Grand Circle Travel - GRAND CIRCLE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE Best of the Canadian Rockies: Calgary to Vancouver
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GRAND CIRCLE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE
Best of the Canadian Rockies: Calgary to Vancouver
2021
Learn how to personalize your experience on this vacation
®
Grand Circle Travel
Worldwide Discovery at an Extraordinary Value
1
Grand Circle Travel ®
347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210
Dear Traveler,
At last, the world is opening up again for curious travel lovers like you and me. Soon, you’ll once
again be discovering the places you’ve dreamed of. In the meantime, the enclosed Grand Circle Travel
Planning Guide should help you keep those dreams vividly alive.
Before you start dreaming, please let me reassure you that your health and safety is our number
one priority. As such, we’re requiring that all Grand Circle travelers, Program Directors, and coach
drivers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure. Our new,
updated health and safety protocols are described inside.
The journey you’ve expressed interest in, Best of the Canadian Rockies: Calgary to Vancouver
vacation, will be an excellent way to resume your discoveries. It takes you into the true heart of the
Canadian West, thanks to our groups of 42 travelers (with an average of 30). Plus, our Canadian
Program Director will reveal their country’s secret treasures as only an insider can. You can also
rely on the seasoned team at our regional office in Boston, who are ready to help 24/7 in case any
unexpected circumstances arise.
Throughout your explorations, you’ll meet local people and gain an intimate understanding of
the regional culture. See the local cowboy culture brought to life at an Alberta ranch and get a
feel for daily life here as you chat with the ranch hands and sample rustic country cuisine during
an included lunch. En route to Kelowna, you’ll also enjoy a salmon cooking demonstration using
techniques originated by the First Nations people. Plus, a portion of our proceeds goes toward the
charitable efforts of Grand Circle Foundation: inside you’ll also see how your travel dollar helps
make the world a better place.
We understand that no two people are the same. That’s why more than 80% of our travelers take
advantage of the freedom to personalize their experience. Join the 41% of travelers who extend
their time abroad. Add the pre-trip extension to Montana: Billings, post-trip extension to British
Colombia: Victoria, or both of these extensions to your Canada vacation.
I hope you find this Grand Circle Travel Planning Guide helpful. If you have any further questions,
don’t hesitate to contact one of our Travel Counselors at 1-800-221-2610.
Warm regards,
Harriet R. Lewis
Vice Chairman
Overseas Adventure Travel
P.S. For further peace of mind, please know that we are EXTENDING our Risk-Free Booking
Policy through 12/31/21. Learn more at www.gct.com/riskfree-booking.
2
WHAT’S INSIDE
TRIP SUMMARY
It’s Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Departure Dates and Prices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Freedom to Personalize Your Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
DETAILED DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Travel Documents & Entry Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Rigors, Vaccines & General Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Money Matters: Local Currency & Tipping Guidelines . . . . . . . 30
Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Climate & Average Temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
About Your Destinations: Culture, Etiquette & More . . . . . . . . 44
Demographics & History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Resources: Suggested Reading & Movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Health & Safety Measures – Vaccines Required . . . . . . . . . . 72
MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
3
Enhanced! Best of the Canadian Rockies:
Calgary to Vancouver
Canada: Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Kamloops, Kelowna, Vancouver
Countries: 1 | Cities: 6 | National Parks: 2
Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta
Enjoy a 2-night stay in the Okanagan wine region
IT’S INCLUDED
14 days from $3795 • Choose to purchase Grand Circle’s airfare, and your airport transfers,
Including international airfare government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges are included. Or, make
from Portland your own air arrangements
Travel from only $272 per day
• Accommodations for 14 nights in comfortable rooms with private baths
• 23 meals: 13 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 2 dinners
14 days from $3295 • 14 included features: 9 guided tours and 5 exclusive Discovery Series
Tour only events: Ranch visit • Salmon conversation • Salmon cooking demonstration
Travel from only $236 per day • Lavender Farm visit • Winery visit
• Exclusive services of a local Grand Circle Program Director (assigned to no
Single Supplement: FREE more than 42 travelers)
• Gratuities on your main trip for local guides and motorcoach drivers
MAXIMIZE YOUR • Personal headset on all included and optional tours
DISCOVERIES & VALUE • Private motorcoach land travel
• Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
• 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next trip
Yellowstone National Park &
Montana
5 nights pre-trip from $1695
To get a richer view of the Included Features on this trip,
Victoria, British Columbia
watch our Trip Itinerary video at www.gct.com/crg2021
3 nights post-trip from $895
Enhanced! Best of the Canadian Rockies: Calgary to Vancouver
4
BEST OF THE CANADIAN RISK-FREE BOOKING POLICY: RESERVE WITH
CONFIDENCE—NOW THROUGH 12/31/21
ROCKIES: CALGARY TO We will waive any change fees if you transfer to another departure date for
any reason—up until 24 hours prior to departure.
VANCOUVER See details at www.gct.com/riskfree-booking.
2021 DATES & PRICES
DEPART FROM: JULY-SEPTEMBER MAY JUNE
Portland $3995 $3795 $3895
Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle $4095 $3895 $3995
Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas,
Denver, Detroit, Houston, New York, Newark, $4195 $3995 $4095
Philadelphia
Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa $4295 $4095 $4195
Miami, Minneapolis, Washington, DC $4395 $4195 $4295
Additional departure cities are available. Upgrade to Business Class may be available for the international portion of your flight. Call for details.
JULY-SEPTEMBER MAY JUNE
Land tour only $3495 $3295 $3395
CRG2021
Prices are per person. Airfare prices include government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges. All prices and availability are effective as of the date of
this publication, and are subject to change without notice. Standard Terms & Conditions apply, please visit our website: www.gct.com/tc. Every effort
has been made to produce this information accurately. We reserve the right to correct errors.
