Who's been to Canada? Any good?
Discussion
callywally18 said:
Thanks for all the response guys!
Think we really want to go here now, just dont know where to start! Weather to hire a car for the whole trip, or a motorhome, or start in New York and drive up, or do the west coast!
Need to do some serious googling...
If you do the West Coast. Fly in and don't get a car until you have enjoyed Vancouver for a day or two. Then get a car and set off for the Rockies. You don't need a car in the city, it's a liability. And you WILL want a day or two to overcome the jet lag without the need to drive. there's a LOT to do in Vancouver you can get to on public transport so it isn't a hardship and you won't be wasting time.Think we really want to go here now, just dont know where to start! Weather to hire a car for the whole trip, or a motorhome, or start in New York and drive up, or do the west coast!
Need to do some serious googling...
Oh. And book dinner at the Five Sails. Great restaurant, superb views.
so called said:
I never made it but I've been told many times that Quebec city is fantastic.
I was there a few weeks ago. You were told correctly, it's superb, the Old Town especially. What's also great about it is that within about 30 minutes drive, you're deep into a national park. I've worked in Canada on two occasions too (Vancouver and Ottawa). I could quite easily live there I think, although I appreciate the winters may take a bit of getting used to.
We went to Canada for 13 consecutive years. We have done the East side and the West side numerous times, we have done 3000 mile road trips, we have done staying in just a couple or three place trips, it is a great place.
If you want a road trip consider Calgary to Vancouver through the Rockies. We did it a couple of times and the scenery and the places are generally fantastic. Due to the distances involved sometimes you have to over night in the middle of no where.
In the west there are loads of great places: Calgary, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria, Tofino (plus many more but these are the ones I remember as being nice). My favourite places are Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria (over on Vancouver Island).
In the east the weather can be warmer, I like Niagara Falls (the main drag in akin to Blackpool so not good) but there are some great things to do and it sits in a national park that extends up to Niagara on the Lake, Toronto is nice, I liked Ottowa - to be honest I don't think that there was anywhere I didn't like.
The people are nice, the food and beer is nice, the whole 'vibe' is great. I would be back there in a flash (if I could afford it).
There is loads to do, there are so many touristy things to see and do, but in the west there are also hiking trails and mountain biking, quad biking, white water rafting, whale watching, kayaking and there was still skiing in Whistler up to the end of June.
There seems to be a theme going with marriage proposals, I proposed to my girlfriend (now my wife of 12 years) in Victoria
The Fairmont chain of hotels are very nice, we have stayed in the Empress in Victoria and the Chateau Lake Loiuse. We had a suite in the Empress on honeymoon and it was fantastic.
There are loads of great places to stay, if you decide to go ask on here and I am sure you'll get personal recommendations for hotels.
If you want a road trip consider Calgary to Vancouver through the Rockies. We did it a couple of times and the scenery and the places are generally fantastic. Due to the distances involved sometimes you have to over night in the middle of no where.
In the west there are loads of great places: Calgary, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria, Tofino (plus many more but these are the ones I remember as being nice). My favourite places are Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria (over on Vancouver Island).
In the east the weather can be warmer, I like Niagara Falls (the main drag in akin to Blackpool so not good) but there are some great things to do and it sits in a national park that extends up to Niagara on the Lake, Toronto is nice, I liked Ottowa - to be honest I don't think that there was anywhere I didn't like.
The people are nice, the food and beer is nice, the whole 'vibe' is great. I would be back there in a flash (if I could afford it).
There is loads to do, there are so many touristy things to see and do, but in the west there are also hiking trails and mountain biking, quad biking, white water rafting, whale watching, kayaking and there was still skiing in Whistler up to the end of June.
There seems to be a theme going with marriage proposals, I proposed to my girlfriend (now my wife of 12 years) in Victoria
The Fairmont chain of hotels are very nice, we have stayed in the Empress in Victoria and the Chateau Lake Loiuse. We had a suite in the Empress on honeymoon and it was fantastic.
There are loads of great places to stay, if you decide to go ask on here and I am sure you'll get personal recommendations for hotels.
Edited by PH5121 on Wednesday 12th October 15:35
I visited Canada for the first time last year and loved every minute of it and was sad to leave.
