One month to go until I begin my solo travels in Canada. I am excited beyond belief. What have I got planned for my six months in the world’s second largest country?
Well, to be completely honest, not much. By this, I don’t mean I’m going to be sitting around doing nothing for all of this time. I just haven’t created a strict itinerary. All I know is that I want to fit as many amazing experiences and visit as many fantastic places as is practically possible.
My starting point is Vancouver, British Columbia, on Canada’s west coast. This city is forever making it onto those lists for the best places to live in the world.
And it’s not difficult to see why….
I plan on exploring this city for a few weeks or so, before catching a ferry over to Vancouver Island where I have provisionally organised a three-week stint volunteering on a blueberry farm at Qualicum Beach – through the Willing Workers On Organic Farms (WWOOF) scheme.
This is great project allowing you to help out and learn new skills, whilst having your accommodation and board covered for the duration of your stay. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time and cannot wait to meet the family I’ll be staying with and get to grips with how their farm works (hmmm, this could be interesting).
Whilst on Vancouver Island, I plan to visit Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, and Tofino, known for its great beaches and surfing culture.
Then it’s back over to the mainland to welcome my boyfriend Andy for two weeks. We’ll be spending a few days in Vancouver before heading out into the Rockies for lots of hiking.
From here, I might decide to continue moving east. Or, I might want to head back to British Columbia for another month or so.
My flight home in November is from Toronto and I definitely want to see as much as the east side of Canada as possible, including the Maritimes.
I also plan on visiting New York, a city I’ve always been fascinated by.
I am hoping to have a working holiday visa organised in time for my travels. I actually messed up my initial application to the International Experience Canada (IEC) scheme (this is a story for later…).
If it doesn’t come through before I enter Canada, I’ll have to hop over the border into Seattle to activate it. This would be no worries at all, because Seattle is somewhere I want to visit anyway.
We’ll have to see…
Any recommendations for British Columbia would be much appreciated?
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This is so exciting! I do hope we can meet for a coffee when you are here. The three week stint at Qualicum beach will be awesome. You will for sure want to vist Whistler, a mountain village famous for it’s skiing and fabulous scenery. You will find lots to do when you get here. Canada awaits you!!
Thanks for the advice Darlene. I’m looking forward to meeting you at sme point
BC is wonderful. Although I may be a little biased due to it being my home province. If you have the time I would highly recommend the Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) but they are a long way in the middle of nowhere. And when you are in the Rockies make sure you do the whole Banff, Columbia Icefields, Jasper route!.
Have fun!
Hi Heather, advice from a local is always great
Haida Gwaii is somewhere I’d love to visit – sounds like such a mysterious and ancient place. I know it takes a five hour boat trip to get out there, but determined to try and make it if possible. And Banff is definitely on the itinerary, hopefully Jasper as well!
Me too! I would really love to visit Canada some time in the next 2 years. My friends who have already been there says that it’s really a great place with great people.
Hi Jem, everybody raves about Canada – both the beauty of the country and the people. Makes me more excited for the trip!
I’m happy for you. Hope you could post pictures of your adventures there.
Come to Steveston Village in south Richmond …….. I’ll buy you a coffee and show you around…
Hi Nicky, thank you very much for offering to show me around
Enjoy your trip, Alison!
If you make it out to the West Coast US, let me know! It’s always fun to get to know other travel addicts =).
All the best,
HB
NomadGrad.com
Hilary Billings recently posted..The Road to OZ: WTF, Universe?
Hi Hilary, aww thanks very much! Not sure I’ll make it that far down the coast, but If I do I’ll drop you an email
Goodluck on your travels. I am an Australian currently in Canada on a two year work visa. I’ve been here a week and a half. I wasn’t keen on Vancouver but that could be because i’ve spent alot of time in its rival city, Melbourne, and i’m not a city person. Vancouver Island on the otherhand is amazing! Victoria is beautiful. I’m heading up to Prince Rupert for the summer, which is near the Queen Charlotte Islands, as mentioned by someone else. Anyway, if you want to swap travel stories or advice at anytime while you are over, keep me in mind. Happy travels!!!
Michelle Blake recently posted..Victoria and Nanaimo
Hi Michelle, you must be the first person who has said they didn’t like Vancouver. Glad you have good things to say about Vancouver Island though, I’m going to be spending at least six weeks here earlier on in the trip (three on a blueberry farm). I’m going to sign up to your blog now to pick up some tips