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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Canada - hints and tips.

29 replies

somewhereovertherain · 28/12/2018 11:08

Looking at going to Toronto this summer. Thinking 3-4 days Toronto, then a week in Blue Water Acres in Huntsville. Followed by 3-4 days somewhere.

Thoughts and suggestions have been to Toronto but was about 20 years ago and will be taking DDs who will be 18/17 at the time.

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Original poster
somewhereovertherain · 28/12/2018 15:16

We might have now ripped up that idea and heading to Vancouver instead. Any suggestions.

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StonedRoses · 28/12/2018 18:46

Sort your ETAs out in plenty of time. Usually approved almost instantaneously but sometimes can take weeks. You can’t check in without one. Use the official Canada Government website - third parties charge loads more for the same service.

Despite them being required for a few years now I still saw a stream of people at the check in trying to get one ASAP via their phone.

Original poster
somewhereovertherain · 28/12/2018 19:10

Thanks. We flew through Canada to the States and we needed the ETAs then. So need to check if we need new ones or not.

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StonedRoses · 28/12/2018 19:24

Your ETA should be valid for the life of the passport of five years.

I can’t help with Vancouver but I’ve been to the Rockies several times and Ottawa a few so feel free to ask if there’s something general about Canada you want to know.

Ladydepp · 31/12/2018 00:10

With kids? What do you like doing on holiday?

Vancouver is nice for a few days but I would then recommend heading over to Vancouver island, perhaps via the Gulf islands for a few days in each place. Or you could head to Whistler. Depends what you are looking for....

Ladydepp · 31/12/2018 00:13

Sorry just read second part of your OP and see that you are taking teenagers. Are they outdoorsy? If they like surfing/beaches they will love Tofino, gorgeous place on Vancouver island. Victoria also very nice and good for shopping and restaurants, as well as nice beaches, parks and sightseeing tour s like kayaking and whalewatching.

Klobluchar · 31/12/2018 00:15

What’s an ETA? Is it similar to a US ESTA? As a British passport holder who has travelled to Canada a number of times in the past few years, I didn’t have one of these.

Ladydepp · 31/12/2018 00:32

Its relatively new and similar to the US one, and you’ll need one now. It’s easy to apply online and it lasts until your passport expires.

HeddaGarbled · 31/12/2018 00:40

Vancouver is lovely. As you are so close, you should do at least a bit of the Rockies while you are there. Canoe on Lake Louise, visit Moraine Lake and do a glacier tour are my recommendations.

Klobluchar · 31/12/2018 00:43

Thanks, I’ve just checked and I don’t need one as it’s only for people who fly in to Canada. I travel in by road. Good to know this, though.

Mrspotter12 · 31/12/2018 00:49

Have tea at the hotel overlooking lake Louise - sorry, can't remember the name.

StonedRoses · 31/12/2018 06:28

The hotel by the Lake is the Chateau Lake Louise. It’s a beautiful spot and well worth a visit BUT it’s only nearby in Canadian terms. It’s about 800km and a 9hr drive from Vancouver.
Personally I think the Rockies are amazing and there’s more than enough in Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper National Parks for a couple of weeks. However I don’t think it’s worth the drive to and from Vancouver unless you could fly home out of Calgary and make a bit of a road trip

Toomanycats99 · 31/12/2018 06:40

What about flying to Calgary for few days in the rockies then rocky mountaineer to Vancouver?! We did a lot on Vancouver island and probably would stay there if I went again.

Original poster
somewhereovertherain · 31/12/2018 08:48

Thanks. I’ve been looking at flying into Calagary and out of Vancouver. Flight costs are roughly the same as direct to and from Vancouver.

Things we are looking at doing

Whale watching
Kayaking somewhere
Rafting
Best watching

Looking at the driving we are looking at maybe doing two or three stops so weren’t not driving all the time.

Teens are both outdoorsy but one also likes shopping.

Thanks for all your help.

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Ooogetyooo · 01/01/2019 20:32

Can recommend North Island Kayaking out of Telegraph Cove Vancouver island. Different length of trips available , we did a 2 day trip with them and saw plenty of wildlife Orcas etc. It's a beautiful part of the world . Can't go wrong with anywhere in British Columbia.

Original poster
somewhereovertherain · 01/01/2019 20:34

Thanks. Slowly getting a plan together.

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jollydad · 01/01/2019 20:35

We did a road trip from Calgary a couple of years back:
Flew into Calgary but didn't stay there but rented a car and drove straight out:
4 nights Banff
3 nights in Jasper (via the Icefields Parkway, a spectacular drive!)
2 nights in a lake between Jasper and Whistler (sorry forget where. I think it's too long a drive between Jasper and Whistler to do it safely/comfortably in 1 day. )
3 nights in Whistler
4 nights in Vancouver.

Sounds like a lot of driving I know but compared to the UK I found driving really easy, even enjoyable! Generally great scenery and light traffic.
Lots of lodges and self catering options in Jasper, Banff, Whistler and Vancouver. It does tend to book up in the summer though so you should think about organising sooner rather than later.

We did rafting in Whistler, kayaking in Jasper , Bear Watching Banff and Whale watching from Vancouver.

Awesome holiday, we really want to go back.

Original poster
somewhereovertherain · 01/01/2019 23:47

Sounds good. Hoping to book it all in the next week or so.

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Original poster
somewhereovertherain · 01/01/2019 23:48

Did you fly back out of Calgary or out of Vancouver?

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Bellie99 · 02/01/2019 21:02

We flew out of Calgary in August last year - our flight was one of the last out and virtually everything shut an hour before our gate was even put up.
Don't know what Vancouver is like, but think it is more international so probably more open late in the evening!

Original poster
somewhereovertherain · 02/01/2019 21:17

We flew through Calgary on our way to Phoenix the other year it’s an interesting airport. Just trying to limit the driving by not driving back to Calgary. Thanks.

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jollydad · 02/01/2019 21:35

Flew into Calgary and back out from Vancouver. Don't think it cost us any more to do it that way.

Original poster
somewhereovertherain · 02/01/2019 21:56

Very similar prices. Car hire slightly more. So think that’s what we will do.

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TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 12/01/2019 10:33

Just echoing what other posters have said really but here we go!

We flew into Vancouver, lovely city loads to do, drove to calgary over 7 nights, but if you are outdoorsy you should stop and do more hiking etc.

I'm not that keen on lake Louise or Banff tbh, overcrowded and touristy, but there are nice things to do there.

Emerald lake it picture perfect, definetly worth a look at, as are moraine lake, malign lake, and the sea to sky highway is lovely to drive, stunning views!

It dies sound a lot of driving, but the roads are wide and easy to drive on, and the views everywhere are so good that it's not the same as driving in regular countryside.

We drove up towards the columbia ice fields and saw bears in the forest! Didn't go all the way up either as I'd previously done the ice walk and my now DH wasn't fussed. The Columbia ice fields are a pricey day out, but stunning. I've also previously taken a helicopter flight from can more over that mountains that was amazing, but pricey!

Freyanna · 12/01/2019 14:11

I would recommend visiting the viewpoint for Lake Peyto, Banff National Park.

It truly is the most beautiful view I have ever seen.