AIBU to ask whether to visit the East or the West of Canada?

[LitterPicker1236]

This year will be our last family holiday as youngest DC leaving for uni. Wanted to make our last family holiday one to remember. Would like to go to Canada, but it is so vast that we are having difficulty pinning down which bit to visit.

Does anyone have any ideas? We like cities and landscapes

I don’t get the AIBU, but you if you like cities and landscapes can’t go wrong with Vancouver, British Columbia in general and the rockies. You’re right, you definitely need to pick a region as it’s too big to see in one go. Have fun!

Head Bc way. Ontario area has some nice places but having extensive experience of both sides Bc is far more interesting.

We went to west Canada a few years ago. We flew to Calgary, hired a RV and spent a week exploring the rockies (Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper) then went to Whistler for a few days which was lovely.

We finished with a few days in Vancouver, a fabulous city. I'd definitely recommend it. Not cheap though 🙄

Calgary is said to be very beautiful, and Vancouver is magnificent. Both are on my bucket list. My parents loved both. I’ve been to Toronto, which is NYC with less dirt and better manners.

Having been to both it's easy - the west wins by a country mile. Fly into Vancouver which is a pretty cool city, go to Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper. You'll be blown away it's just stunning.

See I loved Toronto and Quebec and Niagra Falls but the Rockies are glorious. How long are you there for? I took 5 months which may not be an option!

Vancouver!!! Amazing city, we loved it and would happily live there.

The Rockies sound amazing but we found they were only re accessible for non skiing in a short part of the year and we went in April so still snowy.

Instead we got on the ferry and headed to Vancouver Island and the Pacific Rim National Park. Phenomenal scenery, from mountains to rainforests, to beaches- we saw bears and wales, walked a lot, hung out on the beach. It felt remote, unique, in April largely unfilled with tourists and we got to know some of the locals and the culture. A magical adventure.

We are hoping to go to visit the Toronto area to see family. As we have done this countless times, we would like to fly into the Maritimes and tour the area for up to a week. We would then fly onto Toronto.

I don't really like cities as holiday destinations, so really want to see the quaint coves of Green Gables country (actually, we probably wouldn't make it to PEI as it is more off the beaten track, and it would be really hard to convince DH).

We did a 3 week trip a few years ago with our two kids. We flew into Calgary, picked up a camper van and toured the Rockies for a week. Then flew Calgary to Victoria. Picked up a hire car and drove up to Tofino on Vancouver island. Stayed there 5 nights on a beach side lodge then drove to Vancouver city for a night. Last flight was to Toronto and we stayed another 5 nights there. Was a perfect combination of city, mountains and island life.

I’ve never been to the west but I would love to! I’ve been to Toronto and niagara falls but am in no rush to go back- they were good but not amazing I didn’t think. Not sure which is the unreasonable bit of your aibu though?!

An advantage of focusing on Toronto is that you are not driving vast differences. You can go to Niagara Falls in a couple of hours (it's only worth a half-day unless you are into tatt or casinos). You can also head up to the beautiful Muskoka Lakes - again just a few hours from TO, and great if you are into boating and waterskiing.

Yes we stayed in Tofino! Gorgeous place!

We had an amazing holiday in the West Coast. We flew to Vancouver and them drove and camped in the Rockies - Banff and Jasper. Then drove back to Vancouver and spent a week there. We went to Victoria for a day, drove up to Whistler and did ziplining. Fantastic holiday!

I lived both places, so I'd ask what you like to do, and what month you'd be here, as the weather is so varied.

If you go o the west, I’ve only been to the west, it’s stunning, but go to Tofino.

West of Canada was lovely and stunning landscapes. We went to Vancouver and Victoria and travelld around that area making our way to Edmonton.

@Wakemeuuuup

We went to west Canada a few years ago. We flew to Calgary, hired a RV and spent a week exploring the rockies (Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper) then went to Whistler for a few days which was lovely.

We finished with a few days in Vancouver, a fabulous city. I'd definitely recommend it. Not cheap though 🙄

I did something very similar, except we started and finished in Calgary and took three weeks.

I saw some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen on that trip and would love to go again with DH.

I would suggest West (fly to Calgary and make your way over to Vancouver/Victoria island) before flying home. Don’t plan to stay in Calgary for long as its really not beautiful, nice place to live but not really to visit.

Or do the east coast, not Toronto/Ontario. Montreal can be interesting. But Newfoundland, PEI and Nova Scotia are beautiful and unique I think.

I travelled both coasts and I think I prefer the East - not Toronto but Nova Scotia and PEI. Fly into Halifax and travel north across Nova Scotia to PEI. Its like going back 50 years, quaint, beautiful lakes and coastline and fabulous seafood.

Definitely West! I have family in Ontario and in Alberta so have travelled to both sides and enjoyed both. But the beauty of Lake Louise, the hoo doo's, Jasper, Banff, Calgary etc is just unrivalled.
The Rockies were beautiful, and the Royal Tyrell museum super interesting.
We hope to go as a family next year for 3 weeks and get an RV.

West hands down.

Fly to Calgary and visit Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. Utterly stunning.

Then cross to BC for the West Coast. Vancouver is amazing.

West

How much time do you have, and what do you like? Nature? History? Urban areas/modern culture? There's also rather a LOT of Canada between Ontario and the West Coast! I'm from Ontario/Québec myself, so can speak as to that: lots of culture, history, viniculture (sorry, BC, just not quite there yet... :-P ), concentrated into a relatively smaller area. I think Montréal is one of the more fabulous cities one can visit, re. history (city walls built in the reign of Louis XIV), modern culture, and food, etc. Likewise there's loads of geological/natural interest, and loads to explore regarding indigenous culture. The attractions of the Rockies and the West Coast are also huge, but balanced in a different way (and yes, I confess they do also have some rather decent wines). There's also the possibility of taking e.g. a coast-to-coast train journey with stopovers...

Vancouver area is amazing. We rented a Car and booked various places and toured round. Had a fantastic time. Spent one week in the best holiday home I've ever stayed in. Would love to go back!

Thank you all so much for your advice! We will be staying 3 weeks in answer to a PP who asked.