Travel blog

When Travel & Leisure turned its sights to the 2017 Destination of the Year, all signs pointed to the Land of the Maple Leaf. This being the year of Canada’s sesquicentennial, the destination was chock-full of things to celebrate, but that isn’t the only reason to consider Canada for your upcoming travels. With an abundance of cultural attractions, world-class metropolitan cities and eclectic cuisine, there are plenty of reasons why our northern neighbor is the perfect spot for your next trip -- not the least of which is a strong U.S. dollar, which makes traveling here more affordable than ever.

As summer approaches, travelers are hitting the highways and planning the ultimate road trip. More than just a way to get from point A to point B, road trips let you get up-close and personal with the landscape, proving that the joy truly is in the journey. Undoubtedly, our favorite excursions are scenic treks through National Parks and world heritage sites like Canada’s Kootenay National Park.

Forbes Magazine recently called Canada one of the Cheapest Places to Travel in 2017. Not only is the Canadian loonie lagging at 70 cents to the U.S. dollar, but the current historic high of American currency means you’ll pay 30 percent less on those coveted travel experiences.

Just west of Edmonton, the Canadian National Parks of Banff, Jasper, and Yoho combine to form 300 miles of the Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. While you’ve no doubt heard of the first two, Yoho may just be one of the best-kept natural secrets of North America. With rugged peaks and alpine meadows, dramatic waterfalls and turquoise colored cold-water lakes, the smallest park of the trio is virtually unknown, and as such, features draw-dropping landscapes with very few crowds to contend with.

Climbing up from Horseshoe Bay through the rainforests and coastal mountains of British Columbia is one of the Canada’s most breathtaking drives, the Sea to Sky Highway. Rich with wildlife and jaw-dropping views, Highway 99 follows an ancient trade route used by aboriginal coastal tribes and inland people groups. And while the name implies a journey of ascent, there’s no accounting for the views as you make your way down from the mountaintop village of Whistler. With the sea spread out before you, the descent toward Vancouver affords you spectacular glimpses of the coast blanketed out below you.

Named for the famous Columbia Icefield and the sheer density of glaciers that pepper the route, the Icefields Parkway is one of the planet’s most picturesque drives. Before you embark on your YMT Vacations journey, here’s what you can expect when traveling Highway 93:

When you vacation in mountain settings like the Canadian Rockies, you may find yourself feeling the effects of such an otherwise spectacular journey. Having a plan beforehand can mean the difference between getting sick and having an unforgettable getaway. It’s not uncommon for travelers to have difficulty adjusting to the altitude. The higher you climb, the thinner the air gets, making it hard for your body to get the oxygen it needs. In fact, 75 percent of all people experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness: headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, fatigue, shortness of breath and tiredness. Whether or not you’re planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies or other mountain setting, this advice on how to stay healthy up high is just great information to know: