Explore Canada

Explore Canadahttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canadaExplore Canadahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/three-night-adventure-québecA Three-Night Adventure Through Québec: Farms, Falls, Whales, and Cobblestones2025-11-25T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/three-night-adventure-qu%C3%A9bechttps://www.worldnomads.comThere’s a certain magic about Québec—a blend of old-world charm and wild, untamed nature. My husband and I spent three nights exploring Québec City and beyond, balancing farm visits, scenic drives, and cultural walks through cobblestone streets that made us feel like we’d crossed the Atlantic. <h2>Day One: Rainy Farms and Fancy Cocktails</h2> Our first full day in Québec began under pouring rain—the kind that soaks you through your raincoat and makes even short walks feel like endurance tests. But we refused to let the weather stop us. We started at <a href="https://www.quebec-cite.com/en/businesses/parc-de-la-chute-montmorency">Montmorency Falls</a>, just a short drive from Québec City. Even through the mist, the 272-foot cascade—taller than Niagara—was beautiful. We had umbrellas and the view could still be enjoyed through the rain. Next, we headed to Île d’Orléans, an agricultural island known for its orchards, vineyards, and local producers. Our first stop: <a href="https://www.cidreriebilodeau.com/en/">Cidrerie Verger Bilodeau</a>, where we sampled their famous ice cider and sparkling cider—sweet, crisp, and perfectly suited for a gray day. Then we continued to <a href="https://vs-p.ca/">Vignoble Ste-Pétronille</a>, a boutique winery that has beautiful views. Their wines are small-batch and interesting (meaning, they are different than what you’d find in the US), and sipping them while looking out over the misty river felt like we’d beaten the weather. By afternoon, the rain and driving had caught up to us, so we called the farm adventures off and headed into Old Québec. Determined to dry off in style, we stopped at <a href="https://www.vieux-carre.ca/">Vieux Carré</a>, a sophisticated cocktail bar where we indulged in some (very expensive) drinks that made us feel instantly more dignified. Dinner was a quick slice of pizza nearby before calling it a night. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/canada/quebec-content-one.jpeg" alt="A winding staircase in a room filled with old books." /> <figcaption>The Morrin Centre, a hidden gem for book lovers. Image credit: Sarah Roman</figcaption></figure> <h2>Day Two: Whales and Bears in Tadoussac</h2> The next morning, the sun came out and so did our sense of adventure. We left early for Tadoussac, about a four-hour drive northeast, including a short ferry crossing. The ferry runs every 20 minutes or so, but the line can get long, so plan extra time. Tadoussac is famous for whale watching, as several species—including belugas, minkes, and blue whales—migrate through the St. Lawrence River. We joined a <a href="https://www.tourisme-charlevoix.com/en/themes/scenic-routes-excursions/whale-watching">whale-watching cruise</a> from Baie-Sainte-Catherine, choosing a covered boat since open-air ones can be chilly even on sunny days. The guides were excellent, mostly speaking French but always translating for English speakers. We spotted one whale that surfaced several times before disappearing into the blue depths. For those who get seasick easily (me, included) know that the river is calm and you should be okay if it’s not too stormy. Afterward, we grabbed a drink and snack in Baie-Sainte-Catherine, a small, peaceful town overlooking the river. If we’d known how beautiful it was, we would have stayed overnight. Locals told us that it’s sometimes possible to see whales right from the shore and we would have loved to try had we had the time. At sunset, we joined a <a href="https://www.getyourguide.com/saguenay-l109902/15-min-tadoussac-black-bear-observation-with-expert-guide-t753264/?ranking_uuid=284e2adc-56d5-401f-bd2b-0e9a0bab84b6">black bear viewing tour</a> nearby. The company provides an elevated platform overlooking the forest, where the bears wander in to forage for food. Watching them felt like being in a live nature documentary. Over the course of an hour, we saw two or three bears, each one emerging from the shadows as the forest fell silent. We returned to Baie-Sainte-Catherine for dinner, which turned out to be a smart move. The restaurants are few and far between on the long drive back to Québec City, and this town offers a handful of cozy spots with hearty food and river views. Pro tip: fill up your gas tank before leaving, as stations are scarce along the route back. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/canada/quebec-content-two.jpeg" alt="A bear standing on its hind legs" /> <figcaption>Image credit: Sarah Roman</figcaption></figure> <h2>Day Three: Cobblestones, Castles, and Culture</h2> Our final day was devoted to Old Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels like a slice of Europe perched on the cliffs of North America. The old town’s cobblestone streets, stone buildings, and sidewalk cafés make it easy to see why this is one of Canada’s most photographed cities. We strolled along the Dufferin Terrace, taking the obligatory photo with the iconic <a href="https://www.fairmont.com/en/hotels/quebec-city/fairmont-le-chateau-frontenac.html">Fairmont Le Château Frontenac</a>, which is often called the most photographed hotel in the world. From there, we wandered through the <a href="https://www.plainsofabraham.ca/">Plains of Abraham</a>, a vast park that was once the site of the pivotal 1759 battle between the British and the French. Today, it’s a serene green space perfect for picnics and long walks. Next, we stopped at the <a href="https://www.morrin.org/en/">Morrin Centre</a>, a hidden gem for book lovers. Once a notorious prison, it’s now home to one of the most beautiful libraries in Canada. The English-language shelves, spiral staircases, and sunlit reading rooms are straight out of a period film and worth the small admission fee. After giving our feet a break (and sampling more local cider at a nearby pub), we walked to <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g155033-d3620603-Reviews-Le_Parc_du_Bois_de_Coulonge-Quebec_City_Quebec.html">Bois-de-Coulonge Park</a>, another scenic spot filled with gardens, fountains, and walking trails that overlook the river. We capped off our trip with dinner at <a href="https://chezboulay.com/en/">Chez Boulay</a>, a celebrated Québec City restaurant inspired by the boreal forest. Every dish felt rooted in the region’s wild ingredients—think spruce tips, berries, and freshwater fish. The trout carpaccio was a highlight, beautifully presented and full of delicate, woodsy flavors. <h2>Final Thoughts</h2> We crossed into Canada from Maine, and the border crossing was simple—no lines at all, though we did go at night. During our stay, we found Canadians to be incredibly warm and welcoming, often switching to English without hesitation and going out of their way to make us feel at home. In hindsight, three days in Québec City felt like the bare minimum. You could easily spend a week exploring the city’s museums, historic sites, and nearby countryside. But our itinerary—a mix of rural adventures and urban exploration—gave us a satisfying taste of both sides of Québec’s personality. Between sipping cider on a rainy farm day, spotting whales on the St. Lawrence, and strolling centuries-old streets, we left feeling that Québec isn’t just a destination; it’s an experience that lingers. Travel Tip: For future visitors, bring layers, book rural experiences in advance, and leave time for spontaneous detours—you never know when you’ll stumble upon a hidden vineyard, a library that steals your heart, or a bear wandering through the trees.Sarah Roman 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/discover-thaidene-neneThaidene Nëné National Park Reserve on the Northwest Territories’ Great Slave Lake helps preserve Indigenous traditions as well as the landscape.2022-05-09T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/discover-thaidene-nenehttps://www.worldnomads.comIt may have taken half a century to gestate, but in 2019 Canada was finally delivered of its newest national park, the <a href="https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/nt/thaidene-nene" target="_blank">Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve</a>. In Łutsël K’é, a First Nation village of fewer than 400 people reachable only by boat, plane, or snowmobile, representatives from the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation, the Deninu Kųę́ First Nation, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Parks Canada, and the Northwest Territories government formally signed the park into existence. “Groundbreaking” doesn’t begin to cover it. “Revolutionary” gets closer. The establishment of Thaidene Nëné (“land of the ancestors” in the Dënesųłıné language) represents a <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/indigenous-tourism-companies">new vision of conservation</a>, one predicated on respect for ancestral territory and dedicated to preserving traditional ways of life, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, as well as helping to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss. <ul> <li><a href="#protecting">Protecting wildlife and Indigenous traditions</a></li> <li><a href="#northern-lights">Catching fish and the Northern Lights near Yellowknife</a></li> <li><a href="#first-nations">First Nations sites and Canadian history </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="protecting">Protecting wildlife and Indigenous traditions</h2> Sitting on the eastern arm of Great Slave Lake, the deepest lake in North America, the reserve – enclosed within the Thaidene Nëné Indigenous Protected Area – covers 3.5 million acres of nationally significant ecosystems, from boreal forest to freshwater. The landscape is home to healthy numbers of musk ox, moose, grizzly and black bear, wolverine, Arctic fox, marten, and two subspecies of caribou, and provides a breeding refuge for many migratory birds. It is co-managed by the federal and territorial governments and the First Nation peoples (the signatories of the agreement plus the Northwest Territory Métis Nation) who since time immemorial have paddled its waters, roamed its ridges, and camped in its bays. The Ni Hat’ni Dene Rangers, a network of Łutsël K’é residents, serve as guardians during the summer months, guiding visitors, keeping a close eye on the environment, maintaining its natural beauty and culturally important sites, and mentoring and educating younger generations. To that end, the federal government has promised to invest CAD $40 million in the park in its first 12 years; and the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation has set up a $30 million trust that is expected to generate around $1 million in interest a year, which can be used to support the management of the protected area. In the spring of last year, the first disbursement from the fund was made to the community. For an introduction to the reserve’s rewards, there’s Frontier Lodge, the self-styled “gateway to Thaidene Nëné” (it’s a mere 15-minute boat ride to the park boundary). Operated by the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation, its log cabins sleep up to 30 guests and it lays on a variety of authentic cultural experiences: guided fishing trips; a weekend of traditional <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/camping-travel-insurance">camping</a>, cooking, and storytelling; a women’s wellness retreat, involving morning yoga, wildlife-spotting <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/hiking-travel-insurance">hikes</a>, drum dances, folk medicine workshops, and healing ceremonies; and a <a href="/create/learn/photography/a-pro-photographers-guide-to-photographing-the-northern-lights">Northern Lights show</a> (by September you are practically guaranteed nightly performances). <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/seaplane-great-slave-lake.jpg" alt="Seaplane on Great Slave Lake." /> <figcaption>A seaplane on Great Slave Lake. Image credit: Joseph Furey</figcaption></figure> Parks Canada, an agency of the Canadian government, first identified the area’s potential as a national park in the late 1960s, but its proposal was turned down by Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation elders, who feared the designation would lead to their people’s exclusion from their ancestral territories and prevent them from exercising their rights to hunt, fish, collect medicinal plants, and to gather and perform ceremonies at sites of spiritual import. Their reluctance was more than understandable – at the time, Indigenous children were still being taken away from their families and forced to attend state-funded Christian schools that promoted cultural cleansing. <h2 id="northern-lights">Catching fish and the Northern Lights near Yellowknife</h2> I first experienced the Northwest Territories on a visit to <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/finding-the-northern-lights-in-yellowknife-canadas-northwest-territories">Yellowknife</a>, its capital on the north shore of Great Slave Lake, a mining town built on gold in the 1930s and kept going by diamonds (it’s also where you can get flights to Łutsël K’é – the journey takes about 45 minutes). I was writing a travel piece about the choicest places to catch the aurora borealis, and the city was kind enough to extend me an invention to see for myself (as Margot Kidder, who played the reporter Lois Lane in the Superman movies, was born in Yellowknife, I felt in good company). Getting to watch bands of green and purple flex and caper across the sky for three nights was enormously gratifying, and the gaily hued houseboats in Yellowknife Bay added interest, but the tourist bureau also flew me to a fishing lodge on Christie Bay, where I was told lake trout, coney, Arctic grayling and northern pike would provide me with some of best freshwater angling I’ve ever experienced, both in terms of sport (big, well-exercised specimens with plenty of fight), spectacular setting and the knowledge that the bay has hidden depths (submarine canyons that inexplicably drop more than 2,000ft / 610m below the surface). The rumors were true. In fact, Thaidene Nëné is where northern sportfishing began, in 1938, when a businessman from Manitoba founded Plummer’s Lodge at Taltheilei Narrows, which connects Hearne Channel to McLeod Bay. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/houseboat-yellowknife.jpg" alt="A houseboaton Yellowknife Bay." /> <figcaption>A houseboat on Yellowknife Bay. Image credit: Joseph Furey</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="first-nations">First Nations sites and Canadian history</h2> Thaidene Nëné encompasses part of the east arm of Great Slave Lake, which includes a portion of Christie Bay and the Lockhart River, and most of Snowdrift River, on the banks of which musk ox can often be witnessed grazing. Straddling the tree line that separates the taiga from the tundra, it comprises a catalogue of stark beauty: thousands of lakes, waterfalls, coves, cayes, creeks and glacier-carved cliffs. And evidence of First Nation habitation is everywhere you look, from the arrowheads glinting on the shores of Artillery Lake to the graves by the abandoned village site of Kaché. The scant remains of Fort Reliance, a National Historic Site, are located in the park at the mouth of the Lockhart, on the edge of the Barren Lands, a frigid vastness that stretches up into Nunavut. Built by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1833, the fort served as a base for the expeditions of the explorer, naturalist, and artist George Back and, later, the search for Sir John Franklin and the 128 officers and crew members he led to their deaths while attempting to map the untraversed sections of the Northwest Passage in 1845. I encourage you to visit Thaidene Nëné. Seize the opportunity to contribute to a trailblazing development at the intersection between conservation and Indigenous rights – and to help First Nations’ communities champion a new kind of sustainable tourism model, one that restores sovereignty to the peoples who first named these lands. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/east-arm-great-slave lake.jpg" alt="East Arm Great Slave Lakey" /> <figcaption>East Arm, Great Slave Lake. Image credit: Getty Images / Steve Schwartz</figcaption></figure>Joseph Furey 0 Joseph Furey The northern lights (aurora borealis) over Yellowknife

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/outdoor-adventures-in-central-and-eastern-canadaA world away from crowded resorts like Whistler, the eastern provinces of Ontario, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and New Brunswick offer winter adventures galore. 2021-12-14T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/outdoor-adventures-in-central-and-eastern-canadahttps://www.worldnomads.comThe first snow of the season is a glorious thing. Big flakes drift down from the sky, covering the land in a fluffy white blanket that muffles sound and brightens the night. Where I come from – Vancouver, BC, a place with such mild winters I’ve always cheekily referred to it as “fake Canada” – this first snow is always fleeting (as is the second and, if we get it, the third). While the rest of the country bundles up, preparing for three months of backyard skating or snowshoeing through the woods, we’re already counting down the weeks until our crocuses pop up. The first time I experienced winter in the east, it was a (chilly) revelation. While our west-coast mountains and <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/best-destinations-for-snowboarders-and-skiiers-in-canada">ski resorts</a> are famous for snow sports, the steep slopes (which can come with steep prices) are often busy and crowded. They’re gorgeous and glittering, but it took heading back east to experience the kind of old-fashioned winter I’ve always dreamed of – one where snow is reliably outside the door, lakes freeze over for skating or fishing, and dark, clear nights might offer the promise of <a href="/create/learn/photography/a-pro-photographers-guide-to-photographing-the-northern-lights">northern lights</a>. It was in the east I discovered a quieter, more reflective winter – one where a day in the snow is often followed by an evening in front of the fire; where everyone you meet has cold, chapped cheeks and conversations revolve around snow texture and wind-chill factors. Read on for some of my favorite low-key winter adventures as well as a few tips for coping with the cold. <ul> <li><a href="#snowshoe">Snowshoeing along the ancient bison paths at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatchewan</a></li> <li><a href="#skating">Ice skating on a forest trail in Fredericton, New Brunswick</a></li> <li><a href="#ski">Ski through the boreal forest in Quebec's Mont-Orford National Park</a></li> <li><a href="#fish">Fish the canoe routes of the Anishnabek people of Manitoulin Island, in northeastern Ontario </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="snowshoe">Snowshoeing along the ancient bison paths at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatchewan</h2> The first time I tried walking in old-school snowshoes (the kind that look like oversized wooden tennis rackets) I tripped and fell into a snowbank. I was pretty sure the sport wasn’t for me. The shoes I tried hadn’t changed much in the thousands of years since Indigenous people expertly traversed the landscape using a version made from rawhide and bent branches. Happily for me, the modern shoes available for loan at <a href="https://wanuskewin.com/">Wanuskewin</a> (a park outside Saskatoon that traces the historic buffalo hunt and Plains People) are much smaller and easier to use than the ones I first tried. Strapped on over cozy snow boots, these snowshoes offer novices easy entry into winter landscapes of deep, untouched snow. