From untouched forests to cosmopolitan cities, from towering
mountain ranges to endless seascapes, Canada is a country of
extremes - one that embraces its glistening newness yet has a hand
firmly, and proudly, in its colonial past.
As the second largest country in the world and sitting between
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Canada's landscape is both vast
and legendary: The Rockies, a skier's paradise with its snow-capped
peaks and deep blue lakes fringed by virgin pines; Arctic barrens
to the north; The Great Lakes; the undulating Canadian Prairies;
the awe-inspiring Virginia Falls; the list goes on... Canada is
also home to some of the most exciting acities in North America.
Vancouver, Toronto, Quebec and Montreal all boast that dazzling
modernity yet with a famous friendliness likened to that of days
gone by.
All the sophistication and good humour of Europe combined with
all the great big outdoor spaces of North America provides a
winning combination - one that has that wow factor in spades.
Flying time: Vancouver - 9 hours 30 minutes
Calgary - 9 hours 25 minutes
Time difference: British Columbia - GMT -8
Hours Alberta - GMT -7 Hours
Getting there: Direct services operate to
Vancouver & Calgary with British Airways and Air Canada.
Currency: Canadian Dollar
Vaccinations: Not required. However, please
contact your doctor for up-to-date information.
Visas: British passport holders do not require
a visa. All other nationals please check visa requirements with the
embassy.
Best time to visit: Summer is definitely the
most popular time to visit British Columbia. Daytime temperatures
in Vancouver average a very enjoyable 22 degrees Celsius, while the
province's hottest area, the Southern Okanagan, experiences
temperatures in the 30's on most days. Alberta experiences snowy
winters and temperate summers. Winter months typically fall below
freezing on a daily basis, especially during January and February.
However, most cold days are accompanied by blue skies. Summer is
filled with warm days averaging 28 degrees, and occasional showers.
Spring and Autumn offer cooler temperatures than the summer, with
the chance of snow.