Adventure World

Canada

Canada is a country of wide open spaces and offers a world of contrasts - Modern cities rich in art and culture are on the doorstep of rugged mountain ranges and ‘the great outdoors’.

Canada’s West contains some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, the harbour front cities of Vancouver and Victoria, the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains with picturesque Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper, and the stampede city of Calgary.

In the east, visit the cosmopolitan cities of Toronto, Montreal and Quebec, the capital Ottawa and thundering Niagara Falls. Experience the history of the St. Lawrence River region and the rugged coastlines of the Maritime Provinces.

In the north view the Polar Bears of Manitoba or wonder at the unspoilt beauty and fascinating gold rush history of the Yukon.

Top Highlights

Canada, the second largest country in the world with its modern identity, offers a wealth of varied and diverse experiences from coffee on a sidewalk café to canoeing on a silent northern lake. With 37 National Parks this offers the naturalist the opportunity to seek out and view moose, bear, seals and whales as well as enjoying snow capped mountains, lakes and rivers.

Vancouver, Victoria & Whistler: British Columbia

Some of the most varied and spectacular scenery can be found in British Columbia, with the Rocky Mountains in the east and the northern interior full of mountain ranges, forests, lakes and wilderness. Vancouver, the main gateway city to Canada from Australasia, is a cosmopolitan city, bordered by a beautiful harbour and soaring mountains.

The bustling main streets of Robson and Georgia are where you will find most of the hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. Things to do - visit Stanley Park, historic Gastown, colourful Chinatown, Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Canada Place and Granville Island.

Victoria, the capital of BC, Victoria is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. The town is small enough to get around on foot or horse-drawn carriage. A must do is 'high tea' at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, and viewing Parliament at night. The famous Butchart Gardens are spread over 50 acres, displaying a veritable floral fairytale. Whale watching day excursions are very popular from May to September.

The Sea to Sky Highway from Horseshoe Bay to Whistler rivals the scenery of the Canadian Rockies and is an excellent self-drive route. Open year round, Whistler is one of North America’s top ski resorts and with its European-style pedestrian village atmosphere is the ideal place to relax.

The Canadian Rockies - Jasper, Lake Louise & Banff: One of the most popular ways of exploring the famous Canadian Rockies is to take a tour that incorporates coach and rail.

Rocky Mountaineer train routes:

• Vancouver to Banff/Calgary - Kicking Horse Route
• Vancouver to Jasper - Yellowhead Route
• Whistler to Jasper - Fraser Discovery Route.

Jasper is where you are almost guaranteed to see elk wandering around the streets. Follow the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Lake Louise, en route stop at the Columbia Icefield where you can take a ride onto the Athabasca Glacier in a Snocoach (operates Apr-Oct).

Stunning Lake Louise, the jewel of the Rockies is home to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Banff is Canada’s leading resort town in both summer and winter. There is a large array of outdoor activities to suit most people including taking a gondola ride to the peak of Sulphur Mountain, hiking, swimming, fishing, canoeing, rafting, cycling, horse riding, mountain climbing and skiing. Worth a visit is the Cave & Basin National Historic Site, the birthplace of Banff.

Calgary & Edmonton: Alberta

Two of Canada’s largest cities are located in Alberta - Edmonton and Calgary. Alberta’s main attractions are its wildlife, historic sites, scenery and range of recreational activities.

Calgary is famous for the Calgary Stampede, held annually in July.

Edmonton is home to the ‘world’s largest shopping and entertainment centre’, the West Edmonton Mall is spread over 48ha. Drumheller, 150 km northeast of Calgary is known for its dinosaur fossils, petrified wood and weird land formations, a visit to the Royal Tyrell Museum of Palaeontology is a must. Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo Jump, 18km west of Fort Macleod, is a World Heritage Site and is the oldest, biggest and best preserved bison-jump site in North America.

Churchill: Manitoba

In the far-north Churchill is billed as the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’ where travellers have the opportunity to see polar bears, as Churchill sits on the migration route (Sep-Oct). From mid-June to end of August beluga whales can be seen in the Churchill River.

Eastern Canada

Toronto, the largest Canadian city and home to the CN Tower, one of the highest free-standing structures in the world (533m) which has become the symbol and landmark of Toronto.

Niagara is around 90 minutes drive from Toronto. Take a trip aboard the ‘Maid of the Mist’ boat to the base of the Falls for an unforgettable experience.

Ottawa (the capital) has numerous art galleries, museums and markets.

Montreal & Quebec City (the only walled city in North America), are the heart of French Canada and the country’s largest province, with a French speaking population. Highlights: Saguenay Fjord; hiking the Gaspe Peninsula; view Rocher Perce (Pierced Rocks), one of Canada’s most recognisable landmarks; and take in the autumn colours of the Eastern townships and Charlevoix.

Newfoundland & Labrador, an area of unique character with their rugged weather-beaten land. Highlights: St John’s (the oldest city in North America); hiking the fjords in Gros Morne NP; visit a 1000 year old Viking settlement; and the isolated fishing villages along the shores of Labrador.

Nova Scotia highlights:

• Halifax
• Cape Breton Island
• Louisbourg National Historic Site
• Drive along the Cabot Trail
• Annapolis Valley
• Visit the villages of Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove

Prince Edward Island, known as ‘the island’ or PEI, little has changed from the descriptions in the novel ‘Anne of Green Gables’.

Car & Motor Home Rental

Experience the freedom of the open road and flexibility to explore Canada and it's awe inspiring National Parks at your own pace. Alamo & National offer excellent rates and a wide range of cars. Depots for car rental are across Canada, depots for Canadream Campers are located in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, St Johns, and Whitehorse.

Visit the CanaDream Campers site or download the car and motorhome rental information.

Fact Sheet

• Country Dialling Code: + 1
• When to Go: Canada experiences four seasons - spring in April and May; summer from June to August; autumn in September and October; and winter from November to March. The only exception is the Far North, which has a very brief summer, and a long cold winter.
• Capital: Ottawa (Ontario)
• Official Languages: English and French
• Currency: Canadian Dollar
• Tipping & Bargaining: 10% to 15% of the bill.
• Credit cards: Visa, MasterCard & American Express are widely recognised.
• Electricity: 110V, 60-cycle. Two-pronged plug.
• Geography: Canada is approx 7730 km from East to West. Only neighbour is USA, including Alaska to the northwest. 25% of the country is covered in forest.
• Gateway Airport: Vancouver (YVR)
• Air: Air Canada covers most of the country.
• Train: VIA Rail operates most passenger trains in Canada and most of the major cities are connected by rail. Rocky Mountaineer is a tourist train and runs from Vancouver to Kamloops, Jasper, Banff & Calgary.
• Bus: Greyhound operate an extensive network throughout the country.
• Car: In Canada roads are good and well marked, but in Quebec road signs are in French.