Canada

[EvilTwins]

We're thinking about Canada for Sunmer 2016. We'll have twins aged 10. Has anyone been with kids that age? Any recommendations? We've no idea really other than it looks beautiful.
Thanks.

An alternative to Western Canada would be the East, which is what we did last year (with a 15 year old):
Toronto->Niagra on the lakes-> Algonquin Park->Ottawa-> Rice lake ---> Toronto
It was a fantastic trip and we're going back to Canada this year!

Canada is 150 years old this year & to celebrate, admission to all the natonal parks and national historic sites is free. It's thought that the biggest parks are likely to be super busy this summer - especially likely to be a problem in Banff & Jasper which are already packed in July & August. IMO Lake Louise in August is pretty grim. If you're up for it though, go to the Parks Canada website & they'll send you a free parks pass.

Less popular but just as beautiful (and a way shorter & cheaper flight) are the Maritimes. The tall ships will be in Nova Scotia in August too.

Hope you get a great trip planned, it's amazing here & definitely worth the trip!

We flew with WestJet this christmas and was very impressed with the service and costs etc.

Air Transat / Canadian Affair are pretty cheap

We flew with Transat. It's a bit "no frills" but pretty good value and the cabin crew were lovely with our DTDs.

If you do the west coast I'd really recommend the Gulf Islands. Salt Spring is the largest (population), the others are beautiful but exceedingly quiet. You'd need a car for that. If you have a car, take the Brentwood Bay to Mill Bay ferry. I think it's one of the most beautiful ferry rides anywhere.

Both Victoria and Vancouver have a great food scene. Lots of local bakeries and the Asian food scene in Vancouver is amazing. The fish and chips on the coast are great. Both cities have a great food truck scene.

For where to stay, we always stayed at the Sylvia in Vancouver, but it may be too grotty for a lot of people. It's the basis for a famous kids book, so we did not have a choice. Victoria has a lot of boutique hotels and inns, you're spoiled for choice there. If you like modern, The Parkside is amazing (& has a nice little cafe), but I would try to insist on a room on the south side as it's more quiet + great views of the convent.

July & August are dry and fairly hot.

Before I start my own thread, can anyone help with 2 weeks in the Toronto area with a just-turned one year old? I know there's a theme park that might work as a day out but I don't know much else about the area. We'll have a car.

Planning to cross the border as well and maybe stay in Erie, PA for a few nights as it looks quite touristy.

We'll be there in April.