Canada

The best way to see the Canadian Rockies is by car, beginning either in Vancouver and ending in Calgary, or doing it in the reverse order. A scenic seven-day trip will take you from Vancouver to Kelowna for a stop along the beautiful Lake Okanagan, and on to Banff National Park. From here, do a side trip up the Icefields Parkway to Jasper and end your trip in Calgary.

This route runs through some of the most spectacular scenery in Canada. Kelowna is a pleasant city that caters to skiers in the winter, with nearby ski hills of Big White and Silver Star. In summer, this is a popular area for renting a cottage, golfing, or exploring the lakes by houseboat.

Spend a couple of days seeing the sights of Vancouver. Drive or catch a bus up to the posh ski town of Whistler for a day, a fun destination any time of year, and head back down to Vancouver where you can catch a ferry to Victoria. For some people, depending on how much time you allow in Vancouver and Victoria, this might be enough to fill seven days. However, if you find you still have more time, there are some great side trips from Victoria. For a day trip from Victoria catch a car ferry to Salt Spring Island for a day of sightseeing, or visiting local farms and artisan studios. With a few days available, drive up Vancouver Island to Tofino for a night or two, where you can stay in a seaside lodge. Spend some time surfing or walking along the beaches in Pacific Rim National Park, enjoy a day hike near the village of Ucluelet, and see the pristine coastal forest all along this remote stretch of the island.

With Toronto being a major point of entry for many travelers to Canada, this is the best place to start a tour of Central Canada. Spend a few nights in Toronto to see the sights, take in a Broadway show, and do a day trip to Niagara Falls. There are several tour operators offering day trips to the falls, which usually include a stop at the lovely little town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. From Toronto, you can drive or take a train to Ottawa, Canada’s capital, to see Parliament Hill, some national museums, and in winter, you may even be able to skate along the Rideau Canal running through the city.

There are countless possibilities for itinerary options in Eastern Canada. The most practical way to tour this area is with a car. With eight to 10 days, you can easily see the highlights of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Begin in Halifax with some sightseeing around the city, and then spend a day touring the surroundings, with visits to Peggy’s Cove and historic Lunenburg, before moving on to Annapolis Royal. From here, continue up and along the Bay of Fundy, making your way to the Confederation Bridge and over to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Take a day to explore the island, with a trip to Prince Edward Island National Park and Green Gables, the fictional home of Anne of green Gables. If the weather cooperates, take some time to enjoy the beaches. When you are ready to leave, take the Wood Islands Ferry to Caribou, Nova Scotia and head up to Cape Breton Island. There is plenty to see and do here, but the most popular activity is driving the scenic Cabot Trail, which runs through Cape Breton Highlands National Park. If you have time, make your way out to Louisbourg to see the Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site. If this is the end of your time, head back to Halifax.

If you are looking for a cross-Canada cosmopolitan adventure, the key cities are Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. But if you want to probe a little deeper, you could easily add on Calgary, Halifax, St. John’s, and even a side trip from Montreal to Quebec City. There are regular flights to all of these destinations and quick and convenient train connections that run between Toronto and Montreal. Flights to the eastern cities of Halifax and St. John’s are generally more expensive.

Vancouver is arguably Canada’s most beautiful city, while Toronto is a great place to see a show, take a day trip to Niagara Falls, and enjoy the view from the CN Tower. Montreal is an incredibly vibrant city known for its French culture, shopping and fashion, and trendy Old Town. With extra time, you could add on a trip to Ottawa, between Toronto and Montreal, to see the nation’s capital and tour some of the best museums in Canada. Nature lovers could make a stop in Calgary for a quick trip out to Banff National Park and Lake Louise. For a more complete picture of Canada, catch a flight to either Halifax or St. John’s to enjoy some seafood and experience the culture and friendly people of the Maritimes.