Canada is the world’s second largest country with the longest coastline in the world, though, swimmers are scarce. The vast wilderness with different types of landscape stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean just waits to be explored. The country extends to the north pole in the north and to the Great Lakes in the south. Canada is a tourist destination, but the touristy feel evaporates quickly in the pristine nature amidst the vast plains. Large cities and airports are located in the southern part of the country. Canada is divided into ten provinces and three territories, and below you can read about places worth visiting in each of them.
We begin with our ultimate travel tips in Canada’s largest province and the only with French as the official language – Quebec. The capital of the province, Quebec City, lies on the cliffs above the St. Lawrence River. The old town is packed with sights and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a walk to the Château Frontenac, said to be the most photographed hotel in North America, and stroll down the Terrasse Dufferin avenue. Fun in the Village Vacances Valcartier winter park resort where the primary entertainment consists of sliding down in inflatable rings is ideal for children and those who are children at heart. North of the city lie the 84 metres high Montmorency Falls. You can climb up to the top with a cable car.
The province’s second most important city is Montréal where it’s best to explore the hill above the city, the Mont Royal. There are many events that take place in the park, from ice skating on Lac-aux-Castors (Beaver Lake) and cross-country skiing in winter to the beats of numerous drums of the Les Tam-Tams festival during Sundays in summer. You can visit more than 200 sights by bus. Far from cities and close to the Arctic Circle lies Hudson Bay, one of Canada’s most remote areas that presents quite a challenge for travellers to explore. It is home to more than 800 species of Arctic flora as well as birds and seals.
Simply enjoy, get some fresh air and watch the vast Atlantic. This easternmost region is full of diverse landmarks and English dialects. You can look at ten-thousand-year-old icebergs of all shapes and colours, or watch whales travelling by. It’s interesting to listen to the many legends and stories of the area and learn more about the local life. Head to the largest city, St. John's, full of colourful houses. HI St. John's City is a perfect place for trips to the surrounding area, such as to L’Anse aux Meadows where Vikings first set foot on the American continent and founded a settlement more than a thousand years ago. You can go on a fossil hike and go back 500 million years into the past.
The Niagara Falls, shared by Canada and the USA, are one of the major wonders of the world. You simply must visit them and witness the mighty power of nature with your very own eyes. Buy your Niagara Falls Wonder Pass in advance and save 67% of the admission price for four waterfall attractions. The ticket includes the best views over the falls, admission to the Butterfly Conservatory and an interactive 4D show. The province, however, holds even more landmarks. You can explore the Algonquin Provincial Park. The park is divided into the dark coniferous and the bright deciduous forest, the latter including the famous Canadian red maple. The forest is Canada’s most important ecosystem for bears, wolves, brook trout and moose, making it even more interesting for travelling. On the shores of Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes, lies the largest Canadian city of Toronto. The most famous landmark is the CN Tower, a 553 metres high tower open for tourists and offering a range of activities. The unusual shoe museum holds quite a few surprises. The second largest city is Canada’s capital, Ottawa, which is clearly evident by the Parliamentary buildings on top of the hill above the eponymous river. During winter, the Rideau Canal turns into the world’s largest ice rink.
Travelling to Alberta is a must for all travellers and outdoor sports lovers. A true paradise for travellers and one of the most beautiful Canadian parks, Banff lies in the Rocky Mountains. There, you’ll be awaited by crystal clear lakes, glaciers, kilometres of hiking trails and dark nights full of stars. You may encounter a wild animal or two while exploring, from grizzly bears and wolves to moose. If you’re interested in observing animals in their natural environment, then you should go on a canoe tour down the Bow River and keep your eyes peeled for animals while listening to the guide recounting stories. The epic 230-kilometre journey takes travellers from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park and runs along lakes, mountains, glaciers and waterfalls. Jasper is Canada’s largest national park receiving less visitors than Banff, which means the feeling of solitude and being surrounded by wilderness is much greater. West from the two parks are the cities of Calgary and Edmonton. It feels really good exploring the city after spending so long in nature. Calgary is known as a cowboy city due to its events, charm and rodeos. You can see this for yourself on a guided tour, though it’s particularly evident during the Calgary Stampede.
British Colombia encompasses an area where Canadian rocks meet the Pacific Ocean, resulting in an enticing mountain-ocean mix and the tradition of the early settlers. You should take a boat ride to Gwaii Haanas National Park and Haida Heritage Site. On the other island, Vancouver, take a kayak tour and keep an eye on various wild animals.
The province’s capital, Vancouver, was the host city for the Olympic Games in 2010. The huge Stanley Park with beaches, playgrounds, swimming pools and botanical gardens stretches over an area of one thousand hectares. This presents a great opportunity for travellers to relax. This is also where the aquarium can be found that is home to many animals which were rescued from the nearby ocean. Just 15 minutes outside the Vancouver city centre is where you can explore the wild side of the city, namely above the waters of the Capilano River on the impressive Capilano Suspension Bridge with a span of 137 metres. The bridge gives a wonderful view of the surrounding forests and mountains.
Set out on a journey of hunters, treasure seekers and merchants to the Canadian far north where ice and cold prevail. Treasure seekers rushed to find their fortune in Miles Canyon. But it was difficult to cross the Yukon River. Beautiful canyons and waterfalls were also created by the second largest river in North America, the Nahanni. Both rivers are full of old trading posts. The most photographed landmark is Lake Emerald, mostly due to the emerald colour of the water and the high mountains in the background. Tourism infrastructure isn’t developed here. Travellers who want to relax should bathe in the hot water of Takhini Hot Springs located 18km from the town of Whitehorse. Canada’s largest park is Wood Buffalo National Park and it was established in order to protect the buffalo. Today, many animal species found sanctuary in the park. Even the territories have their own cities or, more specifically, towns. One such town is Yellowknife which was founded during the gold rush is now abounding in traditional wooden architecture. Lying even further north is the gateway to the Arctic, the town of Inuvik.
Far up north, just below the north pole, the vast tundra covers the northern parts of Canada. During winter, temperatures reach minus thirty degrees, while during summer the sun never sets. Cottage industry, such as leatherware, jewellery and ivory, is well developed in this wilderness. Travellers are drawn to Baffin Island where you can learn about the life of the Inuit people. The south-eastern part of the island is home to Auyuittuq National Park, a land that never thaws. The main features of this landscape include wide valleys and rugged mountains with vertical cliffs. Beautiful mountains, diverse glaciers, coastal lowlands and various game are words that describe Sirmilik National Park. It’s one of the most remote and northernmost national parks in Canada.
Wherever you go, your trip can be safe, with simple and customisable international travel insurance for solo travellers and families. Get travel insurance through World Nomads and get a policy with 24-hour assistance and transport for medical emergencies, as well as cover for more than 220 sports and leisure activities on snow, water, air and land. The insurance policy may include, among other things, coverage for experiential activities, such as au pairs – part-time or voluntary work with children, working in a bar, fruit picking, office work, teaching and some other work abroad. Protect yourself or your family with World Nomads travel insurance.
Enjoy your trip around Canada and don’t forget to send postcards with MyPostcard. All HI members get 25% off. New users can send their first postcard for free with the HIGlobetrotter promo code through the Globetrotter profile. You can read more about it here.
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