Why Canada?

[bbangel]

Two options to consider.

Start in Quebec (Quebec city's old area is really neat) and head east to the Maritimes for the scenery. Others have already mentioned the possibilities here.

Start in Alberta and head west. Take in some of the festivals in Edmonton and Calgary, head through the mountains and stay in Banff or Jasper. Hit the Okanagan for some great lakes and orchards and vinyards. Head for the coast and see Vancouver/Whistler and then head to Vancouver Island for some wonderful beaches, gardens and some historic buildings in Victoria (don't forget to check out the castle!)

Whichever way you choose to go, the provinces and cities have great tourism websites to help you plan. If you are driving and camping check out the CAA (like AAA) for free guides on campgrounds and maps.

 

[drag n' fly]

To whoever said that a picture is worth a thousand words, here's a few pic's to describe the side of Canada that I would like to visit.

1. Whistler, British Columbia
2. The Sunken Gardens at Butchart Gardens Victoria, British Columbia
3. Quebec City, Quebec or maybe changing of the guard in Ottawa?
4. Moraine Lake, Alberta

Moraine Lake is about and hour and a half drive from my house!
If you want info on Alberta go here:
http://www1.travelalberta.com/en-ca/

 

[WDWFWfan]

Wow, thanks to everyone...this is exciting. I've always wanted to visit Canada, hope that it is going to be possible next year. Keep the advice coming, I'm enjoying it all.

 

[WDWFWfan]

Moraine Lake is about and hour and a half drive from my house!

It must be wonderful to live so close to such beautiful countryside. However, I'll bet that the winters there are harsh! That is at least for someone who sees about 1 inch of snow per year.

 

[drag n' fly]

It must be wonderful to live so close to such beautiful countryside. However, I'll bet that the winters there are harsh! That is at least for someone who sees about 1 inch of snow per year.

It is nice. The exchange though is we have to drive 90 miles to the nearest actual beach that has a nice warm lake and sand for the kids to play in. What seems harsh to you is normal for us. We take advantage of the snow by skiing, tobogganing, snowmobiling, snowboarding, ice skating etc! I tell you what is harsh for me...that nasty little 8 letter word that drives me bonkers...HUMIDITY! Dh had a colleague fly up from the States today. He said the heat and the humidity in Calgary is so bad right now it is like stepping off a plane in Houston. It has been like this here for 3 weeks. We did have a 3 day break but it is back again. This is what my opinion of humidity is

....now that's harsh

 

[Saratoga Souris]

Sticking to the East......

Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City (the best city in Canada)

Cape Breton (Cabot Trail), Bay of Fundy and PEI

My 2 cents

 

[IncredibleEdna]

Hi and thanks to everyone for all the great ideas and yes I know that 2 weeks is not enough time to see all of Canada (my world's slightly larger than that)

I am interested in experiencing what I consider the traditional side of Canada. Rugged landscapes, interesting architecture, pristine environments. I know that I may be living in the fantasy world, , but you will envision the Canadian Pavilion at EPCOT, that's the Canada that I want to visit.

Anyway, I appreciate your input so far. I will be goggling all the destinations that you have mentioned so far. Keep the information coming and thanks!

Well....seeing the Canada that is in Epcot, not realistic at all! I would suggest the East Coast also. Having two weeks, it will still be tough to do the East Coast entirely, especially if you want to stop and visit. I would suggest doing the Bay of Fundy area in New Brunswick, then over to Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. The Halifax area is amaxing. There is so much to do in those areas, lots of history, pristine environments along with some rugged also. Just try not to get everywhere, you will just tire yourself out completely.

Have fun!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Definitely Quebec City. That is the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac hotel in the background and the music of the Royal 22e Regiment in the foreground.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Definitely Quebec City. That is the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac hotel in the background and the music of the Royal 22e Regiment in the foreground.

Thanks you Neil, that's what I thought it was, but I didn't want to say anything in case I was wrong! I've never been to Quebec City, but always wanted to go! lol

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

To whoever said that a picture is worth a thousand words, here's a few pic's to describe the side of Canada that I would like to visit.

What time of year are you wanting to visit? If it is a winter trip then I would avoid the east coast as most of the scenery you would want to see would be dead/dormant or covered in snow. If it is a summer trip than the east coast would be great.

Going by the pictures you posted of things you would like to see I would suggest the West Coast. All but one of the pictures is from the west coast and the castle like hotels (Fairmont Hotels) can be found in Alberta and BC as well. There is the Banff Springs Hotel and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and in Victoria there is the Empress Hotel.

The Canadian Rockies are very beautiful and not to be missed. Vancouver is a very nice city as well with lots of culture and Vancouver Island/Victoria are beautiful!

Victoria has the spectacular Butchart Gardens which you posted a picture of and the downtown area is picturesque and you can really see the British colonial influence in the architecture.

Here are some pics of the Fairmont Hotels in Alberta. The first is the Banff Springs Hotel and the second is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

 

[Boomer1]

living in N.B my whole life i would say east and west are both good. i personaly like Prince edward island and new brunswick and nova scotia. we like " village acadien, bouctouche n.b, kings landing, just outside frederickton n.b, and fort luisburg cape breton. the island is great too. I ABOSOLUTELY LOVE ANNE OF GREEN GABLES! if you go to the island you should defenitly see it. ( charlotttetown) ive seen it like four times its really good. i hope this helps. but theres alot more to check out too.

