A
Accommodations
Canadian accommodations are similar to those in the US in the range of choices available, but some lodgings in Canada are more personalized and service-orientated. Reservations are essential in the busy summer months. Hotels generally will hold a room until 6pm, but if you plan to arrive later, notify the establishment in advance. If you have not reserved, begin looking for accommodations early in the afternoon, particularly in peak seasons when most establishments (especially those along highways) fill up quickly. Almost all hotels, motels, and resorts accept major credit cards, but it’s a good idea to check in advance, especially if you travel in remote areas. Many hotels are now completely smoke-free, so if you require a smoking room, make sure to ask. Bed and breakfasts and hostels are becoming increasingly popular. Generally cheaper and more friendly, they can be found throughout the country. Another place to stay is in one of Canada’s 2,000 campgrounds, most of which accommodate recreational vehicles as well as tents.
Although the price ranges quoted are for the lowest current rack rate at the time of going to press, ask about special packages and promotions when making a reservation. Off-season rates can be much lower. The prices indicated are based on double occupancy.
Prairie Farms
Farm vacations are a great way to get a true sense of the prairies. Lasting from one day to a week or more, they offer a wide enough variety of different activities to suit almost any taste.
Manitoba Farm Vacations
For further information write to Manitoba Country Vacations Association, Sherry Lynn, Box 3, Waldersee, MB R0J 2G0 (Tel: 204-352-4096; www.countryvacations.mb.ca).
If you prefer a more urban setting, try Bed and Breakfast of Manitoba at www.bedandbreakfast.mb.ca.
Alberta’s Guest Ranches
Alberta’s “country vacation” program provides the chance to experience life on an Albertan farm or ranch. Like other packages of this sort, it’s fun, inexpensive, and, if you choose, hard work. You can select from a list of accommodations ranging from large cattle ranches to small family farms (www.albertacountryvacation.com).
Québec Farm Vacations
La Fédération des Agricotours du Québec and the Québec Ministry of Agriculture co-sponsor an inexpensive B&B farm vacation program which offers several possibilities. It’s an interesting alternative for campers.
L’Association de l’Agrotourisme et du Tourisme Gourmand du Québec, 4545 ave Pierre de-Coubertin, Montréal, PQ H1V 0B2, tel: 514-252-3138; www.terroiretsaveurs.com/en/ promotes the flavors of Québec; their website links to more than 1,000 vendors and producers, covering restaurants, accommodations, and stores that promote regional food.
Saskatchewan Farm Vacations
Time and again, travelers return home with glowing accounts of their stay on a Saskatchewan farm: the hearty home cooking, the fresh air, even sharing the chores, are often raved about. Camping on a farm can be arranged. Vacation farms are listed in Tourism Saskatchewan’s annual Accommodation, Resort & Campground Guide, or you can look online at www.sasktourism.com. For information on B&Bs in the province, write to Saskatchewan Bed and Breakfast Association, which also includes many farms among its members, at 172 Cambridge Avenue, Regina, SK S4N 0L2, tel: 306-789-3259; www.bbsask.ca.
Hosteling
Budget travelers interested in hostelling can contact
Backpackers Hostels Canada (Tel: 807-983-2042/1-888-920-0044; www.backpackers.ca) or
Hostelling International (Tel: 1-800-663-5777; www.hihostels.ca).
Admission Charges
There is an unlimited supply of museums and art galleries that cover a variety of themes. Although many charge admission, discounts are generally available for children, students, and senior citizens.
Heritage Canada Foundation (www.heritagecanada.org) has identified historically important buildings and gardens, maintaining a register and encouraging people to visit. Many historic buildings that are normally closed are now occasionally open to the public, often at no charge.
B
Budgeting for Your Trip
The daily costs for an average traveler in Canada vary considerably across the country. In the large cities – Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal – the comfortable daily cost per person (assuming two people sharing a room) should be about $250 ($150 for hotel, $20 for breakfast, $25 for lunch, $50 for dinner, and $10 for public transport). Accommodations and food costs decrease considerably away from the main centers, except in the far North. A thrifty traveler in the city – and an average traveler in more rural areas – might get away with about $100–130 per day ($50–75 for accommodations, $30 for restaurant food, or as little as $20 self-catering and $10 for fares), again assuming two people share a hotel room. For extravagant luxury in the city – and in hotspots such as Banff, Whistler, and Mont-Tremblant – you could pay $800–1,000 per day ($300–500 for accommodations, $40 for breakfast, $100 for lunch, as much as $300 for dinner, and $100 for taxi fares).
C
Children
North America generally, including Canada, is strongly oriented toward accommodating family travel. Many hotels have excellent packages that often allow children under a certain age to stay free of charge, and most restaurants will produce children’s menus and a supply of paper and wax crayons to keep them happy. Shopping malls and parks frequently have children’s play areas. Restaurants and movie theaters will also provide booster seats for smaller children. Across the country there are hundreds of attractions geared toward children, from toddlers to teens.
Climate
It is difficult to generalize about the Canadian climate. Most visitors come during the summer, when temperatures average around 24°C (75°F). During July and August, however, the mercury can climb into the 30s (90–100°F) on the prairies and in southern Ontario. In northern Canada, summer temperatures may stay at 15°C (65°F) during the day, but can drop close to freezing at night. Don’t forget to pack some protection against mosquitoes and other biting insects, especially if you are traveling in the early summer.
Canadian winters have been slightly exaggerated in popular lore. Winter temperatures average between –5°C and 10°C (10°F and 25°F) from the Maritimes through southern Ontario. It gets colder and windier from northern Québec through the Rockies, with temperatures ranging from –18°C to –5°C (0°F to 10°F). In the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut the mercury can drop to as low as –40°C (–40°F). On the balmy southern coast of British Columbia (B.C.), however, warm Pacific currents generally keep the temperature above freezing during the winter at sea level, while snow accumulates at higher levels.
Snowfall varies throughout Canada. Skiers can sometimes take to the slopes and trails by late November, and the snow lasts generally until April or even May in the mountains.
Crime and Safety
Generally speaking, Canada is one of the safest countries to visit. Its large cities, like any others, have areas that are best not visited, and it is not unusual to see homeless men and women on the streets, but they generally pose no threat to safety. Being aware of one’s surroundings is always important.
Anyone in an emergency situation should phone 911, and the call will be forwarded to police, fire department, or ambulance, depending upon the reason for the call.
In case your documentation is stolen, it’s a good idea to have two photocopies of your passport identification page, airline tickets, driver’s license, and the credit cards that you plan to bring with you. Leave one photocopy of this with family or friends at home; pack the other in a place separate from where you carry your valuables.
Pickpockets are not unheard of, especially in crowded places like a busy subway station, but it is not a huge problem in Canada, and simply requires being mindful of how you carry your wallet or any other valuables.
Customs Regulations
Canada’s customs requirements for vacation visitors are fairly simple. Personal effects for use during the stay may be brought into the country. There is no problem with bringing rental cars from the US, but drivers should always carry a copy of the contract with them in the car (this is also important if stopped by police for any reason).