For specific departure dates, current availability, and detailed pricing, visit www.gct.com/crg2021pricing
SAV FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
on your main trip and extensions. SHARE YOUR LOVE OF TRAVEL
WITH OUR GOOD BUY PLAN
New travelers you refer will instantly
The earlier you reserve your departure We don’t charge you more for your save $100, and you’ll earn increasing
and pay in full, the more you’ll save—up own room. rewards—up to a FREE trip!
to 10%—plus, you’ll lock in your price.
Each departure has limited solo space For details, visit www.gct.com/va
For details, visit www.gct.com/gbd available—call today.
Publication Date: 1/4/21
1-800-221-2610 • www.gct.com/crg2021
5
Freedom to Personalize Your Experience
Your Choice, Your Trip, Your Way
Extending the length of your stay in a destination can improve your overall travel experience—and allow you to seek out
even more eye-opening cultural interactions. Your local Program Director will help to ensure you’re getting the personalized
experiences you’re looking for. In fact, 85% of our travelers are personalizing their experience in more than 85 countries.
Call us at 1-800-221-2610 to discuss personalizing your vacation today or visit us online at www.gct.com/
personalize-crg2021.
Maximize Your Time & Value: 55% of our travelers Back-to-Back Trips: 90% of our travelers who
choose to take a pre- or post-trip extension combined two vacations rated it excellent
See more of the world and maximize your value by taking One of the most common vacations travelers combine with
advantage of your already-included airfare. On this this one is The Great National Parks: Yellowstone, Grand
vacation, you can choose between Yellowstone National Park Teton & Mount Rushmore. If you’re already overseas, why
& Montana, and Victoria, British Columbia. not see more of the world and avoid another international
flight? Plus, you’ll save $250 per person when you reserve
“Break Away” Options: 30% of our travelers choose two trips right after one another.
to arrive early or stay late in their destination
Before or after your main tour or trip extension, “break Air Options: More than 50% of our travelers
away” anywhere you’d like to go to do more exploring customize their flights
entirely on your own. We make every effort to provide you with non-stop
flights and acceptable connection times to and from
Please note: Our Travel Counselors can help you plan your
your destination. You also have several other ways you can
airfare if you’d like to “break away,” however since this option
personalize your air itinerary, including choosing your
is completely on your own, you will need to plan your own
departure city and airline, upgrading your seat, and more.
accommodations, meals, tours, and transfers.
Bison, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Enhanced! Best of the Canadian Rockies: Calgary to Vancouver
6
Best of the Canadian Rockies:
Calgary to Vancouver
2021
14-Day Land Tour
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
PRE-TRIP
Yellowstone National Park & Montana
POST-TRIP
Victoria, British Columbia
Your Day-to-Day Itinerary
7
GRAND CIRCLE TRAVEL
Grand Circle Travel, founded in 1958 to serve the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP), is
the leader in international travel and discovery for Americans over age 50. Grand Circle vacations have
been recommended by The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, The Los Angeles Times, Travel + Leisure,
The Wall Street Journal, Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, and others. But our most impressive reviews
come from our travelers. More than two million people have traveled with us, and the overwhelming
majority say they’d gladly do so again.
LAND TOUR
During your Grand Circle vacation, you’ll have reliable assistance available at all times from an on-site
local Grand Circle Travel Program Director throughout your trip. He or she is fluent in English and can
give you an inside perspective on your destinations. You will also be supported along the way by local
tour guides, who lead you expertly through particular sites and cities.
Many Program Directors are graduates of professional education programs for travel guides. In
addition, they receive specialized training directly from Grand Circle, based on what we’ve learned
from past travelers about how to make the trip most enjoyable. Your Program Director offers both
a deep knowledge of the region and a commitment to make this a very pleasant, informative, and
rewarding travel experience for you.
He or she will provide sightseeing trips, handle all travel details, reserve optional tours you choose to
take, oversee your Discovery Series events, and provide any other assistance you may need.
INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE
» Choose to purchase Grand Circle’s airfare, » Exclusive services of a local Grand Circle
and your airport transfers, government Program Director (assigned to no more
taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges than 42 travelers)
are included. Or, make your own air » Gratuities on your main trip for local guides
arrangements and motorcoach drivers
» Accommodations for 14 nights in » Personal headset on all included and
comfortable rooms with private baths optional tours
» 23 meals: 13 breakfasts, 8 lunches, » Private motorcoach land travel
and 2 dinners
» Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per
» 14 included features: 9 guided tours and 5 person, including tips
exclusive Discovery Series events: Ranch
» 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward
visit • Salmon conversation • Salmon
your next trip
cooking demonstration • Lavender Farm
visit • Winery visit
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610
8
WHAT THIS TRIP IS LIKE
GROUP SIZE » May, late September, and October are the
» A maximum of 42 travelers, led by a local coolest months, when snow and frozen
Grand Circle Program Director lakes are common
» Weather in the mountains can be
PACING unpredictable throughout the year and
» 6 locations in 14 days, including 1 change quickly
single-night stay
» 3 days feature 6-8 hours of travel by
motorcoach
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
» Walk 1 mile unassisted and participate
in 3-4 hours of physical activities daily,
including stairs
» Some activities in the Rockies take place at
higher altitudes and may be more strenuous
» Not accessible for travelers using
wheelchairs or scooters
» Travelers using walkers, crutches, or other
mobility aids must travel with a companion
who can assist them
» We reserve the right for Program Directors
to restrict participation, or in some
circumstances send travelers home, if their
limitations impact the group’s experience
TERRAIN & TRANSPORTATION
» Uneven walking surfaces, including
unpaved paths, steep hills, stairs,
cobblestones, and ice
» Travel by 55-seat motorcoach, Ice Explorer
snowcoach, and boat
CLIMATE
» Daytime temperatures range from 48-78°F
during touring season
» June-August are the warmest months
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610
9
Best of the Canadian Rockies:
Calgary to Vancouver
YOUR DETAILED ITINERARY
BEGIN YOUR TRIP WITH AN OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP EXTENSION
5 nights in Yellowstone National Park & Montana
Day 1 Arrive Billings, Montana Day 4 West Yellowstone • Visit
Yellowstone National Park
Day 2 Explore Billings • Visit Yellowstone
National Park • West Yellowstone Day 5 West Yellowstone • Great Falls
Day 3 West Yellowstone • Visit Day 6 Great Falls • Calgary, Canada
Yellowstone National Park
Day 1 Arrive Calgary, Alberta Day 2 Explore Calgary
• Destination: Calgary • Destination: Calgary
• Accommodations: Sheraton Suites Calgary • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Eau Claire or similar • Accommodations: Sheraton Suites Calgary
Morning/Afternoon: Travel to Calgary today Eau Claire or similar
to begin your Canadian Rockies tour, with your Breakfast: At the hotel.
arrival time depending on your departure city.
