Experience Canada Like A Local: Insider Tips You Can’t Miss

Are you dreaming of exploring Canada’s majestic mountains, vibrant cities, and charming small towns? Look no further! The country has so much to offer.

But before you pack your bags and head off on an airplane, there are insider tips you can’t miss. This guide is here to help you discover the real Canada beyond the famous tourist spots you see in pictures.

Let’s explore how you can truly experience Canada like a local.

Explore Beyond the Cities

Explore Beyond the Cities

While cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are must-visits, Canada’s true beauty lies in its vast wilderness. To truly discover the beauty, consider renting a car or taking a local bus to explore the scenic countryside, national parks, and charming small towns.

Let’s talk about these cities one by one:

1. Vancouver

The city is known for its breathtaking landscapes and greenery. You can hike in the nearby mountains or stroll along the stunning Stanley Park Seawall, offering ocean views and lush forests. 

Vancouver Island is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. With its pristine waters, it is perfect for kayaking and canoeing. Also, it is home to an abundance of wildlife. Keep an eye out for bald eagles, black bears, seals, and sea lions. 

To enhance your experience of the Vancouver Island getaway and make it even more relaxing, consider planning your stay at a resort. You can enjoy various amenities and facilities like a swimming pool, Gym, business areas, and the town’s tasty cuisine. Also, you can avail of special offers if you book online and get an incredible experience of staying.

2. Toronto

In Toronto, there are awesome adventures waiting for you. You can visit the famous CN Tower, where you’ll get amazing views of the city. Or you can ride on a ferry to Toronto Islands. At the place, you’ll find sandy beaches and the most beautiful skyline views. It’s a great place to chill and have fun.

It is also home to cool neighborhoods like Kensington Market, where you can explore colorful streets filled with unique shops and tasty food. Also, enjoy the walk along the waterfront at Harbourfront Centre, where you can enjoy live performances and art exhibitions.

3. Montreal

In Montreal, you can dive right into the lively culture. One of the best parts is trying out yummy food in the busy markets. There are all sorts of delicious things to taste. You can also wander around Old Montreal, like stepping into the past with its cobblestone streets and charming buildings.

The place is full of incredible art and music events so that you can catch some fantastic shows and exhibitions. And if you like outdoor fun, there are parks and green spaces to enjoy.

Participate in Local Festivals

Canada’s calendar is packed with festivals celebrating everything from music and film to food and heritage. Participating in these events is a fantastic way to experience local culture and meet nationals. 

Join the vibrant festivities of the Calgary Stampede, where you can get in on the action and feel like a cowboy or cowgirl for a day. If you’re into movies, the Toronto International Film Festival is the place to be. You can watch cool films and soak up the artsy vibe. It’s a fantastic way to experience culture and make new friends while having a wonderful time.

Uncover Hidden Gems

Exploring hidden gems during your Canada adventure enhances your traveling experience. You can ask locals for tips on where to find hidden beaches, peaceful hiking trails, or cool hangout spots in town. 

Discover the charm of lesser-known neighborhoods, like the artistic alleys of Toronto’s Kensington Market. The historic streets of Old Town Lunenburg in Nova Scotia often offer a more authentic and personal experience than the crowded tourist spots.

Essential Tips for a Smooth Journey

Tips for a Smooth Journey canada

Understanding a few essentials can make your adventure more enjoyable:

  1. Weather: Canada’s weather can be unpredictable. Pack layers to adapt to changing conditions, especially if you’re exploring the great outdoors.
  1. Tickets: Book tickets online in advance to avoid long lines for attractions. You will even get special offers and discounts that save you money. 
  1. Local Transport: Familiarize yourself with public transport options. Biking is also a popular way to explore Canadian cities.
  1. Currency:  While credit and debit cards are widely accepted, having some Canadian dollars on hand is useful for smaller establishments or rural areas.

