Canada travel

[Koolau]

We lived in Vermont for 8 years. When we had a yen for a big city, Montreal was much closer than Boston. And probably more interesting for Yanks because it ha that foreign feel. When we wanted to go to “Europe” on the cheap, we’d spend a few nights in Quebec City.

Yeah, it definitely feels a bit foreign - especially if you don't speak French. The good news, when I was there: (At least at that particular time) they liked Yanks better than their non-French speaking countrymen. It was palpable and quite an interesting experience. YMMV

 

[cathy63]

If you take the Rocky Mountaineer, don’t waste your money on the Gold service. Silver service was AMAZING. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Agreed! We really enjoyed their Vancouver to Jasper route about 20 years ago. We remember it so fondly, that we did their new Moab to Denver trip last year and that was also wonderful.

We're just starting to plan a trip to the Toronto area for this fall. DH really wants to see the play "The Shark is Broken", which will have its North American premiere there in September, so once those tickets go on sale we'll have to start working on an itinerary.

 

[OldShooter]

We've been all over Canada from the maritimes to Vancouver. Enjoyed it all. One of our best trips was this one: https://outershores.ca/haida-gwaii/ in2018. Another was a drive around the Great Lakes, then splicing onto a Road Scholar small group tour "Toronto and Ottawa: Signature Cities of Canada." Tour leader was a former Canadian ambassador to Brazil.

 

[Phroig]

We're just starting to plan a trip to the Toronto area for this fall. DH really wants to see the play "The Shark is Broken", which will have its North American premiere there in September, so once those tickets go on sale we'll have to start working on an itinerary.

If you like the theater, check out the Shaw Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake, and the Shakespeare Festival at Stratford. Both towns are pretty close to Toronto.

 

[explanade]

Read a little bit about why staying in the Banff area is so expensive.

Apparently the highest hotel rates in Canada.

They saw an explosion of tourism because of people posting Instagram photos of Moraine Lake and other scenic sites in Banff.

Along with that, the Canadian parks service hasn't approved any new accommodations up there since 2014 or some long period of time.

So the lodging stock there tends to be old and limited, with demand far outstripping supply in the summer, since sunny weather there is limited to the prime summer months.


I guess it's a similar situation in some US National Parks, with a few accommodations given exclusive concessions and they tend to be expensive.

For instance, Crater Lake Lodge is like the only place to stay near the lake and it's pricey for what looks like pretty dilapidated facilities. You have to drive some distance away to find other lodgings.


Oh well, look for glaciers and alpine lakes elsewhere, where you don't have to carry bear spray all the time.

 

[jcfradio]

Newfoundland is amazing. Great scenery and the history of the fishing industry in the outports is unique. PEI is great for lobsters and golf. As others have mentioned the Rockies in the Banff and Lake Louise area are beautiful. If you want a less crowded place in the mountains go to Waterton Park on the Montana border.

This post gives me a chance to plug my hometown of Kingston, Ontario. It's a hidden gem - A pretty little University city of 150,000 with a vibrant waterfront and was the first capital of Canada and home to our first prime minister, so lots of history here. It's one downside is that the nearest airport is 2 hours away in Ottawa, as there have been no flights here since service was cancelled during the early months of COVID. Located on the US border, on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario.

 

[Phroig]

Read a little bit about why staying in the Banff area is so expensive.

We've been to Banff twice and stayed in Canmore both times. The first time was a couple decades ago. Canmore was tiny, and we stayed in a bed-and-breakfast. The second time was five years ago, and we rented an apartment. Canmore was big and touristy, and not as pleasant. I've promised myself that next time, we''ll stay in Chateau Lake Louise for at least a night or two as a very special treat.

 

[braumeister]

Newfoundland is amazing. Great scenery and the history of the fishing industry in the outports is unique.

Yes, we spent a bit over a week in the St. John's area a few years ago with a Sierra Club group. Wonderful hiking, got to see a lot of puffins, and a whale watch in Zodiacs. Nice trip.

Beyond that sort of stuff, there is a lot to do and see farther out.

Next time I'm going to spend more time there and get up to L'Anse aux Meadows to see the Viking settlement.

 

[jcfradio]

Yes, we spent a bit over a week in the St. John's area a few years ago with a Sierra Club group. Wonderful hiking, got to see a lot of puffins, and a whale watch in Zodiacs. Nice trip.

Beyond that sort of stuff, there is a lot to do and see farther out.

Next time I'm going to spend more time there and get up to L'Anse aux Meadows to see the Viking settlement.

I have spent a lot of time on the east coast of Newfoundland on the Avalon peninsula, but next week, we will be going to the west coast for the first time. We are visiting L'Anse Aux Meadows and Gros Morne then.

