Why
Travel to Canada?
Not
just a greener, gentler version of USA, Canada is a huge, picturesque,
sparsely populated country, with a multicultural identity and an
interesting clash between English and French influences.
Canada is most attractive for outdoor types, particularly skiers
in winter and hikers in summer, though the relaxed urbanity of Vancouver
and lively culture of Montreal draw city lovers too.
For land viewing of arctic wildlife - especially polar bears - tours based from
Churchill are unbeatable.
Canada is safe, spacious, spectacular,
serves good, varied cuisine and half of it speaks your
language [the other half mostly speaks it too, but don't want to!].
This mini-guide to Canada, with pictures, is a simple introduction to the country to help you make a quick and correct destination decision. Later you will need a comprehensive travel guide to take with you.
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta
Downside:
- Although extremely cold in many places [-20C is not uncommon],
the short summers can be very hot [30C+].
- It's not cheap [then again, nor is it expensive].
Canada
climate guide:
Best:
April-Sept.
To ski, Dec-March.
Worst: Nov-March unless for winter sports [cold, or wet,
or both].
Length
of stay:
Minimum worthwhile stay, not incl. flights: 1 week - 3 weeks.
Montreal, c'est la vie, Quebec
Canada's greatest hits:
Best
cities: Vancouver [BC, English] and Quebec City [Quebec,
French].
Best
wildlife: Churchill, Manitoba.
Best winter festival: Ottawa Winterlude [Ontario].
Best
summer festival: Calgary Stampede [Alberta].
Best
beaches: Vancouver [BC] and Nova Scotia [Atlantic Prov.].
Best
sight: Niagara Falls [Ontario].
Best
cuisine: Quebec.
Best
landscapes: British Columbia and Atlantic Province.
Where
to travel in Canada:
For
your conveniece we've split Canada Travel into five zones; click
the link to see a more detailed summary of those places.
Vancouver, British Columbia [BC]
West Canada:
British Columbia [BC] and Alberta provinces, including Vancouver
city, Victoria, the Rocky Mountains, Banff and Jasper National Parks.
Pleasant city life in Anglophile Vancouver; stunning scenery all
around; excellent outdoor activities of all sorts, including whale
watching.
Alberta's parks are justly famous and sprinkled with magnificent peaks.
Niagara Falls, Canadian side, near Toronto
Central Canada:
Ontario province, including Ottawa, Toronto and Niagara Falls.
Ottawa's Winterlude festival, wintersports, summer hikes and Niagara
Falls are the main attractions here.
Frontenac Castle, Quebec City, Quebec.
French
east Canada: the French speaking province of Quebec [picture top left, Iles-de-la-Madeleine], including Montreal
and Quebec city.
Great night life and cuisine in Francophile Canada; stunning scenery
all around; excellent outdoor activities, especially wintersports, and pretty cities, particularly Quebec City.
A village in New Brunswick
Far
east Canada: the Atlantic Provinces of Newfoundland [picture
top right], Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Laid back, rustic charms of little villages and splendid hiking
routes full of rugged coasts and wildlife are the features that
bring most travellers to this area of Canada.
Polar Bears discussing education strategies for their cub, Churchill, Manitoba.
Centre/North:
the less visited central provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba
- including the town of Churchill - and the northern provinces of
the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut.
The number one item of travel interest in north Canada is wildlife,
especially around Churchill [polar bears, arctic foxes, seals], though outdoor activities ranging from
wintersports to summer hikes with big views are popular.
The
Arctic
Canadian Festivals:
Jan/Feb, weekends only, La Fete des Nieges [Snow Festival], Montreal
[Qu], dominated by a huge and labyrinthine snow castle.
Feb.weekends only, Ottawa [Ont] Winterlude festival features parades,
dances, snow races, ice sculptures, sleigh rides and more, but especially
skating.
Jan - Feb, Quebec City, Carnaval de Québec, a vigorous 10
day celebration of parades, themed parties, ice sculptures and,
bien sur, winter sports of every description.
April, World Ski and Snowboard Festival, Whistler [BC], snow and
music combined!
June - July, Montreal [Qu] International Jazz Festival.
Mid-May, Ottawa [Ont] Tulip Festival, a five day city-wide street
party for all ages surrounded by 100,000's of tulips.
July, Just For Laughs, Montreal [Qu], a world comedy festival.
Summertime sees lunatic 'Fringe' theatre festivals all over Canada,
from Victoria to Montreal.
Aug, Montreal Pride, a huge performing arts festival, gay, but not
exclusively so. Free concerts, shows, parties conferences and more.
Summer, one week, Toronto [Ont], Caribana West Indian carnival,
complete with parades of calypso bands, parties, ethnic foodstuffs
and dancing in the street.
July, Calgary Stampede , a 10 day world-class rodeo riot.
Early Nov, Whistler [BC] Winterstart Festival, a carnival and events
galore.
For
some more precise dates see: English
Speaking Festivals
Skiing in BC's famous 'Powder Triangle', the Monashee Mountains.
Canadian Activities:
Skiing, snowmobiles, sleighs and other winter sports: all over but especially in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario
and Quebec.
Walks/hikes: Champion walks of all
sorts with BIG views, from hours to months, paricularly around BC, Quebec,
Ontario, Nova Scotia.
Water sports: white water rafting,
canoeing and kayaking, all over.
Whale watching: good trips off both
the east and west coasts.
Seals: Quebec's Magdalen Islands [Iles-de-la-Madeleine]
Mountain biking: all over, hire easily
available.
Caving and climbing: the Rocky Mountains.
External reviews on travel in Canada
Either instead of, or as well, USA's far north state of Alaska is also wild, unspoilt and speaks English.
|