We landed in Edmonton and hired a car, drove to calgary, then lake louise and took the long way back to Edmonton again, then flew up to yellowknife and stayed in a houseboat for the best part of 2 weeks. I proposed to my GF on the deck of the houseboat in the first snow of winter.
Yellowknife isn't for everyone, it is a nice place but not much to see or do. We only went because that was where my Fiance was born. I would definately recomend a couple of nights at Deer lodge in lake louise though.
We landed in Edmonton and hired a car, drove to calgary, then lake louise and took the long way back to Edmonton again, then flew up to yellowknife and stayed in a houseboat for the best part of 2 weeks. I proposed to my GF on the deck of the houseboat in the first snow of winter.
Yellowknife isn't for everyone, it is a nice place but not much to see or do. We only went because that was where my Fiance was born. I would definately recomend a couple of nights at Deer lodge in lake louise though.
smifffymoto said:
Reading this has made us want to plan another trip,we have done the Vancouver to Calgary route and now fancy the East coast.
Any particular thoughts for a route or things to do. Trip will be next summer 3-4 weeks.
My wife is from Nova Scotia and my kids are Canadian citizens so we go there regularly.Any particular thoughts for a route or things to do. Trip will be next summer 3-4 weeks.
Cape Breton is lovely, as is Prince Edward Island. Also the south shore of Nova Scotia is great, we often leave the kids with her folks for a few days and take a nice drive down the 103 through Mahone Bay and Lunenburg. It gets quite warm in the summer and is often humid.
Halifax is a vibrant city with a nice harbour area.
We`re moving there in the non too distant future.
I have lived here for many years, though have a home in Arizona also to avoid the winters.
Cities: Montreal by a mile. Much smaller than Toronto, but excellent food and an unmatched party atmosphere.
Drives: As others have said Calgary to Vancouver is a good drive, and Vancouver would be my #2 city, though more for its coastal location than anything else.
If you stay East and do Montreal then the drive through the Cabot trail and points east is wonderful, with superb seafood all along the maritimes and great scenery.
I would not try to see all of Canada or do both East and West coasts...best to do two trips over time. Canada has five time zones and it is much further from Newfoundland to Vancouver than Newfoundland to London...
.Cities: Montreal by a mile. Much smaller than Toronto, but excellent food and an unmatched party atmosphere.
Drives: As others have said Calgary to Vancouver is a good drive, and Vancouver would be my #2 city, though more for its coastal location than anything else.
If you stay East and do Montreal then the drive through the Cabot trail and points east is wonderful, with superb seafood all along the maritimes and great scenery.
I would not try to see all of Canada or do both East and West coasts...best to do two trips over time. Canada has five time zones and it is much further from Newfoundland to Vancouver than Newfoundland to London
...RDMcG said:
I would not try to see all of Canada or do both East and West coasts...best to do two trips over time. Canada has five time zones and it is much further from Newfoundland to Vancouver than Newfoundland to London...
Newfoundland is a great shout. Amazing countryside and coastlines, and quite a celtic feel to the place....Plus only a 5hr flight and 3.5hr timezone difference to the UK.
RC1807 said:
It was 24C last week in Toronto.
Lovely!
Pity I was working.
Also a pity the Blue Jays lost to the Cleveland Indians.
A whole City with faces like smacked arses
BUT still as friendly as ever!
Snap, it was horrible around the airport flying out on the Wednesday although it was a relief to be out of a depressed office.Lovely!
Pity I was working.
Also a pity the Blue Jays lost to the Cleveland Indians.
A whole City with faces like smacked arses
BUT still as friendly as ever!That said the weather was awesome and like you say fair play to the people for still being friendly, just like England after every World Cup / Euros...
callywally18 said:
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!
Canada is great. I've spent a month travelling by train from Toronto to Vancouver and also done several one or two week trips.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!
If you've not driven in the USA or other 'big' countries before, don't underestimate the driving. One city to another can take your entire day. I've driven in the Rockies, Toronto and Montreal/Quebec. The best of that was the Rockies maybe. Deciding to drive from Montreal to take a look at Quebec, for a day, was one of my less wise decisions. Driving from Montreal to Mont Tremblant was one of my better ones, a stunning place in crisp snow.
If you want to experience a real winter in your lifetime, Canada is a good place to try it. I've personally seen -29 in Toronto in January, -26 in Winnipeg in March and seen the weather channel showing -45/-47 in Winnipeg/Edmonton in January. None of those temperatures are to be taken lightly.
