Northwest Canadian Rockies July 30 - August 19, 2009 |
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PASSPORT REQUIRED as of June 1, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 MEALS INCLUDED: 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners, 4 Breakfast Buffets, Minimum: 10 Continental Breakfast |
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| Day 1: LUNCH @ PATTI’S 1880’S SETTLEMENT / ILLINOIS: We’re off on a once in a lifetime adventure to the Pacific Northwest and the Canadian Rockies. Today we travel through the states of Tennessee and Kentucky headed for our first night’s destination in Illinois. A tasty lunch is included at Patti’s 1880s Settlement. (L) | Day 2: THUNDER VALLEY’S FARM LUNCHEON SHOW / UPPER WISCONSIN DELLS BOAT TOUR / WISCONSIN DELLS: Continuing across Illinois, we’re bound for Wisconsin Dells. Enjoy lunch and entertainment Scandinavian-style at Thunder Valley Farm. Later, on a narrated scenic boat tour of the Upper Dells, you will see hundreds of fascinating rock formations. While on the boat , you may want to walk to Witch’s Gulch to see the rare plants and raw beauty that is a must see. (L) | Day 3: MALL OF AMERICA / MINNESOTA: We continue our travels through Wisconsin, America’s dairy land, and cross into Minnesota. Our accommodations are near the Mall of Americas. You will have ample time for shopping and exploring in the Mall. | Day 4: MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA: Watch terrain changing, today, as we travel northwest through Minnesota – the land of 10,000 lakes, gouged out by retreating glaciers. We then cross into North Dakota and Minot for the night. | Day 5: ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE ACADEMY AND MUSEUM / DINNER / REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN, CN: We enter Canada’s “bread basket region” which stretches from Manitoba to Saskatchewan. You will see some of the flattest countryside around. Our destination is the provincial capital of Saskatchewan, Regina. After touring the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Academy and Museum, we will watch the Sergeant Majors’ Parade (if available). Tonight, we enjoy an included dinner at a special restaurant. (D) | Day 6: MEDICINE HAT, ALBERTA, CN / LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA, CN: We travel through Moose Jaw, SK today, famous for its network of underground tunnels built by Chicago gangster, Al Capone. In Medicine Hat you will see the world’s largest teepee. We stay two nights in Alberta. | Day 7: “CROWN OF THE CONTINENT” TOUR / GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA / LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA, CN: We re-enter the U.S. at Montana on our way to Glacier National Park. Here we travel back in time while you viewing the sites of Glacier National Park on one of the historic red buses. Our tour route travels the Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most picturesque drives in the world where the snow and ice-capped peaks tower magnificently above. We’ll cross the Continental Divide at an altitude of 6,664 feet. | Day 8: LUNCH @ CALGARY TOWER / TOUR CALGARY, AB, CN / BANFF, ALBERTA, CN: Mid-day we are in Calgary, the city with a “cowboy” image. After an included lunch at the top of Calgary Tower, we enjoy a guided city tour. In addition to seeing the site of world-famous Calgary Stampede, you will see so much more of this modern city than just a “Cow Town”. To our west and in the heart of the Canadian Rockies lies Banff National Park with its tiny resort town made popular by the area’s hot springs. We stay two nights in Banff. (B, L) | Day 9: COLUMBIA ICEFIELD / LAKE LOUISE / BANFF, ALBERTA, CN: You will see some of the most breath-taking scenery in the Rockies as we travel the road known as Ice Fields Parkway, or Banff-Jasper Highway. See Lake Louise with dazzling Victoria Glacier towering above. Surrounded by mountain ranges, we travel north and climb to almost 7,000 feet above sea level. The snow-capped peaks reach up to 11,000 feet! Just imagine 150 square miles of ice, known as the majestic Columbia Icefield, and the tongue of the Athabasca Glacier with ice 1,000 feet thick! (B) | Day 10: CANADIAN ROCKIES / BRITISH COLUMBIA, CN: After a descent to the West Coast we are travel south on the Yellowhead Highway. Winding through the North Thompson River Valley to the city of Kamloops, we follow the Fraser River to Chilliwack, BC. | Day 11: VANCOUVER, BC / QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK / STANLEY PARK / GASTOWN / FERRY TO VANCOUVER ISLAND / VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CN: : Our motorcoach continues to Vancouver. Here we tour Queen Elizabeth Park where you get a great view of Vancouver, the harbor and North Shore Mountains. Downtown’s Stanley Park has 1,000 acres of landscaped gardens, lakes, and totem poles. In Gastown we browse the quaint shops, stroll along cobblestone streets, and see the famous steam clock! We ferry across the Straits of Georgia to Victoria on Vancouver