Canada

[SHALOM]

As a family of 4 (grown up children) we are off to Canada for 17 days on an organised trip. Any tips of do's and don'ts. Not flown long haul flights before. Any advice will be helpful. Thanks in advance

[Dassie]

Not much difference with long haul except boredom sets in after a few hours! Try and get aisle seats each, one behind the other, and the corresponding seats opposite. This way you can get up and walk about without having to climb over others and still sit together. Also it's probably a larger plane than you are used to travelling on so aim to sit as near to the front of the aircraft as possible to avoid the queues trying to get off at your destination.

[sddsddean]

Don't bother rushing to get off the plane. Sit and wait for everyone else to get off and avoid the crush. You will still have to queue for Immigration etc, and of course you will beat your bags to the carousel!!
Are you going to Vancouver? If so, go up the Skyview tower, well worth the view, and try and get up Grouse mountain. Have fun, its a great place.

[SHALOM]

Thanks Dassie & Sddsddean. We are going to the rockies, vancouver and wilderness island

[naz_nomad]

Whilst in Vancouver ...go to Gastown and eat in The Old Spaghetti Factory

[naz_nomad]

http://www.oldspaghettifactory.ca/

found their site ... you'll love it, so will the kids



p.s. you'll even find the tramps polite in Vancouver

(how I wish I lived there instead of this country)

[campbellking]

Go to the hot springs in the Rockies - quite brilliant!

[SHALOM]

Thanks Naz_nomad, been on spaghetti site will bear in mind, as no food is included in the price, so any eating places where to go and where not to go would also be appreciated. Thanks everyone.

[jno]

Japser, Banff, the numerous lakes in that region, all very beautiful. The trip between there and Vancouver isn't great; Kamloops is the usual stop, and it's not really very exciting. In Vancouver, go see the totem poles and the harbour area generally

On the plane, wear flight socks, take an aspirin before you take off, and if you can't walk around at least flex your leg muscles as often as you can, to ward off DVT.

[campbellking]

If you see a Tim Hortons anywhere (not sure how far over Canada they are now, most were in Ontario way when we went), go there for beautiful bagels, donuts and soup. Like most Canadian eateries, they also make good tea.

[maxximus]

in vancouver fresgo's diner on davie street and for the best chinese food in the city the on lok restaurant on east hasting both low on decor high on portions,prices and food. naz is correct about the spaghetti factory ,kids will enjoy it, prices also good. banff is a must, better than jasper and it's a shame jno did not enjoy vancouver, i can only assume he had poor host, that didn't know his way around, it's a beautiful place and there's loads to do but it is a world of difference when you've got a local showing you around. wilderness island i believe is in ontario, i've never been and it is a along way from vancouver hope your flying! also hope you have a fantastic time. cheers eh!!

[maxximus]

a little comedyhttp://home7.swipnet.se/~w-72891/CanadianClub/ CCsales/ad.html to prepare you for the crazy canucks!!

[jno]

Loved Vancouver, maxximus, though (like Seattle not far away) it's prone to rain; it was Kamloops that wasn't paradise on earth.

[SHALOM]

Hi Maximus it's wilderness lodge on vancouver island, wildlife adventure, cruise through desolation sound in pursuit of eagles. stellar sea lions, bears etc Thanks

[maxximus]

ah, my uncle lives on the island, i love it over there, you must also try and see the whales. when your in tofino try haggling with the seaplane pilots and take the family for a seaplane ride over desolation sound, an absolute rush you'll love it. try to catch a tsawassen to victoria ferry over and a nanaimo horseshoe bay ferry back or visa verse they are the two most scenic ferry rides from mainland to island, avoid the tsawassen to nanaimo or tsawassen to duke point as they go straight across open water and the scenery is a long ways off. victoria/tsawassen is my favorite. i hear you about kamloops jno and yes we do get our fair share of liquid sunshine,best time to come is now, end of june till end of september, weather is beautiful and glad you enjoyed vancouver. my uncle lives in ladysmith just outside of nanaimo near another little town called chemanis. i know your family will enjoy yourselves shalom those are all great destinations. cheers eh!

[maxximus]

victoria will remind you of home very british!

[JoolsTwo]

I don't know how you like your tea campbellking but They don't know how to make tea in Canada. Cups of hot water with a teabag in the saucer. Not my idea of a good cup of tea. Best tea we could get was in Starbucks of all places. But Canada is a beautiful country, we got back today after 2 months, most of it in British Columbia. Grouse Mountain is a must and see Cooler and Grinder two orphan bears, the veiws are stunning. You ride up in a cable car and you get a lovely veiw of Vancouver. Capilano suspension bridge, (scary but great) Enjoyed every minute,There is so much to see . Get a good book from the bookshop as there is too much to put on here. I could not live there though. You will have a great time.

[Chui]

Lucky things! We've just come back from a trip to the rockies, the wine region, vancouver & the island. Absolutely wonderful. Jealous, we didnt make it to the islands west coast.

Take binoculars. Big country, lots to see at a distance.
Banff lovely, Jasper isnt. Recommend glacier, hot springs, cable car trips for the view. See crowds, stop, they are usually looking at animals. Wine region (Kelowna is centre. Summerhill Winery great, friendly, excellent wine). Canadian Molson lager goes down a treat on a hot day, as does Canadian dry white wine. Their real beer is good too.

Vancouver itself - Stanley park a must. Hang around the picnic areas and you may see raccoons.

Vancouver Island - I'd emigrate tomorrow if winters were a tad sunnier. We went whale watching on a rib raider (rubber boat with engines!) with only 6 seats, rather than the bigger touristy boats. If you are into adrenalin - wow! We encouraged our 'driver' to really hit the waves and it was GREAT. We were kinda sore the next day admittedly.

Longhall Flights - make sure you exercise your legs, even while sitting. Drink lots of water. TAke sleeping tabs (prescription or something like Nytol) with you so you can get a decent kip. If you want to listen to inflight system, your own headphones may be comfier. Loose clothes and comfy shoes essential! If you can get bulkhead seats you will have more legroom, but possibly less width as they have to slot the tables into the sides of the seats. Keep small amount of freshen up toiletries in hand luggage. Warning - Vancouver Airport shops etc ALL currently close at 8-9pm, biggest first.

If flying overnight, try to get a seat on the correct side of the aircraft. That moment when the sun just rises/finally dips is unforgettable. A window seat will give an amazing view of the plains if you fly over during daylight.

ENJOY!