If you’re traveling to Canada, there are a lot of things that you can see and experience. The Great White North has a myriad of treasures that tourists and visitors can explore, but the trip can be made even more enjoyable and memorable, not to mention safe.
Take a Trip to Canada
We’ve compiled a list of a few places to visit and some helpful travel tips that you can keep in mind for the best vacation possible. Have a look at them below:
Places to Visit
Canada is the second-largest country in the world and has a myriad of historical landmarks and tourist attractions. Perhaps one of the world’s most popular destinations is Niagara Falls, which is located off the Canadian-American border. The massive and insanely beautiful falls draw millions of visitors to them every year, and you can’t complete a trip to Canada without visiting it.
Some of the top attractions in Canada are:
The Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are the crown jewel of Canada and stretch over an expanse of 3,000 miles from British Columbia to New Mexico in the US. It has a beautiful landscape that looks beautiful from afar and even more majestic from up close. It’s also home to Banff National Park, Lake Louise, and the Icefields Parkway, which are the country’s major tourist attractions.
Old Quebec
Old Quebec is one of Canada’s most iconic historical landmarks and has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a beautiful town with picturesque ancient buildings and is divided into the Upper and Lower Town. Both towns lie across the St. Lawrence River. Some of its must-see sites are the Citadel, the Plains of Abraham, the Parque Historique de l’Artillerie, and many others. If you have an appreciation for traditional architecture and old buildings, you should visit Old Quebec.
Ottawa’s Parliament Hill
Constructed across the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill is a government building built in a Neo- gothic style and was built in the late 19th century. It has various historic features, such as the Peace Tower, which is built between the House of Commons and the Senate. Another area you’d love to see is the Centennial Flame, which was lit in 1966 to mark the 100-year celebration of the Canadian Confederation.
What to Wear
If you’ve seen videos or read about Canada, you’d know how extremely cold it can get. That isn’t the case with the entire country, but mercury can fall low in some states. The climate also differs drastically from region to region. For instance, you’ll find altogether different weather in Winnipeg that you’d experience in Vancouver.
Therefore, you need to equip yourself with winter wear, including snow and waterproof jackets, snow boots, woolen hats, scarves, and much more. No matter where you’re traveling to in Canada, these things are an absolute must.
Keep Track of Weather Conditions
As we mentioned above, the weather can drastically change from day to day in Canada. It’s important to track the daily weather on a reliable weather app or website, as well as the weather forecast for the days you’re planning to spend in the country. Extreme weather can also bring about calamities, such as avalanches and snowstorms. These can also lead to road closures, which can deter your plans severely.
Thus, you need to keep track of the weather conditions before you book a ticket to the Great White North.
Get Travel Insurance
No matter which country you visit, it’s imperative to get travel insurance. While it may seem like a useless and additional expense, it helps you a lot when you’re traveling to a country like Canada, where you can encounter extreme weather conditions, grizzly bears, and adventure winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.
In the event of an injury or accident, no matter what the reason, your travel insurance will keep you covered, especially if you need intensive care. Hospital expenses can pile up, especially if you have to stay for a couple of days.
Save Emergency Numbers
Another important thing that you need to do before embarking on your trip to Canada is to note down Canada’s emergency numbers, which are the same as the United States. You can call 911 for medical emergencies and 311 for non-medical emergencies in some areas, such as Calgary, Vancouver, and a few other cities.
Tipping
In every country, there’s a standard amount or percentage that you should tip to the waiters at a restaurant or hotel. In Canada’s tourism, hospitality, and services industry, tipping is expected, and the amount is between 15% and 20%. As a tourist, you should keep this figure in mind whenever you dine at any restaurant or café.
Always Carry Cash
Being the world’s second-largest country, Canada has many less inhabited towns and areas, where you might not be able to find any banks or ATMs. This is why it’s advised that you always carry some cash with you. This depends on whether you’re planning to stay in the big cities only because then you won’t need to keep cash with you. In any case, a bit of spare cash never hurt anyone.
Avoid Shady Areas
No matter how safe or secure a country may be, there are always some areas or neighborhoods where even the locals don’t dare to go. These areas are riddled with drug problems, homelessness, and other problems. When you’re doing your research, you can go on travel forums or ask people who have lived or traveled to Canada so that you can avoid these areas. You can also take help from the locals when you’re in Canada, and they’ll be able to guide you better.
Conclusion
This concludes our article on the best tips for your trip to Canada. When you’re planning your itinerary and packing your bags, make sure to have a checklist of all the things you need to take along with you, such as warm clothing, emergency supplies, specific medication, and other essentials. You’ll be able to have a better and safer trip by following our guidelines.