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/canada/winter-wilderness/snowshoeing-wanuskewin.jpg" alt="The headquarters of Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatchewan, Canada." /> <figcaption>The headquarters of Wanuskewin Heritage Park. Image credit: Diane Selkirk</figcaption></figure> You can snowshoe almost anywhere there’s more than six inches (15cm) of snow, but a recent experience on Wanuskewin’s 4.3mi (7km) of trails left me enchanted. The chilling winter wind was whipping across the grassland, but temperatures down in the valley were mild enough to spend a couple of hours exploring the buffalo jumps, tipi rings, and beaver dams on trails winding along the frozen Opimihaw Creek. Up at prairie level we spotted deer and the park’s new herd of bison. Snowshoeing can work up a sweat, so dress in layers and bring water. <h2 id="skating">Ice skating on a forest trail in Fredericton, New Brunswick</h2> Skating outside is one of the most purely Canadian activities there is. Just about anywhere that gets cold enough (Jan-March is the typical season) will have some sort of <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/5-winter-activities-in-montreal-and-quebec-city-canada">outdoor rink</a> with skate loans or rentals. I’ve a long held a fantasy about gliding for miles along Canada’s most famous ice trail; the 4.8mi (7.8km) Rideau Canal in Ontario. But shorter, less-known skating trails have taken the activity to a new level. Taking a variety of forms, including paths cleared on lakes and winding forests trails that are flooded to create slick surfaces, the skateways are usually a few yards wide and many are lit for night skating. One of the newest is the forest trail at Mactaquac Provincial Park, 25 minutes outside of Fredericton, New Brunswick. Two loops, winding 700 yards (635m) through the woods, are free of charge, as are the skate loans. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/canada/winter-wilderness/skating-new-brunswick.jpg" alt="A woman ice skates at Mactaquac Provincial Park near Federicton, New Brunswick." /> <figcaption>Skating outdoors – one of the most purely Canadian activities there is. Photo credit: Diane Selkirk</figcaption></figure> You can also find a trail in the <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/a-road-trip-along-lake-superiors-ontario-coast#islands">Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area</a> in Ontario. Once the freeze sets in, the intermediate-level Lake Superior Ice Trail will wind 765 yards (700m) along the shore. In Quebec (but just 45 min from Ottawa), the easy trail at Lac-des-Loups runs 1.8mi (3km) through a snow-covered forest that keeps you sheltered from icy chill. While trail skating is an active sport that keeps you warm, until you get the hang of it choose a route with warming stations where you can stop for hot chocolate and a visit with locals. Make sure you have a good toque (Canadian for winter hat) and warm socks. <h2 id="ski">Ski through the boreal forest in Quebec's Mont-Orford National Park</h2> Nordic, or cross-country, skiing is something downhill or non-skiers assume is hard a physical slog that’s tough to learn. In truth, once you learn the basics it’s a delightful way to explore a winter landscape. Cheaper than downhill skiing and easier on your body (it’s popular with everyone from athletes in training to seniors) it doesn’t require specialized ski clothing (fleece tights and layers are typical) or a stay at a fancy resort. My favorite places to ski offer forested, rolling terrain with cold enough temperatures that the snow doesn’t melt and get icy. Mont-Orford, which has 31mi (50km) of classic and 16mi (26km) of skate ski trails, fits the criteria so perfectly that competitive ski teams train here. Located 1.5 hours east of Montreal, Mont-Orford is typical of cross-country ski areas found across Canada and offers rentals, lessons, modest lodging, and dining. <h2 id="fish">Fish the canoe routes of the Anishnabek people of Manitoulin Island, in northeastern Ontario</h2> Ice fishing with Wasse-Giizhik Tours combines two of my favorite things: Indigenous tourism and fishing. Indigenous tourism is the fastest-growing sector of tourism in Canada. Companies like Wasse give visitors a chance to see the land through a new perspective – or in this case, the chance to see the waters around Manitoulin Island through the eyes of the people who have been there since time immemorial. While I have to admit I never thought I’d love ice-fishing, the absurdity of it got me hooked. Who imagined people actually sit in heated tents bobbing a line up and down in a hole cut in the ice? For me, the first surprise was how beautiful fishing in the winter is. Set on a frozen lake in the middle of a frozen landscape, just reaching a fishing spot requires a trip through a winter wonderland. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/canada/winter-wilderness/ice-fishing.jpg" alt="A woman ice fishes in a hut near Manitoulin Island, Ontario." /> <figcaption>The author tries her hand at ice fishing. Image credit: Diane Selkirk</figcaption></figure> Then there’s the fishing. The clear water takes on luminous quality through the ice and once you’re inside a darkened hut it’s easy to spot the trout as they swim by and (hopefully) take your bait. A heater keeps the space warm and tall tales about the ones that got away make the hours speed by.GettyImages / Nino H. Photography 1159060202 Getty Images A man cross-country skis on a wide, forested trail in Quebec, Canada.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/5-winter-activities-in-montreal-and-quebec-city-canadaWinter turns the province of Quebec into a sparkling playground, and even in the urban centers, there’s plenty of cold-weather fun to be had. Jen Rose Smith shares her favorite ways to enjoy the season. 2021-12-08T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/5-winter-activities-in-montreal-and-quebec-city-canadahttps://www.worldnomads.comEach time I see a map of eastern Canada, my eye drifts inevitably northwards. Beyond the region’s vibrant cities – which mostly cluster in the relative warmth along the international border – lie vast forests, glacier-carved lakes, and swaths of roadless wilderness. The fracturing upper coast juts above the Arctic Circle. Go far enough north and you hit polar bear country. From the time I moved to <a href="/explore/north-america/united-states/4-great-us-snow-adventures-for-nonskiers#skate">neighboring Vermont</a>, I dreamed of that northern wilderness. But after dozens of trips exploring eastern Canada – and Quebec province in particular – I learned you don’t need to go off-grid to experience the best winter adventures. Each year, snow piles into towering drifts along cities’ cobblestone streets, and neighborhood ponds freeze into ice skating rinks. Dance parties illuminate frozen fields, bringing crowds to outdoor festivals. Once, while sitting in a chic café in <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/a-locals-guide-to-quebec-city">Québec City</a>’s UNESCO-listed historic center, I saw a horse-drawn sleigh race past the picture window with bells jingling. That means travelers can get a taste of Quebec’s thrilling winter season without leaving city limits. Here are some of my favorite ways to experience a region that rewards travelers willing to venture out into the cold. <ul> <li><a href="#skate">Skate urban ice rinks in Montréal and Québec City</a></li> <li><a href="#party">Bundle up for Carnaval de Québec and Igloofest</a></li> <li><a href="#ski">Go cross-country skiing on the Plains of Abraham</a></li> <li><a href="#hotel">Book a night in an ice hotel</a></li> <li><a href="#dogsled">Yell “mush!” behind a dog-sledding team</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="skate">Skate urban ice rinks in Montréal and Québec City</h2> Winter kicks off a countdown to the season’s first hard freeze, which is when local skaters flaunt serious skills at neighborhood rinks in Québec. Lacing up a pair of rented figure skates on my first cold-weather trip to Montréal, I joined the crowd at Lac-aux-Castors, a skating pond surrounded by forested hills in the downtown Mount Royal Park. With classical music on the loudspeakers and plenty of room for my awkward, novice-skater moves, it’s still one of my favorite places to skate in the city. On Montréal’s charming historic waterfront, skaters loop around the riverside Old Port Skating Rink, backdropped by a towering Ferris wheel and the silver dome of Bonsecours Market. It’s especially popular on winter nights featuring fireworks shows, DJs, and other events. When I’m ready for a quieter, neighborhood feel, I prefer the skating rink at Parc La Fontaine. Trees line a track that loops through the city park, and a stop for rink-side hot chocolate is a must. (I’m also looking forward to Montréal’s newest skating destination, a massive rink called Esplanade Tranquille which opened in February 2022 in the Quartier des Spectacles.) When it comes to skating rinks, though, Québec City won’t be outdone. Just outside the ramparts of Old Québec, Place D’Youville skating rink is arguably the most picturesque in the province, flanked by the stone archway of St. John Gate and the holiday light-decked, Beaux-Arts Théâtre Capitole. And if you want to try out speed-skating with specialized skates and an Olympic-sized rink, you can head to Québec City’s new Centre des Glaces, which claims the title of largest indoor skating center in North America. <h2 id="party">Bundle up for Carnaval de Québec and Igloofest</h2> Frigid temperatures are no excuse for staying inside on a trip to Canada, where locals pride themselves on keeping the party going all winter long. A highlight of Québec City’s 9-day <a href="https://carnaval.qc.ca/en/">Carnaval de Québec</a> is outdoor dancing to DJ music at the Ice Palace. I bundle up and fill my pockets with plenty of hand warmers, but some locals swear the secret to staying cozy is the occasional nip of caribou, a concoction of warm red wine spiked with liquor and maple syrup that’s sold all over the city during the carnival. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/canada/winter-cities/igloofest-getty-108262358-olivier-jean.jpg" alt="Guests walk past glowing igloos at Igloofest, Montreal, Canada." /> <figcaption>Attendees at Igloofest in Montreal. Image credit: Olivier JEAN/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure> Montréal’s answer to that outdoor dance party is <a href="https://igloofest.ca/en">Igloofest</a>, an electronic music festival in the Old Port across four weekends in January and February. It’s the place to see locals turned out in their most eye-catching winter wear, which ranges from vintage fur coats to full-body ski suits – there’s an annual contest for the best festival outfit. <h2 id="ski">Go cross-country skiing on the Plains of Abraham</h2> Don’t be surprised to see locals toting skis through the heart of Québec City, whose stone ramparts and cobblestone streets are at their prettiest in winter. Just outside the fortified center are the Plains of Abraham, fields where cross-country <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/ski-snowboard-travel-insurance">skiers</a> loop through snowy terrain commanding views of the St. Lawrence River far below. I love to fit a quick ski in whenever I’m in town. With 8.6 mi (13.9 km) of ski trails that are free to use, it’s a recreation destination with some serious history. When the cross-country skiing World Cup races took place here in 2020, athletes were gliding over the site of a pivotal 1759 battle between French and British forces struggling for control of the region. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/canada/winter-cities/cross-country-getty-532531093-pchoui.jpg" alt="A woman cross-country skis on a forested trail in Quebec." /> <figcaption>Cross-country skiing on a forested trail in Quebec. Photo credit: Getty Images / pchoui</figcaption></figure> Things have calmed considerably since then. And since the Plains of Abraham are mostly flat, even beginners can get started with some rental gear from the onsite shop. If you’re ready for longer trails and more challenging terrain, there’s 24.6mi (38km) of classic skiing and 6mi (10km) of skate skiing at Sentiers du Moulin, a forested trail network just 20 minutes outside the city center. You can rent skis there, and thaw cold fingers at the ski area’s five heated, trail-side cabins. <h2 id="hotel">Book a night in an ice hotel</h2> Winter weather brings a flurry of activity to the outskirts of Québec City, where the <a href="https://www.valcartier.com/en/accommodations/hotel-de-glace-ice-hotel/">Hôtel de Glace</a> is built from scratch each year. I didn’t know what to expect on my first visit, but every detail of the hotel is molded and carved from ice, from the tinkling ice chandelier to beds and elaborate décor. Bookings include a room at neighboring Hotel Valcartier where you can shower and keep luggage, but even when I’m staying elsewhere, I make a stop to tour the grounds. Daytime visitors can explore rooms with ice-block walls and snowy floors, and sleeping platforms covered with thick, insulating bedding. The ice chapel is lined with frozen pews for guests at winter weddings, and visitors gather for cocktails served in ice glasses at the ice bar. The theme changes every year, keeping a team of snow-and-ice artisans on their toes. After opening in early January, the hotel welcomes guests until warming spring weather turns the ephemeral structure into a pile of melting ice cubes. If you’re craving more frozen artwork and you’re visiting during Carnaval de Quebec, head to the festival grounds by Old Québec to see elaborate snow sculptures crafted by teams from around the globe. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/canada/winter-cities/ice-hotel-getty-669801-pierre-rousell.jpg" alt="Visitors walk under an ice candalabra at the Ice Hotel Quebec." /> <figcaption>Visitors walk under an ice candelabra at the Ice Hotel. Image credit: Pierre Roussel/Newsmakers via Getty</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="dogsled">Yell “mush!” behind a dog-sledding team</h2> As I stepped into the festival grounds at my first Carnaval de Quebec, I was startled to see a team of huskies rushing past with steam billowing from their thick coats. During the carnival, mushers offer rides right in the heart of the city, with sleds drawn behind a team of six or eight dogs. First Nations people have long used dogs for winter transport, a tradition that thrives in the snowiest parts of Canada. Even outside of the festival season, you can try the winter sport in and around Québec City. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/canada/winter-cities/sled-dogs-getty-51422597-andre-forget.jpg" alt="A man drives his dog sled through the streets of Old Quebec City during the Winter Carnival." /><figcaption>A man drives his dog sled through the streets of Old Quebec City during the Winter Carnival. Image credit: ANDRE FORGET/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure> About 15 minutes from the city center is <a href="http://www.chenillapoursuite.com/en.php">Chenil La Poursuite</a>, where Malamute Husky sled dogs draw sleds through forest trails. Hour-long and half-day outings are available, followed by fire-side hot chocolate and time to play with the sled-dog puppies. Other nearby options include <a href="https://www.pourvoirielacbeauport.com/en/winter-activities/dogsledding/">Pourvoirie du Lac-Beauport</a> and <a href="https://traineaux-chiens.com/main_en.html">Aventures Nord-Bec Stoneham</a>, offering dogsledding trips that range from quick, kid-friendly tours to two-hour rides that go deeper into the woods.Getty Images / marcduf 0530658139 Getty Images Ice skaters at the Place D’Youville skating rink just outside the ramparts of Old Quebec, Canada.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/a-road-trip-along-lake-superiors-ontario-coastThe world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior offers natural wonders and cultural history equal to its size. Joe Furey shares his journey along the Canadian side of the lake.2025-08-06T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/a-road-trip-along-lake-superiors-ontario-coasthttps://www.worldnomads.comWhen we think of a North American road trip, there’s a tendency to limit it to Route 66, the <a href="/explore/north-america/united-states/best-of-the-blue-ridge-mountains">Blue Ridge Parkway</a>, and the Pacific Coast Highway – and when the <a href="/explore/north-america/united-states/great-lakes-road-trip">Great Lakes</a> come to mind, our imaginations rarely venture north of the US border. Well, we’re missing out: one of my favorite drives takes a road less traveled, Highway 17, aka the Trans-Canada Highway, which cleaves to the Canadian shore of <a href="/explore/north-america/united-states/where-to-hike-in-the-usa-year-round#october">Lake Superior</a>, and takes in some of the most exciting – and little seen – frontier country in the region. <ul> <li><a href="#agawa">Fall colors in Agawa Canyon</a></li> <li><a href="#pukaskwa">Lake Superior Provincial Park and Pukaskwa National Park</a></li> <li><a href="#islands">Waterfalls and islands</a></li> <li><a href="#thunder">On to Thunder Bay </a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip notes</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="agawa">Fall colors in Agawa Canyon</h2> I started my journey in Sault Sainte Marie (SSM), Ontario, in mid-September, preferring to drive Highway 17 east to west – because there’s something suitably climactic about finishing a 450mi (724km) drive in a city called Thunder Bay. SSM, or “the Soo”, sits on St Mary’s River between lakes Superior and Huron and is one of the oldest communities in the upper Midwest: Whitefish Island was a First Nation Ojibwa settlement more than 2,000 years ago, and a Jesuit mission was founded there in 1668. An avid leaf-peeper, I parked up almost as soon as I set out, taking the 114mi (183km) Agawa Canyon Train Tour north into a nature reserve for some of the most vivid and varied fall foliage – so vivid that it gave birth to a Canadian school of impressionistic landscape painters, the Group of Seven, in the early 1920s; and so varied you’ll be coming up with new names to sit alongside auburn, carmine, and gamboge on September’s color wheel.  <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/canada/ontario/agawa-canyon-getty-480018608.jpg" alt="Brilliant fall colors in Agawa Canyon, Ontario, Canada." /> <figcaption>Fall colors in Agawa Canyon. Image credit: Getty Images / hstiver</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="pukaskwa">Lake Superior Provincial Park and Pukaskwa National Park</h2> The following morning I took off for the 600mi2 (1,553km2) Lake Superior Provincial Park, stopping at Gargantua Harbour, where an old logging and fishing village has all but evaporated, but the Ojibwe still make camp (Batchewana First Nation refers to this region of their unceded traditional territory as Nanaboozhung). I also dropped in on the Agawa Rock pictographs – Mishipeshu, the Great Lynx, and 100 or so other images – that the Ojibwe painted, with red ochre and animal fats, onto a 15ft (4.5m) face of granite overlooking Lake Superior. Mind your footing – it’s slippery, and according to Selwyn Dewdney, the “father of rock art research”, Mishipeshu is the “sinister deity of swift or troubled waters”. From here, the highway heads northwest, through the former fur trading post of Wawa, and peels away from the lakeshore to leave <a href="https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/on/pukaskwa/visit">Pukaskwa National Park</a>, a parcel of untouched boreal wilderness with a rich Anishinaabe First Nations cultural history, to its own devices. Its 37mi (60km) coastal <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/hiking-travel-insurance">hiking</a> trail, occasionally punctuated by appearances from black bear, timber wolf, and Canada lynx, is best tackled one way – you can catch a water taxi back to the south end of the trail. