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01/27/2011 06:51:59 PM · #1 |
Hello Canadian DPCers!
Thinking about going to Canada on next July. Any tips and suggestions? It would be a family trip (couple + 13 year old child).
Thanks in advance.
JH
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01/27/2011 06:55:26 PM · #2 |
It really depends on what you want to see there. There is a big Portuguese community in Toronto though :-) |
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01/27/2011 06:57:26 PM · #3 |
Depends on what you want to do, and what you think Canada is like. I had a Czech friend come here to where I live (Southern Ontario) because she loved the notion of the "Canadian wilderness", she loves wildlife, and she loves the outdoors. We did a lot of hiking in the back country. She thoroughly enjoyed it.
British Columbia is beautiful for mountains and conifers. Eastern Canada is stunning for the natural beauty of the ocean and coastal/rural communities. Central Canada is interesting because of cowboys. ;-)
It really depends on what you would like your vacation to be about. |
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01/27/2011 07:06:12 PM · #4 |
Well...
I like nature, photography and mountain bike. Would love to know some places at the Rocky Mountains. The idea of "Canadian Wilderness" is interesting to me...
The other two with me will like it too, but I don't know if they would tolerate big hikes or camping. They are more "urbanoid" people... ;-)
Anyway... for now would be interesting to have general advice, so I can do some research based on the "must see" tips and check what would fit better...
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01/27/2011 07:15:54 PM · #5 |
My brother went to Lake Louise at Banff National Park in Alberta. He says it was his most favourite place to visit in Canada. Others have said the train ride through the Canadian Rockie mountains is spectacular. Lake Louise is very popular for photography/hikers. |
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01/27/2011 07:16:05 PM · #6 |
My suggestion, Vancouver. You get the best of both worlds. The city is very clean and modern with a vibrant community for your travel mates and close enough to outdoor activities for you. Mountains, sea, and great atmosphere all around.
Not cheap though. You have to search to find good deals.
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01/27/2011 07:24:11 PM · #7 |
Thanks Louis, Heather and Leo! Will start my research with these places!!
Hey Heather, Did you know that one of the most important highways here in Brazil is called "Dutra"? Check it out!
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01/27/2011 07:39:34 PM · #8 |
I agree that Vancouver is beautiful and versatile and dreadfully expensive. :-) It's a beautiful destination and well worth it. |
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01/27/2011 08:14:26 PM · #9 |
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01/27/2011 08:22:47 PM · #10 |
Jose, my husband was born and raised in Brazil until 12 years of age :-). No, didn't know that about the highway, thanks! |
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01/27/2011 08:33:18 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip: Tim Horton's ! |
Playing with they Trip Planner now... (the hickory smoked ham sandwich ad is mesmerizing) =D
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01/27/2011 08:56:06 PM · #12 |
Quite a few of us in the Ottawa area, and as Ottawa is Canada's capital, surely you must plan to visit and take in the history here :-) Depending on the season can go skating on the world's longest outdoor skating rink, aka the Rideau Canal...or go skiing/snowshoeing in the Gatineau Hills just 20 min from downtown...and if it's summertime plenty of mountain biking and hiking. And Ottawa is not as hideously expensive as Vancouver or Toronto.
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01/27/2011 10:09:33 PM · #13 |
Last fall I took a 2-week road trip from Calgary to Jasper National Park, stopping for few days in Banff and and for two days at Lake Louise/Moraine Lake. It's one of the most beautiful trips I've ever taken. The whole two weeks, you are surrounded by scenery that you can't help but photograph every step of the way. I highly recommend renting a car and reserving hotels along the way, and enjoy every bit of the gorgeous journey through the mountains. You'll not regret it.
The other option is to drive over the mountains, from Calgary to Vancouver and stopping anywhere you like. It's at least two weeks journey though. But it's worth it! |
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01/27/2011 10:17:54 PM · #14 |
Glacier National Park.... before they all melt.
Or Banff to Jasper. That's a spectacular trip too.
We did both with teenagers and everybody had a great time.
