Are you a traveler looking for new adventure? If you’re in search of some exciting journey that’s full of beautiful sceneries, then you should consider going on a road trip to Canada. While most are having their travels within the confines of the U.S. borders, venturing out over to the Canadian side and exploring some wonderful destinations such as Vancouver, Toronto, Victoria, Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal, Banff, Niagara Falls, Quebec City and many others would make the journey even more worth it.
However, given the cross-border nature of the journey, it is essential that you prepare a travel plan with a well laid-out itinerary especially if you’re bringing your family with you. And to make things easy for you, here are some pointers that I’d like to share which would hopefully make the whole experience a lot smoother.
Know Where You’re Going
You might have heard of beautiful sites and sceneries from a friend or have read it from a travel blog online. It is easy to be inspired by what you’ve seen or heard but before falling prey to ‘impulse travel,’ and regretting everything, in the long run, be sure that you know where that majestic lake is or where you can find that cozy log cabin which your friend told you about. Here are a few suggestions I can give in this first stage:
- Get to your computer and start searching for the place that you want to visit. Know what kind of accommodations are there and learn about the activities that you and your family can enjoy. Starting with a theme in mind is good. For instance, you can choose an adventure that’s focused on history, outdoor, city breaks, or you want to relax while enjoying the beautiful sceneries in nature.
- Now that you know the place, the activities that the family can do there and the theme of the whole adventure which you want to implement, choosing the kind of clothes and other stuff to bring becomes a lot easier. Don’t bring too many stuff. Just pack things enough for the whole family and of course, it should fit in the car leaving enough space for everyone to breath.
- Narrow down the places and sites that you want to visit and make sure that it would cater to the family’s travel vibes, preferences, and needs. If you’re having a hard time narrowing down the list, you can share it with the other members of your family so they can give their feedback or even remove as well as add additional sites and attractions to the final travel plan.
Know Exactly How to Get There
Now that you have the narrowed down list of places to visit on your road trip to Canada, it is time to identify the options on how to there and choose the one that will best serve your family and the budget. Will driving from home to the destination be right or you need to fly, rent a car then drive to reach the very first stop of the whole adventure? Adding plane tickets to the overall expense can be costly, so if you’re on a tight budget, you will need extra planning on this aspect. Check online and look for good deals and discounts on airline ticket prices.
Consider Logistics
Logistics is the next thing to consider. If you’re going to be on a road trip to Canada or to any other destination, you need to plan out every point on the itinerary especially that you’re hauling plenty of stuff with you plus the kids and other members of the family. Do some research and see what others did, what they brought with them on the journey, what kind of car they rented and many other details. Here are some things you need to ask your self at this stage:
- How long will the journey/trip last?
- How many sites will I visit?
- How many nights will I spend at every destination?
- How many hours of driving can I spend each day?
- Will it cost more if I eat on the road or eat at the destination? Research for some excellent place for food stops.
- What possible emergencies and unexpected things can happen? Do I have enough time to deal with them while going to a particular destination? Allow plenty of padding for these circumstances.
There’s Always Red Tape
This can happen anywhere and not just on your road trip to Canada, and the best thing you can do is to always be prepared for it.
- Be sure to bring all essential travel documents.
- Secure confirmation emails of your hotel accommodation, tours, and even coupons. Be sure that they are accessible in your devices. Have extra copies of all these vital stuff printed just in case you need to present them, but internet service is not available.
- Inform your bank and credit card provider about your trip out of the country.
- Find a sitter for your pets.
- Make sure that family, friends or even neighbors are aware that you’re going to be on a trip. Tell them when you are leaving and when you’re going to return.
Have an Amazing Road Adventure
Engaging your self on a road trip is a fantastic, life-changing experience. But they can also be one of your worst journeys if you don’t plan everything well ahead of time. Follow the tips I gave above, and you’re sure to have the best road trip experience to Canada, an experience that’s full of unforgettable memories which are all ready to last a lifetime.