DESTINATIONS RANCH HOLIDAYS CANADA


much the same way as when it was first established in 1904. “It really reflects the history and heritage of cattle ranching in the region,” says Tony Daly, managing director at Ranch Rider. Cattle drives, riding fence lines and checking cattle on horseback are among the experiences included in stays, while the surrounding Cypress Hills offer intriguing sights such as the Conglomerate Rocks – soaring formations with 360-degree views over the slopes – and buffalo wallows, formed by thousands of buffalo that once roamed the area. Beyond that you’ll find all-terrain


vehicle rides and historic walking tours, plus quintessentially Western experiences like hearing cowboy poetry, feasting on barbecued steaks and listening to stories around the campfire – authenticity, tick. Book it: A week’s full-board with Ranch Rider costs from £1,126 per person, based on two sharing a Standard Double (with shared facilities), including most ranch activities and taxes. Flights extra. ranchrider.com


w BEST FOR…THE SPA Echo Valley Ranch & Spa, Cariboo Mountains, British Columbia: Peeping out from the Cariboo Mountains, Echo Valley is part-ranch, part-spa retreat, made up of 20 rooms and suites


Echo Valley is part-ranch, part-spa retreat, made up of 20 rooms set among bottle-green forests and marbled desert canyons


set among bottle-green pine forests and marbled desert canyons. It offers horse riding trails to suit


all levels, with meadows, mountains and Aspen forests providing varied backdrops, but it’s not only about the


horses, with fly-fishing, gold-panning, white-water rafting, hiking, yoga and cooking demonstrations on offer too, plus Asian-inspired treatments at its Royal Baan Thai spa. Book it: Prestige Holidays offers three nights’ full-board from £1,029 per person, based on two sharing a premium room from July 31, 2019, including certain activities (horse rides extra) and an evening entertainment programme. Flights extra. prestigeholidays.co.uk


w BEST FOR…FAMILIES Sundance Guest Ranch, British Columbia: Tucked away in the Thompson River Valley, about a four-hour drive from Vancouver, is this sprawling ranch, home to more than 100 horses. There’s plenty in the way of riding


for experts and novices, but it’s also just as acceptable to sit back and relax in the remote, peaceful surroundings, chomping on steaks straight from the charcoal grill. There’s a good family offering


ABOVE: Echo Valley Ranch & Spa


LEFT: Historic Reesor Ranch


70 travelweekly.co.uk 18 October 2018


too, with a games room, movie area, swimming pool and more on hand, as well as an adult-only bar for those wanting to escape the younger ones and live it up a little, Western-style. Book it: Canadian Affair, which has just begun selling through the trade, offers a seven-night fly-drive to the ranch from £1,361 per person, including full-board accommodation, two guided trails per day, car hire and flights from Gatwick. canadianaffair.com


PICTURES: MARK UNRAU; ECHO VALLEY RANCH & SPA


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