Quelques arpens de neige.
(A few acres of snow)
Voltaire, Candide
Canada holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Canada holiday, personal to you.
Canada is certainly more than just a few acres of snow, as Voltaire had it. At more than 40 times the size of the United Kingdom it stands as the second largest country in the world, but is home to a mere 33 million residents.
Its four major cities – Montréal, Québec, Toronto and Vancouver – each have their own distinctive character. Vieux-Montréal, along the banks of the St Lawrence River, is a delightful 18th century enclave; Québec has a distinctive European feel, its cobbled streets and architecture certainly representative of French Canada; Toronto is Canada’s largest city, thanks to its large immigrant population, with a great ethnic diversity and cultural variety; finally Vancouver is excellently positioned to enjoy both mountain and coastal pursuits in the same day. Ottawa, the capital, though small, has a number of interesting museums and cultural centres.
However, Canada’s main draw is the big outdoors. Home to some of the worlds most wild and pristine landscapes, this is the land of grizzly, black and, indeed, polar bears, moose, arctic fox, wolf, seal, beaver, lynx and caribou. Head to Nova Scotia for a spot of whale watching, central Canada for dinosaur parks, into the Rockies for six awesome national parks – including Banff and Jasper – Northern Canada for true wilderness and the Northern Lights, and finally to the Great Lakes to experience the deafening roar of Niagara Falls.
Canada facts
Capital: Ottawa
Language: French and English.Peoples Of French, English and European origin (89%), Indigenous Indian and InnuitReligion Roman Catholic, Protestant.
People:
Religion:
Size (sq km): 9,984,670.
Population: 33,390,141.
Population density/sq km: 3.3.
Etiquette
Normal social courtesies apply: handshakes at first meetings, small gifts when visiting homes and dress is often informal and practical for the climate.
Shopping
Woodcarvings, pottery and native artefacts.
Food & drink
As varied as the country. Excellent seafood along the coast, good beef from the central plains. Colonial influence still discernable in cuisine, European menus in all major cities and good French food in Québec.
International Airports
(and distances from the nearest town) Calgary (YYC) 8 km, Edmonton (YEG) 28 km, Gander (YQX) 3 km, Halifax (YHZ) 42 km, Hamilton (YHM) 10 km, Montréal (Dorval) (YUL) 25 km, Montréal (Mirabel) (YMX) 53 km, Ottawa (YOW) 15 km, St John's (YYT) 8 km, Saskatoon (YXE) 7 km, Toronto (YYZ) 27 km, Vancouver (YVR) 15 km, Winnipeg (YWG) 10 km.
Internal travel
Numerous regional airlines, an extensive rail and road network. Car hire is easy to arrange for full licence holders aged over 21.
Red tape
Visas
(UK/US) None.
Vaccinations
required Not currently required.
Driving requirements
International Driving Permit recommended, although not legally required. National driving licences will generally suffice for up to 3 months (shorter in some provinces).
Reps in UK/US
UK: Immigration: 38 Grosvenor Street, London W1K 4AA, fax (020) 7258 6506. Cultural: Canada House, 5 Pall Mall East, Trafalgar Square, London, tel (020) 7258 6600, fax (020) 7258 6533, email Idn.consular@international.gc.ca. US: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20001 tel (202) 682 1740 fax (202) 682 7726
UK/US reps in Canada
UK: 80 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5K7, tel (613) 237 1530, fax (613) 237 7980, email generalenquiries@britainincanada.org. US: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8, tel (613) 688 5335, fax (613) 688 3080, email ottawareference@state.gov.
Currency
Canadian dollar (C$)
Finance
Most major credit cards and traveller's cheques in Canadian dollars widely accepted.
Business hours
0900-1700 Mon-Friday.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
Safe.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 76.98, F 83.86.
Useful websites for travel
www.canada.org.uk, www.canada.travel.ca, www.canadianembassy.org, www.ski-guide.com, www.ontariotravel.net/uk www.infoniagara.com, www.bonjourquebec.co.uk, www.touryukon.com. www.travelalberta.com
Local media
Toronto's The Globe and Mail has national distribution as does The National Post.
Tourist boards
UK: PO Box 101, Chard, TA20 9AR tel (0870) 380 0070 US: n/a.
Below is a selection of some ideas for holidays to Canada. This is simply a taste of what we can offer. If you're interested in a specific Canada itinerary then please call one of our consultants on 0845 643 6548.
