Canada trip | Parks of the Rocky Mountains

Considered one of the best road trips in the world, Icefields Parkway stretches for 232 kilometres. The road takes you through breathtaking landscapes with ancient glaciers, soaring rocky peaks, pristine turquoise lakes, waterfalls and vast valleys. The Icefields Parkway traverses the vast beauty of the Canadian Rocky Mountain with several beautiful national parks. Visitors can spot various wildlife, including bighorn sheep, deer, black bears, coyotes, wolves and grizzly bears.

Located in the Rocky Mountains of Montana on the Canadian-American border, Glacier National Park contains 4,000 square kilometres of pure natural wilderness. The spectacular landscape includes towering, glacier-carved peaks and lush valleys filled with exquisite waterfalls. Considered by many as America's greatest natural wonders, the park contains over a hundred lakes, two sub-chains of the Rocky Mountains and countless plant and animal species including an impressive population of grizzly bears. There is plenty to do outdoors with miles of hiking trails and cycling routes, as well as idyllically located campsites.

The village of Lake Louise is located in Alberta in Canada, within the extraordinary Banff National Park and the Rocky Mountains. The lake is famous for its turquoise colour, Victoria Glacier, immense mountains and numerous ski resorts. Visitors can hike to the teahouse at Lake Agnes for fantastic panoramic views, rent a canoe, or go ice skating in winter. Other highlights include the Lake Louise gondola, a cable car to Whitehorn Mountain, where there is a better chance of spotting grizzly bears.

From the skyscrapers of New York City to the scenic country roads of New England, The United States of America is a place of beauty and of unprecedented diversity. Visit the glorious Golden Gate Bridge, the famous Empire State Building, the Iconic Statue of Liberty and catch a glimpse of the lights of Las Vegas! Not to mention the country's natural treasures: the many national parks with beautiful landscapes and wildlife. The beaches on both the east and west coasts are also well worth a visit. The United States is a country of such vast dimensions that a lifetime in the United States can still feel like you have barely seen any of the country.

Located high in the Canadian Rockies, Banff is a town where you will quickly feel at home but at the same time continue to marvel. There is no other place in the world where a vibrant community of artists, athletes, families, restaurateurs and hoteliers can be found in a huge national park. Banff National Park consists of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers. The grandeur and splendour of nature make Banff National Park one of the world's premier adventure destinations!

Jasper retains its timeless appeal as a peaceful former railway town that happens to be in the middle of one of the world's most beautiful protected wilderness areas. The town of Jasper is a year-round gateway for visitors to explore this pristine environment and world of adventure, whether you are paddling through crystal clear waters, exploring some of the more than 1,200 km of hiking trails or looking for wildlife.

Canada, the land of loggers, beavers, hockey and maple syrup. While Canada certainly offers all these traditional associations in abundance, this beautiful country has so much more to offer than a few clichés. With its unforgettably beautiful, natural landscapes and cosmopolitan cities, Canada has something for everyone. Popular tourist destinations include the beautiful Rocky Mountains around Banff and Lake Louise, luxury ski resorts like Whistler and Blackcomb, the French-speaking cities of Montreal or Quebec, or the uber cool and eternally busy urban centres of Vancouver or Toronto. Whether you visit an Inuit lodge in Nunavut, take a dog sled ride through the Yukon to see the spectacular northern lights shining through the night sky or indulge in a delicious high tea on Vancouver Island, you will be amazed at the possibilities Canada has to offer.

The Canadian province of Alberta is best known for its stunning landscapes: pine-covered ridges, snow-capped mountain peaks and crystal clear lakes of the Rocky Mounatains. Some of Canada's most magnificent national parks can be found in Alberta, such as Jasper National Park - featuring Maligne Lake with its beautiful turquoise waters, a trio of glaciers and Spirit Island - and Banff National Park. Calgary, Alberta's largest city is known for the 'July Stampede', the world's best outdoor show featuring rodeo, a parade, funfair, concerts, shows, exhibitions and much more.

Stretching along Canada's western border, British Columbia has it all: a strong legacy of the 'first nations', stunning scenery, rich wildlife and a strong, cosmopolitan capital. The province consists largely of untamed wilderness - rugged mountain peaks, lush forests, mountain lakes and sparkling rivers, making it an excellent destination for outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, surfing and rock climbing, hiking, cycling, skiing and golf.

Located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, the attractive city of Edmonton is the capital of the province of Alberta. For a heavy dose of culture, head to the downtown Arts District, where you will find theatres, concert halls and live music venues on almost every corner. To learn more about the area's heritage, head to Fort Edmonton Park; a 'living history museum' where the past is artfully recreated in displays in original old streets and buildings. If you are a sports fan, see what's on at Commonwealth Stadium, which hosts a range of major sporting events.

