WIDE IS THE WORD
Sophie Butler has pointers for the land of infinite variety.
1 Paddle power Escapism is something Canada can offer in spades. For some time out with Mother Nature in an all-female group, consider booking an 11-day Travel, Play, Live — Women’s Yukon tour, which includes three days of canoeing down a section of the Yukon (one of North America’s longest rivers). Other highlights include the ice fields, forests and wildlife of the Kluane National Park, staying in hotels and campsites. worldexpeditions.com
2 Rocky Railroad For vast distances and spectacular landscapes, few countries can compete with Canada — and rail travel is an ideal way to appreciate both aspects. A 14-day Canada & the Rocky Mountaineer tour combines two of its most exemplary rail journeys: three-nights from Toronto to Jasper on The Canadian, and two days on the Rocky Mountaineer passing through the breathtaking mountains of Banff National Park and across the continental divide to Vancouver.
3 Island life A whale-watcher’s paradise, Vancouver Island is a two-hour ferry ride across the Strait of Georgia from Vancouver city on the west coast. A six-day Introducing the Best of the West adventure is a good-value way to see the island’s highlights, from the buzzing harboursid town of Nanaimo and the surfing hotspot of Tofino to the historic city of Victoria. There will also be time to go kayaking, hiking or exploring local bars. intrepidtravel.com
4 Va Va Vancouver Straddling a peninsula of striking cityscapes fringed by sandy beaches with the 405ha Stanley Park at its tip, Vancouver is a great summertime destination. Top-notch hotels and restaurants combine with galleries and an excellent farmers’ market on Granville Island. Take a cable car up Grouse Mountain for superb views of the city and the landscape beyond. tourismvancouver.com
6 Cruise on by Follow in the footsteps of time-honoured explorers with a trans-Atlantic voyage from Liverpool, England to St John’s, Newfoundland’s capital, on a 26-night Canada in the Fall itinerary aboard the Black Watch. After calling into Halifax,
5 Ride ’em cowboy Canada’s ranches can give horse-lovers an unforgettable insight into the life of a modern cowboy. Take a six-night break at Lucasia Ranch in the foothills of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, south of Calgary, to find out more about branding weeks and cattle drives — and to ride out through scenic landscapes of hot springs, high peaks, grassy prairies and turquoise lakes. inthesaddle.com Charlottetown and Baie Comeau, the vessel sails through the Fjord National Park and along the Saguenay River to reach Quebec and Montreal, with ample opportunity to enjoy the striking autumn colours of the fall foliage en route. Departs September 22. fredolsencruises.com
7 Eastern treats Nova Scotia’s capital, Halifax, and the nearby Unesco World Heritage Site of Lunenburg on Canada’s eastern shores are rich in maritime history. A 12-day Landscapes of the Canadian Maritimes tour reveals the stories behind this region’s First Nations and colonial past. The itinerary also highlights its natural beauty, including the Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highlands National Park, and its literary connections — including the house that inspired the children’s classic Anne of Green Gables. insightvacations.com/nz