Pettitts Travel

Inspiring • Authentic • Tailor-Made

Inspiring • Authentic • Tailor-Made

Pettitts Travel UK 01892515966

Canada Holidays

Canada is the second largest country in the world and impressive in its size, diversity and beauty. A country of contrasts, western Canada is centred on charismatic Vancouver which is the main gateway to the region. From here explore the wilds of Vancouver Island and go bear viewing or head east through spectacular national parks and the dramatic scenery of the Canadian Rockies to Calgary in Alberta. Further north, the remote landscapes of the Yukon support a wide range of animal and bird life and possess a proud First Nation heritage. 

Eastern Canada is the location of the nation’s capital and the cities here have delightful historic centres. Parts of this region, particularly Quebec City and Montreal, are also bastions of French-Canadian culture and there is a definite Gallic feel. Admire the thundering Niagara Falls that straddle the US and Canadian international border or time your visit to coincide with fall when the region’s maple forests turn crimson. Untamed and rugged, the rocky shoreline of the Atlantic Coast protects pretty coastal communities and produces some of the best seafood in the country.

Popular Tailor-Made Itineraries

Self-Drive: Crossing the Rockies from Vancouver to Calgary

14 days from
£1950 pp

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Rocky Mountaineer Road and Rail Adventure

10 days from
£3000 pp

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Great Cities of Eastern Canada by Rail

11 days from
£2000 pp

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Self-Drive: Crossing the Rockies from Vancouver to Calgary

14 days from
£1950 pp

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Rocky Mountaineer Road and Rail Adventure

10 days from
£3000 pp

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Great Cities of Eastern Canada by Rail

11 days from
£2000 pp

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View All Canada Itinerary Suggestions

Your Holiday To Canada

Your Holiday in Canada

Due to Canada’s size and diversity, you can visit several times and still gain a different perspective and experience with every visit. Whether your first or third time to Canada, Pettitts Travel will assist you in creating the perfect holiday tailored to suit your exact requirements. Whilst we offer rail, cruise and twin-centre holidays to Canada, our most popular style of travel is self-drive. Hiring a car is a great way of seeing Canada independently as you can comfortably cover long distances and it also allows you to get off-the-beaten track. Our Canadian self-drive holidays typically include all accommodation, international flights, car hire and some sightseeing. By booking with Pettitts Travel you will be provided with round the clock support and assistance.

Although all our arrangements are tailor-made, many clients find inspiration from the itineraries on our website and adapt them to fit their requirements. If you are looking for a self-drive holiday in Western Canada, our Crossing the Rockies trip is perfect for exploring the region’s dramatic scenery, alternatively the West Coast Canada Wildlife Adventure is a great option for wildlife lovers. For those wishing to visit the East Coast, discover the picturesque Atlantic Coast, the diverse province of Quebec or less-visited Ontario. Canada is also a great destination for a twin-centre holiday; Toronto and Niagara or Vancouver and Whistler are amongst our most popular. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, explore the Rockies from a different perspective abord the Rocky Mountaineer – one of the world’s most luxurious trains.

Places to visit in Canada

In Canada the cities are vibrant and culturally diverse, a country that offers ethical animal viewing experiences and has some of the most magnificent landscapes and natural wonders in the world. The Yukon is full of gold-rush heritage, British Columbia and Alberta share the mighty Canadian Rockies and vast national parks that offer some of the country’s most striking scenery. Observe Polar Bears in Churchill or Grizzly Bears in BC and explore the colonial charm and UNESCO World Heritage Sites found in Quebec and Ontario’s delightful cities. A trip to Canada wouldn't be completes without experiencing the sheer force of the thundering Niagara Falls or why not cycle to lighthouses, savour fresh seafood and spot whales off Atlantic Canada’s rugged shores.

MAP OF CANADA

When to Visit canada

For those wishing to enjoy Canada's beautiful great outdoors, the ideal months to travel are from May through to September. The warmest months tend to be July and August and this is also the most popular time for visitors with it being the main tourist season. By visiting Canada during spring or autumn, you will experience slightly cooler temperatures, and the occasional shower, but they are equally good times to visit the majority of the country – especially British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Skiing in Canada is a popular choice for a winter holiday, however unless visiting for winter sports, the period from the middle of November to the end of February sees very low, sometimes sub-zero, temperatures notably in the north of the country, the Maritime Provinces and other remote regions. In general, British Columbia and the west remain milder than much of Canada but conversely the risk of rainfall is higher, particular from late autumn to early spring.

JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Best Times
Good Times
This is a general overview suggesting when to travel in the country. Please note that this may not directly apply to any specific itinerary or region.

