JEWISH SINGLES WEEK IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

   AUG 23-30, 2009

                                                                                                                                                               

 

Our once a year treat designed for Jewish Singles brings us in 2009 to the spectacular beauty of the Canadian Rockies.

 

We will enjoy a full week of amazing scenery, activity and sightseeing.

 

We will spend 7 nights at your choice of 2 great hotels each in the heart of the popular town of Banff, in the beautiful Canadian Rockies.  The town of Banff sits in the heart of scenic Banff National Park, offering picturesque vistas from its many popular attractions, restaurants and other sights .

Our days will be spent with tours visiting such wonders as Johnston Canyon, Yoho National Park Tahakkah Falls and the Columbia Ice fields.

We will enjoy a scenic wildlife cruise, a Grizzly Bear sightseeing tour, scenic hiking, a party at a natural hot springs and a gondola ride to a scenic mountain overlook.

If roaring waterfalls, emerald lakes, alpine meadows and snowcapped peaks are on the list of things to do, then a sightseeing tour in the Canadian Rockies is a must .

 

DAILY ITINERARY:

 

Sunday August 23RD- ARRIVE on your own arrangement into Calgary Alberta Canada, where transportation to Banff is available for easy transit to Banff via 10 departures of the airport shuttle each day, allowing all passengers to find the shuttle departure time that best meets your flight arrival time. 

Our passengers will have the choice of 2 great hotels in the heart of Banff:

Brewster's Mountain Lodge

www.brewstermountainlodge.com

Located right in the center of all the action in town, for the best convenience to all the restaurants, shops and nightlife of Banff..

Rooms at this 4 star property include continental breakfast daily featuring pastries, croissants, scones, biscuits, cereals, toast, juices, coffee, fresh fruit

The hotel has a 12 person Jacuzzi open 9am-9pm and also has a workout facility.

 

OR choose

Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge

http://www.deltahotels.com/hotels/hotels.php?hotelId=214

For those wanting a bit more luxury, this 4 AND ½ STARS hotel has it all featuring a full service Day Spa, open 9am-9pm, a mineral pool, hot tub, fitness center, and full service concierge.

The hotel is an 8-10 minute flat easy walk into the center of town and its multitude of restaurants and other opportunities.

Free wireless is offered in the rooms or for a small fee available in the onsite business center

 

THIS EVENING THERE WILL BE A WELCOME ORIENTATION FOR ALL PASSENGERS ON THE TRIP TO MIX AND MINGLE, MEET THE TRIP LEADER AND LEARN MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE FUN PLANNED FOR THE WEEK

 

August 24TH – Enjoy a FREE MORNING to relax and explore the town of Banff.  Take the early afternoon at leisure as well before our late afternoon WILDLIFE CRUISE AND COACH TOUR

            The tour begins with a motor coach sightseeing transfer from the hotel headed past Mount Norquay, Cascade Mountain, and Upper & Lower Bankhead. Continuing on to Lake Minnewanka, we will board a 1.5-hour interpretive boat cruise around the largest lake within Banff National Park. Learn about the natural history and native legends that make this lake a landmark. After the cruise, our driver guide will pick us up from the dock and drive to some animal 'hotspots' where we will have excellent opportunities to spot some of Banff's famous wildlife, including Deer, Elk, Coyotes, Bears, and much more! Our excursion concludes with a transfer back to our hotels in Banff.

Our wildlife cruise in the scenic Canadian Rockies.

 

 

Tonight enjoy a free evening to explore the nightlife of Banff.

 

August 25TH –– Today we will enjoy a full day tour to JOHNSTON CANYON, LAKE LOUSE, MORAINE LAKE, YOHO NATIONAL PARK & TAKAKKAH FALLS

            Explore the natural attractions of Lake Louise and Yoho National Park. With our experienced driver guide journey along the Bow Valley Parkway to Johnston Canyon where time is provided for a short walk along the canyon. Learn about Castle Mountain while on your way to lunch (included). At Lake Louise, the "Jewel of the Canadian Rockies" you'll have time to stroll the shores and photograph the famous Victoria Glacier. In the afternoon see the incredibly blue Moraine Lake before crossing the Great Divide for a stop at the Spiral Tunnels viewpoint, where three lines of railway are laid at different elevations to cross the Kicking Horse River on four bridges. Marvel at Emerald Lake and then relax and wander around the trails at Takkakaw Falls, the second-largest waterfall in Canada before our return trip to Banff.
 