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/canada/ontario/pukaskwa-getty-949212402.jpg" alt="A hiker stands on the shore of Lake Superior in Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario." /> <figcaption>Hiking along the lakeshore in Pukaskwa National Park. Image credit: Getty Images / Susan Ruggles</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="islands">Waterfalls and islands</h2> The highway starts to climb, and the drama of the drive to intensify, once you’re past the town of Marathon. At Aquasabon Falls and Gorge, near Terrace Bay, and Rainbow Falls Provincial Park, a few miles shy of seasidey Rossport, nature takes a turn for the seriously sublime. The islands of Lake Superior cluster about its northwest corner, so there is offshore magnificence to contend with, too. A friend took me for a bob around those islands – the Rossports, Simpsons Island, the Fluor island group – in an aluminum fishing boat. They’re popular with <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/kayaking-or-rafting">kayakers</a> for their cobble beaches, sea arches and caves, and intricate basalt formations, as well as shipwrecks, lighthouses, and rugged walking trails. Back in the 70s, when it was decided that no country had claimed it, the St Ignace archipelago – of which, St Ignace is Superior’s second-largest lake island – was fancifully designated the Republic of Nirivia, and given its own flag, anthem, and national flower. The whole area comes under the protection of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area, the largest freshwater reserve in the world, which means the caribou, osprey, <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/canadas-best-destinations-for-wildlife-encounters">moose</a>, loon, and bald eagle that call it home can rest easy. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/canada/ontario/rossport-islands-getty-144250958.jpg" alt="Sunset over tiny Rossport Island in Lake Superior." /> <figcaption>One of the Rossport Islands. Image credit: Getty Images / Henry@scenicfoto.com</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="thunder">On to Thunder Bay</h2> At Nipigon, I parted company with Highway 17, heading down Highway 11, but not before I’d done some fishing. In the fall, the Nipigon River, which runs from the Lake to the Bay of the same name, is famously awash with prize fish, including huge brook and rainbow trout, and pink, coho, and Chinook salmon. With the requisite licenses, you’ll be free to unleash your inner grizzly (safe in the knowledge there are no grizzly bears in Ontario). For all its wild and sonorous name, there’s quite a lot of civilization to return to in Thunder Bay: museums, galleries, arts venues, and cultural centers. Its main attraction is the Fort William Historical Park, a reconstruction of the Fort William fur trade post as it was in 1815, but Thunder Bay is still benefiting from one of its ancestral industries, and that’s mining: gold, chiefly, but also good quantities of palladium and lithium. <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip notes</h2> For my needs – beauty, culture, a steep plummet in the number of biting insects – fall is the best time to visit the northern shore of Lake Superior, but spring comes a close second. I broke up my journey into four sections, staying twice at campsites with decent facilities (which are commonplace) and twice in guest houses. The small towns of the region don’t lack for places to stay and eat. Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, is your port of entry to and from the US, and the Soo is served by an international airport, with connecting flights to Toronto and Thunder Bay.Getty Images / gqxue 1499089802 Getty Images Ancient pictographs on Agawa Rock on the Canadian shore of Lake Superior.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/exploring-northern-manitoba-lakesWith wilderness floatplane rides, pristine fishing waters, and ancient eskers to hike, Canada’s lesser-known province of Manitoba is an outdoor adventure-enthusiast’s paradise. 2021-09-01T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/exploring-northern-manitoba-lakeshttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#fishing">Fishing at Blackfish Lake</a></li> <li><a href="#adventures">Outdoor adventures on Egenolf Lake</a></li> <li><a href="#eskers">Land of ancient eskers</a></li> <li><a href="#nunavat">Flying north to the Nunavat border</a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip notes</a></li> </ul> It's still dawn as I shoulder my pack and make my way down a rickety wooden jetty on Egenolf Lake, in northern Manitoba, to the vintage De Havilland floatplane bush pilot Colin Knight is readying. Across the water, a thin band of yellow light rises behind spruce trees, the sky milky white in a land where the sun never sets for long in summer. <h2 id="fishing">Fishing at Blackfish Lake</h2> From the air, it's apparent why Manitoba is the known as the “Lake Province” – swirls of indigo sprawl towards the horizon straddled by islands of boreal forest. There are 110,000 lakes in this province alone, almost 16 per cent of its total surface area. It's one reason fishing enthusiasts are drawn here from around the world, and at Blackfish Lake I clamber aboard a 16ft (5m) aluminum craft to have a crack myself. My guide is Napoleon Denechezhe (aka Nap) an affable, if somewhat taciturn character charged with the thankless task of teaching me how to fish. Bobbing silently amid calm waters, the vast swaths of pristine wilderness are ours alone. Commercial fishing is forbidden here and consequently the waters are teeming with northern pike, walleye, and lake trout. Despite my ham-fisted attempts, it doesn't take long to reel in several pike, my rod nipping and bending as I crank the reel, Denechezhe bemused by my flustered approach. Heading ashore, fellow guide Sengadore McCallum strikes up a fire while Denechezhe makes short work of cleaning and gutting the fish. The pike is fried in boiling oil alongside chopped potatoes, onions, beans, and sweet corn. Taking a seat on the sand, we watch in silence as a pair of bald eagles nest on the opposite shore. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/canada/manitoba-aerial-view.jpg" alt="An aerial view of dozens of lakes stretching to the horizon in northern Manitoba, Canada." /> <figcaption>Manitoba's lakes stretching to the horizon, as seen from the floatplane. Image credit: Guy Wilkinson</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="adventures">Outdoor adventures on Egenolf Lake</h2> Back at our home base, the rustic yet charming Gangler’s North Seal River Wilderness Lodge, owner Ken Gangler is holding court over drinks. Nowadays, Gangler’s is less a fishing lodge and more an all-round adventure destination. There’s a resident ecologist, Brian Kotak, and head guide, John Tronrud, who supervises activities. This isn’t a place with rigid itineraries, more choose-your-own-adventure. Some days I <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/kayaking-or-rafting">kayak</a> the lake or take a <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/mountain-biking">fat bike</a> for a burn, sitting by the fire pit afterwards with a beer, awaiting the <a href="/create/learn/photography/a-pro-photographers-guide-to-photographing-the-northern-lights">northern lights</a>. Other times, we set out to explore as a group led by Kotak, Tronrud, and local First Nations guides. <h2 id="eskers">Land of ancient eskers</h2> This stretch of Manitoba is famed for its eskers: sand and gravel ridges left behind when the glaciers retreated 8,000 years ago. There are 13 in the immediate vicinity, some rising to 230ft (70m) and higher. The longest is the Robertson Esker, spanning 985ft (300m). We make a beeline for it on a blustery afternoon, our motorized boats thudding over the choppy lake surface, spumes of salty spray whipping in off white caps as we pick up speed. After hiking to the ridge line, we can see for miles in all directions, forest and lakes sprawling interchangeably towards the horizon. "We're probably the first non-indigenous people to set foot on this esker in about 2,000 years," says Kotak. The switch to adventure travel in this region is still recent – previously, it mostly attracted avid fishing types. So aside from the locals who live and work nearby, we may well have been the first to hike the esker in a long, long time. Beside a set of freshly shed caribou antlers, we find a spearhead fashioned from quartz. It was likely created by hunters all those millennia ago and would have been tied to a stick and thrown at animals close-range. <h2 id="nunavat">Flying north to the Nunavat border</h2> On my final day, we board the floatplanes again for a 86mi (140km) flight north to the Nunavut border. Inside a dilapidated caribou-hunting cabin is the remnant destruction of a curious bear; claw marks gouged across the ceiling and cupboard doors. The place looks like it hasn't been used in years (the nearest road is more than 310mi/500km away) but with the floatplanes connecting the site to the main lodge, Gangler plans to refurbish the cabins, and add a fleet of kayaks, and obvious safety precautions against encroaching critters. In forthcoming seasons, visitors here will more likely be shooting caribou, wolves, and bears with DSLRs than rifles. Gliding back onto the surface of Egenolf Lake, the region feels more like home. There's been a definite shift in my daily rhythms, fewer furtive glances at my watch, less preoccupation with life's trivialities. The northern lights are slower than usual to make their appearance on our final night. Determined for one last glimpse – they've shown up every night of my trip – I find myself alone by the fire at 2am. It's quiet; only the sporadic pop of a burning log or the low murmur of wind out across the lake. Above the treetops, a raging swirl of emerald green dances in the night sky. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/canada/manitoba-northern-lights-guy-wilkinson.jpg" alt="The northern lights shine emerald green over Egenolf Lake, Manitoba, Canada." /> <figcaption>The northern lights over Egenolf Lake. Image credit: Guy Wilkinson</figcaption></figure> I think of the closing lines to Robert William Service's poem, Call of the Wild. "There's a whisper on the night-wind, there's a star agleam to guide us, And the Wild is calling, calling ... let us go." <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip notes</h2> Air Canada offers direct flights to Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver from a number of international destinations, with ongoing connections to Winnipeg. (Note: due to COVID-19 safety requirements, international travelers may be restricted from traveling to Canada. Learn more <a href="https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/wizard-start">here</a>.) Several carriers, including Air Canada, offer direct service to Winnipeg from the United States. It's a 2½-hour charter flight from Winnipeg to <a href="https://ganglersadventures.com/">Gangler’s Lodge</a>, which is open June through September. Late August and September are among the best times for northern lights viewing.Guy Wilkinson 0 Guy Wilkinson A float plane is moored by a jetty on a mirror-calm lake in Manitoba, Canada.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/amazing-nomads-mark-and-myaIn this episode we meet Mark and his beloved dog Mya who spent two years traveling doing everything from snowboarding to whitewater rafting.2019-07-16T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/amazing-nomads-mark-and-myahttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>Amazing Nomads: Mark and Mya</h2> Mark and Mya are from Melbourne, Australia and spent almost two years traveling around North America showing people that you can have a dog and a life of adventure and travel. They hope to inspire others to follow in their footsteps. <h2>What’s in the Episode</h2> 01:40 Mark starts at the beginning 03:30 Who is Mya 06:05 Preparing the adventure 08:01 Logistics 10:00 The list of activities Mark and Mya shared 13:30 Ordering room service 16:58 Popular destinations to travel with pets 17:23 Next week <h2>Who is in the Episode</h2> After <a href="http://markandmyasadventures.com.au/">Mark’s</a> father passed away suddenly in 2014, the Melbourne man decided he needed to make every day count and fulfill his dream of exploring North America. But he had just bought Mya, a White German Shepherd into his family.  No problem decides Mark, I’ll take her with me to Canada. Since then they have spent two years traveling almost 50,000 mi (80,000 kms) through Canada and the USA, and they even made it to Mexico for a day. They have been skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, fat biking, hiking, sailing, mountain biking, kayaking and even whitewater rafting together, proving you can have a dog and a life of adventure and travel. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/podcast/markandmyarafting.jpg" /> <figcaption> Mark and Mya </figcaption></figure> “We hope to inspire others and show them how to follow in our footsteps,” says Mark.  Mark and Mya have more than 40k people following their adventures on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_and_myas_adventures/?hl=en">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/markandmyasadventures/?epa=SEARCH_BOX">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfLbhVyZe9E">YouTube</a>.  <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/podcast/markandmyarelaxing.jpg" /> <figcaption> Naptime </figcaption></figure> <h2>Quotes From This Episode</h2> "A lot of people told me it wasn't possible, but it turns out it was. And we just started planning a trip over there, and from what I could tell, there wasn't a lot of information out there, but it was definitely possible and I really wanted to do it." - Mark. "I remember going to a restaurant and asking if the patio was pet-friendly and if I could eat out on the patio with Maya and, and they said, "It's cold outside. Why on earth would you eat outside? She's more than welcome to eat in the lounge with you in the restaurant." - Mark  "...pet-friendly accommodation over in North America, and it might be a little bit different when it comes to campgrounds and trailer parks, but as far as hotels go, it's really, really easy to find." - Mark <h2>Resources & Links</h2> Scholarships Newsletter: <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/create">Sign up for scholarships news and see what opportunities are live here</a>. <a href="http://markandmyasadventures.com.au/mark-and-myas-adventures-must-haves-for-long-travels/">Read</a> Mark’s tips on extended travel with your pet. Check out <a href="https://www.jetpets.com.au/overseas-pet-travel/#locations">Jetpets</a>, the pet travel people. <h2>Want to Republish This Episode</h2>  <div class="whooshkaa-widget-player" data-episode-id="396564" data-theme="light" data-height="190" ></div> <script src="https://webplayer.whooshkaa.com/js/widget/loader.umd.min.js"></script> Next Episode: Van Life. <h2>About World Nomads & the Podcast</h2> Explore your boundaries and discover your next adventure with The World Nomads Podcast. Hosted by Podcast Producer Kim Napier and World Nomads Phil Sylvester, each episode will take you around the world with insights into destinations from travelers and experts. They’ll share the latest in travel news, answer your travel questions and fill you in on what World Nomads is up to, including the latest scholarships and guides. <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank">World Nomads</a> is a fast-growing online travel company that provides inspiration, advice, safety tips and specialized travel insurance for independent, volunteer and student travelers traveling and studying most anywhere in the world. Our online global travel insurance covers travelers from more than 135 countries and allows you to buy and claim online, 24/7, even while already traveling. The World Nomads Podcast is not your usual travel Podcast. It’s everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Don’t miss out. Subscribe today. You can get in touch with us by emailing <a href="mailto:podcast@worldnomads.com">podcast@worldnomads.com</a>. We use the <a href="https://www.rode.com/rodecasterpro">Rodecaster Pro</a> to record our episodes and interviews when in the studio, made possible with the kind support of Rode. <div class="AccordionSection nst-component nst-is-collapsed"><button class="AccordionSection-title nst-toggle">Full Transcript of the Episode</button> <div class="nst-content"> <div class="AccordionSection-inner"> Speaker 1: The world nomads podcast bonus episode. Hear amazing nomads sharing their knowledge, stories, and experience of world travel. Kim: Welcome to this episode of the world nomads podcast featuring not one, but two amazing nomads. Mark, and his very well-traveled pooch, Maya. My name is Kim, and Phil, are you actually aware that pet travel is on the rise? 37% of pet owners in the U.S. in 2018 traveled with their pets. Now that's up from 19% 10 years ago. Phil: That's an amazing number. Kim: It is. Phil: It's really great and I know there's pet-friendly hotels, pet-friendly taxis, you take them on subways. You can even take them into restaurants in some places as well. Of course, they have their own beaches, parks, and even pet relief areas and facilities inside airport terminals to accommodate all that. But look, after Mark's father passed away suddenly in 2014, he decided he needed to make every day count and fulfill his dream of exploring North America. Phil: What a great idea. There was just one complication: He'd taken over the responsibility of bringing Maya, his father's white German shepherd, into his own family. Kim: Was it his father's or did he just have the dog? I think he got the dog. Phil: He got the dog, right. Kim: He got the dog, and then he's taken it very seriously, as you will hear. Phil: Not a problem. All right. Kim: It clearly didn't stop him. Since starting their adventure, their story has become quite the popular one, with over 40,000 people following their adventures through Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Obviously, links in show notes, but rather than us tell the story, let's actually hear about it from Mark. Mark: What happened was, it was actually my 30th birthday. We'd all been out for drinks. We'd gone out for dinner. We were walking back to our accommodation, which was, I don't know, probably four or 500-meter walk from where we'd been. We got back. I was talking to him along the way and got back. Within a couple of minutes, my mum said to me, "Where's your dad?" I said, "I've got no idea." I'm sort of like, he was just behind us a couple of minutes ago, went looking for him, and found him dead on the bathroom floor after a massive heart attack. And it really highlighted to me, and people always talk about it, but it really highlighted how you just never know when you're not going to get another opportunity. There was just no warning whatsoever. He wasn't complaining of being ill, or anything like that. And he'd been planning a trip around Australia for about 15 years. Mark: He was two years off starting that trip, and he never got to do it. And for me it really highlighted that I needed to actually live my dreams now, as opposed to saying I'll get to it down the track, because I'd been saying that I wanted to go to Canada since I was 16 years old. I used to play hockey, and always wanted to skate on a frozen lake or river. And for me at that point in time, it was all about saving and preparing for the future. And I had to work and build my career, and I had girlfriends at the time, and all these other