Viaggio "on the road" da Calgary a Vancouver


A cura di Katherine Smith

Fotografia del titolo a cura di Getty

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Un viaggio epico in auto attraverso le Montagne Rocciose è l'occasione ideale per un breve soggiorno o per un'ambiziosa avventura. Prenditi una settimana e fai una sosta presso le principali attrazioni come Banff e Lake Louise oppure prolunga il viaggio e fermati a Kamloops e rilassati presso le tranquille sorgenti termali circondate dalle foreste di pini. Dai un'occhiata alle nostre idee per sfruttare al meglio il viaggio "on the road" in Canada.

Calgary

Il viaggio…

You’ll get a warm welcome to Canada in Calgary, a traditional cowboy town that’s a sprawling mass of malls and skyscrapers with the Rockies right on your doorstep. The best way to see the city is by bike using the 500 miles of city cycle paths. Take a bike tour of Stanley Park and you’ll quickly get a feel for Calgary. No visit is complete without a trip up the Calgary Tower and breakfast at Tim Hortons – it’s vital that you discover their coffee and doughnuts at the start of the trip as they’ll become a dietary staple.

La strada fuori Calgary è pianeggiante, ma vedrai le vette innevate delle montagne all'orizzonte mentre ti avvicini al parco nazionale

When the sun sets, head to Stephen Avenue, which has a lively buzz from the dozens of pavement cafes and restaurants. Charcut is a hip steakhouse and serves up cuts of meat fit for the cowboy collective – try the bison brisket, beech mushrooms, boar bacon and sour cream with polenta. For something a bit more refined, River Cafe in Prince’s Island Park is a chic eatery in a leafy setting serving up moreish seasonal Canadian dishes.

Dove soggiornare

The Fairmont Palliser is a former railway hotel that oozes luxury. The grand entrance hall is a perfect welcome to the city, and downtown restaurants are within lassoing distance.

  • Alza lo sguardo per ammirare la Calgary Tower © Dan_Prat / Getty.

    Lo sapeva?

    Anche se si trova a un'esorbitante altezza di 191 metri, il 60% della torre è sotto terra.

  • Assaggia una bistecca di prima scelta da Charcut.

    La dieta del cowboy

    Il famoso rodeo Calgary Stampede ha luogo dal 1912 e al momento mette in palio il premio più alto per i rodeo all'aperto – $ 2 milioni per l'audace cowboy. Vola da Londra a Calgary da:

  • The beautiful grand facade of railway hotel Fairmont Palliser.

    Sulla strada giusta

    Il lussuoso Fairmont Palliser è il più antico hotel di Calgary. È stato aperto nel 1914 ed era di proprietà della società Canadian Pacific Railway.

    Prenota un soggiorno

Banff

Il viaggio…

Heading west out of the city in your hire car towards Banff National Park (a Unesco World Heritage site), you’ll pass the Canadian Olympic Park with a view of the ski slope which (quite literally) launched Eddie the Eagle to fame in 1988. The road out of Calgary is flat, but you’ll see snow-capped mountains peek into view as you near the National Park. Red-suited Mounties patrol the main street with its clusters of souvenir shops and restaurants. A trip on the Banff Gondola is a must – standing on top of a mountain looking over the vastness of summits and valleys puts everything into perspective. For a once in a lifetime experience, go one further and take a helicopter ride over the Rockies.

Dove soggiornare

The Fairmont Banff Springs floats above the pine tree forest on a hill just outside of town. The fairy-tale castle has seven bars and restaurants and offers activities such as river rafting and a 27-hole golf course.

Trova hotel in Canada

  • Take a ride on the Banff Gondola © frwooar / Getty.

    Con un dolce dondolio

    Fai un tour impressionante in cima alla Sulphur Mountain dove sarai alla stessa altezza delle cime innevate delle Montagne Rocciose sulla piattaforma di osservazione, con una vista mozzafiato di chilometri e chilometri.