Hunting rifles and shotguns can be brought into Canada, but with restrictions. Consult the Canadian Firearms Program website: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf. Limits on duty-free tobacco, alcohol, and personal gifts are similar to other countries, but perhaps a bit stricter. For more details on Customs regulations and what you can bring to Canada, contact: Canada Border Services Agency, tel: 204-983-3500 or 506-636 5064 from outside Canada and 1-800-461-9999 from inside Canada; www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.
Pets require a veterinary’s certificate of good health and vaccinations, etc. Many foods and plants are prohibited, so check the rules before arriving. The rules for a food type may be different depending whether you are coming from the United States or from another country. The Canada Border Services Agency website has full details: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.
Citizens of the UK may bring home, duty-free: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars; 2 liters of wine OR 1 liter of liquor; and additional goods totaling no more than £390 (Cdn$675).
Each American citizen who spends more than 48 hours in Canada may return with $800 worth of goods, duty-free. Some airports and border points feature duty-free shops, offering liquor and other goodies, but make sure you know your prices before jumping at the “bargains.” Americans should direct their questions to any US Customs Office or visit its website at www.cbp.gov, while travelers from other countries should contact the Customs Office in their own country for information on what they can bring back.
D
Disabled Travelers
The Canadian Transportation Agency offers an online guide for disabled visitors traveling by air in Canada, which can be accessed at www.otc-cta.gc.ca. Another useful online source for people with disabilities is the Government of Canada’s www.travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/disabilities.
Airlines, buses, and trains all offer wheelchair assistance, although you should allow extra time before commencing your journey. Taking a wheelchair on the train requires advanced notice, so it is recommended to call VIA Rail 48 hours beforehand (toll free tel: 1-888-842-7245, www.viarail.ca).
Disabled access, especially for those in wheelchairs, can be found in almost every public building across Canada, and most museums, tourist information centers, and visitor attractions have taken steps to make access easier. Hotels, especially those affiliated with chains, generally provide disabled accommodation and toilet facilities. Many national and provincial parks offer alternative trails that are accessible to disabled travelers. Designated spaces for disabled drivers are generally available at parking lots in cities, at shopping malls, and in the parking lots of large stores.
E
Eating Out
Download your free app for restaurant listings.
Electricity
Canada operates on 110 volts in common with the US. Sockets accommodate plugs with two flat or two flat and one round pins, so an adapter is required for the use of European appliances.
Embassies and Consulates
While foreign visitors are traveling in and across Canada, they may need to contact their own country in case of an emergency. Consulates can be most helpful, for example, if a passport is stolen or if a message needs to be relayed quickly back home. The following list gives details of all the consulates located in the major Canadian cities.
British Columbia
Australia 1075 West Georgia St, Ste 2050, Vancouver, tel: 604-694-6160
France 1130 West Pender St, Ste 1100, Vancouver, tel: 604-637-5300
UK 1111 Melville St, Ste 800, Vancouver, tel: 604-683-4421
US 1095 West Pender St, 21st Floor, Vancouver, tel: 604-685-4311
Ontario
Australia 175 Bloor St E, Ste 1100, Toronto, tel: 416-323-4280
France 2 Bloor St E, Ste 2200, Toronto, tel: 416-847-1900
UK College Park, 777 Bay St, Ste 2800, Toronto, tel: 416-593-1290
US 360 University Ave, Toronto, tel: 416-595-1700
Québec
France 1501 McGill College, Bureau 1000, Montréal, tel: 514-878-4385
UK 2000 McGill College Avenue, Ste 1940, Montréal, tel: 514-866-5863
US 1155 rue Saint-Alexandre, Montréal, tel: 514-398-9695
Emergencies
Visitors are urged to obtain travel medical insurance before leaving their own country. Anyone using prescription medicine should bring an adequate supply with them, as well as a copy of the prescription in case it needs to be renewed. Travelers requiring medical attention needn’t worry – Canadian hospitals are known for their high medical standards.
In an emergency requiring the police, an ambulance or firemen, immediate help can be summoned by dialing 911. Emergency telephone numbers are listed in the front of all local telephone directories. If caught in a legal bind, foreign visitors should contact their consulates, a partial listing of which is shown in the Embassies and Consulates section.
Etiquette
Good manners are valued: hold doors open for people following you; don’t jump the line; let people get off public transportation before you get on; offer your seat to older passengers or pregnant women; on escalators, stand on the right, walk past on the left. If you are a smoker, you’ll have to look carefully to find a place to light up, as smoking is banned in most public places.
F
Festivals
Across Canada, the national holiday of July 1st is celebrated with parades and parties. Smaller cities tend to have more interesting parades, which often boast floats from community groups and civic services like the fire and rescue groups. It’s not as focused on patriotism as the American July 4th activities, but there are fireworks and a festive feeling prevails.
Alberta
July and August (Banff)
Banff Summer Arts Festival
Professional dance, opera, and music presented by artists from around the world, as well as showcases of the visual arts. www.banffcentre.ca
Second week of July (Calgary)
Calgary Stampede and Exhibition
The most famous annual Canadian event – 10 days of raucous western showmanship and celebration, with rodeo events, chuck-wagon racing, and more. Make hotel reservations well in advance (by some estimates, Calgary’s population doubles at this time), and book tickets for main events early. Tel: 403-269-9822/1-800-661-1767; www.calgarystampede.com
July (Drumheller)
The Canadian Badlands Passion Play
Set in a natural amphitheater, the similarity of the site to the Holy Land enhances the drama. A popular affair that draws people from across North America every year. www.canadianpassionplay.com
Late July (Edmonton)
K-Days
Formerly known as Klondike Days and Edmonton’s Capital EX, the renamed festival focuses on celebrating Edmonton today, including Global Connections and Northwest Originals. http://k-days.com
Mid-August (Edmonton)
Edmonton’s International Fringe Theatre Festival
Fabulous Fringe event, second only to Edinburgh in size. www.fringetheatreadventures.ca
British Columbia
April (Whistler)
World Ski and Snowboard Festival
North America’s largest annual snow sports and music celebration – serious skiing and snowboarding competitions for 10 days straight, film, music, and partying every night. www.wssf.com
May–June (Vancouver)
Vancouver International Children’s Festival
A week of entertainment for kids of all ages – it’s been around for more than 35 years, so it is a bit of an institution. www.childrensfestival.ca.
