Banff, Alberta. July, 2021

Banff National Park is one of Canada's most iconic destinations. Crystal-clear turquoise lakes, the majestic Rocky Mountains, dense evergreen forests, and an incredible variety of wildlife and plant life — all of this can be found in Banff.

Join us as we explore some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Canadian Rockies, discover picture-perfect lakes, hike scenic mountain trails, and experience the unforgettable beauty of one of Canada's greatest natural treasures

Banff National Park is located in the province of Alberta. To get there, we flew from Toronto to Calgary—a journey of about four and a half hours. From the airport, we picked up a rental minivan and drove another hour and a half to the charming mountain town of Canmore, where we stayed for the next three nights.

To truly experience everything Banff has to offer, you would need at least two weeks. Our itinerary, however, also included several amazing destinations in the neighbouring province of British Columbia, so during our time in Banff we focused on its most iconic sights.

Day 1. Hotel Check-in & Grassi Lakes

We lace up our hiking shoes and set off on our first adventure.

Grassi Lakes are nestled high in the Rocky Mountains, just outside Canmore, at an elevation of about 1,500 metres. At the trailhead, hikers can choose between an easy route and a more challenging one. Keeping in mind that black bears and grizzlies roam these forests, we begin our hike. Naturally, we choose the more difficult trail and, to our surprise, make it to the top without too much effort. Our first stop is a scenic lookout, where we pause to admire the spectacular mountain views before continuing our climb

Along the way, we pass a beautiful waterfall before climbing even higher. And then, at last, we reach our destination — the two Grassi Lakes, known as the Upper and Lower Lakes.

The lakes are simply breathtaking. Their incredible emerald-turquoise colour comes from fine glacial minerals suspended in the water, creating one of the most spectacular natural sights in the Canadian Rockies

It's time to make our way back. We take the easier trail down, and before long, we spot a bear in the forest. You don't joke around with bears...Just as we had been advised, we make plenty of noise — talking loudly, singing, and laughing. The idea is to let the bear know you're there, as bears generally prefer to avoid people. For more remote hikes, many visitors carry bear bells and bear spray for added safety. Fortunately, our noisy group convinces this bear to head deeper into the forest, and we continue on our way.

A little later, I'll show you another bear we encountered during our trip. But first, here are some of the friendlier local residents—the adorable mountain goats

Day 2. Banff Town & Surroundings

The town of Banff is small, charming, and nestled in a picturesque mountain valley. It's only a 20-minute drive from Canmore. Accommodation in Banff is considerably more expensive and typically smaller, while the streets are always bustling with visitors.

Our first stop is the Banff Gondola, which takes us high into the mountains for spectacular panoramic views.

Not everything on this trip went according to plan. Every summer, wildfires occur in the neighbouring province of British Columbia. This year, they were especially severe due to a dry spring and unusually high temperatures. The smoke was carried east by the wind and reached the Banff area, creating a haze that softened the mountain views. You'll notice it in many of our photos from the higher elevations.

After descending from the summit, we continue to Surprise Corner Viewpoint, one of the most iconic viewpoints in Banff, where we admire the magnificent Fairmont Banff Springs, often called the "Castle in the Rockies."

We return to the town of Banff and spend some time strolling through its charming streets, browsing the local shops, and soaking up the lively mountain atmosphere 

And then we arrive at a place I had been dreaming of visiting — a specialty shop dedicated to balsamic vinegars and olive oils.

I usually order this brand's olive oils and balsamic vinegars online, so I was thrilled to finally visit one of their stores and sample so many delicious varieties. Of course, I couldn't leave empty-handed. I picked up elderberry and ripe peach balsamic vinegars, along with a wonderful truffle-infused olive oil

We leave the town and head out to explore some of the beautiful nearby lakes. During our drive, we visit three stunning lakes: Johnston Lake, Two Jack Lake, and Lake Minnewanka. The last one is the largest lake in the area and offers scenic boat cruises across its crystal-clear waters.

The cruise looked very tempting, but by this point everyone was getting hungry, so we decided to head back to Banff and start looking for a place to enjoy a good meal

The children are excited to try Japanese cuisine, so we decide to look for a Japanese restaurant in Banff for dinner 

We return to the hotel and head to the pool to relax after a busy day of exploring 

Day 3. Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & Emerald Lake

The highlight of our trip was visiting the famous mountain lakes.

To get a parking spot near these lakes, it's best to arrive no later than 6:00 a.m. We're not quite that adventurous, so instead we purchased tickets for the shuttle that connects the lakes. We left our car in the designated parking lot and hopped on the bus that took us to Banff's two most famous lakes.

Our first stop was Lake Louise, the park's most iconic and must-see destination. This stunning glacial lake, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, is famous for its beautiful emerald-turquoise water. Right on the lakeshore stands a grand hotel, offering spectacular views of the lake from its windows.

You can simply enjoy a leisurely walk along the shoreline or choose from a variety of hiking trails that climb high into the mountains. We decided to skip the longer hikes and simply take in the incredible scenery (despite the smoky haze) and enjoy the beautiful weather

Our next stop is Moraine Lake, and it turns out to be our favourite of them all! We make a short climb up the rocks to the famous viewpoint, where we admire the breathtaking views of the lake surrounded by towering mountain peaks

We return to the parking lot, get back in the car, and drive toward another national park — Yoho National Park — to visit yet another breathtaking lake, Emerald Lake. 

Like the previous lakes, Emerald Lake truly lives up to its name, with its extraordinary emerald-green water. We rented a canoe and paddled across the lake, while many other visitors explored the lake on their own paddleboards

It was a wonderful and unforgettable day!

The next morning, we were supposed to drive to Kelowna, in the neighbouring province of British Columbia, where we had planned to spend two nights. Kelowna is often called the Silicon Valley of Canada. Unfortunately, this was also one of the areas affected by the wildfires. The air quality was nearly ten times worse than the recommended limit, and the smoke filled the entire valley.

We had to change our plans at the last minute. Instead of staying in Kelowna, we drove straight to the final destination of our trip — Vancouver — and decided to spend the extra time there instead. The drive took us about ten hours, but what incredible scenery we saw along the way! Mountains, forests... and smoke from the wildfires.

Before this trip, I couldn't fully understand why it is so difficult to control these fires. But after driving for hours through the vast forests affected by them, I realized the true scale of the tragedy. Entire communities near the fire zones had been evacuated, and countless forests and the wildlife that call them home had been impacted.

Despite the ongoing wildfires, the highways remained completely safe. Whenever there was an area of increased risk, warnings were broadcast on the radio in advance, and detours were clearly indicated

Along the way, we made a few short stops. One of them was at a place that had been recommended to us—a small local farm with a shop selling fresh dairy products and the most delicious ice cream 

Our vacation continued in Vancouver, where we met up with friends and spent a few wonderful days together. I'll tell you all about that part of our journey next time