Head to the Real West…

Farm, Ranch and Country Vacation Getaways in Alberta!

By Barb Poulsen

Germany, England, Toronto, Holland, Victoria, Denver, France, New York City are not just points on the atlas, they have one thing in common. Folks from all those places and a whole lot more are among the thousands of visitors who annually flock to Alberta’s farm and ranch vacation destinations.

They come for the beauty, the serenity and, most of all, to step back in time and be a part of the Old West they’ve read about and dreamed about all their lives.

The need to replace the pressures of our technology-driven world with one that makes time for campfires, slow walks along wooded trails and, for those so inclined, a relaxed horseback ride where men and women have always ridden is universal.

It’s the experience that is at the heart of the attraction of the Canadian West. Home for decades to a number of farms and cattle ranches, the grasslands, foothills and mountains of Alberta now also boast several world-class cowboy tourism destinations.

Country tourism experiences range from all-inclusive packages to self-catered holidays. Guests become part of a family as they live right in the main ranch house and enjoy hearty home cooking and daily chores or they can opt for more privacy with a self-catered log cabin (rustic or modern) where they cook for themselves and maintain a more relaxed schedule.

Whatever their choice, guests will find spectacular scenery, warm friendships, riding well trained horses, and a multitude of other outdoor activities at these western getaways. Many venues offer excellent hiking and bird and wildlife viewing opportunities, sometimes with an ecological guide available. Fishing, both in the form of stocked trout or wilderness fly-fishing can be arranged at some locales. Mountain biking, camping and outdoor barbecues are other summer options while some getaways open through Alberta’s winter months include sleigh rides, Christmas tree hunting and skiing. Day trips to historic sites, parks and other seasonal attractions are available from virtually every country getaway.

Maybe the visitors themselves have said it best… “This has been the best holiday! What amazing country. This is the Old West!”

If the western lifestyle is your lifestyle, subscribe now to Canadian Cowboy Country magazine. www.canadiancowboy.ca or phone toll free: 1-800-943-7336.