Ontario-born and Alberta-raised, Brianne is an avid traveler who has explored much of Canada, along with destinations across the United States and Mexico.

She spent five years in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Music from Acadia University. Prior to this, she traveled throughout Europe, where she experienced her first rail journey while visiting England, Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and several cities in Germany.

Brianne later moved to Guangzhou, China, where she taught English for three years. During this time, she traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia, with visits to Cambodia, Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines.

Now based in Calgary, she enjoys exploring the city and surrounding region, staying active, spending time with friends and family, and working on her novel. Each October is dedicated to Halloween and horror-themed events.

Brianne’s favourite tour is the Canadian Trip of a Lifetime, offering the opportunity to experience highlights across the country while traveling on both Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail.

Born and raised in Calgary, Mara has always felt a deep connection to the Canadian Rockies. One of her most memorable outdoor experiences was a sunrise hike at the East End of Rundle, where she watched the first light of day illuminate the Bow Valley. This moment, just outside Banff National Park, remains a personal highlight among her many mountain adventures.

Over the years, Mara has taken road trips across much of Western Canada, visiting small towns, national parks, and scenic coastal regions. She particularly enjoys exploring British Columbia and anywhere on Vancouver Island for its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. She finds that every visit offers something new, whether it is a hidden beach, a forest trail, or a peaceful garden.

Being half-Filipino, she has spent many summers visiting her mother’s hometown in the Philippines. She has also travelled to many destinations in the Caribbean and enjoys visiting warm, tropical climates. Looking ahead, she is planning future trips, such as visiting Australia and Japan.

Mara’s favourite tour is the Rockies Glaciers and Gardens because it includes Victoria, one of her favourite places on Vancouver Island, and Jasper, an incredibly scenic place to be with lots of hiking and dark skies for stargazing.

Ondra has a passion for guest service, which is deeply rooted in his upbringing. He grew up on the stunning coast of British Columbia, where he spent his childhood surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. Living in a charming bed and breakfast, he was immersed in the world of personalized care and creating memorable experiences from an early age. The B&B setting introduced him to the importance of attention to detail, warmth, and genuine connections with everyone who walked through the door.

When he is not focused on helping guests, you’ll likely find him outdoors. His love for nature and exploration has him seeking new trails, hiking spots, or serene locations to unwind. Growing up by the coast instilled a deep respect for the natural world, and he truly believes that embracing nature brings a sense of calm and clarity, which he shares with others through the experiences he helps create.

Hospitality is not just his job; it’s a way of life. He is dedicated to delivering exceptional service while also finding balance in the simple joys of nature.

Ondra’s favourite tour is our Rockies Winter Wonderland. There is no such thing as bad weather, only poor preparation, and when properly prepared, the stunning sights in the winter months are some of the most beautiful to be found.

Andrea is a passionate traveler with a strong appreciation for exploring new destinations. Having visited more than 50 countries, she has experienced a wide range of cultures and landscapes. Originally from just outside Toronto, she studied travel and tourism and went on to spend over 15 years as a tour guide in the Canadian Rockies. Her time in Western Canada has included living in Jasper, Canmore, and Victoria, and she now calls Calgary home.

Her travels have also taken her to Australia and New Zealand, with Japan remaining a favorite destination and a future goal. With a focus on active travel, she enjoys snowboarding, scuba diving, and spending time outdoors, whether camping or exploring forested trails. She also values opportunities to connect through live music and shared experiences.

Andrea’s favourite itinerary is our Rockies Kananaskis Golf, combining Rocky Mountaineer with exceptional golf experiences in the Canadian Rockies.

Born and raised in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Faith is a mountain girl at heart. She spent her youth exploring the remote surrounding areas and grew up camping, hiking, kayaking and northern lights hunting. Her love for all of these things has carried on into adulthood. Now Calgary-based, she spends most of her spare time doing the same things in Kananaskis and Banff National Park.

Faith’s love for exploration has taken her outside of Canada on many occasions. At 18 years old, she moved to Australia for the summer and experienced a life-changing trip. Since then, she’s participated in two more Working Holiday Visa schemes in the UK and New Zealand. Living abroad made traveling a lot more accessible, and she’s had the opportunity to visit 23 countries and counting.

Faith’s favorite tour is our Southwest Adventure, as it offers the chance to visit one of her favorite cities in the world and the place she got married, Las Vegas! It also gives you the opportunity to visit the Glenwood Hot Springs, and hike in the extremely diverse landscapes of Utah.

Originally from Shiraz, a historic city in southern Iran, she relocated to Calgary in 2025, drawn by its proximity to the Canadian Rockies. Beginning a new chapter in Canada offers a perfect opportunity to explore diverse landscapes, cultures, and destinations across the country.

Her passion for travel developed through several years working as a tour guide in Iran, where she introduced visitors to the country’s history, culture, and natural scenery. She studied English Literature, inspired by a strong interest in storytelling, and later completed a tourism program, earning a diploma in the field.