First week in July (Williams Lake)
Williams Lake Stampede
Five thousand spectators come to watch top contenders in one of Canada’s best rodeo events. www.williamslakestampede.com
Mid-July
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Folk musicians from all over the world come to Jericho Beach for this three-day music festival. www.thefestival.bc.ca
Mid-July (Kimberley)
Julyfest
A celebration of all that “Canada’s highest city” has to offer, including the Canadian bocce championships and extreme skateboard racing. www.kimberleyjulyfest.com
Late July (Vancouver)
The Honda Celebration of Light
Held annually, this international pyrotechnics competition attracts hundreds of thousands to any space close to English Bay. hondacelebrationoflight.com
Early August (Comox)
Filberg Festival/Comox Nautical Days
Artisans from all over western Canada vie for exhibition space at a prestigious festival that attracts visitors from all over, looking for that special carving, painting, piece of pottery or glass, all while enjoying music and food in a 3.6-hectare (9-acre) garden. Down at the harbor, a fishing derby, canoe jousting, craft booths, and activities for the kids provide a friendly alternative. Or, do both: it’s easy as the two venues are less than a kilometer (0.6 miles) apart. www.filbergfestival.com
Early August (Penticton)
Peach Festival
Five-day spectacle includes fireworks, floats, lumberjack shows, lots of live music, and the Peachfest Square Dance Festival. www.peachfest.com
Late August (Vancouver)
Pacific National Exhibition
Features parades, exhibits, a horse show, entertainment, and sandcastle competition, along with the usual 4-H competition for raising the best farm animals. www.pne.ca
Early October (Okanagan Valley)
Okanagan Wine Festivals
A festival including vineyard tours, lunches, dinners, and other events focused on wine, food, education, and the arts. There’s a festival for every season, but this one coincides with the harvest. www.thewinefestivals.com
Manitoba
February (St Boniface)
Festival du Voyageur
The lively francophone community celebrates the early fur traders. www.festivalvoyageur.mb.ca
Late June (Winnipeg)
Winnipeg International Jazz Festival
For 11 days, downtown Winnipeg rocks to some of the world’s best jazz, blues, funk, and urban music, bringing locals downtown in droves. www.jazzwinnipeg.com
Mid-July (Winnipeg)
Winnipeg Folk Festival
The internationally acclaimed folk music festival is held over five days in a provincial park 34km (20 miles) outside the city. A 40-year tradition, and old-timers advise: bring mosquito repellent along with sunscreen and a hat. www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca
End of July (Austin)
Manitoba Threshermen’s Reunion and Stampede
Antique tractor races, sheep-tying, and threshing demonstrations. www.ag-museum.mb.ca
August (Dauphin)
Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival
Music, fun, tradition, and plenty of food for all. www.cnuf.ca
First week in August (Gimli)
The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba
Gimli, the largest Icelandic community outside of Iceland, celebrates its heritage. www.icelandicfestival.com
August (Winnipeg)
Folklorama
This two-week, city-wide festival features the food, dancing, crafts, and culture of 40 different ethnic groups. www.folklorama.ca
New Brunswick
Early July (Shediac)
Shediac Lobster Festival
Five days of delicious seafood and lively entertainment. www.shediaclobsterfestival.ca
Late July to early August (Edmundston)
La Foire Brayonne
The most popular festival in this area of New Brunswick, the mythical République du Madawaska. The local French-speaking population engages in three days of celebrations. Visitors enjoy the local food and the weaving and other crafts. www.foirebrayonne.com
End of July to early August (Newcastle)
Miramichi Folk-Song Festival
Offers a fascinating introduction to the exuberant local ballads. www.miramichifolksongfestival.com
First Monday in August
New Brunswick Day
Barbecues, games, and live entertainment.
Early to mid-August (Caraquet)
Festival Acadien de Caraquet
A huge two-week celebration of Acadian culture, this festival begins with prayers for the fishing fleet, and is attended by hundreds of Acadian and francophone singers, musicians, actors, dancers, artists, and writers. www.festivalacadien.ca
Early September (Sussex)
Atlantic International Balloon Fiesta
Around 180 balloon flights take place over the lush valleys of Kings County. The festival also includes an antique car show, helicopter rides, and amusement rides. www.atlanticballoonfiesta.ca
Mid-September (Fredericton)
Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival
Musicians from across Canada turn Fredericton into the New Orleans of the North, playing jazz, blues, and Dixieland. www.harvestjazzandblues.com
Newfoundland and Labrador
June to mid-September (Trinity)
Rising Tide Theatre
A festival of plays, dinner theater, concerts, and special events in outdoor venues all around Trinity Bight, bringing the area’s colorful and not-so-distant past to life. www.risingtidetheatre.com
Late July (Twillingate)
Fish, Fun, and Folk Festival
One of the province’s largest folk festivals, on the scenic northeast coast, this family-oriented gathering celebrates Newfoundland’s culture and food. www.fishfunfolkfestival.com
End of July to early August (Gander)
Festival of Flight
Honoring the area’s role in aviation history, this popular festival offers a wide range of events, from a daring demolition derby with car-crashing thrills to the popular Festival of Flight parade and Newfoundland’s biggest kitchen party. www.gandercanada.com
End of July to early August (St John’s)
George Street Festival
Six nights of outdoor entertainment and parties at George Street pubs and taverns. www.georgestreetlive.ca
First Wednesday in August (St John’s)
Royal St John’s Regatta
The regatta on Quidi Vidi Lake is the oldest sporting event in North America, but get up early – the rowing’s over before breakfast. The city closes down and general festivities continue for the rest of the day. (If it rains, the race – and festivities – will be postponed until the following week.) www.stjohnsregatta.org
Early August (St John’s)
Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival
Folk groups, dancers, and storytellers from around the province gather in Bannerman Park to provide a taste of the traditional Newfoundland lifestyle. www.nlfolk.com
Nova Scotia
May–June (Annapolis Valley)
Apple Blossom Festival
Dancing, parades, and entertainment celebrate the blossoming apple trees. www.appleblossom.com
Early July (Halifax)
The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
An annual extravaganza that presents more than 2,000 of the best military and civilian international and Canadian performers. www.nstattoo.ca
Early July (Antigonish)
Antigonish Highland Games
This action-packed Scottish festival features caber tossing (log throwing) and a continuous display of Highland dancing, with hundreds of marching bagpipers. www.antigonishhighlandgames.ca
Early August (Halifax)
Halifax International Busker Festival
Street performers from around the world provide several days of music on the waterfront in downtown historic Halifax. www.buskers.ca
Early August (Lunenburg)
Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival
A popular festival featuring acoustic music performed by some of the best of Canadian talent, dances, and workshops in a range of venues, from tents to a Victorian bandstand, an old opera house, and the wharf. www.folkharbour.com
Early October (across Cape Breton)
Celtic Colours International Festival
A nine-day, Cape Breton Island-wide celebration of Celtic culture, featuring artists from around the world and across Canada, along with some of Cape Breton’s finest singers, players, dancers, and tradition-bearers. www.celtic-colours.com
The Northwest Territories
Late March (Yellowknife)
Long John Jamboree
This three-day festival celebrates spring, such as it is, in the North, with Dene hand games, ice-sculpting, music and lots of other entertainment. It coincides with the Annual Canadian Championship Dog Derby, a three-day, 230km (143-mile) dog sled race. www.longjohnjamboree.ca
Mid-July (Yellowknife)
Folk on the Rocks
A three-day outdoor music festival held under the slogan “Where the road ends, the music begins” attracting folk performers from the Northwest Territories and the entire country. www.folkontherocks.com
Mid- to late July (Inuvik)
Great Northern Arts Festival
Artists celebrate Inuit culture, 10 days of activities including workshops. www.gnaf.org
Nunavut
Mid-April (Iqaluit)
Toonik Tyme Festival
A popular festival celebrating the return of the sun with northern games, snowmobile races, and a memorable community feast. www.tooniktyme.com
Ontario
Early–mid-February (Ottawa)
Winterlude
Extravagant carnival featuring ice-sculpting, snowshoe races, ice-boating, and other wintertime fun. www.canadascapital.gc.ca/celebrate/winterlude
May (Ottawa)
Canadian Tulip Festival
Over 3 million tulips highlight this festival, which also offers parades, regattas, craft shows, and other diversions. www.tulipfestival.ca
May–November (Stratford)
Stratford Festival
The annual Stratford Festival (early April–November) draws over half a million theater-goers from around the world to this town on the banks of the Avon river. Three fine theaters perform Shakespearean, classic, and modern dramas.
