Summer Travel

As we celebrate Canada Day and launch our new summer tours I have been fondly remembering my first trip to Canada, many, many years ago when I was lucky enough to spend a couple of months working in Banff, in the heart of the Rockies. It’s hard to describe the beauty of Canada; its spectacular scenery is on such an epic scale, and offers such contrast from the grand peaks and glaciers of the west and the endless lakes and forests of the east; the picturesque fishing villages of the Maritimes and the wild Arctic landscapes of the far north… The country is home to fascinating indigenous histories and the wildest of wildlife, as well as a surprisingly diverse range of modern cultures and vibrant cities.

There were countless highlights of my summer in the Rockies but the bright turquoise waters of Lake Louise remain a vivid memory to this day; setting foot on the Athabasca Glacier and climbing to the top of Mt Rundle were also incredible moments for me. Seeing elk wandering down the highstreet and even getting a glimpse of a bear one morning on my way out of town were heart-stopping – so much more exciting than the squirrels and foxes that frequent my own local neighbourhood!

A tour of Ontario and Quebec followed, where I searched in vain for moose and spent many happy hours canoeing through the still waters of Algonquin National Park, marvelled at the torrential Niagara Falls and practised my rusty French in Quebec City.

Much more recently I have just returned from a trip to Nova Scotia, a real gem of a province that offers a unique combination of picturesque charm and rugged scenery. I barely scratched the surface of the Maritimes, but I did finally get to see that elusive moose…. albeit in a wilderness reserve rather than out roaming in the wild. Ah well – there’s always next time…!
source by discover-the-world-blogs

The good news is that Canada has a wide range of accommodations to suit all budgets. In the printed versions of the guidebooks featured on this website you will find recommendations for all types of accommodations in all price ranges. This page broadly describes various accommodation types, along with some hints to save money along the way.

HOTELS

Hotels and motels of some sort exist in just about every town through Canada. Check your favorite chain—most are represented, as well as locals such as upscale Delta Hotels and Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and the mid-priced Sandman Hotels.

Ubiquitous park-at-your-door, single-story road motels are located in all towns and on the outskirts of all major cities. In most cases, rooms are fine, but check before paying, just to make sure. Most motels have a few rooms with kitchenettes, but these fill fast. In the smaller towns, expect to pay $40-70 s, $50-80 d.

Most major towns and all cities have larger hotels, each of which typically has a restaurant, café, lounge, and pool. At these establishments, expect to pay from $60 s, $70 d for a basic room. Downtown hotels in Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, and Edmonton begin at $100 s or d. A good deal can be suites or executive suites, with kitchenettes and one or two bedrooms for little more money than a regular room.

Finding inexpensive lodging in resort areas is difficult in summer. By late afternoon the only rooms left are in the more expensive categories, and by nightfall all of these rooms are booked, too. Hotel rooms in Whistler and Banff begin around $150.

BED AND BREAKFASTS

Bed-and-breakfast accommodations are found throughout Canada. Staying at this type of accommodation is great way to meet the locals. They are usually private residences, with up to four guest rooms, and as the name suggests breakfast is included. Rates fluctuate enormously. In Vancouver and Banff, for example, they start at $80 s, $90 d and go up and over $200. Guests can expect hearty home cooking, a peaceful atmosphere, personal service, knowledgeable hosts, and conversation with fellow travelers. On the downside, facilities and the amount of privacy afforded can vary greatly. This uncertainty as to what to expect upon arrival can be off-putting for many people, especially sharing a bathroom with other guests--which is both a common and accepted practice in European bed and breakfasts. If having a bathroom to yourself is important to you, clarify with the bed and breakfast operator when reserving. Here is one interpretation of terms:

En suite: Refers to a bathroom that is private, inside, and attached to the sleeping unit (literally "in suite").

Private: A bathroom that is for the sole use of a sleeping unit but may be outside of the room.

Shared or Semi-Private: Bathrooms that are used in common by more than one room. No more than two guest rooms should share a single bathroom.

These descriptions are courtesy of the Western Canadian Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers Association (604/255-9199 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              604/255-9199      end_of_the_skype_highlighting) which represents more than 140 bed and breakfasts. The association produces an informative brochure with simple descriptions and a color photo of each property, but it doesn't take bookings.

