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From the turquoise waters of Lake Louise to the tranquil gardens of Vancouver Island; from the French flavour of Montreal and Quebec to the Scottish heritage of the Maritime Provinces; from the frozen white expanses of the North to the intense fall colours of East: Canada is a land of great contrasts and great beauty. With a land area of nearly ten million square kilometres, making it the world’s second-largest country, how do you even start to put together an itinerary? Simple: join a guided tour that ticks off all the highlights on your wish list, and you’ll come home with a wider smile than Justin Trudeau’s. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
This is a collection of what are widely considered to be among the world’s great rail journeys, including the most popular: a breathtaking two-day journey from Vancouver to Banff that traverses the Continental Divide via evocatively-named features like Kicking Horse River, Kinbasket Lake, Hell’s Gate and the Hoodoos. You’ll travel in a glass-domed carriage to maximise those stunning views and pass through scenery that is only accessible by rail.
This coastal route weaves between the islands that line North America’s Pacific Northwest. Officially stretching between northwest Washington state and south-eastern Alaska, this is one of the most picturesque sea lanes in the world: rocky headlands, icy waters and heavily forested shorelines.
Beautiful Victoria on Vancouver Island is just a ferry ride away from the city of Vancouver, but once you’re here, it feels like a million miles, thanks to its gentle island pace of life and mild climate. A visit to the world-famous Butchart Gardens is a must during your time on the island, but you can also hire a bike to explore the town or get out on the water on a kayaking, sailing or whale watching expedition.
These two cities both sit on the mighty St Lawrence River, and offer an atmosphere that is quite different from the rest of Canada. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the cobblestoned streets of Vieux-Montréal, explore the miniature village of Baillargeon that is home to over 75 hand-built houses and other buildings, or visit a sugar shack to see how maple syrup is produced and sample the delicious results.
Made up of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, the southeast corner of Canada has plenty of personality. Their relatively compact size means you can see a lot in a relatively short amount of time, from the autumn colours of the Cape Breton Highlands to the unique, red sand beaches and cliffs of Prince Edward Island. Be sure to sample the freshly-caught local lobster during a cruise on Shediac Bay and locally-produced wine in the vineyards of the Annapolis Valley.
The town of Churchill is the gateway to the region, but if you really want to meet Canada’s most iconic residents, you’ll need to venture even further into the wilderness. A stay at an isolated but very comfortable eco-lodge will allow you to spend your days watching polar bears, caribou, wolves and even beluga whales in their natural habitats and your nights gathered around an open fire in hope of a display of the aurora borealis.
This is a just a sample of the many memorable experiences this vast and varied country has to offer. It’s also easy to add an extension to your itinerary, to allow for time in New England, Seattle or Alaska. Your personal travel manager can help you find the tour options that best suit you.
We at Travel Managers Australia recognise the traditional owners of the country where we live and work. We recognise and celebrate the diversity of Indigenous people and their enduring cultures and connections to the land and waters of New South Wales.
