Top AAA Vacations® in North America: Top Canada Excursions - Trip Canvas
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Top AAA Vacations® in North America: Top Canada Excursions
Published: May 24, 2023
Written byAAA Travel Editor, CW
As the world’s second-largest country, Canada offers stunning natural beauty and a vibrant cultural heritage. From the Pinterest-worthy, stunningly blue lakes of Banff National Park to the dramatic coastlines of Nova Scotia, Canada creates endless opportunities for the adventure of a lifetime. Hiking, boating, canoeing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, skiing and camping are just a sampling of the fun outdoor adventures Canada offers in the crisp, refreshing cold air. Plus, Canadians are notoriously famous for their welcoming hospitality and charm, adding a unique layer of homeyness - even when touring the world.
Whether hiking and canoeing is more your scene, or you enjoy world-class cuisine and lively festivals in bustling cities like Vancouver or Toronto, “The Great White North” delivers through AAA’s top Canadian excursions. AAA members enjoy the best rates on guided tours in Canada, creating unbeatable memories. Plus, booking through AAA offers the peace of mind of working with expert travel agents who can help elect the perfect Canada excursion for your family. Take a look!
Known for teeming salmon rivers and some of the highest tides in the world, Eastern Canada is famous for its rugged coastal beauty and old-world charm.
·Price: Starting from $2,499 (land only)
·Operator: AAA Member Choice Vacations
·Length: 8 nights accommodation
Explore the best of Eastern Canada in this guided tour; hit the highlights when you tour Toronto, Niagra Falls, Ottawa, Quebec City and Montreal. Kick your vacation off with the jaw-dropping cascade of Niagra Falls, dumping 6 million cubic feet of water over the edge every minute. You’ll head out on a boat cruise, getting just close enough to feel the spray on your face and visit Niagara-on-the-Lake, one of the prettiest towns in Canada. Enjoy dinner in Toronto before you head to Ottawa.
Next, you’ll journey down the St. Lawrence River through the unspoiled beauty of the St. Lawrence River. Canada’s bustling metropolitan capital city, Ottawa, awaits where French and Canadian cultures are perfectly blended. Tour the stunning Gothic architecture, visit the Prime Minister’s residence and take your time in the impressive National Art Gallery. The next day, you’ll journey to Quebec City, where Canada’s French heritage truly thrives in the cobblestone streets and quaint 17th-century buildings. Indulge in local cuisine that feels as warm and welcoming as Canada but with the elevated luxury of French food. Spend a few days immersing yourself in this unique city before adventuring through the Quebec countryside to radiant Montreal.
On the opposite side of the country lies Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, Revelstoke, Kelowna and Vancouver. Get ready to stay outdoors in this stunning natural landscape.
·Price: Starting from $2,999 (land only)
·Operator: AAA Member Choice Vacations
·Length: 8 nights accommodation
Wine, sparkling lakes and cowboy culture; western Canada is truly an eclectic, one-of-a-kind mix. Kick off your vacation in Calgary, a unique metro with a touch of western cowboy, thanks to its heritage in ranching and rodeo. Embrace your inner cowboy with a line dance lesson and a wagon ride in search of buffalo before you enjoy an authentic Albertan barbecue. Next is a scenic drive to Banff that takes you to some of the most majestic sights you’ll ever see. Explore downtown Banff and get ready for the famous glacier-fed waters of Lake Louise. You’ll enjoy lunch 6,800 feet in the air for unbeatable panoramic views.
After these breathtaking views, it’s time for wine in the Okanagan Valley! Visit an Okanagan orchard for a tour and tour and tasting of their seasonal produce. Now, enjoy 2 nights in Kelowna, internationally recognized for its incredible vineyards and varietals. Enjoy another tour, tasting and dinner before jetting off to Vancouver for a busier change of pace in the city. Wrap up your vacation with pubs, art galleries, local art and shopping to grab the perfect Canadian souvenir.
Ready to journey through the Canadian Rockies via the famous Rocky Mountaineer train? Two epic routes, Rainforest to Gold Rush and First Passage to the West, take you through some of the most beautiful natural wonders of Canada.
