Canada: For Great Deals, Go North in 2016
Why 2016 is the year to go
To find one of the best deals right now, all American travelers have to do is look north. The Canadian dollar is at its weakest point against the U.S. dollar in several years. The idea of visiting a place (just a short drive or flight away) where everything is "on sale" at 25% off seems too good to be true -- but with these offers we've found additional savings of up to 55% on luxury hotels, ski packages and more.Canada Deals: Hotels | Entertainment | Activities
Canada is known for
Diversity! From modern downtown Vancouver, the winter wonderlands of Whistler are just a hop, skip and ski-jump away -- 90 minutes by car on the stunning Sea-to-Sky Highway. Calgary is the gateway to Banff, Lake Louise and adventures in the Canadian Rockies. To the east, Toronto's museums, shops and distinct neighborhoods rival Manhattan -- on a smaller, more manageable scale. Montreal and Quebec City offer a taste of France -- without the trip across the pond.
One insider tip
Don't stop at seeing just one city. Many of the most exciting places to visit have a wonderful pseudo-sister city just a few hours away. After exploring Vancouver, go storm watching in Vancouver Island or head over to Victoria. You can get to the iconic Niagara Falls, romantic Niagara on the Lake or Ontario's Cottage Country in less than two hours from Toronto; Quebec City and Montreal are just three hours apart by car.
Best time to visit
City seekers will favor fall and spring for a combination of great weather and shorter lines. At resorts from Quebec to Lake Louise to British Columbia, ski season often starts in mid-November and goes into March, sometimes April.
Try this
Canada's cuisine is as diverse as its many inhabitants, making it a chowhound's paradise from coast to coast. Quebec has earned the spotlight as the latest "it destination" for traveling foodies, offering far more than its signature (and delicious) poutine and bagels. In Vancouver, nosh on fresh Pacific Coast seafood, from prawns to upscale sushi. Due to its huge Asian population, Toronto is home to some of the most authentic restaurants outside of China, Korea and Japan.
Travel info
- Passport needed: Yes
- Money used: Canada has its own dollars; it's often easiest to take cash out of ATMs once you've arrived. Some banks like Bank of America let you take money out at local banks without any fees. Check before you leave. Tipping practices resemble those in the United States.
- Visa needed?: U.S. citizens do not need visas to enter Canada for stays of up to 180 days.
- Plugs: Same as the U.S.
- Internet availability: Free Internet can be easily found in cities across Canada.