Travel Alert--Remember to take passports to any of the Caribbean, Central American, Mexican, and Canadian locations. Even children traveling with their parents need passports.

Alberta is the gateway to the Canadian Rockies. Many visitors to Alberta often drive through Glacier National Park in the United States to Waterton National Park in Alberta. Others access by train, plane to Edmonton or Calgary, or driving along the Trans-Canada Highway from either British Columbia or Saskatchewan. When planning a trip to Alberta, include a stop at the Calgary Stampede, a reminder of the old days in the “Wild West” before continuing on to see some spectacular views in the Canadian Rockies or to drive along the Mackenzie Highway to the Northwest Territories. Also, pack binoculars, rock climbing equipment, golf clubs, fishing gear, backpacks, tents, paddles, and lots of color film for the camera. Because visitors to Alberta can access the high elevations of the Canadian Rockies and explore mountain glaciers, bring sunglasses and sunscreen—and, of course, a wide-brimmed cowboy hat.

Southern Alberta has many scenic highways winding through its ranchlands that are dotted by lakes and swift moving streams. Additionally, there are many provincial parks with camping and hiking trails including, the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park that Alberta shares with Saskatchewan. Archeologists and fossil hunters might want to visit Dinosaur Provincial Park, and the Fossil Museum near Drumheller. Golfing is available throughout southern Alberta. West of Calgary, auto-tourists will notice a change in the elevation from the high plains as they drive toward the Canadian Rockies and the Continental Divide. In addition to Calgary and Drumheller, other communities to visit in southern Alberta:

• Medicine Bow
• Lethbridge
• Pincher Creek
• Crownest Pass
• High River
• Fort McLeod
• Canmore

Driving through the Canadian Rockies is spectacular because of the beautiful views and rugged terrain. Throughout the region, there are backpacking trails and convenient places to camp. If the visitors prefer not to camp, there are B & Bs, chalets, cabins, motels, hotels, and luxury resorts like Banff and Lake Louise. Visitors, who enjoy backpacking on mountain trails, mountain biking, rock climbing, and skiing can find year-round recreation in southwestern Alberta. After a visit to Banff National Park and viewing the wildlife, auto-tourist should drive north to Jasper National Park and the community of Jasper. This scenic route passes the Columbia Icefields and other mountain glaciers. They are all breathtaking and compel drivers to stop their cars and take time to explore the Icefields and glaciers. Near Jasper, visitors can find accommodations interesting mountain chalets. In the winter, extreme skiers take helicopters deep into the mountains to ski the fine powder. Rock Mountain Forest Reserve has trails for extend treks, a network of camps, and streams for fishing or paddling. Some outfitters in the region have guided rafting tours.

Because the area around Lake Louise and Banff also is romantic, it is a wedding destination either for honeymooners or couples who want an unforgettable wedding with the Canadian Rockies in the background and thermal pools for relaxing.

Visitors to the "heartland" of Alberta also will find ranchlands dotted with lakes and streams for angling. Here visitors to Alberta can visit historic sites and forts that tell the tale of westward expansion. As auto-tourists wander through Alberta's heartland along the scenic highways that connect its quaint villages, they can learn about early pioneers, explorers, trappers, and hunters who came to this region. Visitors can rent horses and go on trail rides-guided or unguided. Towns to visit in the heartland of Alberta are:

• Red Deer
• Edmonton
• Camrose
• Vermillion
• Vegreville
• Wetaskiwin
• Rocky Mount House
• Drayton Valley
• Lac La Biche

Northern Alberta is still untamed but there are pockets of civilization and great skiing. Although highways do connect the villages, visitors eager to observe wildlife including some very large bears and access some spectacular fishing might prefer to charter a small plane or seaplane. Places to visit in the northern Alberta are Grand Prairie, High Prairie, and Peace River.

Other trip ideas:

1. Visit Wyoming and Montana before visiting Alberta.
2. From Jasper, Alberta drive across the Continential Divide to British Columbia.
3. From Manitoba, follow the Trans-Canada Highway through Alberta to Cache Creek, British Columbia and turn right for Alaska.