CANADA SPRING DESTINATIONS T


hink Canada and you probably picture either


the glittering, snowy scenes of winter, the balmy, blue-sky days of summer or the maple-leaf hues of autumn. But what about that other sibling, spring? It might be the off-season, but the months leading up to Canadian summer make for some of the quietest, most pleasant of the year, with flowers coming into bloom, wildlife coming out of hibernation, cities coming alive with festivals and temperatures rising to levels you can face without needing 20 layers – all while sprinklings of snow remain on the mountaintops. Here are some of the activities


you can sell at this time of year for clients wanting to discover a quieter, lesser-known side to this evergreen country.


◗ GO WHALE WATCHING Spotting a humpback whooshing up out of the water has to be up there with some of the most iconic goals on the bucket list, and travellers visiting Canada in spring have more than an average chance of seeing just that. Gray whales begin their annual


migration from the south to the north of the country at this time of year, with around 20,000 of them passing Vancouver Island’s shores from February to April – alongside orcas and plenty of other creatures – making the west a prime location for those hoping to get lucky. But it’s the Atlantic that’s the true gem, with more than 20 species lurking beneath the waves. Newfoundland, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are all popular viewing spots, with whale-watching trips helping


travellers explore these icy waters. Great Rail Journeys features one on its new Eastern Canada and the Cabot Trail trip from Quebec to Toronto, taking guests out on a three-hour trip from the small town of Baie St Catherine to glimpse these majestic creatures up close – all without the crowds of summer.


◗ SEE BLACK BEARS It’s not only whales that make spring an appealing time for wildlife lovers. This is when Canada’s bears come out of hibernation, emerging with their cubs (March and April for black bears, May for grizzlies) to feast on grass and berries. Whistler is a hotspot for the


former with 4x4 tours available for those wanting the best chances of seeing them, while the North Thompson Valley (between


Kamloops and Jasper) is home to a plethora too, with guided river safaris taking visitors to witness them from the water. But Jasper is just as bountiful,


with families of grizzlies and black bears commonly sighted at this time of year. Suggest Explore’s Rocky Mountains and Pacific Coast tour for those wanting to explore the best of the region’s wildlife, combining Jasper and Whistler with Banff and beyond, and including ample time to hike around each area at leisure (departures from May 25).


◗ SNAP CHERRY BLOSSOM Clients more keen on the city? British Columbia isn’t just about the wildlife. Spring sees Vancouver burst into a kaleidoscope with bright pink cherry blossoms cloaking the trees, and there’s an official


3 January 2019travelweekly.co.uk55


TOP TIP recommends visiting


Premier Holidays


Niagara Falls in spring to see bright daffodils colour lush green landscapes


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