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It should come as no surprise that Canada – the world’s second-largest country – is home to some of the planet’s most dazzling and diverse scenery. From the dramatic, snow-capped mountains of British Columbia to the fascinating French province of Québec and the sea-battered coast of Nova Scotia, it offers something for everyone.
Canada is so huge, in fact, that deciding which parts to visit can seem impossible. And even once you’ve decided where to head, planning your itinerary can take time and effort.
That’s why Canada is one of the world’s best places for an escorted tour, led by trusted, expert guides who take care of all the research and planning – allowing you to fully relax and enjoy your break.
With this in mind, we’ve partnered with escorted tour company Cosmos to show you just how easy (and exciting!) it can be to tour Canada. With professional tour directors overseeing hotels and transportation, local guides unveiling the secrets of each destination, and plenty of free time to explore at your own pace and in your own style, you can turn your travel dreams into reality.
So, to get you inspired, here are five incredible Canadian holidays for your next adventure.
1. Heart of the Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies are famous worldwide for their hulking mountains, glittering glaciers, thundering rivers, and spectacular national parks.
With so much pristine scenery, an escorted tour is the best way to see as much as possible. This is particularly true if you’d like to explore the heartland of the Canadian Rockies, which encompasses two beautiful provinces: British Columbia and Alberta.
Cosmos’ 10-day Canadian Rockies tour begins in Alberta’s cosmopolitan city of Calgary before you head to Banff National Park, the gateway to the Canadian Rockies. Here, you can explore alpine meadows, bubbling hot springs, and more before heading to Jasper National Park – the country’s largest national park. It offers some of the country’s best trails, and you can take excursions to Maligne Lake and Spirit Island to enjoy a unique sense of peace and solitude.
Between visiting each national park, you’ll get to ride an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on the Columbia Icefield, and stop at Lake Louise, where the mirror-like turquoise waters reflect the burly mountains. You’ll also have plenty of free time in Vancouver, Calgary, and Victoria, which is the capital of British Columbia.
Whether it’s admiring Victoria’s 55-acre Butchart Gardens, crossing the scenic Strait of Georgia, or picking up souvenirs in Vancouver, you won’t be short of things to do!
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Calgary - Banff National Park - Lake Louise - Columbia Icefield - Jasper National Park - Mount Robson - Kamloops - Ferry Crossing - Victoria - Vancouver
Canada | 10 days | Flights Included
Black Friday - Save £500 with code GIFT + Extra £100 off with code RESTLESS + Free case of wine with every booking on all 2027/8 tours.
Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
2. Eastern US & Canada
If you’ve always wanted to explore the US and Canada but weren’t sure how to fit it all in, this grand double tour is your chance to see the best of eastern North America.
Cosmos’ 15-day Eastern US and Canada tour begins in New York City with visits to the Big Apple’s most iconic sites. Also on the itinerary is a stop in Boston, where you can follow the Freedom Trail and enjoy a guided sightseeing tour. You’ll then head into Canada to explore Québec City’s historic sites, such as the Place Royale (the so-called birthplace of French America).
In Montréal, you can visit the 19th-century Notre-Dame Church and the once-walled Old Montréal, before heading west to Canada’s capital, Ottawa, to take in sights of Parliament Hill and the Canadian Mint.
Not far from Montréal is Thousand Islands National Park, which you’ll sail through, admiring views of lush wooded islands and sweeping vistas, before visiting Toronto, home to the iconic CN Tower.
If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also pass the thundering Niagara Falls, visit the US capital of Washington, D.C., sightsee in Philadelphia, and learn about the Amish in Pennsylvania Dutch country.
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Cosmos Ontario & French Canada*
Toronto - Niagara Falls - Kingston - Thousand Islands National Park - Ottawa - Québec City Area - Montréal
Canada | 8 days | Flights Included
Black Friday - Save £500 with code GIFT + Extra £100 off with code RESTLESS + Free case of wine with every booking on all 2027/8 tours.
Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
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New York City - Boston - Québec City Area - Montréal - Ottawa - Thousand Islands National Park - Toronto - Niagara Falls - Lancaster - Pennsylvania Dutch Country and 3 more
USA & Canada | 15 days
Black Friday - Save £500 with code GIFT + Extra £100 off with code RESTLESS + Free case of wine with every booking on all 2027/8 tours.
Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
3. Alaska & the Yukon
The idea of exploring one of the world’s last great frontiers appeals to many of us – particularly those with a burning sense of adventure. Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory boast some of the most staggeringly beautiful scenery and are home to vast swathes of remote wilderness. So if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to an awe-inspiring natural environment, this is it.
