Itineraries in Canada

Planning a Canadian trip ?

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When you think of Canada you probably think of maple syrup, forests, lakes and hockey, don’t you ? Of course Canada’s landscapes are some of the most beautiful but Canada has so much more than its pine trees, poutine and Niagara Falls for you to enjoy ! Discover a multicultural country loaded with history : from Native American, to French as well as British history.  You will fall in love with amazing Canada !

What to see in Canada ?

What to do in Canada ?

Take part in the Canadian way of life.

• Enjoy the perfect blend of city and wilderness in Vancouver.
• Eat poutine in Québec.
• Cruise through the vibrant-blue waters of famous Lake Louise.
• Support the Toronto Maple Leafs at a hockey game.
• Watch out for whales and dolphins on a cruise in the Inside Passage.
• Camp out in Kouchibouguac National Park’s sand dunes.

But wait for it … Canada also knows how to celebrate !

You’ll find a lot of national celebrations all year long :

• At the end of June, enjoy the excitement around Saint Jean, fête nationale du Québec in Montreal. Here’s what you’ll see : a great street show, a lot of art and a parade in Montreal’s streets.
• If you know your way around the skating-rink, take part in Hero’s Winter Snowball in Ottawa every February. Skate around the largest temporary skating-rink in the world, take part in an ice-sculpting competition or simply have some fun !
• If you happen to be in Vancouver at the end of July / beginning of August, do not miss the Honda Celebration of Light, an international firework competition, they are fired from English Bay Beach.
• Every year on the 1st of January, take part in the Polar Bear Swim at 2:30 pm. Be brave because you’ll have to take a swim in the ice-cold Pacific ocean on English Bay Beach, in Vancouver.

Languages in Canada

We speak English et on parle français aussi !

You probably already know it, Canada and Québec are part of on and only country but a lot varies from one region to the other. First and foremost, the language ! In Québec, you’ll mostly hear people speaking french (If you’re used to France’s french, you’ll notice they have a different accent) but everyone speaks fluent english too. In other parts of Canada english is the official language – and people usually don’t understand french.
So practice your english and your french, you’ll become trilingual !

Québecois (aka Canadian French) 101 :

• Bonjour : Allo !
• Au revoir : Bonjour !
• S’il vous plait : s’vous plait !
• Merci : Merci
• Pardon : S’cusez !

Local currency in Canada

Money, money, money

The official currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). It’s probably a good idea to have a currency converter on you phone to manage your expenses more easily. If you need to change your money, almost all banks will be able to exchange your local currency for Canadian dollars … And banks are everywhere ! If you need cash, it’s even easier, on top of banks you’ll find ATMs (cash dispensers) in many shops ! So don’t worry about money managing in Canada, it’s easy.

And oh, you will without a doubt need a credit / debit card to rent a car or book a hotel room.

Traveling in Canada

Is the steering wheel on the left or right ?

To go from place to place, renting a car is the best solution money-wise, gas is pretty affordable and there are no tolls ! While driving beware of Canadians passing-by on your right and on your left (if you are used to be passed-by on the left only). If you’re staying less than 90 days, you’re home country driver’s licence will be enough, but if you stay longer be sure to get your International Driver’s Permit. When renting a car, better get insured (not included in the car rental).

If you were wondering what side the steering wheel is on, it’s on the left side and Canadians drive on the right side of the road.

Funfact : just like in the USA, on highways and bypasses you’ll see “fastlines”. Most of them are one or two lanes on the left of the road for cars carrying at least 2 people. They were added to stimulate carpooling and are quite efficient if you want to get where you are heading faster ! Because, yes. You guessed it, most Canadians are alone in their car !

Overall budget for you Canadian trip

Ok, thank you for all these infos but what about the cost ?

• Don’t forget that in Canada, taxes are never included in the displayed price … You will pay an extra 5 to 15% of the displayed price as well  as tips. Taxes may vary from one state to another. Tips are always expected in the Canadian service industry.
• Domestic flights in Canada, despite being very convenient, are not cheap. Expect to pay about 460 CAD for a 4h flight.
• If you are the type to travel with a simple backpack on your back and like youth hostels, expect around 40 CAD / night. For a cheap motel, around 50 CAD / night … The better you want your hotel to be the more expensive it will get. Every budget will find the fitting accommodation.
• In restaurants, prices are about the same as in Europe and the USA (around 20 CAD for a full meal).
• Car rentals are not that expensive, expect around 385 CAD / week during low season for a mid-range car at Hertz for instance. But if you are younger than 25 years old, you might have to pay an extra fee (385 CAD) because big car rental companies consider you “a beginner driver”. Unfortunately, this legislation applies in all countries.
• For all touristic visit, you need to apply for an online the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), it will cost 7 CAD / person.

Useful contacts information in Canada

If you need to join / go to you embassy while in Canada, go to this website for the address, phone number, email address  and website : https://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/canada

For any on the spot emergency, call : – 911.

Book your trip in Canada

Here are the different booking plateformes for your activities :

Canada’s tourist office  : https://us-keepexploring.canada.travel/?_ga=2.48677922.500676587.1528449952-1367706846.1512563653 

Canadian national parks : http://www.pc.gc.ca/en/index

Rent a car : https://www.autoescape.com

Practical information in Canada

Tips for travelers

• Give tips ! (in touristy restaurants, they even estimate the tip for you !)
• Get a universal adapter to charge your devices !
• When renting a car, be careful at “Stop” signs, if several people stopped at the same intersection, the first one to stop is the first one to go, and so on.
• Don’t forget to get a mosquito / bug repellent product, they come out right after winter.