Irish Daily MirrorSATURDAY 04.2.2012 41

DMEEIR

way of travelling around the city it doesn’t allow you to see very much. Now when On Her Majesty’s Service I prefer to see London 007 style – on a super fast Thames Rib speedboat.

It was a truly bracing and exhila-rating and way to take in some of London’s most historic sites. As we raced down the river our guides

managed to keep up with lightning infor-mation as the banks of the city whizzed by in just short of a blur.

This hour-long trip is not for the faint-hearted.

Let’s just say I was glad I had taken things very easy the night before during a tempting trip to the beautiful Vinopolis wine and whiskey tasting emporium.

Shaken but not stirred from my Bond girl experience it was time for something more sedate.

And what better way to unwind with afternoon tea at the famous Harvey Nichols department store.

There I feasted on fabulous sand-wiches and other beautifully arranged delicacies, washed down with spar-kling strawberry lemonade.

Then it was off to the West End to see The Rock of Ages, winner of Best Musical at the 2011 West End awards.

The characters engage with the audience, so don’t be shy and prepare yourself for a lot of laughing, singing along and dancing.

I still hadn’t managed to catch a glimpse of any of the Royal family but was hoping to put that right at our

next stop. The exclusive

Mahiki Bar on Dover Street is the height of

trendy and a favourite of Prince Harry and other members of the royal social scene.

Regrettably, I didn’t bag myself a prince but it was interesting to see how young, rich, Londoners party.

It wasn’t just the sights that wowed me, it was the beautiful streets leading to unmarked wonders, its hand crafted stone statues and traditional sash windows domi-nating the facades of the grand build-ings.

Even on a simple stroll, I felt I could be on a film set.

From historic buildings and classy shops, to bright lights and vintage markets, the city guarantees a wonderful experience.

It was my first time – and certainly not my last.

Where to go if you want to have the perfect weekend awayinformation can be found at www. rockofagesmusical.co.uk.uCoCktails at Mahiki Bar on Dover street in Mayfair. More information can be found at www.mahiki.com.uPaXtoN & Whitfield Cheese shop is found on Jermyn street. For further details visit www.paxtonandwhitfield. co.uk.utHE thames Rib Experience is located at Embankment Pier. ticket prices start from €38. Book your trip at www.thamesribex-

perience.com.u aFtERNooN tea at the Fifth Floor Cafe at Harvey Nichols in kinghts-bridge.

We had the Picnic Chic afternoon tea which is €21 per person.

More information can be found at www.harveynichols. com/restaurants/fifth-f loor-london/fifth-f loor-london-cafe-roof-terrace.

the afternoon tea Menu is attached.uWE had dinner at the Brew Wharf

on stoney street. Further details can be found at www.brewwharf.com.utHE Whiskey tasting Masterclass takes place at Vinopolis on Bank End. More information can be found at: www.vinopolis.co.uk/monthlyevents/whisky_masterclass. phpu tHE london Eye Experience is on the Westminster Bridge Road. tickets prices start from: €20. More information can be found at www. londoneye.com.

BEN J THERE Our girl in front of historic clock

COOL J DIGS Cavendish hotel

FABULOUS JHarvey Nichols

MALL J TO DO Buckingham Palace

I didn’t bag a prince but it was interesting to see how the young and rich party

difference between an osprey and an eagle. But constants year-round are the epic scenery, the railway history and its relationship with the Canadian people.

British Columbia’s condition for becoming part of Canada rather than the USA was the building of a coast-to-coast railway.

The landscape provided a unique challenge, and the tales of the determined and intrepid people who lived it are shared during our 594-mile journey.

Its enduring place in Canadian hearts is demonstrated by the number of people who wave at the train as it passes through the towns and villages along its path.

CASCADETravelling from west to east, the scenery

gets ever more spectacular. Along the Fraser river is lush woodland, with the tops of the mountains hidden in clouds as waterfalls cascade down their sides.

At Hell’s Gate, angry water gushes through a canyon. It is just one of many colourful names en route, with Avalanche Alley and Jaws of Death Gorge hinting at the dangers the pioneers faced.

