It would be easy to stretch the Canada's Rockies In-1-Week itinerary into a great two-week adventure by simply adding a free day between each scheduled day to explore other trails, sights and activities, or to simply relax in the great outdoors.

But this road trip packs in about as much of the region as you conveniently can in 14 days, and is designed to be done with your own vehicle from Calgary – though it would be pretty easy to adapt it to fit from Edmonton. The trip could also form the backbone of a fantastic longer itinerary that takes in the Kootenays – British Columbia's Lake District – if you have the luxury of three-weeks or more.

DAY 1: Banff

From Calgary head to the town of Banff, park downtown and wander Banff Avenue, its main shopping street, before walking the Bow Falls Loop and maybe treating yourself to drink at the grandiose Banff Springs Hotel. Stop in at the Banff Park Museum on the way back to round-off your insight into Victorian-era Banff; the era that put the town on the map.