Staying In Canada

You will pay dearly in the summer and during Christmas holidays, from 20 to 30% less in spring and fall and up to 40-50% less in winter - with the exception of ski resorts. In summer, it's much better book.

Campsites

Canada is one of the best organized countries in the world for camping! Many sites are still closed until May-June and again from Thanksgiving Day (mid-October), when it's not September.

Quite often, the sites have a home to wood fires. Prices range between $ 35 and Ca 15 for a tent depending on location and available services. It is advisable to book in summer, especially near large cities. Many campsites rent "minichalets" (cabins). Bookings through Discover Camping and National Parks.

Hostels

The Canadian AJ are often warm, mixed and no chores. They are not too expensive: 20 to 35 $ Ca night, sheets and towels usually included. In all, you will find a fully equipped kitchen and Internet access (fee). Many also are those who offer private rooms, basic but little more expensive (per person) as dormitories. Outside the cities, it is not too rare to be able to plant his little "Canadian". In the hostels official said, expect to pay $ 4 more Ca if you are not in possession of the Hostelling International card.

AJ's unofficial backpacker type, usually give discounts to members of Hostelling International.

Reservation with a credit card on the website of Hostelling Canada. There is no age limit to stay in AJ.

Student residences

The accommodation in the universities was not necessarily a good solution because the facs are often distant from the center and the rooms are not always cheap. Their prices are between those hotels and AJ.

The advantage is that they often have a community kitchen and that there are clean and fairly comfortable, mostly en suite.

Gites, B & B Bed and Breakfast

The B & B are popular in Canada! At equal price, it's much easier to use than the hotel. First, because you'll most often in a welcoming family, then because everything is obviously more personal than a hotel, and finally that breakfast is included in the price.

Just one caveat: there are many addresses falling in the category "more chic." In general, it is totally justified, but, suddenly, these B & B are not within reach of every budget ... Another drawback: it is often necessary to book in advance in summer.

Information from numerous associations dedicated and tourist offices.

Hotels and motels

Most hotels are similar to those found in the United States: comfortable, functional but not overly friendly. From two, the price of the night in motel gets interesting (and four, cheaper than AJ!). A charming hotel has nevertheless developed in the tourist areas, but this spell has a cost ...

Often a room with two king beds or queen size (large) and can thus accommodate up to four people. Rose to 10 Ca $ 20 per additional person. Breakfast is rarely included in the price.

For motels, it is similar, except that they tend to be located in the periphery and they always have free parking. In town, we saw hotels take up to $ 25 Ca / day for parking!

Exchange houses or apartments

A vacation package that is more and more followers, relatively inexpensive and widely practiced overseas. It is about sharing your own home (whether you are owner or tenant) against that of a member of the same organization in the country of his choice during the holiday period. Agencies HomeLink International and Intervac proven.

Ranches

Typical accommodation in Western ranches in Alberta and British Columbia are home to more and more visitors for less money than American ranches. All ranches are located on huge land, either in the region of the interior plateau of British Columbia, or the Great Plains of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, along the mountainous regions, including Rockies. The ranches are never far from a lake or river, is practiced not only riding, hiking and climbing, but also canoeing, swimming, rafting, fishing .. . Some ranches are open even in winter.

You can sleep in dormitories, in individual chalets in logs, in the main building or camping. Possibility of B & B or full board. Children are not always accepted.

There are two main types of ranches.

- The working ranches are still in business. It raises cattle and horses. Very nice rustic comfort.

- The guest ranches specialize in welcoming visitors, although some had yet sometimes some livestock.

Warning: Canadian families often reserve well in advance to stay. The list of selected ranches duly published by the tourist offices in Alberta and British Columbia.

Lodges, chalets and resorts

This is another type of accommodation "nature." While some are reserved for hunters and fishermen, the lodges are especially safe havens, often located near or within national or provincial parks. The lodges are made up of chalets or log cabins-(in logs) and all kinds of sports are offered. But that happiness has a price ...

Ask the guides Accommodation (housing) and sometimes more specifically Lodges, provided free by the tourist offices of the Canadian provinces.

Geography, climate and weather In Canada

Geography

Canada is the country of wide open spaces blank. It extends about 5000 km from a coast to coast. The border with the United States more or less follows the route of the 49th parallel to the Great Lakes and across Lakes Superior. To the north, Canada extends far beyond the Arctic Circle.

Canadian territory can be divided into five major areas:

- The Appalachian region to the southeast (Maritime Provinces);
- "Canadian Shield" in the center and east of the country (region of St. Lawrence, southern Ontario and Quebec);
- Prairies (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and part of Alberta);
- The Rockies, west;
- Pacific coast, bathed by relatively mild temperatures and frequent rain.