    Pianifica un viaggio in Canada

Lago Louise e Jasper

Il viaggio…

Leaving Banff behind, head just 30 minutes along the road to Lake Louise. The impossibly turquoise waters are one of the Rockies’ main draws and, depending on the season, you can either skate or canoe on the lake. Zigzagging hiking trails are etched on the mountains, but for most it’s a base on the way to Jasper National Park. It’s here that the real breathtaking scenery begins as you wind through the mountains following a ribbon of road, passing glaciers and canyons. Spend a few days in the park and strap on your crampons for a tour on the Colombia Ice Field or visit the churning emerald waters of the Athabasca Falls canyon.

Dove soggiornare

Just 11 miles to the Marmont Basin’s ski slopes, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge provides a great base for activities in the park.

  • Scopri i percorsi a piedi intorno al Lago Louise © NetaDegany/Getty.

    Fai un'escursione

    Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest and if you’re lucky you might spot deer, elk or caribou.

    Prenota i voli per il Canada
  • Un percorso accidentato attraverso il Columbia Icefield © isaacmalcazar/Getty.

    Una corsa fantastica

    The Columbia Icefield is the biggest glacier in the Rocky Mountains and lies on the continental divide. It’s the only glacier in the world to feed three oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic.

    Prenota una vacanza fly&drive in Canada
  • Fai un'escursione in canoa sulle acque blu del Lago Louise © Erik Pronske/Getty.

    Fai un giro in barca

    Per ammirare la massima luminosità delle acque del lago Louise, devi visitarlo nei mesi di luglio e agosto. L’acqua del lago proviene da un vicino ghiacciaio che sciogliendosi porta con sé dei detriti e del limo glaciale, che conferiscono il tipico colore turchese alle acque.

    Prenota un soggiorno

Kamloops e Whistler

Il viaggio…

Da Jasper, guidi in direzione ovest per la fase finale del viaggio. Si fermi per una notte nella storica cittadina ferroviaria di Kamloops per fare una pausa dalla guida. Salga a bordo della famosa linea ferroviaria, degusti i vini locali percorrendo la Strada del vino di Kamloops oppure si diriga alla Kamloops Art Gallery, il luogo ideale per scoprire la cultura del posto.

Take the scenic long drive to Whistler – a truly year-round destination. An iconic skiing destination in the winter, offering two mountains for all ability levels, a long season with impressive yearly snowfall and which even played host to the 2010 Winter Olympics. In the Summer, Whistler is a true mountain playground offering miles of alpine hiking and mountain biking trails. The dynamic village has all sorts of dining options but Rim Rock Cafe and Oyster Bar is a cut above the rest – the menu changes seasonally but elk and seafood platters are regularly featured.

Dove soggiornare

Ideato come un rifugio di lusso, il Four Seasons Whistler è il luogo ideale per rilassarti dopo una giornata all'aria aperta.

Vancouver

Il viaggio…

This Pacific city is consistently named as one of the world’s ‘most liveable’ and it’s not hard to see why. If you’re a foodie, head to Mainland and Hamilton Streets in Yaletown, it’s a hub of great restaurants. Stop by Blue Water Cafe for fresh seafood with a Japanese twist. For historic cultural sights spend the day wandering around Gastown, named after Yorkshire sailor “Gassy” Jack Deighton who opened the city’s first saloon in the area. Visit the steam-powered clock and check out some of the cool boutiques, such as Vancouver designer John Fluevog’s Shoes or Oak + Fort for uncomplicated, thoughtfully-designed clothing.

Da Vancouver, prendi un traghetto per Victoria sull'isola di Vancouver e trascorri qualche giorno ad avvistare le orche e a visitare il Royal British Columbia Museum per conoscere la storia naturale e culturale di questi luoghi.

Dove soggiornare

The Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel is an affordable all-suites hotel with a spa, garden terrace and indoor pool, making it the perfect relaxing bolthole in Vancouver.

Pianifica il tuo viaggio a Vancouver