Tickets go on sale in late February. Write to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Box 520, Stratford, ON N5A 6V2, tel: 1-800-567-1600 toll-free from Canada and the US; www.stratfordfestival.ca.
May–October (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
Shaw Festival
Set in one of the best-preserved 19th-century small towns in Canada, the Shaw Festival is devoted to performing the works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. Expert productions with renowned actors draw large crowds, especially on weekends. Try to make prior arrangements and reservations as early as possible.
The festival runs from April through November. For more information write to the Shaw Festival, Box 774, 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, or call 905-468-2172 for the box office in Niagara-on-the-Lake, or 1-800-511-7429 from the rest of Canada and the US; www.shawfest.com.
Mid-June (Toronto)
Luminato
A magnificent 10-day international festival of arts and creativity, held at indoor and outdoor locations citywide. www.luminato.com
June (Toronto)
Pride Month
One of the largest Prides in the world, with celebration of Canada’s inclusiveness, including an arts and cultural program. www.pridetoronto.com
July 1 (Ottawa)
Canada Day
Countrywide celebrations; the largest takes place in Ottawa with concerts, street entertainment, and fireworks over the Ottawa river.
Early July (Toronto)
Toronto Fringe Festival
Toronto’s largest theater festival, with over 150 international theater companies performing all over the city. www.fringetoronto.com
Mid-July to early August (Toronto)
Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival
The city’s West Indian community celebrates with singing, dancing, and parades, mostly on Toronto Islands, creating a Mardi Gras atmosphere. www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com
Late July (Oakville)
RBC Canadian Open
Glen Abbey Golf Club hosts one of golf’s top five tournaments. www.rbccanadianopen.com
Early August (Maxville)
Glengarry Highland Games
Canada’s second-largest Highland gathering after Antigonish. www.glengarryhighlandgames.com
Early August (St Catharines)
Royal Canadian Henley Regatta
The largest rowing regatta in Canada. Draws competitors and spectators from throughout the continent. www.henleyregatta.ca
Early August (Manitoulin Island)
Wikwemikong Annual Cultural Festival and Pow Wow
Well over 40 years old, this Pow Wow initiated the restoration of the traditions of dancing and drumming in Ontario. On the August civic holiday weekend, dancers, drummers, and singers travel to the Wikwemikong Pow Wow from across North America. www.wikwemikong.ca
Mid-August to Labor Day (Toronto)
Canadian National Exhibition
The largest and oldest exhibition of its kind in the world, featuring air shows, big-name entertainment, and all sorts of exhibits. All this takes place for three weeks at Exhibition Place on Lake Shore Boulevard. www.theex.com
Early September (Toronto)
Toronto International Film Festival
A 10-day showcase of the best in global filmmaking. www.tiff.net
Mid-September (Guelph)
Guelph Jazz Festival
Considered to be one of the premier jazz festivals in North America. www.guelphjazzfestival.com
First Saturday in October (Toronto)
Nuit Blanche
An extraordinary celebration of contemporary art, in galleries, museums, and countless unexpected places from sunset to sunrise. www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca
Mid-October (Kitchener/Waterloo)
Oktoberfest
This famous Bavarian celebration attracts over half a million festive partygoers to the area’s 30-odd beer halls and tents. www.oktoberfest.ca
Prince Edward Island
Early June to early October (Charlottetown)
Charlottetown Festival
The Confederation Center hosts a very fine series of concerts, theater, and film. www.charlottetownfestival.com
Mid-July (Summerside)
Summerside Lobster Festival
A week of fairs, parades, and lobster suppers. www.summersidelobsterfest.com
Early August (Tyne Valley)
Tyne Valley Oyster Festival
Fiddling, dancing, and oyster-shucking contest. Oysters, presented all sorts of different ways, are featured on the menus of the Oyster Suppers. www.tvoysterfest.ca
Late August (Charlottetown)
P.E.I. Jazz and Blues Festival
A well-attended three-day event that takes over much of downtown Charlottetown, featuring musicians from across the country and around the world. www.jazzandblues.ca
Québec
Mid-January to early February (Montréal)
La Fête des Neiges
Winter carnival, including costume balls, ice sculptures, and outdoor sports events held on the islands in the river. www.fetedesneiges.com
Late January to early February (Québec City)
Carnaval de Québec
Québécois engage in more than two weeks of revelry, heightened somewhat by the ubiquitous “Cariboo,” a concoction of whiskey, sweet red wine, and other surprises. There’s a parade, ice-sculpture contests, and even a canoe race on the frozen St-Laurent. www.carnaval.qc.ca
Early April (province-wide)
Sugaring-off Parties
Festivities accompany the collection of maple tree sap.
Early May to late September (Montréal)
Tam Tams
Perhaps the largest spontaneous gathering in the world. Montréalers gather every Sunday on Mont-Royal’s east slope to play drums, have picnics, throw frisbees, and enjoy the summer sun.
June–August (Mont Orford)
Festival Orford Musique
Performances of the Jeunesses Musicales du Canada draw international talent and are presented throughout the summer in Mont Orford Park’s music center. www.arts-orford.org
June 24
Fête Nationale
Provincial holiday. www.fetenationale.qc.ca
Early to mid-July (Québec City)
Québec City Summer Festival
Free concerts and lively shows throughout the city. www.infofestival.com
Late June to early July (Montréal)
Montréal International Jazz Festival
A mammoth jam, with over 300 free shows, besides the ticketed events. www.montrealjazzfest.com
Mid-July (Montréal)
Just for Laughs Festival
The world’s largest comedy festival. Offers more than 2,000 shows, including 1,300 free events. www.hahaha.com
Mid-July to mid-August (Val-David)
1001 Pots
An enormous exhibition of ceramics, showcasing 25,000 original pieces by more than 100 ceramicists. www.1001pots.com
Late July (Bromont)
International Bromont
On the site of the 1976 Equestrian Olympics, a World Cup equestrian competition takes place in the Eastern Townships.
