Canada

TRAVEL TIPS

When to go: The best time is in summer (June to September), July and August are high season that’s why a lot of hostels are very expensive (up to CAD $60/night) but any other times are quite cold and even in July you can see snow in the mountains
Getting there: Cheap flight via Iceland from Europe (Wow Air) or from America/Hawaii, buses are available from Seattle to Vancouver, New York to Toronto/ Montreal and the highways are very modern
Transport: inner-country flights or trains are very expensive because Canada has less people who use it and very long distances, nevertheless the trains are very modern, the buses are always a cheaper option and if you take overnight flights you save a night and time
Visa: Work& holiday visa for 12 months exist for young people from 18 to 31, apply enough beforehand and don’t always expect an acceptance right away.
- For visitors from e.g Europe: ETA, an electronic registration for tourists for CAD $7, mostly you get the confirmation mail right afterwards
Money & budget: Canada is quite expensive for budget travellers (up to CAD $60 per night for hostels) but if you rent a car with other people or try out Couchsurfing it is okay, plan a daily budget of US$100 with transport.

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View over Rocky Mountains in Banff

Canadas 150th Anniversairy, Calgary

WHERE TO GO

Vancouver: Popular metropole on the west coast, north of Seattle (US). You can see the mountains from there already. MUST-DO’s: Ride bicycle in Stanley Park, visit Granville Island market and beaches around there
Vancouver Island: Have to take the ferry/ bus from Vancouver, beautiful nature with spots like Victoria and Nanaimo

Vancouver

Riding a bike in Stanley Park

View from Vancouver Lookout

Rocky Mountains: Drive along the Icefield Parkway (240km) from Jasper to Banff to spot the bears, visit the Columbia Icefield, the biggest glacier south of the arctic circle, hike up the glaciers at Lake Louise and Lake Morraine and all the other lakes and mountains around there. Jasper is less touristic and more natural than Banff. If you have time, visit the Radium Hot Springs as well

Lake Louise

Rockie Mountains Horse Riding

View on Lake Louise

Lake Louise

Toronto: metropole in the east of Canada with skyscrapers near the Niagara Falls. Cool, hip areas like Queen Street, St. Lawrence Market, the Distillery historic disctrict and the harbour square park
Niagara Falls: 1,5 – 2 hours from Toronto, cheap with Safeway Tours CAD $25 (Chinese company which brings you to the Casino), massive waterfalls and most beautiful from the Canadian side

Niagara Falls

View over Toronto

Distellery District, Toronto

Downtown Toronto

Toronto CN Tower

Ottawa: capital of Canada, 2 hours north of Toronto by bus or train. Situated next to the French town Gatineau, state of Quebec, visit cute restaurants in Gatineau and the Museum of History. In Ottawa visit the parliament, the Byward Market District and ride a bicycle on the canals to Dow’s Lake
Montreal: French-speaking city in state of Quebec, very old cute French houses at the old port (Vieux-Port), hike up the mountain in Mont Royal to enjoy the view over the city and visit the Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal (cathedral). Try the traditional dish “Poutine” and the bagels. Montreal is famous for all the festivals going on in the summer which gives the city a vibrant, young spirit
Quebec: French-speaking city 3 to 4 hours north of Montreal, old traditional architecture in the old town, visit the old city walls and the cathedral Notre-Dame