 

[braumeister]

We are visiting L'Anse Aux Meadows and Gros Morne then.

Would love to hear your report about that.

 

[NW-Bound]

Ah, I didn't have enough time in the 2014 RV trip to go on a ferry to Newfoundland.

I dunno about driving the RV back there again. I guess if I want to visit, it will have to be a fly-and-drive trip.

 

[Northforker]

Just got back from our northwest Canada/Alaska RV trip. 11,754 miles from our home in KY round trip.

We crossed the border into BC near Waterton Park, NP and visited 6 BC national parks on our way north to Dawson Creek and mile zero of the ALCAN. Lake Louise was still frozen over. So much to see!

We drove the ALCAN end to end and then nearly every highway in Alaska. Denali was amazing! Everything in Alaska is BIG and beautiful. We went to the arctic circle 194 miles north of Fairbanks, 20 hr round trip! Went to Homer, Skagway, Haines. Ninilchuk, Anchorage Fairbanks, Tok, and a hundred more small towns

We really enjoyed Northern BC and The Yukon, friendly people, nice provincial campgrounds and amazing wildlife and scenery. The Arrivcan app was no problem, but the apparent fixation on firearms by the CBP officers was a bit annoying. We didn't bring any firearms with us and answered their questions a dozen different ways, yet they continued asking. I think my CCP must be attached to my DL or passport in some way, I did not ask them about that though.

We drove the Cassiar hwy on the return trip and spent the 4th of July in Hyder, AK. We literally drove into AK from Stewart, BC with no border check just in time for the parade which was the smallest and one of the most patriotic parades ever! Even the 500 or so Canucks were having a great time!

We then ambled south and attended the Calgary stampede, wow what a big fair and rodeo! We visited the Bar U ranch in SW Alberta which is now a national historic park, we visited Waterton Park which id the Canadian portion of Glacier NP. So beautiful!

Next year eastern Canada and Newfoundland for at least 2 months.

 

[savory]

Just got back from our northwest Canada/Alaska RV trip. 11,754 miles from our home in KY round trip.

We crossed the border into BC near Waterton Park, NP and visited 6 BC national parks on our way north to Dawson Creek and mile zero of the ALCAN. Lake Louise was still frozen over. So much to see!

We drove the ALCAN end to end and then nearly every highway in Alaska. Denali was amazing! Everything in Alaska is BIG and beautiful. We went to the arctic circle 194 miles north of Fairbanks, 20 hr round trip! Went to Homer, Skagway, Haines. Ninilchuk, Anchorage Fairbanks, Tok, and a hundred more small towns

We really enjoyed Northern BC and The Yukon, friendly people, nice provincial campgrounds and amazing wildlife and scenery. The Arrivcan app was no problem, but the apparent fixation on firearms by the CBP officers was a bit annoying. We didn't bring any firearms with us and answered their questions a dozen different ways, yet they continued asking. I think my CCP must be attached to my DL or passport in some way, I did not ask them about that though.

We drove the Cassiar hwy on the return trip and spent the 4th of July in Hyder, AK. We literally drove into AK from Stewart, BC with no border check just in time for the parade which was the smallest and one of the most patriotic parades ever! Even the 500 or so Canucks were having a great time!

We then ambled south and attended the Calgary stampede, wow what a big fair and rodeo! We visited the Bar U ranch in SW Alberta which is now a national historic park, we visited Waterton Park which id the Canadian portion of Glacier NP. So beautiful!

Next year eastern Canada and Newfoundland for at least 2 months.

This sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing.

 

[RetMD21]

Beyond those little peeves, my trip was delightful as usual. Gas prices were slightly higher than back home, but not outrageous.

We averaged $5/gallon in Canada this week. About a dollar more than US but still reasonable. There was a back up at the border to get into Canada. The ArriveCan process was very easy.

 

[financemups]

In 2015, I went to Churchill Manitoba to see the polar bear migration! It was incredible. I live in Seattle so the Canadian border is very close but the last time I drove up was 2016 or so, I am totally out of the loop on requirements to get over the border and this is the first I've heard of the ArriveCan app - glad to know this info!!

 

[braumeister]

the apparent fixation on firearms by the CBP officers was a bit annoying. We didn't bring any firearms with us and answered their questions a dozen different ways, yet they continued asking. I think my CCP must be attached to my DL or passport in some way, I did not ask them about that though.

Thanks for your great trip report!

I had the same reaction at the New Brunswick border a couple of weeks ago. Not just firearms, but the guy reeled off a long list of things that might be considered "weapons" and wanted to know if I had any of them with me. In fact, he asked about weapons at least four times during the brief interview. Really had me wondering if something was going on. I'm well aware of the restrictions, and the severe penalties for violating them, so I would never bring something like that along. I hate to say it, but I have usually found the CBP officers much less friendly than their US counterparts. Professional, but quite stern.