Mid-August (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu)
St-Jean-sur-Richelieu International Balloon Festival
A family-oriented summer festival, this is the biggest gathering of hot-air balloons in Canada. www.ballooncanada.com
Late August (Montréal)
18th-century Public Market
A trip back in time, to Montréal’s first public market. Rain or shine, festivities take place in Place Royale and in the streets around the Pointe-à-Callière Museum of Archeology and History, as farmers, craftspeople, and entertainers recreate the 18th-century market. www.pacmuseum.qc.ca
Late August/early September (Montréal)
Montréal Film Festival
Over 350,000 people flock to this event every year. www.ffm-montreal.org
September to end October (Montréal)
The Magic of Lanterns Festival, Montréal Botanical Gardens
Hundreds of lanterns, in an amazing variety of shapes and colors, light up the Chinese Garden each fall, each one handmade in Shanghai by Chinese craftspeople. www.espacepourlavie.ca
Early October (Montréal)
Black and Blue Festival, Montréal
Gay festival featuring a wide variety of shows, artistic displays, sports activities, and a parade. www.bbcm.org
Saskatchewan
February (Prince Albert)
Prince Albert Winter Festival
This country winter festival has something for everyone: dog sled races, a chili cook-off, a contemporary country music concert, and a harmonica and accordion extravaganza. www.pawinterfestival.com
First week of August (Saskatoon)
Saskatoon Exhibition
This is a popular, week-long fair of contests, historical displays, horse racing, and livestock exhibitions. www.saskatoonexhibition.ca
Early September (Regina)
Regina Dragonboat Festival
Dragonboat festivals have taken Canada by storm and Regina is no exception. Join the 20,000 spectators who come out to see the prairie version of a 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition. www.reginadragonboat.com
The Yukon
Last week in February (Whitehorse)
Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous
Native-born Yukoners call themselves “sourdoughs” after the famous biscuits. Now, to qualify as a sourdough, you must have spent one winter in the Yukon. Their rendezvous is a week-long bash celebrating the Yukon’s history. It includes such local traditions as dog sled races, packing sacks of flour, log toss, and axe throw, along with drinking heavily at the nightly cabarets. www.yukonrendezvous.com
Early June (Whitehorse)
Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival
Bluegrass is performed by both international and local musicians. www.yukonbluegrass.com
Third weekend in August (Dawson City)
Discovery Days and Yukon Riverside Arts Festival
Parades, dancing, races, and general merriment to celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of gold near Dawson City. Artists from across the Yukon and Northwest Territories showcase their work in parkland beside the Yukon river. www.dawsoncity.ca
G
Gay and Lesbian Travelers
Canada is one of the world’s more gay-friendly countries, and in July 2005 became the fourth country to recognize gay marriage, after the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain. Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal’s Pride Weeks draw the biggest crowds, but all of Canada’s main cities host an annual Pride Week – and Canadian tourism bureaux are increasingly dedicating sections of their websites to gay and lesbian tourists.
For a comprehensive, all-in-one spot to start research, Travel Gay Canada (www.travelgaycanada.com), provides Canada-wide information on hotels, events, and travel packages.
H
Health and Medical Care
As visitors to Canada are not eligible for healthcare in any of the provinces or territories, it is important to be covered by a health insurance policy for the duration of your trip to Canada. It may also be advisable to ensure the policy covers emergency evacuation with a medical escort to your country of residence. Some Canadian companies offer ”Visitors to Canada” travel medical policies that can be purchased online.
If you are entering Canada with prescription drugs and syringes used for medical reasons, be sure to keep the medication in its original and labeled container to avoid problems. Syringes should be accompanied by a medical certificate that shows they are for medical use and should be declared to Canadian Customs officials. You should carry with you an extra prescription from your doctor in the event your medication is lost or stolen and to attest to your need to take such prescriptions.
I
Internet
Many coffee shops routinely offer free wireless internet access; or visit any public library. Note that usually there is a time limit for usage of a library’s computer. Most hotels and airports have free room internet access or business centers where you can access emails and the internet. To find an internet cafe in many communities across Canada, visit: www.world66.com/netcafeguide.
M
Media
Newspapers and Magazines
The National Post and The Globe and Mail are distributed throughout Canada. La Presse is the ranking Québec daily. Newsstands sell major American, British, and French newspapers and magazines. Canada’s largest news magazine, Maclean’s, is published weekly.
Radio and Television
The Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) operates two nationwide television networks (French and English), along with an all-news network. CTV Global broadcasts two others. Regional and provincial networks, along with independent and US broadcasters, account for the rest.
Cable networks enable viewers to see programs produced in all parts of Canada and the US, along with a sampling of programs from the UK, Australia, France, and other countries. The majority of large cities originate at least one multilingual or ethnic channel.
CBC operates a national radio network, both AM and FM, in English and French. There are hundreds of private stations that fill the airwaves with news and music.
Money
The Canadian and US dollars have a different rate of exchange. All dollar prices quoted in this book are in Canadian dollars.
Visitors may bring up to $10,000 into Canada without reporting it. When exchanging money, you may be required to provide your passport or other identification. Canadian banks and foreign exchange bureaux will convert funds, often at very attractive rates. US funds are readily accepted by many department stores and hotels, etc., but they may not offer the most advantageous rate.
Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and Traveler’s Checks
Major credit cards are widely accepted in Canada. Car rental companies prefer credit cards to cash.
Traveler’s checks are not widely used in Canada, as bank debit and credit cards are preferred. If you do buy traveler’s checks, ask your bank about overseas charges and buy them denominated in Canadian dollars. American Express, Thomas Cook, and Visa traveler’s checks are still accepted, but generally at banks rather than retailers.
N
Nightlife
Download your free app for restaurant, bars and clubs throughout Canada.
O
Opening Hours
Standard business hours for stores are 10am–6pm, or 9pm in many large cities. Stores in many parts of the country are open for more limited hours on Sunday.
Drug and convenience stores generally close at 11pm, but some operate for 24 hours. Banking hours vary greatly; the majority of banks now open long hours, which may include Saturday, and also, in some instances, Sunday. Bank machines are readily available.
Banks, schools, government offices, and many beer and liquor stores close on national holidays. Hotels, restaurants, and most retail outlets stay open. See the section on Festivals for further information and listings of provincial holidays and festivals.
Most Canadian museums and art galleries offer extended hours on one or more nights a week, and sometimes free admission at certain times as well. Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum charges a nominal fee on Friday nights in July–Sept, 4.30–8.30pm. The CityPass covers five attractions, including the Royal Ontario Museum, the CN Tower, and the Ontario Science Centre. For further details, visit www.citypass.com/city/toronto.html.
In Montréal, the Montréal Museums Pass gives free access to 41 Montréal-area museums and attractions, with or without public transit, in a package good for three consecutive days. For details, check at www.museesmontreal.org/en/passes.
Out west, the UBC Museum of Anthropology, Beaty Biodiversity Museum, UBC Botanical Garden & Nitobe Garden in Vancouver offer a single ticket for all four venues, valid for six months, so no need to rush through everything on one day.
P
Postal Services
Stamps are readily available at Canada’s post offices (open Monday–Friday during business hours) and local convenience and drug stores.
Canada Post and international courier companies provide express services across the country and to foreign destinations. Canada Post, along with numerous stores, can also send faxes. Canada Post locations are listed in the business section of the telephone directory.
Public Holidays
Each province has its own public holidays (check with the local tourist board) in addition to the following national holidays:
January 1 New Year’s Day
July 1 Canada Day
First Monday in September Labor Day
Second Monday in October Thanksgiving Day
December 25 Christmas Day
December 26 Boxing Day (except Québec)
Movable statutory holidays:
Good Friday
Monday preceding May 24 (Victoria Day, the Queen’s birthday)
R
Religious Services
Roman Catholics are the largest religious group in Québec, and a significant proportion of the population across the rest of the country, with Protestants in second place. Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, and Jews are also represented. Any hotel concierge will direct you to the nearest place of worship.