With a background in guiding and a genuine enthusiasm for discovery, she focuses on helping travelers enjoy well-planned and memorable experiences. Living in Calgary provides convenient access to the Rocky Mountains, a region she continues to explore and recommend. Farnaz’s favourite tour is the Rockies Circle Essentials, with plenty of time in the Canadian Rockies for exploration.

Originally from Antalya on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast and with Ukrainian roots, Yasamin grew up surrounded by history, scenic landscapes, and a culture centered on food and time by the sea. Early experiences exploring historic destinations across Turkey shaped her passion for travel and appreciation for the character of each place.

She later spent three years living and working in Banff National Park, where she developed a strong connection to the Canadian Rockies and the experiences they offer. Now based in Calgary, she enjoys helping guests plan rail journeys through Canada’s most scenic regions, supported by firsthand knowledge of the mountains.

Outside of work, Yasamin returns to the Rockies to hike, unwind, and take in the views. She also enjoys discovering new restaurants and exploring culinary interests at home, including sourdough baking. Her favourite tour is our Canadian Nostalgic, which provides a unique perspective of the entire country over seven days.

Originally from Mississauga, Ontario, Laura has a strong appreciation for the beauty of Victoria, British Columbia, and the surrounding Vancouver Island region. With more than 20 years of experience in the tourism industry, she enjoys helping travelers discover memorable destinations, with a particular connection to the rugged coastlines and welcoming communities of the island.

Her professional background also includes time working within the school system, supporting children with special needs. This experience shaped a thoughtful approach centered on patience, empathy, and creating inclusive environments.

At home, Laura spends time with her son and a variety of pets, reflecting a lifelong connection to animals. Balancing family life with a passion for travel, she brings both personal and professional insight to her work. A preferred itinerary is the Rockies Nostalgic with the Victoria Add-On, combining a rail journey through the Canadian Rockies with time on Vancouver Island.

Originally from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Emily traded the North Sea coast for the Canadian Rockies and has called Calgary home ever since. While she may have left the UK, she brought a signature warmth and a sharp eye for organization that keeps the Canada Rail Vacations office running like clockwork. Moving across the pond gave her a unique perspective on the magic of the Canadian landscape, and she finds a lot of joy in helping guests from around the world navigate their own adventures through the mountains she now calls home.

She is the engine behind the scenes, ensuring that every detail is accounted for so the rest of the team can focus on creating world-class experiences. When she isn’t managing the daily flow of the office, Emily is out making the most of the Alberta lifestyle. She has fully embraced the mountain air, spending her downtime exploring local trails or discovering the best hidden gems in Calgary’s food scene.

Emily’s favorite tour is the Canadian Rockies Express because it showcases the absolute best of Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper, with plenty of time on the train to Toronto. Having made the big move herself, she loves how this itinerary captures the most iconic parts of the Canada in a way that feels both grand and personal.

Originally from Toronto, Jake has been living in the Canadian Rockies for the past few years. Now calling Canmore home, just 20 minutes from Banff, he spends his time skiing, rafting, biking, and hiking in the outdoor playground that is the Rockies. Having always been an outdoor person, Jake left a career in the automotive business and jumped full-on into the guiding and tourism world. He hopes to share his passion and enjoyment of the outdoors with others.

Building on skills developed from years of leading personal trips, he attended a guiding and naturalist course near Ontario’s beautiful Algonquin Park and has been lucky enough to lead trips over land, water, and snow. After trading the endless lakes of Ontario for the lofty heights of Alberta he has had the opportunity to work closely with the Parks Services in the province and has become very familiar with the best highlights of the area for people from all different walks of life.

His favorite trip is the Lake Louise Explorer, as it highlights the very best of the magnificent Bow Valley.

Born and raised in North Vancouver, BC, on the west coast of Canada, Duncan has been living in Calgary on and off since 2014. He first arrived in the area for University, but due to the high quality of life and natural scenery, he decided to make the move full-time. One of his favourite aspects of guiding in the Rockies is meeting people from all over the world and getting to share the Rockies experience with them. In addition to guiding, he previously worked as a flight instructor and regional airline pilot, and has been fortunate to live and travel around the world. He is looking forward to seeing you in the mountains!

His favourite excursion is our Mountain Lakes and Waterfalls between Banff and Lake Louise, as there is always an opportunity for some excellent sightseeing along the way.

Delano was born and raised in Abbotsford, British Columbia, where regular trips along the Coquihalla Highway to visit family in Calgary created a lasting connection to the mountains. After years of visiting, he made the move to Canmore for the 2023 and 2024 winter season, embracing mountain life through skiing, exploration, and time spent in the outdoors.

With several years of guiding experience, Delano has led youth aged 5 to 17 on a variety of outdoor adventures, including single day outings and multi day hiking, biking, and canoeing trips across coastal British Columbia and Ontario’s Great Lakes region. These experiences shaped his passion for storytelling and environmental education, which continue to influence his engaging and experience driven approach.

