We’ve picked our Top 10 for the perfect Canada Holiday.
As the second largest country in the world but only accommodating one-half of one per cent of the planet’s population, Canada has plenty to be proud of, with its beautiful national parks, rich, diverse culture and a coastline spanning three oceans. With nearly 3,000 miles between Toronto and Vancouver, central Canada covers the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and western Alberta, where the region is dominated by prairie and covers a vast area the size of Mexico. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the biggest draw for visitors is the eastern seaboard surrounding Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia or on the west coast around British Columbia and a slice of Alberta.
We look at Canada’s TOP TEN destinations.
TORONTO
As one of North America’s most dynamic and multi-cultural cities, Toronto is Canada’s commercial and financial centre but holds a wealth of possibilities for the leisure traveller. With ethnic pockets like Greektown, Little India, and Koreatown, the variety of cultural experiences can take you on a world tour. This sprawling city covers over 247 square miles. Still, the main attractions surround the Harbourfront Centre, famed for its art galleries, music and theatre performances, restaurants and bars, with the CN Tower offering sweeping views over the city and Lake Ontario. Nearby, Yonge Street is the centre for shopping and retail therapy. At the same time, just offshore from the city, a 12-minute ferry ride takes you to low-lying Toronto Island, which offers a host of recreational facilities in a car-free environment.
NIAGARA FALLS
Niagara Falls, only 90 minutes from Toronto, is one of the most iconic destinations in the world, with over 14 million visitors each year. Many UK travellers are less enthused about the town, which can be brash and noisy, but no one can deny the impact the actual Falls themselves have on first-timers. Although you can hear the thundering sound of tumbling water from some distance away, there is no preparation for the sight itself, with the near 200 ft high Horseshoe Falls throwing spray high into the air across its 2,200 feet length. The accompanying American Falls, best seen from the Canadian side, are just as spectacular as their careers over the rock-strewn base. To feel the power, the “Journey Behind the Falls” takes you down to the riverside, and as you approach the Horseshoe Falls, your senses are overwhelmed by the sight and sound of this magnificent natural attraction. If you feel more adventurous, take the boat ride out to the base of the falls, but be prepared to get wet, even with the free poncho. Better still, take a short helicopter trip where the birds-eye view lets you take in the whole spectacular panorama. While in town, take advantage of the opportunity to visit nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake with its flower-decked Victorian buildings and horse-drawn carts, bursting with small-town charm; it makes a perfect base to visit both the Falls and wine country. With over 50 excellent wineries nearby, which include interesting names like Megalomaniac, Leaning Post and Angels Gate, it’s hard not to be diverted to sample what’s on offer.
BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Nestled amid the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, Banff is a relatively small mountain town, but of all of Canada’s top sights, Banff National Park justifiably ranks highest for many visitors. You don’t have to be a seasoned outdoor enthusiast to enjoy its natural beauty and astounding scenery as the untamed landscape sits alongside urban towns offering chic, trendy bars and restaurants. There are many places where dinner and cocktails can be had within growling distance of grizzly bears and wandering moose. It’s home to the glacier-fed Moraine Lake, and with the meandering Bow River, they contribute to some of the most sublime surroundings in the country. Forty minutes from Banff is Lake Louise, with its impossible turquoise waters, an abiding symbol of the beauty of the Rockies, while nearby Canmore offers quieter and less expensive accommodation. All itineraries should include day trips to the Columbia Icefield and Yoho National Park.
JASPER NATIONAL PARK
As the largest park in the country, Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies is ripe for exploration, and you are likely to see more wildlife here than any other park. When not hiking through Maligne Canyon or white-water rafting the Athabasca River, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the whole arena of mesmerising scenery from the Jasper Skytram. With shimmering glaciers, abundant wildlife, crystal clear lakes, thundering waterfalls, deep canyons and evergreen forests all surrounded by towering mountains, it is little wonder it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. The main town of Jasper pampers the visitor somewhat less than its cousin Banff, encouraging those who are a little more adventurous. It has a huge and extensive network of trails from short walks to backcountry hills, many leading straight from town, but the whole of Jasper National Park will captivate you with its beauty and serenity.
VANCOUVER
Offering one of the most beautiful city settings in the world, Vancouver sits on the Georgia Strait, 145 miles north of Seattle over the border in the USA. The coastal mountains form a majestic backdrop for its unique skyline. Well-known areas of the city include Chinatown and Gastown, both close to Main Street and all within easy walking distance. Vancouver offers plenty of cultural attractions, including museums, art galleries and outdoor markets, while Stanley Park is a magnificent green oasis in the midst of an urban landscape.
QUEBEC CITY
Quebec City is the heart and soul of French Canada. With its picturesque centuries-old buildings that make up Old Quebec – another UNESCO World Heritage Site, coffee and freshly baked pastry aromas fill the cobblestone streets of the Quartier Petit-Champlain in the early morning, and with most residents speaking French, a hint of Paris is in the air. Sitting on the great St Lawrence River waterway, Quebec provides a unique experience as one of the oldest communities on the American continent.
WHISTLER
Vancouverites head to Whistler to ski in winter and spend weekends in the summer. With café lined cobbled squares, cosy bars and restaurants, the town never really loses its winter sports feel, but in warmer weather, visitors come to hike the many trails in the surrounding hills. Popular activities include fishing, horse riding, kayaking and canoeing in the variety of rivers and lakes around town, which should also include a visit to the dramatic Brandywine Falls, a spectacular 230ft waterfall.
MONTREAL
Skyscrapers rub elbows with Old Montreal’s 17th-century architecture while the familiar sounds of English intermingle with French, the official language of Quebec Province. With beautiful architecture and cobblestone streets, including its own stunning Notre Dame Basilica, this is a city in love with festivals, the arts, good food and enjoying life. In summer, the third largest botanical garden in the world, the Jardin Botanique, comes alive with colour throughout its 20 themed gardens. Montreal’s Old Port has transformed itself into a park and fun zone along a mile of the mighty St Lawrence River, where cruise boats, ferries and jet boats all depart for tours along numerous piers.
VANCOUVER ISLAND
Vancouver Island is over 280 miles long with only 1 million residents, but mainly thanks to a younger crowd fleeing high house prices in Vancouver and a thriving arts scene, the main town – and British Columbia’s capital – Victoria and surrounding areas have lost their staid image. While Montreal and Quebec honour French roots, Victoria pays tribute to the country’s British heritage with double-decker buses roaming around town, afternoon tea in cafes, and the Parliament building sitting next to streets of Victorian mansions. You can even spot a cricket club or two in the area. With hiking trails, lakes, rivers and mountains surrounded by scenic farmland, the island is a delight to visit. Around 80 Orca whales are in the waters off Victoria, with almost guaranteed sightings from May to October.
THE OKANAGAN VALLEY
Finally, The Okanagan Valley squeezes into the top ten as one of the most popular places in Canada. Okanagan is a series of valleys stretching over 150 miles, occupied by lush green orchards and over 200 wineries for which the area is most noted. Loved by Canadians, overseas visitors have come to the same conclusion, and international tourism numbers are rising, drawn by hot summers, warm waters and sandy beaches surrounding the lakes. The largest town is Kelowna, which has a range of outdoor and local activities, while several other small towns, settlements and resorts can be found on the shores of Okanagan Lake.
No matter where you visit in Canada, you can be sure of a great welcome and scenery on a grand scale.
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