Backpacking Holidays in Canada

If you want to have the experience of a lifetime, being able to see a full country at your own leisure, backpacking may be for you. Canada is a fantastic country, as well as being incredibly big, so make sure you have plenty of time. As English is spoken in most parts of Canada, you are also able to take on odd jobs here and there, perhaps in bars or restaurants, to finance the next part of your journey. Although there are always some safety issues with going on backpacking holidays, if you use common sense you should be absolutely fine.

There are a few essential things that you should know about the country:

• The currency is the Canadian Dollar
• The country spans across six time zones
• The languages in Canada are French and English, with most people speaking both
• The international dialling code is 011
• The emergency phone number is 911 or 0, depending on which part of Canada you are in

If you are on a backpacking holiday in Canada, the main point is of course for you to be able to see as much of the country as possible. Luckily, travel in Canada is reasonably cheap, particularly if you opt to travel by Greyhound bus. There is also a reasonable train service in Canada. It is generally very reliable, but there are still many areas that cannot be reached by train. You may also want to considering hiring a car.

Of course, you will need to have a place to stay every night when you are on a backpacking holiday. It is usually possible to find very reasonably priced motels and youth hostels, without having to book in advance. Two books are recommended if you are going on a backpacking holiday in Canada, being:

• The Lonely Planet Guide to Canada
• The Hostel Handbook for the USA and Canada

In case of an emergency or accident, the health care in Canada is very good. However, you do have to have very good travel insurance in place, otherwise you will be responsible for paying for the full bill immediately after treatment. There are no health risks in Canada and you do not need to receive any vaccinations. Furthermore, Canada has been officially SARS free since 2003.

A backpacking holiday in Canada really could be the experience of a lifetime. Some sites that should not be missed are of course Jasper National Park and the hot springs at Banff, which is rumoured to be a source of vitality and youth. Niagara Falls is also one site of natural beauty that should be on your list of things to do in Canada. Other than that, there is something to cater for every taste in Canada, whether it be a range of extreme sports or fine dining, shopping and nightlife. Be safe and enjoy yourself and don’t forget your camera!