Who's been to Canada? Any good?
Discussion
Afternoon all,
Pretty broad title I know!
My and my GF are planning (well, trying) our holiday for next year. We were originally looking at going to the USA, however a few people have mentioned Canada was great, as we want to do some driving and see some sites.
Has anyone ever been over to Canada, and anywhere you would recommend? Best time to go?
We want to go for about 2 weeks
Thanks!
Pretty broad title I know!
My and my GF are planning (well, trying) our holiday for next year. We were originally looking at going to the USA, however a few people have mentioned Canada was great, as we want to do some driving and see some sites.
Has anyone ever been over to Canada, and anywhere you would recommend? Best time to go?
We want to go for about 2 weeks
Thanks!
Canada is f
king ace!
I've been a number of times and really enjoyed it - the people are very friendly and there is some epic scenery.
A few years ago we did a road trip from Vancouver across the Rockies to Edmonton and then flew across to Toronto for a couple of days. It was in the middle of 9 months away travelling so didn't cost a lot and was very easy to arrange - you'd be able to do something similar but a lot more luxuriously I'm sure.
We arranged everything fairly last minute, hired a Ford Focus and camped in campsites each night - can't remember all of our route but we went through Whistler, Kamloops, Golden, Banff and Jasper. Lots of stuff to do - brilliant hiking, white-water rafting, bungee jumping etc and we saw Lake Louise, the Athabasca Glacier, bears, wolves and loads of other stuff.
Do it!
ETA - We went in late July/early August and the weather was perfect - sunny and warm but not too hot. Didn't get any rain at all.
king ace!I've been a number of times and really enjoyed it - the people are very friendly and there is some epic scenery.
A few years ago we did a road trip from Vancouver across the Rockies to Edmonton and then flew across to Toronto for a couple of days. It was in the middle of 9 months away travelling so didn't cost a lot and was very easy to arrange - you'd be able to do something similar but a lot more luxuriously I'm sure.
We arranged everything fairly last minute, hired a Ford Focus and camped in campsites each night - can't remember all of our route but we went through Whistler, Kamloops, Golden, Banff and Jasper. Lots of stuff to do - brilliant hiking, white-water rafting, bungee jumping etc and we saw Lake Louise, the Athabasca Glacier, bears, wolves and loads of other stuff.
Do it!
ETA - We went in late July/early August and the weather was perfect - sunny and warm but not too hot. Didn't get any rain at all.
Quhet said:
Canada is fking ace!
I've been a number of times and really enjoyed it - the people are very friendly and there is some epic scenery.
A few years ago we did a road trip from Vancouver across the Rockies to Edmonton and then flew across to Toronto for a couple of days. It was in the middle of 9 months away travelling so didn't cost a lot and was very easy to arrange - you'd be able to do something similar but a lot more luxuriously I'm sure.
We arranged everything fairly last minute, hired a Ford Focus and camped in campsites each night - can't remember all of our route but we went through Whistler, Kamloops, Golden, Banff and Jasper. Lots of stuff to do - brilliant hiking, white-water rafting, bungee jumping etc and we saw Lake Louise, the Athabasca Glacier, bears, wolves and loads of other stuff.
Do it!
ETA - We went in late July/early August and the weather was perfect - sunny and warm but not too hot. Didn't get any rain at all.
This in bucket Loads! Western Canada in particular is amazingly beautiful, from Vancouver and its island through to the Rockies. Dead easy to drive around and the people are great. Can't recommend it enough. Do it!king ace!I've been a number of times and really enjoyed it - the people are very friendly and there is some epic scenery.
A few years ago we did a road trip from Vancouver across the Rockies to Edmonton and then flew across to Toronto for a couple of days. It was in the middle of 9 months away travelling so didn't cost a lot and was very easy to arrange - you'd be able to do something similar but a lot more luxuriously I'm sure.
We arranged everything fairly last minute, hired a Ford Focus and camped in campsites each night - can't remember all of our route but we went through Whistler, Kamloops, Golden, Banff and Jasper. Lots of stuff to do - brilliant hiking, white-water rafting, bungee jumping etc and we saw Lake Louise, the Athabasca Glacier, bears, wolves and loads of other stuff.
Do it!
ETA - We went in late July/early August and the weather was perfect - sunny and warm but not too hot. Didn't get any rain at all.
We do Alberta / BC every year for the last 10 years and will go back next year.
What are your budgets and what would you like to do?
If it is nature and hiking etc then I can give some good tips as will others, but I am unable to give City sightseeing tips as we are happy in the woods rather than the City.
We did stumble on a bear this year in the wild while hiking, lucky it ran away or it would be posting this not me.
What are your budgets and what would you like to do?
