Canada had been on my wish list for years, and in June I finally made it there. I started in Toronto, flying in to stay with family, which was the perfect gentle introduction after a long flight. Between catch ups we dipped into the city’s top sights and lakefront walks, and I began to get a feel for the scale of the country and the variety still to come.

From Toronto we also took a day trip to Niagara Falls, which absolutely lived up to its reputation. Standing at the edge of the falls, feeling the spray on our faces and hearing the roar of the water, was an unforgettable reminder of just how powerful nature can be.

After our time in Ontario we flew west to Calgary, where the real adventure began: collecting our motorhome and driving into the Rockies. There is something wonderfully freeing about having your bed, kitchen and hiking boots all with you, and knowing you can stop whenever a view, trail or tiny town catches your eye.

We based ourselves around Canmore and Banff, and one evening a ranger gave us the best tip of the trip: visit Moraine Lake around 7 pm, then get up early the next morning for Lake Louise before the traffic and parking queues build. He was absolutely right. Moraine Lake in the soft evening light, its famous turquoise water framed by jagged peaks, felt almost unreal. Lake Louise at first light was just as special, its still surface reflecting the mountains and making the early alarm completely worth it.

From Lake Louise we hiked the Plain of Six Glaciers trail, linking it with Lake Agnes and the Little and Big Beehive viewpoints. The scenery just kept getting bigger: hanging glaciers, sheer rock faces and deep valleys. At the top we reached a tiny teahouse, only supplied by helicopter, where we warmed up with hot chocolate and homemade cake. Sitting there, miles from the nearest road, with that view in front of us, was one of those “I can’t believe we’re really here” moments.

We followed the Bow River through the Rockies, on the lookout for wildlife. We were unlucky with bears, but very lucky with scenery. Emerald Lake lived up to its name, a beautiful circuit walk around luminous green water, and Yoho National Park felt a little quieter and wilder than the more famous spots, with big views and fewer people.

Heading west, Revelstoke and the Boulder Mountain area gave us a taste of Canada’s ski country in summer, with great walks and long views over the valleys. Near Malakwa we spotted eagles, and at The Enchanted Forest we stepped into a storybook world of woodland trails and quirky sculptures that worked just as well for adults as they do for children. A little row on the lake there was one of the most peaceful pauses of the whole trip.

Salmon Arm, with its long curved wharf stretching into Shuswap Lake, made a lovely stop, and Kamloops charmed us with its parks and riverside spaces. Some of my favourite memories came from the smaller places: a cactus trail at Cache Creek that led to sweeping desert‑like views, and Ashcroft, a tiny town with a colourful mosaic trail and what I am convinced are the world’s best cinnamon buns, still warm and freshly baked.

At Hat Creek we stepped back into the 1860s gold rush, with historic buildings and stories that brought a completely different side of Canada to life. Then we joined Route 99 toward Whistler, a drive that earns its reputation as one of the most scenic in the world. The road winds through valleys, alongside rivers and under towering peaks, until you reach Whistler’s alpine village with its relaxed atmosphere and mountain backdrop.

From the mountains we carried on towards the coast, stopping at Shannon Falls Provincial Park to watch water thunder down the cliffs, then took the ferry to Vancouver Island. Victoria greeted us with harbourside walks, historic buildings and a gentler rhythm; Willow Beach was a simple, beautiful place to pause and watch the light change over the water.

We finished in Vancouver, where city and nature sit side by side. A whale watching trip out into the Salish Sea gave us a different perspective on the city and surrounding islands, and cycling a tandem around Stanley Park’s seawall was a highlight. The park is almost entirely surrounded by water, bigger than Central Park in New York, with beaches, forest trails, viewpoints and totem poles. On a bike the loop feels easy and fun, with the skyline, Lions Gate Bridge and mountains revealing themselves from different angles as you circle.

For all we managed to see, there are still places I am determined to return for. The Icefields Parkway and Jasper, often described as one of the most beautiful drives on earth, eluded us this time, as did more of Vancouver Island, especially the wild Pacific coast around Tofino. In some ways that is the perfect souvenir: a reason to go back.

Most recently I have booked an incredible Canada itinerary for clients who are taking a different route: starting in Toronto and Niagara Falls, then flying to Calgary and Banff before touring through the Icefields to Jasper. From there they will board the Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops and on to Vancouver, enjoy a self‑drive adventure around Vancouver Island, then return to Vancouver to explore the city before joining a round‑trip cruise to Alaska and back. Canada truly can work for everyone and for a wide range of budgets, from motorhome road trips to luxury rail journeys and cruises. If this sounds like your kind of holiday, please get in touch and I would love to help you plan your own Canadian adventure.