Canada Holidays
Canada Holidays
Canada truly has it all. From vibrant cities, immense mountain ranges, stunning National Parks to the bluest coastal areas. Canada is known for Niagara Falls, the largest waterfall in the world and The Rocky Mountains, one of the largest mountain ranges in North America. There’s also bustling cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal and more.
What to See
Canada is split into 10 provinces, but the most visited will be Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta. In Eastern Canada you’ll find Ontario is home to Toronto and Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. Ontario also has one of the five great lakes, Lake Ontario. Toronto also borders Lake Ontario, making for a great swim during the summer months. From Toronto you can make your way to Niagara Falls and its neighbouring town, Niagara Village. If in Toronto during the summer months, make the most of all the breweries during patio season. In Quebec, make sure to visit Montreal and Old Quebec. If you’re after mouth-watering Poutine, then Montreal is the place!
British Columbia is the Western most province in Canada and is home to Vancouver and Whistler. When in Vancouver, also make a visit to the Vancouver Islands. Situated in the Pacific Ocean, The Vancouver Islands are made up of thousands of islands, and has the capital city of British Columbia, Victoria.
Alberta is a must to visit, as it’s home to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The Rockies are a great place for hiking, camping, adventure sports, road trips, the wildlife as well as family holidays. It also has some world-famous lakes, such as Lake Louise and Morraine. Some of the main cities are Calgary, Banff and Jasper. Alberta is also neighbouring British Columbia so makes for a great road trip, as you travel through British Columbia into Alberta.
When to Go/Weather
As Canada is such a vast country, weather does differ slightly on the Eastern Coast to Western Coast. Summer months, end of June to end of August is a great time to visit both East and West Canada as it offers the highest temperatures.
Springtime, May to June is also a great time to visit as there are fewer crowds, and Spring flowers are blooming. The National Parks are becoming more inviting and accessible, the snow is also starting to melt in the mountain ranges as are the frozen lakes!
Autumn or Fall, September to October is a beautiful time to visit the Eastern coast of Canada, as you’ll never see autumn foliage like it anywhere! Crowds again are fewer than summer months, but the cooler air is pleasant still. Autumn also makes for a great time to go Bear watching, as they’re very active during these months as they’re preparing for hibernation.
Winter, November to March, can be harsh in some areas. The Eastern Coast and parts of Alberta and British Columbia can see temperatures drop down to -30 Degrees Celsius. Although days are darker and snow will begin to fall, the cities are a great place to be during the winter. The Christmas markets will have opened, as well as the ice-skating rinks! West coast, you’ll also be able to stand on some of the lakes such as Lake Louise and Moraine!
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is the largest waterfall in the world and a must see when in Toronto, Canada. It is very easy to get to from the city or other nearby cities, as there are many tours or even car rentals available. The Falls are a world natural wonder for a reason, as once there you’ll truly see and feel the power of the Falls!
Near the falls there are many activities to take part in such as the boat trip that’ll take you very near the bottom of The Falls. Make sure you have waterproof clothing as you’re guaranteed to get soaking wet! There are also light shows during the night as well as fireworks over the waterfall. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also zipline next to the falls! Majority of these activities are season based, as during the winter months it can get very cold and frozen near the falls.
Near Niagara there are also many vineyards that are a must to visit. Here you can try the local ice wine! Made from grapes picked during the peak winter months. You can have vineyard hopping tours via a minibus or even cycling trips.
Niagara on the lake is also a great place to visit which is nearby Niagara Falls. Niagara on the lake is a quaint little town on Lake Ontario, and it’ll transport you back in time to the 19th Century through its architecture.
The Rockies
If you’re after never ending mountain ranges and turquoise lakes then look no further than The Canadian Rocky Mountains, or also known as The Rockies. The Rockies is one of the largest mountain ranges in North America and is situated in British Columbia and Alberta.
The Rockies is home to Lake Louise and Lake Moraine, both with the bluest water, lush green forest and surrounded by mammoth mountains, making for stunning scenery. You may even have an opportunity to kayak or canoe across the lakes. The Icefield Parkway, a 230km stretch of road that’ll take you through the lakes, Peyto Lake, as well as Athabasca Falls an Glacier. It is also a great way to encounter wildlife, as you’ll be able to spot a few bears out and about!
The Rockies are a great place for family and adventure holidays, as you can take part in many activities such as hiking, kayaking, canoeing, white water rafting and is also home to some of the best skiing in the world.
Money
The local currency in Canada is Canadian Dollars ($). Cash machines (ATMs) are widely available, and most debit and credit cards are accepted in all cities. National Parks will also have places where you can get cash out.
Food
When you think of food in Canada, there are two things that you must try, Poutine and Maple Syrup. Although cliched, they really are amazing! You can also visit Maple farms, where you can see how they make Maple Syrup by tapping the syrup from the trees.
Transport in Canada
Travelling through Canada is easy! Car hire is a popular option for many, and you can start and end in different cities. A popular car hire route is from Vancouver to Banff or vice versa. Roads are all modern and the country is very well prepared for winter driving too. Trains are also a great option, and very scenic. There is also The Canadian, a transcontinental train taking you from Toronto to Vancouver! This is a great way to see what the country has to offer as parts of the train have glass top ceilings, meaning you don’t miss any of the views!
Flights are also readily available from city to city.