Canada

[Loopyloo97]

Hi , we would like to have a 2 week holiday in Canada this July we have one 12 year old . We were thinking about flying with BA to Vancouver & possibly hiring a car to travel around & stay in various locations
We’re not quite sure where to start any advice please ?

Vanvouver is an amazing place to visit.

Don't miss:

-Stanley Park (bike trail and totem poles)
-Vancouver Island (fab boat trip and you should have tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria - it's like the Ritz)
-Gas Town (oldest part of Vancouver with great shops)
-Capillano suspension bridge (brilliant fun, especially for 12 year olds, I first went when I was 10)

• Whale and/or Dolphin watching (depending on when you go)
• Whistler or Grouse Mountain (cable cars and great views)

There's loads of other things to see too., but these would be first for me.

I wish I was going too!

A brilliant place to visit! Definitely go up grouse mountain - be sure to try a beaver tail (like a donut) and there’s a fun lumberjack show too. Also whistler if you can. I’ve taken a seaplane from Vancouver to Victoria where you can see killer whales (prob season dependant) and Vancouver island is also amazing if you can fit it in.

I forgot Granville Island (in Vancouver) - great market.

There are lots of hop on, hop off sight seeing buses too. Never used them myself (I have family there, so no need) but people rate them highly.

Hi!
I’ve just moved back to Vancouver (spent the first 23 years of my life here) so feel free to message me if you have any questions. I’d definitely rent a car and agree with the above suggestions but I’d also take the ferry across to Vancouver island, it’s breathtaking. There’s lots of fun local things to do in Vancouver as well - there’s a blind restaurant (you eat in the pitch black, sounds weird but a lot of fun!), Science World is great for kids, etc.

A couple hours drive north East is the okanagan valley which is famous for its wine and lakes and there’s even a small kangaroo petting zoo which your 12 year old might like and things like zip lines and water sports :)

We did the following:
Vancouver - I second the recommendations above
Vancouver Island - Victoria, Tofino and Nanaimo to get ferry back to mainland
Whistler
Then back to Vancouver airport.
This trip was pretty relaxing, not too much driving and loads to see. I really liked Victoria: lovely gardens, great museum, whale watching and lots of great restaurants.

If you want to travel into the Rockies for a few days, I'd recommend Jasper and Banff, really pretty and the views along the way are amazing.