S
Shopping
Canada is great for shopping with malls packed with goods to suit every taste and budget. More original souvenirs include locally-made handicrafts such as masks, quilts and bentwood boxes, while the nortnern provinces offer furs, wood and stone carvings made by native peoples. In Newfoundland, look out for Labradorite jewelry, seal-skin products and Grenfell cloth parkas. In the Northwest Territories, shop for Polar Bear diamonds and custom-made jewelry featuring gold nuggets as well as Inuit and Dene-made soapstone sculptures, tapestries and prints. Note that genuine articles will of course cost more than mass-manufactured copies. Download your free app for more detailed information on shopping in Canada.
Sport
Download your free app for detailed information on sport in Canada.
Student Travelers
Students traveling within Canada can take advantage of discounts in many areas. For traveling around, VIA Rail and Greyhound offer student discounts, and in most cities there are hostels and university residences for the budget traveler.
A good source of online information is provided by the ISIC, the International Student Identity Card, at www.isic.org, which covers places and services across Canada.
Time Zones
Canada straddles six time zones. Daylight saving time begins the second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November, but is not observed in Saskatchewan.
Pacific Standard Time
(8 hours behind GMT) The Yukon, B.C. (Alaska time is one hour behind the Yukon.)
Mountain Standard Time
(7 hours behind GMT) Alberta, western N.W.T.
Central Standard Time
(6 hours behind GMT) Saskatchewan, Manitoba, central N.W.T., western Nunavut.
Eastern Standard Time
(5 hours behind GMT) Ontario, Québec, eastern N.W.T., eastern Nunavut.
Atlantic Standard Time
(4 hours behind GMT) New Brunswick, P.E.I., Nova Scotia, most of Labrador.
Newfoundland Standard Time
(3.5 hours behind GMT; half an hour ahead of Atlantic Standard Time) Newfoundland (including part of Labrador).
T
Telephones
The telephone system in Canada is similar to that in the US. Payphone costs begin at 50 cents, but they can be hard to find. For collect or other operator-assisted calls, dial “0” then the number you wish to reach. Dial “1” (Ottawa +613, Montréal +514 or +438, Vancouver +604 or +778, Victoria +250, Winnipeg +204, Toronto +416 or 647, Québec City +418) for long-distance calls charged to the originating phone. In most parts of the country, for a local call, you must also dial the area code, even though the call is not long distance: it’s a result of so many new phones over the past 10 years.
The first pages in public phone books explain everything you need to know, including emergency numbers, North American area codes, and long-distance country codes.
Toll-Free Numbers
Any phone numbers beginning with 1-800, 1-855, 1-866, 1-877 or 1-888 are toll-free if dialed within Canada and, frequently, North America, from a land line. Sometimes, hotels and other businesses have two toll-free lines, one for calling from the US and one for calling from within Canada. If calling from outside North America, it’s best to try the local 10-digit numbers.
Tourist Information
One of the smartest things you can do upon arrival in Canada is to go to the nearest tourist information center. Aside from being able to answer questions, they distribute travel brochures and maps on areas of interest to you. Or, if you are really organized, you can order brochures online and they will be mailed to you. Each province and territory also has a toll-free number for tourist information (see the following list). For general information on traveling in Canada you can contact:
Canadian Tourism Commission Destination Canada
800–1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2A9, tel: 604-638-8300; www.canada.travel and http://en.destinationcanada.com
Canadian consulates in foreign countries also provide some travel information. See the Useful Addresses section for further details. Some provinces maintain tourist offices in foreign cities.
The Provinces
Alberta: (abbreviated AB)
Capital: Edmonton
Size: 661,190 sq km
(255,310 sq miles)
Area Code: Calgary and southern Alberta 403 and 587; Edmonton and northern Alberta 780 and 587
Postal Address: AB
British Columbia: (BC)
Capital: Victoria
Size: 947,800 sq km
(365,980 sq miles)
Area Code: Vancouver and southwestern section 604 and 778; remainder, including Vancouver Island 250
Postal Address: BC
Manitoba: (MB)
Capital: Winnipeg
Size: 649,950 sq km
(250,970 sq miles)
Area Code: 204 and 431
Postal Address: MB
New Brunswick: (NB)
Capital: Fredericton
Size: 73,440 sq km
(28,360 sq miles)
Area Code: 506 unless stated
Postal Address: NB
Newfoundland and Labrador: (NL)
Capital: St John’s
Size: 405,720 sq km
(156,600 sq miles)
Area Code: 709 unless stated
Postal Address: NL
Northwest Territories: (NT)
Capital: Yellowknife
Size: 1,171,920 sq km
(452,480 sq miles)
Area Code: 867
Postal Address: NT
Nova Scotia: (NS)
Capital: Halifax
Size: 55,490 sq km
(21,430 sq miles)
Area Code: 902 unless stated
Postal Address: NS
Nunavut: (NU)
Capital: Iqaluit
Size: 1,900,000 sq km
(733,600 sq miles)
Area Code: 867
Postal Address: NU
Ontario: (ON)
Capital: Toronto
Size: 1,068,580 sq km
(412,610 sq miles)
Area Code: Toronto 416 or 647, Ottawa 613, plus several others for smaller communities: 807, 705, 226, 519, 905, 289, 705
Postal Address: ON
Prince Edward Island: (PE)
Capital: Charlottetown
Size: 5,660 sq km
(2,190 sq miles)
Area Code: 902 with Nova Scotia
Postal Address: PE
Québec: (QC)
Capital: Québec City
Size: 1,540,680 sq km
(594,900 sq miles)
Area Code: Montréal 514 or 438; Québec City and Eastern Québec 418; Southern Québec 450; rest of Québec 819
Postal Address: QC
Saskatchewan: (SK)
Capital: Regina
Size: 652,330 sq km
(251,880 sq miles)
Area Code: 306
Postal Address: SK
The Yukon: (YT)
Capital: Whitehorse
Size: 483,450 sq km
(186,680 sq miles)
Area Code: 867 with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Postal Address: YT
Alberta
Travel Alberta publishes accommodations and campground guides. Updated annually, they list approved hotels, motels, campgrounds, and resorts. For this, and more specific information, contact:
Travel Alberta
Tel: 780-427-4321/1-800-ALBERTA; www.travelalberta.com
Tourism Calgary
200–238 11th Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0X8, tel: 403-263-8510/1-800-661-1678; www.tourismcalgary.com
For comprehensive information about the provincial capital, contact: Edmonton Tourism, West Shaw Building, 9797 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5J 0C5, tel: 780-401-7696; www.exploreedmonton.com.
British Columbia
Traveling in British Columbia is simplified by the numerous free guides offered by the province and individual cities.
