There’s two reasons Canada has a piece of my heart.
Oh, Canada! It’s not my home, it’s not my native land, but the pristine landscapes, accommodating people, and sense of wonder and awe it fills me with have made it one of my favourite destinations to visit. I’ve been fortunate to experience the great Northern American Country twice now, and both trips (while profoundly different) had me going home with a small piece of my heart forever left behind in The Great White North. Let me take you through both experiences.
The Rocky Mountaineer
My first adventure took me on one of the most iconic journeys in the world: The Rocky Mountaineer. A luxury train like no other, the Rocky Mountaineer journeys through Western Canada and the American Southwest. Think all the glitz and glamour of the Orient Express, only with less of a Pirroet murder mystery angle and a lot more scenic views, gorgeous food, and chances to explore the wondrous beauty of the Canadian countryside.
I was fortunate enough to travel GoldLeaf class on the journey (that’s right, I’m a little fancy). It would be an understatement to say I was treated with nothing but pure luxury. Picture this: sitting in a glass-domed train carriage, sipping on Baileys, as the breathtaking landscapes of the Canadian Rockies unfolded around me. Towering snow-capped mountains, dense forests, crystal-clear lakes and, when lucky, the occasional bear… It felt like watching a nature documentary in real time.
And this was only a part of our journey through the Rockies. We also explored Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff. Walking on the Athabasca Glacier, seeing the impossibly blue waters of Lake Louise, and wandering the charming streets of Banff were all unforgettable highlights.
Ski resort hopping with SnoNSki
As you may or may not know, I’m a somewhat large ski trip enthusiast. I had the incredible opportunity to join a ski resort hopping holiday through the Canadian slopes, hosted by the experts at Sno’n’Ski — a Brisbane-based ski holiday wholesaler. Needless to say, a dream come true for any ski and snow lover, over 10 days we travelled to 4 of Canada’s finest ski resorts - Marmot Basin, Lake Louise, Banff, and Panorama. From fresh powder runs to cozy après-ski firesides, every moment felt like stepping into a winter wonderland.
The trip showed me a very different side of Canada. One that wasn’t slow, tranquil, and scenic, but rather one that perfectly balanced adventure with relaxation. It showed me that once you step off the train, you can get your heart racing. And to top it all off, we stayed at the iconic Fairmont Hotels. There’s something about the Fairmont brand that perfectly captures the spirit of Canada: elegant yet warm, luxurious yet welcoming.
While both experiences showed me different slides to Canada, they shared a very simple common theme: this is a country with a heart, soul, and energy that almost cannot be beat. It’s a country where nature meets adventure at almost every turn. And it needs to be experienced by everyone.
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