Spring time in Canada
The first blooms of spring always herald new beginnings and as we reach the first day of meteorological spring here in the UK, we are seeing snowdrops, daffodils and tulips blossoming. With travel well and truly back on the horizon for 2022, what better time to visit Canada and enjoy spring in all its glory? Not only is it an incredibly beautiful time of year to visit, many costs are lower too and places are less crowded.
Visit Vancouver between March and June, and you will see the fabulous cherry blossoms in bloom throughout the city. Head to Queen Elizabeth Park for one of the best displays or the VanDusen Botanical Garden which has more than 100 cherry trees of 24 varieties. In downtown Stanley Park there are rows of blossoming trees alongside the formal rose garden and in April, the annual cherry blossom festival takes place across the city.
Cherry blossom trees in Vancouver
Head further west to Tofino, on Vancouver Island and where in April and May, you will have an opportunity to go whale-watching and see the migrating gray whales. This gorgeous, bustling coastal town is hugely popular in the summer months, so a spring visit has less crowds as well as better value hotel rooms and you can spot other wildlife as well as the gray whales in their natural habitats.
Tofino’s rugged coast
You can also still ski in Canada in the spring with resorts such as Whistler and Banff keeping their slopes open in April and May. Combine a spring ski holiday with whale watching or a city break or even add on a train trip across the county and visit Niagara Falls.
Lunch on the ski slopes in Banff
The annual tulip festival in Canada’s capital, Ottawa, celebrates its platinum anniversary this May and displays abound throughout the city with many events held to commemorate the festival’s history. During WWII the royal Dutch family escaped from Holland and found a shelter in Ottawa and when the queen, Juliana, returned to Holland, she decided to thank the Canadian people for hosting the royal family and sent Ottawa 100,000 Tulip tubers.
Ottawa in full bloom
So whether it’s flora, fauna or wildlife, or the cities or mountains that you’re interested in, spring time in Canada has something for everyone.
Julie Thompson
Frontier Canada
