Canada trip with young ish DCs - top tips

[longshot]

We are thinking of going to Canada this summer (3-4 weeks). DCs will be 6.5 and 3.5 so still quite young but both good travellers as have done a fair bit of long haul.

Has anyone got any tips of what we should build into our itinerary based on their ages? We will definitely want to spend week or so around Vancouver but other than that are open. We can also do one internal flight during the month if needed. Quite happy to take it slow and not move around every couple of days. We did a similar trip last year and found moving on every 5 or so days was ideal.

I'd recommend grouse mountain, aquarium, beach, Stanley park and gastown in Vancouver. Then a boat over to Vancouver island for whale watching. Then a train from Vancouver up to Jasper or Banff. The scenery from the train is beautiful.

Niagra falls is amazing you should try and fit that in!

Where in Canada are you heading?

HI, we are in Canada, but east coast. Not sure if camping is your thing but camping in Canada is pretty amazing, you can rent camping gear from Mountain equipment company mec.ca and make reservations with www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/. It's also a great time to hire an RV canadreams.ca is really good I've heard. Check discovercamping.ca for info on campsites. Some of the sites for example on Vancouver Island are on the Pacific with beaches, great facilities too. Nothing screams wilderness more than having to pack all your stuff away to keep the trash bandits and bears away! If I were planning it, I'd probably do 5 days in Van, go to the Island on the boat and camp, then head back and go south to Seattle (you can get a boat I believe from Victoria to the states) and see the Oregon coast through Seattle as far as Portland. Then back via a more inland route near the mountains. This will give you a bit of contrast too visiting the USA as well. Second option would be a bit more off the beaten track you could go the length of the Island and go to Haida Gwaii instead. I would warm you though, it is really remote here, I haven't been to Haida Gwaii but Tofino was pretty remote for me. I guess it depends a little on the kids. A third option is to go to Vancouver 5 days, then the island 5 days, then go back on yourself a bit and head East stopping in the Okanagan wine area 5 days (I haven't been but my husband loved it ) and on to Banff. I am not sure if you booked your flights already but I have heard about steep charges from some companies regarding open jaw rentals for cars, so if you did that trip and flew Calgary-Van back, just watch the small print! You would only fit Niagara Falls in if you had a flight, say, LHR-toronto with a stopover - then on to Van. Hope you have a great trip!