| You don't say when you're coming. Some places are less hospitable
than others.
Being an expatriate Canuck and Montrealer, I obviously favour the
east, however, the west coast must not be missed. Driving to Alberta
or British Columbia can be pretty tedious. (A 2 or 3 day drive thru
the prairies, depending on how leisurely you drive.)
If driving is what you wish, then go east. You can stop for a day
or so in Ottawa, then go on to Montreal, Quebec City and the beautiful
Maritime provinces, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, etc. On your way
to New Brunswick, you can drive through the Gaspe and see some of
the most breathtaking country around. New Brunswick, (the only official
bilingual province), has many beautiful sites. There are some terrific
small fishing villages on the North Coast. I have yet to have as
good seafood as I did in the Acadian village of Shippegan.
If, on the other hand, you are going to fly, then start that leg
of your journey in Calgary. If you plan it right, (first 2 weeks
or so of July), you'll hit Stampede; the worlds largest rodeo! You
can spend a couple of days in Calgary then drive through the majestic
Rockies via Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper on the way to {ritish
Columbia. There is also Edmonton to the north, the provincial capital.
Aside from cold winters, Edmontons newest claim to fame is the worlds'
largest shopping mall, with a skating rink, an amusement park ,
several hotels and of course stores.
Once in BC, you can go to Vancouver, one of the loveliest cities
in Canada. After that you can take the ferry to Vancouver Island
where you can visit the pristine and traditional city of Victoria.
Very British.
Have a lovely time!
Carol
|
| I would start in Halifax, wind my way through the Maritimes to Quebec
City, continue on to Montreal, up to Ottawa, and then down to Toronto,
and around Lake Ontario via Niagra Falls. It depends whether you
like a "road" vacation where you travel continuously, or a "sit"
vacation where you spend alot of time in each location. The above
route offers you Maritime hospitality and sea food, Quebecois joie
de vivre, sleepy but pretty Ottawa, and the pace of Toronto, and
of course everywhere...countyside, countryside, countryside. Some
typical travelling times by car at a tourist rate (not speedy):
Toronto to Niagra Falls - 2 hours
Around Lake Ontario - one day
Toronto to Ottawa - 7 hours (I do it in four)
Ottawa to Montreal - 2 hours
Montreal to Quebec City - 3 hours
Quebec City to Halifax - one day
If you are more specific about your interests, I'm sure you will
get lots of suggestions. Also, you should phone the Canadian Embassy
or Consulate closest to you and have them send you a package from
their tourism section. I then suggest you write to each province
for Tourism information. The information they will send you is invaluable.
This is alot for two weeks, but you can trim and cut where appropriate.
The west I would save for another time (but do do it...it's
fantastic!).
-dh
|