The following itineraries span the entire length of this incredibly diverse country, from the historic cities of the east, to the plains and jaw-dropping mountains of the west and the Arctic wilderness of the north. Given the vast distances involved, you won’t be able to cover everything, but even picking a few highlights will give you a deeper insight into Canada’s natural and historic wonders.
Classic Canada
Best of the Maritimes
The Great North
This three-week tour gives a taster of Canada’s main highlights from coast to coast, travelling by train, bus and plane.
1 Québec City
Savour the baguettes, cobbled streets, café au lait and rich French heritage of Canada’s oldest settlement.
2 Montréal
Head south to this hip and cosmopolitan city to enjoy the street artists, museums, smoked meats, bagels and North America’s largest jazz festival.
3 Ottawa
The Canadian capital is worth a day or two for its outstanding museums and galleries, with a side trip to the distinctive geography of Gatineau Park.
4 Toronto
Canada’s biggest city and commercial capital is best known for the cloud-scraping CN Tower, art from the Group of Seven and pumping nightlife.
5 Niagara Falls
Canada’s major show-stopper is just a short ride from Toronto.
6 Take the train to Jasper
Fly from Toronto to Edmonton and take the VIA Rail service to Jasper, home to gorgeous Maligne Lake and Canada’s highest cable car.
7 The Icefields Parkway
Spend a few days immersed in the grandeur of the Rockies on the road to Banff, via the Columbia Icefield and Lake Louise.
8 Banff
The capital of the Canadian Rockies is surrounded by mesmerizing scenery, mountain trails and soothing hot springs.
9 Vancouver
After stops in Yoho and Revelstoke national parks, end your trip at the Pacific Ocean with a scenic stay at Canada’s dynamic western capital.
Maritime Canada – especially Newfoundland – is a land apart, with a distinct culture, stunning scenery and invariably empty roads. This two-to-three week tour is best experienced by car.
1 Halifax
The hip capital of Nova Scotia offers great museums, the notorious “donair” kebab, hundreds of pubs and the best live music in the east.
2 Lunenburg and the south shore
Take a day or two to see the best of Nova Scotia’s rugged coastline south of Halifax, ending at the charming fishing port of Lunenburg.
3 Bay of Fundy
Drive to the New Brunswick side of the Bay of Fundy, where Hopewell’s flowerpot rocks and the misty forests of the Fundy National Park await.
4 Prince Edward Island
Cross over the Confederation Bridge for the bucolic charms and fresh lobsters of Anne of Green Gables country.
5 Cape Breton
Back in Nova Scotia, drive north to Cape Breton Island, where the jaw-dropping Cabot Trail takes in the best scenery, and Acadian and Gaelic culture.
6 Gros Morne National Park
Catch the ferry from Cape Breton to Newfoundland and drive up to this sensational national park.
7 L’Anse aux Meadows
Continue north to St Anthony and this remarkable historic site, home to Vikings some 500 years before Columbus.
8 Fogo Island
Cut across the vast wilderness of central Newfoundland to this untouched slice of traditional port life.
9 St John’s
End up at Newfoundland’s boisterous capital, where you can whale-watch, picnic at a lighthouse and get “screeched in”.
Only when you travel in Canada’s immense northern wilderness will you begin to grasp just how big – and rich in wildlife – this nation is. Come in summer to enjoy the sunshine and take three to four weeks to complete this trip.
1 Winnipeg
Fly into the under-rated capital of Manitoba and gateway to the prairies, home to the world’s largest Inuit art collection.
2 Churchill
Take the train to this Hudson Bay outpost to see hordes of beluga whales and – while you can – polar bears up close.
3 Alaska Highway
Fly or drive to Edmonton and then Dawson Creek before following the epic stretch of Alaska Highway up to the lively capital of the Yukon, Whitehorse.
4 Klondike Highway
Continue north from Whitehorse through the wilderness on the Klondike Highway, enjoying the toasty pools at Takhini Hot Springs.
5 Dawson City
Take a break from the road at this iconic northern frontier town, centre of the Klondike gold rush.
6 Alaska Marine Highway
Cut back to Haines or Skagway to catch this scenic ferry service south through coastal Alaska.
7 Prince Rupert
The marine highway re-enters Canada at this port town, stepping off point for the Grizzly Bear Sanctuary and whale-watching tours.
8 Haida Gwaii
Take the ferry across to this magical island archipelago in the Pacific, rich in aboriginal culture, flora and fauna.
