{"id":8156,"date":"2019-07-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-06-30T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/?p=8156"},"modified":"2020-05-01T13:24:14","modified_gmt":"2020-05-01T03:24:14","slug":"aussies-visiting-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/north-america\/tips\/aussies-visiting-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"21 tips for Aussie visiting Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"

If Canada<\/a>\u2019s on your bucket list but you don\u2019t know where to begin, this is your lucky day. I spent most of my time in Toronto, but I\u2019ve put together some tips that apply anywhere in Canada during winter. Here they are, my tips for getting to know (and love) this amazing country.<\/p>\n

1. Dress for the \u2018feels\u2019 not the temperature!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Canada operates on Celsius (luckily!) and even single digits feel cold, so make sure you plan your daily wardrobe for the \u2018feels!\u2019. Don\u2019t be fooled by the blue sky and bright sun, the wind is what you really need to watch out for and what really impacts how cold it actually feels. Make sure your jacket or coat is wind-resistant, wind-breaking and water-resistant. There\u2019s nothing worse than being wet and cold and frozen on holiday.<\/p>\n

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2. Don\u2019t forget your coat<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We may be used to placing our jackets or coats behind our seats at restaurants or bars, but in Canada there are usually coat hangers or wardrobes ready for your bulky gear. Just don\u2019t leave your valuables in your pockets and, of course, don\u2019t forget to grab it before you leave. Otherwise you\u2019ll be quickly reminded once you step out into the freezing cold.<\/p>\n

3. You don\u2019t need to feel like the Michelin Man<\/strong><\/h3>\n

What?! You don\u2019t want to look like the Michelin Man? Well, simply get some thermal gear or some light heat gear to wear underneath your everyday clothing. This will hold onto your body heat, without mobility struggles.<\/p>\n

4. The accessories<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Gloves, scarf, beanie \u2013 they can be fashionable, so embrace being in a climate where you can rock your unique winter style. And here\u2019s an Insider Tip: if you\u2019re wandering the streets by yourself and have a set of headphones, they\u2019ll help keep your ears warm, too.<\/p>\n

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5. Buy your boots when you arrive<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This was a bit of a gamble for me. I knew it was going to be so cold and that I’d need to find my way to the closest mall, quick. The reason I decided to buy my boots in Toronto was because I knew the boots would be more suitable for the conditions \u2013 water and snow-resistant and non-slip. Of course, this gave me an extra excuse to go shopping \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

6. Keep your skin moisturised and lips chapped!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Okay, you probably think I was obsessed with the wind \u2013 but seriously, wind burn is painful! Forget sunburn, windburn hurts. So, keep those lips chapped and keep that moisture on your skin. Ideally, have a couple of smaller bottles kept in your bag or pockets for easy access.<\/p>\n

7. Pedestrian pathways<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re not used to \u2018extreme\u2019 cold weather but you do want to get around the city, you\u2019ll be happy to hear that most Canadian cities are prepared for these conditions. It\u2019s actually pretty cool to see underground pedestrian networks \u2013 all connected by bigger buildings outside. You can get from one side of downtown to the other, with either limited or no exposure to the cold. Genius! Make sure you look out for the PATH signs (if you\u2019re in Toronto) to direct you to where to enter. It\u2019s important to note that Google Maps might drop out, meaning you could end up walking in the wrong direction. Yes, I have done this multiple times. Montreal also have a series of underground connections. They call their network The Underground City and there are more than 30km of pathways.<\/p>\n

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8. CN Tower as a marker in Toronto<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When in doubt, look up and search for the CN Tower. Once you\u2019ve spotted it, you\u2019ve found the south end of the city.<\/p>\n

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9. Trains in Toronto<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While I stayed in Toronto, even mildly cold days would become too much over a long period of time. Trains were easy to hop on and off, though, and a great way to get around. So grab a Presto card (topped up with $ so you can tap on and off) or simply drop $3.25 loose change (the cost for a one-way trip on the subway) into the coin box at the gate.<\/p>\n

10. Location is important at the best of times, but in the cold even more so<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When choosing your accommodation, I\u2019d recommend being close to a train station that can be accessed by a building. I stayed at The Anndore House<\/a>, which also had a beautiful restaurant and bar. And if you\u2019re a fan of brunching, make sure you head next door to Wish<\/a>! Their lunch and dinner menu also looked delish.<\/p>\n

