School is just about out and if you haven’t already, it’s time to start planning how to make the most of your summer months. A weak dollar and a slow economy in some parts of the country, means travel outside of our borders is out of reach for many this year. And well, I think that’s pretty great, because Canada, oh Canada, we have a lot to offer.
The last time the Canadian Tourism Commission tallied up the numbers in 2012, there were a whopping 16 million, international, overnight visitors to our great country. You don’t draw a crowd like that without having some fantastic sights to see.
Must-see Canada…
Ask around and everyone you meet has their own special list of must-see Canadian destinations. Of course our backyard Rockies wonderland makes the top of my list; majestic moutainscapes, crisp clean air and some of the best hiking trails in the world.
But, if you’re looking for other destinations that cannot be missed, check these out…
- National Geographic – Canada’s 50 Places of a Lifetime
- Vacay.ca – 20 Best Places to Visit in Canada for 2016
- PlanetWare.com – 15 Top Rated Tourist Attraction is Canada
- Reader’s Digest – 10 Best Canadian Road Trips
Fly by the seat of your pants… with a little planning.
If time is on your side, then take your time meandering from coast-to-coast; you never know when you might stumble upon some of Canada’s hidden gems like these. There are a few things however that shouldn’t be left to chance.
Get road trip ready – Service your vehicle, check road reports and pack a few must-have supplies. You’ll find plenty of helpful tips in my Road Trip post here.
Service your RV – If this is the first big trip of the season with your recreational vehicle, be sure to follow a maintenance checklist and avoid surprises on the along the way. This RV Check-up post can get you started.
Don’t leave home without proper health care coverage – Yes, even when traveling in Canada your provincial health care may not cover basic emergency situation necessities, such as ambulance rides and certain medications. Find more information about the coverage that is right for you here.
Staycation can still be a vacation.
If your budget doesn’t have the wiggle room to explore much past your city limits, a staycation can be just as relaxing as a good getaway, consider…
- Exploring new parks. Inner city or provincial, it’s not your everyday getaway and that’s the point.
- Visiting local museums, galleries and historical sites. You make a point of checking these places out when you travel, you might be surprised what you’ll find close to home.
- Keeping a list of indoor activities for rainy days. Family fun can be had just about anywhere, but compiling a list of easy indoor activities like bowling, swimming or a movie when the weather gets rough is a great back up plan and keeps you from turning your staycation into work detail with house cleaning and unfinished projects.
- Planning a get together. There is no better way to celebrate summer than with a barbecue or picnic in the park. Make it a potluck event so that it doesn’t become work for just one person and enjoy the company of good friends and family.
No matter what your plans are for the summer, plan to enjoy it responsibly. Plan on having a few drinks at that patio party or having a night on the town? Then have a plan, visit Drive to Thrive for resources to get home safely.
Have More Questions?
Let me know and I’ll do my best to address it here for you and all of our readers. Better yet, contact an InsureMy advisor; these guys know their stuff. Email Info@InsureMy.ca or give them a call locally at (403) 410-1896 or toll free at 1-844-410-1896.
Everyday Insurance With Allie
Working mom, lover of the great outdoors and self-professed know-it-all. Our resident blogger, Allie isn’t the insurance guru she claims to be – but she’s learning and we are happy to help guide her. All the while keeping you in the loop on the “insurancey” stuff you need to know. #AskAllie
