Canada is one big, diverse and beautiful country. Over a month I travelled from the sea through mountains, across rivers and over prairies. I discovered the tastes and best experiences of the four provinces I covered and spent a lot of time onboard The Canadian, a VIA Rail train, learning that I actually enjoyed train travel and meeting the diverse array of people you can meet onboard.
As I crossed the country – from Victoria on Vancouver Island to Montreal – I took hundreds of photos on my DSL which I can’t wait to share with you over the coming months; but another trust travel camera comes with me everywhere I go now-a-days, my iPhone.
Here are a selection of my favourite photos that I posted to my Instagram account during my time Exploring Canada.
Victoria, British Columbia
(Clockwise from top: the elegant and comfortable rooms at Hotel Rialto; a baby crab on my kayak; the rushed traveller statue in Vancouver airport as I made my transfer to Victoria with Air Canada Jazz; the sea plane I travelled on from Victoria to Vancouver at the end of a fantastic four-days!)
Vancouver, British Columbia
(Clockwise from top: one of two remaining and operating steam clocks in Downtown Vancouver; Charred Corn Ravioli with Cherry Tomato Salad and a Basil Fondue from MARKET by Jean-Georges at the ShangriLa Vancouver; making world-famous gelato at Bella Gelataria – yum!; the constantly moving Capilano suspension bridge)
Jasper, Alberta
(Clockwise from top: the view of Mount Robson – the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies – from The Canadian (train); OuXin looking like a spirit at Spirit Island; surviving white water rafting and freezing cold glacier waters; looks like Shivya found herself a bear!)
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(Clockwise from top: Regina Egitto pizza from Pizzaria Gusto; OuXin pretending to be a bison – there are thousands across the prairies; the still-being-constructed Canadian Museum of Human Rights; Cathedrale de Saint-Boniface.)
Toronto, Ontario
(Clockwise from top: Alan speaking about the Blogger Train at TBEX Toronto; the view of the Toronto skyline; Hong Kong Lemonade at the ShangriLa Toronto; sunrise view from my room at the Delta Chelsea Toronto)
Ottawa, Ontario
(Clockwise from top: High tea at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier; trainee chefs at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa; Aged cheddar marinated in local Ontario honey for 24-hours and then smoked on cedar wood; a summer tradition – yoga on Parliament Hill)
Montreal, Quebec
(Clockwise from top: my Media badge for FrancoFolies – the largest French music festival in the world; my first ever poutine; stylish and comfortable beds at Le Hotel St Martin; rainbow coloured windows at Palais des Congres)
Travelling by VIA Rail Across Canada
(Clockwise from top: I didn’t know brie came so small – the perfect snack on board VIA Rail from Toronto to Montreal; the scenic view from outside Jasper’s VIA Rail train station; my Cabin for One aboard VIA Rail from Winnipeg to Toronto; sunset aboard the VIA Rail train from Toronto to Ottawa)
Do you have a favourite Instagram photo from the Canada trip?
Do you use Instagram as you travel?
Please note, as I crossed Canada I was was working with a number of destinations and brands including Canada Tourism Commission, VIA Rail, Victoria Tourism, Tourisme Montreal, and Ottawa Tourism. I, Nicole Smith, maintain full editorial control of the content published on this site.
18 Comments
Shivya
August 6, 2013 at 11:05 pmBrings back so many memories! <3
Nicole
October 19, 2013 at 3:15 amIt was a brilliant trip and I’m so glad you were part of it. 🙂
Beverley | Pack Your Passport
August 7, 2013 at 4:34 amAhhhh I am SO tempted to get *yet another* working holiday visa and head to Canada as my next adventure – work in Toronto for a bit and do some travelling as well! Awesome pictures hun 🙂
Nicole
October 19, 2013 at 3:17 amThanks, Beverley!
Toronto is such a cool city – hopefully you do end up back in Canada soon 😉
Sophie
August 7, 2013 at 5:48 amFab instagrams, Nicole. Absolutely love the Palais des Congres windows. Think I want a window like that at home.
Schweet Life
August 7, 2013 at 9:46 amI visited Canada twice when I was a kid. Looking at these photos, I’m definitely overdue for another visit. Great photos all around but that photo of Mount Robson is absolutely beautiful as is the photo of the high tea treats.
Monica
August 7, 2013 at 6:31 pmGorgeous pictures! I try to be good and take pictures with my DSLR but more often than not, most of the photos I take are on my iPhone. It’s just so convenient and you’ve proved that they can be just as lovely.
Lauren Meshkin
August 9, 2013 at 3:59 amAbsolutely love the rainbow coloured windows! I’m finally getting a new iPhone (I have the second model, from 2008!) and am excited to join Instagram. Finally! Love this post.
Alouise
August 11, 2013 at 6:26 amGreat photos. I love the Palais des Congres one. The colour and light is amazing.
Hogga
August 12, 2013 at 11:34 pmlove Victoria
Colin
August 13, 2013 at 11:16 amBeautiful photos and yummy looking food. It must have been a wonderful experience for you. Thanks for sharing
Nicole
August 15, 2013 at 3:11 amThose are some beautiful photos you have there. 🙂
Christoffer Moen
August 30, 2013 at 1:52 pmBeautiful food shots. That aged cheddar looks so good it hurts or is it hurts so good. 🙂
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA'S TOP 5 TRAVEL BLOGS OF 2013
December 16, 2013 at 11:58 am[…] Exploring Canada through Instagram […]
Pete - Long Term Travel
March 20, 2014 at 5:00 pmLove how vibrant you make Canada look. Ottawa is great, in winter you can skate on the canal and in summer it comes to life. Good to see that Poutine got a mention!
Pete - Long Term Travel
March 20, 2014 at 5:00 pmLove how vibrant you make Canada look. Ottawa is great, in winter you can skate on the canal and in summer it comes to life. Good to see that Poutine got a mention!
Rain Campanilla | Words and Wanderlust
March 8, 2015 at 11:36 pmTrue that! I dig the convenience of instagram too! 😀
Niraj Yadav
April 21, 2016 at 4:45 pmNice photos Nicole!!