Dan and I LOVE to travel – we often travel by ourselves for work (Dan definitely more than me). We tried to travel as much as we could before the kids, but for the past 5 years, it has definitely changed. We finally now feel like we can travel on flights with the twins, but JUST recently, and it is harder and harder to travel just as a couple.
When and if you finally get the time, you have to secure trusted child care for that length of time. Thank GOD for my mom and my cousin Kristina who has helped these last few trips.
Now to decide where to go and what to do?
It all depends on you as a couple. If you are always BUSY and on the go, you may want to pick a destination where you get time to unwind and RELAX…and have cocktails served at the poolside. You may never leave the resort.
If you are wanting to explore a new city or country, you may want to pack in as many sights and activities as possible. This is what we just did in Calgary and Banff!
We earned this all-expense paid luxury trip with my skincare side gig just 9 months into my business but it took us almost a year and a half to finally take the Rodan and Fields Level V Circle trip. We had a choice of 12 destinations to choose from but we narrowed it down to the two in Canada, as I never been to Canada before. It was a tough decision, but after seeing some of my friends who earned the same trip post pictures in Banff, the decision was made!
We decided to extend our trip to 5 days to make the most of it. Originally, it was two nights in Calgary and two nights in Banff but as you continue reading, you will find out how we made the last minute change in our itinerary.
If you have even considered going to Banff – IT IS A MUST.
Put it on your list, vision board, bucket list.
We were only there 5 days but we made the most of it. The following is a quick view of our itinerary and our favorites for each day:
Day 1 – Arrived in Calgary
- After arriving in Calgary, we dropped off our bags and headed out to explore the city and grab some lunch. The weather was 70 degrees and NO humidity – nice getaway from the Houston heat. Thanks to our Calgary friend and neighbor, Lauren, who texted us some of her favorite places to eat/drink, and they were SPOT on.
- We took the downtown train two stops and then walked a few blocks to Prince’s Island (a beautiful park in the city) and had lunch at the cutest spot called River Café overlooking Bow River. It is an upscale and chic restaurant with locally sourced meat and seafood.
- After walking a little through the park, we stopped at a local café called Café Artigiano. Thank goodness Dan asked what a Spanish latte was as it was DIVINE. It is a latte with espresso and a little condensed milk…not too sweet but definitely delicious. We decided to walk back to the hotel via the core of the downtown area and check out Stephen Ave, a pedestrian-only street full of shops and restaurants! Everyone was outside enjoying this beautiful weather.
- FAVORITE – dinner at Mercato Mission sitting at the Chef’s table. This little gem of a restaurant was unbelievable and such an experience eating where the chefs’ cook in front of you, and you can witness the skill in every dish served. The menu is traditional Italian with multiple courses if you wish. We had amazing cocktails, appetizers, and we shared a pasta dish and then a main course of Alberta steak and mushrooms (very generous portions and meant to be shared). This was probably one of the BEST meals and experiences we can remember. We spoke to a local couple who sat next to us, and they suggested that we check out Betty Lou’s Library for unique cocktails afterwards. We arrived to a speakeasy type of bar and Dan asked the bartender to make a unique Campari-based cocktail that wasn’t a Negroni our Boulevardier, and she did not disappoint!
Day 2 – Arrival to Banff
- We packed up early the next morning and drove to Banff on the TransCanada Highway from Canada. Once we arrived to downtown Banff, we stopped for coffee on Banff Ave and decide what our plans would be with scheduled excursions. Downtown Banff is ADORABLE and full of local shops and restaurants.
- Once we had our tentative itinerary, we headed off to our hotel, Fairmont Banff Springs. OMG this “Castle in the Rockies” was MAJESTIC to say the least. The local couple from dinner in Calgary told us there are stories of the hotel being haunted and there was a wing that stayed empty….well, what freaked us out even more once we checked in was our room number was none other than “666.” Dan requested we change rooms but unfortunately was not possible as the hotel was booked. Needless to say, we were fine and one of the hostesses at the hotel’s breakfast restaurants actually told us not to worry…it was LUCKY in this hotel. Not sure if that was true but it did make us feel better.
- One of the best parts of the day was a much needed spa day at the world renowned Willow Stream Spa and dinner was at one of the oldest restaurants in Banff called the Grizzly House (fondue place). Dan was brave enough to order some local game meat for his main meal, which included boar, venison, and beef.
- FAVORITE – one of my friends, Ruba, suggested downloading the IPhone app called Gypsy and purchasing the Canadian package. I wasn’t too sure about the entire package but once we experienced the Gypsy Calgary to Banff episode, we downloaded two more! This recommendation was SO good. It was like having a guided audio tour while we drove to Banff – the app detected where we were on the GPS while providing us some commentary along the way (from interesting historical facts to worthy stops along the way). Dan LOVED it AND it kept me awake a majority of the way.
Day 3 – Exploring Banff
- FAVORITE – We woke up super early to head down to our first excursion down to Yoho National Park for the Kicking Horse Classic Whitewater Rafting. I have been whitewater rafting before, I have to admit I was nervous…mostly because I heard it was FRIGID cold. The total excursion was 4 hours but about an hour and 45 minutes of rafting. The first hour was giving us instructions on how to dress, how to paddle, and what to do if we fell off the raft. OMG. The most difficult rapids were rated Level 4 (Level 6 being Niagara Falls and essentially impossible). Our guide’s name was Jose from Chili and he was AWESOME. He travels from country to country in search of the best rivers and becomes a river raft guide after two days of orientation. He had been there only 2 months but he was definitely experienced and made the whole experience incredible. This excursion was by far Dan’s favorite. It was FREEZING and our feet were frozen from the glacier water but it was WORTH it!
