Great Escape - Canada
O Canada
Traveling across the northern border of the United States into the vast nation of Canada, the second largest in the world by total area, is a wonderful experience. France established itself in the eastern part of Canada in 1534, but then was defeated in a number of wars with the British, who were given control of the country by the Treaty of Paris in 1763. But even before the Europeans, the land that is now Canada was home to native Indian peoples, primarily the Inuit (Eskimos), whose traditions are still very much alive today. In 1982 the last legal tie between Canada and Britain was cut, although the constitution kept Queen Elizabeth as Queen of Canada and their membership in the Commonwealth.
A multicultural and multilingual nation, Canada has two official languages, English and French. While this cultural blend makes for great historical and cultural attractions, cuisine, entertainment and nightlife, much of the allure of Canada lies in its pristine and untouched natural wonders, from vast coniferous forests and snow capped mountain ranges to lakes, rivers and majestic waterfalls.
To put it simply, if you love nature, you'll love Canada. Imagine gazing up at the darkening skies as the sun sets at midnight, calling forth the spectacular display of dancing and shimmering Northern Lights, called the Dance of the Spirits by the native Cree. Or perhaps picture yourself on a cruise along Iceberg Alley off the east coast of Newfoundland, so named for its abundance of gigantic bergs, bergy bits and growlers in every shape and size. Be aware that the chill in the air isn't only from the ice; the "unsinkable" Titanic met its watery end here.
There's no shortage of adventure in Canada; sail right under Niagara Falls in Ontario, catch some huge waves at Long Beach in Pacific Spirit National Park on Vancouver Island, hike the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland that goes through forests and past towering cliffs, deep fjords and sea stacks, saddle up and enjoy Alberta's rugged cowboy country, soak in a rejuvenating hot spring in British Columbia's Kootenay National Park, or raft down the mighty Nahanni River, one of the most spectacular wild rivers in North America that cuts through deep canyons and glacial gorges until plummeting over 300 feet in a dramatic and thunderous plume, Virginia Falls.
Of course, your Canadian outdoor experience wouldn't be complete without seeing one of Canada's beloved icons, the moose. At the La Reserve Faunique de Matane in Quebec, explore mud flats, moose yards, lakes and peat bogs, home to over 6,000 of the magnificent animals. The St. Lawrence River, the expansive waterway that drains the Great Lakes, is home to over 13 species of another majestic animal, the whale. Spot minkes, humpbacks and even the gargantuan but gentle blue whales.
Those looking for more relaxing pursuits might think about spending a luxurious day in Quebec's Eastern Townships, where you can get a 60 minute deep tissue massage, body wraps, facials and pedicures followed by yoga, aqua-fitness, or a nice long soak in a hammam. Perhaps you'll spend an afternoon at the park below Mount Royal in Montreal walking below centuries old trees, greeting ducks in their ponds and admiring the lush vegetation.
The pubs along cobblestone George Street in St. John's are great places to listen to live jazz, blues and Irish music while dancing the night away. The town has more bars per square foot than any place else in North America, each colorfully painted inside and out, mostly so the buildings stand out against the sometimes dense fog. In Winnipeg, you can see 6,000 years of history is engraved graphically on the Wall of Time, telling the tales of the people who converged at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers.
Foodies will love the wide range of cuisine available all over Canada. Tour the province of La Route des Fromages Fins du Quebec and munch on delicious cheeses such as the soft and bloomy chevre noir, or the les bouches d'amour, marinated in flavored grape seed oil and covered with spices. The Niagara River Parkway is home to rolling fields of lush vineyards and orchards, a great place to sample limited edition wines paired with cheeses.
Try traditional Mi'kmaq (one of Canada's First Nations peoples) cuisine prepared from local oysters, lobsters, fish and other game. In Vancouver's Chinatown, you can taste freshly prepared Asian delicacies including moon cakes, roasted duck, steamed pork buns and a variety of dim sum. If you're looking for French cuisine, sit down in a Parisian style restaurant and dine on foie gras, truffles, scallops, chestnuts and cheeses.
This is but a small glimpse of what Canada has in store for you. The only way to get the full picture (as with any other destination) is to go there and experience the country for yourself. We have packages for various destinations including Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal that come with hotel and roundtrip airfare, so give us a call and get on your way to Discover Canada!
An excerpt from the second verse of the Canadian national anthem, "O Canada":
"O Canada! Where pines and maples grow, great prairies spread and Lordly rivers flow! How dear to us thy broad domain, from East to Western sea! The land of hope for all who toil, the true North strong and free!"