Canada

Self-effacing Canada has a lot up its sleeve. Spotting rare Arctic wildlife, swimming with Narwhals and skating to work is BAU. Add glittering lakes, ice fields, majestic peaks and prairie expanses and you know why it’s a mandatory destination on our cards.

Not to be missed

The Spa Train
Ontario
How much persuasion do you really need to board a train that stops at 18 top notch luxury spas? Not much, we guess!
Book a seat to unlimited pampering. The Spa Train from Ontario offers day and overnight trips filled with the kind of soul time, you’re always dreaming about. 18 world class spas form the stations here, each offering a signature wellness package.
Indulge in the famously organic Dr. Hauschka treatments at Port Hope. Or enjoy the gracious hospitality of a colonial mansion cum spa at Picton. Want a more eclectic mix? Try Kanata or Ottawa, which offer a choice of Eastern style treatments, couple’s packages and more, along with gourmet cuisine.
At the end of an oh-so relaxing day, just sink into your seats and switch off. This train takes the slow and sweet route back to reality.
Whale Watching
Vancouver
Orcas, Humpbacks, Minke & Grey whales, porpoises, seals, sea lions and a whole line up of sea birds await you here.
Set amid a backdrop of snow-flecked mountains, dripping rain forest and sandy beaches, Vancouver is one of nature’s wonders! It doesn’t get better than this.
Tear yourself away from Vancouver’s many heady attractions and head south to catch Orcas, Humpbacks, Minke and Grey Whales, porpoises, seals, sea lions and a whole line up of sea birds!
From May to October, it’s prime viewing time to see southern resident orcas feeding on migrating salmon in the Strait of Georgia and the Gulf Islands. The late summer months, however, are ideal for spotting northern resident orcas, which feed in the Johnson Strait.
And that’s not all: on water, on land, and in the air, the Vancouver Island region is home to all kinds of wonderful creatures. The long list of wildlife attractions makes your experience even more memorable.
Sea to Sky Highway
Vancouver
If you’re in the mood for a long, scenic drive then Highway 99 or the Sea to Sky highway is the road to drive on.
If you are in the mood for a long, scenic drive then Highway 99 or the Sea to Sky highway is the road to drive on. This beautiful two-hour drive from Vancouver to Whistler is just the beginning of your adventure. There's a magical moment when the city disappears, leaving you with snow-capped peaks on one side of the winding road and the deep waters of Howe Sound on the other. The 'real world' is now officially behind you.
A word of caution, though – this route is built on a steep cliff overlooking Howe Sound and is a two-lane undivided highway with no external barrier. Not to miss on this road trip are skiing opportunities at Whistler mountains, the Lighthouse park and the Shannon waterfalls at Squamish.

Must Dos

Marvel at the Niagara Falls, the Canadian side is truly majestic.
Enjoy Shaw & Shakespeare in the outdoors at Niagara-on-the-lake’s summer festival.
Understand Canada’s rich and totemic culture at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, Whistler and the Brockton Point, Vancouver.
Hook up to the Bixie Bike network in Montreal & ride around.
Taste Maple Syrup fresh off the tree at Québec’s many cabanes à sucre or Sugar Shacks.
Hit multi-faceted Vancouver for temperate rainforests, fine dining and mountain side zip-lining.
Sway on the world’s longest and highest suspension bridge – the Capilano, Vancouver.
Take a skiing lesson from an Olympian at Whistler Blackcomb.
Make a trip in winter to see the winter festivals and the world’s toughest races like the Yukon quest.

Prime bear country, British Columbia has the highest population of grizzlies and is home to the rare White Kermode Bear. Spot these fearsome creatures in their natural lair at the Great Bear Rainforest area (Bella Coola, Saltwater Fjords) or Knight Inlet. In spring, packs feast on fresh grass sedges and in fall, they catch salmon.

Head south of Vancouver to catch Orcas, Humpbacks, Minke and Grey Whales, Porpoises, Seals, Sea Lions and a whole line up of sea birds. From May to October, it’s prime viewing time to see Southern Resident Orcas feeding on migrating Salmon in the Strait of Georgia and the Gulf Islands. The late summer months, are ideal for spotting Northern Resident Orcas, which feed in the Johnson Strait.

Icefields Parkway is not only one of the world’s most beautiful routes, it also gives you the chance to spot true blue Canadian wildlife like Big Horn Sheep, Coyotes, Deer, Black Bears and even the elusive Mountain Goat.

An area of unbelievable eco diversity, gold rush myths and stories of First Nation tribes, the Nahanni National Park is a vintage Canadian adventure. The Park’s highlights include the 302-foot-high Virginia Falls (two times taller than Niagara), the Rabbitkettle Tufa Mounds, Kraus Hot Springs and Gold rush sites like the Headless Valley, Funeral Range and Deadmen valley.

Get your entire family to paddle in unison. Jasper National Park has white water rafting from an easy grade 1 to a tough 6 on the Athabasca, Sunwapta and Fraser Rivers. Anyone above 6 years can suit up and try the easier swirls and eddies of the Athabasca. The turbulent waters of Sunwapta and Fraser are for more experienced paddlers.

If it’s July, get your inner cowboy to the world’s most famous rodeo. A weeklong extravaganza, the Calgary stampede is a re-creation of the magic and myth of the old West and features ladies barrel racing, bareback riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, and saddle bronc & bull riding. Competitions aside, there are country music concerts and tasty eats like deep fried cookie dough and fried pickle pizza!

Get your own loyal team of huskies and glide across silent, sleeping boreal forests in winter. As you yell ‘mush, mush’ keep an eye out for the odd Moose or White Tail Deer. Places like the Haliburton forest, Sunset Country and Barrie have a wonderful choice of trails.

It is one of the six principal ‘toes’ of the Columbia Icefields. Giant Explorer buses drive down steep slopes to take you right to the middle, from where you can see the Andromeda Glacier as well. Ice slopes taller than the Eiffel tower surround you, while masses of glacial ice lie beyond.

North America’s only authentic Ice Hotel, the Hotel de Glace gets built every December as soon as the temperature falls below zero. A team of constructors & sculptors create intricate arches, rooms, bar, ice slide and even a chapel. A dream wedding and romantic destination, this cool, cool hotel stays open till April.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rideau Canal becomes the world’s largest natural skating rink in winter. 7.8 kms long, it goes through the heart of downtown Ottawa from the Parliament Building to Dows Lake. Don skates, glide, gorge on pastries and warm up at the heated chalets on the side.

Drop by at the Inniskillin winery to taste their famed ice wines. Made from grapes left to freeze in the winter frost, the harvest usually happens at night after the temperature reaches -8° C and stays there. The cold means a sweeter, intense and deliciously flavoured wine.

Part of the Snow Days celebration, the Ice Magic Festival has international artists vying for top ice carving spots using 300 pound blocks of ice. The "one carver, one hour" speed carving event is a big show stopper too. The festival also has workshops, ice installations, ice wall climbing, ice playgrounds and wagon rides.

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