things that were stopping me from traveling and going overseas. But I always said that, "Oh yeah, I want to get to Canada at some point." And sadly what happened with dad was the wake-up call that I had to do it then and there. Mark: But for me I had Maya. So for anyone who doesn't know, Maya is my white German shepherd. And at the time she was, I don't know, maybe about four years old, and I'd chosen to bring her into my family. I'd chosen to take on that responsibility. She didn't have any choice about that. So I just thought I couldn't leave her behind for two years whilst I went off and travel because realistically for her, I was all she had. So I decided to look into it, and found that I could actually travel from Australia over to North America with a dog. A lot of people told me it wasn't possible, but it turns out it was. And we just started planning a trip over there, and from what I could tell, there wasn't a lot of information out there, but it was definitely possible and I really wanted to do it. Kim: And there was no question that you would leave your dog, like many people do, with a family member, your mum as an example? Mark: My mum definitely wouldn't have had a bar of it in all honesty. She's got her own dog and she lives in a very small house, and Maya being a German shepherd is quite a large dog. She would have said to me that I'd chosen to take on that responsibility. Now I need to sort of actually be responsible. Yeah. I had traveled once before with Maya, without Maya, I should say for about a month when I went to Europe many years ago, and she just didn't really handle it so well as well. So for me it was really that decision that I needed to make sure that her welfare was sort of looked after just as much as the fact that I had that responsibility that I couldn't really palm off to other people. Phil: So where do you start, because dogs don't have passports, right? Mark: Well actually they do over in Europe, believe it or not. Phil: Oh no! Really. Mark: But yeah, they do. You've got a pet passport over there, but from Australia, no, you're correct. They don't have pet passports in Australia. Phil: You dress her up in a hat and glasses and did a weekend at Bernie's with an extra seat on the plane or what did you do? Mark: Well, I thought I'd just throw her in the back of the suitcase and fly her over that way. But no, in all seriousness I jumped online, and I came across a pet transport company by the name of Jetpets, and there's a few others out there and I spoke to them. But in the end, Jetpets seemed to be able to provide me with the most information and made me feel most comfortable. Mark: So when I spoke to them, they recommended flying over there with Air Canada, because Air Canada offered nonstop flights from the east coast of Australia to North America or to Vancouver. And when traveling with a pet, that's a really important thing, because it's those transit points where they're getting loaded and unloaded from the train that is probably going to cause them the most stress. Everyone's had one of those bad luggage experiences where you've had that really quick change over, and your luggage has gone missing. The last thing I needed was for my dog to go missing. Phil: Mm-hmm Mark: So yeah, having that service with Air Canada that flew direct from Australia to Vancouver was really important, and that all came from Jetpets recommending that. They also helped us organize for Maya to get vaccinated against rabies, because there's rabies over in Canada and the U.S., and all the veterinary and import permits that needed to be filled out, and they just made it super easy. Phil: What about insurance? Because obviously, you know, you get vet bills with a dog when you're traveling. Were you able to get some sort of insurance for Maya? Mark: That's something and if world nomads wanted to jump on, I'd love to come across that. But that's the one thing that I've really struggled to find. And I looked. I had a big look for travel insurance for a pet, and at one point in time I thought that she might've been able to be included as an item of personal property, but it just wasn't the case. I'm aware that there are racehorses that always go off and, and travel, and there's got to be some sort of insurance process when it comes to that. I went off and spoke to a couple of brokers in regards to it, and no one could actually give me an answer for a dog. For the actual flight itself, she wasn't insured, but then once we got over to Canada and the U.S. then we got some pet insurance during that period of time for her, Kim: The logistics are incredible, and we've chatted recently to Lucy Barnard, a fellow Australian, who is walking from very south of America to the very north of Alaska, Phil? Phil: Yep. Kim: With her dog, and then Aubrey Sweeney, an American comedian who travels from gig to gig in her RV with her dog. And you know the biggest issues for Aubrey are finding restaurants or trailer parks that are dog-friendly, so even before you get to that stage there's a heap to think about. Kim: Yeah, look, in all honesty, we really didn't find those sort of logistics that difficult. So compared to Australia, North America is so pet-friendly, and pretty much everywhere we went there was pet friendly option. It's really interesting. North America varies so much depending where you are because every state in the U.S. is almost like it's a little mini own country. Kim: When we were in Oregon last, I remember going to a restaurant and asking if the patio was pet-friendly and if I could eat out on the patio with Maya and, and they said, "It's cold outside. Why on earth would you eat outside? She's more than welcome to eat in the lounge with you in the restaurant." So that was in Oregon, and very similar situation in California as well. But then there was other states and in Canada and British Columbia where, it's just an absolute no go that dogs are allowed anywhere near any food or beverage service area. So probably the biggest logistic issue over there is finding out what's relevant to each state, because once you learn the rules for one state, it's completely different on the other side of the border, which can be a couple hour drive. Phil: Did Maya enjoy the travel? Did the dog enjoy the travel? Mark: Look, definitely. And I think honestly for her, she just wanted to be included. She didn't care where we went. She just didn't want to get left behind, and we went off and we did some absolutely fantastic things. We went canoeing together. We went white water rafting. We went mountain biking. We'd go back country skiing and snowboarding. We went snowshoeing to frozen waterfalls. She had an absolute fantastic time. I would say probably her favorite thing was the mountain biking. She just loves being able to run behind me sort of when I go riding down the trials, quite enjoyed the back country skiing and snowboarding. There was a mountain in Revelstoke that we'd quite regularly go to, and we'd climb up about 800 meters of vertical and ski down, and she had a lot of fun sort of doing that. Mark: And probably the one thing that for her-she had a little bit of a few of water when we first started over there, and we spent a lot of time building up her confidence, and slowly we introduced her to a canoe in a like, and when she got comfortable with that, then we moved into a kayak on some slow-moving water, and eventually we got her into the white water, into the raft in the white water river. To see her progress from start to finish there was actually really rewarding seeing how much she'd grown. I'm not gonna lie. On that final trip, there was a moment she was probably looking at me going, "What have you got me in for?" Because at the start we videoed it all, and at the start you can see she's looking around in the raft and she's got a big smile on her face, sort of watching us all paddle and just slowly going down the river. Mark: And then we hit the rapids, and the raft's bouncing up and down and she's got this look of worry on her face and looking at me like, "what's going on?" And then after the water flattens out and calms down, again she's got a massive smile on her face. I think she quite enjoyed the experiences and getting out there and seeing more of the world than just a backyard as well. People talk about how calm she is now. I think it's because she's gone off and done so much, so when she walks down the street or goes into a shopping center or hotel, or meets a whole heap of new people, nothing's overly exciting anymore because she's been there and done all that. Kim: how did you go booking into a room? How does that work? Mark: Yeah, we utilized TripAdvisor a lot, in all honesty, to find pet-friendly accommodation, because we found some of the other websites to be a little outdated, where TripAdvisor seemed to be the most accurate at the time. But like I said before, pet-friendly accommodation over in North America, and it might be a little bit different when it comes to campgrounds and trailer parks, but as far as hotels go, it's really, really easy to find. And they've very much embraced the pet-friendly market over there, so we'll get accommodation anywhere from two or three-star hotels where it's just a standard room, all the way up to four and five-star hotels. Mark: And we stayed at them all. We stayed at some places where I was like, "Oh, I'm really glad mum doesn't know we're here." But then we also stayed at some places like the Four Seasons and the Fairmonts where, believe it or not, they actually have doggie in house dining menus. So you can order room service for your dog, and I think at one stage Maya had a meatloaf. Maybe at the Fairmont she had, I think it was salmon, asparagus and eggs for breakfast. Phil: Which wine went with that? Mark: Well, she's only six and a half years old. She's not old enough to drink yet. Phil: Not old enough! Kim: Well, she's done in six and a half years, over 80,000 kilometers through Canada, the USA, and you even went into Mexico for a day. You're back home in Australia now. Have you both got itchy feet? Mark: We have a little bit. We've seen all these beautiful places overseas. Now we should actually see a little bit more of their own country. So we're, trying to put together a trip around, at least the west part of Australia because we'd like to meet some of the people that have been following us and talking to us on social media in Australia, and being able to see some of their beautiful coastal spots as well. Phil: I was going to ask that. Is it like a community of pet travelers? Mark: It's definitely a growing thing, and we've been sharing a, as much as many chips is what we can on our social media channels, and what we've found is by doing that, we've had a bit of a community grow around us, and if it wasn't for the people that have been talking to us on social media, there are so many different places that we would have missed out on. Mark: And that was one of the things that we started doing early on when we were traveling, was saying to people, "We're heading to Moab, Utah. What do you recommend us doing?" Because there isn't a lot of information specifically out there on the internet, people have all these recommendations and they would say, "Make sure you go to the corona arch." Because it's outside of the national park, dogs can go anywhere, and it's one of the most beautiful photogenic spots that you'd be able to see in that area, and it's things like that. If it wasn't for everyone, sort of having that community in sharing that information, that we just would've missed out on so much. Kim: Well that is one well-traveled and well-loved pooch. Phil: Lucky dog. Kim: I know. That dog has done more than I've done. Phil: Hey look, we've received an email talking about traveling with animals, Ron who emailed us, he's sort of retired now with his wife and they're living a nomadic life, and taking around their two dogs with them, a French bulldog and a Boston terrier, bit smaller than a white German shepherd. Kim: Yeah. Phil: And thanks very much for the email, Ron. It was great to hear about your travels, and also have a little bit of a discussion about over-tourism and of course if you want to contact us, we'd love to hear your stories of traveling with your pets too. So give them, that's a really popular thing. Let's start talking about it. Our email podcast@worldnomads.com Kim: In fact, Ron was saying that they travel on land because they can't find airlines for the dogs, but there are going to be links in show notes, and even tips from Mark that will help him. Phil: I didn't say the first time I traveled in Europe and somebody sat down next to me with a dog in a bag, I was a bit surprised. Kim: Now mark mentioned Jetpets who helped him get Maya to Canada. Now they provide complete door to door service from and to any destination in the world covering Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. So Ron, that might help you. They've transported everything from dogs to tigers, and we'll have a link in show notes, but FYI, they do operate under the name of Pet Express in the U.S. Phil: Some of their most popular destinations, by the way, include South America where cats and dogs must be microchipped or have the registration tattoo. In Canada, pet culture requires owners to flush dog waste down the toilet rather than dispose of it in bins, while in Malaysia, certain breeds of dogs have got to have a muzzle on. Kim: Yup. As I say, world nomads podcast from your favorite podcast app and please subscribe, share, and tell your friends about us. Next week- Phil: -a special episode as we investigate van life. Kim: See you then. Phil: Bye. Speaker 1: Amazing nomads. They inspire. </div> </div> </div>Mark and Mya 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/sea-kayaking-at-cape-broyleDiscover the serenity of Canada’s Newfoundland as Nomad Will sea kayaks through the fascinating caves and around the cliffs of Cape Broyle, carefully avoiding the whales.2019-04-04T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/sea-kayaking-at-cape-broylehttps://www.worldnomads.comOn a sea kayaking adventure, watch as Will makes a pit stop to sample the taste of a fresh sea urchin, and carefully tries to avoid the whales. Surrounded by cliffs, crystal-clear water and rushing waterfalls, Will discovers the variety of nature’s elements in Cape Broyle’s wilderness.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/rafting-the-exploits-riverEmbark on a white-water rafting adventure in Newfoundland, Canada, and experience the thrill of the rapids on Exploits River.2019-04-01T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/rafting-the-exploits-riverhttps://www.worldnomads.comWatch as Will braves the icy-cold water, takes on three grades of rapids and gets comfortable with being uncomfortable as he lets the elements take over, and goes along for ride with Mother Nature.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/hiking-the-north-head-trailTravel to Newfoundland in Canada with Will McCloy where he discovers the ultimate jet lag cure - hiking.2019-04-01T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/hiking-the-north-head-trailhttps://www.worldnomads.comFrom quiet landscapes and stunning mountainsides to national parks teeming with wildlife, Canada has some of the greatest hiking trails that are well worth strapping on your boots for. Join Will as he ventures to Cape Spear, the eastern most point of the North American continent, and reawakens his sense of exploration and wonder in the Canadian wilderness.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/iceberg-huntingJoin Will McCloy on an iceberg hunt in Newfoundland, as he hopes to see the formations as they float down to Canada from Greenland.2019-04-01T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/iceberg-huntinghttps://www.worldnomads.comLearning that persistence is key when iceberg hunting, Will eventually hunts down the glacial giants with some local help. Ranging in color from snow-white to aqua-blue, the sheer size of the glaciers, that are tens-of-thousands years old, is nothing short of incredible, and are so plentiful in this region of Canada that the locals are even putting them to good use, in the form of Newfoundland’s famous Iceberg beer.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/camping-in-national-parksDespite the comforts of glamping in Gros Morne National Park, Will is surrounded by Canada’s extraordinary scenery.2019-04-01T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/camping-in-national-parkshttps://www.worldnomads.comWhile glamping, in the Canadian wilderness, complete with a door, hardwood floor and power points, Will’s tent is more about relaxation than roughing it. But, no matter how luxurious, he was still able to experience a fraction of Canada’s striking scenery, off the beaten track.World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/zip-lining-marble-mountainWatch Will McCloy zip lining 300ft above Marble Mountain, on the west coast of Newfoundland, Canada.2019-04-01T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/zip-lining-marble-mountainhttps://www.worldnomads.comTravel with Will McCloy to Steady Brook on the west coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Soaring 300ft above Marble Mountain, Will gets his adrenalin pumping on a zip lining adventure, complete with a cheeky Canadian prank. Join Will as he gears up before zig-zagging down Marble Mountain and across a colossal gorge, taking in the stunning forest surrounds and aerial views of the Humber Valley.World Nomads 0

