Desperate to visit Canada! Where to go?

[DontBeSillyBridget]

Where should we start?

We have two kids! Under 5!

Thanks 🙏🏼

How long for and what kind of budget?
If your budget is massive, I’d fly to Vancouver, spend 3-4 nights there, then head up to Whistler and/or out to Vancouver Island.

What's a massive budget?

Fairly flex on budget. Can't do longer than 2 weeks 👍🏼

And thank you, sounds great.

Have you watched Race Around The World for inspo? Makes me want to visit Canada so much!

Canada is all about the scenery, I used to live in the Rockies, totally wasted on young children to be honest, when mine were that age, best hols were mobile home on a French campsite packed with kid friendly activities

I know, but it won't be wasted on us and we don't want to put our travel plans on hold for 15 years.

I'm excited to take the kids and teach them about the world. We've travelled a lot with them and it's been a great experience. They might not remember, but we will.

Canada is such a huge country, so I really think you have to figure out what you want to do/experience.
I did what Fivemoreminutes1 said, spent time in Vancouver and Whistler, it was the best 2 weeks holiday I ever had.

I'm excited to take the kids and teach them about the world.

They really don't remember. So if the aim is just to get the children to experience the world, it's really best to leave it until they are over the age, like 10. Until then, just aim to have fun.

I went about 17 years ago. Did 3 nights Toronto, flew to Calgary and had 2 nights Banff. Then Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver.

Wouldn't go back to Toronto just felt like any other large city. Banff was beautiful. Rocky Mountaineer was fab but prices have increased alot since I went. Really liked Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

I would disagree. My earliest childhood memories are of trips abroad aged 4, 5. Even a hazy one from when I was 3 (!). Have always travelled with my kids and they remember lots too.

Canada-wise, it depends how happy kids are to do road trips. Vancouver has lots to do - we actually flew in there and then took the train to Seattle and carried on down the Pacific coast all the way to San Francisco, stopping at some lovely family hotels and beaches on the way.
More recently did Vancouver - Rockies driving loop which was stunning but not sure how well younger kids would have enjoyed it. A lot of time in the car...

especially if you go to the west coast (rockies, Vancouver etc) , it’s a long flight and big time difference for little kids. I would leave it a few years until they can cope better. It doesn’t have to be 15 years!

Our two must go back destinations in Canada currently are Vancouver Island and The Bay of Fundy (basically opposite ends of the country!)

Can understand the draw of the west coast, but much prefer the east coast - bay of Fundy and into Nova Scotia, New Foundland, PEI. However, where I would plan to go would also depend on time of year as this will affect what you can do

I'm going shortly with two kids! Going to Calgary then around Banff area. I originally got put off by travel agents telling me people drive somewhere every day etc etc. That's not what we wanted to spend a holiday in a car. We are now spending 3 or 4 nights in each place and doing things like wildlife trips, canoeing on the Bow etc whilst there. No car, doing it via the coaches and private transfer. Can't wait!

Yes I would go with Vancouver - ferry to Vancouver Island, Tofino is wonderful haven't visited the rest, then up to Whistler for a few nights.

What in particular makes you want to go to Canada? That would narrow it down.

I've been to Banff and Lake Louise for skiing, I'd love to visit in the summer and see everything all green.

We had a motorhome driving trip around Banff planned for 2020 but that obviously didn't happen. Our kids are older and bigger now wo we feel like we've missed the window to go on that sort of holiday with them, we'll do it when they've left home. Driving a massive rv over there looks so easy compared to here.

I've also visited Prince Edward Island for a bit of an Anne of Green Gables vibe. Dh thought that was quite tragic but it was a truly beautiful part of the country. I loved it. I'm going there in my mid-life crisis years to be alone and write my great novel.

We did just over two weeks in western Canada last summer with our DD (10). We had the BEST time!

We used Trailfinders, who were ace. A few days in Vancouver- very family friendly city, loads to do (Stanley Park, aquarium, museums, Granville Island etc) then we picked up a motorhome and spent a week in Vancouver Island followed by Whistler and then back to Vancouver city for a couple of days.

We loved it all but Vancouver Island really captured our hearts - the scenery, wildlife, people and diversity of the island was just amazing and we are desperate to go back. Ucluelet and Tofino on the pacific rim are just gorgeous and the various rest stops, forests and lakes on the way there are stunning too. Go!

We did Vancouver and Vancouver Island. It's brilliant for kids ours were just turned 1 and almost 4 and they absolutely loved it. We spent lots of time in Stanley park and mainly used a bike and trailer to get around the city and park. We did simple things like walks and play grounds, splash pads and the lido, we also visited the children's museum and the children's market on Granville island.
As yours are a little older you could probably manage more in terms of hikes etc.
We had a car just to make it easy on the ferry trips etc.
My husband and I did lake Louise/ Banff etc pre children, we decided not to do it this time purely because of the distance/time in the car for the baby.
We rented and Airbnb near Stanley park.