15 July 2022

Canada is a country with an extremely diverse ecosystem with lots of wildlife. Here are just a few of the animals you could encounter on your Canada holiday with some advice on where to travel for the best chance to view them. Canada is home to 33 species of whales and these magnificent creatures can be spotted in a variety of different locations. For example, the west coast provides the best opportunity to see orcas and the east, sperm, blue and minke whales. In Nunavut narwhals and killer whales can be seen and in Manitoba you will find belugas. Off the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador, and in Nova Scotia, you might even be able to spot humpback whales! These amazing animals can be viewed by helicopter as well as on boats of various sizes and zodiacs. However, for an extra special experience, I highly recommend kayaking or paddle boarding alongside beluga whales in Manitoba. The best time of year is July when tens of thousands of them gather to feed and give birth while the water is warm. Canada’s numerous bears are also a must see. You can spot black and grizzly bears and maybe even the rare ‘spirit bear’ if you are lucky. If a bear sighting is essential to your trip, I recommend visiting ‘Great Bear Rainforest’ in British Columbia which is home to a large number of American black bears. If grizzly bears are more your thing, take a trip to ‘Khutzeymatee Grizzly Sanctuary’ between May and September as you are almost guaranteed to see them. Polar bears also roam Canada and can be found in Manitoba. They are particularly prominent between October and November but can also be seen at other times in the year. Opt for a trip on a tundra vehicle or even on foot with a specialist guide for an unforgettable experience. In addition to polar bears, Canada is also home to other arctic wildlife and Manitoba, Newfoundland, Labrador and Nunavut are the perfect places to spot them. There is the possibility of seeing arctic foxes, walruses, caribou and seals as well as many other creatures. You can see these incredible animals by land, sea or air with an expert guide to enhance the experience. I recommend taking an arctic cruise from Baffin Island in Nunavut to see a diverse set of wildlife as the area is home to narwhals, polar bears, caribou, ringed seals and killer whales. Canada is a great destination for any keen ornithologists as it is home to 451 different species of birds, most notably puffins and eagles. In Newfoundland’s ‘Witless Bay Ecological Reserve’, more than 260,000 pairs of Atlantic puffins can be seen and in British Columbia, ‘Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park’ has an astonishing number of wintering bold eagles that congregate annually. If you would like to see a variety of birds, I would recommend a trip ‘Sirmilik National Park’ in Nunavut as it has hundreds of thousands of birds from over 70 different species that either nest there or pass through. Even if animals are not central to your trip, you are bound to see some amazing wildlife no matter where you are. Canada is home to so many remarkable animals which means there is something for everyone whether you want to embark on an arctic trip to spot a polar bear or if catching sight of a moose while travelling from city to city.

28 June 2022

To celebrate the release of Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’, I’m looking back on my own Elvis inspired road trip with my husband and two teenage children a few years ago. We had an amazing time and I would recommend the trip to anyone, especially those with passions for music and history. Our trip began in Nashville, Tennessee where we visited ‘Studio B’, a recording studio where Elvis recorded over 200 songs! It was incredible to stand in the exact location the legend himself once was and to further understand what went into making the music we know and love today. Right next to Studio B is the world renowned ‘Country Music Hall of Fame’. This was an unforgettable experience as we were able to learn about the history of country music which was instrumental in creating Elvis’ unique rock and roll sound. We were able to see the memorabilia of prominent country artists like Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash – my daughter was particularly taken by the section dedicated to Taylor Swift! Nashville is not only a great place for an Elvis fan to visit, it’s also a must do for any music lover. It is referred to as ‘Music City’ and just walking around, you can really tell why. It’s filled with rooftop and honky-tonk bars that blast live music onto the streets. We went on a trolley tour to get to know the city better and visited famed sites such as ‘Music Row’, the ‘Johnny Cash Museum’ and the ‘Ryman Auditorium’. Nashville is also filled with fantastic restaurants and bars that will satisfy any foodie out there. We then drove 3 hours to Memphis with the main attraction being ‘Graceland’, Elvis’ home. During our visit we were not only able to explore where he once lived, but also learn in depth about all aspects and eras of his life. As well as the house, there are exhibits dedicated to things such as his iconic jumpsuits and his time in the US military. We were able to step onboard Elvis’ planes where we saw his gold toilet! The house itself was smaller than I’d imagined it would be and actually felt very homely. Some of the décor felt very “rock star” though, particularly the Jungle Room with a rock waterfall and green shag-pile carpet! We visited Graceland the day before the anniversary of Elvis’ death and there were many fans visiting to pay their respects and take part in a candlelight vigil. Each year the anniversary is marked during Elvis Week when there are special events to celebrate his life and music. Another must do in Memphis is ‘Sun Studio’, where Elvis recorded his first song. It was also home to other extraordinary artists like Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. ‘Sun Studio’ is a place filled with history and the knowledgeable guides really bring the past to life. Our visit to the ‘Rock n Soul Museum’ was also really interesting. It tells the story of how the musical genres of rock and soul were created. This would be ideal for any Elvis fan as it depicts his role in the development of rock and how he was influenced by both the country music of Nashville and the soul music of Memphis. Not only is this museum great for music fans, but also those who love history. For example, it highlights the impact race had on the making of these musical genres. If the soul aspect of this museum interests you, I would highly recommend a visit to the ‘Stax Museum of American Soul Music’. It is located on the site of the legendary Stax Records and tells the story of this record label and the great soul artists it worked with. Away from the music, a visit to Memphis should also include a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum which is on the site of the Lorraine Motel building where Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968. The exhibitions take you through the history of the civil rights movement and I found it a very moving experience. Whilst in Memphis, we stayed in ‘The Peabody’, a hotel famous for the fact it houses ducks that march through the lobby every day. It is a beautiful and historic hotel and the fact that there were ducks only made it better in my opinion! If you’re not staying at the hotel, you can still catch a glimpse of the ducks by visiting the lobby in the morning or afternoon. You can enjoy a duck themed cocktail while waiting for the parade. There are plenty of other great hotel options in Memphis but for an Elvis fan, I recommend a stay at the ‘Guesthouse at Graceland’ as this is a hotel right by ‘the King’s’ actual home, where it has taken its inspiration from. A visit to Nashville and Memphis can easily be done in a week but if you have more time, add on a trip to Tupelo, Mississippi to visit Elvis’ birthplace. Or learn more about the US’ musical history by exploring jazz in New Orleans, Louisiana and Motown in Detroit, Michigan.