It may be all doom and gloom everywhere at the moment, but it is important to remind ourselves that this is temporary and normal service will resume at some point. And what better way to cheer yourselves up than to plan a family trip to Canada.
Canada has always been in my list of must-visit places, my husband has been and always raves about the time he spent there and we have talked about taking the children before they have grown completely out of the idea of a ‘family holiday’.
Why is Canada the perfect destination for a family holiday?
It is a vast country offering so many different opportunities, experiences and adventures. There will be sights and experiences that will inspire even the most sullen teenagers. With waterfalls, wildlife, water sports, beaches, breathtaking scenery and a fascinating culture and history, there really is something for everyone.
It sounds idyllic doesn’t it? So what do you need to think about when you start planning your trip?
How long should you go for?
I think two weeks would be a minimum, if you are heading off during the summer holidays, why not make it three or four. There is so much to see and do there and with flight times from the UK being around 9 hours, it is worth staying for as long as you can.
How to travel once you are there?
Driving yourself around is the easiest way to travel, so I would hire a car for the duration of your stay. The roads are easy to navigate and this gives you the freedom to create your own itinerary.
Where are the best sites to see?
This is the biggest and most important question of all. There are so many amazing places in Canada, it is difficult to narrow them down but these would be my top five destinations if I was planning a trip and I would pick one main area out of these and use that as a base for any other adventures and excursions.
Moraine Lake
Top of my list would be the stunning Moraine Lake. Easy to see why it is one of Canada’s most photographed places. Based in the Banff National Park in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Moraine Lake is an area of outstanding beauty. A mixture of forest, mountain, glacial lake and picture-perfect villages, it looks spectacular. Not only that but this is the ideal location to enjoy car rental in Canada and take in the picturesque landscape. The area also boasts an abundant amount of wildlife and with a range of trails suitable for walkers big and small, there are lots of opportunities to see it. If you have reluctant walkers, take a more scenic tour in a horse-drawn carriage.
The CN Tower in Toronto
This is one iconic place that is a must-visit if you are in Toronto and although the queues can be quite long it is worth the wait and there are lots of distractions provided to keep everyone entertained from the Skyquest Cinema, a magician and even a giant moose (not real).The view from the top of the city is spectacular and since being renovated two years ago, accessibility has been improved and even the smallest children can get a great few on the lookout level thanks to floor to ceiling windows and even glass floors. The big and little kids will love the elevators which take you to the lookout level at high speed.
Photo by Jelique Edward on Unsplash
The city of Toronto has lots more to offer families too, from here you can take a day trip to the Niagra Falls which is an essential thing to do if you are there. Apart from that, time spent in Toronto can be spent visiting the zoo, aquarium, galleries and museums or simply shopping or exploring the Entertainment District.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver is a place to get back to nature and explore the beautiful rain forest by taking a trip across the 70 metre high and 137 metre long suspension bridge high above the Capilano river. The park also offers clifftop walks, treetop adventures and guided nature and history tours. Whatever the age, it would be hard not to be impressed by this magical place.
Photo by Nikita Taparia on Unsplash
The city of Vancouver itself is also an ideal city to explore. You must try the hop-on hop-off trams to see the city with narration of the history and major landmarks as you travel. Or you could hire a bike and take in the sights on two wheels. Stanley Park in Vancouver is an ‘urban’ park with over 400 hectares of rainforest, beaches, mountains and more to explore. I would then add in a quick trip across the water to Vancouver Island where you could go whale watching.
With such an incredible diversity in landscape, holiday type and activities, even the most reluctant teen would find it hard not to enjoy a holiday in Canada and it truly is the most incredible place to go and make treasured family memories.
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