Planning a Trip to Canada

Planning a trip to Canada can be a lot of fun. Canada has some of the most beautiful places in the world. Our number one choice is the Banff National Park Region and its neighboring National Park in Jasper. To visit either, it is best to fly to Calgary and either drive or take a tour up to the national parks. For tours check out Trip Advisor.

If you are interested in planning a trip to anywhere else, please see our more general Planning a Trip Post.

Planning a Trip to Western Canada

From either Banff or Jasper, you can also travel to Vancouver in British Columbia by taking the Rocky Mountaineer Train. This is an overnight trip on what is truly a once in a lifetime experience. (See our Other Transport Options Post or go direst to the Rocky Mountaineer).

Planning a trip to Canada is focused mostly on Western Canada. We did a trip to Eastern Canada in the second half of 2023 and have updated the post for Quebec City and Montreal.

Planning a Trip to Canada – Banff National Park

Perhaps one of the best kept and protected National Park areas in Canada, Banff National Park is truly an incredible place to visit. A short ninety-minute drive up the mountain from Calgary, Banff is simply a wonderful place to visit. Below are pictures of the town and the luxurious Fairmont Hotel which is a classic.

The Fairmont is part of a robust chain of hotels that were built to create tourism once the cross-country railroad was finished. Our picture is one we took from the top of the gondola ride. The river running through the town and past the Fairmont Hotel is indicative of the rich turquoise color that is displayed in so much of the rivers in the area as a result of runoff silt from the glaciers. We had dinner one night at the Waldhaus Restaurant on the Fairmont property. We so enjoyed the upscale Bavarian style cottage, with authentic Bavarian food.

Planning a Trip to Canada- Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

Recognized as one of the top places to visit anywhere in the world, is Lake Louise, about a thirty-minute drive up the highway from Banff. Lake Louise is truly glorious. However, we were totally blown away when we made the short fifteen-minute drive up the mountain up to neighboring Moraine Lake. Slightly smaller than its more well-known sister lake, Moraine Lake is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful lakes ever, and by all means, a true Hidden Gem. Cos had visited Lake Louise one time earlier in his life, and he totally missed going up to Lake Moraine. Not sure if that made it a Hidden Gem, or just his unawareness in his early travel days. When you get to Lake Moraine, make sure you take the short, five-minute easy hike up the “Rockpile Trail” to get this incredible, beautiful view. Absolutely stunning.

Planning a Trip to Canada – Jasper National Park

This picture of the Canadian Flag at the top of this page is taken at the Fairmont Hotel in Jasper, overlooking Mildred Lake. A true Hidden Gem the hotel is a great place to have a meal and look over the lake. Jasper is located in Alberta, Canada and a good two-to-four-hour drive, depending on how many stops you make, up the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise and a short thirty minutes extra if leaving from Banff. Many people consider this to be the most beautiful drive in North America; Cos and Robin will not disagree.

British Columbia: Vancouver and Victoria, Canada

Our next act in the Western part of Canada was to take the Rocky Mountaineer Train to British Columbia. This is a wonderful trip as shown below where we passed thru Hell’s Gate. For more information about the Rocky Mountaineer see our Trains Rental Cars & Ferries post.

Arriving in Vancouver in August of 2022, we found it to be a wonderful city and a great place to visit. We arrived just after the death of Queen Elizabeth. The city demonstrated a lot of respect for the Queen. Most of the Commonwealth Countries retain a tie back to the British Monarchy. Similarly, many years earlier when he was in Sydney Australia, Cos witnessed a comparable outpouring of respect. This was during the death of Princess Diana. It is a reminder of the fact that once upon a time “The Sun never set on the British Empire”.

Unfortunately, it was somewhat overrun by a homeless problem. British Columbia, like the Western states in the USA, has a liberal policy in dealing with the homeless and it was surprising to suddenly see the tents next to fine shops and stores.

