Meet CanadaCanada weather reportGetting into CanadaFrom the Canadian kitchen From the Canadian barCurrency in Canada Major airports in CanadaDid you know?

 

Meet Canada

 

Think of Canada and you’re likely to have an image of the majestic Niagara Falls pop unwittingly into your mind.

 

This is an excellent place to start imagining the country and like the Falls Canada is a place of outstanding natural beauty and breathtaking views.

One of the most stunning sights the country has to offer is best viewed from the Northwest Territories wilderness where, if conditions are right, the effect known as the aurora borealis (northern lights) vividly paints the sky in a spectacular array of colours.

 

You can take a ski plane out into the wilderness and stay at one of the comfortable lodges nestled deep into the heart of this winter wonderland.

The scenery in Canada’s outback is genuinely inspiring during winter with thick white snow blanketing the ground and frozen lakes, frost covered trees, crisp, clean air and perfect blue skies giving the land a fresh feel, perfect for forgetting the hubbub and drone of the city.

 

The country has an array of spectacular native wildlife as well as stunning scenery making it a great escape for anyone looking to recharge and get back to nature; it also serves as an ideal destination for dazzling holiday photographs.

 

Some of the country’s wildlife species include the killer whale, polar bear, moose, wolf, great horned owl and Purple Martin.  With such rich diversity of natural resources the country offers exciting opportunities to hikers, photographers and outdoor sports enthusiasts.

  

Guiding a team of hardworking Huskies is a massive challenge and provides both a thrill and a unique chance to see areas of the wilderness which are inaccessible by foot. Gliding across the snow and frozen lakes will make you feel like an explorer and gives you a chance to find out more about traditional Canadian transport routes.

 

Another “must do” is a trip by kayak through the legendary Iceberg Alley in Newfoundland where you’ll get the chance to not only see an imposing assortment of giant ice-bergs but also a variety of wildlife including puffins, bald eagles, dolphins and porpoises.

 

For those who like the lights, sounds and adventures of the city Canada has some intriguing locations that offer experiences to suit every taste and budget.

 

Montréal is known as the creative capital of Canada and is home to some stunning architecture, museums of note and the world famous Montréal Jazz Festival.

 

Toronto, with its large waterfront, myriad of art galleries and renowned St Lawrence Market is an urbane, laid back city with a cosmopolitan population that offers a real treat to the visitor looking for a modern city that is big on experience.

 

Tucked away towards the country’s west coast is Vancouver, a city that has it all. The impressive Stanley Park offers the chance to hire bikes and amble through the lush green surroundings while English Bay beach lets travellers relax and watch the yachts drift out to sea. The city even boasts its very own natural sightseeing setting with Grouse Mountain providing 360˚ views of the surrounding countryside.

 

Canada has something to offer everyone and the people are friendly, inviting and proud of everything their country has to offer. 

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Canada weather report

 

Being so far north Canada is invariably a cold country and temperatures in winter can drop as low as -20˚C. The warmest months are between May and September when temperatures can reach the mid 20s.

 

Heavy snowfall is prevalent during the winter months and drivers should be aware of icy, hazardous driving conditions. Tornados occasionally hit Canada and are most likely between May and September.

 

For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool. 

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Getting into Canada

 

Visitors from the United Kingdom do not require a Temporary Resident Visa to enter the country, however the consulate does warn that if you are thinking about visiting the country you must have a valid passport, be in good health and have enough money to last for the duration of your stay.

 

You are not permitted to enter Canada if you have a criminal conviction.

 

Before booking your flights it is a good idea to speak with a representative from the Canadian high commission or embassy if you have any questions about entry requirements. 

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From the Canadian kitchen

 

Authentic Canadian food benefits from the heritage of its diverse population and has British, French, German, American, Irish, Polish, Inuit and Swedish influences.

 

Popular in Québec and eastern Canada, Fiddlehead ferns are edible sprouts which are in season in early spring. The sprouts are boiled twice and served as a specialty.

