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Canada Snapshot

Canada's vast land mass makes for varying climate conditions, but generally, Canada gets quite cold - sometimes extremely! December - February are the coldest months and can make travelling difficult at times, although the snow is brilliant for snow-sports enthusiasts.

June, July and August are the warmest months, and are perfect for summer outdoor activities like rafting, hiking, camping and canoeing. Due to the warmer temperatures, tourist spots and other popular places will be busier than other months. The months of May and September, while not typically as warm as the summer months, still offer great conditions for travelling and sightseeing, minus the crowds.
  • Banff weather chart
  • Vancouver weather chart
  • Winnipeg weather chart

Eating and Drinking in Canada

  • Poutine: French fries topped with a gloriously messy mix of gravy and cheese curds may not be for everyone, but Poutine is a true Canadian classic… and the perfect hangover cure!
  • Seafood: If visiting the West Coast, Vancouver is known for having one of the best restaurant scenes in the world, and seafood is almost always on the menu. Feast on a fresh seafood banquet, try some inventive fusion-cuisine or grab some sushi for a quick bite.
  • Boutique Beer: Over the last few years, microbreweries have been popping up all over Canada. Whether you visit a microbrewery that brews chocolate-flavoured beer or eat at a restaurant that has a local beer menu, a Canadian boutique beer is worth trying.
  • Maple Syrup: It comes as no surprise that maple syrup is popular in Canada! So be sure to dose up your pancakes with loads of the stuff… and include a side of bacon too, as the locals do.
  • Maple syrup and pancakes

Intrepid believes that one of the best ways to experience a country is by eating! Whether you're sampling street food, savouring a cheap eat or indulging in a banquet, there are endless options to choose from wherever you are in the world.

Shopping in Canada

  • China town in Vancouver

Canada may be home to one of the world's largest malls but the shopping experience certainly doesn't end there. The diversity of Canada's population is reflected in the eclectic mix of boutique stores stocking unique artisan wares, modern art, eco fashion and pop culture objects.

Major cities like Vancouver have an abundance of interesting boutiques and galleries stocking literature, bespoke items and vintage posters while smaller towns are great for locally-produced gourmet food, wine and quirky kitsch souvenirs. The China Town areas of major Canadian cities offer a great shopping experience and are generally excellent for top-value market-buys, cheap eats and interesting sights. Choose to snap up bargains and major labels from chain stores and malls, but head for independent shopping strips, boutique shops and markets to find unique treasures and support local artists and creators.

It's also a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand generally have strict quarantine laws.

Accommodation

Travelling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavour to provide travellers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible.

When travelling with us in Canada you may find yourself staying in a:
Campsites

  • Campsites

  • Have the ultimate outdoors experience by camping out under the stars with friends in the beautiful Canadian wilderness.

  • Hostel

  • A rite of passage for travellers, a hostel stay is a great way to make new friends, have a few laughs and sleep in bunk beds just like when you were a kid.

Transport

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun.

Depending on which trip you're on while in Canada, you may find yourself travelling by:
Cycling

  • Bicycle

  • One of the best ways to see a place and get fit at the same time, cycling allows you the freedom to set your own pace and go where big tour buses often can't.

  • Ferry

  • Find your sea legs and enjoy a mode of transport that offers scenic views and a dose of fresh air. A ferry ride in Canada is a fun way to get acquainted with the coast.

Shortlist

No trips.

Canada at a glance

  • 19
  • Ottawa (population 808,000)
  • 34 million
  • English, French
  • CAD
  • (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
  • Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin), Type B (American 3-pin)
  • +1

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