CANADA WEST da Calgary a Vancouver in una settimana

Calgary is a dynamic city in Alberta, built at the foot of the Canadian Rockies, famous for its western spirit and the legendary Calgary Stampede, one of the world's largest rodeos and cowboy-culture festivals. Grown as a centre of the oil industry, it boasts a modern skyline of skyscrapers and a lively city life, with districts such as Inglewood and Stephen Avenue, rich in restaurants, bars and shops. The Calgary Tower offers a panoramic view over the prairie and the mountains on the horizon. The city is above all the ideal gateway to the Rockies, less than an hour's drive from Banff and the national parks. Its green spaces along the Bow River invite walks and outdoor activities. Welcoming and growing, Calgary combines urban energy, cowboy tradition and grandiose nature, a perfect base for exploring western Canada.

You cross the land of cowboys, going from the plains to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, which soon dominate the horizon. Kananaskis Valley is a spectacular mountain region in Alberta, stretched among the peaks of the Rocky Mountains a short distance from Banff and Calgary, less frequented than the great parks but just as grand. A vast land of alpine valleys, turquoise lakes, rivers and forests, it is an authentic paradise for outdoor lovers, with hiking, mountain biking, golf, rafting and, in winter, skiing and snowshoeing. Wildlife abounds, with bears, moose and bighorn sheep populating the slopes. The views range over imposing peaks and crystalline waters, while lodges and refuges set in nature offer excellent hospitality. Between mountains, lakes and wilderness, Kananaskis Valley offers the purest and wildest essence of the Alberta Rockies. Canmore is a charming mountain town in Alberta, located just outside the boundaries of Banff National Park, at the foot of the spectacular Three Sisters, three peaks that dominate its skyline. Once a mining centre, it is today a lively mountain destination appreciated for its authentic, relaxed atmosphere, a quieter alternative to nearby Banff. Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, it offers endless outdoor possibilities: hiking, mountain biking, climbing and cross-country skiing, as well as a striking route through the canyons carved by mountain streams. The town centre, with its boutiques, galleries, craft breweries and restaurants, offers a welcoming atmosphere. An ideal base for exploring the Rockies, Canmore combines comfort, grandiose nature and mountain spirit, a destination beloved by those seeking outdoor adventures in breathtaking scenery. Banff is Canada's most famous mountain resort, set in the heart of its namesake national park, the country's oldest and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the picturesque town is the ideal starting point for exploring landscapes of extraordinary beauty, among turquoise lakes, glaciers and forests. Nearby are natural jewels such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, with crystalline waters framed by mountains. The Banff Upper Hot Springs invite relaxation, while Banff Avenue offers shops, restaurants and the iconic view of Mount Cascade. Wildlife, from elk to bears, populates the region. In every season, between skiing, hiking and canoeing, Banff offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Rockies, one of the world's most spectacular nature destinations.

We drive along Icefields Parkway to reach the Columbia Icefield, the largest expanse of ice and snow in the entire Rocky Mountains and the largest glacial area in the northern hemisphere south of the Arctic Circle. Banff, surrounded by mountains, forests, waterfalls, and hot springs, is not just a simple resort town, it is the ultimate Canadian resort town, both in summer and winter. Jasper is a mountain town set in its namesake national park, the largest in the Canadian Rockies and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wilder and quieter than nearby Banff, it is surrounded by grandiose nature of imposing peaks, glaciers, emerald lakes and endless forests, where wildlife is easily encountered along the roads. From Jasper, excursions set off to natural wonders such as Maligne Lake, with the famous Spirit Island, the Maligne Canyon and the Miette hot springs. The legendary Icefields Parkway, one of the world's most beautiful scenic roads, links Jasper to Banff along the Columbia Icefield. Recognised as a dark-sky preserve, the park offers extraordinary night skies. Between glaciers, lakes and silence, Jasper is a paradise for lovers of pristine nature.

You head west along the Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16), crossing the majestic Canadian Rockies, surrounded by towering peaks, crystal clear lakes and lush forests with spectacular views at every bend in the road. Once past the provincial border between Alberta and British Columbia, continue south along the Yellowhead Highway and Highway 5, through hilly landscapes and picturesque valleys to Kamloops, where the mountains give way to the vastness of the plains and canyons that characterise this region. Valemount is a small British Columbia village nestled between three mountain ranges, the Rockies, the Monashees and the Cariboos, in a spectacular valley near the Alberta border. Its position makes it a convenient base between the great Rockies parks and Mount Robson Provincial Park, dominated by the highest peak in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Renowned for heli-skiing on powder snow and for snowmobiling in winter, in summer it offers hiking, fishing, mountain biking and the thrilling spectacle of salmon spawning up the rivers. Wildlife abounds in the surroundings. Between three mountain ranges and boundless nature, Valemount offers the authentic charm of the mountain wilderness. Kamloops lies in the interior of British Columbia, at the confluence of the two branches of the Thompson River, in a landscape of semi-arid hills dotted with lakes. The city boasts a sunny, dry climate that makes it pleasant for much of the year. Surrounded by over a hundred lakes, it is a paradise for fishing, golf, mountain biking and outdoor sports, while in winter the nearby Sun Peaks offers ski slopes. First Nations culture is alive in the region and recounted in interesting cultural centres. A convenient stop along the routes between Vancouver and the Rockies, Kamloops offers parks, riverside trails and an open, bright landscape. Sunny and active, it is a pleasant base for discovering the interior of British Columbia and its outdoor activities.

from the semi-desert land of ranches and large herds, you follow the old gold rush trail along the Fraser River and reach the Pacific Ocean. Hope is a picturesque British Columbia town, set in a valley where the Fraser River meets the Cascade Mountains, at a strategic point nicknamed the gateway to the canyon. Surrounded by imposing peaks and forests, it is famous for its many wooden chainsaw carvings made from tree trunks, which adorn the town's streets and parks, and for being the set of famous films. The surroundings open onto spectacular scenes, including the rock-carved railway galleries of the Othello Tunnels and the nearby Fraser Canyon. A crossroads of the great roads toward the interior, Hope is a pleasant stop among nature, art and mountains. Between rushing rivers and forests, the town offers the rugged charm of the mountainous interior. Chilliwack spreads across the green Fraser Valley of British Columbia, surrounded by mountains, farms and flower fields that paint the valley with colour in spring. The area is loved for hikes at Cultus Lake, rafting on the Chilliwack River and farmers' markets full of local produce. The surrounding peaks offer trails and views less than two hours from Vancouver. Chilliwack is a lively country destination of nature, sport and farming. Vancouver is one of North America's most scenic cities, set between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains on Canada's west coast. Surrounded by water and forests, it combines a lively urban life with extraordinary nature, ranking consistently among the world's most liveable cities. The vast Stanley Park, a green lung facing the sea and crossed by a famous seawall, invites scenic walks and bike rides. The historic Gastown district, with its bohemian atmosphere, the lively Granville Island market and Chinatown reveal the city's many faces. The skyline of glass towers reflects in the waters of the bay, while nearby mountains, such as Grouse Mountain and Cypress, offer skiing and hiking just minutes from downtown. The dining scene, rich in fresh seafood and Asian cuisine, is excellent. Between sea, mountains and culture, Vancouver embodies the perfect balance between metropolis and nature.