Alberta is best known for its mountains and national parks, although the cities of Calgary and Edmonton have their share of proponents.

    My experience in Alberta centers around the remarkable national parks which feature the Canadian Rockies. To the east is Waterton Lakes National Park, a sister of Glacier National Park in the United States. Here the Prince of Wales Inn, a staid, old, elegant hotel, welcomes visitors to the area.

Prince of Wales Inn

   But the real draw here are the wildlife and the beautiful scenery.

Waterton Lakes National Park

On the western side of the province is the premier national park of the Canadian Rockies and one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Banff National Park is the best known of Canada’s national parks and has long attracted tourists to the area. The scenery here is absolutely spectacular, whether you are driving along the Bow River

Bow Lake, Banff NP

 or along the Icefields Parkway.

Peyto Lake, Icefields Parkway

  At the upper end of the parkway lies Jasper National Park, another extremely scenic area, where you might find Athabasca Falls.

Athabasca Falls