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Travel Guides - Discover Canada

Top 10 Activities

Banff National Park Vancouver Notre Dame - Montreal, Canada

#1. Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a Canadian icon and they are an impressive sight. You can take a train tour up to Jasper in the mountains to get a real feel for the majesty of this amazing mountain range.

#2. Banff National Park
Set in the heart of the Rocky Mountains is Banff National Park. This is a World Heritage listed site and boasts some excellent locations to enjoy snow sports or just explore the gorgeous mountains. You'll also find Lake Louise and the Lake Louise Ski Resort in this area, so it could make a great central point for your exploring.

#3. Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb is one of the largest ski resorts in the world. Offering world-class snow sports across thousands of acres of varied terrain, this is a snow lover's dream location. Whistler Village offers excellent quality accommodation with close proximity to the snow fields and you'll find plenty of activities to keep you occupied here all year around.

#4. Canada's Wonderland
Canada's Wonderland is the most popular theme park anywhere in Canada. Open only during summer, the Wonderland boasts great roller-coasters, plenty of other thrill rides and even hosts a water park spanning more than 20 acres.

#5. West Edmonton Mall
If you're into shopping, then you can't go past the West Edmonton Mall. This is the largest mall in the world and you can shop without incurring any Provincial Sales Tax. This massive shopping complex features more than 800 stores and restaurants and even boasts an amusement park, an ice rink, a water park and a submarine lake.

#6. Granville Island
Granville Island is easily one of the most popular tourist attractions in Canada. Granville Island is filled with so many touristy things to do that you'll find plenty to keep you entertained and amused. Studded with gorgeous parks and punctuated with street entertainers, you might decide to spend an afternoon wandering the markets. There are also plenty of lovely restaurants on the Island.

#7. Calgary Stampede and Rodeo
The city of Calgary hosts the annual Calgary Stampede and Rodeo each year. The Calgary Stampede is a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves western heritage and values. This world-famous event features chuckwagon races, a million dollar rodeo and stunning evening grandstand shows. Also called the 'Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth', this 10 day festival and exhibition is worth catching.

#8. Quebec Winter Carnival
Carnaval de Québec in Quebec City is the world's largest winter carnival and is held throughout late January. The carnival runs for 2 ½ weeks and features parades, concerts, performances, ice fishing, snow sculptures, horse-drawn sleigh rides, dogsled rides, skating and snow baths. If this winter celebration wasn't enough, you can really capture the spirit of this celebration by staying at the Ice Hotel.

#9. Manitoba Polar Bears or Beluga Whales
If you travel to Churchill, Manitoba during the cooler months, you can take a tour out over the tundra to view hundreds of polar bears up close as they roam the coastline throughout October and November waiting for the Hudson Bay to freeze. If your visit is through summer, then Churchill offers the beluga whale tour. These 900 pound whales feed in the waters around Hudson Bay, so it's possible to swim among them or take a boat tour out to view them up close.

#10. Niagara Falls
A trip to Canada wouldn't be complete without seeing the world famous Niagara Falls in Ontario. Explore over, under, behind and around the massive falls. Take a classic boat ride through the mist around the falls or if you prefer a little more adventure, try a jet boat tour.

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Canadian Cuisine

Bannock

Bannock

Poutine

Poutine

Smoked Meat Sandwich

Smoked Meat Sandwich

Canadian Bacon

Canadian Bacon

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Best Time To Visit

Niagra Falls

The best time to travel to Canada is highly dependent on what you want to do. During summer, Canada has pleasant weather and there are plenty of outdoor festivals and parades. You'll find that prices are higher during the summer months as it's considered peak season.

If your preference is the world-class skiing, then winter is the obvious season to travel to Canada. Keep in mind that many of the Canadian provinces are huge and the climate can vary greatly depending on where you want to go. This variance in climate can mean that the northern parts of Canada could experience below-freezing temperatures for 7 months of the year, while some of the more southerly provinces enjoy a relatively mild climate.

When you're searching for the best Canada travel deals, be sure to consider how the weather will affect your plans.

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Travel Shopping

Shopping - Canada

Canada can offer some excellent duty free shopping at the border as you enter and leave the country. This can mean savings of up to 50% on things like liquor or tobacco, but there are also substantial savings to be had on jewelry, perfume, accessories and other gift items.

West Edmonton Mall is well known for offering shoppers a massive shopping experience with the benefit of not incurring any Provincial Sales Tax.

Toronto Chinatown has the second largest Chinatown in North America. You can find some great bargains on exotic trinkets, jewelry, clothing and great food.

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Festival Events

Tulip Festival - Ottawa, Canada Lantern Festival - Toronto, Canada

Calgary Stampede:
Held over 10 days throughout July and known as the 'Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth', the Calgary Stampede is a massive celebration that features so many activities and events that celebrate and preserve western heritage and values you'll always find something fun to do at this exhibition.

Quebec Winter Carnival:
Held in January and running for 17 days, the Carnaval de Québec is the world's largest winter carnival. The spectacular opening and closing ceremonies take place at the Ice Palace and feature many aspects of snow sports and winter entertainment.

Winterlude Ottawa:
February sees another celebration of sub-zero temperatures by putting on a winter festival for the first three weekends in February. Including great winter festival activities centered around snow and ice activities, there are also plenty of music, concerts, performances and entertainment.

Vancouver Symphony of Fire:
The Vancouver Symphony of Fire is the largest fireworks competition and display in the world. Held over several nights throughout summer the celebration lights up the night sky in wondrous displays.

Canada Day Celebrations:
Held on July 1st, Canada Day Celebrations are akin to the July 4th festivities across the US. Held to celebrate Canada's birth as a country, the festivities extend across most of the country.

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Basic Travel Phrases

English is spoken throughout most of Canada. While some provinces do speak French, you should still be able to make yourself easily understood.

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Explore Canada


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