Canada.

Merc

Merc

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If you were going to Canada. What part would you go to? I'm going in December/January and have never been before.

I would appreciate any input from anyone who has been before or knows of anywhere spectacular. From a photography point of view.

Thanks in advance.
 
Thanks Nikki.

I know they are much better prepared for the bad weather over there but obviously it can get quite nasty. Do you think a 4x4 is a must?
 
There's loads of places, you can't go wrong really.

Vancouver - Rockies / whales at the right time of year.
Calgary - The other side of the Rockies (Lake Minnewanka)
Toronto - Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls just around the corner

Just to clarify, I haven't been to these places, done a lot of research as we are just about to fill in the forms to emigrate to Canada :thumbs: but scary :eek:

Once you have a few ideas take a look at the satellite view on Google maps, street view is also live in Canada, my wife has already taken a look at potential houses!
 
I have been to these places so prepare for a very biased view.

Vancouver remains my number one city on all my travels. Within an hour and a half's drive, you're up in Whistler having traversed one of the most spectacular routes I've travelled - over Lion's Bridge with a great view back to Vancouver and Stanley Park, and then along the Sea & Sun Highway up into the mountains.

Then you've got Galiano, the Gulf Islands and the Orca Islands - easily accessible and each with their own charms and delights. Couple this with Vancouver Island and the beautiful Victoria Harbour and Vancouver quickly emerges as a great place to visit.

A 4x4 is nowhere near a must. You're more likely to need a 4x4 here after the "pothole winter" than you are in Vancouver or around Vancouver.

Like the others, I'm considering my options vis-a-vis emigrating out there in a couple of years. I fortunately already have a lot of family out there so it'd hopefully make it a little easier to settle.

Oh, Mark, one more thing - can I come too? ;)
 
Fly/drive to montreal then quebec, ottawa, niagara and toronto for flight back. All fairly flat landscape, a few hills for good views across city, river etc. All worth a visit if you like visiting cities and urban landscape. Montreal olympic village and riverside very good. Quebec for french/canadian lifestyle. Toronto for skyscrapers and underground shopping. Niagara falls and surrounding area a must. Heard the Rockies are worth visiting but hard drive or boring train ride. December/January not best for travel but good if you like frozen outdoors. May or September for sightseeing.
 
My wife and I are doing a trip out to Canada in September - partly to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary, partly to recce the country for potential emmigration (I'm set, she's never been there).

We're flying in to Toronto, spending a week there, then flying to Calgary and spending the next 2 weeks driving through the Rockies to Vancouver then taking advantage of the Vancouver area.

Photography wise, I'm most excited about the Rockies, although Niagara is pretty spectacular.

What kind of photography do you enjoy? For wildlife/ Landscape the Rockies and Vancouver are a must, for Urban Toronto and the surrounding area is the most built up part of Canada - and fairly close to Detroit/ Buffalo.
 
Merc - if you're coming to Vancouver/Vancouver Island/southwest British Columbia in December you shouldn't necessarily need a 4x4. We usually have very mild winters here (did you watch any of the Olympics this past February?) although winter before last was a bit of a corker. Driving up to Whistler can be accomplished in a car with all season tires as long as you take your time and remember that you are on all seasons.
 
Chris_Hoskins said:
My wife and I are doing a trip out to Canada in September... then flying to Calgary and spending the next 2 weeks driving through the Rockies to Vancouver then taking advantage of the Vancouver area.

Photography wise, I'm most excited about the Rockies, although Niagara is pretty spectacular. ...
Click to expand...

Chris, if you're flying to Calgary and driving to Vancouver and really want to get an understanding of the Rockies I would suggest that you take the long way 'round. From Calgary take Hwy 93 (the Columbia Icefields Parkway) up to Jasper, Alberta. From Jasper wiggle your way down to Kamloops and then Vancouver. You'll have outstanding mountain scenery.
 
Thank you all for taking the time to reply.:)

It has given me a lot to think about. I would mostly be doing Landscapes and Seascapes but Vancouver sounds good as well. Think i'll fly to Vancouver and do the Rockies, Whistler etc.

I'm still not sure what car to rent. I have a lot of off road experience so i'm probably going to go for a 4x4 but you can rent a Mustang at the airport and although i'd never want to own one, it would be nice to have a play!

Thanks again!
 
I forgot to mention we're off to Toronto for a scout around in May, I'll probably post some picks in mid June if it's any help.
 
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in the Banff National Park are gorgeous, I took some lovely photos when I was out there a few years ago. Also the Icelands Parkway has some spectacular views, and loads of places to stop along the way to take photographs.
 
Interesting to read this thread.I'm going to Calgary for the stampede in july and up through the Rockies to Vancouver.
From pics I've looked at on flickr it's a stunning area.
 
We went to Toronto a few years back and loved it - like many of you have said - given half a chance we would be there like a shot!
You get great views of Toronto looking across from Toronto Island and Niagara on the Lake www.niagaraonthelake.com is an absolute must if you are in that neck of the woods, I preferred it there than Niagara itself - apart from the falls the rest was just far too touristy for my liking.
I would absolutely love to go to Lake Louise - Carol - post us some piccies please?
 
Carol said:
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in the Banff National Park are gorgeous, I took some lovely photos when I was out there a few years ago. Also the Icelands Parkway has some spectacular views, and loads of places to stop along the way to take photographs.
Click to expand...

This, though the Lakes are normally alot bluer/greener in spring when the ice starts melting and it's warmer as with the ice melting comes the tiny minerals that reflect the light
 
I might be a little biased, but I'd also say the greater Vancouver area. The scenery is just out of this world, with so many mountains, lakes and provincial parks. The sea to Sky highway from Vancouver to Whistler is breathtaking, and of course December / January is ski & snowboard season, so there will be snow on the mountains.

The climate in BC is quite similar to that of the UK. Winter this year has been extremely mild, which was a stark contrast to the few feet of snow we had the year before! Unless you are planning on visiting the interior, you don't really need a 4x4 - just make sure you have snow chains with you.

We emigrated here on 31.12.08 and absolutely love it!
 
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