Tell me where to visit for the first time in Canada

[fairytale]

Hiya Guys

Hoping you can all give me some advice.

It has always been a huge dream of mine as a child to visit Canada and I cannot wait till the day when my very young family is old enough to be able to enjoy and apprecaite the various tours you can do in your amazing country ie Whale watching, Grizzle Bear Hunts etc.

However, our children are DS8, DS6, DS4 and DD2 and was wondering if you could recommend anywhere appropraite to visit whilst they are still young.

Whilst in St Lucia one year a fellow guest suggested trying a coastal resort and mentioned a couple of places but I cannot for the life of me remember the name.

I am also keen to experience the isolation of staying in a Wilderness Lodge and maybe a twin centre holiday maybe an idea.

Thank you for any suggestions you can offer.

 

[bbangel]

You could try the Sunshine Coast.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Coast,_British_Columbia

It is pretty close to Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle so you could combine some city stuff with a more remote/cabin rental type vacation.

Some of it will depend on what time of year you visit.
The East Coast is beautiful, especially in the summer.

 

[cabmom]

Toronto and Area have a lot to offer, however you sound like you want to visit a coast.
You'll get lots of great advice here!

 

[snickerboo]

It sounds like you're into the nature things. Lake Louise, Alberta and Banff National Park have some beautiful resorts. I'm not sure if they're kid-friendly, though. Vancouver, BC also sounds like a place you'd really enjoy.There's great skiing in BC (Whistler where the 2010 Olympic skiing will be) or in Quebec (Mont Tremblant). I saw on tv that you can get tours of the Olympic venues at Whistler and Vancouver now. Toronto has a lot of stuff for the kids to do (theme parks, zoo, Science Center, etc) but it's a big city so you wouldn't get much 'wilderness' out of it unless you took some time in Toronto and then maybe some time at a resort near Algonquin Park.

Canada is really diverse and has a lot to offer, depending on what kind of vacation you're looking for.

 

[Luhts]

My vote would be Jasper Park Lodge. There is lots for kids and the scenery is amazing! You could probably arrange a trip that included that and Vancouver. One thing you may want to look into is Rocky Mountain Railway.
http://www.rockymountaineer.com/

 

[deanie]

I am from the southern interior of British Columbia. Some great areas would for kids your age would be Vancouver Island. You can visit the east coast of the island where you can walk out on the sand for half a mile when the tide is out and check out all the little tide pools. A great area is Parksville and Qualicum Beach. There are several cabin-type lodgings for rent. From there you can drive to the wilder, west side of the island about 3 hrs away. Long Beach is a very long beach where the water is a bit rougher but the tide pools are incredible. From there you can go whale watching. Also, about 3 hrs south of Parksville is Victoria, the provincial capital of B.C. There is also whale watching here as well as sailing. There is an incredible museum there also. Another idea is Jasper and Banff area. The road that connects these two cities goes through the Columbia icefields and you can take a big vehicle up onto the glaciers.

I have only visited here once, but I loved Nova Scotia and also PEI.

 

[fairytale]

I just knew I could rely on you guys to give me ideas

I think we would be best off doing a twin centre holiday as I would prefer to stay for three weeks, or possibly hire a MotorHome and do some travelling, I honestly do not know where to start

I'm thinking of August if that changes anything with peoples thoughts.

 

[disneynovic]

You said you have young children, and it is a 10 hour flight from London to Vancouver. I wouldn't do a 10 hour flight with my kids, who are 15, 12 and 7! Although I'm from Ontario and just north of Toronto, we spent 2 weeks touring the East coast last summer, and loved it! Some places we stayed are St. John, New Brunswick, took a car ferry over to Digby, Nova Scotia and rented a cottage; went whale watching, had the best lobster and scallops; did driving tours to Yarmouth, Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg and spent 3 days in Halifax. From there you could visit Cape Breton (we didn't have enough time), where there's a great National Park, and the Cabot Trail. We went to Prince Edward Island for 5 days after Nova Scotia, and it is small but we only saw have the island; fabulous red sandy beaches.
HTH,
Deb

 

[yoplit]

Cape Breton island is one of THE most beautiful desintations!!! there are hundreds of plaes to stay, look up Baddeck it is positively stunning. there is nothing like taking a sail boat cruise along the Bras D'or lakes. you will not find more beautiful senery!!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I would advise Nova Scotia too. You would have a reasonable flight and there is whale watching, plus everything is with in a reasonable drive. Just look above for the locations to go in Nova Scotia ... they are bang on!

 

[CanadianPaco]

Michigan through to Northern Ontario! Mackinaw Bridge, Soo Locks, Agawa Canyon Tour! August is GREAT!!!!

 

[puppyears]

How about a visit to one of the great wonders of the world?

Niagara Falls, Ontario has probably the most visitors from all over the world. People come there for their honeymoons, too.

I also agree with previous posts, the east coast of Canada is gorgeous, and probably more like the UK than people know. You may feel like you didn't even leave home!! Nova Scotia is beautiful in the fall, and the seafood is something you will really remember from your trip.

The western part of Canada has the most amazing mountains, forests, culture and you can actually do summer, winter, fall and spring all in one day if you plan it right. From the mountain tops to the beaches, you cannot beat the natural beauty of Canada.

The northern part of Canada has a massive park called Algonquin National Park where you can camp in natures best!

I have not travelled to our french province Quebec in many years, but old Quebec is nice, too. Lots of history there. Not sure of the northern part of Quebec...(anybody else?) I must worn you, not many Quebec people speak english, when I was there in 1976, NOBODY would speak english to us. I hope this has changed since then.

Have a look around, and welcome to Canada, I hope you really enjoy whatever part you visit!!!

 

[declansdad]

Not sure where you are in the UK, but there is a company that offers very cheap fares between Gatwick and Fredericton NB (on the east coast).

 

[davidsprincess]

If you came in July to Calgary you could experience the "Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", the Calgary Stampede. Yeehaw!!

 

[b-1]

we visited Quebec city and Montreal this past june and everyone we encountered spoke english and were patient enough to let me try out my rusty old french.

Loved both places...lots of walking.

 

[fairytale]

Thanks so much Guys for all your advice. Please keep it coming.

Just out of interest say we spent sometime in Calgary or Whistler in August, what kind of temperature would we be looking at?

 

[drag n' fly]

Here is some good info

http://www.canada.travel/splash.en-gb.html


Calgary in August runs anywhere from 23-33c