Canada Day is a week away, and that makes it great time to explore some of what this great country has to offer. Here are some tips from a guy who’s been to all ten provinces and the Yukon.
VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA – This is a tremendous and underrated Canadian city, with a lovely waterfront, beautiful parks and excellent food offerings. The James Bay neighbourhood is a fun place to check out little fairy houses that locals have built. Top hotels include the venerable Fairmont Empress Hotel and the fine Magnolia Hotel and Spa.
WATERTON LAKES N.P., ALBERTA – Banff gets all the attention, but Waterton Lakes National Park offers equally gorgeous scenery, and far less visitors. The main hiking attraction is a knobby outcropping called Bear’s Hump, which can be climbed in a half-hour by most reasonably fit visitors. Take a ride out to Cameron Lake for a dip, or out to Red Rock Canyon. There’s a fun golf course, as well. Expect lots of elk and other critters wandering about the town.
Alberta’s Waterton Lakes is probably my favourite national park in Canada. JIM BYERS PHOTO
WINNIPEG – A summer day at the Forks Market is a fine place to spend an afternoon. The Canadian Museum of Human Rights is a must-see, and a beautiful bit of architecture, to boot. Take a ride out to Assiniboine Park and check out the floral displays, forests and, of course, the polar bear exhibit.
REGINA BEACH, SASKATCHEWAN – Not far from the provincial capital of Regina is this fun beach town. There’s a fine lake for swimming and sailing. Be sure to try a meal at the famous Blue Bird Cafe, which has great, old-time photos on the wall and a great story to tell. This year marks their 98th anniversary!
The Blue Bird Cafe in marvellous Regina Beach, Saskatchewan. JIM BYERS PHOTO
KINGSTON, ONTARIO – This ia fun, manageable sized city with very good restaurants and one of Canada’s top post-secondary schools, Queen’s University. For something truly incredible, try a helicopter tour over the Thousand Islands. For something different, take a tour of the former Kingston Penitentiary.
EASTERN TOWNSHIPS, QUEBEC – The townships are a delightful area roughly an hour from Montreal. Sutton has a fabulous Main Street with great shops and restaurants. North Hatley is a small but beautiful town at the north end of Lake/Lac Massawippi. Sherbrooke is a cool city with a river gorge slicing through it.
The village of North Hatley, Quebec. JIM BYERS PHOTO
ST ANDREWS BY THE SEA, NEW BRUNSWICK – Yes, there are fudge shops and t-shirt stores. But you’ll also find terrific sea kayaking and nice places to stroll that aren’t packed with tourists. The Algonquin Resort by Marriott is a fine hotel in town.
EASTERN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND – The entire province is terrific, but I’m particularly fond of the eastern end of PEI. Take the 67 steps to the top of East Point Lighthouse for great coastal views. Not far away is the Inn at Bay Fortune, a luxurious place to stay and eat. Celebrity Chef Michael Smith and his team whip up amazing food. Their Fireworks Feast features amazing local cuisine cooked over open flames. It’s an experience not to be missed.
Celebrity Chef Michael Smith shucks local oysters at the Inn at Bay Fortune, PEI. JIM BYERS PHOTO
WOLFVILLE, NOVA SCOTIA – This small city is home to lovely Acadia University. The Main Street has fun, engaging shopping and dining options. There are terrific wineries in and around the city, including Benjamin Bridge, which makes award-winning sparkling wine. Don’t miss a visit to the Grand Pre National Historic Site, which explains the history of the local Acadians.
PORT REXTON, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR – This is a fun and beautiful area of the province about three hours from St. John’s. Try a pint of local brew at the Port Rexton Brewing Co,, and then a hike on the marvellous, gobsmackingly beautiful Skerwink Trail. Fisher’s Loft Inn is a fine place to stay the night.
The Skerwink Trail is an awesome hiking spot in Newfoundland and Labrador. Jim Byers Photo
BONUS PICK
Dawson City, Yukon is a terrific town that made its name during the famous Yukon Gold Rush. It still entertains visitors with its old-style, wood-front buildings. Don’t miss a chance to see famous author Jack London’s cabin, and be sure to try the Sour Toe Cocktail at the Sourdough Saloon.
G ADVENTURES LAUNCHES GREAT TRIPS TO SOCCER/FOOTBALL CITIES
There’s no community quite like football – the electricity of football (aka soccer) lovers coming together, the chants, the anticipation, the communal highs and shared heartbreaks. And now, marking a first for small group travel, fans can experience that energy firsthand as G Adventures launches Away Games, a brand new series of premium trips, designed to bring football enthusiasts together to celebrate the community, traditions and the passion that comes with football culture.
A football/soccer match in Europe. Jonny Gios/G Adventures Photo
As sports tourism continues to surge globally, G Adventures is stepping into a rapidly growing cultural movement. According to UN Tourism, sports tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors and accounts for an estimated 10% of global tourism.
Yet for many fans, attending a dream match overseas feels out of reach due to the complexity of securing tickets, navigating unfamiliar destinations and coordinating logistics. Away Games removes those barriers, offering a seamless premium experience and a ready-made community of like-minded fans from arrival to final whistle.