Tourism British Columbia
Tel: 250-356-6363/1-800-435-5622; www.hellobc.com
Most communities operate Travel InfoCenters at least during the tourism season. In the major cities they are:
Tourism Vancouver
Plaza Level, 200 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L6, tel: 604-683-2000; www.tourismvancouver.com
Tourism Victoria
812 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W 1T3, tel: 250-953-2033/1-800-663-3883; www.tourismvictoria.com
Manitoba
A variety of Manitoba travel guides are available online and in the form of brochures from:
Travel Manitoba
21 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4T7, tel: 204-927-7800/1-800-665-0040; www.travelmanitoba.com
New Brunswick
For road maps, assistance in choosing accommodations, suggestions for itineraries in New Brunswick or a copy of the New Brunswick Touring Guide and Travel Map contact:
Tourism New Brunswick
Box 6000, Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1, tel: 1-800-561-0123; www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca
Newfoundland and Labrador
For complete information about traveling in Newfoundland write to: Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
PO Box 8700, St John’s, NL A1B 4J6, tel: 709-729-2830/1-800-563-6353; www.newfoundlandlabrador.com
Northwest Territories
This territory distributes a yearly Explorers’ Guide, a listing of hotels, lodges, restaurants, and activities. This, and more information, is available from:
NWT Tourism
Box 610, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2N5, tel: 867-873-7200/1-800-661-0788; www.spectacularnwt.com
Nova Scotia
For information about Nova Scotia and to download a variety of travel guides:
Tourism Nova Scotia
PO Box 667, 8 Water Street, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0, tel: 902-425-5781/1-800-565-0000; www.novascotia.com
Nunavut
Nunavut produces several comprehensive guides to help with the selection of outfitters and packages, as well as ideas for the independent traveler. Further information is available from:
Nunavut Tourism
Box 1450, Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0, tel toll-free: 1-866-686-2888 in Canada; 1-800-491-7910 internationally; www.nunavuttourism.com
Ontario
It takes a comprehensive travel bureau to describe and explain all that this province has to offer, but Ontario Travel fits the bill. To contact them, call toll-free from Canada or the continental US 1-800-668-2746. Write to:
Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corp.
10 Dundas St E, Suite 900, Toronto, ON M7A 2A1; www.ontariotravel.net
Ontario Travel booklets and brochures explain nearly every facet of traveling the province. Among these are:
The road map
Guides featuring all the coolest places to play and stay, including information on winter destinations and experiences.
Individual event guides for spring and summer, with dates, locations, and brief event descriptions.
Individual experience guides for spring and summer, outlining all that the province has to offer at this time of year.
Ontario Travel also operate a number of travel information centers, open year-round; most have currency exchanges. The four listed here are all at border points; there are others at Toronto, St Catharines, Tilbury, Bainsville, and Barrie.
Niagara Falls, 5355 Stanley Ave, Hwy 420, west from Rainbow Bridge
Sarnia, 1455 Venetian Blvd, at the Blue Water Bridge
Sault Ste Marie, 261 Queen St W, at the International Bridge
Windsor Park, 110 Park St E, at the Windsor/Detroit Tunnel
For information on diverse outdoor adventure experiences from canoeing to hiking, biking, snowmobiling, etc., contact Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario.
Algoma Kinniwabi Travel Association
334 Bay St, Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A 1X1, tel: 1-800-263-2546; www.algomacountry.com
Georgian Triangle Tourist Association
45 St. Paul Street, Collingwood, ON L9Y 3P1, tel: 705-445-7722/1-888-227-8667; www.visitsouthgeorgianbay.ca
Muskoka Tourism
Hwy 11, Kilworthy, ON P0E 1G0, tel: 1-800-267-9700; www.discovermuskoka.ca
Niagara Falls Tourism
6815 Stanley Ave, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 7B6, tel: 905-356-6061/1-800-563-2557; www.niagarafallstourism.com
Niagara Parks Commission
7400 Portage Rd S, Box 150, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6T2, tel: 905-356-2241; www.niagaraparks.com
North of Superior Tourism Association
52 Front St, Nipigon, ON P0T 2J0, tel: 807-887-3188
Northwest Ontario’s Sunset Country Travel Association
Box 647W, Kenora, ON P9N 3X6, tel: 807-468-5853/1-800-665-7567; www.ontariossunsetcountry.ca
The Online guide to Ontario Tourism: www.realontario.ca
Ottawa Tourism
150 Elgin Street, Suite 1405, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L4 130, tel: 613-237-5150/1-800-363-4465; www.ottawatourism.ca
Tourism Kingston
945 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 0E9, tel: 613-544-2725/1-866-665-3326; www.tourism.kingstoncanada.com
Tourism Toronto
207 Queen’s Quay W, Ste 590, Toronto, ON M5J 1A7, tel: 416-203-2600/1-800-499-2514; www.seetorontonow.com
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island
333 Riverside Dr. W, Ste 103, Windsor, ON N9A 7C5, tel: 1-800-265-3633; www.visitwindsoressex.com
Prince Edward Island
The Visitor Information Centers at Confederation Bridge and Wood Islands ferry terminal are extremely helpful. For advance information on what’s on offer on the island you can write to:
Tourism PEI
Box 2000, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8, tel: 902-437-8570/1-800-463-4734; www.tourismpei.com
Québec
Québec is divided into 17 regional tourist associations, each of which is eager to offer information and tours to visitors to the region. Contact:
Tourisme Québec
1255 rue Peel, Ste 400, Montréal, QC, H3B 4V4, tel: 514-873-2015/1-877-266-5687; www.quebecoriginal.com
For information on Montréal contact:
Tourisme Montréal
174 Notre-Dame St E, Old Montréal or 1255 Peel St in the downtown, tel: 514-873-2015/1-877-266-5687; www.tourisme-montreal.org
Québec City Tourism
12 rue Sainte-Anne, Québec, QC G1R 3X2, tel: 418-641-6290/1-877-266-5687; www.quebecregion.com
Saskatchewan
Tourism Saskatchewan offers two guides, lists accommodations and provides additional information concerning campgrounds, parks, resorts, and outfitters. For further details contact:
Tourism Saskatchewan
189-1621 Albert St, Regina, SK S4P 2S5, tel: 1-877-237-2273; www.tourismsaskatchewan.com
The Yukon
Tourism Yukon offers a useful publication, Yukon Vacation Guide, listing lodgings, restaurants, service stations, campsites, and outdoor adventure guides and tour operators. Contact: Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 2C6, tel: 1-800-661-0494; or order online at www.travelyukon.com
Tour Operators
Canada
With the effectiveness of the internet in marketing, there are many Canadian-based tour operators who serve visitors from all over the world, particularly for specialty adventure packages for the North.
For hiking, biking, and kayaking in Rocky Mountains, Western Canada, Newfoundland, the Arctic:
G Adventures
19 Charlotte St, Toronto, Ontario M5V 2H5, tel: 416-260-0999/1-888-800-4100; www.gadventures.com
Adventure Canada
14 Front St S, Mississauga, Ontario L5H 2C4, tel: 905-271-4000/1-800-363-7566. Northwest Passage and circumnavigation of Newfoundland, among other Arctic tours.
For kayaking tours or straightforward boat rentals on the east coast of Vancouver Island, try Comox Valley Kayaks & Canoes, 2020 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay, BC V9N 2L3, tel: 1-888-545-5595; www.comoxvalleykayaks.com
USA
There are many Canadian tour packages offered by US tour operators; the United States Tour Operators Association has a comprehensive listing of US tour operators; visit their website at www.ustoa.com, or contact them at 345 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1801, New York, NY 10001.
