Canada By Design

07/28/2025

From the tiny pika to the mighty black bear 🐻

In the Canadian Rockies, you'll have the chance to spot some of the country’s most iconic wildlife, like moose, bighorn sheep, and grizzly bears.

To experience these magical encounters, get away from the crowds — early mornings or late evenings away from busy roads offer the best opportunities.

Keep your eyes peeled on early morning train rides, or take a dedicated wildlife-viewing tour with local guides (they know these animals best!). Or, on one of our Rockies train tours, do both.

Image Credit: Rocky Mountaineer

07/27/2025

Travel Designer Favorite: Grizzly Bears & the Canadian Rockies Rail Vacation

This package is one of our Travel Designers' favorites for seeing grizzly bears in the wild. Starting in Vancouver, you'll make your way deep into the Great Bear Rainforest to a lodge only accessible by floatplane.

You'll enjoy two nights deep in the rainforest searching for grizzlies before journeying on to the Canadian Rockies by train. There, you can hope to spot The Boss — Banff's most famous grizzly bear — or one of the nearly 200 others wandering the mountains.

Ending soon: book by July 31 to receive up to $4,500 per couple.

https://canadabydesign.com/trips/grizzly-bears-the-canadian-rockies-train-vacation/

07/25/2025

Some of our Travel Designers' favorite spots in Canmore. ⛰️

Save this post for your next trip to the Rockies — and get in touch at canadabydesign.com for personalized recommendations and expertly crafted itineraries.

07/24/2025

Our Top Activities in Canmore, Alberta

⛰️ Canmore Cave Tours: Go underground in Rat’s Nest Cave, exploring water-worn passages and ending at a crystal-clear pool lined with stalactites. No experience needed!

🚁 Helicopter Tour: Fly over mountain ranges, alpine meadows, and turquoise lakes on a helicopter tour departing right from town.

🚶 Wander the Town: Shop local wares along Main Street, grab coffee at Eclipse (roasted right in town), and stroll peaceful riverside paths.

🚴 Explore by E-Bike: Join a guided e-bike tour along the Bow River to discover picturesque spots — and add a brewery stop to taste local beers.

💆 Relax at Kananaskis Nordic Spa: Just 40 minutes from Canmore, unwind in hot and cold pools, then cozy up by the fire in a robe, all while surrounded by mountains.

Get in touch to plan your trip to the Rockies — Canmore can be added to your itinerary alongside Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise.

Photo Credit: Travel Alberta

07/24/2025

New Road Trip: Iconic Mountain Vistas & Local Gems

Experience the Rockies at your own pace on this self-drive trip from Calgary. Visit Canmore, Lake Louise, and Banff, and travel the scenic Icefields Parkway to walk on the ancient Columbia Icefield. You’ll also see local gems like Yoho National Park and Emerald Lake.

View Itinerary:

Go beyond the crowds on this 7-day Canadian Rockies itinerary visiting Canmore, the remote beauty of Emerald Lake Lodge, and the exclusive Glacier...

07/23/2025

Can you guess where this is?

Grassi Lakes Trail is one of Canmore’s most popular hikes.

Choose the easy route to the turquoise lake or the more challenging trail that passes a waterfall and offers stunning views of Canmore and Bow Valley.

Our newest Rockies road trip includes two full days in Canmore, giving you plenty of time to explore and hike: https://canadabydesign.com/trips/canadian-rockies-iconic-mountain-vistas-and-local-gems/

📍 Grassi Lakes, Canmore, Canada

07/22/2025

Canmore & Kananaskis are full of adventures — raft, rent e-bikes, go horseback riding, or wander the town, to name just a few.

No matter your style, there’s something for everyone in this part of the Rockies.

07/22/2025

🆕 New Guide: The Journey from Calgary to Banff

In this guide, we'll cover how to get from Calgary to Banff — and what to see along the way. Our team recently returned from a trip and shared all their top recommendations.

Read the guide 👉 https://canadabydesign.com/blog/calgary-to-banff/

07/21/2025

Spend the day in a charming mountain town.

Canmore, just 20 minutes from Banff, is nestled among the Rocky Mountains.

Start your morning with coffee at Eclipse, an award-winning local roaster. Sip and relax or take it to-go for a walk along the Bow River or Policeman Creek Trail, with the mountains as your backdrop.

We love Tavern 1883 for lunch and dinner at Where The Buffalo Roam Saloon or Bridgette Bar. Wherever you dine, be sure to try Alberta’s famous beef.

Stay at The Malcolm Hotel, where you’re close to everything and can unwind in the rooftop hot tub with a mountain view.

Our Travel Designers can curate your perfect Rockies itinerary, Canmore included — get in touch at canadabydesign.com.

07/16/2025

Visit Vancouver, the city where mountains and ocean meet.

⛰️ To experience the mountains, head to the Sea-to-Sky Gondola overlooking Howe Sound or Capilano Suspension Bridge suspended over a canyon in the alpine forests.

⛵ And for the ocean, take a boat tour of the harbor before trying the ocean’s bounty on a Granville Island food tour (the local maple-smoked salmon is our favorite part of the visit).

✈️ In the city, walk the Vancouver Seawall connecting downtown, Stanley Park, and English Bay beach. Or, for a bird-eye view, take a seaplane to look down over the meeting place of nature and urban life.

What part of Vancouver calls to you?

Photo Credit: Destination British Columbia

07/15/2025

🚂 A Guide to Crossing Canada by Train

Crossing Canada by rail is a bucket list experience, but one that often comes with questions. How do you plan it? Which route should you choose? What stops are worth it? Whether you’re dreaming or ready to book, our guide has you covered.

Read the Canadian train travel guide here: https://canadabydesign.com/blog/train-across-canada/

07/14/2025

Discover our secret to slowing down: a trip to Nova Scotia.

No trip to Nova Scotia is complete without a stop in Lunenburg, famous for its colorful houses (and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for them). The centuries-old town remains as brightly painted as the day it was built.

Head north to explore Cape Breton Island and drive the winding Cabot Trail road. The route connects the island’s Gaelic and Acadian communities with a stunning coastal drive — clifftop views on one side and the Cape Breton Highlands on the other.

As you drive, you’re sure to see many of the 160+ historic lighthouses lining the Nova Scotia coast (7 can be found along the Cabot Trail alone)!

Plan your Nova Scotia vacation with Canada By Design today: https://canadabydesign.com/location/Nova-scotia-vacations/

Image Credit: Tourism Nova Scotia