Canada is an extremely large country in northern North America. Its three territories and ten provinces cover from the Pacific to the Atlantic and eastward to the Arctic Ocean, which make it the fourthlargest country by overall area. As such, Canada has numerous regions, including three national parks (Alberta, Ontario and Quebec), numerous islands and bodies of water, many mountain ranges, numerous mountains, deserts and grasslands.
One of the most interesting features of Canada is that it has three very distinguishable geographical areas: Ontario, Alberta and Quebec. Each area has a unique climate and geography that are quite dissimilar from the other, with strong differences like muddy winters and sunny, wet summers that are often experienced by those who reside in urban areas. This is the reason why you should take note of your Canada travel guide when planning a trip to Canada, as you will need to be aware of what you will be encountering in each province.
The first province you should know about is Ontario. This is the main political subdivision of Canada, with Toronto being its capital city. This province is characterized by long, wide, hilly and hothouse regions with lots of plateaus and valleys. There are many wine growing regions in the eastern part of the province, and you can find a variety of maple products in the stores of Toronto, which are famous for their crisp, light brown wines.
A popular destination in Canada is Toronto, the country's busiest city and one of its most cosmopolitan cities. You will find that the price of living in Toronto is much lower than in many North American cities, and you will also discover that there are numerous winter sports and recreational facilities in the city. In addition, a visit to Toronto can offer you a glimpse into other parts of the country such as Niagara Falls and Burlington, another popular tourist destination in Ontario. A Canada travel guide to Toronto can give you information on where to buy tickets to these attractions, and you may even want to arrange a tour of some of these attractions while you are in Toronto.
One of the most popular winter sports in Canada is skating, and you can see many different skating rinks in Canada. There is also a great national circuit skating competition, the World Cup Series, which you can watch on television at various hotels all over the country. Another event that you should see is the Canada Winter Olympics, which is due to be held in Vancouver in February 2010. You will discover that the price of tickets to this event is relatively high, but it is worth every cent because you will witness the best athletes in the world competing against each other. A Canada travel guide to Vancouver should give you information on where to get tickets.
The third type of winter sports that you should try out is hiking, and you will find that there are many National Parks in Canada that is perfect for hiking. It is important to note that several provinces have their own inlet and lakes where you can hike; Ontario is one of them. One of the best time periods to do this activity is between September and November. A good Canadian hiking guide to the different provinces will help you determine the best time of the year to go hiking.
If you are looking for an exciting activity that can save money, you should go out to the mountains and take a Canadian winter hiking trip. There are many hiking clubs that you can join, and you can save money if you purchase the necessary camping equipment before you leave home. A hiking guide to the different regions of British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec will help you determine the best places to go and the best prices. You will find that some of the hiker's spots have their own restaurants where you can get your food at reasonable rates.
Canada travel is not complete without a visit to Calgary, Alberta. This city is considered one of the most interesting cities in all of Canada. Calgary is the capital of Alberta and is located on the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains. Winter is the best time to visit Calgary because the city experiences a warm climate all through the winter months. The events in Calgary are quite spectacular throughout the year, and you will definitely want to come during the summer to experience all that Calgary has to offer. A short drive from Calgary is Vancouver, which is Canada's fourth largest city and it is also one of the most industrialized cities in Canada.
Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Canada are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.
Review the latest FCDO Travel Advice before travelling to or from Canada
In many ways, the fall months, particularly September and October, are the best time to travel, as the weather is frequently very pleasant, the crowds have dispersed, and accommodation prices are lower than summer. If you are looking for value, spring is another good time to visit Canada.
British Citizens don't usually need a visa to visit Canada for short periods, but you'll need to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation before you travel
See which forms you may need for entry into Canada.
The official currency of Canada is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Canada you can grab amazing Canadian Dollar deals via Wise.com (GBP to CAD).
The country's large size enables it to harbor a variety of animal species. Some of the animals were introduced or migrated to the country while some including more than 200 species of mammals are native. The following are some of the native animals of Canada: Least Weasel, Elk, Raccoon, Grizzly Bear, Northern River Otter, Wolverine, Moose, Porcupine, Beaver and Striped Skunk
French food? Poutine: Known as Canada's national dish, poutine is a French-Canadian meal featuring three ingredients: fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Created in the 1950s in Quebec, the dish can be found everywhere today.
You can typically expect to pay around £4.09p for an equivalent pint of lager or beer.
Canada is an officially bilingual country, with two official languages: French and English. In practice, however, the majority of Canadians speak English You can learn some basic French before you travel to Canada and really impress the locals!
The currency in Canada is the Canadian Dollar (Gratuities are seldom included in Canadian restaurants. It is customary to tip approximately 15-20% on the total bill before tax, less for poor service, more for truly exceptional service. Many restaurants may charge an automatic 15-18% gratuity for larger groups.).
The GMT time difference is -5 hours