The following list of tour operators gives a flavor of the destinations and activities that Canada has to offer:
Arctic Odysseys
3409 E Madison, Seattle, WA 98112, tel: 206-325-1977/1-800-574-3021; www.arcticodysseys.com
World on Skis
250 Moonachie Rd, 4th Floor, Moonachie NJ 07074, tel: 201-228-5300/1-866-678-5858; www.worldonskis.com
The following tour operators offer vacations with limited impact on the Canadian environment:
Black Spruce Tours has customized tours to the Maritime Provinces, Québec, Newfoundland, and Labrador. Contact:
Fred Vidito, 58 Woodland Drive, Sag Harbor, New York 11963, tel: 631-725-1493; www.blacksprucetours.com
For hiking, biking, and kayaking in Rocky Mountains, western Canada, Newfoundland, the Arctic:
G Adventures
Tel: 212 228 6655/1-888 800 4100; www.gadventures.com
UK
For further details on UK tour operators, visit Destination Canada’s site, http://uk-keepexploring.canada.travel.
For tours to Canada’s North:
Arctic Experience/Discover the World
8 Bolters Lane, Banstead, Surrey SM7 2AR, tel: 01737-214250; www.discover-the-world.co.uk/en/destinations/canada
For tours to B.C. and Alberta for 18- to 35-year-olds:
Contiki Holidays
Tel: +41 22 929 9216 from Europe; www.contiki.com
Ski trips to Québec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, B.C., and the Yukon are the focus of:
Frontier Ski/Frontier Adventures
61a High Street, Orpington, Kent BR6 0JF, tel: 020-8776 8709; www.frontier-ski.co.uk
Travelpack
523 High Road, Wembley, Middlesex HA0 2DH, tel: 020-8585 4080; www.travelpack.com
Offers escorted tours, coach and rail tours, self-drive itineraries, adventure and city packages across the country.
Eco-tours to all parts of the country are offered by:
Windows on the Wild
2 Oxford House, 24 Oxford Rd North, London W4 4DH, tel: 020-8742 1556; www.windowsonthewild.com
Committed anglers may want to consider:
Anglers World Holidays
46 Knifesmithgate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 1RQ, tel: 01246 221717; www.anglersworld.tv
Useful Addresses
Travelers who want to plan ahead can do so by writing to the Canadian embassy or consulate in their own country for information. Listed below are the addresses and telephone numbers of a selection of embassies and consulates where tourist information may be available:
Australia Canadian High Commission in Canberra, Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra ACT 2600, tel: +61-2-6270-4000; www.australia.gc.ca
There is a Canadian consulate in Sydney and Perth, see above website for further details.
France Canadian Embassy, 35 Ave Montaigne, 75008 Paris, tel: +33-1-44-43-29-00; www.france.gc.ca
UK Canadian High Commission Consular and Passport Section, Canada House, Trafalgar Square, Pall Mall E, London SW1Y 5BJ, tel: +44-20-7258 6600; www.unitedkingdom.gc.ca
US Embassy of Canada, 501 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, tel: 202-682-1740; www.washington.gc.ca
There are Canadian consulates in many major American cities, including:
1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York 10020-1175, tel: 212-596-1628
2 Prudential Plaza, 180 North Stetson Ave, Ste 2400, Chicago, IL, tel: 312-616-1860
1501 4th Ave, Ste 600, Seattle, WA, 98101, tel: 206-443-1777
V
Visas and Passports
US citizens traveling by air between the US and Canada must present a current passport or other approved travel document. Amtrak also requires a current passport, if traveling by rail between the US and Canada. For those traveling by land, rules are constantly changing, so it’s important to check with both Canadian and American border regulatory agencies (what may be sufficient to enter Canada may not be sufficient to return to the US). Residents of other countries must carry a passport. In some cases a visa is also required. Since March 2016, visa-exempt travelers who plan to enter Canada by air need an eTA, a new electronic document. To obtain it, log onto www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-start.asp. Prospective visitors who are in any doubt about which documents they will need should check with the nearest Canadian consulate. For more information, call 204-983-3500 (outside Canada), 1-800-461-9999 (within Canada), or visit www.cbsa.gc.ca.
Visitors may be asked to produce return tickets and possibly evidence that they have the funds to support themselves while in Canada.
Non-Canadian visitors going from Canada to the US, however briefly, will require a passport with at least six months’ validity. Visitors from some countries may also require a visa. Check this with the nearest US consulate before leaving home.
What’s On Listings
Besides local newspapers, most cities have publications, usually free, which provide up-to-the-minute information on theater, concerts, clubs, festivals, and anything else of interest to locals and visitors. Some of the main publications, both in print and/or online are:
Where Magazine www.where.ca – distributed through hotels in Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Muskoka, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Canadian Rockies, Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler, and the Yukon.
www.dose.ca covers Halifax, Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler.
Now Magazine is a Toronto-area weekly that provides online coverage as well: www.nowtoronto.com.
The Georgia Straight is by far the best way to find out what is happening in Vancouver – it is produced every Thursday and found on street corners all over town; it’s updated daily online at www.straight.com.
Montréal Mirror and Hour Magazine in Montréal, also online at www.montrealmirror.com and www.hour.ca respectively.
The Coast provides coverage on Halifax at www.thecoast.ca.
Winnipeg Free Press, an online source of what’s on in Winnipeg, at www.winnipegfreepress.com.
Prairie Dog Magazine, Regina’s only news, arts, and entertainment magazine, is distributed free throughout downtown, www.prairiedogmag.com.
W
What to Wear
Visitors to urban and resort areas from Europe or the US should be perfectly comfortable in the clothes they wear at home under similar circumstances. Visitors planning a canoeing or hiking trip should bring suitable layers of clothing, including warm and waterproof garments, as weather conditions change rapidly.
In winter, wind chill can make it seem much colder than the actual temperature, leading to frostbite. Tourists planning to ski, hike, or take part in any other outdoor activity should wear very warm clothing and be prepared to cover exposed skin. Canadians wear both synthetic and non-synthetic clothing in layers to retain heat.
Women Travelers
Canada is probably one of the safest countries in the world for women to travel alone. With so many women traveling on business, hotels and restaurants are fully accustomed to seeing women on their own and are becoming increasingly sensitive to their concerns. Provided a female traveler follows a common sense-based code of conduct, the chances of running into a problem should be minimal.
Some city hotels have recently introduced “singles” tables in their dining rooms, at which hotel guests can ask to be seated – this is a civilized way to encounter other single travelers in a “safe” environment. The hotel’s concierge is also likely to be a reliable source of information on suitable or safe places to go and acceptable routes to get there. There are places where single women at night will feel out of their comfort zone, and personal theft of articles, particularly purses in restaurants, is on the increase. The safest thing to do is place your handbag on your lap while sitting in a restaurant.
Weights and Measures
Canada uses the metric system, but many things are still expressed in the imperial system and older people frequently speak of “miles” and “pounds.” For example, if you ask directions, someone over 55 will probably tell you how far away something is in miles or, if it is closer, in yards. In grocery stores, as often as not, you will see both the price per pound and the price per kilogram or per 100 grams.
1 centimeter (cm) = 0.394ins
1 kilometer (km) = 0.621 miles
1 liter = 0.22 UK gallon
1 liter = 0.26 US gallon (g)
1 kilogram = 2.2lbs