Backpacking in Canada

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Hi Kim,


i know that my question is kinda out-of-place because this is a guide for europe website, but I would just like to ask, supposing I would like to go backpacking in Canada, would you know of any Backpacking Travel Networks in Canada that I can contact?

Also, what are the interesting places to visit in Canada, how much should I budget, and other relevant information like food, transport and accommodation? do u know of any websites that i can check out to find out more?
Thank you very much.

['Guest']

don't remember any url's, but, i just went on a nice trip to ontario & quebec in late spring.  <american had a great deal where one could fly "open jaw" at a very good price.  i flew dallas to buffalo, then montreal to dallas for a mere us$272, for all of it, taxes included>

went to niagara falls, toronto, kingston, ottawa, quebec city & montreal.  all overnights were in hostels, except one.  i found no hostel in kingston.  

strong warning: don't stay in the hi-hostel in niagara falls ny.  it's closer to the falls, but isn't in very good shape.  it's also near a bad neighborhood.  with the us$ so strong, the backpacker's hostel on the ontario side was so much cheaper that i could pay for the overnight there, plus taxi to *and* from the falls, and still come out ahead of the ny hostel's price.  all this, while comon areas of the backpacker's hostel on the on side were very plush!  

also, there are so many independant hostels in canada, you can easily not stay in any hi's, not pay the silly membership fee and come out ahead!  [hi's are too institutional, imo.]  <br>
that backpacker's hostel in niagara falls on, and the hi-hostel on the on side, were both close to the via rail station.   <br>
my other warning: don't stay at the alexander henry b&b in kingston.  it was filthy!  nor was it as cheap as the website said.  [website said cn$17/night.  at the place, it was cn$28!]

as i was in kingston just 1 overnight, i wasn't going to fuss about it.  kingston is a beautiful stop, though.  the 1000 islands boat ride was fabulous!  

in montreal, if you're there on a sunday, there is a big drum jam in the park at the base of mount royal.  i like drum jams, so i enjoyed it!  if you're into mountain biking, mount royal has some nice trails.  mountain bikes are available for rent.  <br>
oh, a block or two from the alternative hostel in montreal, there is a polish restruant.  very reasonable, and very good! [the alternative hostel in montreal was also too institutional.  montreal has lots of other independant hostels.  i suggest using one of them.]

actually, all of canada that i saw is reasonable.  you pay for stuff on credit, prices look ok - maybe a little high.  then when the card's bill comes - it's woohoo! - the prices are almost cut in half!  <br>
however, montreal also has a seemier side.  learn the areas to avoid.  

[Kim]

Well, I have to say I love Western Canada-but I may be a bit bias considering that's where I live.

Vancouver and Victoria are stunning-mountains and rainforests surrounded by the ocean. I live in Victoria on Vancouver Island and it is gorgeous-esp. if you can get up the island to places like Long Beach.

Montreal is supposed to be pretty funky, but I have never been there. Other people like Toronto, Whistler (which I love, Banff, doing tours through the Rockie Mountains etc.

If you are from the US, you can't go wrong here. With our lousy dollar, you will be pretty happy with what you will pay for things.

Check out these sites:
Hostelling International Canada
www.hihostels.ca/

Outdoor Canada
www.outdoor-canada.com/

I'll try and think of a few more good sites and let you know!

Kim

['Guest']

Kim, i was unimpressed by the hi in victoria.  are there any independant hostels you could suggest?  [i'm sure that i'll go back someday]

Victoria is a lovely town!  the harbor is beautiful.  and the whale watching is great fun!  

[Kim]

I completely agree with your impression of Victoria's HI hostel.

There is a huge new independent hostel downtown now that looks really nice!

It's called Ocean Island Backpackers Hostel and Let's Go states  that it's "Undoubtedly one of the finest urban hostels in Canada".

Check it out here:
www.oceanisland.com/

Kim

['Guest']

regarding what Kim said on 27 Oct about not having been to Montreal:  there is an "unofficial" national anthem for Canada by The Arrogant Worms, "Canada's Really Big."  

One line in the song goes "So big we seldom bother, to go see one-another, but we often go to other counties for vacation"

Kim, are you a living example?  

- d

[Kim]

Hey, I've been to Trail, BC!

Honestly, I'm a prime example....sad, isn't it.
I've never actually visited another province beside my own but have travelled to about 22 other countries.

It is quite shameful! I would LOVE to visit Montreal though, I've heard it's great. I have friends living near by there that I would like to visit so I'm trying to organize it.

You're such a troublemaker, D! ;D

['Guest']

I do try to stir things up best as I can.   ;D  Why do you think I'm still a "guest" and don't register?  That makes it harder for you to kick me off for my trouble making!  

- d

[Kim]

I would never kick you off-who would entertain us?! ;D

[Britneigh]

Well I have been to most provinces and I think it's great that someone wants to backpack in our country. I had a laugh over that song lyric about Canadians visiting everywhere else...haha...I live on the East Coast, and I must say, the best time to visit this side of the country would be fall. It is just beautiful! I would reccomend the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia at anytime of year, however the colors in the fall are breathtaking.

Britt