Breathtaking Beauty & Artistic Inspiration
Trip Report: You'll Find Both on a Canadian Rockies Bus Tour
One last post about our epic Canadian Rockies bus tour with Caravan Tours last summer.
I’ve always been a die-hard planner: researching itineraries, renting cars, and exploring independently. Kate, a Caravan convert after two previous trips, convinced me to give it a try.
Here's what surprised me:
Hidden Gems Unlocked: Many incredible sights required expensive hotels or tours for access. Caravan, with their connections, got us there.
Relax and Take in the View: Kate was right - leaving the driving to Caravan meant more sightseeing time for both of us.
Freedom with Flexibility: The itinerary was a guide, not a leash. As long as we were back at the bus at the designated departure time, we could explore freely.
Local Knowledge: Our Canadian guide's insights brought the history and landscape to life.
Planning? Everything was arranged, from hotels to luggage transfers. No lugging your own bag.
Lessons Learned:
Book Early: These tours fill up fast.
Pack Smart: One suitcase, one carry-on.
Be Flexible: Be prepared to change seats on the bus every day.
Engage Other travelers: Everyone has a story.
Dress for Adventure: Pack layers and comfy shoes for all weather conditions. Sun protection and rain gear are a must.
Entertainment on the Go: Bring a book or download some music, audiobooks, or podcasts. While the scenery is stunning, there can be a couple of hours between stops.
Bus tours aren't for everyone. If you crave a slower, relaxing pace, this might not be for you. But for those who want to see a lot in a short time while enjoying a hassle-free experience, we highly recommend. Plus, it was surprisingly affordable.
If you missed seeing any stops along the way, here’s our entire Canadian Rockies itinerary.
Another quick story about our time in Banff. We discovered the Art in Nature Trail along the Bow River path when we did our e-bike adventure. Much to Kate’s chagrin, I suggested doing the walk after the river float and bike ride.
There’s a walking path on both sides of the Bow River in Banff. We crossed over to the other side to view the art installations.
The Art in Nature Trail is a free, public exhibition featuring over 65 curated art pieces by Bow Valley Artists in various mediums. The following are a small sampling of the many art pieces we saw.
“The Path We Walk” by Deanna McGillivray…we loved this one!
Another by Deanne McGillivray, “Healing Power of the Forest.”
There’s art everywhere. My favorite piece on the art trail proves that point.
The sign said:
“This Tree! Art In Nature. Literally.”
Artist: Mother Nature
We were glad we made the time to do the walk.
The 2024 Art in Nature Trail runs from July 1st - September 30th this summer.
Did I say there was art everywhere?
These were a couple of the permanent installations on our way back to the hotel.
Our Canadian Rockies trip totally exceeded our expectations.
The trip by the numbers: 2,000 miles driven (saved us $1,100 in airfare), 45 fellow bus passengers, 9 days, 6 border crossings, 4 different hotels, 4 National Parks in 2 countries with 1 guide and 1 driver…unlimited memories.
When the tour ended, we crossed the border into North Dakota again. We followed a Very Wide Load under a rainbow, which seemed appropriate after the last stellar days of sightseeing.
We’ve had such a good time reliving our tour this winter, we booked another one later this year…to Nova Scotia. We can’t wait!
Looks fabulous Deb. Your photos are amazing.
Nova Scotia! I bet you can hardly wait. Love the art work nestled everywhere in nature's beauty.