Yoho National Park, located on the Trans-Canada Highway, is tucked among the western slopes of Canada's famous Rocky Mountains. Part of the World Heritage Site Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, this remarkably beautiful park is characterised by sparkling lakes, waterfalls and majestic mountains in southeastern British Columbia. The Cree word 'Yoho' means 'awe and wonder', which perfectly sums up what visitors will experience at every turn. Stop at the small settlement of Field; see the glacier-fed, ice-blue Kicking Horse River crowned by Wapta Falls and the magnificent Takakkaw Falls; explore the spectacular turquoise-coloured Emerald Lake, and enjoy the endlessly captivating views of this dramatic landscape. For adventurers and nature lovers, activities abound such as hiking, camping, kayaking, whitewater rafting and cross-country skiing. Neighbouring parks include the incredibly beautiful Kootenay National Park to the south and Banff National Park to the east.

Montana is a state in the northern/northwestern United States which is characterised by diverse landscapes ranging from the towering Rocky Mountains to the wide open expanses of the Great Plains. This diverse terrain provides an ideal environment for a variety of outdoor activities including: hiking, cycling, horse riding, hunting, and fishing in summer; or skiing and snowboarding in winter. Montana is home a number of renowned national parks. These include among others: the Yellowstone National Park, one of the largest and most famous national parks in the world with more than two million acres of geysers and bubbling hot springs simmering between mountains, rivers and canyons; and the Glacier National Park, a land of mammoth mountains and ice-hewn valleys dotted with spectacular aquamarine lakes, forests, waterfalls and glaciers. What Montana lacks in big-name cities, it more than makes up for in spectacular natural appeal.

Waterton Lakes National Park, located in the southwest corner of the Canadian province of Alberta, is an impressive expanse of wilderness. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, the park, together with neighbouring Montana's Glacier National Park, forms the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Visitors can look forward to spotting an abundance of wildlife, including: bears, wolves, pumas, deer, coyotes, bobcats, wolverines, Canada lynx, river otters, beavers and American bald eagles. Must-see attractions include the crystal-clear Waterton Lakes; the beautiful Red Rock Canyon; and Buffalo Paddock, a fenced-in area of prairie grassland that offers the opportunity to see buffalo in their natural habitat.

Field, tucked away in the picturesque Kicking Horse River valley in British Columbia, Canada, is a charming little hamlet within the boundaries of Yoho National Park. This historic town is an excellent base for exploring the surrounding wilderness, which offers breathtaking mountain scenery, abundant wildlife and world-class outdoor recreation. The town offers visitors a number of convenient services and comfortable accommodation options run by the warm and friendly locals. Popular activities in the area include hiking, visiting the beautiful Emerald Lake, admiring the spectacular Takakkaw Falls and admiring the city's many historic buildings and colourful flower gardens.

Founded in 1885, Banff National Park is the oldest national park in Canada. Located amid the Unesco-listed prized Rocky Mountains, this breathtaking national park is home to rugged mountain terrain, hot springs, raging rivers, ancient glaciers, ice fields and dense alpine forest. It is known for abundant wildlife, turquoise glacial lakes and a wide variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, skiing, mountain biking, camping, climbing, etc. Other highlights include the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, and the Banff Park Museum National Historic Site, featuring more than 5,000 zoological and botanical specimens. Visitors here can take in one of the world's most beautiful mountain landscapes, learn about the park's cultural heritage and spot a variety of wildlife.

Located at the foot of the beautiful Canadian Rockies, Kananaskis Country is known as an outdoor recreation mecca. The area offers many campsites, one of the best golf courses in the region, the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, and two excellent ski resorts. Visitors here can enjoy a whole range of adventure activities, including skiing at the outstanding Nakiska Ski Resort (which hosted the Winter Olympics in 1988), mountain biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, rafting, horseback riding, ice fishing, snowshoeing, camping and canoeing.

Radium Hot Springs is a small village located in the East Kootenays region of southern Canada. It is known for its mineral-rich hot springs, one of the best the country has to offer, with spa treatments available on site and an attractive pool for relaxing. In addition, Radium Hot Springs is a great base to visit the surrounding natural parks, such as the beloved Kootenay National Park with fantastic sights like Sinclair Canyon and the Vermillion River. Bugaboo Provincial Park is a wilderness area with excellent rock climbing opportunities and adventurous camping. North of Radium Hot Springs is the fossil-rich Yoho National Park and the famous Banff National Park, known for its spectacular glacial lakes.

Whitefish is an amazingly beautiful village sandwiched between spectacular mountains and a shimmering blue lake in Flathead County, Montana. Besides the popular Big Mountain ski resort, the village attracts action enthusiasts and nature lovers. In winter, visitors can enjoy the excellent slopes and diversity of trails for both beginner and advanced skiers. Summer provides a plethora of outdoor activities, including swimming, fishing, river rafting, golf, hiking, horse riding and a phenomenal zipline trail through the dense forest. The area in particular is also known for its mountain bike trails. Several cosy restaurants, coffee shops, bars and shops overlook breathtaking panoramas. Several surrounding lakes can be visited from Whitefish.