If you’re planning on traveling through Canada, you’re probably eagerly looking forward to experiencing its many natural and man-made wonders.
After all, Canada is notably blessed with jaw-dropping wild landscapes – from the majestic Rocky Mountains in the west to the famed ski resort of Whistler and the rugged Atlantic coast. However, it also has plenty of cultural attractions for you to absorb, many of them nestled within the walls of its most iconic cities. These include the Changing of the Guard in front of the Neo-Gothic Houses of Parliament in Ottawa; the noble architecture of Old Quebec; and the romantic streets of historic Montreal.
Before you set off on your tour of this breathtaking country, however, there are a fewthings you should think about while you make your travel plans.
Read on for 7 key considerations you need to be aware of before setting off on your Canadian adventures.
Choose Your Method Of Transport Carefully
If you’re familiar with Canada, then you already know how vast it is. However, if you’ve never done any journeying around the country, you may soon find yourself taken back by just how gargantuan the landscapes are.
With such large distances to cross – not to mention some possibly very rugged and remote terrain –it’s important to select your transport with care. You could keep things simple by signing up for a tour package or booking a scenic cross-country railway journey.
However, if you’d prefer to explore under your own steam, then a car is probably your best bet. Just make sure you familiarize yourself with the country’s driving laws beforehandand choose a car that will be able to handle the type of roads and conditions you’ll be journeying through. If you’re journeying in the colder months, anall-terrain vehicle is a must, complete with winter tires and chains.
If you’re flying to Canada from the USA at any point, you won’t have to worry about leaving your car behind, as affordable airport parking is easy to come by. You can then travel as far and wide as you like, with your car ready for you when you return. If you use major providers like Parkway Parking, then you can access parking at many airports throughout the USA, including Orlando Airport.
Don’t Underestimate The Elements
Canada is renowned for the wild beauty of its pristine wilderness areas, but, as we all know, Nature can be capricious and savage as well as awe-inspiring. During your travels in Canada, you may encounter searing hot summer sun, blazing electrical storms, hail, snow, and perhaps even blizzards – all depending on when and where you go, of course.
Canada is home to not just one or two but seven different climate zones, after all, offering plenty of variety! As such, it’s essential that you are well-prepared for whatever the weather may throw at you, with the right equipment, clothing, and supplies to see you through.
Keep Your Accommodation Costs To A Minimum
We all know how pricey traveling can be if you let it, with petrol, food, and motel bills piling up along the way. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to save money for really important things – like unforgettable experiences!
For instance, when it comes to keeping accommodation costs down, why not consider crashing with friends or relatives along the way? Couch surfing may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it can really help with your travel budget, so if you have some conveniently placed buddies, ask if you can spend a night. They may even let you do your laundry for free before you leave!
Travel Insurance Is Crucial
Insurance is never an enjoyable subject to tackle, but if you’re traveling in a country as vast as Canada – where encounters with wild animals and wild weather are very likely – then having travel insurance is a must. While you will hopefully never need to use it, if you do have an accident of any kind, you’ll be really glad that you chose to invest!
When preparing your travel budget, just be aware that some travel insurance policies may charge you a higher amount if you’re planning on doing anything considered ‘risky’. This includes extreme sports like scuba diving, skiing, and sky diving.
Plan Your Itinerary With Care
Because Canada is so vast and offers so much to see and do, it’s best to restrict yourself to a particular corner of the country on this particular trip. After all, it’s simply impossible to experience everything Canada has to offer in one journey – unless you’re prepared to travel for at least a year!
Limiting your travels to one part of the country gives you the opportunity to plan a thorough itinerary with everything you want to see in that particular region. It will also mean more time can be dedicated to actual experiences, as opposed to hours spent inside a car tooling along the highway, which can only be a good thing.
Pack Everything You’ll Need – And Then Some
To help make your Canadian adventure as fun and enjoyable as possible, it’s a good idea to go well-prepared. Write down a list of all of the things you think you’ll be needing and tick items off as you pack them. Make sure your list includes weather-appropriate clothing and footwear, medical must-haves, ID, and other essentials such as the right type of plug (Canada uses a double flat-prong plug like the US).
Stowing some extra food and water in the trunk of your car is also recommended, in case you break down. And whatever you do, don’t forget your phones and charging cables so you can call for help in case of an emergency.
Brace Yourself For A Wildlife Close-up
A big part of Canada’s appeal is the many opportunities it provides to get back in touch with nature and spot some fascinating wildlife on your travels. However, not all Canadian animals are cute and cuddly. As you drive through the country you could find yourself encountering grizzly and black bears, as well as intimidating herbivores such as elk and moose. Depending on how far north you go, you could even see a polar bear!
Having plenty of respect for these animals is vital – and if you do spot a bear, definitely don’t leave your vehicle! If you’re going to be camping out, you should also do plenty of research on how to lower your chances of a bear encounter – and what to do if it does happen.
Final thoughts
As you can see, there are a number of vital considerations to take into account before traveling through Canada. It may seem daunting at first; but if you’re well-prepared, there’s no reason why your Canadian escapade shouldn’t be one of the most memorable and exciting of your life.
Keen to add more unique destinations to your passport once you have experienced Canada’s wonders? Check out these helpful guides and start planning more adventures!
