If you have always wanted to visit Canada but were daunted by the wealth of environments, cities, and sights on offer, why not take advantage of one of Great Rail Journeys' touring holidays and leave the details to us? We know all the best routes to take, the friendliest hotels to stay in, and the most interesting sights to visit.
Ride along heritage routes in world-famous trains, such as the Rocky Mountaineer, The Canadian, and The Ocean, and visit the ice-covered prairies of Vancouver in winter. Rare wildlife, imposing peaks, sprawling forests; Canada is one of the most stunningly beautiful countries on Earth, offering visitors a uniquely visual experience.
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Canada's enigmatic charm lies in its huge swathes of dense forests and tundra that remain snow-covered almost all year round. Spanning close to 4 million square miles, with a population of around 38 million, Canada is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Towering mountains, lakes with emerald and sapphire hues, diverse wildlife, and mega cities all come together to make Canada an absolute delight.
Explore the unscathed beauty of the wilderness; fjords surrounded by snow-kissed peaks, cities that take you back to Jack London's 'Call of the Wild', and glistering glaciers. Canada is also a haven for all things nature related. Whales, seals, bears, mink, and moose all make their home here while the Canadian Rockies and the magnanimity of the Niagara Falls are utterly breathtaking.
As the second-largest country in the world (after Russia), Canada boasts a wealth of diverse landscapes, from the stark beauty of the glacier-hewn valleys to the lush forests surrounding Maligne Lake. Striking in any season, Canada's natural environment is immediately memorable - and best appreciated by rail.
Take a tour of Canada with us to Winnipeg, Edmonton, and the Jasper National Park; cross the Coastal Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, and unearth some of the country's most picturesque gems along the way. On your journey, don't forget to keep an eye open for the country's iconic wildlife, such as the grizzly bear, beaver, wolf and moose.
Canada's combination of contemporary architecture, vibrant nightlife, and incredible scenery makes travelling through the country an irresistible prospect for many people. On our Canada railway holidays, you will be given the chance to learn about the rich history and diverse cultures that make the locals so proud of their heritage.
Explore Banff and Jasper National Parks and marvel at the impressive Icefields Parkway. The latter destination, a 140 mile road flanked by verdant trees and towering mountains, is one of the country's most treasured gems, and lies within the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are many ways to experience a tour of Canada with Great Rail Journeys. Join us on our epic Coast to Coast tour, which takes you on a memorable journey west from Vancouver to Halifax, some 6,000 miles. Alternatively, you may prefer to travel from Toronto to Vancouver at Christmas, when crisp snow blankets the land.
Experience an alternative perspective of this awe-inspiring country when you book a Rockies and Alaska cruise. This unique tour, which takes advantage of both sea and overland routes, offers a rewarding way to explore the glaciers, plunging fjords, and inlets on the west coast of North America.
Meet like-minded travellers and perhaps even make lifelong companions when you embark on one of our outstanding Canadian rail holidays.
At Great Rail Journeys, we want our customers to enjoy the ultimate travel experience, which is why we make sure all of our Canadian rail holidays provide exceptional value for money.
Included in the price of your holiday are various excursions and sightseeing tours that demonstrate the highlights of each of the destinations you arrive at. Leisure time is built into many of our itineraries, meaning that you can book your own excursions, such as a boat trip to the foot of Niagara Falls or a helicopter flight over Toronto.
On some tour itineraries, you will get the chance to go to the top of the impressive CN Tower in Toronto (one of the tallest free-standing structures in the world) for breath-taking views of the city below. In other locations, such as Quebec, Halifax, and Vancouver, you can take advantage of guided sightseeing tours.
Fine dining is a feature of our Canada touring holidays, and gourmet food is prepared on board our trains by talented chefs, using only the freshest ingredients. Some of our holidays include a memorable dining experience at the Penthouse Restaurant of the Sheraton Hotel, overlooking the thundering Niagara Falls.
On other days, especially when visiting cities, you will be free to choose your own cafés and restaurants, and perhaps even sample some of the Canadian nightlife.
Every last detail of our Canada tours is taken care of on your behalf, and your professional Tour Manager will be on hand to help at all times, whether you have questions about the local area or simply want some pointers on where to visit. However, our Tour Managers are unobtrusive and will let you enjoy your holiday as you please.
At Great Rail Journeys, we make certain that accommodation is selected due to its convenient locality, great value, and range of facilities. The hotels you'll stay in when crossing Canada by train are hand-picked by us. We often choose family-run hotels so that customers benefit from a more friendly and personal atmosphere.
Canada has two official languages: English and French. The majority of Canadians speak English, while almost all French-speakers live in the province of Quebec.
French speaking Canadians, known as French-Canadians or Francophones, speak a slightly different version of French than what is typically termed 'Parisian French'. The main differences tend to centre around French-Canadians' use of terms, pronunciations and grammar conventions that have been abandoned in modern France.
Canada's official currency is known as the Canadian Dollar and it is one of the world's highest-value currencies. As with the US Dollar, it is divided into 100 cents.
All major credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout Canada, and you will be able to withdraw Canadian Dollars from cash machines with your four digit pin-code. Withdrawals will be subject to an additional international withdrawal fee which is a flat rate, and a percentage currency conversion fee.
Canadian Dollar traveller's cheques can be cashed at all major banks, exchange bureaus and airports. You may also be able to use them at some shops providing that you also present your passport.
An additional 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is applied to most purchases and it is not included in the advertised price. This additional tax is also applied to food and beverages throughout the country. The majority of provices throughout Canada also charge a Provincial Sales Tax which is also added at the point of purchase and is not included in the advertised price. This tax can vary but is never more than 10%.
In a country as vast as Canada you'd expect to find cuisines from all parts of the world, and you will not be disappointed. Whether you are craving a huge burger dripping with cheese and relish and all the toppings, or French inspired fine-dining, Canada has the eatery to satisfy even the most voracious of appetites.
Western Canada
The west coast of Canada is traditionally influenced by British cuisine but in more recent times other international cuisines such as Asian and eastern European have blended into the menus. Regional specialities include Pacific
Rim Fusion seafood dishes, with some of the best and freshest
seafood in the world.
The Okanagan Valley in British Columbia is also one of Canada's
best wine producing regions, with the hot and dry climate proving
ideal for the plethora of vineyards producing red, white and
sparkling wine.
Central Canada
Inland menus tend to have more focus on locally-raised meats, with barbecues and burgers being the order of the day. The central plains produce some of the best beef in the world, and juicy steaks are a traditional favourite. You can also try some of the local game, with elk, bison, venison and caribou being on many menus.
Eastern Canada
Food in Quebec is understandably strongly influenced by French cuisine, but also takes inspiration from Irish and traditional indigenous foods. Dishes such as the Tourtière, a French Canadian meat pie dish, usually made with minced pork, veal or beef and potatoes, is a particular favourite.
In the more coastal regions, seafood is the highlight of most menus, with New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland among others, being particularly famed for their large lobsters, and beautifully fresh scallops and mussels.
Canadian specialities to look out for:
Whatever your food preference, servings are often generous, so even those with the healthiest of appetites will be satisfied.
Canada is a country of diverse landscapes, with the spectacular Rockies in the west of the country, with natural wonders such as the Maligne Canyon and the stunning Lake Louise, to the Great Lakes and the breath-taking architecture of Québec in the West, there is something for everyone.
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