Reasons To Visit Canada
The dramatic Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, are thought to be the result of particles in solar winds emanating from the sun in the region of the magnetic North Pole. The Northwest Territories and the Yukon offer some of the best viewing of this natural phenomenon in Canada.
Canada enjoys a busy schedule of festivals and events, the majority of which take place during the summer months. Perhaps the most well-known of all the annual events is the Calgary Stampede, a ten-day festival which takes place in the second week of July. Dating back to 1912, the event showcases the area’s Wild West roots, with chuck-wagon races, a rodeo, bands, dancing and exhibitions.
There are approximately one million First Nations Canadians today. Their origins stem from the end of the last Ice Age, about 20,000 years ago, when nomadic tribes followed herds of bison and mammoth across the land bridge joining Siberia and Alaska.
Canada is well known for its salmon, as well as for fresh lobster. People travel from all over the world to fish in these amazingly clear waters, and both fish and seafood are a regular feature on restaurant menus.
Canada is blessed with some of the world’s most dramatic and beautiful scenery, from old-grown rainforests, deserted beaches and crystal-clear lakes, to rugged mountains, national parks and agricultural pastures, there is a different view to enjoy at every turn.
Canada has the longest coastline in the world, and therefore boasts a colourful maritime history which is proudly exhibited in a variety of museums throughout the country.
Canada is a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast. Each province offers a diversity of year-round activities, with walking, white-water rafting, canoeing and kayaking, horse riding, fishing, skiing and dog sledding amongst the most popular.
There are some spectacular rail journeys on offer in Canada, taking you deep into national parks and through the mighty Rockies. You can choose to travel in style whilst enjoying the scenery as many of the routes have comfortable cabins and excellent on-board services.
Canada has wonderful roads – scenic, safe and largely empty. Whether in a car or motor-home, self-driving is a great way to explore the country at your own pace, enjoying the beautiful landscapes as you go.
Canada is rightly famous for its bears – black, grizzly and of course, polar bears can all be seen in abundance, but the country is also home to wolves, caribou, moose, must oxen, whales and an array of spectacular birdlife.
The Okanagan region of Canada, located in central British Columbia between the Rockies and Vancouver, is fast becoming a well regarded wine producing area with a unique micro climate that enables several grape varieties to be grown. The area is renowned for its vineyards, warm climate, rolling fertile orchards and its proximity to Lake Okanagan.
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Canada, Alaska & The Arctic
A 90 minute drive from the Rocky Mountains, Calgary is a vibrant city of a million people. Calgary is famous for its Stampede which takes place every year in July.
The atmosphere at the rodeo is electric as you watch the toughest champions and live stock as they fight it out in bareback riding, bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc, steer wrestling and tie-down roping.
Enter the Alberta Badlands at Horseshoe Canyon and begin an exciting search for dinosaur tracks at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology with a two-hour exploration.
11 days from £2,105pp
British Columbia, Alberta & The Rockies, 55 miles away
British Columbia, Alberta & The Rockies, 65 miles away
British Columbia, Alberta & The Rockies, 74 miles away
British Columbia, Alberta & The Rockies, 79 miles away
British Columbia, Alberta & The Rockies, 80 miles away
Further reading:CanadaRegions of CanadaWhen to GoHighlightsItinerary IdeasPlaces to GoThings to DoAccommodationAbout CanadaCountry Guides
Other countries in Canada & Alaska:Alaska