This evening, meet your Program Director and Morning: Explore Calgary, setting off on a city
fellow travelers, including those who took our tour after an orientation briefing.
Yellowstone National Park & Montana pre-trip Backdropped by the rugged, snow-capped
extension, for a brief orientation walk of the Canadian Rockies, Alberta’s largest metropolis
neighborhood. has a distinctly Western flair—and was host
Dinner: On your own—ask your Program to Canada’s first Winter Olympics in 1988. An
Director for local restaurant recommendations. oil boom in the late 1940s ignited the city’s
economy and development, and by the 1990s, a
Evening: You have the freedom to spend the series of downtown skyscrapers emerged that
rest of your evening as you wish—ask your continue to characterize its skyline to this day.
Program Director for recommendations.
Lunch: Get to know your fellow travelers a little
better during an included Welcome Lunch at a
local restaurant.
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610
10Afternoon: Free for your own discoveries—ask Morning: Visit the Buffalo Nations Museum,
your Program Director for recommendations. dedicated to the First Nations people,
indigenous people who inhabited the Northern
Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent
Plains and Canadian Rockies before the arrival
discoveries this evening, with dinner on your
of the Europeans. This museum spotlights
own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant
their proud heritage and rich culture with a
recommendations.
wide-ranging collection of arts, artifacts, and
ceremonial pieces.
Day 3 Calgary • Ranch visit • Banff
After your museum visit, you’ll tour Banff
• Destination: Banff
National Park, Canada’s first and most popular
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
national park, as well as a UNESCO World
• Accommodations: Mount Royal Hotel Heritage Site. Your panoramic tour along the
or similar Tunnel Mountain Drive loop takes you to many
Breakfast: At the hotel. of the park’s scenic highlights, including Lake
Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, and the curiously
Morning: Begin your transfer to Banff today, shaped hoodoos—spires of eroded limestone
stopping along the way to see the local cowboy and sandstone.
culture brought to life at an Alberta ranch.
During this exclusive Discovery Series visit, get Lunch: Enjoy an included lunch at a local Banff
a feel for daily life here as you tour the grounds restaurant.
and chat with the ranch hands.
Afternoon: Return to Banff this afternoon, and
Lunch: Sample rustic country cuisine during an spend the rest of the day at leisure. Banff is an
included lunch at the ranch. outdoor paradise, and your Program Director
can help you arrange nature hikes, horseback
Afternoon: Continue your journey toward excursions, or gondola rides during your
Banff, arriving at your hotel later today. The free time.
site of Canada’s oldest national park, Banff is
nestled in a charming valley dominated by high Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent
mountains. discoveries this evening, with dinner on your
own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant
Dinner/Evening: The evening is yours to recommendations.
spend at leisure, with dinner on your own.
Ask your Program Director for restaurant
Day 5 Banff • Visit Lake Louise
recommendations.
• Destination: Banff
• Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Banff • Visit Buffalo Nations
Museum • Visit Banff National Park • Accommodations: Mount Royal Hotel
or similar
• Destination: Banff
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Breakfast: At the hotel.
• Accommodations: Mount Royal Hotel Morning: Travel to Lake Louise, named for
or similar Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, daughter of
Breakfast: At the hotel. Queen Victoria. When thawed, the blue-green
waters appear almost tropical, though it
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610
11generally stays frozen through mid-June. Lunch: Along the way, you’ll stop at a local
Commanding a spectacular view of the lake and restaurant for an included lunch.
surrounding mountains, the Victorian Chateau
Afternoon: Continue along the Icefields
Lake Louise offers paths you can stroll between
Parkway, marveling at the many glaciers of
shoreline and cliffs.
the Columbia Icefield, the largest body of ice
After your visit, the day is yours to spend at in the Rocky Mountains—and the Athabasca
leisure in Banff. Glacier, the largest accessible by road in the
Canadian Rockies.
Lunch: On your own—ask your Program
Director for recommendations. Stop here for a ride aboard the Ice Explorer
snowcoach onto the Athabasca Glacier, whose
Afternoon: Free for your own discoveries.
ice is almost 1,000 feet thick. Stepping onto the
Perhaps you’ll choose to stroll down Banff
glacier’s surface, don’t fight the temptation to
Avenue, the main street of this quaint town
toss a snowball or two!
lined with boutiques and restaurants. Or visit
the Whyte Museum, uncovering the history Arrive late this afternoon in Jasper, an old
here (Banff was created in 1885) through a trading post town located in the heart of Jasper
collection of pieces and archived photographs. National Park.
You might walk to Bow Falls, a short but Dinner: Enjoy an included dinner at a local
dramatic convergence of Spray and Bow Rivers. restaurant with your fellow travelers tonight.
Or continue your explorations in Banff National
Evening: You have the freedom to spend the
Park with recommendations from your
rest of your evening as you wish—ask your
Program Director.
Program Director for recommendations.
Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent
discoveries this evening, with dinner on your Day 7 Jasper • Visit Maligne Lake
own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant
• Destination: Jasper
recommendations.
