Travel

Only in Canada … weird and wonderful experiences countrywide


Reflections at Horseshoe Lake, Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada






Horseshoe Lake in Jasper national park: Canada has more lakes than any other country.
Photograph: Juergen Schonnop/Alamy

Drake’s been showing the world why it’s cool to be Canadian for years now (minus a few dodgy dance moves), by acting as our unofficial ambassador. And while it’s in our nature to stay humble about our “home and native land”, the rapper really is on to something – Canada is truly iconic. From coast to coast there’s a lot to love about the country, but you don’t get a landmass as huge and diverse as Canada’s, without having some serious eccentricities. In the spirit of all things quirky, we’re going to delve into some of the most unusual facts about our country and Canadian life.

Twenty per cent of the world’s fresh water is in Canada, and it has more lakes than any other country. These lakes cover almost 9% of Canada’s total area
Picture this: it’s a hot summer day and all you want to do is slide on a bathing suit and jump in a lake. Well, if you spend a summer in Canada, you could do just that and you’d be taking a dip in some of the cleanest waters on the planet. We’re personally fond of Horseshoe Lake in Jasper national park. Known for its cold, but clear, turquoise water and high cliffs, it will create the best summer memories with family or friends.

Close-Up High Angle View Of Woman Holding Various Donuts In BoxPhoto Taken In Canada, Winnipeg



Canadians love their doughnuts. Photograph: Linus Strandholm/Getty Images/EyeEm

There are more doughnut shops in Canada per capita than any other country
Perhaps we should change the maple leaf in the Canadian flag to a jelly doughnut? We can thank Canadian institution Tim Hortons for the doughnut obsession. The shop, founded by the NHL defenseman of the same name, opened in 1964 and became a million-dollar-a-year franchise, outselling most (if not all) fast-food chains. If you’re feeling nostalgic, visit the original in Hamilton, Ontario or take a trip to independent doughnut chain, Donut Monster, also in the city, where yeast-risen rounds are topped with seasonal flavours. Our favourite to date has to be the brownie cheesecake! But if you’re not in Ontario, check out Lucky’s Doughnuts at the 49th Parallel Café in BC or family-owned business, Bronuts in Winnipeg. They use natural ingredients and have been known to offer unique flavours such as roasted garlic and asiago cheese or rosemary and lavender. We have to wonder what Homer Simpson would order!

In Newfoundland, Canada, the Atlantic Ocean can freeze, creating nature’s hockey rink
We all know that hockey is Canada’s national sport, so it only makes sense that in Newfoundland and Labrador (and many other provinces and territories) they encourage outdoor ice hockey. During the winter months, people are invited to put their mitts together and throw the puck down for a friendly game. But better act fast: outdoor rinks are weather dependent – come visit in winter and experience something truly Canadian.

A close-up of a person at sugar shack pouring maple syrup onto snow to make maple sugar taffy



The sugar shacks in Québec offer lots of family fun alongside the chance to sample syrup. Photograph: Warchi/Getty Images

Québec manufactures more than 77% of the world’s maple syrup
You haven’t had maple syrup until you’ve visited the sugar shacks in Québec. The province is home to hundreds of the best sugar shacks, where you can enjoy maple syrup all year round. One of the best-known is Martin Picard’s Cabane au Sucre and you should visit during the harvest season of mid-August to the end of October. In its prime, you can see the producers in action, sample sap and syrup and enjoy lots of family fun. The sugar season runs from mid-February to early May, and this is when the syrup begins to flow in full force. If you can’t get to Martin Picard’s, we suggest visiting Érablière Au Sous-Bois (Mont-Saint-Grégoire, QC) or Sucrerie de la Montagne (Riguad, QC) – they offer a variety of activities including carriage rides, guided tours of the shack and tastings. While you’re there, don’t forget to buy a bottle (or two) to eat on everything from pancakes to baked beans, or drizzle into your coffee or tea. It’s considered liquid gold here in Canada.