Where Locals Eat

To set the gastronomy in motion, check out Celebrity Chef Lynn Crawford’s Ruby Watchco in Leslieville. The menus change on a weekly basis with locally sourced ingredients. The servings are family-style, and they encourage you to stay back. Take their bait and hang out in this famous neighborhood that has sustained young, creative minds and families from across the city. Their spots, such as the restored Broadview Hotel, are meticulously chosen.

You can choose to savor the city from The Rooftop Terrace, or you can check in to one of the grand 58 eclectic guest rooms. If you want to try a refreshing breakfast, check out Bonjour Brioche, where locals enjoy fresh pastries and lattes. All this so far covers a single neighborhood!

Across the city, you will find different opportunities to munch on whatever you desire. If you are in the mood for tapas-style treats, you may hit the all-time staple Bar Raval. If you are craving nouveau Caribbean, check out Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen. And at the end of it all if you are craving some dessert, the city’s favorite, Rosen’s Cinnamon Buns on College Street, will not disappoint.

If you are into vegetarian options, your options are growing that way, too. One of the more refined options is Planta or even the more trendy new Vegandale chain of restaurants and breweries in Parkdale, which will leave you feeling super satisfied.

Photo Spots

Since its arrival in 2015, the Toronto Sign at Nathan Phillips Square has become a selfie spot for locals as well as tourists alike. Remember to take a peek at all the artwork or get a selfie in Graffiti Alley, but that is not all.

There is The Falcon Skybar at Hotel X, the Kost rooftop bar perched on top of the 44th-floor of Bisha Hotel, and the Thompson Toronto’s Rooftop Lounge offer a spot to nibble and sip with some highly Instagrammable views.

Final Thoughts

Experiencing Canada like a local opens up a world of possibilities typical travel guides might overlook. It’s about diving into the community, understanding their way of life, and discovering the country’s soul. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, and get ready to explore the country beyond the surface.

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Ankita Tripathy loves to write about food and the Hallyu Wave in particular. During her free time, she enjoys looking at the sky or reading books while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her favourite niches are food, music, lifestyle, travel, and Korean Pop music and drama.

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Kids Traveling with Laptops: Tips You’ll Want to Know | Traveling With Kids | Travel Guide For Parents

