Given the current situation, it is wiser this year to opt for a summer vacation in Canada. Far away from tourist attractions, in natural sanctuaries, gsedre.com invites you to discover the beauty of Canada’s flora and fauna.
Between the rocky mountains, the vast lakes and the unreal beaches, the country of the maple blossom is full of fabulous spots to spend a holiday away from the deafening sounds of the cities. From Ontario to New Brunswick, Quebec and Nova Scotia, Canadian landscapes are a surprise.
Admire the stunning beauty of Niagara Falls
Located on the Niagara River in Ontario, the falls serve as a natural boundary between the United States and Canada. Vertiginous and splendid at the same time, they are sometimes considered the eighth wonder of the world. Three of them all have different names: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the most impressive Horseshoe Falls. The best vantage point to admire them is on the Canadian side where you can see the horseshoe-shaped falls. At night, they are illuminated offering an incredible show of light games. The easiest way to get there is through the city of Toronto, which is about 120 kilometers away. Walking tours, boat tours in the heart of the falls, zip lines nearby, activities are varied… You can even indulge in a helicopter tour. What a treat for the eyes but also for the ears with the flow of water!
Observe the Highest Tides in the Bay of Fundy
In New Brunswick, in the Bay of Fundy, you can see the highest tides in the world. The time and force of the tides have shaped huge brown rocks. These tides are caused by the gravitation of the moon and the sun. Nearly 100 billion tons of water come in and out of the bay about twice a day! At low tide, it is possible to walk on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by Hopewell rocks. When the tide is high, kayakers are out. Around the bay, climbing, abseiling or exploring the caves are the main activities. All ready, you can also, thanks to organized boat excursions, observe humpback whales, white-sided dolphins or one of the rarest whales in the world, the white whale.
Exploring Alberta and the Rockies at Banff National Park
Like a postcard, Banff National Park in Alberta, 6,641 km² is located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. In the middle of nature, the mountains and large lakes replace the noise of car horns. In the city of Banff, you will surely come across elks while in the park, wild animals such as wolves, bears and bison roam freely. For your safety, we advise you to book accompanied hikes. In this park, you can also discover Canada’s two most beautiful lakes, Lake Louise and Lake Moraine. Nearby is Canada’s millennial glacier, Athabasca, which you can see on small group tours. To discover the beautiful lakes of Banff National Park, equip yourself with bicycles, canoes, inflatable rafts and climbing equipment for the most adventurous of you.
Time travel in Nova Scotia
The city of Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a treasure trove of ancient treasures from another era. The wooden facades of the buildings are all colored, red, green, yellow creating a rainbow seen from afar. The buildings date back to the British colonial empire in the 18th and 19th centuries. Strolling along the seafront, you can discover the masts of tall ships and the atypical architecture of each building. The Academy of Music, the Lunenburg Historical Fortress and St.John’s Anglican Church are the historic monuments that must be visited. This charming city is also full of restaurants, distilleries and small crafts to discover. Not far away is Blue Rocks, a small village of fishermen and artists, also famous for its picturesque charm.
Discovering the Yukon Wilderness
The Yukon, the territory of northwestern Canada on the Alaska border, remained completely wild. This place, little known to tourists, is home to the second highest peak in North America, Mount Logan. Even if you are not seasoned mountaineers, you can walk through the trails of Kluane National Park to admire the emerald colored of the forest. The national park consists of ice fields (icefields) whose white mantle is visible all year round. The park is also home to St. Elias, Canada’s largest mountain range. Species of birds including the golden eagle come to enjoy this untamed nature. You can also hear the majestic howling of wolves and fall face to face with a caribou. Nevertheless, the grizzly bear remains the great star of the park! In this nature reserve, you can practice hiking, trekking, mountaineering, river rafting, climbing, fishing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or horseback riding. In the Yukon, you can also go hunting for the northern lights!
Meeting Gannets on Bonaventure Island
In Quebec, facing the village of Perce on the tip of the Gaspe Peninsula, Île Bonaventure and Rocher Perce National Park stands out with its marine bird sanctuary. On site, nearly 116,000 gannets, seabirds, nest every year on the rock off Perce. The Northern Gannet is not the only species to find refuge on Bonaventure Island since you can also discover the black-legged kittiwake, the little penguin or the great cormorant. With its unique and recognizable silhouette miles away, the Rocher Perce has become an emblem of Quebec. The most interesting is to approach the giant mineral at low tide to observe the famous hole. We recommend visiting the charming village of Perce, one of the most beautiful in Quebec. Near Perce, there is also another icon to visit, the Cap Blanc lighthouse.
Climbing the cliffs of Anticosti Island
This dream island, located in Quebec in the heart of the Gulf of St.Lawrence is still a territory little explored, yet it is full of trails emerging on vertiginous canyons or on limestone cliffs. For nature lovers, this is the perfect place to get lost. Anticosti Island has more deer than inhabitants! You can discover the grandiose canyon and the Vauréa waterfall, 90 meters deep allowing the falls to plunge to 76 meters in a void with fracas. On site, you can explore caves or stroll through the boreal forest. This haven of peace welcomes rivers with crystal clear waters, so clear that you can watch the fish swim. The Brick River is full of sea trout, while the Jupiter River is full of salmon.
Stroll the red beaches of Prince Edward Island
Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island, offers breathtaking scenery, with its red fire cliffs and unreal beaches. The island is known for its clay soils due to high concentrations of iron oxide. The birthplace of Canada’s confederation, you must use the gigantic Confederation Bridge to access it. Prince Edward Island is also known as Potato Island, where thousands of potatoes are harvested each year. To the south of the island is Argyle Beach, a red sandy beach, and in Victoria-by-the-sea you can admire the glowing reflections as you stroll along the coast. The province is home to more than 60 lighthouses and several small villages of atypical fishermen.