HOSTELS

Budget travelers are enjoying more and more options in Canada, ranging from a treehouse on Salt Spring Island (Vancouver Island) to a luxurious log lodge at Lake Louise (Banff National Park). Hostelling International (formerly the Youth Hostel Association) has undergone a radical change in direction and now appeals to all ages, with a limited number of privately run "hostels" providing other options. Either way, staying in what have universally become known as "backpackers" hostels is an enjoyable and inexpensive way to travel. Generally, you need to provide your own sleeping bag or linen, but most hostels supply extra bedding (if needed) at no charge. Accommodations are in bunk beds (2-10 in each room) or double rooms that share bathrooms. Each also offers a communal kitchen, lounge area, and laundry facilities, while most have Internet access, bike rentals, and organized tours.

Hostelling International-Canada (613/237-7884) operates 18 hostels in British Columbia and 17 in Alberta (none in the NWT or Yukon). For a dorm bed, members of Hostelling International pay $13-28 per night, nonmembers pay $17-32; single and double rooms are more expensive. Whenever you can, make reservations in advance, especially in summer. The easiest way to do this is through Hostelling International's International Booking Network or by contacting the individual hostel.

If you plan to travel extensively using hostels, join Hostelling International before you leave home (otherwise it’s $4 extra per night). In Canada, an annual membership for Hostelling International-Canada is $35.

In the United States, membership of HI-USA (301/495-1240) is US$28. Other contact addresses include: YHA England and Wales (0870/770-8868), YHA Australia (02/9261-1111), and YHA New Zealand (03/379-9970 or 0800/278-299). For other countries, click through the links provided at www.iyhf.org.

CAMPING AND RV PARKS

Almost every town in Canada has at least one campground—picnic tables, cook shelters, showers, and powered hookups are standard amenities. Often those campgrounds in smaller towns are a bargain--it's not uncommon to pay less than $10 for a site with hookups and hot showers. In resort towns, camping isn’t such a bargain, with most sites in the $25-35 range and a few places charging over $40 per night. If you're planning a summer trip, you should try to book in advance.

Camping facilities in national parks are excellent; most parks have at least one campground with hot showers and hookups. National park campgrounds have always operated on a first-come, first-served basis but in 2005 Parks Canada (www.pccamping.ca) began taking campsite bookings ($12 per reservation) for a limited number of sites in the most popular campgrounds. Most provincial and territorial parks have a campground; prices are $12-32 depending on facilities available. Some have powered hookups, showers, and boat rentals.

Canada's varied topography and large span of latitude creates a wide variety of climatic characteristics. Overall, Canada features cold winters and short, hot summers. May to mid-September is ideal for touring, camping out, and seeing the sights; one month on either side of this peak period and the weather is cooler but still pleasant; and the rest of the year the skiing and snowboarding are fantastic.

The best source of weather information is Environment Canada's Weather Office website.

WINTER

January is usually the coldest month, when Toronto's mean average temperature is below freezing and Calgary's is -13°C (8.5°F). In Vancouver, winter's are mild, with snow rarely falling in the downtown area. In the interior, severe cold weather is often accompanied by sunshine; the cold is a dry cold, unlike the damp cold experienced in coastal regions. Cold temperatures and snow can continue until mid-March.

SPRING

After the 21 March spring equinox, daylight exceeds nighttime, and the coldest days of winter become a distant memory. Although spring officially continues to late June, snow often falls in May, many mountain lakes may remain frozen until early June, and snow cover on higher mountain hiking trails may remains until late. Late snowfalls, although not welcomed by golfers, provide important moisture for crops.

SUMMER

Summer is officially 21 June-21 September, the dates of the summer and fall solstice, respectively. Air temperatures lag behind solar intensity as the sun melts snow, heats land surfaces, and warms the water of lakes and rivers. July is the hottest month and providing the most uniform temperatures throughout the country. On hot days, the temperature hits 30°C (86°F)—usually every other summer day in south regions—and occasionally climbs above 40°C (104°F). In the western interior, because of the dry air, these high temperatures are more bearable here than in coastal regions experiencing the same temperatures.

FALL

The frost-free growing season is over by late September, when the air develops a distinct chill. October brings the highest temperature variations of the year, with the thermometer hitting 30°C (86°F) but also dipping as low as -20°C (-4°F) in the north. Mild weather can continue until early December, but the first snow generally falls in October, and by mid-November winter has set in.

Canada is a vast and beautiful country
just waiting to be explored

Occupying the northern half of the North American continent, Canada's land mass is 9 093 507 km2, making it the second-largest country in the world after Russia. From east to west, Canada encompasses six time zones. In addition to its coastlines on the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Canada has a third sea coast on the Arctic Ocean, giving it the longest coastline of any country.

