Canada.
The great white north.
The world’s second largest country. A land bordered by the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans. A nation of Anglophones, Francophones, inukshuks and Tim Hortons.
Canada.
The land of my forefathers.
My grandfather’s home, my own home for three unforgettable years, and a home away from home that I’ll continue to return to whenever time and budget allows.
Canada is an itch I will always need to scratch.
Ten years ago, it became our first expat home when we left the UK as Canadian permanent residents set for a life in the far reaches of the Pacific Northwest.
Several years later, we filmed our new life for the popular US television show, House Hunters International, as we settled down on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia. We were given an opportunity to shoot the early scenes in Vancouver and the perfect excuse to return.
Now I’m going back.
The Canadian Tourism Commission are kindly sending me back to Canada so that I can share this breathtaking country with you once again.
Prominent bloggers from around the world will be travelling to Toronto in early June to attend one of the world’s premier travel writing conferences and, as part of this very special opportunity, some will also take part in familiarisation tours across the country.
I’ll be arriving in British Columbia in late-May to spend several days in Vancouver where I’ll sample the local cuisine, scale the heights of the local mountains, and soak up the many flavours of downtown Van. Taking a train across the province and into neighbouring Alberta, the next stop will be Jasper where I’ll experience whitewater rafting, motorbike touring, and cable car rides to the peak of the alpine region. From Jasper to Winnipeg for a feast of culinary and cultural delights before travelling to Canada’s largest city, Toronto, at the end of May for TBEX, the world’s largest gathering of travel bloggers, writers, and new media content creators.
But I won’t be making this trip entirely on my own.
My wife and young son will be coming with me for the beginning and end to this extraordinary trip. This is my chance to show Elliot the home of his great grandfather and the country that stole our hearts. And while I’m touring across this vast landmass, Sarah and Elliot will spend time with family and friends in Eastern Canada before we come together to enjoy a final few days in beautiful Muskoka at the heart of Ontario’s cottage country.
This will be one of those rare and memorable journeys where a writer gets to unleash his or her craft and show you a country through their own eyes. It’s a golden opportunity for me to indulge my passion for this superb country and a chance to show you exactly why it means so much to me and to many others like me.
I want you to see the real Canada from the ground up – the sights, the sounds, the people, the wildlife, the wilderness, the jaw-dropping beauty. I want to show you the country that continues to take my breath away and the country where my expat and travel adventures first began back in 2003.
My Canadian experience begins on the 18th of May and, here on ISOALLO, I hope you’ll indulge me by following along.
Have you been to Canada? Are you a Canadian or an expat in Canada? Tell me what you think makes Canada a great place to see.
Have a great time. Have never been to Canada but I would love to go. Canada would be first on my itinerary. Good luck and great times.
You’re coming to TBEX!?!?! YAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!! We finally get to meet!! 🙂 I am SOOO looking forward to meeting up with you. What an amazing opportunity for you to see this country – not gonna lie, I’m a bit jealous 😉
Absolutely no indulgence required, Russell. Congratulations on such a terrific opportunity. We will be anxiously awaiting reports from your activity-filled, experience-laden adventure across Oh Canada! This couldn’t happen to a nicer person, very well-deserved recognition of your travel/writing skills. Kudos to the Canadian Tourism Commission on the foresight to arrange this program to help support TBEX (itself a marvelous event). I have a special place in my heart for our great neighbor to the North, and look forward to exploring it more in the years to come.
“Always fresh at Tim Hortons”
Congratulations! All the best with your travels! I’m a proud Can-Aussie – I grew up in Ontario and live in Calgary. I think the best part of Western Canada is the rugged, fresh mountain scenery and wildlife, and the best part of Eastern Canada is the leafy forests, quaint small towns and all of the clean and peaceful lakes and rivers. And, of course, all of the friendly Canadians! I hope you and your family enjoy your time in Canada. I’m jealous – Muskoka is my “happy place” 🙂
I’m green with envy!
No need to be green, Jack. You’ll be there with me every step of the way 😉
Oh go on. Rub it in! 😉
Oh yes. It always tastes better at Timmy’s, particularly those Timbits 🙂
Thanks! It’ll be a fabulous trip and I hope you check back in to learn more about the country.
Sure am! 🙂 We finally get to meet! Plan to use this opportunity to meet as many North American tweeps and bloggers as possible. Can’t wait!
Great summary, Katie. I think that’s exactly what I love about Canada – from the rugged, mountainous west to the vast lakes and rivers of the east. Such diversity. The friendly Canadians add to the great experience 🙂 I’ve never been to Muskoka before but my Canadian family are hosting us for a few days so we’ll get to see it in all its glory!
Hopefully many photos to follow. TBEX will certainly be one of the highlights. Heard lots about it, never been before. Exciting times and not long to go!
Now, I just need to get the UK tourism board to get me over there… or the Dutch team? 😉
Lol. Promise to keep it short and sweet. Just hope it’s a bit warmer over there that it is now. Still frigid in Blighty too?
Brass monkeys!
Looking forward to catching you and the family Russ. We just had our own little Can-Aussie arrive and are figuring out this whole parenting thing and introducing our daughter Mia to her grandparents, aunties, uncles, and cousins back home via Skype. Weather is slowly warming so should be nice by the time you land. Toronto really is a different city in Summer, and I’ll second Katies recommendation of Muskoka being somewhere special.
Welcome back.
Thanks! 😉
Ouch. Late Spring then!
Cheers, Sean. Will definitely catch up with you and the family when we’re over. Can you believe I spent next to no time in Toronto when living in the capital? I’m looking forward to our time there, plus BC, AB and MB will be pretty special too 🙂 See you soon!
What a wonderful opportunity, Russell! Fantastic. Looking forward to following your adventure on here. Canada is brilliant; I have been to a few places and I just love it there. Have a most excellent time!!
Thanks, Carrie. It sure is brilliant and I can’t wait to see it once again. Will share more soon 🙂
That’s fantastic, you’ll have such a great time. I love Vancouver and Whistler, but haven’t been to Alberta yet. Eastern Canada is also very pretty.
I’m a Canadian who just moved to Scotland recently. I hope you enjoy your time in Vancouver and Jasper, those are some of my favorite cities in Canada.
Thanks. It’s hard to pick one spot in Canada that’s better than the rest, there’s so much choice and diversity. Stay tuned for some Alberta tales then 😉
Thanks guys. I’m sure I will. I hope you’re enjoying Scotland, a place I’d like to spend more time getting to know.
British Columbia at the end of the month – spend a few days in Vancouver. WILL trip and the exciting experiences you can have.
Very nice too! Fantastic part of the world 🙂