• Included Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodations: Mount Robson Inn
Day 6 Banff • Visit Columbia
or similar
Icefield • Jasper
Activity Note: The Maligne Lake cruise is only
• Destination: Jasper
available from June-September.
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodations: Mount Robson Inn Breakfast: At the hotel.
or similar
Morning: After breakfast, set out for a
Breakfast: At the hotel. cruise of Maligne Lake, passing by tiny Spirit
Island—often featured in quintessential images
Morning: Your tour of the Canadian Rockies
of the Canadian Rockies. This 90-minute cruise
continues with a full-day journey to Jasper, a
on the turquoise waters is a golden opportunity
185-mile trek across one of the world’s most
to relax and experience the sheer majesty of the
spectacular highways, the Icefields Parkway.
Rockies in all their unspoiled glory.
You’ll travel over Bow Pass, which rises to an
altitude of 7,000 feet.
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610
12Then, return to Jasper, arriving early in the Evening: You have the freedom to spend the
afternoon, where the rest of the day is at rest of your evening as you wish—ask your
your leisure. Program Director for recommendations.
Lunch/Afternoon: Yours to do as you please.
Your Program Director will be happy to Day 9 Kamloops • Visit Kamloops Indian
recommend a spot for lunch and free time Residential School • Salmon cooking
activities. demonstration • Kelowna
• Destination: Kelowna
Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
discoveries this evening, with dinner on your
own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant • Accommodations: Delta Grand Okanagan
recommendations. Resort or similar
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Day 8 Jasper • Salmon discussion • Morning: Head to Kelowna this morning,
Kamloops, British Columbia stopping en route for an encounter with a
• Destination: Kamloops controversial chapter of Canadian history
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner during a visit to the Kamloops Indian
• Accommodations: Thompson Hotel Residential School. The school was created in
or similar 1893, and operated until 1977, with a mission
to “Christianize and civilize” the native
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Secwepemc population. First Nations children
Morning: Depart Jasper for your next were forcibly removed from their families and
destination, the Canadian Rockies province of sent to the school, where they were forbidden
British Columbia (changing time zones) as you to speak their native language or practice their
travel from Jasper to Kamloops today. You’ll religion.
enjoy an illuminating exclusive Discovery Series
During your tour of the school, you’ll learn
conversation along the way about the role of
from a local expert about the history of the First
salmon in the local ecosystem from an expert.
Nations people in this region, and about the
Set on the banks of the Thompson River, where challenges they continue to face looking toward
two of its branches converge, Kamloops was a the future.
favored location for the Shuswap First Nation
Next, travel to a lodge on the banks of Little
for its abundance of salmon fishing and ease of
Shuswap Lake for an exclusive Discovery Series
transportation, and also served as a fur-trading
salmon cooking demonstration. You’ll learn
post the 1800s.
about some of the clever ways that salmon is
Lunch: You’ll enjoy a bag lunch as you travel employed in local delicacies, using techniques
toward British Columbia. originated by the First Nations people.
Afternoon: Continue your journey toward Lunch: Included at the lodge.
Kamloops, arriving at your hotel with time to
Afternoon: Continue your transfer to Kelowna,
settle in before dinner.
arriving late today.
Dinner: Enjoy an included dinner at your hotel
this evening.
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610
13Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent Dinner: Enjoy dinner on your own this evening.
discoveries this evening, with dinner on your Your Program Director would be happy to
own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant provide suggestions for the best places to eat in
recommendations. the area.
Evening: You have the freedom to spend the
Day 10 Explore Kelowna • Lavender farm rest of your evening as you wish—ask your
visit • Winery visit Program Director for recommendations.
• Destination: Kelowna
• Included Meals: Breakfast Day 11 Kelowna • Explore Vancouver
• Accommodations: Delta Grand Okanagan
• Destination: Vancouver
Resort or similar
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Breakfast: At the hotel. • Accommodations: Sheraton Vancouver Wall
Centre Hotel or similar
Morning: Begin your exploration of Kelowna
today, a burgeoning town on the shores of Breakfast: At the hotel.
Lake Okaganan. Kelowna is the heart of the
Morning: Bid farewell to Kelowna and begin
Okanagan region of British Columbia, whose
your transfer to Vancouver, the final stop on
sandy lakeside beaches, lush forested hills,
your Canadian Rockies vacation.
and fertile valleys offer a stark contrast to the
icy glaciers and rugged mountain peaks of the Lunch: En route, stop in the town of Hope for
nearby Rockies. an included lunch at a local restaurant.
This region is one of Canada’s largest Afternoon: Arrive in Vancouver, then set off
agricultural centers, and you’ll get acquainted on a city tour and see how the city’s urban
with one of its local specialties during an character is complemented by its proximity
exclusive Discovery Series visit to a lavender to the mountains, lush forests, and beaches.
farm. Here, you’ll tour the colorful fields, meet Visit Stanley Park, dedicated by Lord Stanley
the workers who tend to the fragrant herbs, in 1889 for the “use and enjoyment of all
and learn how they’re distilled for use in local people of all colors, creeds, and customs for
beauty products—perhaps you’ll bring some all time” and dotted with majestic evergreen
back home with you as a souvenir. forests, a beautiful formal rose garden, and
pristine beaches.
Lunch: Return to Kelowna, where you’ll have
time to seek lunch on your own. You’ll also see downtown, the epicenter of
business and government, and Gastown, the
Afternoon: You’ll have a little free time to
historical center of the city—which you’ll
relax or explore Kelowna independently, then
have the opportunity to explore more closely
enjoy another exclusive Discovery Series event
tomorrow.
during a visit to a local winery. The Okanagan
valley is one of Canada’s largest wine regions, Arrive at your hotel at the conclusion of your
and during your time here, you’ll learn about tour, and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
the work that goes into its production. You’ll
also enjoy the chance to sample a few vintages
during a tasting, including a local specialty:
icewine, made from grapes frozen on the vine.
