Canada is a sprawling country, that is certainly worth exploring. Though not many think of Canada when they think of vacations, the country has a lot to offer for people interested in a holiday. In this article, we are going to talk about the best places to visit, share some tips on travel essentials, and discuss gear for those who would like to hike across the Great White North.
Visiting Canada: Places to See
First thing is first, let us discuss all of the great places that you could visit if you go to Canada. The country has a lot to offer, so we are going to be splitting this section into three different categories: places for nature lovers, places for urban-dwellers, and places where you just want to have fun. But, without further ado, let us get into the nitty and gritty.
- Nature Lovers
Canada is famous worldwide for its natural beauty. With national parks, gorgeous hiking trails, and mountain lakes that could be considered wonders in their own right, the country has quite a lot to offer for people who want to experience the beauties of the natural world. Let’s take a look at a few of Canada’s most beautiful parks, forests, and mountains.
- Jasper National Park
The biggest national park in Canada, Jasper is definitely a place that any nature-dweller or hiker will enjoy. We recommend hitching a ride on the Jasper SkyTram, and witnessing the park from a bird’s eye view.
- Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls needs no introduction. It is one of the most iconic destinations in Canada. Tourists from all over the world come to Canada to see the beautiful waterfalls and witness firsthand the wonder of nature.
- Whitehorse
Why would a small city in Canada’s Yukon region be a good place for visitors? Well, the Wildlife Preserve is one reason. Witness the most fascinating of Canada’s wildlife in their natural habitat by taking a hike through the Whitehorse Wildlife Preserve. It doesn’t end there though. Whitehorse is also one of the Canadian cities where you can witness the Northern Lights.
- Entertainment
Nature lovers will undoubtedly have fun in Canada. But, what about those who just want to have fun? The streets of Canada’s cities are pepper with nightclubs, casinos, restaurants, and bars where you can enjoy high-class meals, sip on cocktails, and meet new people.
- Casinos
Gambling enthusiasts will be happy to learn that Canada has quite a few legal gambling platforms. Not only you play your favorite games at various land-based establishments, but you can also play online. Some excellent casino websites, such as the Ripple online casinos in Canada offer fantastic games, from slots to blackjack, and much more. The same thing is true for their land-based establishments.
- Nightclubs/Bars
Nightclubs are quite plentiful in some of the biggest Canadian cities. Quebec City, Victoria, Montreal, Vancouver, and Banff are all urban centers, worth visiting if you want to see the authentic, Canadian life. However, these cities are also home to some of the hottest nightclubs and bars in the entire country. Excellent if you want to meet new people, interact with locals and tourists alike, and just dance the night away.
How to Prep for a Canada Trip
Whether you want to see the natural sites or whether you want to roam the urban areas, there are certain “must-have” things. Obviously, your equipment will be different depending on the trip you are planning. For example, if you want to camp out, you will need to prep camping gear. On the other hand, there are a lot of top-tier accessories for those who want to visit the Canadian cities. And if you are planning an outdoor BBQ in Canada, there are quite a few grill options to pick from. In either case, if you are visiting Canada, you will need a few things, no matter where you are going.
- A Winter Jacket
Canada is a huge landmass, with alternating climates. It is, therefore, incredibly important to be ready for the worst case scenario. And the worst case scenario in this case is freezing cold temperatures. That is why, packing a winter jacket is of utmost importance when you are visiting Canada.
- Portable Chargers
Trust us when we say, portable chargers are any traveler’s best friend. Whether you are hiking or spending a lot of time in the cities, your phone will eventually run out. Most of the time, you won’t have the time to go all the way back to your hotel room.
- Travel Adapter
The proximity to the US means that many Canadian cities use US-style plugs. However, Canada’s political proximity to the UK and Europe means that a lot of them also use European-style plugs. Meaning, no matter where you are coming from, it is imperative to carry a travel adapter, that is unless you are planning a “no electronic devices” trip.
Entering Canada
In this final section, we feel it is important to address the process of entering Canada itself. The country allows travelers, tourists, and visitors from over 50 nations to visit without a VISA. Among these countries are many of the ones associated with the European Union, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and of course, their southern neighbors.
However, it is also important to remember that a lot of countries still need a visa to enter Canadian borders. If you are a tourist, you will likely need the “Temporary Resident Visa” or TRV. Gather the necessary documents, apply for your temporary resident visa, and complete any of the tasks that the Canadian Embassy demands of you. Once that is done, you will have to wait a couple of weeks before your Visa is done, so we would recommend getting all of this done in a timely manner.
In either case, you will need to take a look at the process for acquiring visas when visiting different countries. It might sound like a hassle, but once you get to Canada, you will see that it was all worth the effort. The natural beauty, bustling cities, and top-notch nightclubs are all a wonderful experience.
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