We didn’t let that impact our fun in Vancouver. We loved the Gastown Steam Clock, pictured below. It is located in a section of Vancouver called Gastown. Gastown was the original townsite from which Vancouver grew in the 1870s. Watching and listening to it go off, every fifteen minutes, was actually fun.

Victoria, Canada

After two previous failed attempts, we finally got to visit Victoria. Victoria is very charming and a wonderful place to visit. After a brisk walk from the cruise ship, we stopped in for a late morning Bloody Mary at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. This hotel has a wonderful view of the Victoria Causeway Marina where you can watch the float planes take off.

Butchart Gardens

However, the main reason to go to Victoria is to visit the Butchart Gardens. We were determined to see the Butchart Gardens which we visited and documented in Our Favorite Gardens post. There, we have some great photos of the gardens. We also tell the story of how challenging we found it to get to the Gardens.

Canada’s Indigenous People: Prince Rupert

During the Windstar Alaskan cruise, we visited Prince Rupert, British Columbia. What we weren’t expecting was a lesson on First Peoples history and culture, courtesy of the Museum of Northern British Columbia. The building is a handsome longhouse, built of enormous bark-stripped cedar posts and beams. The domestic and ceremonial artifacts tell the story of the Tsimshian people. The Tsimshian society passes identity, clans and property through the maternal line. We were fortunate to attend a recreation of a typical celebration that honored visiting guests.

Prince Rupert has a deep natural harbor, making it an ideal trading hub for the fur trade and fishing economy. The Tsimshian people endured much, from natural disasters to infectious disease to economic disparity with the development of Prince Rupert. More recently, the Canadian government has become supportive of encouraging the culture to thrive through education and support for the native language and customs.

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Planning a Trip to Eastern Canada

Quebec City

There are many reasons to travel to Quebec City, the capital of the province of Quebec and one of the oldest cities in North America. Here are some of them:

• History and culture: Quebec City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves the rich heritage of French Canada. You can explore the cobblestone streets of Old Quebec, the only fortified city north of Mexico, and admire its historic landmarks, such as the Château Frontenac, the Citadel, and the Plains of Abraham. Y
• Nature and outdoors: Quebec City is surrounded by stunning natural scenery that offers a variety of outdoor activities for all seasons. Accordingly, you can enjoy the views of the St. Lawrence River, the Montmorency Falls, and the Île d’Orléans from various vantage points. 
• Food and drink: Quebec City is a foodie’s paradise that offers a taste of the local cuisine and products. You can savor traditional dishes such as poutine, tourtière, and maple syrup at cozy bistros and restaurants. You can also sample local wines, beers, cheeses, and chocolates at various markets and shops.
• Joie de vivre: Quebec City is a friendly and welcoming destination that exudes a unique charm and atmosphere. You can feel the joy of life and the warmth of the people as you stroll along the lively streets and squares. You can also join in the festivities and celebrations that take place throughout the year, such as the Winter Carnival, the Summer Festival, and the New France Festival.

Our Visit to Quebec

We visited Quebec and stayed for 5 days in late July 2023. Undeniably, we were very moved by the beauty and history of the city. The City is very proud of its French heritage and broadly displays the Quebec Flag.

Buildings and Statues in Quebec

Frontenac Hotel

The magnificence of the Frontenac Hotel was impressive. In addition, we were particularly moved having already seen the Empress Hotel in Victoria and the Fairmont in Banff. All similar designs.

Famous People at the Frontenac

Many famous people have stayed at the Frontenac over the years. With a major war planning meeting that took place at the Frontenac to plan D-Day, both Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill were present. In addition, Princess Grace of Monaco stayed there and was dressed in traditional garb. Although when Princess Robin visited she wasn’t formally dressed.

The Citadel

The citadel in Quebec is a historic fortress that serves as a military base and a royal residence. It is situated on top of Cap Diamant, a natural cliff that overlooks the St. Lawrence River and the Plains of Abraham. The citadel was built by the British between 1820 and 1850 to defend Quebec City from a possible American invasion. It is the largest British fortress in North America and the oldest military building in Canada.

