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Holidays

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

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Original poster

I'm going to Canada! What do I need to know?

52 replies

greathat · 26/07/2019 22:22

Going this weekend, work has been manic so have only just started thinking about it. What do I need to know before I go please?

OP posts:

tryingtobebetterallthetime · 26/07/2019 22:24

Canada is huge. Where in Canada are you going?

Original poster

greathat · 26/07/2019 22:33

Vancouver area, doing a little tour staying in five different places.. Got a little itinerary, but I've never been before. I assume its like the USA where you never know how much things in shops cost as they add the tax on after?

OP posts:

stucknoue · 26/07/2019 22:37

Pretty much, expect to tip, it's pretty laid back in Vancouver for a major city - if it's decent weather rent bikes from the shop near Stanley park and ride the perimeter (we had a tandem). Tim Horton's is Canada's answer to subway but better, we also liked Moxie's which turned out to be a chain too. Where else are you going? Whistler is nice but I went in winter.

Original poster

greathat · 26/07/2019 22:43

we start in vancouver, then go to sooke? then port albeeni, then Ucluelet, then ROyston, then Squamish/Whistler

OP posts:

Xyzzzzz · 26/07/2019 22:51

It’s amazing and the best customer service I’ve ever had!

I love Canada! I’d recommend you visit the suspension bridge if you can and just enjoy the views!

Soontobe60 · 26/07/2019 22:51

So you're actually going to be travelling quite long distances. We stayed in Sooke last year, it's in Vancouver Island. Takes best part of a day to get there from the mainland as you also need a ferry crossing. Have you made reservations for this?
You'll need the paper copy of your driving license plus a credit card in the drivers name to hire your car. You're route whilst in the island is quite lengthy. How long will you be on the island for?

Soontobe60 · 26/07/2019 22:52

'Your' route!

Mitebiteatnite · 26/07/2019 22:54

You need to know that self ID is a thing over there, so be aware that you might come across males in female only spaces.

Other than that, I can't help. Never been.

Soontobe60 · 26/07/2019 22:55

Also, we found Vancouver to be quite pricy, at least as much as in the Uk, if not more.
The weather cam be very variable so take appropriate clothes. Don't bother with a bear tour in whistler, you'll pay a fortune and see nothing! Go whale watching from Sooke instead.

Original poster

greathat · 26/07/2019 23:00

its three weeks, yes we're trying to break the travelling up as much as possible. Google suggested we wouldn't need to book a ferry, as they are very regular and you just turn up and wait

OP posts:

Onesailwait · 26/07/2019 23:02

It really doesn't take the best part of a day to get from Vancouver to Vancouver Island to the ferry takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. ( make a reservation for the ferry or you could be in for at least a one sail wait) hence my username I live in Sooke and I work in Vancouver 3 days a week they are very busy right now
the drive from the ferry to Sooke is around 45 minutes. If you have time when you get to Royston take the ferry over to Denman Island and then you can get another ferry to Hornby Island go to the beach on Hornby. Most importantly get yourself to one of the dispensaries and buy some awesome weed to smoke durung your trip to the island. Enjoy we got beautiful weather here at the moment 26° today not too hot. Just perfect

Onesailwait · 26/07/2019 23:07

Believe Me book a ferry I'm in the lineup now there's a 2 sail wait.!😫

Original poster

greathat · 26/07/2019 23:08

Ok thanks for that. Will try to work out what ferry we'd need to be on!

OP posts:

Onesailwait · 26/07/2019 23:09

You'll be catching the Vancouver to Victoria Ferry you only need to book a couple of days in advance

Onesailwait · 26/07/2019 23:11

Tsawwassen to Swartz bay

Huntlybyelection · 26/07/2019 23:18

If you are in Vancouver then take the hop on hop off bus tour but go for the Stanley Park option - tickets last 24hrs and this takes in Stanley park, Granville island and the city centre route. It's well worth it.

Capilano suspension bridge is well known but we went to Lynne Valley canyon. It's north Vancouver (across the water) and you can get a bus there. Lovely walk and has a small suspension bridge. Better for those who have fear of heights or with small children (ie my husband and my family)

Yaletown in Vancouver has a good range of bars and pubs. We ate in Yaletown Brewing Co - great beer and pizza.

putthetellyon · 26/07/2019 23:20

It's shit

nothingtowearever · 26/07/2019 23:22

I don't know about Vancouver but when I was in Toronto I didn't realise what a massive wine place it was! Stock up on Canadian wine it's beautiful!

tryingtobebetterallthetime · 26/07/2019 23:25

The weather in Vancouver right now is warm and sunny. It is actually feeling like it might get quite hot the next few days. The beaches have been packed.

Regarding the self ID thing, I have never had an issue with female spaces, nor have I heard from any of my family or friends having an issue. I wouldn't worry about that at all.

Vancouver has a wealth of Asian food at reasonable prices if you are adventurous. Good sushi everywhere. Stanley Park sea wall is great for a bike ride or walk. Capilano Suspension Bridge is usually a hit. Hang out at Granville Island. Very busy, and lots of in season produce. Lots of food choices. You can take the Aquabuses across False Creek. Whistler is indeed lovely in summer. Good hiking/biking. Also swimming in Alta Lake.