BY  Abdul Aziz Jun 30, 2022

Are you busy packing for a family holiday and want to be sure you pack all the necessary items? For many families, a laptop for the kids is classified as a necessity as it helps to keep them entertained and happy during travel. Kids traveling with laptops can use their gadgets in the evening when they are back in the hotel after the end of a tiring day. Also, they can use their laptops to document their travel experience and pen down adorable notes. Further, when your kids are on an excursion, carrying their laptops may be something mandatory.  So, carrying a laptop while traveling can be a matter of choice or necessity for them. However, as a parent, you need to ensure that the laptop will remain safe and that your little one will be able to use it properly and timely. At Tour and Travel, we have curated some essential tips. Kids Traveling With Laptops: These Are The Things You Will Keep In Mind  From getting a good carrying case for your laptop to downloading all the apps and games; it’s a lot of work with kids traveling with laptops. Here are some quick tips that we have found out. We have considered the opinions of travel experts arranging kids’ tours and 15 parents with children aged between 6-13.  So, let’s discuss the practical tips you can follow.  1. Invest In a Good Quality Carrying Case Perhaps the most important piece of advice is to invest in a good quality carrying case. It needs to be secure in that the laptop won’t slide around or move inside the case. It should be water-resistant or waterproof, and you need to ensure it has padding in case of a drop. It also needs to be streamlined so that it’s easy to carry and pack. 2. Pack the Laptop in Your Carry-On Speaking of packing the laptop, it’s always best to place it in your carry-on luggage. This means the kids have easy access to it throughout the journey, and you aren’t worried about what would happen should your checked luggage get lost. 3. Download All Games and Apps Before the Holiday Begins To ensure kids are thoroughly entertained and occupied it’s a good idea to download all games, apps, and movies before the holiday begins. If you have young children, this is something you’ll likely need to help them with. Doing this in advance means you won’t have to deal with it in the car, at the airport, on a train, or in a hotel room that may or may not have Wi-Fi. 4. Consider Also Packing an External Keyboard Depending on the age of your kids and the games, tasks, entertainment, and activities they’ll be using the laptop for, you may also want to pack an external keyboard. Having a keyboard rather than relying on the laptop’s touchscreen or built-in keyboard tends to be more intuitive and user-friendly. Laptop keyboards are notoriously small and aren’t always the most comfortable with prolonged use. These Lenovo keyboards for kids can be used with a variety of devices. Just be sure that whatever keyboard you choose, it’s compatible with the laptop they have and takes up little room in the suitcase. 5. Don’t Forget the Charging Cord One of the biggest mistakes you could make is to forget the charging cord. This would mean you either need to find a new charging cord when you arrive at your destination, or the laptop is rendered useless after the initial charge dies. 6. Do You Need a Travel Power Adapter? The final tip is to do some research online so you know which destinations will require a power adapter in order to plug electronics, such as the charge cord, into the electrical outlets. Using all of these tips helps to ensure that traveling is smooth and carefree with your child’s laptop, which means everyone is happy. 7. Are Your Kids Traveling With Laptops? Don’t Forget A Data Backup  You have to arrange for an automatic data backup setup with your kids traveling with laptops. Before that, you can take a backup of the data already stored in an external hard drive.  This is crucial so that you don’t end up losing any important documents stored on the device. In fact, your little one may have something important related to their studies or travel documents on the laptop. So, a backup is mandatory.  In addition, if you are a hands-on parent like me, you need to set up parental control when your kids are traveling with their laptops. You can do the same from the settings section or get help from a tech expert for the same. 8. Label The Laptop With The Name And Details Of Your Kid Now, like every other essential in schools, kids can lose their laptops, too. Further, two kids can carry similar laptops, and at times, that can create confusion. So, it is better to label the laptop by mentioning their name, address, and contact number. The labeling will help in the quick identification of the gadget. Even the most mischievous friend of your kid will not be able to claim it. Moreover, labeling helps if the laptop is misplaced or lost. With clear labeling or marking, the laptop will always find a way back to your little one.  So far, I have discussed the tips and tricks applicable to kids traveling with laptops. However, these tips do not eliminate the need to follow basic safety rules while traveling with your laptop.  9. Are Your Kids Traveling With Laptops? Keep The Devices Password-Protected  Keeping the laptop password-protected is something that works for kids and adults. Setting up a strong password will help to prevent unwanted access to your device and the important data stored in it.  Don’t go for any predictable combination while setting up the password. Use a mix of small and cap letters, numbers, and special characters.  Moreover, don’t forget to install security software. Also, for international travel, uninstall all the apps banned in the new country you are traveling to.  Additional: How Safe Is Morocco For Travel In 2022? 10 Best Places To Travel In June – Travel Guide 2022 10 Things To Do In Madeira Beach In 2022- Tour And Travel Guides 7 Major Factors To Consider When Choosing An Airline For Travel

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How Do I Keep My Child Occupied When Traveling? 