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610
14Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent Afternoon: After returning to the hotel, the
discoveries this evening, with dinner on your rest of the afternoon is free for your own
own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant discoveries. Your Program Director will provide
recommendations. suggestions for what to see and do in Gastown.
Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent
Day 12 Explore Vancouver discoveries this evening, with dinner on your
• Destination: Vancouver own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch recommendations.
• Accommodations: Sheraton Vancouver Wall
Centre Hotel or similar Day 13 Explore Vancouver • Visit Dr. Sun
Breakfast: At the hotel. Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden • Visit
Granville Island
Morning: After breakfast, step back in time to
• Destination: Vancouver
Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood, Gastown.
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Named for steamboat captain John “Gassy
Jack” Deighton, so known because of his • Accommodations: Sheraton Vancouver Wall
chattiness and affinity for storytelling, Gastown Centre Hotel or similar
is considered the hub in which downtown Breakfast: At the hotel.
Vancouver was born. After Deighton opened a
saloon there in 1867, the town began to grow Morning: Experience Vancouver’s expansive
into a center for commerce complete with a Chinatown, the second-largest in North
sawmill and seaport, and gradually became a America, this morning. The Chinese were
place for local fishermen and sailors to relax among the first settlers of Vancouver, so while
outside of work. it’s a relatively new city, Chinatown is one of its
oldest neighborhoods.
Gastown was incorporated into the city of
Vancouver in 1886, and is now known for its Enter through the gaily painted pillars of
unique nineteenth-century architecture, quaint China Gate, and once inside, find landmarks
shops, and some of the best restaurants the such as the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum
city has to offer. It’s perhaps best known for its and Archives and the Sam Kee building, the
steam clock tower—one of the few in the world narrowest office building in the world. You’ll
still operational. You can still spot the original notice that many of Chinatown’s buildings date
steam engines through the clock’s translucent from Victorian times and have typically Chinese
glass, though the clock itself now runs on an features.
electric motor.
You’ll also explore the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical
You’ll have the afternoon to explore this Chinese Garden, the first of its kind outside of
dynamic neighborhood at leisure. China. As you wander the manicured grounds
that evoke 15th-century China, learn about the
Lunch: Included at a local restaurant Ming Dynasty through the architecture and
in Gastown. horticulture you find here.
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610
15Afterwards, you’ll take a panoramic Evening: You have the freedom to spend the
motorcoach ride through nearby Queen rest of your evening as you wish—ask your
Elizabeth Gardens, a hilly, verdant park that Program Director for recommendations.
provides some of the best views of Vancouver.
Lunch/Afternoon: Head to the bustling Day 14 Depart Vancouver
shopping district of Granville Island for lunch • Included Meals: Breakfast
on your own, and some free time to peruse
Breakfast: At the hotel.
the sprawling Public Market. Your Program
Director would be happy to provide suggestions Morning: Transfer to the airport and return
for restaurants in the area as well as free time home today, or continue your Canadian
activities. explorations on our optional Vancouver, British
Columbia extension.
Dinner: Gather with your fellow travelers for
an included Farewell Dinner at a the hotel
restaurant.
END YOUR TRIP WITH AN OPTIONAL POST-TRIP EXTENSION
3 nights in Victoria, British Columbia
Day 1 Vancouver • Explore Victoria Day 3 Victoria • Whale watching excursion
Day 2 Victoria • Visit Butchart Gardens Day 4 Depart Victoria
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610
16PRE-TRIP
Yellowstone National Park & Montana
INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE
» Accommodations for 5 nights » Exclusive services of a local Grand Circle
» 7 meals: 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner Program Director
» 6 included tours: Billings, three in » Gratuities for local guides and motorcoach
Yellowstone National Park, Gates of the drivers on your extension and all
Mountains river cruise, Head-Smashed-In optional tours
Buffalo Jump » Private motorcoach land travel
» All transfers
PRE-TRIP EXTENSION ITINERARY
Before setting off into Canada’s wilds, explore one of the finest national parks in the United
States—Yellowstone. Brimming with wildlife and bubbling with geothermal activity, this national treasure
is a trove of natural wonders. Enjoy three days to discover the park’s myriad highlights—as well as a chance
to experience the town of Billings, Montana, and cruise the Upper Missouri Lakes to witness the Gates of the
Mountains Wilderness.
Day 1 Arrive Billings, Montana Day 2 Explore Billings • Visit Yellowstone
• Destination: Billings National Park • West Yellowstone
• Accommodations: DoubleTree by Hilton • Destination: West Yellowstone
Hotel Billings or similar • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Morning/Afternoon: Travel to Billings, • Accommodations: Best Western Desert Inn
Montana today, with your arrival time or similar
depending on your departure city. Activity Note: Due to unpredictable weather
conditions and construction, roads in
Dinner/Evening: The evening is yours to relax
Yellowstone National Park may be closed
or explore independently, with dinner on your
unexpectedly at any time. In such cases,
own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant
alternate itineraries will be arranged.
recommendations.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: After a brief city tour of Billings,
depart for Yellowstone, America’s oldest
national park. Marvel at the spectacular
scenery that abounds—forested valleys set
against rugged mountain ranges—during your
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610
1768-mile transfer along the Beartooth Highway, before the park was established: Archaeological
said to be one of the most beautiful drives in digs unearthed evidence that families spent
the country. time along the shores of the lake more than
9,000 years ago.
Lunch: Stop at Cooke City for lunch on your
own and time to explore Artist Point, Tower Then, return to your hotel, where the rest of the
Fall, and Inspiration Point, the aptly named day is at leisure.
lookout over the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent
Afternoon: Arrive in West Yellowstone this discoveries this evening, with dinner on your
afternoon, with time to settle into your hotel own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant
before dinner. recommendations.
Dinner: Gather with your fellow travelers for an
included dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4 West Yellowstone • Visit Yellowstone
National Park
Evening: You have the freedom to spend the
• Destination: West Yellowstone
rest of your evening as you wish—ask your
• Included Meals: Breakfast
Program Director for recommendations.