Essential Information

flag of Canada Capital: Ottawa

Main Language: English / French

Time Zone: GMT -3.5 / GMT -8

Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Explore Canada

 British Columbia
Alberta
Canadian Rockies
Atlantic Coast
Ontario
Quebec
Yukon
Canada Train Journeys
Canada Self-Drive Holidays
WILDLIFE IN CANADA

WILDLIFE IN CANADA

With over 151,000 miles of coastline, 47 national parks and numerous lakes and reserves, Canada is a spectacular place to see wildlife. From bears and moose to whales and bison, the possibilities for an animal-related adventure are abundant and wildlife viewing is often an integral part of a Canadian holiday. One of our favourite experiences is seeing polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba – take a tundra vehicle tour over the snowy and icy terrain and follow the bears as they gather along the shores of Hudson Bay. The Great Bear Rainforest is another must-see which is home to glacial fjords, ancient cedars and a host of wildlife including the grizzly bear, black bear, cougars, wolves and the elusive ‘spirit bear’. Both coasts also offer excellent whale watching – spot killer whales during a boat trip off the northern tip of Vancouver Island or see beluga, humpback, and giant blue whales in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in Quebec.

NATIONAL PARKS OF CANADA

Gloriously wild and incredibly diverse, Canada borders three oceans and encompasses everything from snow-capped mountains and Arctic tundra to temperate rainforest and rolling grasslands. It’s no wonder that from coast to coast Canada boasts 48 national parks that showcase its unique geographical areas and sites of historic and cultural significance. Founded in 1885, Banff in Alberta was Canada’s first national park. Here the mountains tower over the bright turquoise lakes and evergreen forests that house the endless opportunities for hiking, boating, climbing, canoeing, and wildlife-watching. Alberta is also home to Canada’s largest and wildest park, Jasper. The park is one of the greatly protected ecosystems in the Rocky Mountains, and prides itself in homing a laid-back town that’s nestled amidst majestic peaks and the glacier-fed lake. Other notable Canadian national parks include Gros Morne in Newfoundland and Labrador, Mont-Tremblant in Quebec, Yoho and the Pacific Rim Reserve – both in British Columbia and Cape Breton Highlands in Nova Scotia.

NATIONAL PARKS OF CANADA

 

Canada Holiday Review

We had a wonderful trip and the two night stays at hotels in the Rockies were essential as the driving takes quite a while between the different hotels. The weather was great and the scenery stunning plus the family 100th birthday was a great success in Calgary before we flew home. I can definitely recommend the route and the hotels which were all excellent.

Thanks very much for arranging the trip, we would definitely recommend Pettitts Travel to anyone seeking help with a trip.

MDL - Canada - August 2023

Accommodation in Canada

There is a vast range of accommodation on offer in Canada. In cities and large towns there are a variety of hotels that will cover every budget and requirement. In more rural areas such as national parks or the Rocky Mountains, accommodation options may be limited to rustic cabins, luxurious lodges or specialist wildlife observing centres. Bed and breakfasts in Canada provide a homely option or, if you want to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy a true wildlife holiday, there are endless campsite options for your tent or campervan – all of which provide excellent facilities.

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9 Incredible Places to See Wildlife in Canada

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A Guide to the Best Cities in Canada

COMMON CANADA TRAVEL QUESTIONS

A1 - The ideal months to visit Canada are from May through to September – especially those wishing to enjoy the country’s great outdoors. July and August are the warmest months; however they are the peak of the tourist season so can be busy and expensive. The spring and autumnal months are a great time to visit with milder temperatures and smaller crowds. December – April travel are the best months for enjoying winter sports and skiing, with some resorts opening as early as November or ending the season in June, depending on the snowfall.
A2 - Travellers with a full ‘British Citizen’ passport do not usually need a visa to enter Canada for short periods or single visits, however you will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) if you are travelling into Canada by air. Please make sure your passport is in order. It should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned return date and must also have at least 2 blank pages.
A3 - We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are adequately insured when travelling to Canada. This will help to provide financial protection against unforeseen circumstances and you should ensure that you are fully covered against unexpected cancellation charges, medical expenses including pre-existing medical conditions, loss of luggage or money, and personal liability claims.
A4 - Direct flights from the UK take between 7 and 11 hours depending on the destination; for example, a flight from the UK to Toronto take around 7 hours and 45 minutes, whereas a flight to Vancouver will be nearly 10 hours. There are also several indirect flights with stops en-route that link the UK to regional Canadian airports.
A5 - With over 151,000 miles of coastline, 47 national parks and numerous lakes and reserves, Canada is a spectacular place to see wildlife. Most provinces have excellent wildlife viewing, but some of our favourite opportunities include polar bear viewing in Churchill, Manitoba; whale watching off the coast of Vancouver Island; seeing various species of bear in the Great Bear Rainforest; and spotting wild moose roaming through Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario.
A6 - Similar to the States, Canada has a strong tipping culture due to low wages in the service industry; the correct etiquette is to leave a gratuity and the amount you tip will signify to the person serving you how good you thought the service was. 15% is often the expected ‘standard’ tip and a good starting point especially when in restaurants and taxis. Hotel bellhops, doormen and bartenders typically are tipped around $2 for each bag/drink.
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