Start Here
You have just arrived at my Travel Adventures in Canada blog, and you’re not sure where to start. Well, you’ve come to the right place for help with your planning.
Let’s start with why you’re here… travel in Canada! This page is all about helping you plan and get the most from your trip. You’ll also find our best posts here and our most useful information.
I’m Tom Oxby, and from my home in Toronto, I have been exploring Canada all my lif,e having visited all the provinces except one.
Introduction to Canada
1. Map of Canada
2. Where do you want to visit first?
| Provinces and Territories | Capitals | Some Highlights |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | St. John’s | Whale watching, puffins, icebergs, Viking settlement, fishing villages, fjord and rugged coast, friendly people |
| Nova Scotia | Halifax | Cape Breton Highlands, Celtic Music, Bell Museum, Lunenberg World Heritage Site, Lighthouses |
| New Brunswick | Fredericton | Fundy Coast, great beaches, covered bridges, Acadian village |
| Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown | Red sand beaches, Anne of Green Gables, ocean walks, fishing villages |
| Quebec | Quebec City | Whale watching, walled city, historical sites, lots of hiking and over 5000 km of cycling routes, Montreal, wineries, cheese making |
| Ontario | Toronto | Niagara Falls, Toronto, historical sites, Wilderness parks with hiking and canoe routes |
| Manitoba | Winnipeg | Polar bears at Churchill, Winnipeg Museums |
| Saskatchewan | Regina | Prairie landscape, buffalo, Prince Albert National Park |
| Alberta | Edmonton | Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, dinosaur bones at Drumheller, Calgary Stampede |
| British Columbia | Victoria | Scenic mountain road trips, Mountain parks, Vancouver Island beaches, whale watching, quaint Gulf Islands, Okanagan Valley fruit farms and wineries |
| Yukon | Whitehorse | History from Gold Rush, incredible mountain scenery |
| Northwest Territories | Yellowknife | Northern Lights, Nahanni canoeing and hiking, wildlife |
| Nunavet | Iqaluit | Northern Lights, rugged Artic landscape |
Using this Website
1. Planning a Trip
If you’re planning your first-ever Canadian trip, or even if you’re getting ready to return to visit another province or territory, I can help.
Here you’ll find information about unique places to visit, outdoor adventure ideas, hiking trails, National and Provincial Parks, my best travel hacks, and tips to help you save money and plan smarter.
2. Our Most Popular Posts
Here are a few of my most popular posts on this blog. I’ve written numerous posts, but these are the ones that everyone finds exceptionally popular.
3. Recent Posts
Below you’ll find a few of my most recent posts. Since I am publishing on this blog frequently, there is always plenty of new articles for you to check out.
- Road Trip Essentials: 35 Must-Haves for Driving in Canada
- Where to Stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake: Best Hotels & Areas
- Best Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tours: 8 Tours Worth Booking
- 15 Best Things to Do in Niagara-on-the-Lake: Wineries, History & Scenic Walks
- 2-Day Niagara-on-the-Lake Weekend Getaway: A Perfect Itinerary
- Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1 Day: The Perfect Day Trip Itinerary
Getting to Know Canada Better
1. Basic Facts about Canada
Some facts to get you started on your Canadian journey.
- Canada is the world’s second-largest country.
- Canada has the longest coastline in the world.
- Our Population is 40,000,000 and growing
- Symbols of Canada include the beaver and the Maple Leaf
- The Trans-Canada Trail is our national trail from coast to coast to coast
- Canada has 22 World Heritage sites
Tim Horton’s is a national passion with 15% of Canadians visiting this chain of coffee shops every day, myself included.
2. Transportation in Canada
While we drive on the same side of the road as in the U.S., speeds are in kilometers, not miles. A typical highway speed might be 100 kph to 110 kph, but it does vary by province.
Also, when filling up with gas, it will be in imperial gallons, different than those in the U.S.
VIA Rail is our National Railway passenger company. Canada is a big country, and the major airlines include Air Canada, Westjet, Porter Airlines, and several discount carriers.
3. Money Issues
The major currency is the Canadian dollar. If using U.S. money, it may be accepted at some hotels, restaurants, and attractions, but you may not receive the best exchange rate. Bank machines can be found throughout the country.
4. Canadian 2026 Holidays
These holidays in 2026 may affect planning your journey with celebrations in some cases and some store closures in others. It may be slightly different in other provinces.
- Thursday, January 1 – New Year’s Day – store closures
- Monday, February 16 – Family Day in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick – store closures
- Friday, April 3 – Good Friday – store closures
- Monday, April 6 – Easter Monday. Not an official holiday, but many businesses are closed
- Monday, May 18 – Victoria Day, varies by province – store closures, fireworks, and celebrations
- Wednesday, June 24 – Fête Nationale du Québec – store closures in Quebec only
- Wednesday, July 1 – Canada Day – parades, store closures, and other celebrations
- Monday, August 3 – Civic Holiday except for Newfoundland, Quebec, and the Yukon – store closures and celebrations
- Monday, September 7 – Labour Day – store closures
- Monday, October 12 – Thanksgiving Day – store closures
- Friday, December 25 – Christmas Day – store closures
- Saturday, December 26 – Boxing Day – government offices closed
5. When to travel to Canada?
Summer – most visitors come to Canada between mid-May and mid-October, with the height of the travel season in July and August. Canada is a big country, and temperatures vary quite a bit, but you will generally find it a pleasant time.
Spring – if visiting during the spring months of March to May, you can expect more rain. If you are heading to mountain regions, expect to still find snow.
Autumn – if visiting Canada in the autumn, expect beautiful colours in eastern Canada as the forests shed their leaves and temperatures are cooler, but okay for travel. In the West, snow may be expected anytime in the mountains. Vancouver Island is quite pleasant.
Winter – snow can be expected across the country from December until the end of February, but the amount of snow and temperatures vary a lot. Vancouver and Victoria tend to be a lot milder than the rest of the country.
Monthly climate summary from Environment Canada.
Souvenirs of Canada
1. Maple Syrup
Canada is well known for maple syrup production, and if you visit in March or early April, there are many places where you can see it being made. Quebec is the leading producer, with New Brunswick and Ontario also top producers. In Elmira, Ontario, there is a popular maple syrup festival.
2. Ice Wine
Ice wine from Canada has won many awards. The grapes at the winery are left on the vine until certain temperatures are reached, when they are picked, producing a sweet dessert wine.
3. First Nations Arts and Crafts
What is available varies a lot across the country and includes everything from paintings to Inuit soapstone carvings.
4. Wool Blanket
The famous Hudson Bay wool blanket has been around for hundreds of years and is still popular. In stores, it is now available at Canadian Tire.
5. Canadian Liquor
Canadian whiskey, wine, craft beers, or ciders are always a popular choice.
6. Mittens and Beanie
Maple Leaf Canadian-themed Winter Beanie Hat and Mittens Gloves Set.