The Canadian Cattle Class | Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/the-canadian-cattle-classThe Canadian Cattle Class | Travel StoryFri, 08 Feb 2019 22:35:17 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/the-canadian-cattle-classGoing Back to Tuktoyaktuk | Canada Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/transformation/going-back-to-tukGoing Back to Tuktoyaktuk | Canada Travel StoryTue, 25 Sep 2018 22:50:03 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/transformation/going-back-to-tukhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/the-world-nomads-podcast-episode-2-canadaCome with us as we travel to the remote wilderness of Canada on an Inuit-lead adventure.2017-10-31T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/the-world-nomads-podcast-episode-2-canadahttps://www.worldnomads.com<div> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2V9BgOBKU7Mu64Jii8i9DY?si=ucNEpy2dQ_GZeHkenEK_UQ"><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Podcast/spotify%20logo%20green.png" style="width: 46px; height: 46px;" alt="“Listen" on="" spotify="" /></a>   <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=154934&refid=stpr"><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Podcast/stitcher-logo-120x46.jpg" style="width: 120px; height: 46px;" alt="Listen on Stitcher" /></a></div> <h2>Episode 2: Canada</h2> Canada's ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean. We explore its remoteness as we are taken on an Inuit led adventure with a travel journalist who shares his terrifying toilet stop. In Travel News, we chat about the cities named in Lonely Planet’s “Top Ten Cities to Visit in 2018” including the one we couldn’t believe made the cut! We have details of the Photography Scholarship winner who is off to Myanmar next year with one of the world's best travel photographers, Richard I'Anson, Canada is good at metropolitan cities and mounted police, but is that what adventure travelers want? Research suggests what they really want is a wilderness experience. With the help of travel experts, Podcast Producer Kim Napier and World Nomads' Phil Sylvester we set out to discover what is beyond the typical postcard of Canada, including a road trip so remote the Government issues a satellite phone to drivers brave enough to tackle it. <h2>What's in the Episode?</h2> 00:08 - Welcome 01.50 - Travel Quiz: If I was alongside Sacsayhuaman what would I be looking down on and what animal might I see? 02:10 – Ask A Nomad 04.30 - Why Canada’s beaches are perfect for storm watchers. “…it's a very rugged set beauty. It's a very different type of beauty. So, think less babes in bikinis, and more just nature in its absolute, pristine, rugged self” – Robin Esrock 09:35 - We check in with our World Nomads enjoying life on the road - “Just take a flight and go…” 10:10 – An Inuit-led adventure in Canada’s far north.  “I got the sense the Canadian Government are doing as much as they can I terms of reparation for the catastrophes that were visited on indigenous people there” – Mike Carter 15:37 – The toilet stop where you go from needing a pee to being a snack. 19:20 – Is Canada more than maple syrup? A culinary tour of Canada. 23.40 - Tour Radar: A bunch of techy travel experts on a mission to enrich people’s lives through touring. 27:50 – Travel Scholarship announcement “…it's not just the photography. It's not just the written words that accompany it. It's a combination” – Mentor Richard I’Anson. 33.50 – Travel News – Lonely Planet has released its list of “Top Ten Cities to Visit in 2018” 38.30 Quiz answer 39:27 - What's next in Episode 2? <h2>Who's on the Show?</h2> <a href="http://www.robinesrock.com" target="_blank">Robin Esrock</a> a travel writer and television host who has traveled to over 100 countries including Canada. <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisandVinegar" target="_blank">Chris Johns</a>, one of Canada’s most respected <a href="http://www.harpercollins.ca/cr-176277/chris-johns" target="_blank">food and travel writers</a>. With Chris we look at Canada through a food lens, and ask is it more than just Maple Syrup? <a href="https://twitter.com/getcarter7" target="_blank">Mike Carter</a>, is a <a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/mike-carter/1057210/" target="_blank">journalist</a> who wrote a brilliant story on an <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/4f1509e0-61f0-11e5-9846-de406ccb37f2" target="_blank">Inuit led adventure</a> in Canada’s far north. And you may remember in episode one we promised you’d hear about his frightening toilet stop. <a href="https://www.tourradar.com/who-we-are" target="_blank">Christian Wolters</a> from <a href="https://www.tourradar.com/" target="_blank">TourRadar</a>: A bunch of techy travel experts on a mission to enrich people’s lives through touring. Christian is part of the team and shares with us his love of traveling and obsession with sailing. <a href="https://richardianson.com" target="_blank">Richard I’Anson</a> one of the world's best travel photographers. A Canon Master who joins us to announce the winner of The World Nomads Scholarship. <h2>Resources & Links</h2> Read about why <a href="http://nationalpost.com/features/canada-has-a-tourism-problem-that-can-only-be-fixed-by-embracing-indigenous-culture" target="_blank">wilderness adventure</a> could be the saviour of Canada's surprisingly poor tourism rankings. Kelly Beckta's winning <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/create/scholarships/photography/2017/results" target="_blank">Photography Scholarship 2017</a> entry. China's Golden Week tourism crowds - you have to see <a href="http://www.shenzhenparty.com/news/elsewhere-china/643126-nation-vacation-chinas-golden-week-holidays" target="_blank">these photos</a>! Download our newly released <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/guides/canada-insiders-guide" target="_blank">Insider's Guide to Canada</a>. Phil's family on the Great Barrier Reef: <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Podcast/underwater%20750x490.jpg" /></figure> <figure> </figure> Check out our <a href="worldnomads.com/explore/guides" target="_blank">Insider’s Guides</a> to Canada, Cuba, Colombia, and more. <a href="https://answers.worldnomads.com/" target="_blank">Ask A Nomad</a>: our community question and answer forum. Ask a question, provide an answer. <h2 class="p1">Share Episodes with Your Audience</h2> Want to share an episode you loved, or you were a guest? Do it with this Player Embed code. <h6 style="padding-left: 30px;"><iframe width="100%" height="200" src="https://player.whooshkaa.com/player/episode/id/174066?visual=true&sharing=true" frameborder="0" style="width: 100%; height: 200px"></iframe></h6> <h2>Want to Talk to us?</h2> We want to hear from you! If you have any travel insurance questions to <a href="mailto:podcast@worldnomads.com">Ask Phil</a>, want to give us feedback on the episode, or have suggestions for topics you'd like us to cover, email us at <a href="mailto:podcast@worldnomads.com">podcast@worldnomads.com</a> <h2>Sign up for Podcast News</h2> Explore your boundaries and discover your next adventure with The World Nomads Podcast. Hosted by Podcast Producer Kim Napier and World Nomads Phil Sylvester, each episode will take you around the world with insights into destinations from travellers and experts. They’ll share the latest in travel news, answer your travel questions and fill you in on what World Nomads is up to, including the latest scholarships and guides. The World Nomads Podcast is not your usual travel Podcast. It’s everything for the adventurous, independent traveller. Don’t miss out. Subscribe today via <a href="itms://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1297825851" target="_blank">iTunes</a>, <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=154934&refid=stpr" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> or your favourite podcast player. <h2>About World Nomads & The Podcast</h2> Explore your boundaries and discover your next adventure with The World Nomads Podcast. Hosted by Podcast Producer Kim Napier and World Nomads Phil Sylvester, each episode will take you around the world with insights into destinations from travellers and experts. They’ll share the latest in travel news, answer your travel questions and fill you in on what World Nomads is up to, including the latest scholarships and guides. <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">World Nomads</a> is a fast-growing online travel company that provides inspiration, advice, safety tips and specialized travel insurance for independent, volunteer and student travelers traveling and studying most anywhere in the world. Our online global travel insurance covers travelers from more than 135 countries and allows you to buy and claim online, 24/7, even while already traveling. The World Nomads Podcast is not your usual travel Podcast. It’s everything for the adventurous, independent traveller. Don’t miss out. Subscribe today. <div class="AccordionSection nst-component nst-is-collapsed"><button class="AccordionSection-title nst-toggle">Full Transcript of the Episode</button> <div class="nst-content"> <div class="AccordionSection-inner"> Announcer: The World Nomads podcast, it's not your usual travel podcast. It's everything for the adventurous, independent traveler. Kim: Hi, there, wherever you may be listening in the world, great that you've hooked into our podcast, delivered by World Nomads, the travel, lifestyle, and insurance brand, covering more than a half a million travelers. I'm Kim, and the man sitting across from me is- Phil: One of the half million, Phil, how are we all? Kim: Well, we're back, so I think episode one worked. Phil: I think so, too. We've had some great feedback from everybody [00:00:30] out there listening, so thank you very much for that. It was a great pleasure to know we weren't just talking into thin air, mate. Kim: Exactly. That ... the feedback's been amazing, so thank you very much. That podcast was about Croatia, which you can find on iTunes. Phil: Indeed, please subscribe when you get there. Kim: Now, this one, though, this episode, we explore Canada. We'll catch up with Robin S. Rock, he's a travel writer and television host, who's traveled to over a hundred countries, including Canada. Chris Jones is one of Canada's most respected food and travel writers, and with Chris, [00:01:00] we're going to look at Canada through a food lens, Phil, and ask, "Is it more than just maple syrup?" Phil: Not that there's anything wrong with maple syrup. Kim: Not that there ... and can you have maple syrup with bacon? Phil: It's actually not bad, have you had it? Kim: Yeah, I love it. Phil: I like it a lot. Kim: I love it, I absolutely love it. Now, Mike Carter is a journalist who wrote a brilliant story on an Inuit-led adventure in Canada's far north, and you may remember in episode one, we'd promise you'd hear about his frightening toilet stop. Haha. Are you looking forward to that? Phil: [00:01:30] I am. Kim: Plus, [inaudible 00:01:32] our World Nomads affiliate, and we announce the winner of the World Nomads photography scholarship. But next, he literally set up all night coming up with this episode's travel quiz question, I think it arrived in my inbox at 11:03 pm, hahaha. That's a long day, Phil. Phil: Haha. Kim: Phil, what are you going to throw at us? Phil: All right, here's my quiz question this week. If I was alongside Sex-hay-woman, what would I be looking down on, and what animal might I see? I'll have my answer at the end of the episode. Kim: Was [00:02:00] that like, "sexy woman"? Phil: Yeah, but it's "Sex-ay Wo-man" Kim: Sex-ay, oh, I like the accent. Okay, well, we're still working on intro music for this section, but now it is time for "Ask Phil". Phil: Look, I'm a bit embarrassed ... I really did embarrass myself last episode when you said, "Do you know everything?" Kim: You do. Phil: And I said, "Yeah," and I came across as a bit of a know-it-all. I know ... honestly, I don't know anything. In fact, my knowledge about Canada has been improved about a thousand percent by just researching [00:02:30] and preparing for this program. In part, because I went to our community, the Q and A forum, called "Ask a Nomad," and I look for the Canada questions there, and this is the one that popped up, because it had the most answers with it. So, here we go, Jared said, "Backpack Canada or not?" Well, Timma replied, "Canada is massive, it's best to pick an end, skip the middle, and fly east-west or west-east. Even when you land, you'll need a car, transportation between cities is crap"- Kim: [00:03:00] Haha. Phil: "Unless you want a Greyhound bus that stops 36 times for a five hour trip." Kim: No, thanks. Phil: "West coast in summer is amazing." Elanor agreed with that, she said "Check out the sunshine coast trial, the hundred and eighty kilometers of hut to hut hiking." Say that quickly. Kim: No. Phil: Also, "Going from"- Kim: Don't. Haha. Phil: Haha. "Also, going from Victoria to Tofino, is a beauty, checking out Cathedral Grove along the way," she said. Christa piped in with, "One of the most beautiful regions is the stretch [00:03:30] from Jasper National Park west to Wells-Gray Natural Park, on the other side of the country, anywhere in Cape Briton is a great place for backpacking." And, Louise Armstrong, and I really hope that's her real name, haha- Kim: Hahaha. Phil: She came up with this, "I agree doing east-west and skipping as much of the middle, the prairies, as you need to, however, depending on where you are, you may want to carry insect spray for black flies," I've heard they're a shocker there, in summer. Kim: Aren't all flies black? Phil: These are a particular type- Kim: Ah. Phil: And they will take [00:04:00] chunks out of you. Also, "In Spring/summer, you need to be aware of the bears that roam around certain parts, such as the Rockies, Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff, and even in ordinary sounding places like close to Ottawa and the Quebec Border." Kim: Scary. Phil: If you have a question, or think you can provide some answers, check out <answers.worldnomads.com> and- Kim: Okay, while we're on a role with places to visit in Canada, let's check in with Robin S. Rock, a travel writer [00:04:30] and TV host, who's traveled to over a hundred countries, searching for things you can't do anywhere else in the world. Firstly, I was curious to know about Canada's beaches. Robin Esrock: We've got beaches that stretch out forever, and they're quite different from your kind of tropical, white-sandy, squeaky beach, in the sense that they're a lot more rugged, so if you can imagine Long Beach, on Tofino, in Vancouver Island, which faces the Pacific, and you're framed by these [00:05:00] massive coastal rainforest trees, eagles flying overhead, the storms that come in batter the coast line, so much so that storm watching is actually a popular pastime, that people come over the watch the storms roll in from the Pacific, so think less babes in bikinis, and more nature in its absolute, pristine, rugged self. It's the same we have with scuba diving, we have some of the world's best [00:05:30] cold-water diving here in British Columbia, and people come from around the world, and they can't get over how big everything is, how pristine everything is. It's a different experience, especially for people who are used to a certain type of environment. Kim: What about then ... and you've written about the top ten road trips, can you give us an example of one or two of those? Robin Esrock: I think the Ice-fields Parkway, which a stretch of road that rolls between Jasper National Park and Banff [00:06:00] National Park is mile for mile the most beautiful, scenic drive, anywhere in the world. I only say that because I've been looking for these kinds of things. In 110 countries, I've never seen such eye candy on display. It's absolutely spectacular. That's only a three hour drive, it's not a very long drive. Then we've got something quite different ... I mean, there's incredible drives, and people come from around the world, to get [00:06:30] this kind of remoteness in Canada, and probably the most remote one is called the Trans-Labrador Highway. Labrador is a part of a province that's attached to the main land, it's bigger than Japan, and Japan has 138 million people, and Labrador has about 30,000 people. There's one road that goes through the whole main land, just one road, and it's eleven-hundred and eighty-five kilometers long, and the government actually issues you a free [00:07:00] loaner satellite phone, because you're going to be that remote, and you'll be driving in absolute wilderness under the midnight sun. Usually, in summer, people are crazy to do it in winter. You do it like you're the last great driver on earth. Kim: Well, actually, it's interesting that you mention Labrador, because one of the chats we've had for this particular episode is with a financial time travel journo, Mike Carter, and he went on an Inuit-led adventure in that area, and he just couldn't [00:07:30] believe how remote it was. Robin Esrock: Yeah, it's a remoteness that you feel in your bones. Haha. Kim: Haha. Whenever I think about Canada, I think snow, and I know it's so much more than that, so can you touch on, though, a couple of the winter festivals that would be attractive to travelers? Robin Esrock: Sure. Ottawa is just gorgeous in winter, it's a really fantastic city, I think you get there and feel like you're kind of in England with the old parliament buildings, [00:08:00] very, very impressive ... they have a festival called Winterlude, which is gorgeous, which is centered around the Rideau Canal, so if you can imagine that you've got this water way, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that freezes over every winter, and people skate to work, 'cause it goes through the whole city, and it's quicker to put on your skates, with your briefcase, and your jacket, and skate to work. The biggest winter carnival in the world is in Quebec City, it's called Carnival, Winter Carnival, [00:08:30] and it is absolutely out of control, I mean, you go there, temperatures can dip to minus twenty, minus thirty, and they have street parades, they have parties, and ice castles, they have the famous ice hotel, everybody's walking around drinking this kind of ... kind of like a luvine concoction made with rum and wine and vodka and God knows what else, called Caribou, so everybody's quite plunked. Fantastic atmosphere, [00:09:00] very, very festive, and I've always said you can't do Canada if you can't do cold, you just bundle up and you dress for the elements. You discover that if you can't go hiking in winter, you can go snowshoeing. Winter comes with all the fun that comes with snow and you just go with it. We love it, we absolutely love it. Kim: We will have a link to Robin's website in our show notes, which includes his blog, books, and photos. Phil: Busy a man. Kim: Yeah, he is. Mike Carter's story on his Inuit-led adventure to Canada's [00:09:30] far north, as mentioned in that chat with Robin is coming up, but next, let's check in and see what our World Nomads have been up to. Speaker 5: So, traveling the world, it's amazing. It's the life, come on, the world is so nice, so big, travel and enjoy the life. I've been to USA, [inaudible 00:09:47], Australia, Asia, Fiji. Speaker 6: You have to learn so many things from different cultures, it's beautiful. You can meet sometimes your family [00:10:00] and your friends, while actually you just feel so satisfied here, and you do whatever you want to do, so it's fine, you balance. Just take a flight and go, you never know, you know. Kim: Mike Carter is a freelance journalist and it was last year he headed off to Canada's far north, to experience an Inuit-led adventure. Phil: Canada's doing pretty well on the ranking of the most visited countries in the world, it's at number seventeen at the moment, but it used to be at number two. As you can imagine, there's been [00:10:30] a lot of discussion in Canada about why such a beautiful, and diverse, and exciting destination doesn't do better. One theory is that they don't know what they've got. Canada's good at metropolitan cities, and mounted police, but what the visitors want is a wilderness experience, and there's enormous interest in the rest of the world about wilderness experience led by indigenous people, and Inuit adventure is what people want, apparently, and Mike has done one, and written about it beautifully. Kim: He certainly has, Phil, but how did he end up in [00:11:00] one of the most remote parts of the world? Mike Carter: As far as why, my newspaper emailed me and said, "There's this extraordinary opportunity to do this trip in northern Labrador, and the [inaudible 00:11:15] National Park, a very rarely visited, not only rarely visited part of Canada, but a very rarely visited part of the world." When I looked at the logistics involved with getting there, a flight to Halifax, I [00:11:30] think it was, and another flight to Goose Bay, and then another flight from Maine to Sagleck, which is a landing strip left over from US Air Force. Then a zodiac from that landing strip to a camp, the only man made structure in this entire, nearly four thousand square miles of pristine Arctic wilderness, it was too good an opportunity to turn down, just from ... a kind of logistical point of view, that's the kind of thing that really appeals to me. When they said [00:12:00] it was kind of an Inuit-led initiative, run by Inuit owned companies ... Lately it seems, I don't know about making plans about things, I love that ancient Hebrew saying, "Give the Gods a good laugh, tell them about your plans." It does seem that in the last few years, these stories have found me. My experience, very limited experience of Canada, and the way it treats its indigenous people, it has been a very, very positive one. It seems to me, [00:12:30] I don't know, because you're in and out of these places and you don't really know, but the ... a lot of the infrastructure in Labrador seems to be owned by Inuit companies, like the airline and the barges that bring food up and down the coast to these remote communities, and the base camo where I stayed. Nine out of ten of the full-time staff in the camp were Inuits, and that ... they want to make that a hundred percent. It probably is now. And the guides [00:13:00] were nearly all Inuits. I got the sense that the Canadian government are doing as much as they can in terms of reparations for the catastrophes that were visited on indigenous people there in the 1950s, when the forced relocation's off their land in northern Labrador and down to alien settlements for them. The pain of that is still very, very evident when you speak to [00:13:30] Inuit there now. I think it's difficult, this kind of cultural tourism, because you know, there's a neutrality, there's a symbiosis, a two-way learning process there. As long as there's absolute deep respect for that host culture, and I think the Anglo-Saxon world, the English, Anglo-speaking world, we've been so guilty for so long with that kind [00:14:00] of cultural imperialism, where we go into developing world countries, that this is rather a quaint, antiquated way of living, that needs to be preserved in aspic, but we're much more inherently superior and evolved than these people, but I do see a move ... People such as Jared Diamond, who writes in travelers books, like the world until yesterday, that look [00:14:30] at the way traditional people organize themselves, and see that we've forgotten so much about how humans a species organize and learn and thrive. Far from cultural imperialism, I've just seen people as a much better version of us, in their respect for the land, and ... so, it's simultaneously depressing but very, very uplifting. Kim: Do you see Inuit developing an income stream from tourism in Canada? Mike Carter: [00:15:00] According to people I spoke to on the ground there, Inuits, yes. The sense I got in Labrador was the Inuit there were increasingly getting more and more agency and more and more autonomy as to what they wanted to do and what they thought was acceptable and that the Canadian government and the current Labrador government were consultative and deeply respectful of ... for a start, they own the land now. My sense, [00:15:30] in Canada anyway, is that they're doing tourism right, increasingly so, and long may that continue. Kim: So, Phil, he hasn't yet told his whiny story, he found it terrifying, and this relates to his toilet stop. Mike Carter: I think the very fact that you're little plane lands and you're immediately surrounded by heavily armed men, and you're in the middle of nowhere, is a sure sign that something's rather worrying. We'd been [00:16:00] in this little plane, and I needed to go to the toilet, and I asked one of the guides if there was anywhere I could go, and there are all these old Cold War hangers there, and they said, "Oh, you can go behind the building, but I need to come with you," with this huge gun, you know? Kim: Oh. Mike Carter: And he was saying, "You can't take your eye off the horizon or the landscape for a second there because the bears," not [00:16:30] just the polar bears, but these barren ground black bears that have adapted to survive there, are ambush animals, because there are no trees. It's above fifty-five degrees and there are no trees. There's no hiding place for them, or very ... their traditional method of stalking animals, so they have to hide behind a rock, and they're very opportunistic- Kim: Ah. Mike Carter: And they're very patient, so I wasn't terrified because I was with these extremely [00:17:00] competent, highly trained people who know what to do, but you quickly begin to realize you're not in a benign ... you're not in your Sydney apartment, you're not in your London apartment, here. This is ... it really contextualizes man's place in the grand scheme of things, when you realize you're an insignificant spec. As I said in the piece, "I'd gone from being a man to being a snack." Kim: Really great opportunity to relieve yourself [00:17:30] quickly, or just decide that you can hang on, hahaha. Mike Carter: Exactly. It wasn't terrifying, it's just that thing that, "Oh, okay, I don't live here, I'm not familiar with this place, I'm quite helpless," you know? I look at these magnificent mountains and you see polar bears and black bears running everywhere, and when [00:18:00] you finally get to the camp, there's a ten-thousand volt electric fence around the camp, and you realize that this is not really a joke, if you stray ... and one of the first things they do when you get to the base camp, in Saglec Field, Saglec Water, is they sit you down and show you a film of polar bears and how to tell if a polar bear is agitated, merely curious, [00:18:30] or hungry. You start studying all these different film of polar bears trying to judge their behavior, and what you should do if a polar bear approached you, and what you should do to avoid encountering a polar bear. That's literally the first thing they do when you get off the boat, "You need to watch this film." It's a bit like getting on an airplane, and going through the safety talk by the cabin crew, but the consequences being slightly more dire, really. Phil: [inaudible 00:18:57] That bring a new meaning to the idea of a "Bear behind". [00:19:00] Oh dear. Kim: Oh dear. Links to Mike's story and more on him in our show notes. Look, don't feel too bad about your bear behind joke, because- Phil: I never do. Kim: I could certainly, I'm sure of it, hear Chris Johns, who's one of Canada's most respected food and travel writers groan when I asked him if Canada is more than maple syrup. Chris Johns: Yeah, it absolutely is more than maple syrup. We're the second largest country in the world, and [00:19:30] the bounty from our shores, and our fields, and our forests is almost unprecedented. We have an awful lot going on. Every region has its own specialties. Here in Ontario, where I live, you get a lot of great wine, we grow beautiful tree fruits, and we have wonderful fresh water fish. We don't have an ocean, but it's not far away. Kim: Speaking of areas, you wrote [00:20:00] an article, "Come for the Meat, Stay for the Veg,"- Chris Johns: Yeah. Kim: And you said a "Wave of green is taking over Montreal's eateries." Is that suggesting meat, in that city, is taking a back seat? Chris Johns: I think there's a couple things going on there. Maybe, five or ten years ago, Montreal was known as a very meat-centric kind of city, and it was gaining an international reputation as such. You had restaurants like Joe Beef, and Au-Pe-et-Gra-shaun, who were doing things like duck in a can, and the infamous [00:20:30] frois-gras double down, which was two breaded chicken breasts, fried chicken breasts, with ham and cheese in the middle- Kim: Yep. Chris Johns: Well, the guys at, Joe, ha, well, kind of, I guess, the guys at Joe Beef did the equivalent but used whole loaves of frois-gras and then deep fried them and put ham and cheese in the middle. That's about as meaty a thing as you can get. And that was the whole reputation of Montreal, is this excessive place to go and eat until you nearly [00:21:00] pass out and drink just as much. But, in the last couple of years, a new wave of restaurants, like Vin Papillion, and the emphasis is on a much lighter style of eating. I think that Canadians are really starting to wake up to the quality of the product and the talent of the chefs who are working and living here. People travel a lot, Canadians travel quite widely, so they're coming back [00:21:30] with new ideas and with raised expectations, and I think that that's all feeding into this revolution that's happening and this raising of the bar of dining across the country. Kim: What ingredients inspire Canadian dishes, then? Chris Johns: I guess something that would be considered especially Canadian, might be our use of game. You don't see a lot of it on restaurant menus, because outside of Newfoundland, you're not really allowed to serve [00:22:00] a moose that somebody brought in for you from the field. We would like to see that change, actually, but for now, you have to get farm raised game. We of course have the compliment of four seasons, so seasonality is very important. Kim: I was recently on a ferry and overheard some Canadians say that they have the best sushi outside of Japan, is that true, or were they waxing lyrical? Chris Johns: Well, I think you could make that case, yeah, [00:22:30] especially on the west coast, the restaurants in Vancouver and the little bedroom community of Richmond, British Columbia, have phenomenal asian restaurants, not just Japanese, but Chinese restaurants in Richmond in particular, are as good as, if not better than, what you would find in Beijing or Shanghai. The sushi is phenomenal. Kim: Finally, what can travelers expect from Canadian food, particularly with World Nomads, the independent [00:23:00] traveler that's not particularly attracted to the high end restaurants? Chris Johns: I would like to think that in Toronto, at least, you could absolutely have a great trip and never have to spend more than a twenty, and feed yourself very well at a whole bunch of good restaurants. Certainly in China Town, there's a million amazing places, all kinds of burger joints that are out of control good, and pizza's a big thing here, right now. On the west coast, like we said, sushi, it's not all high end [00:23:30] sushi out there, even the sort of entry level sushi places tend to be operating at a very high level. Out on the east coast, find yourself a Sunday church lobster bake and get in there. They're not expensive, and delicious food and amazing experience. Kim: We will have a link to Chris's book, "True North, Canadian Cooking from Coast to Coast," in our show notes. Now meet Christian Walters, from Tour Radar. They're a bunch of techie travel experts. [00:24:00] They're on a mission to enrich people's lives through touring. Christian is part of the team and he shares with us his love of traveling and his obsession, believe it or not he is obsessed with sailing. I tried out my french on him Phil, with a little Bon Jour to kick off the Skype chat. Christian Walte: Hahaha. I'm actually a Quebecer, but I've lived in Toronto probably I would say over twenty years, so I'm more English than French, now. Kim: So, is Quebec [00:24:30] that different from the rest of Canada? Christian Walte: Oh, absolutely, absolutely. It's completely french, they have french language laws, franco-phone history, culture, and it's unique in all of Canada. Kim: Wow, and you get Celine Dion. Christian Walte: We get Celine Dion, as well. Kim: Haha. Tell me, why do you love travel, and how did you get the travel bug? Christian Walte: Not too sure exactly. I know ... my parents are both from Europe, and they immigrated [00:25:00] here, and they've always enjoyed traveling, I remember from a young age seeing pictures of them in Nigeria. My dad used to work there for over a year. My mom was very open to different cultures, and taught me the same. We went on a couple of family trips to Europe when I was little. From there, I guess it just ... kept wanting to travel. Kim: And you've got a love of sailing, particularly? Christian Walte: Yeah, I've loved sailing [00:25:30] ever since I was a little kid. I'm not sure why, both my parents don't sail, and it was just something I enjoyed reading the stories when I was a little kid, but growing in Quebec, you're pretty land locked, sure, there's a bug river, but there's not a lot of sailing going on. When I moved to Toronto I was pretty excited because I was on the banks of Lake Ontario, which has ocean like conditions, so I learned to sail smaller [00:26:00] boats, then bigger boats, then eventually I acquired my own boat three years ago, which is about thirty-four feet in length. I've got this big plan, gonna sail around the world, so I'm working towards that objective right now. I've been on a few international trips, I've sailed in Croatia, the British Virgin Islands, and in Berma, as well. I love exploring new cultures, new places that I haven't been to. I'm not a big fan of going to the same places, even though, [00:26:30] I've pretty well figured those places out so well, that I should probably go back, but I definitely like to go somewhere new. If it's an activity, outside of sailing, I love mountain biking, and doing something physical, because I feel it's a more rewarding experience at the end of it all. Kim: So, you're an avid traveler and adventurer. How does that fit with what you do for work and they way Tour Radar sees the world? Christian Walte: Oh, it works perfectly. With Tour Radar, we aggregate multi day tours, [00:27:00] we are the market place for literally hundreds of different tour operators around the world. We have a fifteen thousand different tours, currently, right now. People can jump on board and search and find the best tour that they want, and book it right on the platform. We've got twenty-four seven customer support. How it fits in, really, is that there's such a variety ... and I like traveling in many different ways, there's sometimes that I like to travel luxuriously, [00:27:30] others I like to go budget, high active, sometimes I just want to relax. It gives me a great opportunity to explore different types of operators, different ways of traveling, and different countries to travel in. Kim: Thanks, Christian. We'll have links to Tour Radar in our show notes. Now to our live, he's living, breathing studio guest, Phil, you do the honors. Phil: Last week, we announced the winner of the World Nomads 2017 Photography Scholarship. I'm very pleased to announce that we'll be sending Kelly Beckter to [00:28:00] Myanmar next year. Kelly's a Canadian nurse, presently living in London, but she's been to over a hundred countries. Good on her. For those who haven't heard of our scholarship programs, we offer money can't buy experiences for emerging photographers, writers, and filmmakers, travelers who want to make their passion their profession. You've heard us say that. And they could use a little help, advice, and tutoring from a professional to make that happen, so we organize that for them, sending them on a real assignment with a mentor, someone who is a professional and expert in [00:28:30] the field. For the photography scholarship, we're incredibly lucky to have the services of one of the world's best travel photographers. He's a Canon-Master, and we're thrilled to say he's in the studio with us right now, Richard I'Anson. Welcome. Richard I'Anson: Thank you very much, Phil. Kim: I couldn't believe it when you stepped into our office, and you were signing autographs, and I said to Phil, "Is he signing autographs?" Phil said, "Yeah." I said, "Is he a big deal?" Phil says, "Yep." We're really honored that you've taken the time to come into the studio. Richard I'Anson: My pleasure, I'm not that [00:29:00] big of deal, I signed one autograph. Kim: Hahaha. Phil: Hahaha. Kim: Yeah, there are three hundred other people in the office, who are less impressive, haha. Richard I'Anson: I've already done them. Phil: First of all, can we talk about the winner, Kelly Beckter? Richard I'Anson: Yes. Phil: What was it you liked about her entry? Richard I'Anson: There was a lot of different thought and thinking that goes into selecting an entry from obviously the four thousand submissions that we had, so there's never one thing. I think that's the point of this scholarship opportunity, that we are looking at various [00:29:30] angles, it's not just the photography, it's not just the written words that accompany it, it's a combination. Finally, when we get a really tight, short list, they get interviewed. Phil: Yeah. Kim: Obviously, these entrants have the ability to take photos. Where do you step in? Richard I'Anson: They have the ability to take photos, but if you look at the submissions, the standard varies enormously, and of course, professional photographers are not allowed to enter, so [00:30:00] the opportunity should be entered by aspiring photographers, probably the best way to put it- Kim: Yeah. Richard I'Anson: I think ... well, I come in on various levels ... one thing I'm able to do, because I've been in this business so long, is work with the person wherever they're at, so even if they are quite competent, I can help them go to the next step. If they're a beginner, and that can happen in this competition, you can still get through, even if you only just started taking pictures, I can work with them at whatever level [00:30:30] to help them go to the next step. Once they join me on the ground, they get to see what it's really like to be a professional travel photographer, so it's a pretty intense ten, twelve days- Kim: Now, I know we're talking about a different level of photography here, but if we just touched on the iPhone, people travel with it, they can take reasonable photos with it, there are lots of applications ... not applications, but pieces, literally pieces of equipment you can attach to enhance your photos. For somebody that's just an amateur that just wants to take a few snaps to [00:31:00] look back on in life, is that okay? Richard I'Anson: I think it's absolutely fine. With the accessories you can add to an iPhone, or a smart phone to improve the quality, I think you have to understand, you're actually usually then dealing with someone who is then a bit more serious, you know, they're spending money and they're trying to get the best out of the equipment. Most people of course just shoot straight from ... with the lens in the camera ... in the card that's [00:31:30] provided. It's absolutely fine for recording your memories, and the pictures look great on the phone itself, and they can look great on a screen, but you can't possibly compare the files to what you get out of a professional day [inaudible 00:31:48]. Phil: How do you feel about the selfie stick? Richard I'Anson: Can't stand them. Phil: Not good? Kim: Haha. Richard I'Anson: I have reasons. Phil: Yeah. [00:32:00] It's because they take up too much space. I find that they quite often get in my way. Is there such a thing as an "eye?" Richard I'Anson: Absolutely I think there is such a thing as having an "eye." It doesn't mean you can't develop it, and learn, but it is one of those tricky ones, I always say, "You can always learn the technical stuff," that is totally learnable, and people should make an effort to learn it, so that it becomes second nature. Then you can concentrate on the good stuff, which is taking pictures. You can learn about composition, but I think [00:32:30] the best photographers probably do have some sort of innate eye. Kim: Well, you're a pretty good photographer, what's your favorite photo that you've ever taken? Phil: I'm pleased to say I've got more than one. Richard I'Anson: Good. Kim: Told you you were pretty good. Richard I'Anson: The favorite photo comes and goes, I mean I would like to think I've got a few more favorite photos in the future, and they become favorite photos for different reasons. The current favorite is a shot I took at the Holi Festival in India, where I was in amongst [00:33:00] the crowd and the water and the powder was being thrown everywhere and I took, essentially, a portrait of a woman just peering out from behind her sari, which she had over her head to cover herself for protection. That's my current favorite. Kim: Phil's favorite at the moment is his family snorkeling. Richard I'Anson: Yes, I know, he showed me. Kim: It's a nice photo, isn't it? Richard I'Anson: Yeah, it's a nice photo, very nice. Kim: Okay, if anyone wanted to, and clearly they will want to view your work, can you direct us to a particular website or even an exhibition, perhaps? Richard I'Anson: Well, my website exists, and it's got some galleries [00:33:30] on it, and I'm reasonably active on Instagram- Kim: Under the name of ... ? Richard I'Anson: Rich I'Anson. Kim: Well, we look forward to seeing the work that you will produce with Kelly, and thanks for being our second live studio guest. Phil: That's right, and best of luck. I hope the scholarship goes well. Richard I'Anson: My pleasure, thank you for having me. Kim: Okay, Phil, what travel news do you have for us this episode? Phil: Here's a good one. A British traveler who was jailed