Lonely Planet Canada: Country Guide (Travel Guide)

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Touring class, including all meals, staff commentaries and access to a panoramic car, only runs from June through September. In the off-peak months (ie, the ones without touring class availability), Economy passengers have access to the sightseeing lounge with swivel chairs. Day and monthly transit passes are available in most of the major metropolitan areas, and in cities like Toronto and Vancouver kids 12 and under ride for free. Save money on local attractions

Planning tip: Book a table at CN Tower’s 360 Restaurant, where you’ll find award-winning Canadian-sourced cuisine served in a sleek setting, and the “cellar in the sky,” the world’s highest wine cellar. 21. Bike the Vancouver Seawall Extending northeast from Pointe Old Harry into the wetlands of the 1690-acre (684-hectare) East Point National Wildlife Reserve, Grande Échouerie invites hours of uninterrupted meditation amid tufted dunes frequented by horned grebe and piping plover. To maximize daylight vistas, the trip is split over two days with an overnight in the nondescript town of Prince George. You'll have to organize your own accommodation . As the freeze prevails, the Canadians put on plenty of winter festivals to keep warm. The Family Day weekend (third weekend in February) can see a mass rush to the ski slopes. Another Montréal institution to prioritize is Schwartz’s. For over 90 years, the famous deli has been sandwiching mountains of 10-day-marinated smoked meat between two slices of rye bread for the Montréal masses.

While you can easily walk or rollerblade sections of the two-way paved path, cycling is best to take in all the 23km-long (14-mile) route has to offer. Beginning in Coal Harbour and ending at Kitsilano Beach, the seaside path winds you through some of the city’s best destinations, like Stanley Park, English Bay and Jericho Beach. Seeing the northern lights is always an awe-inspiring experience. While the celestial spectacle can be spotted as far south as Banff, the most epic display is undoubtedly found in the “Great White North.” On clear nights between mid-August to mid-April, you can catch the light show all over the Yukon, with the most optimal viewing found outside the capital city of Whitehorse.

Dash through Dangerous Lagoon – an underwater tunnel and home to the longest moving sidewalk in North America – where you can experience a truly immersive underwater-like experience, and snap shark selfies as you explore under the sea. Then, take a ride to the top of the CN Tower, found right next door, where you can take in views of Toronto from 553 metres (1,814 ft) in the sky.

While temperatures cool slightly, the weather remains relatively reliable for most of September. Some outdoor facilities close after Labour Day, but many trails, lakes, and campgrounds stay accessible until early October. The trail was built at enormous monetary and human cost during WWII to transport oil to Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon Territory – “Canol” is shorthand for “Canadian Oil.” This huge project was abandoned in 1945, with the war nearly over, as cheaper sources of oil were found. One of the main reasons travelers come to Nova Scotia is to drive the Cabot Trail, the looping, dipping roller-coaster of a road that snakes its way around the northern tip of Cape Breton Island. You can take guided tours or go it alone – just be sure to do your homework before you head out. There’s also no better place on earth than the Yukon for stargazing. Head out of town and see the aurora borealis from mid-August to mid-April from almost anywhere – no special glasses or binoculars needed, you just have to look up. 6. Calgary Bow River, Alberta

Canada is not typically considered a budget-friendly country, but there are definitely ways to explore the country – urban and outdoors – without breaking the bank. Even major cities like Toronto and Montreal were built to navigate by car, although they have ample public transportation (and horrible traffic) now. A highlight of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, the Skyline Trail is as dramatic as the dramatic-sounding name suggests. Known as “The Green Devil” in English, Au Diable Vert is an enchanting mountain retreat that offers all of the summer outdoor activities that kids love, including water sliding, tubing, stand-up paddleboarding, and stargazing. Sleep in a treehouse, retreat to a sustainably-built pod, or camp in style in an airstream while enjoying the outdoors in the Green Mountains of Québec.This lesser-known sojourn across the unheralded wilds of central British Columbia is little frequented by the international set. The exception is those on organized day trips from Jasper, who'll join the train for the first three hours as far as McBride in British Columbia. Renting an apartment or house offers more space, the ability to dine in, and most often means lower prices overall. From single-room suites to cozy cottages to luxe estates, the range of homestays in each region is endless. Equally as captivating as Lake Louise is nearby Moraine Lake, set in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Open from May to October, it also attracts a lot of tourists – a peaceful sunrise visit avoids the crowds. Avid hikers can take in the glistening glacial waters and snow-capped peaks from the surrounding strenuous trails, and unwind afterward in a natural steaming bath at one of several nearby hot springs. 15. Hit the slopes in Whistler Staggering viewpoints, interactive adventure experiences and a wide range of possible hike durations (from 15 mins to 4 hours) make this trail popular with families.

Planning tip: Whether by foot, plane, canoe, snowshoe or even dog-sled, you’re best off aurora hunting with a local tour operator who can provide expertise on viewing conditions as well as a toasty beverage to temper the arctic chill. 3. Dine on the ocean floor in Nova Scotia’s Bay of FundyHiking the whole length of the trail takes three to four weeks and most people arrange food drops along the route. The Grizzly Lake Trail is located in Tombstone Territorial Park, accessible via the Dempster Highway (a dirt road), and the views of the Grizzly Valley along the route will linger long in your memory. Planning tip: Summer attracts the most visitors but the trail is most photogenic in the fall when its winding curves glow in autumn colors. 13. Iceberg and whale watch on Fogo Island miles) to Lake Agnes round-trip; 10km (6.2 miles) to the Big Beehive round-trip; 2–4½ hours, moderate If you can ignore the breathtaking views (this is a beautiful place to be at sunset), the wildlife spotting opportunities here are spectacular. We’re talking moose, bald eagles, bears and numerous boreal bird species, plus whales offshore.