ESSENTIALS - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 530

including Halifax, consistently offer the lowest airfares available, with the latter
guaranteeing the lowest. Flight Centre offers a similar guarantee from its U.S. of-
fices (866/967-5351, www.flightcentre.us ), as well as those in the United King-
dom (tel. [phone], www.flightcentre.co.uk ), Australia (tel. 13/31-33,
www.flightcentre.com.au ) , and New Zealand (tel. [phone],
www.flightcentre.co.nz ). In London, Trailfinders (194 Kensington High St., Kens-
ington, tel. [phone], www.trailfinders.com ) always has good deals to Canada
and other North American destinations. Reservations can be made directly through
airline or travel agency websites, or use the services of an Internet-only company
such as Travelocity ( www.travelocity.com ) or Expedia ( www.expedia.com ).
When you have found the best fare, open a frequent flyer membership affiliated
with the airline- Air Canada ( www.aeroplan.com ) has a very popular reward pro-
gram that makes rewards easily obtainable.
Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (604/606-7245 or 877/460-3200,
www.rockymountaineer.com ) runs a luxurious rail trip between Vancouver and Banff or
Jasper, through the spectacular interior mountain ranges of British Columbia. Travel is
during daylight hours only so you don't miss anything. Trains depart in either direction
in the morning (every second or third day), overnighting at Kamloops. One-way travel in
RedLeaf Service, which includes light meals, nonalcoholic drinks, and Kamloops accom-
modations, costs $959 per person d from Vancouver to either Banff or Jasper and $1,059
from Vancouver to Calgary. SilverLeaf is a step up in quality, with a glass-domed car al-
lowing a wide range of viewing opportunities. Prices in SilverLeaf are $1,259 per person d
from Vancouver to either Banff or Jasper and $1,389 from Vancouver to Calgary. GoldLeaf
Service is the ultimate in luxury. Passengers ride in a two-story glass-domed car, eat in a
separate dining area, and stay in Kamloops's most luxurious accommodations. GoldLeaf
costs $2,099 per person d from Vancouver to Banff or Jasper and $2,299 to Calgary. Out-
side of high season (mid-Apr.-May and the first two weeks of Oct.), all fares are reduced a
few hundred dollars. Trains terminate in Vancouver off Terminal Avenue at 1755 Cottrell
Street (behind Pacific Central Station).