- The rest of the day was spent exploring some of the spots recommended on the Gypsy Guide that included Lake Louise and Yoho National Park. We would NOT have stopped at some of the beautiful spots if it wasn’t for this guided tour. Some of the favorites were Emerald Lake (yes, the color of the water is UNREAL) and a short hike to the Rockies biggest waterfall, Takkakaw.
Day 4 – Icefields Parkway and our first Canadian R+F event
- FAVORITE – we didn’t even know what this was until the Gypsy audio guide told us that the Icefields Parkway was named the “most beautiful mountain scenic drives” in the world….and, another local couple from dinner in Banff told us that drive was the best chance to see bears and other wildlife…so of course, we HAD to try to squeeze it in. We made stops at Bow Lake and one of the most beautiful but unknown lakes called Peyto Lake. The scenery and color of both lakes were UNREAL. We ended the drive on Icefields Parkway just after crossing Jasper National Park and getting to our final destination of Columbia Icefields. We decided not to do the walk on the glacier as an excursion this time but this will be a must for our next trip to Banff.
- I was losing hope of seeing any wildlife until we were driving back to Banff and saw a bunch of cars stopping and people taking pictures. Dan of course had to stop and there not only one but TWO black bears on the hill top close to the road. FINALLY! Mission complete.
- Because of our unexpected excursions to the Icefields Parkway, we did not have time to do the Lake Louise Gondola ride as we had a commitment back towards Calgary for my friend Wendi’s first R+F event for her close friends and family. This was also our first Canadian event and I was NOT going to miss it. It was a great time meeting her family and friends, who were just as amazing as she is. Just a note…Canadians are some of the NICEST people we have ever met. All the locals were so friendly and helpful and gave us some EXCELLENT tips for our trip.
- Because I was NOT going to leave Banff without seeing Lake Louise, we decided to cancel our hotel back in Calgary and make the last minute decision to book a hotel room in Lake Louise for our last night. It literally was the LAST room at the inn. Because it was long weekend for Canadians, everything was packed. Poor Dan had to drive over 2 hours back to the Inn at Lake Louise but it was worth it. I was not going to miss it.
Day 5 – Lake Louise and Canada Day!
- For our FINAL day in Banff, we woke up early to get see Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The hotel front desk girl told us to make sure we get to Lake Moraine before 9am as once the parking lot is full, no other guests can get in without being on a bus tour or taking the shuttle bus. Well…we arrived to Moraine Lake area at 8am sharp and the parking lot was already FULL (probably because it was also a holiday weekend and Canada Day). The parking guard told us there was a line of cars by the time she got there at 7am and she did not anticipate it would let anyone in anytime soon. I was SO bummed as I hear this lake view was even more spectacular than Lake Louise but Dan said that is just an excuse to come back.
- FAVORITE – well, of course Lake Louise was worth it…. absolutely breathtaking. I had visions of going up a hike up to one of the teahouse at Lake Agnes. It seemed possible. Just a quick 3.4 km up to the teahouse. What I didn’t expect was how STEEP this hike was and how short of breath I became because of the altitude (and partly being not in shape). It was considered a moderate hike but I definitely struggled. However, I was determined. It took me longer than the expected hour of hiking time but I MADE it and have some pictures to prove it. I did order a hot tea to go but unfortunately, I was bumped and spilled my drink and the tea bag. I was short on time to get back down so didn’t order another one. I did however get a Mountain Bar to go (a staff favorite) and that was well worth the trek up to get it. Interesting fact is that they helicopter the food and supplies up to the tea house. I cannot imagine the staff walk and down this trail daily so wonder if they get helicoptered in as well.
- We ended the morning by going to the Lake Louise ski resort and finally taking the gondola ride where we cruised for fourteen glorious minutes each way and riding in one of the open chair lifts to one of Banff’s greatest views at 6850 feet. What a perfect ending to a spectacular trip on Canada Day!
Now, I am literally writing this blog as we fly back to Houston so I won’t forget these details to share with you.
I will end on these notes as we head back home to reality:
- Talk to the locals – they know their town, city, and country the best and will give you insider tips. We would not have gone to Mercato restaurant for the best food, Betty Lou’s library for the best cocktails, and the Icefields Parkway and see bears without the locals’ suggestions.
- We feel refreshed and ready to get back and plan our next vacation! This trip was MUCH needed.
- With any travel or vacation, be FLEXIBLE with your plans and make the most of the opportunity and time you are there. When one MUST-HAVE is missed, another unforgettable moment may take its place.
Oh Canada…THANK YOU for an incredible trip. The pictures do not do it justice. The memories will be etched in our minds. We will absolutely be back to Calgary and Banff…but this time, we want to take the twins. Although it was our time as a couple, we talked about the kids often and how FUN it would be when they come with us next time. We already set a goal to come back before they are 10 years old (maybe sooner than 5 years)….we WILL make it happen.
