convention Centre (watch the sea planes taking off and landing and also the Vancouver winter Olympic torch) to Stanley Park. Cardero's (pub or restaurant dining) and Lift my favourite restaurants in that area. Look for the Burrowing Owl Cab sav.

* Craft beers are big in BC, if either are into that sort of tipple.

* The train from the airport is good, but would need a taxi ride at the end to get to L'Hermitage. Taxis are OK, but there is no expressway between the airport and downtown - all city and suburban streets with traffic lights.

 

[irv]

I am putting together a list of hints and ideas for them and this will certainly be there! Miss FM doesn't drink tea or coffee but her fiancé is a coffee lover.

Does anyone have any ideas on hotels in Niagara? (Canadian side). Sheraton looks nice but outside their price bracket. I am leaning towards Raddison at the moment - one of their rooms with a good view, plus breakfast is around $330.

Hilton with a falls view pretty good when we stayed there in 2011.

 

[irv]

I have booked L'Hermitage for them in Vancouver. Outside their price bracket, but the good thing about me booking and paying, with them to reimburse me, is I can slip a few little subsidies in, without them noticing [/QUOTE]

I would also highly recommend the St Regis in Vancouver, close to the airport line, central to the city, and very comfortable.