If you like the great outdoors, spend your two weeks in Vancouver and the Rockies. If you like cities more, and want to get a feel for two very different places, split between Montreal and Toronto, taking a trip to Niagara from the latter if you fancy it. Maybe throw in a couple of days in NYC if that's somewhere that appeals to you. All depends how busy/crowded you would like the trip to be.
Only ever been skiing (Banff/Lake Louise), but really enjoyed it on both trips.
People, on the whole, are nicer than in the US, in my experience (a bit of a sweeping generalisation, I know).
They come over as more genuine, I suppose - I find the much vaunted American 'service' horribly false most of the time - and more relaxed.
Scenery is great in the Rockies, but it's good in the US too, of course.
M
People, on the whole, are nicer than in the US, in my experience (a bit of a sweeping generalisation, I know).
They come over as more genuine, I suppose - I find the much vaunted American 'service' horribly false most of the time - and more relaxed.
Scenery is great in the Rockies, but it's good in the US too, of course.
M
Worked there (up north) for four years. Visited on holiday quite a few times - love the place.
As most have said the Calgary - Vancouver trip is a must do although some other things/places to consider.
Vancouver Island is tremendous - especially further up north and north west. Take the opportunity and go out to see the bears / whales on remote islands.
This was our last trip out; headed out of Calgary down the cowboy trail down to Waterton Lake. Went west, went north, had a house boat on Shuswap lake for a couple of days, then back to Calgary via Cochrane (to catch the car show).
Go - you'll love it.
As most have said the Calgary - Vancouver trip is a must do although some other things/places to consider.
Vancouver Island is tremendous - especially further up north and north west. Take the opportunity and go out to see the bears / whales on remote islands.
This was our last trip out; headed out of Calgary down the cowboy trail down to Waterton Lake. Went west, went north, had a house boat on Shuswap lake for a couple of days, then back to Calgary via Cochrane (to catch the car show).
Go - you'll love it.
Equilibrium25 said:
.....
If you want to experience a real winter in your lifetime, Canada is a good place to try it. I've personally seen -29 in Toronto in January, -26 in Winnipeg in March and seen the weather channel showing -45/-47 in Winnipeg/Edmonton in January. None of those temperatures are to be taken lightly.
..... *snip*
- which is why Canada Goose coats came to be, not for the "easy" British winters.If you want to experience a real winter in your lifetime, Canada is a good place to try it. I've personally seen -29 in Toronto in January, -26 in Winnipeg in March and seen the weather channel showing -45/-47 in Winnipeg/Edmonton in January. None of those temperatures are to be taken lightly.
..... *snip*
SunsetZed said:
RC1807 said:
It was 24C last week in Toronto.
Lovely!
Pity I was working.
Also a pity the Blue Jays lost to the Cleveland Indians.
A whole City with faces like smacked arses BUT still as friendly as ever!
Snap, it was horrible around the airport flying out on the Wednesday although it was a relief to be out of a depressed office.Lovely!
Pity I was working.
Also a pity the Blue Jays lost to the Cleveland Indians.
A whole City with faces like smacked arses
BUT still as friendly as ever!That said the weather was awesome and like you say fair play to the people for still being friendly, just like England after every World Cup / Euros...
RC1807 said:
It was 24C last week in Toronto.
Lovely!
Pity I was working.
Also a pity the Blue Jays lost to the Cleveland Indians.
A whole City with faces like smacked arses BUT still as friendly as ever!
I was following the game and shame about the result.Lovely!
Pity I was working.
Also a pity the Blue Jays lost to the Cleveland Indians.
A whole City with faces like smacked arses
BUT still as friendly as ever!I've got a few mates in Toronto and spent last June there. Cheap flights on Transat and friends to crash with make it an easy destination for me and I love summer time there. Winter time can be a bit cold for my liking but recent weather seems to have bucked the trend but it looks like winter is closing in (finally) this year. You do tend to find that Autumn and Spring are very brief indeed...seems to often go from Summer to Winter and Winter to Summer within about a week! I've been in May before and it was deep in snow and then again in 25 degrees and sat by the lake in a T-shirt.
Oh, and an added perk is that the Canadians love an English accent...
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