EMBRACE CANADA
‘There’s no better place to explore’: Peter Glenn discovers a travel writer’s top picks and tips for family vacations.
Travel writer Jody Robbins has penned a book for any Canadian family wanting to explore and experience our great country. 25 Places in Canada Every Family Should Visit is just that, laying out her recommendations for a cross-section of destinations from coast to coast for families, as well as travel tips for vacationing with kids and more.
Born in Fredericton, N.B., Robbins grew up in Alberta but has worked, lived and travelled around the world. She’s also a prolific travel blogger and freelancer.
Q You’ve been a travel writer for years. What led you to write this book?
A Two years ago, I realized Canada’s 150th birthday was on the horizon. That led me to think about how to celebrate this milestone. Being a proud Canadian and fortunate enough to see more of the country than most, I saw it an opportunity to give back. In a way, it’s my love letter to Canada, sharing what I uncovered in the hopes families would feel inspired and empowered to explore this amazing country of ours.
Q How did you narrow down your recommendations to 25?
A This was by far the toughest part of writing this book. Obviously, there are more than 25 fantastic places for families to visit in Canada, but I wanted to make it approachable for the average family. There’s a mix of the iconic Canadian destinations that many know about (for good reason), but I also sought to highlight underrated spots that offered a wide variety of experiences enjoyable for the whole family. I also wanted to ensure we had a good split between city breaks and nature getaways. The destinations I chose all showcase an integral part of Canada, be it geographical, historical or cultural.
Q Have you had a chance to visit each of the places you cover?
A Yes, I’ve personally visited each and every location in this book. Most of the time my family accompanied me. When they couldn’t, I tagged along with other families. Looking back, I’m amazed I was able to cover so much ground in such a short time, but it was all worth it.
Q Do you have a favourite Canadian destination, or one that really surprised you?
A It’s too hard to pick just one favourite, but there were certainly many that surprised me. I expected Vancouver, Churchill (Man.) and the Maritimes to be fantastic and they didn’t disappoint. It was the Prairie cities, however, that really surprised me: Regina, Edmonton and Winnipeg, and I’m from Calgary!
I couldn’t get over how affordable Regina was. Their scifantastic, ence centre was the parks were well developed and visiting RCMP Heritage Centre stirred a patriotism in me I wasn’t expecting. Seeing how much my daughter enjoyed Regina made me realize I needed to open my eyes to what’s nearby instead of fantasizing about distant locales. My husband couldn’t join us, but I told him we’d have to come back for a romantic couple’s weekend at Hotel Saskatchewan. For real.
Q Canada is such a big country and it’s expensive to get across it. What do you say to families tempted to head to popular sun destinations instead?
A First, I would agree it’s expensive to get across Canada. For that, I recommend racking up air travel reward points, which go a lot further domestically. Consider doing a house swap to save on accommodation. People travel to either explore or escape. I can appreciate a sun vacation as much as the next winter-weary Canadian. Those holidays typically fit in the escape category, and sometimes you need that.
But if you want to explore, there’s no better place than Canada. Within our borders, you can go on an Arctic safari, witness the highest tides on the globe, sleep with wolves, dig for fossils in the world’s most significant dino bed and explore where the Vikings first recorded landfall in the New World. We’re a country blessed by nature, and regular contact with the outdoors is critical for our well being. People don’t protect what they don’t understand and value, which is why spending vacation time and dollars connecting to Canada’s outdoors is always a worthy investment.
Q You go well beyond picking destinations, into travel tips and even some psychology for things like travelling with children, in groups, and managing expectations when it comes to money. What led you there?
A Families have different travel needs. Travelling with tots can be challenging, and traditional guidebooks don’t offer that kind of support. How much fun is it to spend the day at the Capilano Suspension Bridge if parents aren’t talking because they couldn’t find a parking spot? (Tip: take the free shuttle service from downtown Vancouver.) We’ve all been in similar situations, and this book aims to give caregivers that extra guidance, from one parent to another.
I have a knack for learning things the hard way, but that’s not something you want to do on your precious few vacation weeks. So, I consulted and compiled tips from other travel experts. Travel is more than ticking items of your to-do list. It’s about connecting with people and making shared memories. I dedicate several chapters on the how-to of family travel, so parents can set their families up for success in advance of the trip.
Q What else would you like readers to know about travelling in Canada and about the book?
A Travelling in Canada is worth it. You’ll be amazed at our diversity, but that quiet, helpful, unassuming nature is prevalent almost everywhere you go.
25 Places in Canada Every Family Should Visit is for anyone curious about in travel in Canada or family travel in general. It’s a reliable resource for everything you need to know about planning a memorable Canadian vacation.