BY  Abdul Aziz Feb 2, 2024

Ah, summer vibes mean vacays, road trips, and the classic "Are we there yet?" soundtrack. But let's face it, keeping kiddos entertained during long car rides is no easy feat. The struggle is real! And we all know too well that screen time takeover – not the best road trip memo. Why miss out on the fun? Road adventures are a golden chance for your little explorers to dive into new activities, discover cool stuff, and dive into some classic road trip games. Because let's be real, they won't remember the drive if their eyes are glued to a screen. Time to make those miles memorable. I mean, if you're living in a place for a few days, I think you might be Looking for soccer camps all around. However, if you can’t find something as such, we would suggest you go through the following tips instead. Tip – 1: Make The Entire Thing A Game  Picture this: you're on a classic car ride, cruising down the road. Now, you've got your go-to games like I Spy, Car Bingo, and The License Plate Game. But when those start feeling a bit too familiar, it's time to turn up the fun with some karaoke action! Now, I get it, not everyone's a singing superstar, so let's mix it up. Try this game called Karaoke Masters: create a playlist of tunes everyone knows before you hit the road. Play just a few seconds of a song, and let the kids guess what it is. Throw in some rather goofy ones like "Old McDonald Had a Farm" or "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt" for extra laughs. Trust me, it's a road trip game-changer! Note: Ever tried those travel trays for road trips with the kids? I swear by them! They’ll give the little ones a handy flat space for coloring, drawing, or whatever keeps them busy. Plus, no more stuff rolling off with that raised edge. And get this – there's even a cup holder and pockets for snacks. Safety-wise, the edges are soft and padded, just in case. Perfect for meals on the move too! We've been using them for years, and they've been a game-changer. 2: Give Them A Surprise Box  So, on every road trip, my kids get super pumped about this amazing thing we call the "surprise box." It's basically just old lunchboxes I snagged at a garage sale. Now, the magic happens when I fill them up with all sorts of fun stuff I’ve found on the – garage sales, Dollar Tree, clearance aisles, you name it. And let me tell you, it's a big hit! The best part? Everything inside is brand new to them, making each little toy or activity way more exciting. I toss in some snacks and sweet treats for good measure, too. Now, if you really want to milk the suspense or use it as a reward for some stellar behavior, you can get creative. Maybe make a bunch of small surprise bags to open at specific times or pit stops. Think Legos, Hotwheels cars, fidget toys, smaller-sized dolls - you name it. Dollar Tree is like a goldmine for budget-friendly goodies. Happy travels! 3: Let Them Listen To An Amazing Story  Switch up your pre-trip routine this summer! Instead of downloading movies, go for podcasts – like movies for your ears! Check out NPR's Wow in the World, their first podcast for kids. It's not just for your little ones; the whole family can enjoy it. Discover the mysteries of why shoelaces never stay tied, the secrets of astronauts' bathroom breaks in space, and how saying "thank you’ can boost your health. It's a fun way to learn together! 4: Play Mobile Games Or With Toys  When you've got a whole bunch of time ahead of the children, make the most of their iPad love! There are cool games that are not just fun but also educational. If your little one enjoys coloring, grab 123 Color: Talking Coloring Book – it's like coloring without the mess of crayons. Plus, there are world maps for some on-the-go geography lessons. And for the older ones, Minecraft Pocket Edition is a big hit! When the road trip gets bumpy, go back to the good old days! Try card games, Mad Libs, and even the classic Etch A Sketch. Travel-sized board games like Clue, Trouble, and Scrabble are perfect for the ride. Don't forget Bingo! And hey, let your little one bring along their favorite toys – it's not just fun, it's like a piece of home on the road! 5: Make Memories As You Go  Ever wish you could relive those awesome family trips without spending hours on photo albums? Well, here's a cool idea: get the kids involved! Let one kid be the photo guru, another the daily journal keeper, and a third the memento collector – think souvenirs, coasters, and random cool stuff. Pack some instant cameras, paper, markers, crayons, glue, and tape. Every night, before crashing, let the kids create a page of memories from the day. When you're back home, make it a massive deal with a family night dedicated to flipping through their masterpiece. Trust me, it's a trip down memory lane you won't want to miss! 6: Reward Their Good Behavior  You know, sometimes a little bribery can work wonders. Are kids not cooperating? Try throwing in a sweet deal. If they can keep the complaints to a minimum for the next hour, promise them a pitstop at the ice cream stand. Want some quality time with mom or Dad by the pool? Well, leaving the siblings alone might just do the trick. And if you can manage a whine-free morning, congrats – you get to decide where to eat for lunch or which attraction to hit up first. But, let's not forget the other side of the coin. If kicking the back of Dad's seat is your thing despite being told to stop, sorry buddy, but the hotel game room is off-limits that night. Tough love, you know? 7: Let The Children Have A Say Have you ever noticed how kids can turn a simple car ride into a full-blown protest when they're not into it? Well, here's a trick to avoid whining and complaining to get them involved in the trip plans! Imagine this: instead of dragging them along, let them take the wheel (figuratively, of course). For the little ones, just give them a few hours of power. They get to decide when and where to stop and for how long. Yeah, it might mean hitting up every random spot on the way, but hey, it's a small price for some peace and quiet, right? And it's not just about pit stops. Let them call the shots on what to do during their reign on the road. Maybe a quick detour to a quirky roadside attraction or a pit stop at a diner for a milkshake. Let their imagination run wild. Now, if you've got some older kids, turn the planning up a notch. Give them the keys to the whole day. Let them map out the route, plan all the stops, and come up with a theme for the day. It's like a little road trip takeover by the mini road trip experts. Plus, they can create the ultimate playlist for the journey. So next time you're hitting the road, remember, hand over the reins to the little road trip planners, and you might just avoid the dreaded backseat rebellion. Happy travels! Read Also: Journey To Joy: Unleash The Potential Of Your Road Trip With These Tips Record-Breaking Holiday Travel Anticipated As TSA Prepares For Busy Season! The Italian Train Group FS Will Launch A New “Night Train Like Hotel”: Rome To Dolomites

