In 2017 I was fortunate to live in Vancouver for a little under a year.
I yearned to explore Canada’s pristine landscapes, vibrant towns and meet the ridiculously friendly locals. Every day I fell more in love with this welcoming country and could not put my camera down.
North, South, East or West, Canada sparkles with snowy mountain tops, glistening glacial lakes and majestic sunsets. Each season brings out a new personality and phenomenon to the landscape.
TIME FRAME?
This really depends on how much time you have… you will never be able to see everything in one trip, so write down your top five sights and see if you can make them work.
Canada is the second biggest country in the world after Russia, covering an area of 3.8 million square miles (9.9 million square kilometres) with a coastline 151,473 miles long.
Stretching from Nova Scotia, French-speaking Quebec, to the northern Tundra, famous Alberta and British Columbia, Canada boasts some of the most picturesque ski resorts and wildlife.
You will not get bored of exploring Canada or choose a ‘bad’ spot! If you only have a week or two, pick a province and stick to it. My favourites are Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec.
TRAVELLING CANADA?
If you are covering great distances then of course flying is your best option especially if you are hopping between the big cities, but be prepared, the internal flight prices in Canada are some of the steepest I have seen!
Canada’s wild landscape is breathtaking and I highly recommend hiring a car and covering some kilometres by road. The roads are safe and well maintained throughout the seasons.
When driving through Banff National Park there are animal crossings that take the animals up and over the highways with their own forested bridges!
TRAVELLING CANADA?
If you are covering great distances then of course flying is your best option especially if you are hopping between the big cities, but be prepared, the internal flight prices in Canada are some of the steepest I have seen!
Canada’s wild landscape is breathtaking and I highly recommend hiring a car and covering some kilometres by road. The roads are safe and well maintained throughout the seasons.
When driving through Banff National Park there are animal crossings that take the animals up and over the highways with their own forested bridges!
MY BEST ADVICE?
- Flying across the country can become expensive, so I suggest picking a province and exploring it thoroughly
- If you are visiting in the Spring/Summer months when the Grizzly and Black bears come out of hibernation, be sure to speak to the local organisations and park rangers about closed hiking tracks and forest areas. Similarly, if you are visiting in the Winter be sure to heed any avalanche warnings and road closures.
- Buy your supplies in the big cities before heading into the mountains or popular tourist stops. At a little supermarket in bustling Lake Louise, I paid $18 CAD for two apples and a bag of crisps!!!!
- Respect the abundant wildlife and keep your distance whether you are in or out of your car. There are roughly 10,000 animal-related car collisions every year in British Columbia alone!
- Be a true Canadian and have a coffee at a Tim Horton, it has been fuelling Canadians since 1964… as a coffee snob Australian, I don’t think they make the best coffee but it is an institution to be experienced.
NEED MORE ADVICE? KEEP READING…
HEY ADVENTURER!
Get your fortnightly dose of travel stories directly into your inbox!
So who am I…? Hi! My name is India.
I am a nomadic Australian who has wandered the world full time exploring over 60 countries and 5/7 continents.
After ten years on the road, I have launched my own website – Travelling Notebook – to share the knowledge I have gained on the road and the images I have collected over the years with fellow adventurers. Keep reading…
I am a freelance travel writer, photography and videographer, based in London. If you need specific travel advice or would like to collaborate, please, send an email my way!
Always say yes to adventure!
x India