 

[f35phixer]

I love Canada, and will go there at the drop of a hat. We are enrolled in NEXUS, so even if the border crossing is busy, there is often a special lane where we can zip right through.

I just came back from a trip there, and had a couple of surprises.

Currently, Canada is adamant about the need to use their ArriveCan app before you enter, and it's a very tedious process to fill out all the required information. The end result is a QR code that you have to display at the border.
So I went through all their rigmarole, and when I got to the border the agent didn't have the slightest interest in looking at it, he just wanted my passport. I can't really complain about that, but it seemed as if the government requirement doesn't actually mean much on the ground.

Second surprise is that even if a highway toll gate says "EZ Pass accepted" it doesn't mean YOUR EZ Pass. Only those with Canadian EZ Pass transponders are accepted. The agent at the toll gate in Nova Scotia was actually apologetic, and sympathized, but rules are rules.

Beyond those little peeves, my trip was delightful as usual. Gas prices were slightly higher than back home, but not outrageous. And I still suspect that Canadian lobster is somehow tastier than the US version.

So BrauM,

Do you recommend the ArriveCan app and did you have to show Convid negative results? I'll probably just do the App, risk management....

We are taking Viking Thunder bay to Milwaukee in a couple weeks....

 

[braumeister]

Do you recommend the ArriveCan app and did you have to show Covid negative results? I'll probably just do the App, risk management..

It's not a recommendation; the ArriveCan app is a requirement to enter the country. Testing is no longer required.

 

[f35phixer]

got it, so work thru app and probably won't get looked at !

Good on no testing...

 

[Stormy Kromer]

I've been to Canada 3 times since the border opened last August. Fishing trips to Ontario. I've found that the online app makes border crossing very easy. Last year we had to be tested within 48 hours, this year just fill out the app and hand over your passport.

The questions at the border are the same, any firearms, alcohol, tobacco....

This year I got tripped up a bit when they asked if we had any cannibus. It's illegal in the state where I cross (MN), but legal in Ontario. They were more concerned if we were bringing in any chicken or eggs.

Canada gets to make their own rules for their own country. Last year a fellow in Canada commented to me that he wasn't allowed in the US at all, and Canada was allowing US citizens in if we followed their rules. It goes both ways.

Customs getting back to the US can be more of a hassle than entering Canada.

 

[braumeister]

Customs getting back to the US can be more of a hassle than entering Canada.

I had a funny experience with that this time. The US officer got excited when he saw my address, since he has been trying to get a transfer to this area. Asked me lots of questions about living here, so I gave him the Chamber of Commerce spiel.

 

[Badger]

Canada gets to make their own rules for their own country. Last year a fellow in Canada commented to me that he wasn't allowed in the US at all, and Canada was allowing US citizens in if we followed their rules. It goes both ways.

Customs getting back to the US can be more of a hassle than entering Canada.

It it sad that some people think that they are so entitled that they are "put out" if they have to follow the rules of the country they want to visit. Reminds me of the book "The Ugly American". I bet when they were a child they were the ones that would hold their breath to get what they wanted.

Cheers!

 

[MichaelB]

<mod note>
Multiple posts were deleted that were off topic. This is a great discussion on Canada as a travel destination, not the place or time to discuss Canada’s Covid policy.

 

[NW-Bound]

Customs getting back to the US can be more of a hassle than entering Canada.

+1

Going into Canada numerous times over the years, with a car and later with an RV, my vehicles were never searched by Canadian customs. They asked about weapons, then let me go.

Coming back, quite a few times, US customs searched my vehicles for "stuff", and opened my RV fridge and threw away some veggie and fruits.

Well, that's the law about food imports, and that's that.


PS. I suspect Canada customs hassles Canadians more. Their citizens have more of an incentive to bring back booze and other low-tax merchandise from the US.

 

[NW-Bound]

Speaking of Canadian customs searches, lemme share this story.

While I was surfing YouTube for travel videos, a video was suggested to me, and I watched it. It was about a cruise ship worker who was just passing through Vancouver airport to reach the cruise ship docked there to start his work.

The worker brought a laptop, and the custom officer asked him if he had pornography videos on his laptop, and the worker said yes. The officer then asked to look through the laptop, and found child pornography. While pornography is legal, child pornography is a serious offense, and the worker was arrested on the spot. There was no follow up as to what sentence he got.

Anyway, I think that the worker could have denied access to the laptop. But then, he would be turned back, and not being able to reach the cruise ship would lose his contract. Hence, he took the gamble.