Nothing captures the awe and wonder of Yoho National Park like the tremendous thunder of Takkakaw Falls. Plunging from above at a height of 380m (1246 ft ) with a 254m ( 833 ft ) freefall, Canada's second highest waterfall leaves every visitor humbled

TAKAKKAH FALLS IN YOHO NATIONAL PARK

 

 

Enjoy another evening at leisure to explore the fun atmosphere of Banff.

 

August 26TH  - Today is a full Free Day.   Optional excursions such as rafting; or a scenic hike along the PLAIN OF SIX GLACIERS are available for those interested in signing up at the hotel or in advance.

 

For anyone who enjoys hiking, the Plain of six Glaciers hiking tour is magnificent.   A professional local guide leads us on this moderate 5 mile round trip hike to some of the most spectacular scenery.

The culmination of the hike is the arrival at the mountain top teahouse which reveals the complement of six glaciers that gave rise to the name of the trail.  Hanging glaciers - Aberdeen, Lefroy, and Victoria; the Lefroy and Lower Victoria valley glaciers; and finally the bulge of a hanging glacier on Popes Peak to the north leave the visitor mesmerized with the scenic wonder of the area.

 

Tonight if you wish, join us for an optional horseback dinner outing along the Bow River in Banff.

 

August 27TH – Today we will enjoy a full day GRIZZLY BEAR TOUR

                             

            Visit orphaned Grizzly Bear "Boo", resident of Golden's Grizzly Bear Refuge, as he romps and plays in natural bear habitat on this guided sightseeing tour. Ride the gondola at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort for an eagle's eye view of grizzly country, walk the summit trails and dine on a gourmet lunch at Canada's highest restaurant. 

Guaranteed Grizzly Bear sighting! If you don't see Boo, the tour operator will let you go on the tour again for free any day this week.

 

August 28TH –  Today we will enjoy a full day tour of the COLUMBIA ICEFIELDS

            A full day sightseeing tour that travels through a landscape carved by glaciers and opened by pioneers. The Ice fields Parkway is rated as one of the most scenic highways in the world. Marvel at glaciers remaining from the last ice age while you hear stories of early explorers who opened the valleys. Enjoy an alpine picnic before visiting the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Ice fields Centre. Ride an Ice Explorer! and travel onto the glacier or explore the interpretive centre and surroundings.

Tour itinerary and highlights:
- Crowfoot Glacier: One of the day's many up close glacier views.
- Peyto Lake: The classic emerald green jewel of the Canadian Rockies.
- Mistaya Canyon: A dramatic example of water's sculpting power.
- Saskatchewan Crossing: A rest stop/coffee break and home to Canada's largest postcard display.
- Mountain Picnic Lunch: Enjoy a hearty lunch with your choice of sandwich at a scenic stop along the Ice fields Parkway.
- Cirrus Mountain: Look at the steep climb from the weeping wall and scope the avalanche slopes for wildlife.
- Bridal Veil Falls: Fantastic view over the Ice fields Parkway and the falls.
- Columbia Ice fields: Venture onto the Athabasca Glacier on the Ice Explorer! and visit the interpretive centre.
- Bow Lake: The headwaters of the mighty Bow River.

 

SCENES OF THE COLUMBIA ICEFIELDS

 

We will be returned to our hotels in Banff for the evening at leisure. This evening we will have an optional Kabbalat Shabbat service for those wishing to attend to welcome in the Sabbath.

 

Saturday August 29TH– Today is a full FREE DAY – You may wish to sign up for an optional excursion such as a HELICOPTER TOUR OR CAVING TOUR or just stroll the shops of Banff, all an easy walk from either of our group’s hotels.

 

This evening we will enjoy a  FAREWELL PARTY AT THE FAMED BANFF HOT SPRINGS.  THE OPPORTUNITY TO RELAX IN THE SOOTHING HOT SPRINGS OVERLOOKING THE BREATHTAKING SCENERY OF THE CANADIAN ROCKIES WILL PRODUCE A WONDERFUL FINALE FOR ALL OUR PASSENGERS.

The hot springs offer full changing rooms for your convenience.

