Canada travel guide: from wildlife and iconic cities to our favourite airline

For a country so vast, Canada has a surprisingly small population – less than that of California – leaving plenty of room for the wild populations of bears, eagles, moose and wolves that roam its wide-open spaces and rugged terrain.

There’s a rich cultural mix, too, reflected in the country’s heritage and cuisine. Expect everything from Pacific salmon and prized Alberta beef to sweet maple syrup and Canadian poutine – a concoction of French fries, cheese curds and gravy that tastes better than it sounds!

Why visit Canada?

With its incredible variety of scenery and culture, Canada truly is the perfect travel destination. Whether you’re drawn to rolling landscapes, awe-inspiring wildlife or vibrant cities, there’s something for every curious traveller to discover. And with so much on offer, our expertly crafted escorted tours make it easy to experience the best highlights and authentic experiences – without worrying about the logistics.

Here are four highlights that make it such an extraordinary destination:

1. The great outdoors

Canada’s great outdoors is undeniably impressive. On the west coast, vibrant Vancouver looks across the Pacific towards the forested shores of Vancouver Island, where whales and dolphins can be spotted in the waters.

Head inland, and the Rocky Mountains – the largest mountain range in western North America – showcase jagged peaks, deep canyons and those famously turquoise lakes. From the glacially fed waters of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake to the dramatic landscapes of Banff and Jasper national parks, it’s clear why the Canadian Rockies are one of Canada’s must-see sights.

Further east, the Rockies give way to Alberta’s sweeping prairies, with Calgary – home to the famous 10-day Calgary Stampede festivities – offering a lively city stop along the way.

2. Rail journeys through spectacular scenery

Canada’s sheer size makes it perfect to explore by rail. You can cover long distances quickly, enjoying cinematic scenery from the comfort of your seat and the freedom to get up and stretch your legs when you wish.

One of North America’s most celebrated train journeys is the Rocky Mountaineer. With its glass-domed carriages and outdoor viewing platform, it’s the ultimate way to see this unspoiled part of Canada, taking you past dramatic sights including Spiral Tunnels and Kicking Horse Canyon.

3. Wildlife encounters

From moose, elk and bighorn sheep to mountain goats, bears, whales and polar bears, Canada’s wilderness is home to some of North America’s most iconic wildlife. Fun fact: according to the WWF, at least two-thirds of the world’s polar bears live on Canadian territory.

Spotting these animals in their natural habitats is unsurprisingly at the top of many travel wishlists. On our Rockies and Alaska Grand Discovery cruise and tour, you’ll have the chance to spot bears and mountain goats in the Canadian Rockies, before cruising through Canada’s spectacular Inside Passage – where fjords, snow-capped mountains and rainforests provide a backdrop for spotting harbour seals, humpback whales and swooping eagles.

4. City life and culture

Although Canada is big on wildlife and the outdoors, it has more than its fair share of art, music and architecture.

Our Journey Through Eastern Canada itinerary offers cosmopolitan cities like Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec – and if you’re looking for culture, you won’t find bigger hitters than these. Montreal hosts the biggest jazz festival in the world, while the Toronto International Film Festival is the world’s largest publicly attended film festival. Ottawa is all about dynamic architecture and museums, while genteel Quebec is North America’s oldest French-speaking city. Its crowning glory – Le Château Frontenac – is the most photographed hotel in the world.

Why fly with Air Canada?

Air Canada is our preferred airline partner for our Canada tours. Its fleet of planes carry the Canadian flag and combine the latest in aviation comfort and innovation. As standard, you can expect perks like complimentary meals and drinks, as well as personal touch-screen TVs on board.

With frequent flights and an extensive network, Air Canada is a natural fit for our range of Canadian adventures, helping you get your holiday off to a smooth start.

Upgrade your Air Canada flight

Want to make the journey part of the adventure? Our Canada tours have the option to upgrade to Air Canada’s Premium Economy or Signature Service.

Premium Economy offers a more spacious way to travel, with a larger seat, extra legroom, and priority airport services. Your personal touch-screen TV comes with hundreds of hours of top-rated on-demand entertainment and a complimentary headset. There’s also in-seat USB charging, ambient mood lighting and more.

Signature Service takes comfort even further, with seats that convert to a fully flat bed and include a pillow, duvet and mattress pad, as well as an amenity kit. You’ll also be treated to a “seamless airport experience with dedicated check-in counters, expedited security clearance, lounge access, exclusive boarding lanes, priority baggage handling and more.”

To upgrade, simply speak to one of our travel advisors over the phone on 0800 988 5823. They can check availability for your chosen dates and confirm your upgrade as part of your booking.

Why go on an escorted tour?

Quite simply, an escorted tour is one of the best ways to discover the variety that Canada has to offer. After all, visiting the second largest country in the world and only seeing a handful of places could feel like a bit of a wasted opportunity.

From awe-inspiring sights and meticulously planned tour itineraries to flights, hotels and getting you to and from the airport, there’s not a lot we haven’t thought of at Titan – and that’s the beauty of travelling with us. We take care of the details, so you can be fully present in soaking up Canada’s highlights, plus authentic experiences that go beyond the guidebook.

And with our tour managers there every step of the way, you’ll have someone on hand to keep things running smoothly, share local knowledge and point you towards those little discoveries you might otherwise miss.

When is the best time to visit Canada?

Travel to Canada in winter, and you can expect it to be cold – sub-zero in places like the Canadian Rockies. But there are upsides too, such as superb winter sports and perhaps even an appearance of the spectacular northern lights.

Spring brings warmer temperatures and longer days, as well as flourishing forests and wildflowers fed by the gradually melting snow. Summer days are warm and long: perfect for hiking, boating and wildlife watching. It’s the time for many festivals too, such as the Montreal Jazz Festival and the Calgary Stampede. The annual salmon run extends from late August to November, attracting bears and other predators to rivers up and down the west coast.

In autumn, the biggest draw is the foliage, cloaking landscapes in shades of red, orange, russet and gold. It’s also one of the best times to visit Niagara Falls, with fewer crowds and spectacular colours along the Niagara Gorge.

Oh, and don’t forget…

A little preparation will help you make the most of your Canadian adventure. Canadians are notoriously polite, and although tipping isn’t mandatory, leaving a 15-20% tip is the norm.

The legal drinking age is 18 or 19 depending on the province, and you’ll need a travel adaptor if you want to take anything electrical (chargers, hairdryer etc.) with you. English is the most commonly spoken language, but 20% of Canadians have French as their mother tongue.

Lastly – and most importantly – unless you’re a US citizen, you’ll need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter Canada, depending on the type of passport you have. So remember to check Canada entry requirements from the UK, long before your travel date.

Ready to explore Canada?

From the soaring peaks of the Rockies to iconic rail journeys and the cultural charms of buzzing cities, our Canada tours have been meticulously designed by our destination experts to showcase the very best of this extraordinary country.

Explore Titan’s full range of Canada tours now, and call our travel advisors today on 0800 988 5823 to book your tour and upgrade your Air Canada flight.