Vancouver is a wonderful city - just to watch from the pier almost worth the trip! |
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01/27/2011 10:34:05 PM · #15 |
I agree with those who say Vancouver to Braniff / Lake Louis, on to Jasper by way of the Icefields Highway and then back to Vancouver. You can easily do this loop in less than two weeks and have plenty of time for exploring. You will end up seeing wonderful mountain scenery, glaciers, a stunning modern and vibrant city as well as one of the most beautiful inland waterways in the world. Do a bit of research and you will find that there will be no shortage of what to do. |
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01/27/2011 11:09:25 PM · #16 |
If you like mountain biking, the West Kootenays in British Columbia are fabulous. Look up the area around Rossland, BC. Lots of other outdoor/nature (like kayaking, or backpacking) stuff to do there also, although the mountains are not as "alpine" looking as in the Rockies. Kokanee Park close to Nelson, BC is a fantastic place to hike, and Nelson is a cool town to hang out.
If you do that Vancouver/Rockies/Vancouver loop, you can take the southern route (the Crowsnest Highway) to hit the Kootenays and Nelson/Rossland. You can always come back over the trans-Canada and see Glacier Park (the Canadian Glacier Park, not the American park by the same name, although the American Park is pretty cool too).
Message edited by author 2011-01-27 23:11:20. |
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01/28/2011 06:25:52 AM · #17 |
May I point out the magnificent fall foliage in the Gatineau Hills near Ottawa? I mention this because BC is largely a province of evergreens. Just sayin... |
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01/28/2011 07:50:56 AM · #18 |
There is so much to see as it's a very big country. Beautiful coastline on both east and west coasts.
Icebergs and whales in Newfoundland, although July may be a bit late for the bergs. Also has the most easterly point in North America, right next to the oldest city in North America. Also has the viking settlement (first Europeans to visit the new world) on the northern peninsula.
The Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island) have some similar physical characteristics as Newfoundland along with long rich histories of their own. New Brunswick also boasts the highest tides in the world.
Quebec of course is the basis of French culture in the country.
OK, tired of typing, so just links from here on.
flickr.canadafromseatosea
Newfoundland
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Ontario
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Nature varies between regions, but is easily available from just about any point in Canada. Even the large cities are pretty much surrounded by it. Only a question of it being a 10 minute drive or an hour, depending on the size of the city.
Have fun planning your trip! |
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01/28/2011 08:46:13 AM · #19 |
Come, see it all, it is a very big place so you will need some time.
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01/28/2011 09:12:48 AM · #20 |
Nova Scotia is pretty scenic.
Quebec City and the area around it is gorgeous, it's a shame about all the French people.
Old Montreal is OK, but still too many French people.
Ottawa is great, especially in the winter when the canal is skatable.
Toronto has no redeeming qualities I can think of.
Niagara Falls, take a ride on the Maid of the Mist and/or a jet boat, but everything else sucks.
Lots of cottage country in the north & west of Ontario, but we don't allow foreigners to go there.
I've never been further west inside Canada than Alberta. I'd try to sleep through Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Calgary would be fun during the stampede.
I'll bet British Columbia is much nicer than any place in Ontario. |
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01/28/2011 11:30:15 AM · #21 |
Learn what a boot means, eh?
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01/28/2011 12:00:48 PM · #22 |
The Canadian Rockies have to be one of the most beautiful places on the earth. We honeymooned in the national parks. We only hit 3 out of the 4 there, but the thing is the all had a different feel to them.
Definitely, definitely, I'd do the Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho route.
Message edited by author 2011-01-28 12:01:28.
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01/28/2011 01:19:46 PM · #23 |
Banff to Lake Louise to emerald lake is gorgeous, one of my ultimate favorites is the Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper. The drive is wonderful and I frequent it a fair amount on the odd day trip because of the diversity in landscapes. Below is an idea what you can see driving through there...
Icefields Parkway:
Lake Louise:
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04/12/2011 10:15:15 PM · #24 |
Hey guys,
I am considering the following:
Day 1 - Brazil - Vancouver
Day 2 - Vancouver
Day 3 - Vancouver - Kamloops
Day 4 - Kamloops - Jasper
Day 5 - Jasper
Day 6 - Jasper - Lake Louise
Day 7 - Lake Louise
Day 8 - Lake Louise - Banff
Day 9 - Banff
Day 10 - Banff - Calgary
Day 11 - Calgary - Brazil
The trip on days 3 and 4 would be made on the Rocky Mountaineer train. The rest would be made by bus.
What do you think?
It seems to be possible to stay some more days on Calgary or Vancouver. Which one would you prefer to stay a little more?
It also seems to be possible to make the tour backwards, starting at Calgary and finishing at Vancouver. Which one do you pick?
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04/12/2011 11:36:45 PM · #25 |
Send me a message when you're in Vancouver, I'll take you out for a beer! ;) |
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