By Corinne McDermott
Whether you prefer to spend your holidays in the city, in nature, at the beach or in the mountains, there is a destination in Canada that will meet your expectations and those of your family.
The long, hot summer days have finally arrived, and now is the perfect time to plan your family vacation. But before choosing a few destinations you would like to visit, you must first determine exactly what kind of vacation you would like to treat yourself to. Do you prefer to rest or be more active? Would you like to turn off all your electronics or can’t live without Wi-Fi? Whatever style of vacation appeals to your family, there is a Canadian destination that will appeal to them too. Here are some suggestions to help you make an informed decision.
City breaks
Are you passionate about culture? Does your family like having choices for eating and having fun? If so, a getaway to a family-friendly city could be an exciting idea to please everyone.
Despite its reputation as a somewhat “cold” financial city, Toronto has everything to please families. Among the many activities offered, the sandy beaches of the Toronto Islands are just 15 minutes from downtown and the famous CN Tower, which always makes visitors, young and old, dizzy. You can also find cheap tickets to a Blue Jays game, make four-legged friends at the Toronto Zoo, and take on the roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland or the rides at the Canadian National Exhibition (at the end of summer). Don’t forget to pay homage to the incredible dinosaur fossils at the Royal Ontario Museum! And thanks to its inhabitants coming from all over the world, you will have something for all tastes and all budgets when it comes time to take a break to eat.
Would you like to experience the Parisian atmosphere without crossing the Atlantic? Visit Quebec City! Explore the Plains of Abraham or discover Old Quebec by horse-drawn carriage while listening to a history lesson. You can also rent bicycles and ride along the St. Lawrence River. And why not just walk the city’s cobbled streets, which was born 400 years ago?
Also, check out the following article for more ideas:
Affordable weekend getaways in Canada
Beach getaways
If you need to feel the sun on your skin and the sand between your toes to relax during your vacation, you have several options.
Famous for its coastlines that stretch for more than 1,000 kilometres, Prince Edward Island has many sandy beaches that will delight you. However, you will have to make a difficult decision: choose between the warm waters and calm seas of the south of the island or the waves of the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the north side. If you want to move around the island instead, cycle or go on a deep-sea fishing trip.
On the Ontario side, Sandbanks Provincial Park has beautiful white sand and crystal blue water beaches on par with Caribbean beaches. The area offers a wide range of accommodation options for the whole family and every budget.
Fill up on nature
If you need to get away from it all to recharge your batteries, a camping trip will help you reconnect with your family and nature.
In Ontario, Algonquin Provincial Park is a paradise for nature lovers. It has more than 1,500 lakes, 53 species of mammals, 272 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles and amphibians and more than 1,000 species of plants; the naturalist in you will not be bored. If you want to add an artistic touch to your stay, visit the forest museum and the art centre of the park.
In the Charlevoix region of Quebec, nature is also magnificent, and there are several trails for beautiful hikes. There are two large-scale national parks where nature takes all its rights. First, Parc national des Grands-Jardins, a 310 km2 paradise of barren peaks, expanses of lichens and black spruce forests. It is one of the central areas of the Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve, a status granted to the region by UNESCO. On foot, by canoe or via Ferrata, you can sometimes see one of the many caribou living there. Closer to Quebec, the Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie offers the highest walls east of the Rockies, guaranteeing breathtaking panoramas and exhausting hikes on the legs. The Northern Lights often dance across the summer skies and alone can be worth seeing!
When planning your family vacation to Canada, remember that you.