All the amenities of a modern facility are featured in this splendid, historic spa and bath house - against a backdrop of Banff's spectacular alpine scenery. You will luxuriate in the comfort of soothing hot springs where travelers have come to "take the waters" for more than a century. Banff's premier attraction offers

• ·        Outdoor mineral spring fed hot pool with views of famous Mount Rundle
• ·        Pleiades Massage and Spa offers a variety of massage, facial and body treatments (additional fee for massage or facial treatments)
• ·         Spacious change rooms with heated floors.

• Outfitter's Gift Store
• Restaurant and snack bar
• Outdoor terrace restaurant

 

OUR FAREWELL  PARTY IN THE SOOTHING HOT SPRINGS   IS A GREAT WAY TO SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR NEW FRIENDS.

              

Passengers can stay at the hot springs as long as desired. – The springs are open well past dark (until 11pm !)

After our hot springs farewell, passengers will have the opportunity to either return to the hotel or take the Banff Gondola for a scenic ride to the observation deck at the top ($27 additional fee to be paid at the gondola base applies for passengers wishing to take the gondola ride.  The gondola is open until 9pm).

At the top of the gondola, passengers will get a panoramic view of Banff National Park, and the Canadian Rockies.  Exhibits are available for viewing as well as a scenic  1 mile hike for more fabulous scenery is available for those wishing to do so (summer daylight lasts till close to 9pm, so conditions should be optimal for those wishing to enjoy the short hike this evening.)

DINNER THIS EVENING IS AT YOUR LEISURE.  RESTAURANTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE HOT SPRINGS AND AT THE TOP OF THE GONDOLA OR CHOOSE FROM ONE OF YOUR FAVORITES BACK IN BANFF. 

 

	Banff Gondola is  located just 5 minutes from the Town of Banff, on the shoulder of Sulphur Mountain, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The 360o view from the upper gondola terminal, view-decks and Summit Ridge interpretive boardwalk, is unsurpassed. Safely seated in 4 passenger gondola cabins, visitors are transported in 8 minutes to the summit at an elevation of 2,281m (7,486 ft) above sea level.
	At the summit, the  gondola upper terminal offers restaurant options, a gift shop and a spectacular roof top observation area with interpretive material giving directions and distances to major cities of the world and commemorating the area's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
	Hike the Banff Skywalk.  There are more view-decks on the main level, as well as the start of a 1km long elevated skywalk that leads visitors along Sulphur Mountain's summit ridge to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site of Canada, and the historic

 

AUGUST 30TH – TODAY WE CHECK OUT OF OUR HOTELS AND RETURN TO THE CALGARY AIRPORT TO RETURN HOME ON YOUR OWN ARRANGEMENT.  Once again, 10 convenient departure times are available to meet all passengers’ flight time needs.

 

OUR CANADIAN ROCKIES SUMMER ADVENTURE GETAWAY INCLUDES:

 

7 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATIONS AT YOUR CHOICE OF :

            The 4 star Brewster’s Mountain Lodge

Or

            4 and a half star Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge

 

Also included are all of the great tours in our trip itinerary :

• ·        WILDLIFE CRUISE AND COACH TOUR
• ·        Full day tour to JOHNSTON CANYON, LAKE LOUISE, MORAINE LAKE, YOHO NATIONAL PARK & TAKAKKAH FALLS
• ·       Full day GRIZZLY BEAR TOUR
• ·       Full day tour of the COLUMBIA ICEFIELDS
• ·       Farewell party at BANFF UPPER HOT SPRINGS

All tours include pickup at both hotels and drop off at both hotels upon the return of the tours.

 

Trip pricing:

$1299 for passengers choosing accommodations at the 4 star Brewster Mountain
Lodge including continental breakfast daily
 

$1499 for passengers choosing accommodations and the 4 and a half star Delta
Banff Royal Canadian Lodge (breakfast not included)


Free roommate matching is provided to all passengers staying at either hotel

OPTIONAL SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FOR THOSE WISHING THE PRIVACY OF THEIR OWN ROOM:
$499 AT THE BREWSTER MOUNTAIN LODGE, OR $699 AT THE DELTA BANFF ROYAL
CANADIAN LODGE.

Airport transfers are $55 each way and can be booked directly with the Banff Airporter at 403—762-3330

A $200 deposit is required to secure your space on the trip.  Deposits are refundable if cancelled by May 1st and non refundable thereafter.

Final payments are due June 1st.