• Accommodations: Best Western Desert Inn
or similar
Day 3 West Yellowstone • Visit Yellowstone
National Park Breakfast: At the hotel.
• Destination: West Yellowstone Morning: Uncover more of the Yellowstone
• Included Meals: Breakfast National Park’s geothermal gems today,
• Accommodations: Best Western Desert Inn including Hayden Valley, Mud Volcano area,
or similar and Sulphur Caldron, one of the most acidic
springs in the park—its sulphur-rich waters
Breakfast: At the hotel.
lend it the pH balance of a car battery.
Morning: Established by President Ulysses S.
Lunch: Take a break from your tour to enjoy
Grant in 1872, Yellowstone National Park has
lunch on your own.
been capturing the imaginations of Americans
for generations. Afternoon: More of the park’s treasures await
you, including the picture-perfect Tower Fall,
Witness several of its most prominent
whose beauty helped inspire the United States
features today on your first of three tours in
Congress to preserve Yellowstone as a National
the park, including Mammoth Hot Springs,
Park in 1872. You might also see winding
Norris Geyser Basin, and Lower Geyser Basin.
Slough Creek and the famed Petrified Tree, the
You’ll also admire the park’s most punctual
solidified stump of a redwood that is tens of
geyser—inimitable Old Faithful.
millions of years old.
Lunch: Pause for an opportunity to enjoy lunch
After your tour, return to your hotel, with
on your own in the park.
the remainder of your day at leisure to soak
Afternoon: Head to Yellowstone Lake, where in the fresh air and fantastic surroundings of
you’ll have time to explore on your own. The this region.
lake has apparently drawn visitors since long
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610
18Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent Morning: Cross the border into Canada today,
discoveries this evening, with dinner on your stopping en route at a UNESCO World Heritage
own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant Site with a curious name—Head-Smashed-In
recommendations. Buffalo Jump. For more than 6,000 years,
native people hunted bison here by stampeding
Day 5 West Yellowstone • Great Falls them over a cliff and bringing them to a nearby
butchering camp. But despite its somewhat
• Destination: West Yellowstone
graphic past, it’s a beautiful setting for
• Included Meals: Breakfast
exploration.
• Accommodations: Best Western Plus
Heritage Hotel or similar Lunch: Enjoy an included picnic lunch at this
picturesque locale.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Afternoon: Arrive in Calgary this afternoon,
Morning: Embark on a scenic drive through
where you’ll join your fellow travelers on your
picturesque Gallatin Canyon today as you head
Best of the Canadian Rockies trip.
to Great Falls.
As you travel, stop in Helena to explore this
Victorian-inspired state capital, founded as a
gold camp.
Lunch: On your own in Helena—ask your
Program Director for local restaurant
recommendations.
Afternoon: Continue on to Gates of the
Mountains Wilderness for a two-hour cruise
on the Upper Missouri Lakes. This is an area
made famous by the intrepid explorers Lewis
and Clark, who named it for the large stone
walls that resembled gates opening for them to
pass through.
Arrive in Great Falls later today.
Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent
discoveries this evening, with dinner on your
own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant
recommendations.
Day 6 Great Falls • Calgary, Canada
• Destination: Calgary
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610
19POST-TRIP
Victoria, British Columbia
INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE
» Accommodations for 3 nights » Exclusive services of a local Grand Circle
» 4 meals: 3 breakfasts and 1 dinner Program Director
» 3 included tours: Victoria, Butchart » Gratuities for local guides and motorcoach
Gardens, Whale watching excursion drivers on your extension and all
optional tours
» One-way ferry transfer between Vancouver
and Victoria » All transfers
POST-TRIP EXTENSION ITINERARY
After experiencing the rugged allure of the Canadian Rockies, discover the charms of Victoria, the “Garden
City.” This sophisticated seaside community still has a British colonial feel to its streets and offers visitors high
teas in the afternoons, but also a character that is distinctively Pacific Northwest. Explore its award-winning
gardens and parks, walk rain forest trails, view galleries of local art, and stroll the flower-bedecked streets.
Day 1 Vancouver • Explore Victoria Afternoon: You’ll have some time to relax or
explore independently. Later today, enjoy a
• Destination: Victoria
city tour of Victoria, seeing a host of unique
• Accommodations: Victoria Marriott Inner
landmarks, including the magnificent British
Harbour or similar
Columbia Parliament Buildings.
Breakfast: At the hotel, included as part of your
main trip. Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent
discoveries this evening, with dinner on your
Morning: Embark on a 90-minute ferry ride own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant
to Victoria, the provincial capital of British recommendations.
Columbia since 1871 on the southwestern tip
of Vancouver Island. Check in to your hotel
Day 2 Victoria • Visit Butchart Gardens
upon arrival.
• Destination: Victoria
Lunch: On your own in Victoria—ask your • Included Meals: Breakfast
Program Director for local restaurant • Accommodations: Victoria Marriott Inner
recommendations. Harbour or similar
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610
20Morning: Enjoy an included tour of Butchart Morning: Head to the city wharf where you’ll
Gardens, a 55-acre floral extravaganza of rose, board a nimble catamaran for a memorable
Japanese, Italian, and sunken gardens built whale watching excursion in the ocean waters
from old rock quarries—considered one of the outside the city. Keep your eyes on the horizon
greatest displays of floral artistry in the world. for signs of the orca, humpback, minke, and
gray whales that make their homes here, as
A gift from the estate of Canadian cement
well as a variety of other local marine and bird
magnate Robert Butchart and his wife Jennie,
life. Your vessel’s crew will help you spot these
it first opened to the public in 1904, and today,
majestic creatures, and point out other signs of
more than a million plants thrive within these
interest along the way.
gardens over the course of a year. The roses are
particularly stunning: There are 117 varieties of You’ll then return to the city, arriving in the
tea rose plants and 400 grandiflora roses. early afternoon.