Because of the northern climate, only 12 percent of the land is suitable for agriculture. Thus, most of the population of 30 million live within a few hundred kilometres of the southern border, where the climate is milder. If you fly over Canada in summer, you will often see more water than land: so many lakes, big and small, too numerous to count.

Canada is divided into seven geographical regions
each with a very different landscape and climate

The Pacific Coast
Bathed by warm, moist Pacific air currents, the British Columbia coast, indented by deep fiords and shielded from Pacific storms by Vancouver Island, has the most moderate climate of Canada's regions. Vancouver Island's west coast receives an exceptional amount of rain, giving it a temperate rain forest climate. Although it does not contain the diversity of species of a tropical rain forest, the island's west coast does have the oldest and tallest trees in Canada: Western Red Cedars 1,300 years old and Douglas firs 90 metres high.
To explore this region of Canada
visit campgrounds of British Columbia's coastline

The Cordillera
From British Columbia to just east of the Alberta border the land is young, with rugged mountains and high plateaus. The spectacular Rocky Mountains and Coastal Mountain range, running north to south, posed major engineering problems for the builders of the transcontinental railways and highways. The highest point in Canada, Mount Logan (5,959 metres), rises amid a huge icefield in the southwest corner of the Yukon, the largest icecap south of the Arctic Circle. The British Columbia interior varies from alpine snowfields to deep valleys where desert-like conditions prevail. For example, Okanagan Valley farmers on the leeward side of the mountains must irrigate their orchards and vineyards.
To explore this region of Canada
visit campgrounds of British Columbia and Alberta

The Prairies
To drive across the Prairies is to see endless fields of wheat ripening under a sky that seems to go on forever. The plains of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are among the richest grain-producing regions in the world. Yet if you drive north from Brooks, Alberta, you descend into the Red Deer River Valley, where water and wind have created strange shapes in the sandstone called "hoodoos." The same forces of erosion have uncovered some of the largest concentrations of dinosaur fossils in the world.
To explore this region of Canada
visit campgrounds of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba

The Canadian Shield
A huge inland sea called Hudson Bay extends into the heart of Canada, and wrapped around this bay is a rocky region called the Canadian Shield. Canada's largest geographical feature, it stretches east to Labrador, south to Kingston on Lake Ontario and northwest as far as the Arctic Ocean. The Shield is considered to be the nucleus of the North American continent. Its gneiss and granite rocks are 3.5 billion years old, three-quarters the age of the Earth. Scraped by the advance and retreat of glaciers, the Shield has only a thin layer of soil that supports a boreal forest of spruce, fir, tamarack and pine.
To explore this region of Canada
visit campgrounds of northern Ontario and Quebec

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands
Southern Quebec and Ontario, the industrial heartland of Canada, contain Canada's two largest cities, Toronto and Montreal. Fifty percent of Canadians live in this small region where 70 percent of Canada's manufactured goods are produced. The region also has prime agricultural land, for example, the Niagara Peninsula. The large expanses of lakes Erie and Ontario extend the number of frost-free days, permitting the cultivation of grapes, peaches, pears and other fruits. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region is sugar maple country. In the autumn, the maple leaves, Canada's national symbol, are ablaze in red, orange and gold, and the sap is collected in spring to make maple syrup and sugar
To explore this region of Canada
visit campgrounds of southern Ontario and Quebec

The Atlantic Provinces-Appalachian Region
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland are the smallest Canadian provinces, and were the first to be settled by Europeans. The Atlantic provinces are an extension of the Appalachians, an ancient mountain range. Much of the region has low, rugged hills and plateaus and a deeply indented coastline. Agriculture flourishes in the fertile valleys, such as the Saint John River Valley in New Brunswick, and the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. Prince Edward Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence has a gently rolling landscape with a rich, red soil.
To explore this region of Canada
visit campgrounds of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia,
Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland

The Arctic
North of the tree-line is a land of harsh beauty. During the short summer, when daylight is nearly continuous and a profusion of flowers blooms on the tundra, the temperature can reach 30°C. Yet the winters are long, bitterly cold and dark. The Arctic is no longer an inaccessible frontier. Inuvik, in the Mackenzie Delta, can be reached by road, and every community is served by air. North of the mainland is a maze of islands separated by convoluted straits and sounds, the most famous of which link together to form the fabled Northwest Passage.
To explore this region of Canada
visit the Yukon, Northwest and Nunavut Territories