| Unique husband and wife team, Norm & Lily | | | | although she never operated a B&B, her home |
| Goldman, write and paint about Banff, Alberta. | | | | was always open to anyone who wished to drop in |
| | | | and savor her great cooking and warm hospitality. |
| Banff Alberta -More Than A Cute Tourist Town | | | | The present B&B owners wishing to carry on |
| A Stay In Not Just An Ordinary B&B In Banff | | | | Aunt Georgia's traditions provide their guests with the |
| Alberta | | | | finest in hospitality and amenities. It is little wonder that it |
| -Article by: Norm Goldman | | | | has become a favorite among honeymoon couples. |
| -Paintings by: Lily Azerad-Goldman | | | | Jami's attention to detail and her boundless energy is |
| TOWN OF BANFF | | | | evident everywhere. Because this B&B only has |
| As Canadians, my wife and I are somewhat | | | | four guest rooms, it is easy to offer individualized |
| embarrassed to admit that although we have traveled | | | | service. When Jami says Thea's House differs from |
| around the world for the past thirty- five years, we | | | | other B&B's in Banff trust me, she is not |
| never once visited Banff Alberta. Perhaps, we believe | | | | exaggerating! |
| in the old mistaken belief - "the grass is greener on the | | | | We stayed in the Rundle Room, or the honeymoon |
| other side of the fence." | | | | suite, with its petit balcony that had a fantastic view of |
| This year after some reflection coupled with our crying | | | | the mountains. This room, as well as the other three, is |
| over the Canadian dollar taking a beating in the USA, | | | | completely separate from the owner's living quarters, |
| we decided that it would not be a bad idea to check | | | | thus providing the utmost in privacy. All rooms are |
| out Banff and surroundings. | | | | spacious, uncluttered and filled with those extra sought |
| There are no photos, movies or videos that could do | | | | after romantic touches - the finest linens, best down |
| justice or could have adequately prepared us for the | | | | duvets and down pillows, fluffy towels and bathrobes, |
| mind- blowing and overwhelming peaks of the | | | | gas fireplaces, tv, vcr, telephones, kingside beds in |
| Canadian Rockies. At times they even felt somewhat | | | | three of the rooms while the fourth has two double |
| intimidating, and in fact my wife confessed to me that | | | | beds, entertainment units, fresh flowers, and |
| she felt a little claustrophobic walking around the Town | | | | chocolates placed on the pillows. |
| of Banff looking up at these towering mountain | | | | Luxurious, also, was our suite with its large Jacuzzi tub |
| summits. | | | | for two and steam shower, where I had the ultimate |
| When we mentioned to a visitor from France that a | | | | pleasure to steam myself and then loll back and let the |
| short drive from our hometown of Montreal there are | | | | magic of the locally made bath salts work on my tired |
| the Laurentian Mountains, she laughed at us saying | | | | bones, especially after our grueling day of hiking. |
| these are hills compared to the Rockies. We didn't feel | | | | To be noted is that the three other rooms have |
| insulted-she was right on! | | | | standard size jetted bathtubs with showers. |
| In 1883 the Town of Banff was created as a result of | | | | Breakfast you can bet will be something out of the |
| the trans-continental railway having been built through | | | | ordinary. Jami believes that before hiking or skiing you |
| the Bow River Valley. | | | | need sufficient fuel. You are sure to be served fruit |
| The town is perched along the Bow River within the | | | | salads, breads, cereals, jams, homemade yogurts, tea, |
| Banff National Park that has been classified as a | | | | coffee, and one of the daily hot breakfasts, which |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site. From almost | | | | varies from day to day. Jami is also very attentive to |
| everywhere you can view the Cascade, Tunnel, | | | | her guest's dietary needs as evidenced by her |
| Sulphur, and Rundle Mountains. | | | | purchase of special pancake mix and bread for my |
| It was only in 1990 did it officially become an | | | | wife, who is lactose intolerant. |
| incorporated town, however, with one very important | | | | If you are looking to fall in love or just the spark for |
| difference from other Alberta towns- Parks Canada | | | | romance, this is the place to stay, and we have to |
| controls environmental protection within the town. You | | | | concur with the couple who wrote in our room's guest |
| can well imagine the" red tape" a homeowner has to | | | | book, "we came here to relax and fall in love. Thank |
| endure before any kind of renovation or modification is | | | | you for making it easy. This place is the most beautiful |
| approved. | | | | we have ever seen." |
| We were also informed that a cap has been placed | | | | Activities In And Around Banff |
| on any future development of the town. | | | | If just hanging around Thea's House or walking up and |
| | | | down Banff Avenue checking out the souvenir shops |
| Thea's House, More Than Just A B&B | | | | is not your cup of tea, you don't need to go very far |
| There are over 4.8 million visitors converging into the | | | | to find something exciting to do. |
| Banff area every year. Imagine trying to make a | | | | |
| reservation in an inn, B&B or hotel during the peak | | | | Just a short drive away is Banff Upper Hot Springs. It |
| seasons! | | | | is the only hot springs in the Banff area open topublic |
| Consider yourself fortunate if you succeed in securing | | | | bathing. The water may be hot but as we discovered |
| a room in one of the most extra-ordinary romantic | | | | it was heaven, particularly if you suffer from arthritis. |
| B&Bs in the area called Thea's House, located | | | | How about taking a boat ride or fishing on Lake |
| five minutes from Main Street Banff. According to | | | | Minnewanka in the heart of the Canadian Rockies in |
| owners, Jami and Greg Christou, it is not unusual that | | | | Banff National Park. |
| reservations for their four guest- rooms can fill up six | | | | You can also sign up for the tours offered by |
| months in advance. | | | | Discover Banff Tours. We enjoyed the evening wildlife |
| You are probably wondering what the name "Thea" | | | | safari adventure that lasted about 2 ½ hours |
| stands for and what is so special about this B&B? | | | | during the early evening hours and where we had the |
| Jami informed us that the name "Thea" means aunt in | | | | opportunity to observe animals in their natural |
| Greek. Apparently, the B&B was named after | | | | environment. |
| Greg's grand- aunt, Georgia, who originally owned the | | | | As for cultural activities, you have to check out the |
| house. Her last wish was to have the house kept | | | | famous Banff Center For The Performing Arts, where |
| within the Christou family. | | | | you are sure to find something going on in the way of |
| Aunt Georgia was a very gregarious person, and | | | | a theatre or musical performance. |