John and Lynn Dunphy, owners of Target Tours, recently went on a research trip to Alaska & the Canadian Rockies in preparation for building a Target Tours version of the trip for a group in 2017. In order to help better explain the highlights of the trip, we interviewed them when they returned and asked why it’s a “must-do” on every traveller’s bucket list.

 

Why did you choose Alaska & the Canadian Rockies as a destination?

Lynn Dunphy – John and I were having a tough time trying to decide where our next research trip was going to take place. Our group tour to Italy in 2014 was the standard that we wanted surpass as that was such a memorable tour.  We thought maybe a relaxing and scenic cruise would be nice. Now where to cruise? We looked at a lot of options and were considering where we wanted to take a Target Tours group tour and then… bam! Alaska just popped out like it was waiting for us. We had never completed a Target Tours group tour to the Rockies and you know how we love to drive (John being a licensed motorcoach driver and all). It was the perfect fit.

John Dunphy – We thought it was important to develop a tour in our own country and the Canadian Rockies is an iconic tourist destination, well-known around the world. We also thought an Alaska Cruise flowed well as part of a scenic tour and checked an important destination off everyone’s bucket list.

What are some of the benefits of doing a cruise AND a land portion?

L- Land and cruise is the perfect combination when you have two weeks of vacation planned. Each has its own purpose. In our case, we did the land portion first which explored the Rockies. We scoped out the road map and did site inspections of hotels we were considering along the way. Driving to each hotel destination was a huge part of the adventure for both of us. It’s not often that the scenery on the drive is the destination, but in the Rockies that is definitely the case. We would drive to attractions and walking trails, hop on guided tours and take pictures, and then take more pictures. We made sure to try lots of different activities so we could decide what to include in the Target Tours version of the trip.
Then we get to the next portion of our research trip, the cruise!  In the case of the Target Tours 2017 version of this trip we actually start with the cruise instead of end with it like we did on our research trip. We switched this because we think this gets you into vacation mode right away by starting with a cruise instead of arriving at the destination and hitting the road. Things are a bit more subdued on the cruise ship as you can explore at your own pace with a mix of port days and sea days. Oh! and there is food all the time. Really good food! The scenery was no less beautiful on the cruise, and yes, we took lots more pictures!

J- By doing both a cruise and a land portion during a vacation it gives you the best of both worlds. The cruise provides the fabulous food and entertainment with a beautiful view, and the land portion allows you to immerse yourself more into the specific areas.

 Did you have expectations leading into the trip; and if so, did the trip meet or exceed your expectations?

L – I knew the Canadian Rockies were going to be something different for me. What totally blew me away was the sheer magnitude of them. It was really more than words. I kept saying to John, “This is Canada?”. My expectations were exceeded by the Rockies and I cannot wait to show this magnificent area to our clients next year.

In terms of Alaska, I thought it would be cold, snow-covered, and feature more of an indigenous influence. During the trip, we found that the weather was surprisingly warm (early May). Something that particularly surprised me was how many people come to Alaska from the southern United States and Australia for months to work in these port cities. I was a little disappointed initially that we met very few native Alaskans in the ports. That being said, the people we did meet had incredibly interesting lifestyles and learning about their way of life was fascinating.

My expectations were blown out of the water from Day 1 to Day 14 during the entire trip. Each day was a new adventure and we found ourselves waking up looking forward to the mountains and glaciers that awaited us.

J – Before the trip we did our research by reading blogs and listening to stories from travel partners who had visited. This gave us a great idea of what to expect, but it was no replacement for being there in person. We could appreciate the beauty of the photographs we saw while researching, but we could not imagine ourselves being there. When we were there, we were in awe of the natural beauty. Photos cannot do these locations justice. You have to visit yourself.

What was a moment that took your breath away?

L – It is hard to pick just one. My favourite memory is the picture of John and myself at the top of the gondola at Sulphur Mountain in Banff. The colours and contrasts are a photographers dream. On the cruise, I was captivated by the evening sunsets on the water with these massive mountains settled in the skyline. Very relaxing. The type of moment that makes you grateful to have the opportunity to visit such spectacular locations.

J –  We were driving from the Calgary airport to Canmore. As we got closer the more beautiful our surroundings became. We were awestruck by the size of the mountains and we had to resist the urge to take a picture around every turn. It was nature in all its glory, untouched by man. It was gorgeous. We can’t wait for clients to see the Rockies with us on the road (and we take care of the driving!).

What was it about travelling to this part of the world that made it particularly memorable compared to your other trips?

L – Each trip, whether we know it or not, holds a specific value. Some destinations are strictly for relaxing, others are for culture and history, and some are for entertainment. This one is definitely for scenery. Some places we visited are so untouched by man it was very moving. I don’t think I have ever appreciated nature like I have during this trip.

J – The Canadian Rockies were so massive. Each mountain had its own character and you didn’t have to look too hard to see wildlife in their natural habitat. The narrow waterways that we travelled through to get to the cities we visited during the Alaska cruise were impressive. To be so close to glaciers, icebergs, and mountains from our balcony cabin made us grateful we had chosen a cruise for this portion. It was unspoiled nature in all its glory.

Why should someone book a tour to this part of the world now?

L – Alaska and the Canadian Rockies is a vacation like no other. The sleepy little towns are so friendly and compact. The people are warm and welcoming. The views are unparalleled. This vacation is a trip to experience nature at its best. Our photos don’t do is justice. The only way this trip would be improved is with 25+ of our clients joining us!

J – It is a great idea to discover the treasures in our own country like in the Canadian Rockies. It is really amazing when we think about all the scenery we took in and how it is right here in our own country. Seeing our neighbour, Alaska, was a perfect compliment to the Rockies. It is a part of the world you need to visit at least once in your life and we think the tour we have packaged is the perfect way to see it. We look forward to taking you to this unique part of the world!

Want to learn more or book our Alaska Cruise & Canadian Rockies for May 28th – June 11, 2017 tour? Click HERE to go directly to the page and to book online.

Have questions? Feel free to call us at 1-877-214-5367 or e-mail at [email protected].