Whistler Whistler is set to the backdrop of stunning mountain vistas all around and offers a plethora of activities in both summer and winter. Just two hours along the stunning Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver, it is regarded as one of the top four- season resorts in North America and is home to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. A stay here is delightful; Whistler successfully blends the charm of an alpine village with the amenities of a top resort - whether you want to walk, mountain bike, take helicopter rides, go rafting... or simply relax with a nice glass of wine and look at the views. Alpine Lodge MID Located on the edge of Whistler village, Alpine Lodge has comfortable bedrooms with en- suite facilities and mountain views. After a hard day's activities ( or relaxation!) you can enjoy the steam room and Jacuzzi at the lodge. Canada is a real paradise when it comes to wildlife viewing holidays. Spectacular pristine wilderness areas combined with incredible wildlife, great food and top class accommodation, a photographers dream. So what are you waiting for?" Sally Jefferis, sales consultant and Canada expert. Banff and Jasper Banff and Jasper are located in the heart of the Rockies, connected by the scenic Icefi elds Parkway. Jasper is a park characterised by limestone- lined canyons and hanging glaciers where caribou and bears abound. You can explore the Athabasca valley, looking out for mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Why not take the Jasper Tramway up Whistler's Mountain where at 2,285 metres you will have stunning views of the mountain ranges. A hiking trail leads those so inclined to the summit of the mountain. Blue Mountain Lodge, Banff MID Located only a couple of minutes walk from Banff centre, Blue Mountain Lodge offers delightful accommodation to the visitor. First built in 1908, it has been tastefully decorated, with some rooms refl ecting different historical and wilderness themes and with stunning mountain views. Mountain Mist Guesthouse, Jasper MID A small, family- run guesthouse offering only two rooms and a friendly welcome. Each room has a private bathroom and is nicely decorated. It's located only fi ve minutes' walk from Jasper centre. THE AMERICAS | CANADA 123 SUGGESTED ITINERARY Day 1 Depart UK for Calgary. Banff, 2- nights, Blue Mountain Lodge. Banff is in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and the perfect place to explore your mountainous surroundings ( B) Day 3 Jasper, 2- nights, Mountain Mist Guesthouse. Drive along the Icefi elds Parkway to Jasper ( B) Day 5 Clearwater, 1- night, Clearwater Lodge. Stay in this lovely town by the Thompson River ( B) Day 6 Whistler, 2- nights, Alpine Lodge. Enjoy one of the many activities on offer, or relax! ( B) Day 8 Tofi no, Vancouver Island, 3- nights, Wickaninnish Inn. Whale- watching in Pacifi c Rim National Park ( B) Day 11 Victoria, 1- night, English Inn. Explore Vancouver Island's historic capital ( B) Day 12 Vancouver, 1- night, St. Regis Hotel. Enjoy the sights of this Pacifi c city ( B) Day 13 Depart Vancouver for UK ( B) Day 14 Arrive UK Departure dates Daily, throughout the year Cost per person From £ 1949 ( May - June, Sept - Dec), £ 2249 ( July - Aug) What's included Flights, transfers, meals as indicated, fourteen nights hotel accommodation, guided activities. Ferries are paid locally. WHALES & MOUNTAINS This is the ultimate self- drive road trip through western Canada and includes the celebrated sites of the Rocky Mountains and Pacifi c Rim National Park on Vancouver Island, famed for whale- watching. TAILOR- MADE Fact! Canada is one of Wildlife Worldwide's most popular destinations. We've been organising holidays here for 15 years and have built-up relationships with the best local suppliers, accommodations and guides. Allow us to use that experience to tailor- make your perfect holiday. Or visit us on the web www. wildlifeworldwide. com

Vancouver Island Vancouver Island is a great destination for wildlife enthusiasts because of its healthy black bear population and whale- watching opportunities. Tofi no and the Pacifi c Rim National Park are the main places to go. Here you can walk along the wild beaches and through forests where black bears are common. Boat trips from here give you an excellent opportunity to see the impressive numbers of grey whales that spend their summer off these plankton- rich shores. A couple of nights in the historic city of Victoria is also worthwhile, and helps to break up the journey. Wickaninnish Inn HIGH Beautifully located on Chesterman Beach, Tofi no, Wickaninnish Inn is a rural retreat surrounded by forest and sea. Its restaurant has 240 degree views of ocean panorama while its Ancient Cedars Spa has won awards. This is a relaxing place to stay. Majestic Ocean Guesthouse MID This is a friendly seaside retreat, located near to Tofi no in Ucluelet. It's a good base for birdwatchers who can relax on the patio and see resident blue heron and kingfi sher, while bald eagles soar overhead. The views here are lovely. Telegraph Cove & Quadra Island Telegraph Cove and Quadra Island are famous for their healthy population of orcas, where these most awesome creatures congregate in the summer months. Telegraph Cove is located at the northern end of Vancouver Island, and whale- watching excursions can be arranged in the Johnstone and Queen Charlotte Straits. Just a short ferry ride away is remote Quadra Island, one of the wildest and most beautiful of the Northern Gulf Islands. The islands provide a scenic backdrop for watching resident orca whales in the sea, black bears on the beach and sea lions basking on rock islets. A tranquil place for a wildlife enthusiast to spend a few days in the company of just wildlife. Heriot Bay Inn MID Heriot Bay Inn is located on the eastern shore of Quadra Island, providing comfortable waterfront accommodation; a good base for whale and bear- watching activities. Rooms are cosy and the welcome is friendly. 124 SUGGESTED ITINERARY Day 1 Depart UK for Vancouver, 1- night, St. Regis Hotel. ( B) Day 2 Whistler, 2- nights, Alpine Lodge. Enjoy one of the many activities on offer, or relax! ( B) Day 4 Nimpo Lake, 1- night, Stewart's Lodge. Across the Chilcotin Plateau to your scenic lakeside lodge ( BD) Day 5 Bella Coola, 2- nights, Coast Mountain Lodge. Head into the Great Bear Rainforest - an area with one of the highest densities of brown bear ( B) Day 7 Discovery Coast, 1- night. Optional ferry trip with amazing sightings of whales, porpoise and dolphin ( B) Day 8 Quadra Island, 3- nights, Heriot Bay Inn. Enjoy bear and whale- watching on this beautiful, remote island ( paid upon arrival) ( B) Day 11 Vancouver, 3- nights, St. Regis Hotel. Enjoy the sights of this Pacifi c city ( B) Day 14 Depart Vancouver for UK ( B) Day 15 Arrive UK WHALES & BEARS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Visit the best, wildest places of coastal British Columbia. A great tour for wildlife enthusiasts with an abundance of grizzly and black bears, and orca, pacifi c grey and humpback whales. Wildlife viewing opportunities are excellent on this self- drive itinerary. TAILOR- MADE Talk to an expert 0845 130 6982 Fact! British Columbia on Canada's west coast is by far the best location for seeing black and brown bears. Bear- viewing is highly seasonal and dependent on some of nature's other wonders, particularly the running of salmon in the rivers and streams. Essentially, our summer months are the best for viewing brown and black bears, with many bears being visible in the latter part of the season due to an essential need for the bears to gorge themselves before hibernating. Departure dates Daily, throughout the year Cost per person From £ 1695 ( May - June, Sept - Dec), £ 1995 ( July - Aug) What's included Flights, transfers, meals as indicated, thirteen nights hotel accommodation, guided activities. Ferries are paid locally.