Destinations

Find out the top five experiences you can enjoy when you sail on a cruise or holiday to Canada.

1. St Johns

After cruising 2,000 miles across the Atlantic, your first taste of Canada will be St John’s, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. Here you can learn about the province’s history at a museum or take in the culture at a gallery – almost all the attractions are within walking distance of the cruise port. Or you might like to visit the baffling Reversing Falls, where the St John’s River actually changes direction and flows backwards against the tide – a unique natural phenomenon!

2. Whale Watching

The phrase ‘awe-inspiring’ is over-used so often, but when a whale breaches the ocean’s surface right before your eyes, lunges out of the water, and returns with a loud smack and plume of water, it’s – well –awe-inspiring! Conservationists from marine charity ORCA will be on board throughout this voyage, so you can enjoy fascinating whale-watching sessions out on deck in the company of real experts, every step of the journey.

3. Quebec City & Montreal

Two cities, two totally contrasting experiences. This region of Canada is not all old-worldly and rural, as its contemporary cities showcase so very well. Look forward to exploring Quebec City, the hub of French-Canadian culture, packed with attractions such as the Haute-Ville and legendary Château Frontenac. And then there’s Montreal, set on an island and offering superb cuisine, modern architecture, fantastic shopping and a special ‘joie de vivre’.

4. Nova Scotia

Often voted one of the best islands to visit in North America, Cape Breton Island and the port of Sydney are packed full of experiences. You could hike or cycle the famed Cabot Trail, enter the Fortress of Louisbourg or enjoy the ‘craic’ of the lively Celtic culture that abounds here. But surely the greatest lure of Nova Scotia is to simply enjoy and take in its picture-postcard scenes of old lighthouses, clapboard houses and wild scenery, all clinging to a beautifully rocky and rugged coastline.

5. The Annual Fall

Of course, one of the most famous reasons for visiting Canada at this time of year is the iconic autumn landscapes. This shift in season sees the trees and foliage dramatically change from green to tones of russet, red, orange and brown. Seeking it out and taking photographs of the stunning scenery is known locally as ‘leaf peeping’, and once you’ve tried it, you’ll become a bona fide ‘leaf peeper!’ Of course that’s not the only season that’s worth experiencing; there are many reasons to also visit Canada in the Spring.

Discover a full range of holidays and cruises to Canada.