Canada Holidays

Canada holidays offer endless choice. This diverse country serves up bustling cities and beautiful national parks – so, whatever you’re in to, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

In the east, French-speaking Quebec boasts UNESCO-listed architecture and leafy parks, while the province of Nova Scotia – meaning “New Scotland” – is all about picturesque towns, maritime history and amazing marine life. Multicultural Toronto should also be on your list. On the shores of Lake Ontario, this trendy city is packed with quirky bars and brew-pubs, as well as street art-covered laneways. Plus, it’s within easy reach of roaring Niagara Falls – a must-visit on any holiday to Canada.

Alternatively, you could focus your attention on West Canada. In the province of Alberta, you’ll be able to discover the Rocky Mountains’ jaw-dropping scenery, including the dramatic peaks, lakes and forests of Banff National Park. In British Columbia, meanwhile, Whistler takes the crown for postcard-worthy views. And popular Vancouver is where you’ll find famous sites like Stanley Park, Granville Island and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find all sorts of wonderful things to do in Canada. In Whistler, for instance, you can try everything from mountain biking to zip-lining to white-water rafting – plus the skiing during winter is fantastic. Similarly, the Rocky Mountains offer a variety of activities. You can go canoeing across Moraine Lake, hike around wolf-shaped Peyto Lake, and explore the walking trails of Banff National Park.

Eager to see some of Canada’s famous wildlife? Consider visiting Vancouver Island, where you’re likely to spot black bears, grey whales, orcas and dolphins. You could also venture into the Great Bear Rainforest to search for elusive spirit bears.

If you’re more of a city-lover, don’t worry – Canada delivers on this front, too. In Toronto, you can admire vibrant graffiti, go up the CN Tower, and kayak around the Toronto Islands. On the west coast, glitzy Vancouver is crammed with top-notch restaurants and First Nations attractions, including intricate totem poles. And don’t forget picturesque Quebec City, where you can stroll along the cobbled streets of Place Royale and marvel at the Citadelle of Quebec.

Canada holidays can be enjoyed in a number of ways so, however you like to travel, our specialists will help you plan the perfect getaway. Self-drive tours are very popular, as you can hire a car or motorhome and make your way along your chosen route. This is a great way to see Canada, especially the dramatic Rockies and Banff National Park – why not fly into Calgary and work your way westwards to Vancouver?

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to sit back, relax and let someone else do the driving, take a look at our selection of escorted tours. We have a range of tours, which tick off major cities like Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver. Some tours also include a journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer – the famous luxury train which snakes through the Rocky Mountains.

And you can easily extend your Canada holiday, if you wish. Why not combine Toronto, Niagara Falls and New York City into one incredible getaway? Or you could pair Vancouver with an Alaska cruise for staggering scenery.

Canada is often associated with snow-capped mountains, but you might be pleasantly surprised by the country’s temperate climate. Canada holidays are best enjoyed during May, June and September, when the days are generally warm and sunny. Toronto and Vancouver are particularly lovely at this time of year, as temperatures hover in the low twenties. You’ll also miss most of the crowds, as July and August is Canada’s peak holiday season.

Wildlife is a big part of any holiday to Canada so make sure you don't miss out the best place to see whales, bears and other animals and find out the best time to go by reading everything you need to know about wildlife in Canada.

That said, summer is still a great time to visit Canada. The Rockies and Vancouver average 22°C, while Toronto is a few degrees hotter and much more humid. There are loads of Canada festivals at this time of year, too, including Just For Laughs Montreal, Quebec City Summer Festival, and Wavelength Summer Music Festival.

Skiing enthusiasts will love Canada holidays in winter, when the mountains are blanketed in powdery snow. Popular places like Banff and Whistler offer fantastic snow-sports. If you’re not into skiing, there are still plenty of other activities to keep you busy. The roads – especially in the Rockies – can become difficult to navigate due to ice and snow, so book transfers instead of hiring a car. 

• Visas: British passport holders will need to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling.
• Language: English and French
• Currency: Canadian Dollars (CA$)
• Time difference: The East Coast is GMT -3 hours, while the West Coast is GMT -7 hours.
• Flight duration from London: Depending on where you’re headed, a direct flight takes between seven and 10 hours.
• Capital city: Ottawa