If it is nature and hiking etc then I can give some good tips as will others, but I am unable to give City sightseeing tips as we are happy in the woods rather than the City.
We did stumble on a bear this year in the wild while hiking, lucky it ran away or it would be posting this not me.
Edited by Allanv on Sunday 9th October 18:04
If you've not done them before, consider flying into New York for a few days, then drive up through Niagara Falls and into Toronto and then follow your nose/interest, eventually back down for the return flight.
Easy to just turn up at hotels/motels in the US and Canada - and if you visit the local Tourist Info places later in the day, they'll often be able to arrange good room prices for you
Easy to just turn up at hotels/motels in the US and Canada - and if you visit the local Tourist Info places later in the day, they'll often be able to arrange good room prices for you
I love Canada. And the US for that matter. Ive done the Calgary to Vancouver route via the rockies and jasper. Done Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. And in September this year we did Quebec. All are fab in their own way.
Oh, also I've worked in Vancouver and Ottawa. Last year in Ottawa I had a few days off and drove to Lake Superior and back, 600 miles each way, 3 x 10 hour days, but it's so easy as there's no one around. You just stick the car in cruise and go.
The rockies get very busy with tourists, but is worth it for the spectacle.
If you like the outdoors you pretty much cannot go wrong in Canada. Just take lots of mozzie repellent, they're big buggers and will bite through clothing.
Oh, also I've worked in Vancouver and Ottawa. Last year in Ottawa I had a few days off and drove to Lake Superior and back, 600 miles each way, 3 x 10 hour days, but it's so easy as there's no one around. You just stick the car in cruise and go.
The rockies get very busy with tourists, but is worth it for the spectacle.
If you like the outdoors you pretty much cannot go wrong in Canada. Just take lots of mozzie repellent, they're big buggers and will bite through clothing.
Vancouver is great. Drive over from there to the Rockies. The scenery is epic. I'd enter the Rockies from South and drive up the Icefields Parkway to the North, stopping at Banff, Lake Louise, Lake Moraine, Jasper etc. Do a Glacier walk (with professional guides!). Hire a convertible - the scenery whilst you drive is unmissable and the convertible lets you see it properly.
You can do two weeks in just BC and Alberta. Toronto was good, as well, but it is a LONG way away unless you fly. We did Western and Eastern Canada in separate trips.
You can do two weeks in just BC and Alberta. Toronto was good, as well, but it is a LONG way away unless you fly. We did Western and Eastern Canada in separate trips.
Hi - lets just say this - if I win the Lottery/Euromillions - I know where I'm buying my 1st overseas property .... (West Coast of Canada)
As others have said 2-3 weeks will give you time to explore/take in your surroundings and also mean you can break up your driving.
For West Coast - Calgary/Vancouver are your best 2 start/stop points (unless you want to start in the US and then use Seattle as a starting point) As others have said - Vancouver (place I'd live tomorrow if I could) The drive up from Vancouver to Whistler (Sea to Sky Highway) Vancouver Island, the drive across the Rockies.
We've been both Summer and Winter - Seen Bears/Caribou/Big Horn Sheep plus loads of other wildlife.
Only 3 months and we'll be back for Ski Season !!
As others have said 2-3 weeks will give you time to explore/take in your surroundings and also mean you can break up your driving.
For West Coast - Calgary/Vancouver are your best 2 start/stop points (unless you want to start in the US and then use Seattle as a starting point) As others have said - Vancouver (place I'd live tomorrow if I could) The drive up from Vancouver to Whistler (Sea to Sky Highway) Vancouver Island, the drive across the Rockies.
We've been both Summer and Winter - Seen Bears/Caribou/Big Horn Sheep plus loads of other wildlife.
Only 3 months and we'll be back for Ski Season !!
Quhet said:
Canada is fking ace!
I've been a number of times and really enjoyed it - the people are very friendly and there is some epic scenery.
A few years ago we did a road trip from Vancouver across the Rockies to Edmonton and then flew across to Toronto for a couple of days. It was in the middle of 9 months away travelling so didn't cost a lot and was very easy to arrange - you'd be able to do something similar but a lot more luxuriously I'm sure.
We arranged everything fairly last minute, hired a Ford Focus and camped in campsites each night - can't remember all of our route but we went through Whistler, Kamloops, Golden, Banff and Jasper. Lots of stuff to do - brilliant hiking, white-water rafting, bungee jumping etc and we saw Lake Louise, the Athabasca Glacier, bears, wolves and loads of other stuff.
Do it!
ETA - We went in late July/early August and the weather was perfect - sunny and warm but not too hot. Didn't get any rain at all.
Good stuff, this is our trip next June, cant wait!!!!king ace!I've been a number of times and really enjoyed it - the people are very friendly and there is some epic scenery.
