Canada holidays have much to offer travellers from the UK, from the breathtaking scenery of the Rocky Mountain Range straddling the British Columbia/Alberta border, the numerous outdoor activity opportunities of British Columbia on the Pacific coast to the bustling and vibrant cities of the Eastern Provinces and even Polar Bear spotting in Manitoba. A trip to Canada has it all.
The Canadian Rockies is home to snow topped peaks, glaciers, jewel like lakes and top-class ski resorts, including the exceptional Whistler with its enviable snow record, Sun Peaks the second largest resort in British Columbia, Kicking Horse, Banff, and Lake Louise to name just a few. Take a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer train travelling from the coast of British Columbia to the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, and vice versa. Travel by car on the spectacular Icefields Parkway road through protected national parkland from Calgary to Jasper is one of the most scenically stunning drives on earth and provides the opportunity to spot the local wildlife such as bears, mountain goats, wolves, elk, big-horned sheep, moose and coyotes. Visit Alberta’s largest city Calgary, where Canadian prairie meets the Rocky Mountains, learn about the city’s cowboy culture and the famous Calgary Stampede which takes place in July each year.
The best airport to fly into if you are planning a trip to The Rockies is Calgary (YYC) with regular direct flights from London Heathrow with airlines such as British Airways and American. Direct flights to Calgary take just over 9 hours from the UK.
The Pacific coast of British Columbia offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities including sailing and whale watching off the Gulf Islands, visiting the beautiful Buchart Gardens in the capital Victoria, as well as golfing, hiking, rafting, mountain biking and camping or visit the metropolitan coastal city of Vancouver, host of the 2010 Winter Olympics and an excellent base for all British Columbia has to offer.
Eastern Canada is home to many vibrant cities, all offering an excellent array of restaurants, shopping, museums and galleries. Visit the largely French speaking province of Quebec with the UNESCO World Heritage site and Capital city Quebec with its old-world charm and the unique city of Montreal. Toronto, standing on the northern shore of Lake Ontario with the famous CN Tower one of the world’s tallest towers and the nearby Niagra Falls. Take a trip on the Maid of the Mist and soak up the spray from this incredible waterfall (well 3 waterfalls to be exact). Visit the buzzing City of Ottawa, Canada’s Capital, offering fascinating history and lots of European charm.
You can take a holiday in Canada at any time of year. During the summer months temperatures are pleasant and can reach high levels of humidity, especially in the southern provinces. The fall months provide excellent photographic opportunities with the spectacular changing colours of the forests. In the winter months, temperatures fall below freezing, so the main attractions are the excellent ski resorts and city breaks.
Find out more about Canada here.