Canada Archives ⋆ The Passenger

July 14, 2024January 31, 2025

O Canada

I hadn’t seen much of North America so far and never been to its western coastline, that was one of the very good reasons to visit Canada for the very first time. So far the country was linked in my head only to maple syrup, ice hockey and the fictive character Robin Scherbatsky from How I Met Your Mother. That was about to change but first I had to get a heavy jetlag caused by nine hours of time shift out of my head. My first stop was Vancouver where I had to discover some truth about my holiday location.

July 14, 2024July 27, 2024

YYC

The international airport of Calgary (YYC) is a middle-size airport located in the north of the city. It is a convenient airport with many seating options, good coffee bars and restaurants and the fastest security check I’ve ever experienced. YYC has four runways and transports 18 million passengers per year. Initially used for military purposes the first civilians were starting their flights here in 1946. Today not only Air Canada and North-American airlines use the airport; also KLM, Condor and Edelweiss Air are landing here.

July 14, 2024January 30, 2025

Canadian history

Heritage Park Historical Village in Calgary is Canada’s largest living history museum, offering visitors an immersive journey through Western Canada’s past. Spanning 127 acres, the park features over 180 exhibits, including a working steam train, historical buildings, and costumed interpreters who bring history to life. Divided into distinct eras, the park showcases everything from 1860s fur trading posts to a 1930s town, allowing guests to experience what life was like for early settlers, Indigenous peoples, and railway pioneers.

July 14, 2024January 30, 2025

The Hangar

The Hangar Flight Museum in Calgary is a fascinating destination dedicated to preserving and showcasing Canada’s rich aviation history. Housed in a historic Second World War-era drill hall, the museum features an impressive collection of civilian and military aircrafts, including vintage planes, helicopters, and artifacts that highlight the evolution of aviation in Canada.

July 13, 2024January 30, 2025

Lake Louise

For many people they are key reasons to travel to the Canadian Rocky Mountains: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are two of the most iconic and breathtaking destinations in Banff National Park, drawing visitors from around the world with their turquoise waters, dramatic mountain backdrops, and pristine alpine settings. Lake Louise, known as the ‘Jewel of the Rockies‘, is famous for its stunning color, which comes from glacial silt, as well as for the luxurious Fairmont Château Lake Louise that sits along its shoreline.

July 13, 2024January 30, 2025

Johnson lake

Johnson Lake is part of the Banff National Park and a serene and scenic spot known for its calm waters, sandy shoreline, and breathtaking mountain views. Just a short drive from Banff townsite, this picturesque lake offers a more tranquil alternative to the busier nearby lakes, making it a perfect destination for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and picnicking in the summer. Probably that is also the reason why you can spot many locals here on weekends doing BBQs and sports.

July 12, 2024July 27, 2024

Solara

When the hotels at Banff are fully booked, travel agency typically find alternatives at Canmore which is just a 30 minutes drive on the Trans Canada Highway. The city has a nice city center squeezed into the space between Bow river and the highway and offers all you need for an overnight stay. At the southern end of the city you’ll find the Solara Resort which is a combination of three different hotels (Aurora, Bow, Chinook). Once you arrive get you hotel name, room number and door code (they don’t use keys) from the reception and park in the vast underground carpark.

July 12, 2024January 30, 2025

Upper Hot Springs

The Banff Upper Hot Springs is a historic and relaxing destination nestled in the heart of Banff National Park, offering visitors the chance to soak in naturally heated, mineral-rich waters while enjoying breathtaking mountain views. The hot springs have been a popular attraction since their discovery in the 1880s, with Indigenous peoples long recognizing their healing properties. The temperature of the water varies seasonally, typically ranging between 37°C and 40°C, making it the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring the Rockies.

July 12, 2024January 30, 2025

Gondola

The Banff Gondola offers a breathtaking ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, providing panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies, the town of Banff, and the Bow Valley. The gondola ascends 698 meters in just eight minutes, reaching a final elevation of 2,281 meters. At the summit, visitors can explore a series of boardwalks and viewing platforms, take in the stunning scenery, and visit the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station, a National Historic Site.

July 12, 2024July 31, 2024

Peyto Lake

Turquoise ice-cold water forming a lake between forests and mountains of the Banff National Park, that’s Peyto Lake – maybe the most beautiful lake I’ve ever seen. It is fed by the glaciers surrounding it and its color is special because of fine rock particles (‘glacial flour’) that are carried into the lake. It is named after trapper Bill Peyto who was active in this region in the 19th century.