in Dubai for touching another man's hip in a bar, has been freed by a Royal [00:34:00] Pardon and will return home, escaping a three month jail term. Jamie Herin claimed he touched the other man to prevent him spilling his drink. The man claimed Herin was drunk, a no-no in the United Arab Emirates, and repeatedly touched him. Also a no-no. Herin was sentenced to ... he was sentenced for public indecency, and was facing other charges for being drunk and swearing. Normal rules do not apply when you're in Dubai, it's not a normal night out at the bar, please be careful [00:34:30] there. Kim: I'd be jailed. I'm aware of it. Phil: Lonely Planet's released its list of top ten cities to visit in 2018. Yes, we're at that time of year already, the next year we're looking at. Top of the list, in english, is Seville, Spain, in Spanish, Sa-vee-yah. In Spain. The reasons? It's got great street life, and I can attest to that. An amazing love of art, and there's this uniques mix of medieval and Moorish architecture. Plus, you guessed it, some scenes from Game of Thrones [00:35:00] were shot there. Rrrrrr. Kim: Rrrrrr. Phil: The next two places on the list are a bit of a surprise, even for the people who live there. Detroit, USA, yeah, its making a big comeback. Kim: Is it? Because I felt like it was a ghost town. Phil: It went very nearly bankrupt, what, three, four, five years ago? It's actually making great comeback, and its somewhere now, where a sort of hipster community has set up and it's really starting to thrive. Kim: Great news. Phil: It's amazing. Not quite sure ... apparently the same is true of number three on the [00:35:30] list, Canberra, Australia. For people not from Australia, Canberra is our capital city, not Sydney, and its inland, about halfway between Sydney and Melbourne, and it used to be, and probably still should be, a sheep paddock. Kim: Yes, that's very true. I did visit Canberra very recently, though, and learned that it ... the name Canberra comes from the bit between a woman's breasts. Phil: Okay- Kim: Which I've never- Phil: Because naming it decolletage- Kim: Yeah. Phil: [00:36:00] That's not going to work. Kim: That's the top bit, I always thought this bit was cleavage. Canberra, cleavage, I don't know. Hahaha. Phil: Haha. I think essentially, it's where all our politicians live- Kim: Exactly. Phil: I think it's the cleavage that's behind you but a bit lower, isn't it? Anyway. Kim: Hahaha. That's Canberra. Phil: The ass crack of Australia. Anyway, okay. Kim: Hahahaha. Phil: All right. We'll share the full list on the show notes for you, but it's good to see that San Juan in Puerto Rico came in at number eight. They deserve [00:36:30] it after all the hammering- Kim: Sure. Phil: They got from the hurricanes this year. Another boon for the hurricane affected Caribbean, Love Festival Aruba kicks off on November first. Expect five days and nights of throbbing, techno music amid crystal clear waters of the Dutch Caribbean. If you can pull yourself away from the parties and the DJs, [inaudible 00:36:48] an interesting place, a rich cultural mix of Dutch, Portuguese, and Caribbean influences. It's just that I'm expecting several thousand party goers all dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow- Kim: I can see that. Phil: I don't know about [00:37:00] you. Okay. Golden Week in China at the beginning of October, just gone past, set new records for domestic holiday travel, with, wait for it, seven hundred ten million Chinese hitting the road during the week long holiday. That's half a billion people. Kim: Seven hundred ten million all hitting the road? Phil: Yeah, all in the same week. They don't really get public holidays, so they get this one week, that and Chinese New Year, so everybody's on the road. Imagine Americans wincing about Thanksgiving. Kim: Yeah. Phil: Have a look at what happens in China. Kim: [00:37:30] Seven hundred ten mill, that's a figure. Phil: Unbelievable. Anyway, it coincided with Autumn festivals this year, so that's an extra incentive to get away from it all with seven hundred and nine million, nine hundred ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine, of your best friends. Kim: Haha. Phil: The picture of the crowds on the Great Wall has to be seen to be believed, check it out, we'll put it on the show notes, <worldnomads.com/podcast>, look for episode two. Final bit of good news, two months after Hurricane Harvey caused all that damage, Huston is [00:38:00] open for business. The Space Center, the Fine Arts Museum, and the Natural History Museum are all open, so are most of the city's hotels and restaurants. You all get down to Huston, now. Kim: So, Huston really did have a problem? Phil: Oh, yeah, absolutely. Haha. Kim: Haha. Phil: Where's the groan music again? Kim: I was wondering if we can find it. Time to wrap up episode two of the World Nomads podcast, and we got to do that with answer to Phil's quiz question. Just remind us. Phil: If I was alongside a sex-ay-wo-man, [00:38:30] what would I be looking down on, and what animal might I see? Sacsayhuaman is the ancient Inca fortress that stands above Cusco is Peru. From the lookout, in the streets of the old [inaudible 00:38:41] city, because it's got about four times bigger in the last decade, you can see the shape of a puma. In fact, Sacsayhuaman forms the head of the animal. In Incan mythology, there's a trinity of gods- Kim: Yep. Phil: Being the puma, the condor, and the snake, representing the underworld, the world, and the higher plane where the gods exist. If you don't [00:39:00] believe me, have a look at the map we've uploaded on the show notes page, you can actually see the shape of a puma. Kim: And if anyone's got a tat of that- Phil: I would love to see a photo. Kim: Absolutely. That's a tat waiting to happen. Podcast at World Nomads dot com. Search for the World Nomads podcast in iTunes, Stitcher, and your favorite podcast players. Subscribe to us, rate us, share us, get in touch via email, at podcast dot World Nomads dot com. Next episode, it's another dead show, I'm sorry. Phil: Hahah. Kim: Hold onto your hat, we're [00:39:30] off to Panama. Announcer: The World Nomads podcast, explore your boundaries. </div> </div> </div>World Nomads 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/our-pick-of-the-top-10-experiences-in-canadaFrom the Canadian Rockies to Yellowknife, we round up the best experiences Canada's incredible landscapes have to offer.2017-10-27T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/our-pick-of-the-top-10-experiences-in-canadahttps://www.worldnomads.comFjords and mountains, lakes and glaciers, epic slopes and northern lights, catching a wave on the coast – if there’s an adventure you can’t find in Canada, you probably haven’t searched far enough. Whether you choose to lace up the hiking boots, make your way around in a campervan, go <g class="gr_ gr_76 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="76" data-gr-id="76">packrafting</g> or hire a kayak, you'll no doubt find a way to inject some adventure into your trip. <h2>1. Road Trip Your Way Around Canada</h2> Hands-down, the best way to explore Canada is by picking a route, hiring a car, and driving around. While the two most popular road-trip itineraries are The Cabot Trail on the east coast and the Icefields Parkway in <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/top-experiences-in-calgary-a-locals-guide" target="_blank">Alberta</a>, there are far more provinces to explore. Why not take a two-week drive through Canada’s Maritime provinces – starting in Saint John, <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-new-brunswick" target="_blank">New Brunswick</a> and wrap up the trip in <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-halifax" target="_blank">Halifax</a>, <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-nova-scotia" target="_blank">Nova Scotia</a>. Or, if you’re shorter on time, take the two to <g class="gr_ gr_96 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="96" data-gr-id="96">three day</g> Sea-to-Sky Highway – starting in <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/a-locals-guide-to-vancouver" target="_blank">Vancouver</a> and heading north along Highway 99, you’ll end the trip in <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/a-locals-guide-to-life-in-whistler" target="_blank">Whistler</a>. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 54.907407407407405% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOeRq_ZB7_e/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by World Nomads (@worldnomads)</a> on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2016-12-26T08:07:24+00:00">Dec 26, 2016 at 12:07am PST</time> </div> </blockquote> <script defer="defer" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> <h2>2. Chase the Aurora Around Canada's Wild North</h2> With long winter nights, dry crisp air, and close proximity to the magnetic north pole, <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/finding-the-northern-lights-in-yellowknife-canadas-northwest-territories" target="_blank">Canada’s Northwest Territories</a> are one of the best places in the world to witness the northern lights. You don’t need a big aurora storm for the greens, pinks, and red hues to be visible, just cloudless skies! The northern lights are visible from <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/finding-the-northern-lights-in-yellowknife-canadas-northwest-territories" target="_blank">Yellowknife</a>, but, for the best experience, it’s a good idea to venture away from the city lights further north – which will give you the chance to drive on top of a frozen lake. If you're exploring <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/polar-bear-encounters-churchill-manitoba" target="_blank">Churchill in Manitoba</a>, <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/top-experiences-in-whitehorse-and-the-yukon" target="_blank">Whitehorse in the Yukon</a>, Northern <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-newfoundland-and-labrador" target="_blank">Labrador</a>, and even Athabasca Country between late August to <g class="gr_ gr_88 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="88" data-gr-id="88">mid April</g>, try to stay up late and be spoiled with the aurora above you. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.5% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BTGVSK9FIgd/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by World Nomads (@worldnomads)</a> on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2017-04-20T07:34:10+00:00">Apr 20, 2017 at 12:34am PDT</time> </div> </blockquote> <script defer="defer" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> <h2>3. Explore the Canadian Rockies</h2> If glaciers and mountains, milky blue lakes and evergreen forests leading the way to alpine meadows sound like a dream to you, choose your method of transport (by bike or by foot) to go backcountry camping in the <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/the-ultimate-guide-to-exploring-the-canadian-rockies" target="_blank">Canadian Rockies</a>. Beating the crowds is still easy, so long as you go beyond the main trails. Dying to see Lake Louise? Don’t stop at the lake’s head by the chateau, follow the well-marked trail to Lake Agnes Tea House (4.3mi/7km) in the late afternoon for views across the valley.  Or, for a more chilled experience in Kootenay National park, take the short walk to Marble Canyon then head on to the Point Pots – a series of spring-fed pools that run from bright orange to lurid green. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.5% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BYNpHrulgIw/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by World Nomads (@worldnomads)</a> on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2017-08-25T10:19:09+00:00">Aug 25, 2017 at 3:19am PDT</time> </div> </blockquote> <script defer="defer" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> <h2>4. Ski the Slopes of Revelstoke</h2> Here in the Selkirk Mountains, you can do backcountry touring and cat skiing. “Revi”, as the locals call it, receives an incredible 600 inches (1.2m) of powder, annually – which makes it ideal for some off-track <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/best-destinations-for-snowboarders-and-skiiers-in-canada" target="_blank">skiing and boarding</a>. Not quite up to scratch on the boarding skills? Most (if not all) of the mountain resorts in Canada offer snow-shoeing, <g class="gr_ gr_78 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="78" data-gr-id="78">cross country</g> skiing, <g class="gr_ gr_77 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="77" data-gr-id="77">snow-mobiling</g>, ice skating, tubing, sleigh rides, and some even have dog sledding and winter biking available. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.5462962962963% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BPNe0wnA7vg/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by World Nomads (@worldnomads)</a> on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2017-01-13T16:06:38+00:00">Jan 13, 2017 at 8:06am PST</time> </div> </blockquote> <script defer="defer" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> <h2>5. Brave the Cold in the Yukon</h2> Visit the <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/top-experiences-in-whitehorse-and-the-yukon" target="_blank">wild territory of northwest Canada, known as the Yukon</a>, to see the charming gold rush town of Whitehorse, marvel at dinosaur skeletons in the MacBride Museum, or bathe in the soothing waters at Takhini hot springs before a long day on the tundra. If your trip to the Yukon falls between late-August to mid-April, be sure to look up to the skies for the aurora borealis. ###CanadaGuideCallout### <h2>6. Learn About Culture on the Haida Gwaii Archipelago</h2> Off Canada’s northwest coast, the Haida people have lived 12,500 years on the 200 islands of the <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/a-guide-to-exploring-haida-gwaii" target="_blank">Haida Gwaii archipelago</a>. Embrace the Haida belief that all living things are connected by walking among monumental or mortuary poles (never called totems), or attending a community potlatch (a ceremonial feast). These misty islands shelter Haida traditions, plus 6,800 flora and fauna species. Be on the look-out for cycling and hiking trails, see eagles feasting on salmon left behind by fishermen, and take a boat to Gandll K’in Gwaay.yaay (Hotsprings Island) for a dip in a hot springs pool revered for healing. <h2>7. Catch a Wave Off the Coast of Vancouver Island</h2> On the wild west coast of <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/adventure-guide-to-victoria-and-vancouver-island" target="_blank">Vancouver Island</a>, Tofino is where you’ll find artsy vibes, ancient rainforests, and some of Canada’s best waves to surf. Head to Clayoquot Sound to see gray whales and unbelievably cute sea otters. If the conditions are right, hire a surfboard and a thick wetsuit to catch a wave or two on Long Beach – Canada’s most famous surf spot. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.5462962962963% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BS0Xo71l0cb/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by World Nomads (@worldnomads)</a> on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2017-04-13T08:08:25+00:00">Apr 13, 2017 at 1:08am PDT</time> </div> </blockquote> <script defer="defer" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> <h2>8. Icebergs and Out-of-this-world Landscapes in Newfoundland</h2> <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-newfoundland-and-labrador" target="_blank">Newfoundland</a> is the only province where icebergs make a yearly appearance. During the summer and winter months, icebergs can regularly be seen from the coast along “Iceberg Alley”, a stretch of area from the coast of Labrador down to the northeast coast of Newfoundland. If you’re really up for the adventure, make the trip from Labrador city up to Torngat Mountains National Park. It’s only accessible via plane from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, but the landscape is truly out of this world. Here, you’ll also catch the spectacular northern lights. The Inuit have called this place home for thousands of years and also run the base camp, offering the opportunity to learn about their way of life first-hand. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/9KJclZnYjn/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by World Nomads (@worldnomads)</a> on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2015-10-22T23:37:01+00:00">Oct 22, 2015 at 4:37pm PDT</time> </div> </blockquote> <script defer="defer" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> <h2>9. Stuff Yourself Silly with Seafood in Nova Scotia</h2> From remote national parks and quaint fishing villages to whale watching and wild rafting opportunities, once you add in the excellent seafood and super nice people, <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-nova-scotia" target="_blank">Nova Scotia becomes an absolute must for travelers</a>. While it takes two tiny ferries to get to Briar Island, the long journey is well worth it. This is the launch point for whale watching tours that’ll take you to see humpbacks, finbacks, and right whales. Stop at Lavena’s Catch Café in Freeport on the way for an amazing scallop sandwich. <h2>10. See the Tidal Changes at Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick</h2> The uninitiated refer to <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-new-brunswick" target="_blank">New Brunswick</a> as a ‘drive-by’ province, but those in the know come for tasty food, diverse cultures, and all the adventure you can pack into mountains, marshes, and warm salt-water beaches. As you whizz around the Bay of Fundy, make sure you stop twice at Hopewell Rocks – once at low tide to chase sandpipers through the squishy mud flats, and again around 6 hours later to see the world’s highest tides. Want to know more about Canada? Check out our <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/north-america/canada/the-world-nomads-podcast-episode-2-canada">podcast</a>. We discuss when a traveler becomes a snack; the perils of wilderness adventure, a culinary tour of the provinces for foodies, and we speak to World Nomads photography scholarship mentor Richard I'Anson.Pixabay/AlainAudet 0 Pixabay