A preferred itinerary is the Rockies Adventurer, known for its combination of natural history, geology, and scenic highlights, including the renowned Icefields Parkway.

Martin is the founder of Canada Rail Vacations and has built a career around a lifelong passion for travel. He has explored nearly every region of Canada and stayed at each partner hotel, bringing extensive firsthand knowledge to every itinerary. Since 1995, he has created and guided tours, hosting more than 10,000 guests over 30 plus years, with many returning to travel with him again.

Originally a competitive luge athlete, Martin shifted from sport to full-time travel and tour design, combining his experience with a deep appreciation for Canada’s landscapes and culture. Fluent in English and German, he enjoys hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, and discovering exceptional restaurants around the world. His favourite tour is the Canadian Trip of a Lifetime, a journey he once shared with his mother to celebrate her 65th birthday.

Today, Martin continues to guide guests and design customized rail vacations, including private and group experiences across Canada. For private guiding or personalized trip planning, he can be reached at [email protected].

Heather Flanagan brings 35 years of experience in office administration, with a strong focus on organization, efficiency, and seamless operations. As Co-Founder and Chief Relationship Officer of Canada Rail Vacations, she plays a key role in building and maintaining strong connections with both guests and team members, supporting the delivery of exceptional travel experiences.

Her ability to connect with people, both in the office and on tour, has contributed to a supportive environment where guests and staff feel valued and well cared for. Heather is committed to fostering collaboration and ensuring each journey is thoughtfully planned and smoothly executed.

Outside of work, she enjoys attending live music events, from major concerts to smaller venues, and continues to explore Canada through travel. She is especially passionate about showcasing the country’s landscapes and experiences. Her favourite journey is the Canadian Prestige, reflecting a combination of comfort, service, and remarkable scenery.

Spencer joined Canada Rail Vacations in 2015 and has grown alongside the company ever since. Originally from Hamilton, Ontario (just outside Toronto), his travels across Canada eventually brought him to Calgary, a city he’s proud to call home. Along the way, company owner, Martin took Spencer under his wing, helping him develop a strong understanding of both the business and what truly makes a great guest experience.

Now serving as Director of Sales & Guest Experience, Spencer brings nearly a decade of hands-on experience to every itinerary he helps create. He’s especially passionate about golf and is the go-to person for anything golf-related. Having worked at, and played, many world-class courses across Western Canada, he’s always happy to chat about our Golf Tours and can often be found joining guests for a round in the Rockies.

Spencer genuinely enjoys meeting guests on the road and sharing the experiences that make these trips so memorable. His favourite tour is the Rockies Gold Rush Golf tour, which he personally traveled in the spring of 2025 to celebrate his 10-year anniversary with Canada Rail Vacations. In his view, it’s the perfect blend of jaw-dropping scenery, iconic rail travel, and unforgettable golf, and his favourite Rocky Mountaineer route, hands down.

Dalton has been with Canada Rail Vacations since 2016. He also joins us from Toronto, Ontario where he completed a diploma in Tourism Management. Following college, Dalton moved out west to the Rockies for a summer job in Kamloops, British Columbia, and hasn’t looked back since. Over the years, he has lived all over Canada with his two favorite stops along the way being a summer in the remote mountain town of Jasper, Alberta, and a year on Canada’s east coast in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Dalton has traveled in many different styles, including a study abroad in France where he had the opportunity to spend a couple of months traveling all over Europe, as well as six months traveling the coast of Australia in a camper van. He has done multiple road trips across Canada and the United States, spent plenty of time on beaches throughout the Caribbean, and has now been on five of our train trips throughout Canada and the US.

In his time off he can be found on the golf course or hanging out with his dog.

Dalton’s favorite trip is our Eastern Canada by Rail tour as it provides a homecoming trip where he can stop and see his friends and family in each city along the way.

Born in British Columbia, Deb has made Alberta her home for over three decades. After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta, she built her career in Calgary, where she has developed a strong professional foundation.

She enjoys exploring both close to home and abroad. Frequent trips to Banff and annual drives from Calgary to Vancouver keep her connected to the Rocky Mountains, while living in Northern Virginia allowed her to visit major East Coast cities such as Washington D.C., Baltimore, New York, and Pittsburgh.

Beyond work, Deb values time with her daughter, Ryanne, and their dog, Kylo. She maintains a healthy lifestyle through Pilates, walking, and outdoor pursuits, and she continues her commitment to lifelong learning. With her daughter now pursuing university studies, she is eager to embrace new travel opportunities and experiences.

At Canada Rail Vacations, Deb takes pride in being part of a positive team culture and is committed to helping the company thrive as it expands.

Deb’s favourite tour is the Rockies Essentials, which combines the beauty of Banff and Lake Louise with the luxury of the Rocky Mountaineer train to Vancouver.