The West is a very active region, while the East is less dynamic, as you move away from the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes regions of Toronto and Montreal dominate the economic and cultural activity .

We distinguish the Atlantic area (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island), facing the ocean, although agriculture remains important.

In the center, Quebec and Ontario have long formed the dynamic axis of Canada. The Prairies include the Southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, a vast plain devoted to livestock and agriculture. The arrival of the railroad led to the development of Winnipeg, Regina and Saskatoon, and the discovery of oil has pushed Calgary.

Finally, the Pacific coast is dominated by Vancouver, British Columbia. Industrial and commercial, it exports mainly to Asia, from which originate the third of its inhabitants.

As for the Canadian North, a vast and largely untapped, it develops in small urban centers with an administrative and commercial. It is the refuge of the Amerindian civilization.

Climate

Basically, the more one goes south, the hotter it gets. Most Canadians live elsewhere in the area. Here are some guidelines apply to the southern part of the country, except Pacific coast: in May and September, warm days but cool nights, and in June, hot in July and August, very hot and rather dry, and in October of fresh chilled and in November, quite cold and early frost, in December, January and February, very, very cold with beautiful sunny days in March and April, shy thaw and early thaw.

- In the area of ​​Niagara Falls, the weather is favorable for the vineyards. In winter, we took the opportunity to make the famous ice wine, nectar of frozen grapes and partly dried by the cold. Niagara Falls is partly petrified in ice.

- In Western countries, there are even three different climatic zones.

The Pacific coast enjoys a microclimate mild and moist. It rains a lot in winter, less in summer. There is rarely extreme heat.

The southern interior of British Columbia is, however, very dry. You can even suffer from the heat.

In the Rocky Mountain region, finally, the climate is alpine, so cold and dry.

- Alberta is one of the sunniest provinces in Canada, with Saskatchewan and Manitoba, who enjoy a dry continental climate, characterized by variations in incredible temperatures from summer to winter.

Culture In Canada

Cinema

English Canada, near the giant, lies in its cultural specificity, particularly in regard to the cinema. In 1939 was created the National Film Board, which allowed young Quebec filmmakers to create a direct style of reportage.

The English side, Norman McLaren is among the pioneers of experimental animated film, with multiple processes to print directly onto film (painting, scraping ...), which are similar to the techniques of art more than those film industry.

Until recently, Canadian cinema came down to Quebec films. For example, the greatest theatrical success was (still is!) Porky's (1976), the ancestor of the comedy Fat campus with a pee-poo humor of low and very nondescript type of nonsense American Police Academy or American Pie.

Today, David Cronenberg is Canadian filmmaker undoubtedly the most recognized worldwide. Knows how to combine his inimitable style, in the fantasy genre, creativity and entertainment, to create a world of more personal: his best known films are The Dead Zone, Dead Ringers, Crash and A Historu of Violence. Atom Egoyan is also facing an international audience, especially since The Sweet Hereafter, Jury Prize at Cannes in 1997.

Inuit ("men" in Inuktitut)

Inuit are the indigenous northern Canada. They live in Nunavut and northern Quebec, Labrador and the Northwest territories. They would be about 45,000, or one third of the Inuit world. Two thirds live in their home region, the other being disseminated in major cities of the country.
The Inuit have appeared in the northeast of Canada 4500 years ago. The real clash of cultures that have occurred in the years 1940-1950 with the establishment of permanent military bases, government services, like education and health, and housing programs to encourage Inuit to abandon their nomadic life. Today, if the hunt remains for many an extra income, especially the Inuit working in mines, oil-related activities, construction and services.

Political and cultural renewal

With the achievements of the Convention of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, signed in 1975, the Inuit begin to regain control of their destiny. Working independently, local institutions responsible for administering and developing the region in all sectors.

Administrative and political achievements now allow it to support education in Inuktitut.
But the pride and dynamism are the prime movers of the revival in the land of walrus, narwhal and polar bear. In May 2001, the first Inuit film Atanarjuat, the legend of the Fast, Zacharias Kunuk, received the Camera d'Or at Cannes.

Niagara Falls

Falls are the center of the city, itself transformed into a veritable carnival: huge neon signs, many and varied attractions, Niagara Falls are a small Las Vegas. Once the surprise had passed, and ignoring the lights and bustling activity, one is captivated by the falls, gigantic, fascinating.
To take full advantage, prefer early morning visits. Far from the tourist stampedes, you will appreciate the full majesty of the place.