Want a polar bear-shaped number plate? You’ll have to move to, or at least visit, the Northwest Territories to make it happen
In Canada’s Northwest Territories, polar bears abound – in the form of number plates. In 1970, to celebrate the centennial of Northwest Territories, the government introduced a number plate shaped like a polar bear. Sure, some may have thought it was unusual at first. But since then, many have become delighted and wanted one for themselves. Pro tip: we’ve seen some vintage plates sold on eBay.

If you want to branch out into road signs, then there are more than 77,000 to be seen at Watson Lake Signpost Forest. Travellers have been bringing signposts from their hometowns since 1942 and you can carry on that tradition with one of your own.

licence plate of the Northwest Territories in the shape of a polar bear



Cars in the Northwest Territories can bear ursine plates. Photograph: blickwinkel/Alamy

Ogopogo is a mythical monster similar to the Loch Ness monster that supposedly lives in Lake Okanagan, British Columbia
Do you believe in folklore and mystery? Well then, listen up because we have a tale for you. Legend has it that Ogopogo inhabits Lake Okanagan in the BC interior. This creature has been described as a “giant snake” about 50 feet long, lurking in the dark expanse of the lake. While there have been sightings dating as far back as the 19th century, the most recent was in September 2018. From the lake, drive to the Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery to learn a bit more about western Canada’s oldest craft distillery, and take a whisky tour. Alternatively, check out one of the latest local theatre shows at the Caravan Farm Theatre under the stars. Located on a 32-hectare (80-acre) farm, it’s a hidden treasure and one of the best ways to support local artists. If you want to see if you can sneak a peek of Ogopogo, why not try scuba diving at Fintry provincial park? It also houses a sunken Canadian Pacific Railway barge, should you not get lucky with the monster.

Did you know that Santa Claus had a legitimate postal address? Send your letter to “H0H 0H0, North Pole, Canada” for free, in any language. Those with a return address will receive a letter back, from Santa’s elves
Each and every single year as a child, it was a tradition to write a letter to Santa. At Canada Post, they have set up a system to ensure that every child who writes from home gets a personal response from Saint Nick. The postal service received a record-breaking 1.6m letters in 2017, so if you’ve ever wanted your own letter from the big guy in red, now’s your chance!

Ever dreamed of spotting beluga whales? Get yourself to Churchill, Manitoba
If there is one thing you need to know, it’s that Churchill, Manitoba, is known for its abundance of Canadian wildlife. Many belugas migrate through Hudson Bay in the months of July and August, when tens of thousands pass through the area. Thanks to Sea North Tours, you’ll be able to have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear belugas singing through hydrophones – you can listen to their whistles and squeals while observing their majestic beauty from boats that have no moving parts that can harm the whales.

Farms, fields, water and beaches of the pastoral landscape of Prince Edward Island, Canada.



Prince Edward Island, the smallest Maritime province. Photograph: onepony/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The province where Anne of Green Gables was set, Prince Edward Island is just 140 miles long and 35 miles wide
Fun fact: as one of Canada’s three Maritime provinces, Prince Edward Island is the smallest. Not only can it lay claim to being the smallest in land area, but also in population of the three. The province, however, takes it in its stride, with the motto being “Parva sub ingenti” (The small under the protection of the great). There are few places more unusual than Basin Head provincial park, which is perhaps better known as Singing Sands, because the pure white sands do just that. Due to the high silica content, when heated by the sun, the sand produces a high-pitched squeaking sound when walked across – and endless fun.

For a period of time, Canada suffered a shortage of coins. So, while they worked to produce more, playing cards were used as currency
In the late 1600s, coins arriving from France were in short supply. This meant that as Canada worked hard to get more currency in, playing cards took the place of coins to keep the economy going. The Royal Canadian Mint made a nod to this in 2018 by releasing a special-edition coin set fashioned in the likeness of 17th-century playing cards.

Fly WestJet to discover (and enjoy!) the weird and the wonderful things in Canada



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