Back to Vancouver

On our return ferry to Vancouver the sun was shining and it was a beautifully clear day. We were also able to catch an earlier ferry than the one we had booked, which freed up a little time. Once back in Vancouver, we returned the hire car and checked back in to the Paradox Hotel for the last night of our holiday. We decided to book a hop on hop off bus again as we knew we would get to see some of the city in the afternoon and then the following day before we left for the airport.

We stopped at Gastown to see the famous gas-powered clock and then went to the Old Spaghetti Factory for food. This restaurant had the same menu as the one in Whistler, but had slightly different décor, including an old tram car in the centre.

Our next stop was Canada Place where we had a lovely walk out in the evening sunshine before heading back to the hotel.

After a great breakfast at Bellagio’s, we were back on the hop on hop off the following morning and travelled down to Stanley Park. We had a long walk through the park, once again in glorious sunshine. We walked along the sea wall for quite a way, enjoying the scenery and the sunshine, then went to see the totem poles. After spending a few hours in the park, we got the bus back to Bellagio’s for lunch. On this occasion we decided to go full on and had a stack of pancakes and fruit each. After a spot of shopping, it wasn’t long before we were headed off to our hotel, ready for the flight home.

First time in Business Class

As a treat we had booked our return flight with British Airways Business Class. This is the first time we had ever done this, but with an overnight flight and a drive back up from Heathrow to Yorkshire, we decided to give it a try and see if it would be worth the upgrade to get some sleep and hopefully feel more refreshed on landing.

The service was amazing, with champagne on boarding, lovely food served on China plates with proper cutlery, with an attendant asking if you would like to be woken for breakfast. After I had eaten my meal, I watched a film, then managed to settle down and sleep for a good few hours. I did in fact need waking up for breakfast and it wasn’t long before we were due to land. My husband however didn’t particularly enjoy the experience and said he could not get comfortable enough to sleep. He can stay in the cheap seats next time.

And so ended our amazing road trip to Canada. After three weeks, we had experienced so many amazing places, travelled to some beautiful places and made some unforgettable memories. Canada is a gorgeous country, with the friendliest of people. I hope we get the opportunity to go again.

Hints and Tips for a Canada Road Trip

• Do your research – really look at what you want to see and experience, how much driving you are prepared to do and what kind of accommodation you prefer. We had a real mix of places. Most of our itinerary was booked in advance, but we did do some spur of the moment things too
• People are so friendly and helpful. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice, directions or for recommendations
• Choose the timing of your trip carefully – September was a great time to go, as the weather was still great, but a lot of places has quietened down after the summer
• Be prepared for early mornings ang long days to get the most out of your experience
• Be bear aware, but not in a bear panic. If you are keeping on main paths and trails you will generally be okay, but you are likely to need bear spray if you go off the beaten track
• Everything is bigger than you think and further than you think. Be prepared to be in awe of some of the vast spaces
• Canadian Line Dancing is amazing, but not for the faint hearted
• Carry lots of snack in the car. We kept ours in large plastic tubs to keep them fresh and to prevent attracting wildlife
• The coffee is Canadiano, not Americano
• For some reason the milk tastes different – this could be a UK thing
• Trains go on for ever which is great to see unless you are waiting at a level crossing
• First impressions can be deceiving, especially where hotels and accommodation is concerned
• Be patient if you want to see wildlife – most creatures are shy and only come out when they feel safe, but when they do it is definitely worth it