Hiking

- Western Uplands (Algonquin Park): composed of 3 loops, 32, 55 and 88 km. Allow 3 to 7 days. The more varied. Slot to make fire.

- Spray River and Goat Creek (Banff): the scenery is different and the journey is as difficult in one direction as in another. Count 6h (round trip), but what ride! Starting early in the morning you may be lucky enough to see across the road by several herds of deer, fallow deer, all in the morning mist.

- Rock Bound Lake (Banff): to do in the day. Hiking sporty enough. Beautiful landscapes of alpine type reflected in a lake of green water. The view is worth the effort.

- Twin Lake (Banff): Count 3: 30 pm to 3 pm to go. Two possible paths. Impressive view of the peaks at the foot of which lies a lake wisely. Landscapes very addictive.

Food and Drink in Canada

The English part is, at first glance, the most Americanized culinary point of view that Quebec, francophone and lover of good food.

In small towns and villages, as the roadside, do not expect to make gourmet feasts. Enjoy without guilt rather thick club sandwiches, huge pizzas and other frozen chocolate pies.

In recent years, efforts are visible in culinary, food and "health" is more relevant than ever. Toronto to Vancouver and in Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg, there are plenty of good restaurants, where chefs cook up quality cuisine. French and European techniques to meet the best local products and influences of the various immigrant communities: this is called fusion cuisine or, in a more watered down, kitchen Pacific Northwest. Tradmixed local produce know-how Mediterranean. In the case of fusion cuisine, it is not unusual to see even in a kitchen of Japanese shiitake mushrooms, the soy sauce or teriyaki, fresh goat cheese, cranberries or blueberries (blueberries), shoots soybean or alfalfa.

The general trend is for organic food. Everyone there is almost set in the cities.

- In Alberta, you'll never be disappointed if you order meat. In the land of cowboys, the beef is tender and tasty. There are even bison, stronger and tastier than its cousin.

- In British Columbia, salmon, halibut (halibut) and shellfish are kings. They are fresh and affordable. They are almost always served grilled or fried, oysters included. The most classic is the fish & chips.

- Toronto is present even today as one of the most cosmopolitan cities of the world, with the consequent proliferation of restaurants, cafes and markets, Chinese, Italian, Greek, Jewish, Portuguese ...

There are a few around town food stores (convenience stores) late night and early morning, and even Sundays and holidays, like Seven-Eleven (7-11). However, these stores are much more expensive than supermarkets. On the edge of towns, many supermarkets also have very practical opening hours (8 am to 23 pm) and offer a huge selection.

Drinks

The wine

Ontario (Niagara Region) and British Columbia (Okanagan Valley) produce good wines. A spirit of adventure and experimentation opens up some pleasant surprises, especially on the side of white wine (choice of grape varieties are Riesling and Chardonnay), although the Canadian Red (Cabernet Franc grape is the best developed) are clearly increasing. The VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) is a kind of overlapping AOC designation is a provincial, or geographical.

The miracle of the wine remains the Canadian ice wine produced mainly in the Niagara region from grapes that have frozen on the vine in early winter. Sugar is so highly concentrated, giving a very sweet dessert wine. It is sold 50 to $ 70 Ca in beautiful bottles of 375 ml.

Beer

Beer is much more affordable and Canadians are a relatively high. The tradition is not new. Molson Canadian, one of the most popular, has its origins in Montreal in the eighteenth century. Another safe bet: the Labatt Blue. Both brands are sold in bottles or on tap.

Semi craft microbreweries, which produce local beer (called craft beers in English Canada), have been very successful across the country. In Vancouver, try Granville Pale Ale (Granville Island Brewery). In Ontario, the microbrewery beers are very popular Sleeman.

Other drinks

- In the era of perfect form and unforgiving controls drinking and driving, young Canadians drink more alcohol without energy drinks containing ginseng, ginger, caffeine and other tonics.
- In most restaurants, we serve immediately a tall glass filled with ice water, winter and summer.

- Most good restaurants and coffee shops are now equipped with espresso machines and cappuccino. Coffee shops are the North American version of our coffees. It takes a coffee percolator, a cappuccino or caffe latte, possibly with a muffin or a scone. The American chain Starbucks is widespread in Canada, as Canadian channels Second Cup and Tim Hortons, which often plays the role of friendly village cafe in smaller communities.

- The Clamato, a tomato juice of suspect clam juice. On balance, we feel just a taste of the lobster. Clamato especially between the composition of Caesar, Canadian cousin of Bloody Mary. Often served with a celery stalk or pickled green beans, it can be consumed alcohol (with vodka), in which case it is called Caesar slippers.