After your tour, return to your hotel, and spend Lunch: On your own—ask your Program
the rest of the day at leisure. Director for local restaurant recommendations.
Lunch: On your own—ask your Program Afternoon: Free for your own discoveries—ask
Director for local restaurant recommendations. your Program Director for recommendations.
Afternoon: Spend a free afternoon discovering Dinner: Gather with your fellow travelers for an
the city’s wonderful blend of patrician charm included Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
and modern excitement. While always true to
Evening: You have the freedom to spend the
and protective of its romantic and distinctly
rest of your evening as you wish—ask your
British heritage, the city has carved out a niche
Program Director for recommendations.
as a fresh, vibrant hub of burgeoning creativity.
There is plenty to do while you’re here: You Day 4 Depart Victoria
may wish to wander the halls of the Royal
• Included Meals: Breakfast
British Colombia Museum, shop in the Inner
Harbour, or enjoy some active pursuits like Breakfast: At the hotel.
cycling or kayaking.
Morning: Transfer to the airport for your flight
Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent home to the U.S.
discoveries this evening, with dinner on your
own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant
recommendations.
Day 3 Victoria • Whale watching excursion
• Destination: Victoria
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodations: Victoria Marriott Inner
Harbour or similar
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610
21ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TRIP:
With the planning of any vacation comes the need to research and
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prepared for this vacation, on subjects ranging from passports to weather,
and currency to recommended reading.
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Counselors will be ready and eager to address any additional questions
you may have.
With all of our resources available to you, enjoy peace of mind …
and look forward to the incredible discoveries that await.
22CONTENTS
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . .24
RIGORS, VACCINES & GENERAL HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
MONEY MATTERS: LOCAL CURRENCY & TIPPING GUIDELINES . . .30
Top 3 Suggestions
Local Currency
Tipping Guidelines
AIR, OPTIONAL TOURS & STAYING IN TOUCH . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
PACKING: WHAT TO BRING & LUGGAGE LIMITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
CLIMATE & AVERAGE TEMPERATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE . . .44
Culture & Points to Know
Shopping
DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
RESOURCES: SUGGESTED READING & MOVIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
23TRAVEL DOCUMENTS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Your Passport
• Must be in good condition
• Must be valid for at least 6 months after your scheduled return to the U.S.
• Must have the required number of blank pages (details below)
• The blank pages must be labeled “Visas” at the top. Pages labeled “Amendments and
Endorsements” are not acceptable
Need to Renew Your Passport?
Contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778, or visit their
website at www.travel.state.gov for information on obtaining a new passport or renewing
your existing passport. You may also contact our recommended visa service company, PVS
International, at 1-800-556-9990 for help with your passport.
Recommended Blank Pages
Please confirm that your passport has enough blank pages for this vacation.
• Main trip only: You will need 3 blank passport pages.
• Pre- and/or post-trip extensions: No additional pages are needed.
No Visas Required
Travelers with a U.S. passport do not need any visas for this vacation, including the optional trip
extensions.
Traveling Without a U.S. Passport?
If you are not a U.S. citizen, or if your passport is from any country other than the U.S., it is your
responsibility to check with your local consulate, embassy, or a visa services company about visa
requirements. We recommend the services of PVS International, a national visa service located in
Washington D.C.; they can be reached at 1-800-556-9990 or www.pvsinternational.org.
Traveling With a Minor?
Traveling with a minor may require certain documentation for border crossings. For further detail
on the required documentation, please contact the local embassy or state government.
24Emergency Photocopies of Key Documents
We recommend you carry color photocopies of key documents including the photo page of your
passport plus any applicable visas, air itinerary, credit cards (front and back), and an alternative
form of ID. Add emergency phone numbers like your credit card company and the number for
your travel protection plan. Store copies separate from the originals.
If you plan to email this information to yourself, please keep in mind that email is not always
secure; consider using password protection or encryption. Also email is not always available
worldwide. As an alternative, you could load these documents onto a flash drive instead, which
can do double-duty as a place to backup photos during your trip.
Overseas Taxes & Fees
This tour may have taxes and fees that cannot be included in your airline ticket price because you
are required to pay them in person onsite. All taxes are subject to change without notice and can
be paid in cash (either U.S. or local currency). If applicable, you will receive a list of these fees with
your Final Documents.
Entry Process in Canada
As part of their routine entry process Canadian authorities may run a background check or ask
general questions about the purpose and duration of your stay, your health, what funds are
available to you during your trip, etc. This same process applies if you exit and re-enter Canada.
For more details see the Canadian embassy’s website at www.can-am.gc.ca/.
25RIGORS, VACCINES & GENERAL HEALTH
Keep Your Abilities In Mind
Please review the information below prior to departing on this trip. We reserve the right for our
Program Directors to modify participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home if their
limitations are impacting the group’s experience.
GROUP SIZE
• A maximum of 42 travelers, led by a local Grand Circle Program Director
PACING
• 6 locations in 14 days, including 1 single-night stay
• 3 days feature 6-8 hours of travel by motorcoach
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• Walk 1 mile unassisted and participate in 3-4 hours of physical activities daily,
including stairs
• Some activities in the Rockies take place at higher altitudes and may be more strenuous
• Not accessible for travelers using wheelchairs or scooters
• Travelers using walkers, crutches, or other mobility aids must travel with a companion who
can assist them
• We reserve the right for Program Directors to restrict participation, or in some
circumstances send travelers home, if their limitations impact the group’s experience
TERRAIN & TRANSPORTATION
• Uneven walking surfaces, including unpaved paths, steep hills, stairs, cobblestones, and ice
• Travel by 55-seat motorcoach, Ice Explorer snowcoach, and boat
CLIMATE
• Daytime temperatures range from 48-78°F during touring season
• June-August are the warmest months
• May, late September, and October are the coolest months, when snow and frozen lakes
are common
• Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable throughout the year and change quickly
26Long Drives & Other Rigors
This trip requires long motorcoach transfers. On the main trip alone we’ll cover more than 1,150
miles total. Please feel free to bring whatever you need to be comfortable on the bus (pillow,
blanket, etc.) and come prepared for long drives.