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Does Traveling Affect Your Life Insurance?

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 12, 2021

If you want to purchase life insurance, your insurer will likely ask you about all the places you’ve visited during the past five years. This travel history can have an impact on your life insurance policy, including the cost of the policy and even whether or not you’re able to purchase it at all. To learn more about how traveling affects your life insurance, keep reading. We’ll take a look at three important factors—frequency of travel, length of travel, and destination—and discuss how they affect your policy. What is Life Cover? Before purchasing life insurance it’s important to first decide what type of policy you’d like. A term policy is designed to provide protection for a predetermined period. A permanent or whole-of-life policy is designed to protect you until death and is considered permanent because it covers you throughout your entire life until death. Why Life Cover Matters If you pass away while traveling abroad, your family could find themselves in a difficult financial situation. As such, if you’re planning to travel internationally and will be away from home for an extended time, make sure you buy enough life insurance to cover your dependents’ expenses should something happen to you. Before buying any new life insurance policy or making changes to an existing one, however, it is essential that you get in touch with a professional that can help guide you through any necessary additional coverage. How to Choose the Right Amount of Life Cover One of the most problematic areas when it comes to financial products like life insurance plans is haggling over the coverage. This is where insurance companies try to low-ball their customers. According to experts, customers looking to get a new life insurance plan should do so only after going through multiple reviews and ratings of the providers. According to experts, customers looking to get a new life insurance plan should do so only after going through multiple reviews and ratings of the providers, such as these Colonial Penn life insurance reviews, in order to see what real people have to say about them. It’s always wise to ensure that you have a life insurance policy before you travel. In fact, if you have dependents, it is a legal requirement for you to do so. However, it can be difficult to know how much cover you need and when you need it most. Consider Reading: Canadians are not allowed to Travel in Winter. How Much Life Cover Should You Carry? While traveling, it’s important to realize that your life insurance may be null and void, depending on where you are in relation to your local branch. You also need to stay informed of any changes to the travel policy. If traveling is part of your career, it’s definitely something you should consider. You should ideally go for a heroic life cover. Can I Get My Life Cover Back If I Return Home Early from My Trip? If you are traveling, that doesn’t mean you should get rid of your life insurance policy. It is still possible to be covered by a travel insurance policy, but you may need to adjust it or find an alternative plan if any type of life-threatening activity will be involved. Before leaving on your next trip, make sure to research your options carefully. Do not let potential life-threatening travel situations influence your decision regarding whether or not it is time to get new life insurance coverage. Conclusion If you’re planning to travel for a year or more, you may want to reassess your life insurance situation. While you’re away, your circumstances will change—maybe your premiums are no longer being paid by an employer, or maybe you have new dependents who are counting on your income. This means you might need to reevaluate your coverage or look into additional plans that can help protect against these changing circumstances. Read Also: How To Fund The Cost Of Travelling How To Apply For A Passport Online In This Pandemic, And Which Countries Allow You To Travel Now?