The citadel is also known as La Citadelle in French, and it is the secondary official residence of both the Canadian monarch and the governor general of Canada. It hosts various ceremonies and events, such as the changing of the guard and the Quebec Conferences. The citadel is also home to the Royal 22e Régiment, the only French-speaking infantry regiment in the Canadian Armed Forces.

The citadel is a National Historic Site of Canada and part of the Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site of Canada. It is also located within the Historic District of Old Québec, which is a World Heritage Site. The citadel attracts about 200,000 visitors every year, who can enjoy guided tours, exhibitions, and spectacular views of the city and the river.

The Quebec Cathedral

The Quebec Cathedral is magnificent with an amazing history. It is officially called the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec and is the primatial church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Quebec. It is the oldest church in Canada and was the first church in Canada to be elevated to the rank of minor basilica, by Pope Pius IX in 1874. Four governors of New France and the bishops of Quebec are buried in the crypt, including François de Laval, Quebec’s first bishop.

Bishop de Laval

Bishop de Laval was a very influential figure in the history of the Catholic Church in Canada. He was born in France in 1623 and belonged to a noble family. He renounced his inheritance and became a priest in 1647. 

One of his most important achievements was the founding of the Seminary of Quebec in 1663, which was a school for training priests and a residence for secular clergy. The seminary also owned and managed many lands and seigneuries in New France, which made it a powerful economic force.

In 1674, after many years of lobbying, Laval succeeded in having Quebec recognized as a diocese by the pope, and he became its first bishop. He returned to Canada in 1688 and continued his pastoral work until his health deteriorated.  He was buried in the Cathedral of Quebec, which he had helped to build.

Laval was widely respected and admired by his contemporaries and successors for his piety, devotion, courage, and generosity. He was also known for his miracles of healing and prophecy. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1980 and canonized by Pope Francis in 2014. Laval is considered the father of the Catholic Church in Canada and one of its patron saints.

Planning a Trip to Canada – Montreal

Montreal is a beautiful city in Canada that has a lot to offer to visitors. Basically, here are some reasons why you might want to travel to Montreal:

• It is a cultural hub with a rich history and heritage. Montreal is the largest city in Quebec, a province that has a distinct French-Canadian identity. Explicitly, you can experience the charm of Old Montreal, where you can see the Notre Dame Basilica, the Old Port, and the Place Jacques-Cartier. 
• It is a food lover’s paradise with a diverse cuisine. Montreal is famous for its bagels, smoked meat, poutine, and maple syrup. Basically, you can also find a variety of ethnic restaurants, from Italian to Lebanese to Vietnamese. 
• It is a festival city with something for everyone. Significantly, Montreal hosts nearly 100 festivals every year, covering music, art, literature, cinema, dance, and more. Some of the most popular ones are the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, and the Montreal World Film Festival. You can also catch some of the best circus acts in the world at the Cirque du Soleil.
• It is a nature lover’s dream with plenty of green spaces and outdoor activities. Montreal has more than 1,000 parks and gardens, including the Mount Royal Park, the Botanical Garden, and the Parc Jean-Drapeau. You can also enjoy biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing, skating, and sledding in and around the city.
• It is a friendly and safe city for solo travelers. Specifically, Montreal is ranked as the safest city in the world for women traveling alone, according to a recent study. The city has a low rate of violent crime, as well as a high level of gender equality and access to healthcare and safety services. 

Our Visit to Montreal

Unfortunately, our travel schedule only let us spend one day in Montreal. Consequently, not enough time to see the city. Nevertheless, we did make it out to see the Cirque du Soleil perform in their home outdoor tent.

Our Restaurant Recommendations

Finally, if you wish to see which Canadian restaurants made our highly-rated top 50 list, please go to our Top 50 Restaurants Post.