Canada

I do not like the brand of tourism advertising that labels a place the best. For one thing, I believe it is simply not true and creates competition where none need exist. There are great sights, activities and food wherever you travel and an old saying keeps coming back to mind; different strokes for different folks.

Having said that, Canada is a wonderful place to visit all year round; whether you love the beach, or skiing down a mountain slope, fishing, hiking, shopping, taking in a show, fairs, parades and the list goes on and one.

I am not simply saying that because I was born and continue to live here, I am saying it as someone who has traveled from coast to coast from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic and spend time in both Vancouver British Columbia and Saint John’s Newfoundland.

I have lived in three of the ten provinces, visited all ten and the Yukon. I have not yet been to the Northwest Territories or Nunavut, but one day maybe.

Canada’s cross country train service is reviving itself and if you do not want to drive or fly is a good way to cross the mainland. Unfortunately, it will not take you to Newfoundland and you need to spend at least a few days there to really get a grip on the Canadian experience.

You can also take the bus which will take you to all the provinces. If you only have a two or three week holiday, I do not recommend that you try and see the whole country during the period, you could hit the big cities or the National Parks but there is so much more to see and do.

If I was bold enough to suggest one Canadian holiday package, it would begin in the middle of July in Saint John’s Newfoundland. This journey will take you around four provinces and you begin and end in Saint John’s.

Fly into the Saint John’s airport and rent a car. Be sure to climb up Signal Hill and enjoy the view over the Atlantic Ocean.

The next stage takes you to the ferry at Port aux Basques. The ferry ride from there to North Sydney Nova Scotia is a must and you can meet and mingle with people from all over. Once you are in North Sydney you can chart the rest of your voyage which takes you through Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island and back to North Sydney for the ferry ride back to Newfoundland.

You will want to make all your bookings in advance, hotel, motel, campground, and ferry and car rental. This way you will not be disappointed or delayed in your journey.

Canada is a diverse and fascinating country and there is much to see and do no matter what appeals personally to you.

The West Coast is equally as fascinating as the East, simply different and all the places in-between have so much to offer the eager traveler.