Backpacking Canada for the first time
Replies: 26 - Last Post: Feb 28, 2012 10:00 PM Last Post By: hardnosethehigh...
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Backpacking Canada for the first time
Hi! I have decided that this summer (May/June to August/September 2012) I’m going to visit Canada. I have wanted to for a really long time, so now I have finished school I am free to go! From what I have seen and read it looks like a beautiful and diverse country, so I would love to experience it. I’m 20 years old (Female) and live in the England.This will be my first time travelling, so obviously nerves are mixed with the excitement. I was thinking of flying London to Toronto (unless anyone thinks a different place is better?) and going east to west then back to the east coast to fly home. Excluding flights I will have roughly £2000 (English money) is this enough? I assume that buses are the best way to get from A to B or is there another mode of transport that would be better?
There is so much I want to see but it’s very over whelming, here are some of the places/ sights I possibly want to see: Ottawa, Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec city, Toronto, Vancouver, (possibly Whitehorse, and Winnipeg), the Rockies, Peggies cove, national parks (so many not sure where to start!), Niagara falls, maybe Churchill. I really want to experience to beauty of BC, I have read about it and seen pictures, and it took my breath away! Also want to do outdoor activities, not sure which but I’m up for any! Any help with that could be great.
Any advice or stories would help so much. Thanks.
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Beautiful yes, but diverse?Considering it`s the second largest country of the world it`s surprisingly less diverse than for example it`s smaller southern neighbour which has everything that Canada has, plus deserts, tropical beaches, volcanoes, etc.
I assume that buses are the best way to get from A to B or is there another mode of transport that would be better?
I`d take the train wherever possible even if it`s more expensive, otherwise it obviously depends on where A and B is.
http://www.seat61.com/Canada.htm
Excluding flights I will have roughly £2000 (English money) is this enough?
I guess that should be enough for a month. Of course it`s easy to spend much sooner or stretch it by couchsurfing, camping, hitchhiking, etc.
What makes a British girl want to see places like Winnipeg and Calgary is beyond me, but de gustibus non est disputandum.
If I were you I`d buy a return ticket to Vancouver with a stopover in Toronto.
See Quebec and Ontario quickly(10-14 days max.): Toronto, Niagara, Ottawa, Quebec, etc.
Fly to Vancouver and spend the 2nd part of my trip in BC and Rockies, than fly back home from Vancouver. Yukon is too far and it makes no sense if you have to stick to public transport.
You should also compare the prices of flight to Seattle with a stopover in New York. You can take a train from New York to Montreal through the beautiful Hudson River valley, Lake Champlain, than return from Toronto to New York to continue to Seattle.
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As #1 suggests fly into Halifax then train/bus to Vancouver to fly home, be forewarned that Greyhound is owned/operated by your countries First Group so are best avoided whenever possible!A cool way to get to Whitehorse is to take take a http://www.bcferries.com ferry from Vancouver/Victoria to Prince Rupert, switch to an http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs ferry to Skagway where you board a http://www.wpyr.com train to Carcross then a bus into Whitehorse where you can catch the Grey Dog (only game in town & survivable just not customer friendly) back to Edmonton/Calgary & fly home from there.
Too much BS involved in using US airports when not necessary!
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well the only wy to travel for you other than own costly vehile is by greyound book ickets at leat week ahead so you get the discounts otherwise ou pay at least double the price have hostel card as well a student crd since they also attract discounts. heck price o canada wide ticket by phone since online no use, could get them here.. also check MEGA BUS FOR VERY LOW INTO usa fares real bargain i found but routes not much use for you unlees you want to go to nyork or washingon very cheaply. smithsonian museum in washingon well worth the trip they are free entry. amazing. good hostels in washingon also. canada as you will find is pathetic regarding overseas travellers without own transport. i started in 196 2 but only greyhound other than own car. for e ontario to bc is 260 return booked 2 weeks ahead, no stop overs. 3 day trip. train way out of sight money wise.8
@bristolnewbie - We have volcanoes in BC. We also have a desert.I would say that British Columbia is probably one of the most diverse places on earth.
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banfF alberta also lake louise spetacular scenery bus goes there rom bc. if digital camera make sure extra card since photo ops abound. have you planned what o do to save your photos. just asking. however you do require a vehicle to see this amazing beautiful area unfortunately.11
You did not read my post. I said BC, not Canada is one of the most diverse regions in the world. For example what terrain does Ontario have that BC doesn't?You said Canada didn't have volcanoes, or deserts. In fact British Columbia alone has volcanoes and a desert. You can look up Osoyoos.
Sure this desert does not compare with the Nevada desert, or our volcanoes to that of those on Hawaii or Yellowstone.
All I said is BC Note the 'BC' not Canada, is very diverse.
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#12 BC is NOT "---one of the most diverse places on earth."That statement is just silly, misleading & clearly made by one who has never traveled or has a reality problem!
What does Ontario have that BC doesn't? For starters the nations capital!
Edited by: busman78
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@busman - You are a sad man, many will agree with me on this one, as you are always posting negative comments. Just look back on your previous posts where people called you out for your negativity and down right ignorance.Since when was the nation capital a terrain? Not a very smart educated answer from you there. You do know what 'terrain' mean don't you?
I clearly stated, "What terrain does Ontario have that BC doesn't?" And your answer was the nations capital.
Can you read?
Anyways, in your mind what are some of the most diverse places on earth? Doesn't particularly mean just a country, can be a region/province etc. Hope you are able to understand this question.
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And busman, why are you still going on about my previous post, when I have clearly stated in the post before yours, that BC is very diverse, is it not? I have retracted my saying that BC is one of the most diverse places on earth, my mistake.BC is very diverse, you can not deny that.
But .... lets hear what countries/regions/place you think are some of the most diverse in the world. So then we can critique, assess, and criticize your every word, like you seem to do to everyone else if they don't agree to your expert opinion.
