Advertorial for APT Luxury Travel
Travel into the Rocky Mountains by rail and you’ll never turn your head from the windows. Jagged snow-dusted peaks are clawed by glaciers and splattered with sapphire-blue lakes. You pass pine forests and gushing alpine rivers. From coast to mountains, you’ll be riveted by the outrageous scenery on every side.
It is little wonder Canada and Alaska are premium destinations for discerning travellers. To meet this enduring demand, APT Luxury Travel offers the chance to experience the splendid wilderness from every angle with its newly released 2027 itineraries.
Iconic rail and rugged coastlines
Expertly designed tours, such as the 22-day Rockies Odyssey & Alaska Cruise take you from the dramatic Rocky Mountains to sailing through Alaska’s legendary Inside Passage to Glacier Bay National Park. Others such as the 17-day Eastern Canada itinerary showcase the vibrant eastern provinces, complete with a visit to the thundering roars of Niagara Falls.
There are many reasons to visit Canada and Alaska. They’re safe and sophisticated. You’ll enjoy vibrant cities, and encounter history and culture through the eyes of expert APT tour directors and local guides. Still, the stupendous scenery is hard to outshine.
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Travelling by rail affords a unique perspective on Canada’s legendary landscapes. Settle into a luxurious GoldLeaf Service on the iconic Rocky Mountaineer and you’ll be immersed in the extravagance of the passing scenery — all while enjoying personalised service.
Board in Vancouver and soon you’re click-clacking through the farm-rich Fraser Valley, nestled between coast and Cascade Range. Hillsides are covered in fabulous old forest and tumbled with waterfalls. At Kamloops, vines are neatly pegged in defiance of the wild landscape.
As you approach Banff, the landscapes become supersized. APT’s 19-day Rockies Explorer and Alaska Cruise itinerary showcases these spectacular sights. Your time here is crowned by an extraordinary stay at the legendary Fairmont Banff Springs, famously known as Canada’s majestic “Castle in the Rockies”.
Personalised peaks and glacial wonders
APT’s Freedom of Choice allows you to personalise your journey to suit your interests. In Banff, this may include a gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, sightseeing by helicopter or floating down the Bow River.
As you head north, the scenery becomes ever more magnificent and you might spot bears, moose or bighorn sheep. Snow-capped peaks and pine forests are reflected in Lake Louise, whose waters are a startling emerald colour. An hour’s hike around the lakeshore to Victoria Glacier provides one of the world’s most gob smacking walks.
Continue along the Icefields Parkway and you skirt mighty mountains and the Columbia Icefield, the world’s largest icefield outside the poles. At Athabasca Glacier, a purpose-built bus with wheels huge enough to tackle the ice allows a close-up encounter with this natural wonder.
You can travel in Canada year-round, with each season offering its own distinctive pleasures. The less-crowded shoulder seasons have a quiet magic and erupt in springtime wildflowers or autumn trees of sumptuous orange and yellow.
Winter is your opportunity to enjoy snowy landscapes, and to try snow shoeing or dog sledding. Twirl on frozen Lake Louise and you’ll feel as if you’re ice skating inside a snow dome.
Warm your toes afterwards in the legendary Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise; then unwind over dinner in cosy surrounds, wrapped in warmth and conversation as snow falls outside. Exceptional stays are all part of the APT Luxury Tour experience, and this iconic hotel shows why.
In Banff, a Hot Chocolate Trail will warm you up, and so will gingerbread and mulled wine at Banff Christmas Market. If you want to experience Canada’s tinsel-decked, over-the-top festive season, then APT’s Castles and Festive Winter Wonderland takes you into a snowy haven of fairy lights, Christmas trees and festival cheer.
APT Luxury Travel’s enriching journeys are thoughtfully designed to showcase the diversity of Canada, taking you not just to its natural wonders, but immersing you in urban excitement. On tours such as the 20-day Rockies in Depth Journey coupled with an Alaskan Cruise, you will get to experience this as a small group tour with a maximum of only 24 guests.
These are just the places for APT’s Signature Experiences, such as a before-hours visit to the incredible Butchart Gardens, or a breakfast at the sensational Capilano Suspension Bridge — exclusive moments that help create those unforgettable holiday memories.
Quality and expertise are hallmarks of the APT Luxury Travel experience, honed over 30 years in North America. 2027 also marks 100 years for APT, from a single Melbourne bus route in 1927 to spanning every corner of the globe. There’s no better choice for anyone seeking a curated escape amid some of the world’s most welcoming cities and splendid landscapes.
APT Luxury Travel’s Canada & Alaska 2027 touring program is now on sale. This article is in partnership with Rocky Mountaineer, Destination Canada and Banff and Lake Louise Tourism. For more information, visit www.aptouring.com.au
