Canada has the world’s longest coastline—over 240,000 km—so beach days can mean rugged Pacific shores, red-sand Atlantic coves, or glassy Arctic inlets.
You can cross six time zones without leaving the country; Newfoundland runs on its own quirky half-hour time zone.
Summer daylight stretches forever in the far north—think midnight sun in Yukon and Nunavut—while winter brings spectacular aurora shows.
The Trans-Canada Highway is one of the longest roads on Earth, linking St. John’s, Newfoundland to Victoria, British Columbia in more than 7,800 km.
VIA Rail’s “The Canadian” between Toronto and Vancouver is a bucket-list train: glass-dome cars, prairie sunsets, and a front-row seat to the Rockies.
Alberta’s Icefields Parkway is a road-trip icon—turquoise lakes, hanging glaciers, and wildlife sightings packed into a few jaw-dropping hours.
Churchill, Manitoba calls itself the Polar Bear Capital of the World; tundra buggies roll right into prime bear country each fall.
The Bay of Fundy (New Brunswick/Nova Scotia) has the highest tides on the planet—boats rest on the seafloor at low tide and float stories high at high tide.
Niagara Falls is spectacular year-round; in winter, mist can freeze into glittering ice formations along the gorge.
Vancouver Island isn’t just surf and orcas—temperate rainforests and mossy cathedrals of cedar make it feel prehistorically lush.
Poutine (fries, curds, gravy) started in Quebec and now appears nationwide—there are gourmet versions with everything from lobster to smoked meat.
Maple syrup season peaks in early spring; sugar shacks serve hearty “cabane à sucre” feasts and taffy poured on snow.
Ice wine is a Canadian specialty—grapes are harvested frozen at night to concentrate sweetness; Niagara and the Okanagan are top tasting regions.
Canada’s café culture is cozy and local; yes, you’ll find Tim Hortons everywhere, but independent coffee houses thrive in most cities.
Montreal is North America’s festival powerhouse—jazz, comedy, circus arts, and pop festivals crowd a single summer calendar.
In Quebec, French is the majority language; bilingual menus and signs are common, but a bonjour and merci go a long way.
Toronto is among the world’s most diverse cities, with neighborhoods for almost every cuisine—from Little Tibet to Greektown and Little Portugal.
Ottawa’s Rideau Canal becomes the world’s largest skating rink in cold winters—bring a beavertail pastry for fuel.
Banff and Jasper’s lakes really are that blue—glacial silt scatters sunlight to produce the famous “Canadian turquoise.”
Wildlife encounters are real: elk stroll resort towns, bears wander trails, and moose own certain highways—keep distance and never feed them.
Blackfly and mosquito season can be fierce in lake country; a head net and repellent make sunset canoe trips much nicer.
Indigenous experiences—from coastal canoe journeys to powwows and cultural centers—offer a deeper understanding of the land and its peoples.
The Inukshuk, a stacked-stone figure from Inuit culture, symbolizes guidance and community; you’ll spot it in art, parks, and wayfinding.
Whale watching is big on both coasts: orcas and humpbacks in British Columbia; minke and fin whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Calgary Stampede bills itself as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” mixing rodeo, midway food, and nightly fireworks each July.
The northern lights aren’t just a winter show—spring and autumn can produce vivid aurora with milder travel conditions.
Power outlets are Type A/B at 120V, 60Hz; your European hairdryer needs a proper converter, not just a plug adapter.
Canada uses the metric system—speed limits in km/h and temperatures in °C—though you’ll still hear height and weight in “imperial” sometimes.
Driving is on the right; winter tires are mandatory or strongly recommended in several provinces during cold months.
Public transit is solid in cities, but distances between towns are vast—budget time and fuel for road trips.
BC Ferries operate like clockwork between the mainland and islands—reservations help on summer weekends.
PEI’s beaches boast warm water by Canadian standards and photogenic red sand shaped by iron-rich sandstone.
Saskatoon and Winnipeg have thriving arts scenes; long winters breed top-tier galleries, festivals, and live music venues.
Sales tax varies by province (GST/HST/PST)—price tags often exclude tax, so totals ring up higher than expected.
Tipping is customary in restaurants (15–20%), bars (a dollar or two per drink or ~15%), and ride shares (10–15%).
Cannabis is legal nationwide, but rules for where you can buy or smoke vary by province—check local regulations before lighting up.
Alcohol sales are provincial too—some places have government shops, others allow grocery store wine and beer.
Mobile coverage is excellent along major corridors but sparse in remote parks; download maps and carry a paper backup for backcountry trips.
Canada’s national park Discovery Pass can save money if you’re visiting multiple parks in a year; provincial parks have their own fees and reservation systems.
Pack layers any time of year—weather swings are real, and even summer nights can turn cool by the lake or coast.