·Price: Starting from $8,170 (land only)
·Operator: Rocky Moutianeer Operated Tour
·Length: 11 nights accommodation
Hop onboard the Rocky Mountaineer for a once-in-a-lifetime rail journey through the stunning scenery of the Sea to Sky Corridor. First up is Whistler, world-renowned for its skiing and outdoor adventures. Along the way to each new destination, you’ll enjoy incredible views of the lush green forests, snowy mountains, stunning shorelines and clear blue sky Canada is known for. Sit back and relax before you get to Quesnel before entering the Rocky Mountain Trench. You’ll roll to the highest elevation in the Canadian Rockies - 12,972 feet - before entering Jasper.
Explore the adventurous outdoors of Jasper before your stay at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. A stunningly beautiful hotel, the way there is even prettier through the Icefields Parkway. Spend a free day exploring the glacier-fed lake and rocky shoreline before journey to Banff, equally well-known for its abundance of outdoor activities. Head up to a gondola ride, or unwind in the hot springs. More picturesque scenery awaits when you leave Banff and head west to Vancouver for the last leg of your vacation. Dramatic scenery changes await - going from a desert-like climate to crisp alpine forests and winding rivers to the vibrant city of Vancouver.
Nothing truly describes Canada better than the breathtakingly wild beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Journey through the most dazzling national parks, glaciers and historic villages of Western Canada.
·Price: Starting from $8,544 (land only)
·Operator: Luxury Gold
·Length: 13 nights accommodation
Experience the best of Canadian outdoors in this unique guided tour. Start in vibrant Vancouver for sightseeing iconic spots like Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. For the next stage, it’s your choice between a journey by luxury coach or hopping onto the Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service - either way, you simply can’t go wrong! Your journey will take you through snowcapped mountain terrain before you all meet at Sun Peaks, a village inspired by European culture with spectacular mountain views. Next up is a few days in Jasper National Park, where you’ll aim to spot wildlife like elk, bighorn sheep, deer, bear and moose before boating along a narrated cruise on iconic Maligne Lake and a scenic float trip down the Athabasca River, two areas known for their turquoise waters backed by statuesque mountains.
You’ll love staying in one of the most stunning hotels in the world, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Tour Banff National Park and learn what it’s like to serve the Canadian public during a private meet-and-greet with a retired Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman. Explore the rest of Banff with a gondola ride, golf or helicopter ride before you head to Kelowna. Indulge in delicious wine-paired dinner when you enter the “Napa Valley of the North,” known for its. After that, head to Whistler for more epic outdoor adventures before wrapping up your trip in Victoria via the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway and Strait of Georgia. End in Victoria with a day or so of sightseeing and a farm-to-table celebration to say goodbye to your new friends.
Is the sea breeze calling your name? If yes, you’ll love this deep dive into the sea's hardy beaches, rugged fishing lifestyle and deep history of Canada’s Maritime Provinces.
·Price: Starting from $3,299 (land only)
·Operator: AAA Member Choice Vacations
·Length: 10 nights accommodation
You’ll start in Halifax, Nova Scotia and enjoy 4 days exploring the best of the area; from the charming shores of Peggy’s Coves where freshly caught seafood dining awaits, to the small fishing village of Mahone Bay, enjoy the salty air as you head down this charming Lighthouse Route. Immerse yourself in the unique history of this area by learning more about the Mi’kmaq lineage and Glooscap legends before heading to Cape Breton Island, famous for its dramatic coastal views and scenery. Learn some Gaelic phrases and experience a “milling froli,” full of songs, entertainment and delicious local food.
On the next half of your dream vacation, you’ll spend some time in the stunning outdoors at Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Next is a gorgeous ferry ride to Prince Edward Island for an unparalleled culinary experience; try your hand at cooking PEI mussels, a distinctive, sweet-tasting local eat. Prince Edward Island is maybe most famous as the picturesque backdrop of Anne of Green Gables. Over the next 2 days, you’ll hike the breathtaking Fundy Trail and fill your bellies with a delicious lobster feast before learning more about the local Acadian people of Halifax.
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Nothing is quite like visiting Canada any time of year; with picturesque fall landscapes and crunchy leaves to snowcapped peaks to sunshine-blue days in the summer, Canada is full of destinations for your next adventure. When planning your next trip, consider all that Canada has to offer from east to west.
Book your Canadian excursion through your AAA membership to take advantage of the best rates and professional travel agents, creating a worry-free travel experience. Book your epic Canadian vacation today!
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