On day two, after an overnight stop in Kamloops, the views get even better as the Rockies approach, and the tests for the railway’s engineers became even tougher.

The Stoney Creek Bridge, a dizzying 325ft above the canyon, is an extraordinary piece of engineering but it is the maze-like Spiral Tunnels, built in 1907, turning first through Mount Ogden before rising another 54ft and circling 288 degrees in Cathedral Mountain which leave you in wonder.

If that is the engineering highpoint, then the scenic one was between the tunnels and our finishing point in Banff as we drank in views of snow-capped mountains towering over crystal clear lakes. A stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel allowed another glimpse of the railway’s history. It was originally built by the Canadian Pacific Railway to accommodate travellers, and

the town of Banff grew up around it. Hot springs on Sulphur Mountain helped

make it a holiday destination, and today it is a base for skiing, hiking and cycling.

A ride up the Banff Gondola on Sulphur Mountain allows you to take in the scenery from above, with the blue glacial lakes sparkling at the foot of the mountains.

You soon realise the Rockies are something you must see for yourself. Canada’s landscape is just too big to squeeze into a camera.

GET THERE

Time zone: GMT -8/-7hrsCurrency: Can $ €1=1.53Best time to go: Make tracks this spring

CaNaDiaN affair flies to Calgary from Gatwick and Manchester and to Vancouver from Gatwick. May fares to Vancouver, returning from Calgary, cost from €430pp including taxes.

a First Passage to the West tour in Redleaf service on the Rocky Mountaineer between Vancouver and Calgary costs from €720pp based on 2 sharing. Rooms at the Fairmont Pacific Rim cost from €150pppn and the Fairmont Banff springs from €167pppn based on 2 sharing. www.canadianaffair.com, 0044 20 7616 9933. tourism: www.travelalberta.com, www.britishcolumbia.travel

ROLL WITH ROCKIES

FRom pAGE 39

WONDER Z at Cathedral Mountain

HISTORIC J The Fairmont in Banff

By ANN GRIppERWHistlER is best known for skiing but has plenty to offer all year round. it’s an easy two-hour drive from Vancouver, or in summer try a 3½-hour ride on the Whistler sea to sky Climb train run by the Rocky Mountaineer line.

You don’t have to ski to fly down a mountain at high speed if you go on the Ziptrek Ecotour.

Zipwires criss-cross the F i t z s i m m o n s V a l l e y separating Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, the two peaks which make up this resort.

Fearless thrill-seekers can go on the Eagle tour with a 2,000ft line that drops 20 storeys. i opted for the three-hour Bear tour for beginners.

Guides Brendan and kathy showed us the ropes on a practice line, then a minibus ferried us up the mountain. a treetop walk led to a platform 150ft up Big Doug, an 800-year-old Douglas fir tree.

the guides were full of information about the mountains and the wildlife and the strong eco values here. But my

first zipline could not be put off any longer. stepping into the void attached only to a wire does not come naturally to someone afraid of heights. But i forced myself to keep my eyes open to drink in the spectacular views.

Next problem for first-wire faint-hearts? the only way out of tree No 2 is another zipline. But with the help of

our guides i made it to No 3, the Big one... a line longer than

the Eiffel tower is tall.Gentler options here

include miles of hiking trails and cycling routes in the valley or around lakes, plus canoeing, horse-r id ing , lake swimming and rafting.

the scandinave spa is an even quieter option.Choose from the village’s

90-plus restaurants and cafes or treat yourself to dinner at the Wine Room at Fairmont Chateau Whistler, with a delicious seasonally-changing three-course menu for €42.GET THERE: the Fairmont Chateau Whistler costs from €80pppn room-only (two sharing). www.fairmont.com.tourism: www.whistler.com.

WHISTLInG UP HILLS THRILLS

HIGH pOINT J Ann’s zip tour

100 milesU S A

A L B E R TA

B R I T I S HC O L U M B I A

VancouverKamloops Calgary

Spiral Tunnels

Banff