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/finding-the-northern-lights-in-yellowknife-canadas-northwest-territoriesSee the Northern Lights and more with these tips on things to do in Yellowknife and road tripping in the Northwest Territories.2017-10-26T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/finding-the-northern-lights-in-yellowknife-canadas-northwest-territorieshttps://www.worldnomads.comWith long winter nights, dry crisp air, and close proximity to the magnetic north pole, <a href="/explore/guides/canada-insiders-guide">Canada’s Northwest Territories</a> are one of the best places in the world to witness the northern lights. Making up Canada’s second-largest Province, the Northwest Territories start above the 60th parallel. To give you a sense of perspective, part of the territory lies inside the Arctic Circle. <ul> <li><a href="#northwest-territories"> How to get to Canada’s Northwest Territories </a></li> <li><a href="#road-trip"> Tips for road-tripping to Yellowknife </a></li> <li><a href="#yellowknife"> Best things to do in Yellowknife </a></li> <li><a href="#aurora"> Chasing the aurora Around Yellowknife </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="northwest-territories">How to get to Canada’s Northwest Territories</h2> The capital city of the Northwest Territories is Yellowknife and, for a place that only has a population of just under 20,000 people, there’s a lot to see and do here, making it a perfect winter destination. But first, you need to decide on how you’re going to get there. No matter where you start your Canadian adventure from, it’s a long way to Yellowknife. A couple of days driving – at the very least – and to be truthful, although there are lots of activities in and around the city, the drive up north is uneventful in terms of attractions. Yellowknife has a domestic airport, so catching a flight might be more worth your while. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/northwest-territories-canada-marta-kulesza.jpg" alt="Welcome sign outside the city of Yellowknife, located above the 60th Parallel." /> <figcaption> Yellowknife is above the 60th Parallel, a circle of latitude in the Northern Hemisphere – 60 degrees north of the earth’s equatorial plane. Photo credit: Marta Kulesza </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="road-trip">Tips for road-tripping to Yellowknife</h2> If you do <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/snow-safety-tips">decide to drive</a>, make sure your vehicle is equipped with winter tires. Keep your eyes out for herds of <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/canadas-best-destinations-for-wildlife-encounters">bison or caribou</a> on the side or in the middle of the road. Plus, it’s a good idea to make sure both your headlights are working before you set off. Don’t leave without extra supplies of food and water, emergency blankets, and a decent car battery. You don’t want to be stranded anywhere for too long in the fickle temperatures (often reaching -40°), because it might be a while before you see another car driving by.   <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/northern-lights-yellowknife-and-human-marta-kulesza.jpg" alt="The Northern Lights dancing above the Northwest Territories in Canada." /> <figcaption> Seeing the Northern Lights dance above the Northwest Territories is pretty rewarding if you do choose to take the lengthy drive. Photo credit: Marta Kulesza </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="yellowknife">Best things to do in Yellowknife</h2> Consider spending at least three days in Yellowknife to maximize your <a href="/create/learn/photography/a-pro-photographers-guide-to-photographing-the-northern-lights" target="_blank">chances of seeing the northern lights</a>. Thanks to its close proximity to the Arctic Circle, they are out on most nights. You don’t need a big aurora storm for the greens, pinks and red hues to be visible, just cloudless skies! I spent three nights in Yellowknife and saw the aurora every single time I ventured out at night. Apart from the chance of seeing aurora borealis, Yellowknife is known as the adventure capital of the north, providing a multitude of attractions from snowmobiling and kite skiing to dog sledding and the world-famous ice castle. The ice castle in Yellowknife is erected every year for the Snowking’s Winter Festival in March. Everything is made out of ice: ice bars, ice dancefloors, ice slides, ice sculptures, and even an ironic ice fireplace. A fun place for people of every age. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/yellowknife-canada-marta-kulesza.jpg" alt="A traveler rides down an ice slide at the Ice Castle in Yellowknife, Canada." /> <figcaption> Sliding around Yellowknife’s Ice Castle. Photo credit: Marta Kulesza </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="aurora">Chasing the aurora around Yellowknife</h2> The northern lights are visible from Yellowknife, but for the best experience, it’s a good idea to venture further north, away from the city lights. To get there, you’ll drive on top of a frozen lake. The lakes around Yellowknife freeze a few meters thick in the extremely low temperatures, and for the duration of winter ice roads are constructed and speed limit signs are erected, shortening travel time for many locals who live on the shorelines. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/ice-road-yellowknife-canada-istock.jpg" alt="A woman walks on an ice road acoss a frozen lake in the Northwest Territories, Canada." /> <figcaption> Would you dare drive across this frozen lake in Yellowknife? Photo credit: iStock </figcaption></figure> The earliest open in December and remain in use until April, which is perfect, because this time of the year is also best for aurora viewings. The nights are long and the air is dry, so you don’t have to worry about cloud coverage.  If seeing the northern lights is high up on your bucket list, then a visit to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories of Canada during the winter will almost guarantee memories that will last a lifetime.Marta Kulesza 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/canadas-best-destinations-for-wildlife-encountersCanada is one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations, where close encounters lie just around the corner. Here are some of the best places to see a variety of species.2021-08-12T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/canadas-best-destinations-for-wildlife-encountershttps://www.worldnomads.comWhere should you go to see moose in Canada? How about bears or bald eagles? Here are some of Canada's best spots for wildlife spotting. <ul> <li><a href="#vancouver-island"> Vancouver Island </a></li> <li><a href="#british-columbia"> Mainland British Columbia </a></li> <li><a href="#alberta"> Alberta </a></li> <li><a href="#manitoba"> Manitoba </a></li> <li><a href="#ontario"> Ontario </a></li> <li><a href="#quebec"> Maritime Quebec </a></li> <li><a href="#fundy"> Bay of Fundy </a></li> <li><a href="#newfoundland"> Newfoundland </a></li> <li><a href="#safety"> Wildlife Safety</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="vancouver-island">Vancouver Island: whales, bears & snorkeling with salmon</h2> Between <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/adventure-guide-to-victoria-and-vancouver-island" target="_blank">Vancouver Island</a> and mainland British Columbia lies the Johnstone Strait, renowned for its whales, including orcas, humpbacks, and minkes. Day-trips and excursions to see the whales operate from several island communities. The Salish Sea, where Canada meets Washington state, is another great spot for orcas, with whale watching trips out of Victoria. Campbell River is a jumping-off point for grizzly bear viewing in late summer/early fall. From mid-July through September there’s also the exhilarating opportunity to snorkel with thousands of salmon. On the west coast, Tofino is a popular base for viewing whales, sea otters, sea lions, black bears, and more. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/grey-whale-british-columbia-istock.jpg" /> <figcaption> Grey whale off the coast of Tofino, British Columbia. Photo credit: iStock </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="british-columbia">Mainland British Columbia: eagles & spirit bears</h2> <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/exploring-british-columbia-beyond-the-well-known-destinations" target="_blank">Squamish, north of Vancouver</a>, attracts one of the world’s largest concentrations of bald eagles each winter. Float trips on the Cheakamus and Squamish Rivers are the best way to see them. The remote Great Bear Rainforest offers a chance of sighting a spirit bear, a subspecies of black bear with a recessive gene that makes its fur cream-colored. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/spirit-bear-british-columbia-istock.jpg" alt="A spirit bear watches for fish in a British Columbia river." /> <figcaption> A spirit bear watches for fish in the river. Photo credit: iStock </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="alberta">Alberta: bison, wolves & beavers</h2> In the <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/the-ultimate-guide-to-exploring-the-canadian-rockies" target="_blank">Canadian Rockies</a>, Banff and Jasper National Parks provide plentiful opportunities to spot bears, moose, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and other wildlife. Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Alberta is a huge wilderness famous for its 5,000 free-roaming wood bison. It’s also home to wolves, beavers, sandhill and whooping cranes, and much more. A smaller, translocated bison herd can be seen at the more accessible Elk Island National Park, east of Edmonton. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/bison-elk-national-park-istock.jpg" alt="A bison in Elk National Park, Alberta." /> <figcaption> A bison in Elk National Park. Photo credit: iStock </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="manitoba">Manitoba: polar bears in Churchill</h2> <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/polar-bear-encounters-churchill-manitoba" target="_blank">Churchill is famous for its polar bears</a>, which gather along the Hudson Bay shoreline each autumn. Another reason to visit is to see thousands of beluga whales that throng the Churchill River estuary every summer. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/beluga-whales-hudson-bay-istock.jpg" alt="Beluga whales frolicking in Hudson Bay at sunset." /> <figcaption> Beluga whales frolicking in Hudson Bay at sunset. Photo credit: iStock </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="ontario">Ontario: moose on the loose</h2> <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/ontarios-best-national-parks-and-outdoor-adventure-activities" target="_blank">Algonquin Provincial Park</a> is one of Canada’s best places to see moose, particularly in spring along the Highway 60 corridor. A few other wildlife encounters you might experience include wolves, black bear, deer, beavers, and 272 species of birds including seasonal migrants. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/moose-algonquin-provincial-park-istock.jpg" alt="A moose in the water, Algonquin Provincial Park." /> <figcaption> A moose in the water, Algonquin Provincial Park. Photo credit: iStock </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="quebec">Maritime Quebec: beluga whales & gannets</h2> Wide and deep, the <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/day-trips-and-outdoor-adventures-in-quebec-province" target="_blank">St. Lawrence River near Tadoussac</a> boasts as many as 13 whale species between May and October, including a large population of belugas as well as humpbacks and blue whales. Off the Gaspé Peninsula, Bonaventure Island has one of the world’s largest colonies of northern gannets. Boat tours with time ashore operate from Percé. In the peninsula’s interior, the heavily forested Chic-Chocs Mountains offer good chances to see moose. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/northern-gannett-birds-quebec-istock.jpg" alt="Northern gannets covering a cliff-side on Bonaventure Island." /> <figcaption> Northern gannets covering a cliff-side on Bonaventure Island. Photo credit: iStock </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="fundy">Bay of Fundy: whales & puffins</h2> Between <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-new-brunswick" target="_blank">New Brunswick</a> and <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-nova-scotia" target="_blank">Nova Scotia</a>, the Bay of Fundy is famous for the world’s highest tides. Up to 12 whale species frequent the area, with humpback, fin, and minke whales the most common. The bay is also a great birdwatching destination, with more than 260 species including puffins, eagles, and sandpipers. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/puffin-bay-of-fundy-istock.jpg" alt="A puffin in the Bay of Fundy." /> <figcaption> A puffin in the Bay of Fundy. Photo credit: iStock </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="newfoundland">Newfoundland: more whales & moose</h2> <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-newfoundland-and-labrador" target="_blank">Newfoundland’s</a> rich waters attract 22 species of whale including large numbers of humpbacks, along with minke, sperm, blue, orca, and pothead whales. Seabirds number in the millions, and include North America’s largest population of Atlantic puffins. Gros Morne National Park has a dense population of moose, frequently seen along roadsides. <h2 id="safety">Wildlife safety</h2> No matter where you choose to explore Canada's amazing wildlife, always take care to maintain a safe distance and avoid acting in any way that might disturb the animals or cause them to modify their natural behavior. Remember that wildlife is just that – wild – and do your best to ensure that it remains so long after your visit is over. iStock/wwing 0668063768 iStock Pair of bull elk in mountain grassland Banff

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/canada/adventure-guide-to-victoria-and-vancouver-islandSee the best of Vancouver Island, from artsy vibes in Tofino on the wild-west coast to cycling around one of the oldest cities in British Columbia.2026-04-17T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/canada/adventure-guide-to-victoria-and-vancouver-islandhttps://www.worldnomads.comA trip to <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/exploring-british-columbia-beyond-the-well-known-destinations" target="_blank">British Columbia</a> wouldn’t be complete without visiting Victoria (the provincial capital) and Vancouver Island. Intrepid adventurers will be rewarded with views of unspoiled scenery, chats with quirky locals, and maybe even a <a href="/explore/north-america/canada/canadas-best-destinations-for-wildlife-encounters" target="_blank">rendezvous with a wild bear</a>. <ul> <li><a href="#victoria"> Highlights of Victoria </a></li> <li><a href="#camping"> Camping on Vancouver Island </a></li> <li><a href="#trails"> Mountain Biking and Hiking Trails </a></li> <li><a href="#tofino"> Why You've Got to Visit Tofino </a></li> <li><a href="#ferries"> Exploring Smaller Islands by Ferry </a></li> <li><a href="#transport"> Getting There </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="victoria">Highlights of Victoria</h2> Known as the “Garden City”, Victoria is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The best way to explore the quaint CBD and leafy suburbs is by bicycle, stopping at historic landmarks like the <a href="http://www.fairmont.com/empress-victoria/" target="_blank">Fairmont Empress Hotel</a> (try their high tea), Parliament Buildings and famous Canadian artist/writer <a href="https://www.emilycarr.com/" target="_blank">Emily Carr House</a>. You can get up close and personal with wild seals that frequent the docks of Oak Bay Marina, an easy pedal from the city via historic neighborhoods, then stop for a rest and a wander at Beacon Hill Park on your way back. Garden lovers can’t leave without visiting Butchart Gardens, the Island’s most visited attraction, which is just a short drive from the city. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/buchart-gardens-vancouver-island-istock.jpg" /> <figcaption> Butchart Gardens, Victoria. Photo credit: iStock </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="camping">Camping on Vancouver Island</h2> The Island has a wide range of camping and hiking options, ranging from simple drive-in style overnight campgrounds with facilities to multi-day hikes. Depending on your experience, what gear you have, and time of year, you’ll be able to find an option suitable for you. Beginner campers will love the tidal beaches, day hikes, and wild river swimming options in Parksville, on the east coast near Nanaimo. Provincial campgrounds need to be reserved ahead to guarantee a site. ###CanadaGuideCallout### <h2 id="trails">Mountain Biking and Hiking Trails</h2> Mountain biking trails are literally everywhere, just grab a trail map from a local parks office or bike shop to find the best trail for your level of experience. The famous <a href="https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/activ/sco-wct" target="_blank">West Coast Trail</a> will captivate hardcore hikers and campers. Open from May–September, it takes 6-8 days and passes through rugged, wild terrain including raging rivers, serene lakes, ancient rainforests and deserted, mystical beaches littered with driftwood. <h3>Preparation for the Wilderness</h3> Camping in British Columbia is fantastic; it can also be dangerous for the <g class="gr_ gr_74 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="74" data-gr-id="74">ill prepared</g>. Make sure to consult with local outfitters and Park Rangers regarding safety in regards to weather, wildlife and having the right gear – also remember to leave no trace, bringing out what you take in and respect the natural habitat. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/mount-washington-vancouver-island-istock.jpg" /> <figcaption> Sunrise from Mount Washington, Vancouver Island. Photo credit: iStock </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="tofino">Why You've Got to Visit Tofino</h2> If <g class="gr_ gr_73 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="73" data-gr-id="73">laid back</g> artsy vibes, ancient rainforests, surfing, and one of Canada’s top restaurants sounds like your kind of thing, then head to Tofino, on the wild west coast of the Island. Take your pick between camping, motels, and luxury lodges. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in Island culture in this gorgeous little town on the tip of a peninsula marking the entrance to Clayoquot Sound, which teems with marine life like gray whales and unbelievably cute sea otters.  If the conditions are right, hire a surfboard and a thick wetsuit to catch a wave or two on Long Beach – Canada’s most famous surf spot. After a hard day exploring the sea and forest, pop into a tavern for a yarn with local fishermen who’ll be sure to keep the conversation interesting for a pint or two of craft ale. Make sure to reserve a table at <a href="http://www.wolfinthefog.com/" target="_blank">Wolf in the Fog</a>, which serves up delicious, locally sourced, rustic plates – with sea views. Any trip to the Island, whether a few days or a few weeks, will leave you wanting more. Each season brings different landscapes, wildlife <g class="gr_ gr_92 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="92" data-gr-id="92">and</g> local produce. Visit once, and I guarantee you’ll be back. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/canada/sunset-surf-tofino-istock.jpg" /> <figcaption> The surf is always up in Tofino. Photo credit: iStock </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="ferries">Exploring Smaller Islands by Ferry</h2> Consider exploring smaller islands accessed by the BC Ferries network between the Island and the mainland. Salt Spring Island and Bowen Island are popular choices with a range of accommodation and activities like foraging, hiking, whale watching, fishing, and visiting sustainable farms. Pull up a window seat or space on the top deck if the sun is out and keep a keen eye for pods of orca whales as they are often seen in the area. <h2 id="transport">Getting There</h2> It’s not often that transport can be the star of the journey – getting to “the Island” as BC locals affectionately call it – is definitely part of the fun! Ferry: <a href="http://www.bcferries.com/" target="_blank">BC Ferries</a> run multiple daily services from Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen, both accessible by bus from downtown Vancouver. Hiring a car in Vancouver and driving over would be the best option so you have transport covered to get around. Seaplane: My personal favorite – <a href="https://www.harbourair.com/" target="_blank">catching a seaplane</a> from downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo or Victoria, you’ll soar past Lion’s Gate Bridge taking in spectacular views of the city and mountains. Whales are even easier to spot from above! Check the <a href="https://www.harbourair.com/" target="_blank">Harbor Air website</a> for schedules and fares. iStock/Anakin Fox 0825442638 iStock Camping in the rainforest with hammock and campfire