Vacation Rentals in Canada

Travel destination Canada.
You can choose from 22 vacation rentals and holiday rentals.
Search within this region with detailed search options.

Destination

Vacation Rentals in Alberta

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Gulf Islands (2), Kimberley (1), Prince George (1), Sun Peaks (3), Whistler (1)

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Size		9,976,000 sq km (3.9 million sq mi)

Population		31,280,000

Language		Bilingual: French and English. Plus 53 native languages.

Time Zone		Pacific Standard Time: - 8 GMT. Mountain Standard Time: - 7 GMT. Central Standard Time: - 6 GMT. Eastern Standard Time: - 5 GMT. Atlantic Standard Time: - 4 GMT. Newfoundland Standard Time: - 3.5 GMT.

Electricity		110/120V 60Hz. American-style (flat) two-pin plugs are standard.

Clothing		According to the season - mediumweight, summer, heavyweight or winter clothing.

Religion		Catholic (45%), Protestant (36%) and minorities from most of the world's major religions.

Currency		Canadian Dollar (CAD) Currency Converter

Location of Canada
Situated north of the USA, between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Canada is the world's second largest country (Russia takes the guernsey). It extends some 7700 km (4775 mi) east to west and 4600 km (2850 mi) north to south. Nearly 90% of Canadians huddle along the 6379 km (3955 mi) southern border with the USA. Though much of the land is lake and river-filled forest, there are mountains, plains and even a small desert. The Great Plains, or prairies, cover Manitoba, Saskatchewan and parts of Alberta. These former grasslands are now responsible for Canada's abundant wheat crop. Western Canada is known for its Rocky Mountains, while the east has the country's major cities and also its most visited geographic feature, Niagara Falls. The Canadian Shield, an ancient, rocky and glacially sanded region, formed more than 2.5 billion years ago, covers most of the north of the country. The Arctic region, in the far north, is where you'll find frozen tundra merging into islands that are ice-bound for most of the year.

Climate in Canada
Canada has four distinct seasons, although their arrival times vary across the country. The single most significant factor in climate is latitude. As a rule of thumb, it gets colder the further north you go, so it's no accident that the warmest areas in the south are also the most populated. The western and eastern coasts are both very wet, though much of the rain falls during winter. In Saskatchewan, Manitoba and eastern Alberta the prairies are fairly dry all year. Canadian winters are long and hard: in more than two-thirds of the country, the average January temperature is a shivering -8°C (10°F). July and August are the warmest months, when temperatures in the south are usually in the upper 24°C (75°F).

Best Time to Travel to Canada
Spring, summer and autumn are all ideal for touring, though if you want to ski you'll naturally have to come in winter or early spring. For campers and those who want to visit the far north, the summer months of July and August are best. Summer is also when many of the country's festivals take place. Note that the peak tourist season is between mid-June and mid-September. Although spring and autumn have fewer crowds, lower prices and a more relaxed pace than the summer months, some visitor-oriented facilities and attractions may be closed during these shoulder seasons.

Events in Canada
The Quebec City Winter Carnival, which takes place during the last two weeks of February, features parades, ice sculptures, a snow slide, dances and music. Ottawa's three-week Winterlude fetes all things snowy in February. The Montreal Jazz Festival at the end of June and the Ottawa International Jazz Festival in July both attract international and local players. Two major events in Toronto held in June are Caribana, a cultural exchange offering ethnic music, dance and food, and the Gay Pride Day Parade through the downtown area. In September, there's the Toronto International Film Festival. Calgary hosts the popular Calgary Stampede in July, the highlight of which is the chuck wagon race and rodeo. In the west, Victoria celebrates the First Peoples' Festival.

Society in Canada
Handshaking predominates as the normal mode of greeting. Close friends often exchange kisses on the cheeks, particularly in French areas. Codes of practice for visiting homes are the same as in other Western countries: flowers, chocolates or a bottle of wine are common gifts for hosts and dress is generally informal and practical according to climate. It is common for black tie and other required dress to be indicated on invitations. Exclusive clubs and restaurants often require more formal dress. Smoking has been banned in most public areas. Most restaurants, theatres and cinemas, if they permit smoking, have large ‘no smoking’ areas. Tipping: Normal practice, usually 15% of the bill, more if service is exceptional. Waiters, barbers, hairdressers and taxi drivers should be tipped this amount. Porters at airports and railway stations, cloakroom attendants, bellhops, doormen and hotel porters generally expect C$1 per item of luggage. Tipping your server is standard practice in bars and nightclubs.

Food in Canada
Canadian cuisine is as varied as the country. The hundreds of miles of coastline offer varied seafood, and the central plains provide first-class beef and agricultural produce. The colonial influence is still strong, with European menus available in all major cities. The French influence in Québec is easily discernible in the many restaurants which specialise in French cuisine. Waiter service in restaurants is common. Dress requirements and billing procedures vary. Spirits may only be purchased from specially licensed liquor stores or restaurants displaying the sign ‘Licensed Premises’ if alcohol is served on the premises. Many allow customers to bring their own beer or wine. A wide variety of alcohol is sold in most hotels, restaurants and bars. A selection of European/US wines and spirits is also imported, although the Canadians also enjoy their own, such as rye whisky.

Visa for Canada
Most western visitors don't need a visa to visit Canada. Travelers from South Africa, China, North Korea, Taiwan, Eastern European and developing countries do require them. Entry stamps for visits of up to six months are free.