Relocating to Canada: Relocating to a new city can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some ideas for what to do when you arrive –
Finding hidden gems in Canada can be as simple as asking friends and family who have moved there for recommendations. We’ve put together this list of Canada’s best-kept secrets, all of which you should add to your travel bucket list.
1. The Iceberg Nest
When you think of Canada, you likely envision hockey, maple syrup and some beautiful national parks. But Canada is so much more than that – its geography provides it with many hidden gems worth discovering.
When I moved to Newfoundland and Labrador, I was delighted by its famed live show: huge icebergs, humpback whales and seabirds that flock to Newfoundland’s rugged coastline. In spring and summer, you can book an excursion to witness these massive chunks of ice break off Greenland’s ice shelf and make their way down Newfoundland’s coast in what’s referred to as “Iceberg Alley.”
One of the best places to spot these majestic icebergs is at Iceberg Nest on Quirpon Island. Here, you can stay in an all-glass pod with floor-to-ceiling windows for a breathtaking view of countless icebergs that float below each year.
2. The Diefenbuker
From natural splendors to unique accommodations, Canada’s ‘Great White North’ has no shortage of destinations worth discovering. Whether you’re planning a solo trip or seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure, be sure to add these hidden gems to your list!
Carp, Ontario’s Diefenbunker was built underground to protect government VIPs in case of nuclear attack. Today it stands as a museum to remind us that we were once on the brink of nuclear war.
3. Dinosaur Provincial Park
Dinosaur Provincial Park is a world-renowned natural heritage site in Alberta, Canada. Covering an area of 73 square kilometers (28 sq mi), this park showcases Canada’s finest badlands, prairie and riverside habitats.
These environments provide a refuge for an array of plants and animals. You’ll see birds like the mule deer, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and bobcats here too.
The park offers a range of tours for its visitors. Some are short walks while others involve more time-consuming activities like paleontological digs.
4. Sable Island
Sable Island, a remote sandbar off the coast of Nova Scotia, is an incredible dune created by oceans and weather. Here, seabirds sing in storms, ships run aground and wild horses roam without human interference. Sable Island truly feels like another world – an undiscovered realm where nature can take its course without human interference.
Through history, the island has been home to shipwrecks, convicts and pirates alike. Additionally, it supports an abundant population of grey seals as well as numerous bird species.
In 2013, Sable Island was declared a national park reserve, and tourists are now allowed to visit during certain seasons with permission from Parks Canada staff.
5. Carcross Desert
Carcross Desert in the Yukon is believed to be the smallest desert in the world (according to Guinness), though it’s actually too humid to qualify as such. It was formed through glacial lakes that deposited silt during the last Ice Age.
Environment Yukon reports that winds picked up sand from the Arctic Ocean and blew it into dunes in Carcross Desert today. While this phenomenon occurs worldwide, it’s particularly prevalent in northwestern Canada.
Carcross, Alberta is renowned for its gold rush history and First Nations heritage, but it’s also an ideal spot to enjoy some stunning scenery and exciting activities. From totem poles and carving sheds to local art galleries and restaurants, there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in the community while learning something about its fascinating past.