This trip also features an active itinerary with long days of sightseeing and walks that follow steep
and uneven pathways. Terrain can be uneven, rocky or precarious; both included and optional
tours can require extended walking to guarantee a truly rewarding experience. Some of the places
you visit may not have not been improved with elevators, escalators, ramps, railings or other aids.
Health Check
Feeling healthy and confident of your mobility is essential to fully enjoy your trip. If you
have ongoing medical conditions or concerns about your health, we highly recommend that
you schedule a checkup with your personal physician at least six weeks in advance of your
departure date.
• Discuss with your doctor any aspects of your itinerary that may affect your health and be
guided by his or her advice. (You can use the “Keep Your Abilities in Mind” on the previous
page as a guideline to discuss with him or her.)
• You may want to have a dental exam before your trip. A loose filling or developing cavity
would be difficult to remedy while you are traveling.
• If you have a condition that requires special equipment or treatment, you must bring and be
responsible for all necessary items related to your condition.
Vaccine Required
COVID-19
Grand Circle Travel requires that all travelers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and are
able provide proof of their vaccination upon arrival at their destination. A full vaccination is
defined as having been inoculated at least 14 days prior to departure by an approved vaccine. This
requirement is not contingent on the countries the tour visits, but a strict company policy due to
the nature of the pandemic.
Other Vaccines
The CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date on their routine vaccinations and on basic
travel vaccines like Hepatitis A and Typhoid, but these are suggestions only. However, this
could change in future so we encourage you to check with the CDC yourself before meeting with
your doctor.
Traveling with Medications
• Pack medications in your carry-on bag to avoid loss and to have them handy.
27• Keep medicines in their original, labeled containers for a quicker security screen at the
airport and a better experience if you get stopped by customs while overseas.
• Bring copies of your prescriptions, written using the generic drug name rather than a
brand name to be prepared for any unforeseen loss of your medications.
We recommend checking with the State Department for medication restrictions by country:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-
Country-Information-Pages.html. (Pick the country and then follow the links to “Local Laws &
Special Circumstances”; if you don’t see any medications specifically mentioned, then you can
presume major U.S. brands should be OK).
Staying Healthy on Your Trip
Jet Lag Tips
• Start your trip well-rested.
• Begin a gradual transition to your new time zone before you leave or switch to your
destination time zone when you get on the plane.
• Attempt to sleep and eat according to the new schedule.
• Avoid heavy eating and drinking caffeine or alcoholic beverages right before–and during–
your flight.
• Drink plenty of water and/or fruit juice while flying
• Stretch your legs, neck, and back periodically while seated on the plane.
• After arrival, avoid the temptation to nap.
• Don’t push yourself to see a lot on your first day.
• Try to stay awake your first day until after dinner.
Allergies
If you have any serious allergies or dietary restrictions, we advise you to notify us at least 30 days
prior to your departure. Please call our Traveler Support team at 1-800-321-2835, and we will
communicate them to our regional office. Every effort will be made to accommodate you.
High Altitude
You will be at high altitudes during this trip—up to 7,200 feet above sea level—plus have
overnight stays in towns in the 3,500 to 4,600 feet range (Calgary, Banff, and Jasper). Travelers
on the pre-trip extension in Yellowstone will have even higher elevations to contend with (on
average the park is 8,000 feet above sea level). At high elevations there is not only less oxygen but
also lower atmospheric pressure, which can have all sorts of odd effects on the body. These effects
vary from one person to the next and physical fitness isn’t a factor.
28Ask your doctor about medications that may alleviate altitude problems. Over time the body can
adjust on its own, but in the meantime, common altitude sickness symptoms include headaches,
nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath. In addition to preventative medication, eating well,
drinking lots of water, getting plenty of sleep, and avoiding alcohol will help reduce the chances
of developing altitude sickness. Once you feel sick, however, the only real cure is the passage of
time so your body can adjust at its own pace. On arrival at high elevations, we suggest you take
things easy at first, and give yourself a chance to acclimate before engaging in physical activities.
29MONEY MATTERS: LOCAL CURRENCY & TIPPING GUIDELINES
Top Three Tips
• Carry a mix of different types of payments, such as local currency, an ATM card, and a
credit card
• Traveler’s checks are not recommended. They can be difficult to exchange and the
commission fee for cashing them is quite high. It’s more practical to view them as a last
resort in the event of a special situation.
• Ask before you pay in U.S. dollars. Many shops in tourist centers like Banff, Jasper, and
Vancouver will accept U.S. cash, but not all. When a shop does accept U.S. cash, the exchange
rate is usually poor. You’ll get more for your money if you use a credit card or pay in
Canadian dollars.
Local Currency
For current exchange rates, please refer to an online converter tool like www.xe.com/
currencyconverter, your bank, or the financial section of your newspaper.
Canada
Canada uses the Canadian dollar (“le dollar” in Canadian French) which is divided into 100 cents.
Banknote and coin denominations are as follows:
• Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars
• Coins: 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents; 1 and 2 dollars
How to Exchange Money
If you want to exchange money before your trip, you can usually do so through your bank or at
an exchange office. Your departure airport in the U.S., a travel agent, or an AAA office are also
possible outlets.
While there is no need to obtain Canadian dollars before your trip, many travelers do exchange
$50 to $100 or so before they arrive. This can smooth your arrival should you run into closed
banks/exchange offices or broken ATMs.
Once you are on the trip, you can withdraw Canadian dollars from an ATM. You can also exchange
money at banks, most hotels, and money exchange offices. Canadian bank hours are similar to
those in the U.S., generally 9 am to 3 or 4 pm. Please note that torn, dirty, or taped bills may not
be accepted.
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