Lonely Planet Canada: Country Guide (Travel Guide)

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The train offers three different classes: Economy (seat only), Sleeper Plus (sleeping berth) and Prestige (private compartment). In contrast to planes, reclining seats are large with plenty of legroom; bathrooms are invariably well-scrubbed, and musicians, presenters and wine tastings break up the journey. Buses are generally clean, comfortable and reliable. Amenities may include onboard toilets, air-conditioning (bring a sweater), reclining seats, free wi-fi and onboard movies. Smoking is not permitted. On long journeys, buses make meal stops every few hours, usually at highway service stations. Accessible via a long day trip from Vancouver, Garibaldi offers plenty of lakes and scenic vistas to keep you busy. The longest trail at this attractive spot nestled in the Coast Mountains is the hike 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. Warmer weather can persist on the coast in early October, while the prairies and territories get an early dusting of snow. Good swells and tepid seas make this the best all-round surfing month in British Columbia.

Located less than two hours by car from Vancouver, the lovely lakeside town of Harrison Hot Springs offers a wide range of activities to satisfy kids of all ages. Families can stroll along the Spirit Trail and seek out the dozens of hand-carved cedar masks that are hidden along the way, or search for Sasquatch along the Sasquatch Trail while learning about the mythical creature that is said to call the Harrison Hot Springs area home. 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 Seasoned hikers can challenge themselves on the Long Range Traverse, a 34km (21-mile) trail that provides the most epic views of the Western Brook Pond Fjord from its near-vertical mountaintops soaring 610m (2000ft) into the sky. 11. Savor the wine and design in Prince Edward County With 48 national parks to explore, comprising marine and coastal reserves, old growth forests, and massive mountain ranges, there’s plenty to see and do from coast, to coast, to coast. 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.Situated in the stunning Mount Robson Provincial Park, the trailhead for this easy round-trip hike to gorgeous Kinney Lake lies 3km (1.9 miles) north of the Mt Robson Visitor Centre. Two compelling attractions make this the most popular hike at Lake Louise in Banff National Park. First up is the historic Lake Agnes Teahouse, where hikers have been refueling since 1901. It's a supremely atmospheric spot to break for tea, sandwiches and baked goods at the 3.4km (2.1-mile) mark. Scout new ways to explore the planet's wildest places with our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. Hiking the whole length of the trail takes three to four weeks and most people arrange food drops along the route.

Planning tip: Bring a tent and binoculars. You can camp right on the smooth sandy beach, and the “bins” will enhance your appreciation of the resident wildlife including eagles and ospreys. 2. Stanhope Beach, Prince Edward Island With five different trailheads to choose from and 90km (56 miles) of trails at varying degrees of intensity, Garibaldi Provincial Park is a hiker’s fantasy. Named after its towering namesake mountain – 2678m (8786ft) Mount Garibaldi – this area was established as a Provincial Park in 1927. Known for its famous waterfalls that go by the same name, the Canadian city of Niagara Falls has much more to offer than riveting views of rushing rapids. In the east, fall foliage can last well into November while, in the west, wet and windy weather has led to a growing interest in storm-watching, particularly on Vancouver Island.If city escapes are more your speed, the metropolitan areas are also a must, with museums – like the Children’s Museum in the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa – and amusement parks – like Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto.

The Icefields Parkway – or the Promanade des Glaciers, as it’s romantically known in French – is the crème de la crème of Canadian drives. This 230km (143-mile) trip links the nation’s two most emblematic national parks, Banff and Jasper, leaving even the most verbose travel writers flailing for adjectives. Don’t miss some of the special activities offered on some services, from the heritage interpretations talks (on prairies, potash etc) to beer tastings. Canadian trains qualify as slow travel. Don’t expect Japanese bullet trains or French TGVs. Passenger trains in Canada defer to freight, so you'll often spend 30 minutes or more waiting in a siding for another train to pass. Whether you’re looking to make a seemingly unaffordable trip more doable or you want to stretch your dollar so you can extend your visit, these practical tips on how to stay, eat and play for less are sure to help you save money on your visit to Canada. Choose your adventure based on your budgetImagine ancient indigenous burial grounds, 1000-year-old Viking remains, monumental icebergs, breaching whales and an almost supernatural national park whose trippy tablelands are a textbook guide to plate tectonics. Welcome to Newfoundland’s epic Rte 430, which links a patchwork of fog-cloaked coves, snow-capped mountains and stormy fjords.