5 reasons Canada should be top of your travel bucket list!

I’ll be honest with you, I don’t get the opportunity to travel as much as I’d like. My parents, when I was little travelled a lot. I remember them telling me stories of them hiking up Mount Snowdon {with me in a carrier}. Visiting the gorgeous City of Bath, Exeter and pretty much everywhere in the UK. 

They travelled so much that everywhere they went they collected little badge style plaques. My Dad, of course, added all of them to a stylish walking stick that’s used for show rather than a walking aid! But it’s still a lovely keepsake to have to document your travels. 

As for me & my family, we haven’t had the opportunity {or the finiances} to travel to the far off places we’d love too. At the moment, those are still just pipe dreams. However, I am a big believer in the term “One day” and I believe it to be true.

We’ve visited Burnham on Sea in Somerset a few times {it’s a gorgeous part if the UK}. We’ve been lucky enough to fly over to France {as first timers} and stay at Croix De Vieux Pont, as well as having a walk into the quaint town of Vic-Sur-Aisne {for pastries, obviously!}. 

However, I asked my husband if he could jump on a plane tomorrow, where would he want to go? It’s a pretty exciting question, isn’t it? And oh, what if you could actually do that! Anyways, he said San Franciso, all based around his obsession with the show Charmed.

Mine, however, is and has always been, Canada. Not just for the maple syrup or to catch sight of a moose! It’s just a place that has captured my heart for as long as I can remember. I have always wanted to see the Salmon run in Vancouver or the Grey Whale migration in Newfoundland and Labrador. Why? I have no idea, it’s just a place I have always wanted to visit and explore. 

If I was to ever visit Canada, it turns out, after doing a little research you can apply for an eTA. An eTA is a Canadian application, which is a mandatory travel permit to allow you to travel to Canada without a visa. The application process can all be done online and costs £19.95 per person applying for their own eTA Canada travel permit.

So, why visit Canada?

Well, let me tell you! If you have never seen this outstandingly beautiful country online or on TV, then you’ve been living under a rock! This place is filled with nothing but picturesque surroundings, wildlife and known to home the nicest people. Which are obviously only a few reasons I want to visit!

Reason#1 – Maple Syrup

I’m a fan – a huge, huge fan of this sugary, sticky joy that goes all over my pancakes and bacon! We all know the Canadian flag and the maple leaf that it showcases, however, I had no idea that maple syrup came from a maple tree!

Call me daft, but I honestly didn’t! This just makes my motto of “every day is a school day” ring true once again! 

Reason#2 – Go Whale watching!

I am a massive wildlife advocate. I’ve loved everything about wildlife for as long as I can remember. Hell, I even studied Animal Science as a degree. I’ve had the opportunity to see whales in captivity {which is sad in itself} so having the opportunity to see them free and living in the wild is a dream for me. 

Being able to witness an Orca or a Humpback whale breaching out of the ocean would make my heart skip 3 beats, instead of just one. Or just seeing them Spy-hopping would be an absolute treat! Just to be in the same 100 metres as these utterly majestic creatures would be beyond incredible. So, going whale watching would without a doubt be on my Canadian adventure bucket list. 

Reason#3 – The Northern Lights

The Northern Lights are a visual phenomenon loved all over the globe. I’ve never been lucky enough to witness them myself. Although I know the Northern Lights have been seen at the Giants Causeway a few times. Which is only an hour and a bit in the car from me. So that’s the closest I have ever got to them! 

Having the chance to see those in person would be another tick off my list. After a little research, the Canadian province of Yukon is one of the best places to see the Northern lights. There are tours that you can go on that can give you the best chance of seeing the lights. There’s even an Aurora lights forecast, called the Aurorcast, which I think is a great help. 

Reason#4 – Go Skiing in Whistler!

Whenever we go on holiday as a family, I always have one rule and that is to ‘try something new’. None of us has ever skied, but it is something we’d all love to try! 

In Canada, Whistler is the best-known ski resort, with its countless pipes, terrain parks and it’s in-bound bowls and tree-skiing! Endless acres of powdered snow to ski on or snowboard over. It sounds like an insane place to learn a new skill – don’t you think? 

Reason#5 – Take a drift over Lake Louise

I love the water. I always have! But other than a few canoe trips, some kayaking moments and some bouldering. I’ve not done much by the way of ‘watersports’ – but what I have done, I’ve enjoyed immensely. 

Being able to take a peaceful canoe or kayak over Lake Louise would be an experience – wouldn’t it? Those crazy blue waters, that have been coloured by glacial salt. But those views alone would have me out in the middle of that lake! Take a wee packet of sandwiches a camera and your set. Just sit back, relax and take in those breathtaking views. 

Yes, please! When do we leave? 

I think, after writing this post my love of wanting to visit Canada has grown massively. I’ll have to save, save, save and then apply for my eTA Canada travel permit if I ever want to go. But it’s always pretty cool to know that’s it’s easy enough {and cheap enough} to apply for your eTA travel permit if you ever make the decision to visit Canada – isn’t it?

Have you ever been to Canada? If so, where? Tell me everything! 

*This is a sponsored post