 

As would be expected in such a cold climate, heavy meals rich in meat are common as exhibited by the dish “Jiggs Dinner,” a meal which consists of salted beef, boiled cabbage, potatoes, carrots, turnip and pease pudding and served with accompanying pickled beets and butter.

 

One of the biggest sweet treats in Canada is the Butter tart, a pastry made from butter, eggs and sugar in a small pastry shell. The tart is served with selections of pecans, raisins, coconuts, walnuts, butterscotch, dates, peanut butter and chocolate.

 

For anyone with an extra large appetite you only need order a “Lumberjack’s Breakfast” to discover that when it comes to food Canadians are not shy with their portions.

 

A traditional Lumberjack’s breakfast consists of at least two eggs, plenty of bacon, ham, fried pork slices and numerous sausages plus either pancakes or flapjacks smothered in maple syrup. Not an experience for the faint hearted or easily intimidated. 

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From the Canadian bar

 

Canada has a strong history of distilling excellence when it comes to whiskies, and many locals still refer to the drink as rye as a reminder of a time when rye was the main ingredient in a good Canadian whisky.

 

Contemporary Canadian whiskies use only a small amount of rye to add a lighter finish to the body of the drink and the country boasts some fine examples amongst which Canadian Club, Crown Royal, Pike Creek, Black Velvet and Yukon Jack whiskies stand out.

 

Canadian Club is well renowned for its blend of smoky, caramel and cola flavours and is one of the few whiskies around that is blended before maturing. The drink harbours subtle flavours of rye malt, barley and corn to produce a mellow flavour that is perfectly relaxed.

 

Crown Royal is a premium brand of Canadian whisky and contains subtle hints of coconut and oranges giving it a nutty, fruit-infused flavour. It remains one of the most popular whisky blends in Canada.

 

Black Velvet is a particularly smooth drinking whisky which is aged in heavy oak barrels for a minimum of 8 years. The aging process allows the whiskey to gradually mature producing a rich taste and smooth drinking experience.

 

For those with a taste for cocktails, a Canada Day cocktail is the perfect way to ease into the Canadian lifestyle. Served over cracked ice and made with Canadian Club whiskey, sloe gin, Triple sec, Galliiano liqueur and a healthy dose of pure orange juice, this is an easy drinking cocktail that works for any occasion.

 

The biggest thing in Canada it is often said is hockey, but if this is true the second biggest thing in Canada must be beer.

 

The country has a long tradition of beer brewing and consistently produces a number of excellent lagers such as Molson Canadian, Labatt Blue and Coors.

 

Perhaps the best of these is Coors, a light, refreshing lager that is exceptionally smooth and well rounded. Coors, and its sister beer Coors Light, go well with meals or as a stand-alone drink and can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

 

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Currency in Canada

 

The currency in Canada is the Canadian dollar which is symbolised as either C$ to distinguish it from the American dollar or as simply $.

 

Coins are minted in Winnipeg at the Royal Canadian Mint and some such as the $1 and $2 coins have affectionate nicknames; being called a “Loonie” and “Toonie” respectively.

 

Coins denominations include the 1¢ which is a penny, 5¢ which is the nickel, 10¢ which is termed a dime, 25¢ which is called the 25 cent piece, 50¢ and the $1 and $2 coins.

 

Notes are now printed in $5, $10,$20,$50 and $100 denominations and in 2000 the Canadian government stopped issuing the $1000 note.

 

For the up to date currency conversion please use the Pampo exchange rates calculator.

 

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Major airports in Canada

• Calgary International Airport (YYC)

• Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)

• Halifax-Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)

• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

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Did you know?

• The baseball glove was invented in Canada in 1883

• Canada is the second largest country in the world covering a total of 9,984,670 square kilometres

• Vancouver is currently ranked 4^th in the world for quality of living (Mercer Consulting)

• The average life expectancy in Canada is 81.2 years

• To drive from Halifax, on Canada’s east coast, to Vancouver, on the west coast, takes around seven days

• Vancouver was selected as the host city for the 2010 Winter Olympics

 

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