Travelling to Canada is not always very high on many people’s bucket lists. Heck, I’m from this beautiful country and travelling around isn’t high on my bucket list. That’s mostly due to the fact that I have a strict goal of reaching 30 countries before I’m 30 though (I’m halfway there with 3.5 years left!). I really should change my mindset a little though because Canada is an absolutely breathtaking country in its own right. While I’ve only ever travelled East, I have heard many, many things about the Western part of the country and can only imagine its beauty.
Many travellers also think that Canada is just like the United States. Wrong. While we do share quite a number of similarities, there are almost just as many differences. It’s these differences that make us one of the best countries in the world to live (sorry guys!). We are incredibly multicultural, polite (no that’s not just a myth), funny and a good number of us really do love the outdoors. While most Canadians never actually say they’re Canadian when asked “where are you from” (queue 5 generations back Italian), we do have a great culture and I am always proud to call myself Canadian at home and abroad. Seriously though this isn’t a sappy post about how much I love my country … (but I do).
If you’ve never travelled to Canada, there are a few things that make us a bit different. We embrace tourists and in most cases encourage them to come and explore. Honestly, with the amount of people I’ve helped to convince visit Canada I feel as though I should be getting some sort of commission for it – eh Canadian Tourism? Either way, I put together a list quite a few months ago (it was my second post ever actually) that I’ve decided to update. The list are pointers and things of note for those travelling to Canada for the first time. My hope is that this helps at least one traveller to Canada assimilate themselves even just a bit more into our culture when coming to visit.
You cannot travel the entire country in ten days
There are so many countries in the world that are very easy to do in ten days. Heck, that’s what I’ve based this blog upon. But unlike Croatia, Ireland, Belgium or Indonesia, Canada is quite literally impossible to see in ten days. Sure, if you wanted to you could drive from Price Edward Island to British Columbia in that time but you would really only get to see the inside of a hotel at night. Think about it, Canada is over 9000km long. Even from PEI to Vancouver that’s 6032km. Yea I know, you probably weren’t expecting that.
Not only that, flying within Canada is quite expensive. There are really only three major airlines that exist and are running in the country at the minute. Only one of those airlines travels from coast to coast. You can only imagine the flight prices. In fact, that’s a large reason why I haven’t seen more of this country. It’s actually cheaper for me to fly to Europe 9 times out of 10 than it is to fly to Vancouver, Calgary, Prince Edward Island or Regina. So when you are starting to plan travelling to Canada take a look at a map and figure out where you really want to see. Is it the rockies? Whistler and Vancouver? the East Coast? Toronto and Ottawa? You get the picture.
Prepare for the taxes
This is one thing that Ben found really hard to get used to; knowing how much something was going to cost after the taxes had gone through. The taxes also vary per province, so what you are charged in Calgary for taxes, you will be charged another figure in Toronto. Stupidly we only list prices in stores before tax as well, so you either get really good at estimating a 13% markup or cross your fingers.
Knowing how to tip when travelling to Canada
Similar to taxes, knowing how much to tip and when can make the difference of you being able to afford a meal or not.
Where to tip: All restaurants (except fast food), bars (it’s standard to leave a loonie or toonie for a bartender and mean the difference of you being served again), cabs and salons.
How to tip: Generally speaking 15% is the standard across the board. It’s crappy 15% is usually a tip for ‘okay’ service. Obviously you can go up from there. When dining as a group (6 or more) the tip will be automatically added to your restaurant bar so make sure to keep an eye out for that.
Now you know how your restaurant bill can go from $20 one minute to $25-30 the next, and that number only jumps more the more you are spending!
Visit a city but don’t spend your whole time there
While Canadian cities have a lot of different things to offer travellers, getting outside of the city is one of the best things you can do. There is so much to explore outside of the concrete jungle. Getting even two hours outside of the city you’ll find yourself in cottage country, the outdoor lovers paradise. Take Douro-Dummer or Stoney Lake for example.
If you’re looking for a more luxurious trip out of the city, visit Muskoka. Muskoka is known for being the Hamptons of Toronto. The cottages are worth more than most homes and in many cases, even more luxurious. It’s a great spot to spend a weekend relaxing, partying or enjoying the outdoors.
This all goes similarly to any province you decide to visit. No trip to Calgary would be complete without a stop in Banff, you can’t visit Vancouver without seeing Whistler or Kelowna, if you’re heading to Ottawa check out Gatineau and if you find yourself in Montreal or Quebec City – make sure to trek to Tremblant.
Know your curfew
Canada loves a curfew. This is especially true with anything involving alcohol. In Ontario you can only get alcohol from three designated places; the LCBO, the Beer Store or the Wine Rack. All of these close by at least 11, and that’s if you’re lucky. If there’s a holiday weekend good luck standing in line for hours. Knowing this will save you from a lot of frustratingly sober nights!
Bars also stop serving alcohol at 2am. Because of that, majority of bars kick you out at 3am, or at absolute latest 4am (but those are rare cases). Now this obviously doesn’t stop everyone from drinking it just means you have to go back to someones house. Let me tell you one thing; you won’t have to try hard to find an after party that’s for sure.
Cure your hangover with a Caesar
Speaking of drinking, there is nothing in this world better for the morning after a night out than a Canadian Caesar. Not to be confused or even compared to a Bloody Mary, the Caesar is a work of art. It’s almost become a sort of competition on how extravagant a Caesar can get. I’m not joking when I say some come with lobster tails, sliders, slabs of meat or more vegetables than you can count. At the very least you’ll get a celery stalk.
Now I don’t expect you to go out and try a Caesar and immediately fall in love. It’s a bit of an acquired taste. When Ben first moved to Canada he couldn’t stand the drink but now almost two years later he’ll have one almost every time we go out. They are the perfect drink for brunches or right after work. I wouldn’t recommend drinking them all night, they are pretty filling.
What makes them so special? Clam juice. Seriously.
It really does get as cold as they say
No we don’t all live in igloos but it does get seriously cold. The first time Ben visited was over Christmas and I don’t think he could fathom what -40*C even felt like. Which would probably explain him rolling up in a vest. If you do plan on visiting in the winter (there really are a lot of really great things to do) make sure you dress warm. If it’s anywhere below -10 and you aren’t used to the cold, cover your skin. Frostbite is a real thing and can happen very easily if you don’t dress properly. I have lived here my whole life and have gotten frostbite a few times, it’s really not fun.
It also gets really hot
Don’t be fooled by the cold winters. It still gets damn hot here in the summers especially in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. Honestly, all my old university class mates can attest to how miserable Ottawa can be in the summer, especially because the majority of the rental homes don’t have air conditioning. The best way to beat the heat with Canadians is of course to head to the mountains or cottage country. Toronto also has some pretty great beaches nearby so you’ll definitely want to check those out!
.. And yes, we are pretty polite
Stereotypes usually exist for a reason. This one isn’t that far off either. Generally speaking Canadians are pretty polite and very welcoming people. Like I’ve said before, we love tourists and immigrants (heck I’m marrying one!). We welcome everyone into our beautiful country but don’t take our hospitality for stupidity. A simple please, thank you and sorry go quite a long way up here in the North. Hold the door open for the person behind you or say please to your waiter when ordering food, it really will go a long way!
Are you travelling to Canada soon? Where are you looking to go?