A few years ago we did a road trip from Vancouver across the Rockies to Edmonton and then flew across to Toronto for a couple of days. It was in the middle of 9 months away travelling so didn't cost a lot and was very easy to arrange - you'd be able to do something similar but a lot more luxuriously I'm sure.
We arranged everything fairly last minute, hired a Ford Focus and camped in campsites each night - can't remember all of our route but we went through Whistler, Kamloops, Golden, Banff and Jasper. Lots of stuff to do - brilliant hiking, white-water rafting, bungee jumping etc and we saw Lake Louise, the Athabasca Glacier, bears, wolves and loads of other stuff.
Do it!
ETA - We went in late July/early August and the weather was perfect - sunny and warm but not too hot. Didn't get any rain at all.
This was our route in 2013, seems others have done the same route. Calgary to Vancouver.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Calgary,+AB,+Can...
The following year we did it differently, Vancouver to Calgary.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Vancouver+Intern...
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Calgary,+AB,+Can...
The following year we did it differently, Vancouver to Calgary.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Vancouver+Intern...
Allanv said:
This was our route in 2013, seems others have done the same route. Calgary to Vancouver.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Calgary,+AB,+Can...
The following year we did it differently, Vancouver to Calgary.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Vancouver+Intern...
Your 2013 route is the same as we have planned along with 3 nights in Vancouver Island.https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Calgary,+AB,+Can...
The following year we did it differently, Vancouver to Calgary.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Vancouver+Intern...
Fluffsri said:
Allanv said:
This was our route in 2013, seems others have done the same route. Calgary to Vancouver.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Calgary,+AB,+Can...
The following year we did it differently, Vancouver to Calgary.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Vancouver+Intern...
Your 2013 route is the same as we have planned along with 3 nights in Vancouver Island.https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Calgary,+AB,+Can...
The following year we did it differently, Vancouver to Calgary.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Vancouver+Intern...
Fluffsri said:
Good stuff, this is our trip next June, cant wait!!!!
We went in June. It was a great time to go BUT some of the high passes in the Rocky Mountains will not be open. When we walked from Lake Moraine over to the Consolation Lakes (a great walk, BTW) there was still snow on the ground in the shade. It's a cool memory because we saw a rocky avalanche on the mountainside from the Consolation Lakes Lakeshore. It was an amazing rumbling sound ... and we were at a safe distance.
Stay at the Lake Moraine Lodge for a cool experience near Lake Louise. The Fairmont at Lake Louise is ridiculously expensive...
As you can see, Western Canada, drive Edmonton to Vancouver is amazing.
I have always said, when asked which my favorite city is, Montreal.
I have some great visits to Montreal.
If you time it for the F1 weekend, that adds another dimension.
I never made it but I've been told many times that Quebec city is fantastic.
I have always said, when asked which my favorite city is, Montreal.
I have some great visits to Montreal.
If you time it for the F1 weekend, that adds another dimension.
I never made it but I've been told many times that Quebec city is fantastic.
I'm actually in the middle of a trip now driving from Calgary to Vancouver, in jasper at the moment, but leaving for Clearwater later on today.
I proposed to the other half at moraine lake, she was overwhelmed as it really is one of the most beautiful places we've seen.
We've had it great so far, blue skies to proper snow here at the moment, I was expecting a lot for this trip looking at all the pics and it's truly blown me away, it is beyond stunning!
Oh and to top it off ended up with a brand new Dodge Durango R/T as a rental, doesn't sound too exciting but it's got a 5.7l Hemi V8 in it and it looks great too!
I'll be very sad to be leaving this place!
I proposed to the other half at moraine lake, she was overwhelmed as it really is one of the most beautiful places we've seen.
We've had it great so far, blue skies to proper snow here at the moment, I was expecting a lot for this trip looking at all the pics and it's truly blown me away, it is beyond stunning!
Oh and to top it off ended up with a brand new Dodge Durango R/T as a rental, doesn't sound too exciting but it's got a 5.7l Hemi V8 in it and it looks great too!
I'll be very sad to be leaving this place!
Quhet said:
Canada is fking ace!
I've been a number of times and really enjoyed it - the people are very friendly and there is some epic scenery.
^^^ THIS! king ace!I've been a number of times and really enjoyed it - the people are very friendly and there is some epic scenery.
I've only been to Sarnia, Toronto, Niagara (Falls and On the Lake), Burlington, Vancouver & Whistler.
I love it there.
I could, in all honesty, quite happily live in Canada. Everyone I've met was just sooo friendly!
(I'm heading to Toronto again on Sunday, albeit a business trip this time.)
Edited by RC1807 on Tuesday 11th October 07:17
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff