Canadian Rockies and an Alaskan Cruise with Vancouver Add-on

Today you will fly to Calgary. On arrival, we'll transfer you to the mountain town of Banff for a three night stay.

This morning we'll head out together to explore Banff National Park. Snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear lakes, sparkling streams and swathes of forest are just some of the attractions in this stunning destination. The wildlife is equally impressive, so look out for black and grizzly bears, wolves, elk and deer on land, then keep your eyes peeled for eagles, hawks and ospreys in the sky. Other breaktaking sights will be the Hoodoos of Bow Valley, imposing spires of rock carved by the forces of nature which stand guard over the Bow River, and Surprise Corner. As the name suggests, sensational picture-postcard views are waiting for you here, so remember to bring your camera!

Nothing can prepare you for the beauty of Lake Louise; a glacial, jade-green lake surrounded on all sides by towering peaks. You'll see it in all its glory this morning, and will have plenty of time to take in the views from hiking trails along the shore. We'll also stop at beautiful Moraine Lake - you can decide which is your favourite.

Today we're taking to the road and heading through the Rockies via Revelstoke and Vernon to the Kelowna area in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. Sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery that we pass through on this thrilling journey.

The beauty of Vancouver is beckoning today, and on the way you can just relax and take in the views - you won't want to miss a thing. As we make our way across British Columbia we'll pass mountains, lakes, valleys and forests, and keep a lookout for wildlife too.

Vancouver boasts one of the most beautiful settings in the world, surrounded by mountains, forests and islands. A sightseeing tour will introduce you to highlights including the historic Gastown district, bustling Chinatown and Stanley Park, one of the worlds biggest urban parks. The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure.

Today has been left for you to spend time at leisure in this amazing city. Make sure you find time to visit the foodie attraction of Granville Island Market, and FlyOver Canada at Canada Place is great fun. Alternatively you could join an optional excursion to Whistler, travelling on the incredible Sea to Sky Highway.

Your tour takes a new twist today, as we transfer you to Canada Place to join your cruise ship, Zaandam. On board, once you've unpacked and settled into your comfortable stateroom, why not explore your wonderful floating hotel.

Ahead lie days of luxurious relaxation and exploration as your ship traces the outline of North America's most scenic coastal landscape. As well as enjoying the ship's facilities, make sure you spend plenty of time on deck keeping a watchful eye for wildlife. If you're lucky you could see whales and seals in the water, eagles soaring overhead and grizzly bears on the shoreline.

Early this afternoon we'll dock in the Alaskan capital, Juneau, which stands on one of the largest wilderness areas of the United States. No roads lead into or out of the city, and it is surrounded by nature. Step ashore for a day of discovery in the great outdoors, with a visit to the 12-mile-long river of ice known as the Mendenhall Glacier just one recommendation. You might also see bears on the shore and bald eagles soaring above you.

This morning we arrive in Skagway, a lively relic of the Klondike Gold Rush, when gold was discovered here in 1896. With its wooden sidewalks and turn-of-the-century buildings, you'll feel like you've stepped back in time as you head off to explore at your own pace.

Get ready for one of the scenic highlights of your cruise as we head to Glacier Bay. You'll see enormous icebergs floating in the blue-green water, and if we're lucky, we might catch sight of a glacier 'calving', sending thousands of tons of ice thundering into the bay. Don't put your camera down for a minute, as this area is a popular hangout for an incredible range of wildlife too. You might see humpback whales and sea otters in the water and grizzly, brown and black bears on the shore.

Today our journey takes us to Ketchikan, a quaint, weathered town clinging to a mountainside. Known as the 'salmon capital of the world', it's a lovely place to explore, and of course, it is the best place to sample some fresh Alaskan salmon. There's also an option to discover Totem Pole Park - Ketchikan is home to the world's largest collection of these fascinating works of art.

It's your final day on board, so take every opportunity to appreciate the scenery as we cruise the Inside Passage. This series of deep fjords and tiny islands shaped by nature offers views that will simply take your breath away.

We'll disembark the ship this morning and head to Vancouver's North Shore. Here you'll see the spectacular Capilano Suspension Bridge. After time for lunch we'll transfer you to your hotel where two nights' accommodation has been reserved on a room only basis.

Spend another day at leisure in Vancouver. You may wish to board a hop-on-hop-off bus as they stop at all the main attractions. After a busy day, why not enjoy a locally inspired meal.

We'll transfer you to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

You'll arrive back in the UK today.