Travel Consultant, Amanda Spann from Queensland's Runaway Bay store recently took an APT 21 Day Splendours of Canada & Alaska Tour. She had a fantastic time and saw some incredible sights. It was particularly difficult for Amanda to narrow down her expedition to her favourite sights but nonetheless here are Amanda's top five experiences from the tour.

Butchart Garden, Victoria

Butchart Gardens, Victoria
You could spend hours in these gardens. As part of the APT group we got to enter the gardens before the general public. We had breakfast in their dining room which looked over the beautiful rose gardens. There were so many different types of flowers, all colour co-ordinated and divided into the regions they grow in best. Don't miss out on a ride on the old style merry-go-round.

Athabasca Glacier
We took a tour to the Athabasca Glacier onboard the Snow Coach. The driver was very knowledge and taught us a lot about the glaciers and the ice field. This is where we got to see our first glimpse of falling snow and had our first snow fight. Rug up when you go out to the glacier - because it was cold.

Inside Passage, Alaskan Cruise
Our Alaskan cruise was on-board the Holland America Oosterdam for seven nights. The ship was amazing to explore - so much to see and do, and the food options on board were endless. We made three stops on the cruise - Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, as well as cruise along the Fjords of Tracey Arm. I highly recommend visiting the bear orphanage in Sitka.

Rocky Mountaineer
Our APT tour included Gold Leaf on the Rocky Mountaineer. It was two full days on the train - with a stopover in Kamloops at the half way mark. The train ride was magnificent - and I would not do it any other way except for Gold Leaf. The dome carriage gave you the most wonderful views of the snow capped Rockies, and the food and drinks on board were plentiful! Breakfast and lunch were included - all four course meals and the drinks were unlimited. The staff were so helpful - nothing was ever too much for them.

Fairmont Hotels
Jasper Park Lodge was such a treat. The deer and mules were just wondering around the lodge - you could open the door to your room and one could be standing right there. Dinner in the hotel, looking over the lake and the snow capped mountains was beautiful. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise took our breathe away! The lake was still frozen and when we were eating in the Fairmont Dining Room, the snow started to fall. It was a picture perfect moment - looking out onto that frozen lake with the snow falling. It was magical. Fairmont Banff Springs was such maze; as it used to be an old castle, and there are so many small corridors that got you a little confused! Once again luck was on our side as we looked out our bedroom window and we saw the snow falling again. With APT we had priority check-in and were very well looked after.

Let Amanda arrange your North American adventure by contacting her via email at amanda.spann@flightcentre.com.au.