7 of the best hotels in Canada

1. Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver

2. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, Vancouver Island

3. Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, Vancouver

4. Ritz-Carlton, Montreal

5. Fogo Island Inn, Joe Batt's Arm

6. Auberge Saint-Antoine, Quebec City

7. Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver

5 Things you should know before going to Canada

1. The Distances are long!

Don’t assume that you are going to be able to cover most of Canada during a short visit. It’s a huge country and getting from one city to the next involves travelling long distances. Many people don’t schedule enough time for their trip across Canada and find themselves rushing from one city to the next.

If you only have a limited amount of time, consider choosing a section of Canada to cover – such as the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, the West Coast of BC or the Maritimes. By focusing on one region, you’ll be able to spend more time and really enjoy yourself.

2. Prepare for the weather

In the winter it gets cold. Unless you are on the mild coast of BC where the weather is moderated by the Pacific Ocean, you can expect Siberian temperatures. On the prairies where I grew up, it was not unusual to see winter temperatures of -20, -30 degrees Celsius and below. With the windchill factor, it feels even colder. Bring a warm woolen hat (Canadians call it a toque), gloves and a scarf to wrap around your face to prevent numb extremities.

Even if you are visiting in the summer, there can be thunderstorms on the prairies and in the mountains the temperature dips at night.

3. Canadian Currency

Canada uses the Canadian dollar, unlike its neighbor to the south that uses the US dollar. Some Canada/U.S. border towns and major cities will accept both currencies, but you should familiarize yourself with Canadian money, where to get it, sales taxes, tipping, and more.

4. Healthcare

Canada does have an excellent "universal" health care system, but that's only for tax-paying citizens. If you do happen to fall ill in Canada and can't make it across the border to see a doctor, it'll end up being more expensive than in the US because of their taxes and fees. If you health insurance in America allows, you can submit your receipts for reimbursement, but you must know policy.

5. Expensive

Canada is expensive, and not just for residents. A 5% federal tax and a 13% harmonized sale tax is added to almost all goods and service purchases, making most purchases way more expensive than in America. However, unlike in the USA, the taxes are included in the price tag, so you always know what you’re going to pay. This is an incredibly convenient situation.

Moving around in Canada

Train

Toronto and Montréal are the two Canadian cities with subway systems. Vancouver's version is mostly an above-ground monorail. Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa have efficient light-rail systems. Route maps are posted in all stations.

Taxi

Most of the main cities have taxis and smaller towns have one or two. They are usually metered, with a flag-fall fee of roughly $2.70 and a per-kilometer charge of around $1.75. Drivers expect a tip of between 10% and 15%. Taxis can be flagged down or ordered by phone.

Bus

Buses are the most common form of public transportation, and practically all towns have their own systems. Most are commuter-oriented, and offer only limited or no services in the evenings and on weekends.

Hotspots to Explore

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is Canada's most famous natural attraction, bringing in millions of visitors each year. Located just over an hour's drive from Toronto, along the American border, these massive falls drop approximately 57 meters. You can see the falls at an astoundingly close distance from several key points.

Banff National Park & Rocky Mountains

Banff National Park lies in the heart of the majestic Rocky Mountains in the province of Alberta, and showcases some of Canada's most beautiful scenery. Turquoise-colored lakes, snow-capped peaks, and glaciers are all easily accessible in this stunning park. The jewel of the park is Lake Louise, where green waters reflect the surrounding mountains and glaciers, and visitors can stroll easily around the shores. Just a short distance is Moraine Lake, another impressive alpine lake with an even slightly more dramatic surrounding.

Whistler

Just a two-hour drive from Vancouver is the famous ski resort and village of Whistler. While Whistler has always been an important winter sports area, it has also developed into a popular summer destination, with golf, mountain biking, and a lively town atmosphere throughout the year.

Gros Morne National Park

Newfoundland's Gros Morne National Park is more remote than many of Canada's most popular national parks, but worth the effort to discover this beautiful landscape of mountains and fjords. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring steep cliff walls, waterfalls, and interesting rock formations carved by the glacier-fed waters.

Cities you NEED to Visit!

Toronto
The largest city in Canada and arguably the best-known, Toronto is not the country's capital (Ottawa is), but it is the Ontarian. Like a more civilized, clean-cut New York, Toronto has its skyscrapers downtown, glitzy shopping in Yorkville and Bohemian districts in Queen Street West.

Montreal

The second largest city in Canada, Montreal is France's home away from home. The city's official language is French and spoken by more than half of the population. The French also lend the city its sense of cool.

Vancouver

Vancouver has been named the "best place to live in the world" more than a few times. The west coast city in British Columbia boasts a buzzy cultural life, a rich platter of ethnically diverse restaurants and a cosmopolitan population.

Quebec

Quebec, the largest province in Canada, and its capital, Quebec City, are on the country's east coast, and play host to some of Canada's most beautiful countryside. Quebec City is one of the oldest settlements in North America, French-speaking and home to the Château Frontenac, a 19th century hotel that dominates the city's skyline.