9-Nights Alberta's Dinosaurs, Lakes and Glaciers

Drumheller

About 75 mi/120 km northeast of Calgary and two hours away by car, Drumheller is one of the hubs of Alberta's "dinosaur country," renowned for the large number of prehistoric reptile bones found there. From Drumheller, you can take the Dinosaur Trail, a 30-mi/50-km scenic route that circles through the badland terrain in the Red Deer River Valley. Along the way, stop at the Royal Tyrrell Museum.

At the trail's halfway point, you can cross the Red Deer River on the Bleriot Ferry, one of the few remaining cabled ferries in North America. The route also runs near Midland Provincial Park, where travelers seeking a little exercise will want to take a walking trail to the site of the former Midland Coal Mine.

Hoodoos—massive toadstool-like pillars of stone formed by erosion—can be seen southeast of Drumheller, along Highway 10. Despite the fact that they've survived several millennia, the hoodoos can crumble easily: Climbing on them is prohibited. They can also be seen in several other locations in Alberta.

Edmonton

If you can, arrive in Edmonton at night. As you ride in from the airport, you'll see Edmonton's glittering steel-and-glass skyline rising on the far shore of the North Saskatchewan River. It's a dramatic introduction to the way oil money transformed this stretch of the north.

Founded by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1794, Edmonton today is Canada's most northerly big city, a provincial capital and an industrial center with an economy based on petrochemicals, biotechnology, engineering, forestry and agricultural goods.

Ideally situated between Canada's remote north and the picturesque Jasper National Park, Edmonton is gaining popularity as a sightseeing and tourist destination. Edmonton is Canada's fifth-largest city, with an educated and innovative workforce that fuels Canada's billion-dollar economy in its wealthiest province. The University of Alberta and the state-of-the-art National Institute for Nanotechnology in Edmonton are setting standards in education and research, establishing Edmonton as the biotech capital of Alberta.

Jasper

Located in the heart of Jasper National Park in Alberta's Rocky Mountains, Jasper's friendly alpine hospitality and the promise of adventure will make your visit unforgettable. It is easy to get to Jasper by car from a number of nearby visitor destinations including Edmonton, Hinton and Banff.

Lake Louise

Lake Louise is a beautiful yet often-overlooked mountain getaway. Among countless other winter activities, enjoy some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. In the summer, try trail riding, hiking, whitewater rafting and mountain biking. Lake Louise, with its blue-green water set against the stark backdrop of Victoria Glacier, is probably the most beloved and most photographed scene in the Canadian Rockies.

Banff

Situated in the heart of Banff National Park in Alberta's Rocky Mountains, Banff is a 1.5-hour drive from Calgary and just a short trip from mountain towns of Lake Louise, Kananaskis Country and Canmore. It's a unique place to visit. A train whistle blows in the distance as a reminder of the area's railway roots while designer shops dot the streetscapes. From a sleepy summer resort town with closed doors in winter months, Banff has grown into a year-round attraction. Lured by wilderness and the variety of outdoor activities, people from all over the world are drawn to Banff National Park each year. They venture into the area looking for their slice of the Banff experience, whether it's in restaurants, shops, museums, cultural activities, or adventures in the wilderness. On Banff's bustling main avenue, virtually every language from German and Japanese to French and Spanish can be heard. Yet only minutes away from all the action, a quiet walk along the banks of the Bow River is a reminder the town is located inside Canada's premier national park and a United Nations World Heritage Site!

Calgary

This modern cosmopolitan city of Calgary was once home to Blackfoot Indians for at least hundreds of years. Fort Calgary came into existence as a Northwest Mounted Police settlement in 1875, and Canadian Pacific Railway arrived in 1883. With the close railway, Calgary became a transportation and meatpacking hub. The world-renowned Calgary Exhibition and Stampede has been held since 1912. A museum worth a visit is Glenbow Museum and Art Gallery. The Calgary Tower offers a first class view of Calgary area. It is a landmark symbol that became well known during the 1988 Winter Olympics - when a flame burned from the top. Besides an observation gallery, there is a revolving restaurant and cocktail lounge. Canada Olympic Park houses many facilities used for the 1988 Winter Olympics. The Olympic Hall of Fame is a museum paying tribute to the Olympics and its athletes. Heritage Park Historical Village authentically portrays life in a typical town of Canadian west prior to 1914. Calgary Zoo is one of the best in North America.