Travelling to Canada with your kids

Travelling to Canada with your kids

Canada is a huge country that has a lot to offer. No matter what you are searching for when travelling with your kids, Canada can deliver. Wildlife? National Parks? Culture? Canada has it all. On top of that, Canada is a safe country to travel with kids, and it does not necessarily have to be expensive. So, what are you waiting for? Start making an itinerary and decide which attractions you do not want to miss during your trip. In this article you will find some useful tips. The most important one being that you should not  forget to apply for a visa or an eTA Canada for you and your children before you leave.

Unspoilt nature in the national parks

Many people believe that the ideal holiday with children is a combination of fun and unforgettable experiences, from which they can also learn something. In this respect, the national parks in Canada are perfect: the unspoilt natural landscapes of the national parks will impress your children and will get them used to live in open spaces, breath fresh air and admire the sight of beautiful lakes and mountains. Think for example of the Banff and Jasper  national parks in the Rocky Mountains, Alberta, or the Kootenay and Yoho national parks in British Columbia. The Banff and Jasper parks are also connected by the famous Parkway Ice fields, a beautiful route along many scenic areas (including lakes, glaciers, etc.), an unforgettable experience for both children and parents. In Banff National Park, you will find the famous and beautiful Lake Louise. Of course, a visit to the Niagara Falls should not be missed during a visit to Canada. 

Cities with an interesting history 

Canada’s cities are also perfect for both relaxing and learning about the country’s history. When you visit the city of Quebec, for example, and especially the narrow streets and colonial buildings in the historical centre, you almost feel as if you are in France. Québec is the oldest existing European settlement in Canada. The most famous building of the city is without a doubt the impressive Château Frontenac. In the province of Quebec, there is another city where the French influence is still clearly visible: Montréal. Montréal is the second largest city of Canada and in the historical centre, called Vieux-Montréal, you can admire historical buildings and cosy streets, just like in Québec. Other interesting sights in Montreal are the old port and the Notre-Dame basilica, located across the Place d’Armes in Vieux-Montréal. Moreover, there is a museum in the province of Quebec that was especially designed for children up to 14 years of age: the Canadian Children’s Museum. It is one of the most popular museums in Canada.

Besides these two cities, Canada has several other cities that are worth visiting. Think for example of the capital Ottawa, Toronto (with the Canadian National Tower or CN-Tower), Vancouver (with the famous Stanley Park) and Calgary, just to name a few. For a holiday with children it is interesting to know that in Canada there are many amusement parks, among them Canada’s Wonderland (in Vaughan) and the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto, but also several museums, such as the Discovery Centre in Halifax (Nova Scotia), an interesting interactive science museum. 

Required documents: eTA Canada

British travellers wishing to visit Canada must be in possession of a valid passport and apply for a visa or eTA Canada before departure. This also applies to children. Luckily, you can easily apply for  the eTA Canada in only a few minutes by means of a “Apply for an eTA canada” online application form. It is possible to apply for an eTA Canada for all family members at the same time with only one application form. If the passenger fulfils all the conditions of the eTA, it is recommended to apply for this travel authorization instead of a visa to Canada, since applying for the eTA is easier, faster and cheaper than applying for a traditional visa. The eTA Canada is valid for five years and during this period of time, you can make several trips to Canada, provided that each trip is not longer than six months. Those in possession of an eTA can therefore use this travel authorization to make multiple family trips to Canada and visit all the attractions in the country. In this video you can find more information about the eTA Canada.