Canadian Rockies & Winelands self-drive

After included VIP airport lounge access, board your flight to Vancouver and transfer to your city-centre hotel. You’ll have the evening to explore – we recommend heading out to sample the city's renowned restaurant scene and buzzing waterfront harbour. Then, enjoy two free days to explore at your own pace. Perhaps soaring high above the Douglas Firs with breathtaking views across the city and surrounding peaks, the Grouse Mountain sky ride is a real highlight, putting the beauty of your location into true perspective; combine this with the Capilano Suspension Bridge for a leisurely day exploring. Other must-see highlights include historical Gastown, the colourful markets of Granville Island, lively Chinatown and the oceanside greenery of sprawling Stanley Park.

After breakfast pick up your hire car, leaving the coast to enter the verdant, farm-dotted fertile Fraser Valley to the Thompson Okanagan region, the fruit and wine centre of British Columbia. On the Coquihalla Highway, encounter some of the most dramatic scenery in the region and pass through the rugged cattle ranching country of the Merritt area. At Merritt, continue driving along the Coquihalla Connector, Highway 97C to Kelowna, to check into your hotel. We'd suggest sampling the one of many restaurants tonight for ultra-fresh seafood, with everything from fresh salt spring island mussels to seared albacore tuna on the menus.

Stay: The Royal Kelowna, Kelowna (Superior)

Tour the countryside today combining the best of the lake, valley and vines. Sit back and enjoy as we tour some of the great wineries driving along the north bench to Lake Country where you’ll stop for tasting at one of the newest wineries Intrigue Wines. After that, you will head to Gray Monk to enjoy a full tour into the cellars. After the tour of the cellars, you’ll enjoy lunch at Gray Monks Grapevine Restaurant. In the afternoon, visit three additional wineries (choice of Arrowleaf, Exnihilo, Parallel 50, The Chase, Blind Tiger or Ancient Hill - depending on traffic and guests preferences).

Stay: The Royal Kelowna, Kelowna (Superior)

Head north today through the Okanagan Valley to Shuswap Lake with its thousand miles of shoreline. Pass Craigellachie where the ‘last spike’ was driven to complete the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885, then enter Glacier National Park and climb over Rogers Pass keeping an eye out for native caribou, mountain goats and grizzly bears. After crossing the Columbia River, arrive in Yoho National Park with its towering waterfalls, ice-clad peaks and a natural bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. Surmount the Continental Divide to your lakeside accommodation at Emerald Lake Lodge. (Breakfast & Dinner Included)

Stay: Emerald Lake Lodge (Superior)

Continue through the scenic mountain passes of Yoho National Park to Moraine Lake Lodge in Banff National Park. Crowned by ten notable peaks and brilliant blue in colour, Moraine Lake is one of the most photographed lakes in the Canadian Rockies and is truly bucket list item to see. The area also offers an array of activities, from canoeing on the lake and strolling the shoreline to relaxing at the lodge and enjoying the beautiful views

Today, travel along the spine of the Canadian Rockies and through the amazing Icefields Parkway. Experience the ultimate glacier exploration, from walking on ancient ice with the Ice Explorer ride to standing on a glass platform almost 1,000 feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk (included). Today’s activities will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies.

The following day, maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion on a round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain for an awe inspiring 360-degree panorama of sheer mountain majesty. Enjoy the interpretative hiking trails that lead along the ridge of the mountain

Stay: Banff Caribou Lodge, Banff (Superior)

It’s time to say goodbye to Banff and head south for your final stop. Drive to Calgary to drop off your rental car and check-in to your accommodation. Calgary has long lived with an oil baron’s swagger – some dinosaurs weren’t lucky enough to see out their days in a museum – having funded contemporary art galleries in Glenbow Museum.

Spend the following day exploring Calgary. Begin with a ride to the top of Calgary Tower (included), where the observation deck, which is a staggering 160 metres above the ground, offers magnificent, 360º views of the city and its surrounds. Later today perhaps head to Heritage Park and experience the "old west" in this fully functioning historical town.

Stay: Hotel Arts. Calgary (Superior)

Leave the mountains behind as you make your way to Calgary for your overnight flight to London, arriving on day 12.