Cowboy country is your starting point for this journey through the dramatic landscapes of Alberta & British Columbia. Highlights include a stay in Banff, travelling along the Icefields Parkway, an unforgettable ferry trip through the stunning Inside Passag...
Discover the spectacular natural beauty of Canada with this excellent escorted tour. Sightseeing, accommodation, transport, tipping and the services of experienced tour guides are all included....
Fairmont is well known in Canada for its famous historic hotels and resorts. This self-drive itinerary combines stays in some of these national treasures with spectacular Canadian scenery....
Spotting grizzlies in their natural habitat is the order of the day, and trained guides will accompany you on excursions along the Campbell River where they fish. Youll sleep in a rustic yet luxurious lodge, only accessible by floatplane. Prime bear-spotting t...
Travel in luxury from Torontos urban excitement through a stunning diversity of landscapes to Vancouver on the Pacific Coast. Explore Toronto before boarding VIA Rails famous Canadian, travelling west through the lake regions of Manitoba and the grain fields o...
Join the centennial celebrations of the Calgary Stampede (also known as ’The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’) before embarking on a journey on board the famous Rocky Mountaineer train. Travel from Banff to Vancouver through the dramatic and ever ch...
Montréal and Québec City are surrounded by spectacular scenery and this unique seaplane tour with stays at boutique hotels, allows you to view it high style....
Cosmopolitan Montréal & heritage rich Québec City are the highlights of this short itinerary. Explore delightful Québec City on the banks of the St. Lawrence River and the only walled city in North America and mix with locals at one of...
This comprehensive escorted touring program from APT takes you to all the highlights Canada and Alaska have to offer....
Sacacomie Lodge is situated between Montréal and Québec City in the beautiful Mauricie region of Québec. It’s the perfect place for families, summer adventure enthusiasts or those just wishing to relax in pristine natural surrounding...
Mountains, lakes, glaciers and forests form the backdrop to this popular self-drive tour, which takes in many of western Canada’s major highlights.... Please call 0845 643 6548 for price details.
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This adventure brings you face-to-face with the worlds largest carnivore, the arctic polar bear. There’s no better place to search for this famed animal than on the unforgiving tundra along the coast of Hudson Bay, in the Canadian province of Manitoba.... Please call 0845 643 6548 for price details.
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This self-drive tour features stays in charming auberge-style hotels typical of the Québec region. From cosmopolitan Montréal and Québec City to the scenic coastal routes of the Gaspé peninsula, you’ll find yourself quickly im... Please call 0845 643 6548 for price details.
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Explore the provinces of Ontario and Québec on this 13-day self-drive holiday taking in the highlights of Toronto, Montréal, Québec City and Canada’s capital city, Ottawa.... Please call 0845 643 6548 for price details.
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A self-drive tour through Maritime Canada showcasing the best of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.... Please call 0845 643 6548 for price details.
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Beginning in Nova Scotia’s capital Halifax this self-drive itinerary will take you to the dramatic landscapes and magnificent coastlines of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada’s eastern most province. Discover deep fjords, majestic icebergs, an abund... Please call 0845 643 6548 for price details.
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Inspiring landscapes, rich wildlife and quaint towns and villages are among the attractions on this highly rewarding self-drive tour. Gold rush cities, the awe-inspiring Northern Lights and a chance to learn about the culture of Inuit people are other hightlig... Please call 0845 643 6548 for price details.
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Take advantage of our exclusive Seven Seas Navigator New York to Montreal luxury cruise special offer on this 2012 Regent Seven Seas cruise.... Price from £4019
More information »Take advantage of our exclusive Seven Seas Navigator New England cruise from Montreal to Ft Lauderdale special offer on this 2012 Regent Seven Seas cruise.... Price from £4419
More information »Dear Marcus [September],
Just some positive feedback on the excellent arrangements you made for my wife and I for our trip to Canada. All your arrangements worked perfectly and the hotels you chose for us were great. The only alteration we made was to upgrade to a harbour view at the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver. Overlooking the harbour from the 21st floor was something else.
Very many thanks for all your help.
Bruce Hutchcroft
March-April cool, May-September warm, October-November cool, December-February cold with heavy snow.
GMT -3.5 to -8.
Canadian dollar (C$)
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