Canada - Lake Louise, Emerald Lake & Golden

Both Lake Louise and Emerald Lake are situated in Banff National Park not too far off Route 1 of the Trans-Canada Highway. Easily accessible by car and both on route to either the West (Vancouver) or East (Calgary), there’s no excuse not to pay a visit to these special lakes.

I first visited Lake Louise coming South from Jasper but if your heading West from Banff it's only a 40 minute drive. The turn off for Lake Louise is well signposted and it's only a short drive from Route 1 to the lake itself. Expect the car park to be full!! My advice would be to pull up alongside the road just before you reach the lake, it'll only be a short walk and saves you crawling round the car park for ages.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel over looking the lake is under the same company that own the Banff Springs Hotel. Although I never stayed at Lake Louise I assume it'd mirror Banff Springs with the finest luxury but also very expensive. With it being only a 40 minute drive from Banff is it worth paying the price when there's affordable quality accommodation in Banff?! The lake itself is surrounded by fir tree covered mountains with a snow capped peak towering over the hotel at the end. As spectacular as the lake surroundings are, the lake itself is something to marvel with it's unique sky blue colour.

Standing at the front of the lake looking out into it's overwhelming beauty, I have to admit it is one of the most scenic sights I have ever laid eyes on. I remember sitting on a rock on the edge of the lake in silence staring out in awe for what seemed a lifetime. Whether you stay over night, just a day or even an hour.. you have to go. Raw wilderness beauty at it's best.

Another 45 minutes West just over the border into British Columbia you'll find yourself passing the turn off for Emerald Lake. Again it's only a short drive to the lake as you drive down the road parallel to the train tracks winding in and out of the mountain range. Parking is a lot better here and it's virtually next to the lake but beware of the tourists appearing in coach loads.. I'm not kidding you when I say there's hundreds of them. There's several facilities at Emerald Lake Lodge including log cabins where you can hold weddings which my friend has attended in the past. Once you see the lake try to move along the Emerald Lake walking trail so you can escape the crowded hotspots and constant flashing photography to really appreciate the views.

If you hadn't guessed where the lake got it's name from it's fairly obvious.. if you can catch the lake in a decent spot with the right amount of light you'll see the emerald glow the lake emits. It really is something special and comes to no surprise so many people go there to tie the knot.

You can chose to stay at Emerald Lake or continue West for an hour to the town of Golden. The towns history is wholly based on the railway and logging industry but this doesn't mask the fact the town is one of British Columbia's finest. Golden is nestled in between 3 mountain ranges and 5 national parks which is why adventure tourism is such a heavy influence on the small town.

The Kicking Horse River winds through the town and shows off the longest free-standing timber frame bridge in Canada. Due to the size of the town there is no issue with venturing into the centre to find accommodation. I find tourist information centres in North America very helpful and give you exactly what you want. Due to the tourism influx you'll have plenty of accommodation ranging from a variety of prices to suit you and there's no end of bars and restaurants dotted around.

Watch the sunset over the mountains and endless forests a the Rockwater Grill and Bar before having a few drinks in the Timber Inn. If your with your partner you can relax on the river banks and watch the world go by or if your with mates making the most of the adrenaline sports on offer, you'll find plenty of lively bars and house parties which you can enjoy late into the night.

My friends brother used to live in Golden when he emigrated to Canada years ago and I really do envy him for the views he woke up to every morning! Although your in a built up town you can't feel any closer to nature.

Next Week: Revelstoke, Kelowna and Summerland.

Canada - Banff & Jasper National Parks

Of all the 32 countries I've been to when someone asks me where was the most surreal scenery, only one or should I say two places immediately spring to mind.. Banff and Jasper National Parks.

Situated in the far West of Alberta and just creeping across into British Columbia, the National Parks nestle in next to one another and hold some of the worlds most incredible unspoiled wilderness.

Leaving Calgary (the closest international airport to access the parks from the UK) you will only be heading West for a couple of hours before you reach Banff National Park by car or coach if you've booked a package holiday. A small fee has to be paid to enter the park but it is more than worth it as you get unlimited access to the park and help maintain the quality of it's care through purchasing a pass. Once your in the park you'll wind your way through the fir tree forests – watch out for bears and moose!! - eventually being welcomed by the small town of Banff.

If you love the great outdoors, Banff is the place to be being completely surrounded by pristine forests and lakes stretching out and up into the Rocky Mountains. The town may be small but it packs a punch both in the day and night. Tours for all sorts of adrenaline filled sports operate during the day including hiking and rafting and by the night the compact 'strip' shines bright with neon illuminating the plentiful bars and restaurants. As a massive tourist hotspot expect it to be bustling all year round but with so much variety of cuisine to choose from you'll be spoilt for choice. My advice would be to head to the Keg Steakhouse at the Banff Caribou Lodge and try a AAA rated steak cooked to your liking, washed down with a Molson Canadian beer.

With just as much restaurants and bars comes just as much accommodation with plenty of affordable lodges in and around the main street. But if you want to treat yourself to something special, like a real once-in-a-lifetime experience then look no further than the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Just on the outskirts of town – only a short walk from the strip – you'll find the historic 19^th century Scottish chateau which truly matches it's breathtaking surroundings. It's pricey (we could only afford one night) but your paying for what you get. A feast, room and facilities fit for a king with the best views in town. Wake up and open your bedroom window to watch the sunrise over the snow capped Rocky Mountains to really capture the moment. I went in the summer which was warm and comfortable but while travelling in winter will be a lot colder (bring your coat!!) you will experience a winter wonderland with the town smothered in snow and lights on every tree!

While I was very unfortunate not to spot a moose in the national parks I was very lucky to come across several native animals en route to Jasper. The just shy of fours hours drive is littered with scenic picnic areas by sky blue lakes, waterfalls and winding roads round the edge of steep mountains! If your an animal lover then the IMPORTANT tip to remember is when you see more than four cars pulled up along the side of the road it's not a group convoy stopping for a quick picture of the mountains but because they've spotted something. Following this method I was able to get up close and snap pictures of caribou, deer and even a baby kodiak bear.

As you approach Jasper you'll pass through the Columbia ice fields which is worth at least a pit stop or if your feeling adventurous take a ice truck up onto Crowfoot glacier. Jasper is another small town but is less of a tourist destination to that of Banff. There's still plenty of accommodation, restaurants and bars to keep you busy with just as much adrenaline sports on offer like Banff. The hotels are quite pricey for what they are so your better off saving your money and booking into the quality B&B lodges/cabins which are of a very high standard. For an entertaining night out try the Jasper Brewing Company which is a fantastic micro brewery full of atmosphere.

It's best to spend a couple of days in Jasper before you unfortunately have to come back on yourself if you want to continue West on the Trans-Canada Highway or head back to the airport! For a full day out you can explore the old town centre with it's proud totum pole then take a trip North to the logging town of Hinton.

Banff and Jasper National Parks offer more than just memories as I've experienced and if I could shoot back to anywhere on this planet I've previously visited I'd have my camera and snow boots at the ready.

As magnificent as Banff and Jasper are, these national parks are about the journey rather than the destination.

Next Week: Lake Louise, Emerald Lake and Golden.

Canada - Calgary

The first country were going to look at is the first country of my gap year travels last July.. Canada.

If you've never been to Canada here are a few things that are worth noting:

#It's in North America in the Northern Hemisphere

#Uses the Canadian Dollar which is roughly just over half the strength of the Pound

#It's the second largest country in the world

#Can be hot in the South but mainly cool to freezing temperatures in the North

#The official language is both English and French

#Very little of the land area is built up (mostly open wilderness!!)

Upon my visit to the Maple Leaf Nation, I flew to Calgary which takes about 9 hours (all Canadian destinations are long haul flights although due to the size of the country, flight times to different cities direct from London will vary) and doesn’t stop in between. You can get good deals with the national airline, Air Canada who I flew with.

If you chose to fly to Calgary in the Western State of Alberta you'll arrive at the large and modern airport. Before long and without any problems you'll find yourself outside and although Calgary has plenty to offer for a week plus, I heavily advise you hire a car from the airport and venture out!

With a motor and the open road you could head North to Edmonton in 3 hours, South to Lethbridge in 2 and a half hours or West to British Columbia in 2 hours which I chose. There is endless beautiful scenery whichever way you head and since you've flown all that way you might as well check it out!

I was only in Calgary for a day as we had a tight itinerary but I would visit again in a heartbeat. Calgary the Capital of Alberta and is the 5^th best city to live in the world this year according to 'Economist Intelligence Unit global “liveability” study' and it's not hard to see why.

Unspoiled wilderness surround the city and allows it to boast a very high quality of life for it's inhabitants. Modern with skyscrapers you'd assume you were in just another concrete jungle but that’s far from the truth as just a few miles in any direction you'll soon be lost in a landscape full of pine forests, lakes and the backdrop of the famous Rocky Mountains.

If it's famous city sights your after check out the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics Stadium where the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team made there debut or the Calgary Stampede which is dubbed “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” and pulls in over a million visitors a year to watch the world famous rodeo!

If your a mad sports fan like me, your trip wouldn’t be complete without a match day experience at the 'Calgary Flames' of the National Hockey League, Canada's Number 1 sport.

If none of the above takes your fancy and your on a romantic getaway, why not have a candlelit dinner overlooking the city skyline at the top of the Calgary Tower, Canada’s second largest building.

Whatever you chose to do, just remember, Calgary is one of THE places to be right now and is worth taking full advantage of, but with a car you get that extra feel of a true Canadian adventure both in and outside the city limits.

Next Week: Banff and Jasper National Parks.