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Australian travellers tend to favour the west coast of Canada for an initial visit, the gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the Inside Passage of Alaska. The most popular places to visit include Vancouver, Vancouver Island, The Rocky Mountains, Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise and Calgary. This area offers spectacular scenery: majestic mountains towering over lakes of all sizes and shades of green and blue in summer, white capped mountains and expanses of frozen lakes, ideal for ice skating, in winter. In summer the land offers plenty of wildlife, such as moose, elk, black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, to name but a few. The ocean offers awe-inspiring sightings of orcas and humpback whales, whilst the rivers abound with salmon. |
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Travel to Vancouver and join the locals in Stanley Park where you can walk, cycle, or rollerblade along 10km of paved seawall; visit Capilan Regional Park for a walk along the swing bridge; stroll around Gastown and see the old steam clock, take a whale watching tour. Sit at Canada Place for a coffee and observe the cruise ships in the harbour |
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Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is located on Vancouver Island, an easy ferry ride or short flight away from Vancouver, home to the world famous Butchart Gardens, formerly a lime stone Quarry. The gardens are spectacular year round, no matter what the season. Also worth a visit whilst in Victoria are the totem poles in Thunderbird Park, or enjoy high tea at the Empress Hotel, overlooking the busiest float plane port in the world! After dark, the Parliament Buildings are lit up and quite a feast for the eyes. Vancouver Island also offers access to Knight Inlet, best visited in autumn when the salmon run up the river to spawn. This phenomenon attracts the giant grizzlies, who gather for a sumptuous buffet, a spectacular and unique experience.
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Whistler is a short train journey or drive from Vancouver, and is home to skiing and snowboarding in winter. In the warmer weather, there are invigorating hikes through the alpine scenery and coastal rain forests, with spectacular waterfalls and stunning mountain vistas. Stroll around pedestrian-only Whistler Village for shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. A Rocky Mountaineer rail journey from Vancouver to either Jasper of Banff is the perfect way to view and cross the majestic Rocky Mountains. Enjoy travelling in the glass domed carriage in Gold Class for the stunning vista.
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The province of Alberta is in the heart of the towering Rockies, and is also home to open prairies and the massive icefields that straddle the Continental Divide. Alberta is home to 3 of the famous Fairmont Resort Hotels, at Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper. Equally famous is the Calgary Stampede, held each year in July, where you can experience the noise, thrills, spill and action of the rodeo. For the shoppers, a visit to Edmonton is a must, where you will find West Edmonton Mall one a shopping and entertainment centre with over 800 stores and 9 different themed attractions all under the one roof!
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The rugged and wild Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Territory account for a large portion of Canada. These are destinations for those seeking a more active and adventurous holiday in the remote outback of Canada whether it is dog sledding through the Yukon, kayaking and canoeing on the icy waters around the shadowy glaciers, hiking and camping in the rugged and beautiful wilderness. Wild life abounds both in the water and on the land. Experience the Aurora Borealis in the night sky, visible 200 nights a year. Remote Churchill in Manitoba is the spot to visit to experience polar bear watching in October and November, as the bears migrate towards the winter ice pack. |
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Eastern Canada abounds with spectacular sights as well. Perhaps the most famous of these is the Niagara Falls, where you are able take a cruise on the Maid of the Mist. Visit a local winery for a tast of Icewine. Close by is Toronto, where the man made CN Tower offers the opportunity to see right across Lake Ontario to the USA on a clear day. If you have a shoe fetish, how about a visit to the Bata Shoe Museum where there are 10,000 shoes!! Plenty of museums and galleries are found here and Toronto is the third largest theatre centre in the world! |
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Head to Ottawa where you will find the Houses of Parliament alongside the Rideau Canal, the longest skating rink when frozen in winter, and also a World Heritage listed site! The RCMP Stables and Practice ground gives you the opportunity to meet a Mountie. |
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Time to freshen up your French now, as you move on to Quebec and Montreal. The World Heritage walled city of Quebec includes the stunning Chateau Frontenac - another famous Fairmont hotel. Wander around and stop in one of the little pubs and bistros, listen to a little jazz or enjoy some superb multicultural cuisine and local wine. Close by are the Montmorency Falls, offering a view of the St Lawrence River . Don’t forget to visit a Maple Syrup outlet to add a little bit of sweetness to your holiday (and pancakes).
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Montreal is the world’s second largest French speaking city and famous for its International Jazz Festival, but did you know that there are over 5000 restaurants in the city? Dining experiences range from small bistros to intimate and romantic restaurants, as well as dinner cruises on the St Lawrence River. If shopping is your thing, make sure you have plenty of time here. Not only can you shop above the ground, but there is another shopping city underground!
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The Atlantic coast of Canada is home to some of the world’s largest tidal ranges, and some of the first Canadian settlements. French, English and Aboriginal influences abound in New Brunswick, where you are able to visit the Bay of Fundy. Prince Edward Island was “home” to Anne of Green Gables, in Newfoundland and Labrador you can experience the Northern Lights, herds of caribou, black bears and huge wild salmon, whilst Nova Scotia is steeped in history and offers a vibrant music scene. |
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