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11. Union Station is the \u2018central\u2019 station<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you need to swap trains or go to the outer suburbs, also known as the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Union Station is your go-to for Go Transit trains and other modes of transport. There are many food stores and some great photo opps here, too.<\/p>\n

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12. Hot bevs best enjoyed indoors<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sometimes the idea of having a warm drink in hand while strolling the street is comforting, but why not savour the moment in a caf\u00e9 instead? Take a break, find a cosy spot and simply indulge in the warmth from both the drink and being indoors. If you\u2019re in Toronto, I\u2019d recommend Caf\u00e9 de Melbourne or Arvo in the Distillery District.<\/p>\n

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13. Tim Horton\u2019s aka Timmy\u2019s<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is a super popular coffee and snack shop in Canada \u2013 probably more popular than Starbucks \ud83d\ude31 I personally go for the super cheap treats over the coffee. (Sorry, Timmy!)<\/p>\n

14. The iconic poutine!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Hot chips, gravy and cheese curd. You MUST try this! It\u2019s delicious. But if you want some other loaded flavours, there are more toppings to choose from. For a quick fast food option, Smoke\u2019s Poutinerie <\/a>can be your quick fix around the country. Poutine originates from Quebec, though, so if you want to try it for the first time, why not head to the source. Some of the local favourites include La Korrigane microbrewery<\/a> (because poutine and beer are the perfect match) and Frite Alors<\/a> for a classic mix of crispy fries, gravy and cheese. Yum!<\/p>\n

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15. Bonjour! Montreal is the most bilingual city in Canada<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After Paris, Montreal is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world. So, brush up on those French phrases tout suite<\/em>!<\/p>\n

16. The European vibes are strong<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re in North America or Canada and want to experience a dose of Europe, head to Montreal. I don\u2019t just mean the language either, but in Montreal and Quebec City you\u2019ll feel the influence weaved into the city. Hello, cobbled streets and unique architecture!<\/p>\n

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17. Don\u2019t forget to tip<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Just like the United States, you\u2019ll have to remember to tip in Canada. The average amount is 15% for food\/service bills, $1 for drinks at bars, 10-15% for Uber, cabs, doormen who help you hail a cab or with your luggage and for room service or concierge.<\/p>\n

18. It\u2019s a skier\u2019s paradise<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Canada is a big hit with snow bunnies, so if you want to hit the slopes this is the place for you. Whether it\u2019s the west or east of the country, there are a whole host of picturesque ski resorts to take your pick from, including Banff, Mont-Tremblant and Whistler, just to name a few. The best time to hit the slopes are between December and March, so pack your gear and get going.<\/p>\n

Enjoying Peyto Lake views in Banff National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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19. Remember the country is really, really big<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fellow Aussies, I know I don\u2019t have to tell you about long distances, but it\u2019s worth noting that Canada is one BIG country. Not only does it have the longest coastline in the world (great in summer btw) but it means you have to choose your destinations wisely on a short visit. I suggest picking a certain region \u2013 whether it\u2019s the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, the Maritimes or the capital cities \u2013 and explore it. It’ll allow you to get to know the region and take a slower pace while you\u2019re there.<\/p>\n

20. Two words: National. Parks.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you love your hiking, fishing and outdoorsing, then make a beeline for Canada\u2019s national parks. They\u2019re full of activity and picturesque landscapes, no matter what time of year you visit, but in winter you\u2019ll get a chance to make the most of all the dog-sledding, ice-fishing, ice-skating and other outdoor activities on offer.<\/p>\n

21. The wildlife<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With more than 400 species of bird and 200 types of mammals, Canada is the place for wildlife enthusiasts. Here you can spot anything from grizzly bears and mountain lions to wolves and moose.<\/p>\n

A bull moose in Algonquin Park, Ontario<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Ready to plan your next trip to Canada? Get on it!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/i> PLAN YOUR CANADA GETAWAY <\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If Canada\u2019s on your bucket list but you don\u2019t know where to begin, this is your lucky day. I spent most of my time in Toronto, but I\u2019ve put together some tips that apply anywhere in Canada during winter. Here they are, my tips for getting to know (and love) this amazing country. 1. Dress …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":8161,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[783,80],"tags":[526,521,528,520,522,527,519],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8156"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/43"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8156"}],"version-history":[{"count":45,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8156\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8243,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8156\/revisions\/8243"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8156"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}