Why choose a guided tour of North America?
Explore Canada & Alaska on an APT Guided Tour: Insider Tips from a Tour Director
With 15 years of experience directing tours for APT, Mary Simpson Galna has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to exploring Canada and Alaska. Here, Mary shares her highlights and explains why a guided tour is the best way to discover the Great White North.
What makes Canada a must-visit destination?
A visit to Canada should be high on everyone’s bucket list! It’s a huge and diverse country, home to some of the most incredible scenery in the world, from thousands of pristine lakes to towering mountains and vast forests.
With a population of just 41 million people, it’s easy to find wilderness without travelling far. Canada also experiences four distinct seasons, from warm, sunny summers to snowy winters, as well as vibrant springs and autumns, so there’s truly no bad time to visit.
Thanks to its multicultural population, Canada also offers a fantastic range of food and drink experiences to enjoy.
What are the benefits of an escorted tour versus driving yourself?
There are so many benefits. APT itineraries are carefully crafted based on years of experience and guest feedback, so every detail has been fine-tuned. They offer the perfect balance of included activities and free time, allowing guests to explore at their own pace.
Many guests tell me it’s their first guided tour, and that they’re so glad they chose one because it removes all the stress of planning.
At APT, it’s all about seamless, luxury travel. Guests simply arrive, and we take care of everything — from luggage handling and hotel check-ins to dining reservations and activity bookings.
What do you do to make each tour special for your guests?
I make a point of getting to know my guests personally and understanding how we can help make their tour truly special.
There are often memorable moments along the way. For example, we’ve marked occasions like ANZAC Day together as a group. I’ve even experienced a marriage proposal on tour, which resulted in an impromptu engagement celebration at the Fairmont Lake Louise.
You never quite know what will happen once the journey begins — that’s part of what makes it so special.
Which tour excursion do you always look forward to?
One of the standout activities is our Freedom of Choice river rafting experience in Jasper. It’s incredibly exhilarating to glide along turquoise waters in large inflatable rafts, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes.
The best part is seeing guests return with huge smiles, excited to share their experience with fellow travellers. It’s something I wholeheartedly recommend.
Which destination is a guest favourite?
When I ask guests about their tour highlight, the answers are as varied as the travellers themselves.
For some, it’s the Rocky Mountaineer rail journey; for others, it’s staying at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs, seeing snow for the first time, taking in the beauty of Lake Louise, or exploring the vibrant colours of The Butchart Gardens.
There are so many unforgettable moments that it’s impossible to choose just one. However, I always ask whether the experience lived up to expectations, and the response is consistently that it exceeds them.
What advice would you give someone considering a guided tour?
In the past, coach tours were sometimes seen as a one-size-fits-all style of travel. Today, APT offers a much more personalised approach.
With our Freedom of Choice inclusions, guests can tailor their experience to suit their own comfort level and sense of adventure.
If you’re looking for a hassle-free and enriching way to explore Canada, a guided tour is truly the ideal option.
Mary's Canada Tour Highlights
Meeting a Mountie
For Mary, a stay at luxurious Fairmont Banff Springs is made even more memorable when guests meet a Mountie (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) in full regalia.
Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer Goldleaf is a special experience, including a full glass-dome carriage and elegant onboard dining, but one of Mary's tours was made all the more memorable with a proposal!