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Trip Report
Living in amazing Canada for one year
I lived in Canada during one year. A lovely country. I’m going to talk about Montréal and the Island of Vancouver: City and Nature.
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North AmericaCanada395 days / January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December 2018
Highs & Lows
No too Cold during Winter (notably near of Vancouver)
Difficulties to eat healthy.
Itinerary Overview
Today, I'm going to tell you about a country where I lived for a year: Canada. We all know this huge country. On the other hand, some clichés persist as on its climate, we will see it in this article.
I had a wonderful year thanks to the open-mindedness and the mentality of its inhabitants. Moreover, the nature is luxuriant but for the most city-dwellers among you, life in some cities is very pleasant.
I'm going to talk about two different areas : the eastern part which is French speaking with Montreal (Quebec) and the western part, the British part, with Vancouver Island (British Columbia).
PS: Vancouver Island is absolutely not Vancouver. The latter is an Americanized city on the continent that has nothing to do with the island.
Montreal
The reputation of the city of Montreal is not insignificant. It is a city that is stunning in its architecture, galvanizing in its activity possibilities and enriching in its multiculturalism.
Where to stay? To limit the financial impact, I recommend a private room on Airbnb. Honestly, each neighborhood has its own charm and the city is extremely well served with a great metropolitan network. So, do according to your money and your desires. My favorite neighborhood above all is the village: 2 km long.
The outdoor activities are getting high at the Mont-Royal, sailing on the St-Laurent river, getting lost in the Village and Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhoods, at the Jean-Drapeau park.coucou
Indoor activities : the MAC and Fine Arts Museum, the Planetarium, the Biosphere. During the winter, the commercial underground are great to do for the experience.
Victoria
Vancouver Island is amazing for its lush nature (in the north) and its more urbanized landscapes (in the south) that blend perfectly with the coastal landscapes.
Where to stay? I strongly advise you to stay in a campground which is very pleasant even if it is close to the city. You can also take a boat to go to some wild islets and sleep in a secure campground like taking the Sidney Spit Ferry to go to Sidney Island.
One thing to do is to rent bikes to ride around the south of the island. Indeed, there are great bike paths that cross the nature to reach one of the most charming cities: Victoria.
Visit and eat in the incredible Chinatown. Visit the parliament and understand its history. Stroll around the seaport.
The weather is mild all year round, even in winter.
Enjoy!
Q & A
What would you have changed?
Maybe stay more in the nature and less in the city. But I’m a City Guy.Restaurant recommendations?
Complicated! The best is self-cooking, for sure.Tips you would give a friend?
Do not hesitate to ask help to Canadian people. One of the most gentle population of Earth. Maybe you’ll end up sleeping in their house as their guest.Packing tips?
Couchsurfing works perfectly in Canada. Great country to do it.Transportation Tips?
Territory is huge, so be careful at your trajectory! Prepare-it in advanceAny surprises?
Many possibilty for meet people and it’s possible to sleep a their house. Warm people.