 

[shakebear]

It's so nice to hear that you're thinking of traveling to Canada!

I have lived in Newfoundland, Canada all my life, other than one year spent in Trinidad, in the Caribbean, due to my fathers business (that was ten years ago, when I was three years old), and I think that you could have a great vacation here. you may consider me biased, but I have traveled to every province in Canada and can still say that Newfoundland is my favorite of them all (not to offend residents of other provinces, this is just my opinion). We have beautiful, natural scenery (see photos below), and have a very unique and beautiful culture. Here are a few photos to show you (some from the NL tourism website, others randoms) :

This is of the George Street Festival, Downtown St. John's

Western Brook Pond Fjord, Gros Morne National Park

Cabot Tower, Signal Hill, St. John's

Bonavista Lighthouse

Northern Lights, Labrador

Craft Shops on George Street

Cape St. Mary's

Icebergs, White Bay South

PS; i know there are a lot there, I hope no one gets mad at me for adding so many, I just couldn't narrow it down to which pictures to take off! , hehe. Enjoy!

PPS; it is ultimately your choice where you choose to have your vacation, i just wanted to share these with you

 

[brooker]

I think if you only have two weeks (driving) and want to see truly beautiful scenery, come to the east coast; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. There is plenty of history in the area and unspolied views, especially along the coast.

I would suggest Fundy National Park and the Hopewell Rocks in NB; Peggy's Cove and the Halifax area in NS; and the Cavendish Beach area and Charlottetown in PEI.

Now I am feeling sad you left out my beautiful province on Newfoundland. There is so much to do here also. Or at least tourist say...lol. I personally prefer to go to Florida, this year it is the Dominacan for us.

 

[shakebear]

Now I am feeling sad you left out my beautiful province on Newfoundland. There is so much to do here also. Or at least tourist say...lol. I personally prefer to go to Florida, this year it is the Dominacan for us.

I agree ! , why leave out Newfoundland?

 

[candizfan]

I think the Canadian pavilion at Epcot is very much like Northern Ontario. You could rent a cottage and stay on a beautiful lake and hike, canoe, fish etc... There are glacial scrappings (drag marks in huge rocks) ancient drawings on rocks and other things to do as well.

Also the New Brunswich area is like the Epcot pavilion as well. If it is more economical to do the East coast, start there and then visit somewhere else next time.

With a little research you can find lots of things to do in any area you go to.

I have visited almost every province but no teritories yet. Every place is different but the people will probably be friendly.

Enjoy.

 

[declansdad]

Now I am feeling sad you left out my beautiful province on Newfoundland. There is so much to do here also. Or at least tourist say...lol. I personally prefer to go to Florida, this year it is the Dominacan for us.

I agree ! , why leave out Newfoundland?

Only left it out because of time constraints. I have only been to St. John's but I have to agree with you both, it is a beautiful spot.

 

[brooker]

Only left it out because of time constraints. I have only been to St. John's but I have to agree with you both, it is a beautiful spot.

I think honestly if someone wanted to do all the major areas of each province they would have to take a month or more. Everyone has their own opinons and are proud of where they are from and what their province has to offer and I think thats great!!!

 

[IcePrincess467]

Being from Cape Breton, and having lived in New Brunwick as well I would suggest coming here!! The maritimes are beautiful in the summer & fall...There is lots to do and see

Go to NFLD, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick!! Stick to the east coast and you won't be let down!!

Have fun planning!! Let me know what you decide!

 

[MickeyMacks]

There are three choices for a two-week Canadian visit that really takes in a variety of dramatic landscapes and historic architecture within a fairly compact driving distance.

The most bang for your time and driving distance would be landing in Halifax (Citadel, Historic Properties, Peggys Cove) and branching out to Cape Breton (Cabot Trail, Fortress Louisburg), PEI (Cavendish, Greenwich Dunes, Charlottetown) and southern NB (Saint John, St. Martins, Fundy Trail, Hopewell Rocks).

Another Eastern Canada choice is the Rock, as we call Newfoundland, just breathtaking in its majestesy and diversity (must be seen from a fishing/whale watching boat off the coast to be appreciated by day, from a George Street pub in beautiful St. Johns town to be appreciated at night). You will see amazingly improbable and memorable things all over Nfld. but quite a bit more driving involved to get between some of the high points, such as the Avalon Peninsula (see above) and the Western Peninsula (Gros Morne Nat'l Park for must-see-before-you-die beauty).

However, the Western Canada area I think you're looking for is the Alberta to B.C. region, including the Rockies. (My dream Canadian destination too!) You can see the highlights in 2 weeks there as well, and it must include a train trip on the Rocky Mountaineer train through the Rockies!! There are train trips that go from BC to Jasper or Banff, I believe, with side tours available. When in BC, see the Victoria gardens, try to get out on a whale-watching tour (better yet, in a kayak) and when in Alberta, try to get out to ranch country for a trail ride. Check out this site and work from there!

http://www.rockymountaineer.com/

Much as I recommend the East, I think from your descriptions you want the West! See, you have to come back!