Holidays in Canada

A holiday to Canada would not be complete without a touch of the great outdoors. From the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia to the towering peaks of the Rockies in Alberta, the polar bears of Manitoba or the magnificent Niagara Falls in Ontario, a run-in with nature is guaranteed on every Turquoise holiday to Canada. 

For those who love to get the blood pumping, Canada is a playground for all ages. Hiking is available in every direction, as is kayaking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, swimming and sailing. You name it and you can do it in Canada. 

Often described as the lungs of the Earth, Canada has more trees than anywhere else in the world, a longer coastline than any other country and endless mountains, lakes and rivers to enjoy. Canadians love a summer's day relaxing by a lake, or a winter's day skating on the lake! There truly is nowhere better to cool off from a mountain hike than in a turquoise blue, glacier-fed lake. 

There are so many different ways to explore Canada, but trains and planes are two of the best. Ditch the car and hop aboard the sleeper train from Vancouver to Jasper. A night of pure delight awaits as you weave and wind your way through British Columbia, waking to the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains beyond. If you're visiting the Great Bear Rainforest, why not arrive by seaplane and experience the true vastness of Canada's remote wilderness below. 

Snow lovers rejoice! Canada offers some of the finest ski and snowboarding conditions in the world. From December through to March, enjoy front and back country skiing and whether you traverse the landscape by gondola, cat (vehicle with a caterpillar track), helicopter or foot, the terrain is amazing for all levels. For families, Whistler could not be a better place to visit. Owned by Vail Resorts, there are endless family activities to enjoy together on and off the slopes. If you're celebrating, splash out on a boutique winter retreat or luxury heli-ski lodge, hidden deep in the west coast mountains. Don't ski? Winter is still an amazing time to visit. Whether for snowshoeing or storm-watching on the west coast of Vancouver Island, you will never run out of things to do. 

British nationals don't need a visa to visit Canada but you will need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), which you can apply for online here. We recommend organising your eTA at least a month prior to departure, just in case there are any problems with your application. 

It depends on which province you are visiting. There are six different time zones in Canada. British Columbia is GMT -8 hours, Alberta is GMT -7 hours and Ontario is GMT -6 hours. It's important to take this into consideration if you're combining a number of provinces. Be sure to set your watch correctly on arrival!

The currency in Canada is the Canadian dollar. One dollar coins are known locally as loonies and two dollars, toonies. We suggest carrying some cash with you when you visit Canada, although Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted and card payments are accepted almost everywhere. 

Tipping is part of Canadian culture, especially in coffee shops, pubs, bars and restaurants. The standard amount is 15%, although this is at your discretion of course. Hotels and lodges are less expectant but if you feel you have been provided with exceptional service, tipping is always appreciated. 

No vaccinations are currently recommended for Canada. For any current travel health advice, you should seek guidance from your GP at least four to six weeks prior to travel.