INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS
We’ve been exploring a lot of our home province of Alberta lately, branching out from our go-to vacation spots in the Canadian Rockies in favour of lesser-known destinations. On one of our weekend getaways we discovered Sundre, a small town in the foothills of central Alberta. Things to Do in Sundre and Surrounding Area Before...
The Mount Edith Cavell area in Jasper National Park is home to one of the park’s most beautiful hiking routes- the Cavell Meadows Trail. For the entire duration of this day hike we were surrounded by classic alpine scenery. We admired a colourful pond, walked alongside piles of moraine, climbed into an upper-subalpine forest, passed...
Jasper National Park has long been a favourite place of mine. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been fascinated by Jasper’s rocky mountains, pristine lakes, icy glaciers, roaring waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. It wasn’t hard for Jasper to capture my heart, but even after countless trips, I’m still head over heels in love...
I’ve been visiting Jasper National Park ever since I was a kid, but had never got around to enjoying one of the park’s most iconic experiences- the Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit Island. I can honestly say, I saved the best for last! The scenery I saw during the Maligne Lake cruise epitomized everything I...
A trip to Alberta wouldn’t be complete without doing a road trip in the Canadian Rockies. The drive from Calgary to Jasper is one of the finest road trips in Canada, a route that passes by Alberta’s most inspiring scenery as it makes its way through the mountains and into the heart of Banff and...
Albertans love to complain about our long winters, but rather than dreading Canada’s coldest season, we think it’s the perfect time to have a romantic weekend away. Covered in a blanket of white, Alberta’s landscapes couldn’t be more romantic. There’s a peacefulness to the surroundings. It feels as though each place, each moment exists just...
Banff may be world famous for its breathtaking mountains and glistening blue lakes, but it was a small cave and its thermal waters that spurred the creation of Canada’s first national park, Banff, in 1885. Cave and Basin is the lowest of nine natural hot springs on Sulphur Mountain, its water bubbling up from 3...
Jasper National Park is a great place to visit year round, but it can be especially fun in the winter. Active travellers and outdoor adventurers will find plenty of activities to enjoy during a winter trip to Jasper. Things to Do in Jasper in Winter- Our Favourite Winter Activities in Jasper National Park We’ve made...
After a weekend of hiking to Larch Valley and horseback riding to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, we ended our visit to Lake Louise with a delicious meal at The Station Restaurant. As a train lover, I was immediately impressed. Located in Lake Louise Station, the oldest building in Lake Louise, the restaurant...
It was our quest for new adventures in Lake Louise that led us try horseback riding for the first time, going all the way up to the historic Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House nestled high in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Neither one of us had been on a horse before. I had always been...
The Larch Valley hike near Lake Louise has been something Mike and I have been talking about doing for years, so this fall we finally decided to make it happen. Wow, had we been missing out all this time! The Lake Louise area is a special place any time of year, but it shines just...
It was a beautiful day in May. Warm, sunny, a clear blue sky above and fresh mountain air to awaken the senses. It was the perfect weather for a casual hike in Jasper! I decided I wanted to see somewhere in Jasper I haven’t been before, so Mike suggested we do the Valley of the...
I am not always a fan of public art but there was one specific piece I was itching to see since it was installed in 2013. Wonderland is a bent-wire portrait of a young girl’s head created by Jaume Plensa, a highly regarded Spanish sculptor. The 12 metre tall sculpture features prominently in front of...
Whenever I’m in the mood to see cute wildlife, Mike and I make a trip to Jasper National Park. Well, not every time because then we’d never be home! Jasper is, by far, the best place in the Canadian Rocky Mountains to see wildlife. In one weekend alone we saw nine bears, three moose, and...
When we were in Canmore for the Uncorked Food and Drink Festival, we needed to find a way to work off all the delicious calories we were consuming. Lucky for us, in Canmore there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, or simply taking a leisurely, scenic stroll. We opted for easy hikes and walks...
I bow my head down as I walk into a brisk wind, the two strong blades of a helicopter loudly turning above my head. “I can’t believe this is really happening,” I think as I climb up into the bright-red Bell Long Ranger. I quickly fasten my seatbelt and then fumble with the headset, big...
I may not always be the biggest fan of my home city, but there is one thing I can’t deny- Edmonton has a beautiful river valley, especially in the fall. Edmonton’s river valley is the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America- 7, 400 hectares! This gives us Edmontonians plenty of space to get...
Long, cold, and dreary. Those are all words that we Albertans tend to use when describing our winters. I can agree with the long and, most of the time, cold, but dreary not so much. Visiting Jasper in the winter will have you rethinking the way you describe Alberta’s longest season. Jasper’s gorgeous scenery, draped...
As a huge animal lover, I am always on the lookout for wildlife when I travel. While I don’t always have the best of luck in some destinations, I never fail to see wildlife in Jasper National Park. This is probably one of the cutest animal moments I have witnessed- a mother Mule deer grooming...
Peering over the edge of a snow covered bridge, I have to catch my breath when I think about how far down the canyon below is. Fifty-one meters- the same height as Niagara Falls. There’s no water rushing through curves of Maligne Canyon today. Its floor is frozen, the limestone walls partially concealed by a...
We are Rhonda and Mike, a Canadian couple who make it a priority to travel every chance we get!
We describe our travel style as "laid back luxe" and enjoy a mix of outdoor adventures and historic sites.
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