Island for a two night stay. | Day 12: VICTORIA ISLAND / GUIDED CITY & INNER HARBOR TOUR / LUNCH @ EMPRESS HOTEL / BUTCHART GARDENS / VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CN: On a guided motorcoach tour we will explore the city and Inner Harbor. See the Parliament Building, Royal B.C. Museum, shopping on Government Street, and more. Lunch is included at the famed Empress Hotel. Enjoy some free time before going to world-famous Butchart Gardens. You will see the Gardens in the day and by the romantic night Illuminations. Thousands of lights in dozens of hues dramatically light the Gardens, transforming them into a summer wonderland! (L) | Day 13: SEATTLE, WA / PIKE PLACE MARKET / PORTLAND, OR: After crossing the border into the United States, we stop at Pike Place Market, a farmers market that has operated continuously for nearly a century. The Market’s traditions, products, and people create a unique shopping and dining experience. This afternoon we’ll cross the Columbia River into the state of Oregon, where we will overnight in the Portland area. | Day 14: COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE / BONNEVILLE DAM FISH LOCKS AND LADDERS/ MULTNOMAH FALLS / BOISE, ID: Today we travel through one of the most scenic areas of our country – the Columbia River Gorge, with its awesome Multnomah Falls cascading some 620 feet! We’ll stop at Bonneville Dam to see the fish locks and ladders, before making our way to Boise for the evening. | Day 15: SNAKE RIVER / GRAND TETONS / DINNER @ BAR J RANCH / LEISURE TIME / JACKSON, WY: Traveling through Snake River Valley, we see thousands of acres of irrigated farmland. The waters of Snake River guide us into Jackson Hole, a picturesque town surrounded by the magnificent Grand Teton mountain range. After leisure time for exploring Jackson Hole, dinner and entertainment cowboy-style is included at Bar J Ranch. (B, D) | Day 16: ROCKY MOUNTAINS / TOUR TERRITORIAL PRISON / DINNER / LARAMIE, WY: Have your cameras ready as we travel through the Rocky Mountains! Today we leisurely explore the western town of Laramie then tour the historic Wyoming Territorial Prison. This prison housed Butch Cassidy and others that roamed the high plains and preyed on people of the Wyoming Territory. Dinner is included this evening. (D) | Day 17: U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY / GARDEN OF THE GODS / COLORADO SPRINGS, CO: : In Colorado Springs we tour The U.S. Air Force Academy and visit Garden of the Gods. The rock formations are awesome! You will have an option to go up Pike’s Peak. (B) | Day 18: HAYS CITY TOUR / HAYS, KS: Today the hills and valleys turn into flat open country with miles of tall golden wheat, and huge farms. We will tour Hays, Kansas famous for such colorful characters as Gen. George Custer, “Wild Bill” Hickok, “Buffalo Bill” Cody, and Calamity Jane – a true Wild West town! | Day 19: TOUR OF ABILENE, KS / LUNCH @ KIRBY HOUSE / EISENHOWER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM / INDEPENDENCE, MO: Enjoy a guided tour of Abilene and its colorful history. A special lunch is included at Kirby House, before visiting the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum. Here you will learn of all the contributions Eisenhower made to our country and the world. Overnight in Independence, Missouri. (L) | Day 20: INDEPENDENCE, MO / TRUMAN PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM / FAREWELL DINNER / ST. PETERS, MO: This morning we tour the Truman Presidential Museum that honors our nation’s 33rd President. We continue to St. Peters for our last night. At our farewell dinner we will reflect on the past 20 days of our wonderful tour and time we have shared together. (D) | Day 21: HOME: Rocky Mountains, Wisconsin Dells, Glacier National Park, Banff, Columbia Ice Fields, Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island, natural wonders and monuments - we’ve seen all these and more! What an awesome tour! | Payments: $250 Deposit or full payment due at time of reservation. Balance due, if applicable, no more than 30 days prior to departure. If you prefer to make payment by check make checks payable to Goodtime Travel Tours; mail to 990 County Rd 30, Florence, AL 35634-6519. You will receive your final itinerary and luggage tags about 10-14 days prior to departure.
Package Includes: Round-trip deluxe motorcoach transportation, 20 nights lodging, all meals and attractions listed in all caps and bold print, taxes, gratuities on included meals, tour director, luggage handling. Not included: Gratuities for local guides, tour director, and motorcoach driver Cancellation & Refund Policy: For cancellations 31 days or more prior to departure, the deposit will be retained. Cancellations 15-30 days prior to departure - 25% Penalty; 5-14 days prior to departure – 50% Penalty. No refunds for cancellations 4 days or less and for trip departure day onward. This applies to No Shows, trip interruption, etc. Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance is available. Ask for rates when you call |
