3 Weeks in Canada - East and West Coast

So, how to spend 3 weeks in Canada?

Well, it was a looooong time ago when two friends, Jerry and I set foot on the Canadian land. It was a very picturesque trip with many sights on the way. Although some time has passed, the memories are still fresh! Have a look at our 3-week travel route in Canada and its travel captures :)

VANCOUVER - VANCOUVER ISLAND - VANCOUVER - TRAIN TO SEATTLE (US) - FLIGHT TO BUFFALO - NIAGARA FALLS - QUEBEC - MONTREAL - OTTAWA - TORONTO

We flew into Vancouver airport and went straight to the port to catch the ferry to the remote Vancouver island. What we did on the lovely island, I will save for the next section, so let's skip that part and pretend, we are already back from the island trip ;) Ok, so back in Vancouver city, we chose couchsurfing as our way of accommodation - well, this decision turned out to a pretty crazy adventure with some extremely friendly, open-minded and party people. They invited us to dance all day long on their yellow coloured party bus, driving the roads down at the so called Pride parade. Definitely an experience I will never forget.

Beside of that, we rented bikes and drove along the Vancouver coast. That is something I really recommend you to do, as you see the beautiful nature which surrounds this million city. A good way to spend days in Vancouver is also by simply sitting on the beach and enjoying some sunrays. In winter, make sure to ski at Grouse or Cypress mountain.

What to do:

SPEND SOME TIME AT THE BEACH

RENT A BIKE AND DRIVE ALONG THE VANCOUVER COAST

GO FOR SHOPPING

ENJOY THE VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANTS

GO SKIING AT THE NEARBY MOUNTAINS

TAKE A FERRY TO THE VANCOUVER ISLAND

This was the most memorable part of our Canada trip (well, at least for me). Make sure to visit this island, if your wanderlust bring you to this lovely country. The best word that describes this island would be probably wilderness. Imagine driving the roads and suddenly spotting a bear at the side of the road. Awesome :) Or parking your car near the seaside, seating down for a sandwich break and all of a sudden seeing a family of killer whales. Also something you should do is to book a boat trip brining you out on the ocean where you have a great chance to see the acrobatic Humpback whales. Not only animals make this island special, also the nature is extremely picturesque with all its diversity. I was mainly impressed by the West wild coast with its huge boulders, sandy beaches and vast forest. If this is too much nature for you, there is always an option to visit the biggest city on the island, called Victoria.

What to do:

What to do:

RENT A CAR AND DRIVE AROUND THE ISLAND

EXPLORE THE PACIFIC RIM NATIONAL PARK RESERVE

RENT A KAYAK

BOOK A BOAT TOUR TO SEE WHALES

OBSERVE THE KILLER WHALES FROM THE ISLAND

VISIT THE CATHEDRAL GROVE TO SEE GIANT TREES - THE WORLD's BIGGEST TREES

HIKE THE PROVINCIAL PARK

EXPLORE VICTORIA

The famous Niagara Falls. Honestly, I have mixed feelings about them. I would say, go and make yourself a picture. To see the gigantic waterfalls is a great adventure, as well as to take a boat and get close to the majestic water paradise. However, I was somehow disappointed when I got to know the surroundings of this natural wonder - a look-a-like Las Vegas town at the Canadian side of the waterfalls. Who needs that, really?? My recommendation? Visit the Niagara Falls during the day but don't stay overnight. Continue your journey. 

What to do:

BOOK A BOAT TRIP TO GET CLOSE TO THE WATERFALL

Quebec is a lovely French-speaking city. I pretty much liked the Chateau Frontenac (castle), the city center with narrow streets and lovely shops. Make sure to spend a few days in this city in order to have the time to explore the old town with the castle, the Battlefields park and as a half-day trip idea outside the city - the Montmorency Falls Park with its giant waterfall. 

What to do:

TAKE A PHOTO OF THE STUNNING CHATEAU FRONTENAC

WALK THE BATTLEFIELDS PARK

EAT A BAGEL

SHOP THE SOUVENIRS

CHECK OUT THE WATERFALL IN THE MONTMORENCY FALLS PARK

Unfortunately the weather was not on our side when we visited this famous student and nightlife city - Montreal. We made just a short stop in this city, so I cannot really tell much about it. I heard many good things about it, so make sure to give it a try when there. Well, the weather got better on the next day when we drove out of the city and visited the basilica of St. Joseph Oratory of Mount Royal. 

What to do:

OBSERVE THE NOTRE-DAM BASILICA

BOOK A FOOD TOUR

EAT A BAGEL

RENT A BIKE

VISIT THE MONTREAL BIODOME

DRIVE TO THE ST. JOSEPH'S ORATORY OF MOUNT ROYAL

My friends and I were blessed to visit Ottawa. Another city which should be on your bucket list! I was stunned to see the famous Parliament Hill, it is a fascinating building from outside and inside! I remember Ottawa as a very green city with lots of lush parks, and many cycling roads. We went for a stroll in one of the parks near the Parliament Hill, called the Jacques Cartier Park. Lovely!

What to do:

VISIT THE PARLIAMENT HILL

STROLL IN ONE OF THE LUSH PARKS NEARBY

RENT A BIKE

CHECK OUT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA

ENTER THE CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM

WALK ALONG THE BEAUTIFUL RIDEAU CANAL

I really liked Toronto due to its wealth of international restaurants and awesome clothes shops, not to mention all the sports shop with high-quality sports equipment. The guys needed of course to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame, I guess this must be really interesting if you are a big hockey fan! I well remember also our boat trip to the nearby islands. It gives you a good opportunity to do shoot a perfect picture of the city's skyline!

What to do:

GO SHOPPING

SPOIL YOURSELF WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CUISINE

ASCEND TO THE TOP OF THE CN TOWER

SHOP AND EAT AT ST. LAWRENCE MARKET

CHECK OUT THE DISTILLERY DISTRICT

VISIT THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME

RELAX AT TORONTO MUSIC GARDEN

OBSERVE THE CITY HALL

BOOK A BOAT TRIP TO THE TORONTO ISLANDS

Canada is one of those countries I would be happy to return to. There is so much more to see than the world-known cities - Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa and Vancouver City. As we all know, there are some pretty picturesque national parks in Canada - especially the Banff in Alberta must be a eye-catching place! For all hiking and nature excited followers out there, in 2017, there is free entrance to all national parks in Canada! ;)

Have you ever travelled to Canada? What was your highlight? Please share with us in the comments below!