Beginning and ending in Alaska’s Anchorage, Cosmos’ Alaska and the Yukon tour offers a chance to travel through untamed wilderness, taking a glacier cruise along Prince William Sound while spotting eagles, whales, and dolphins. Passing between Tok and Whitehorse, you can admire spectacular vistas of Kluane National Park, home to 19,551-foot-high Mount Logan, Canada’s highest peak.
Even more magnificent scenery awaits you in Denali National Park. Stretching for a staggering six million acres, it’s home to North America’s tallest peak (the 6,190-metre Mount Denali) and fascinating wildlife, like grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, and moose. Along the way, you’ll learn about the Klondike Gold Rush, visit historic Dawson City, and enjoy a breathtaking seven-day cruise through Alaska’s most majestic scenery.
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Cosmos Alaska & the Yukon*
Anchorage - Excursion To Prince William Sound - Tok - Whitehorse - Skagway - Dawson City - Fairbanks - Alaska Railroad - Denali National Park
USA & Canada | 12 days
Black Friday - Save £500 with code GIFT + Extra £100 off with code RESTLESS + Free case of wine with every booking on all 2027/8 tours.
Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
4. Canadian Masterpiece
Western Canada has a unique appeal, from the soaring skyscrapers of Vancouver to the wild, rocky mountains, and miles of stunning natural landscapes, such as beach scenes and rainforests. So, to see the best of this region, why not join the Canadian Masterpiece tour? You’ll have 12 days to discover the beauty, charm, and wilderness that this special part of the world possesses in such abundance.
Your adventure begins in Vancouver, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Stanley Park, the harbour and beaches, and more. You’ll also have free time to spend as you like; perhaps to head to the lively markets of Granville or check out Gastown’s famous steam-powered clock.
When you’re finished in Vancouver, you’ll hop on your Rocky Mountaineer train for a two-day ride through dazzling scenery. This includes jaw-dropping views of the Selkirk Mountains and Yoho National Park – and, when you reach Alberta’s Banff National Park, there’ll be chances to spot wildlife including wolves, bears, bighorn sheep, and deer.
After riding on the Ice Explorer, you’ll arrive at majestic Jasper National Park. Here, you can follow in the footsteps of the pioneers on your way to Whistler, before finishing up by relaxing on Vancouver Island.
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Vancouver - Rocky Mountaineer - Kamloops - Banff National Park - Banff National Park-Lake Louise-Columbia Icefield-Jasper National Park - Jasper National Park-Mount Robson-Sun Peaks - Sun Peaks-Lillooet-Whistler - Whistler - Ferry Crossing - Victoria and 1 more
Canada | 12 days | Flights Included
Black Friday - Save £500 with code GIFT + Extra £100 off with code RESTLESS + Free case of wine with every booking on all 2027/8 tours.
Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
5. Canadian Train Odyssey with Alaska Cruise
And finally, if you’re looking to see as much of Canada as you possibly can in a single trip, there’s only one way to do it. This epic, 22-day cross-country train adventure takes you from the tip of Eastern Canada to the edge of the West, visiting many of the country’s most iconic sites – and even includes a cruise through Alaska.
The first stop is Toronto, where you’ll head off on a guided sightseeing tour of this cosmopolitan city and an excursion to the world-famous Niagara Falls. Then, your train odyssey begins when you board VIA Rail’s premier transcontinental train, which – over three days – will shuttle you through Canada’s magnificent heartland where jaw-dropping vistas await.
In Alberta, you’ll explore the province’s iconic national parks, from the lakes of Jasper to the peaks of Banff. And, in British Columbia, you’ll visit Victoria and sail through the gorgeous Gulf Islands before enjoying a seven-night Alaska cruise along the spectacular Inside Passage.
As you marvel at the rugged scenery of the Pacific Coast, you’ll stop off in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, learning about the culture and history of this unique part of the US, before finishing up back in Vancouver.
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Toronto - Niagara Falls - Via Rail The Canadian - Jasper National Park - Columbia Icefield - Lake Louise - Banff National Park - Yoho National Park - Glacier National Park - Kamloops and 9 more
USA & Canada | 22 days
Black Friday - Save £500 with code GIFT + Extra £100 off with code RESTLESS + Free case of wine with every booking on all 2027/8 tours.
Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
Final thoughts…
Canada is such a vast and diverse country that it’s no surprise that planning a holiday here can seem overwhelming. From French Canada’s cosmopolitan cities to the isolated beauty of the Pacific Northwest, breathtaking landscapes, unique history, and cherished cultures are just part of what makes it so special.
Whether you’re drawn to sophisticated cities like Montréal, Ottawa, and Québec City, the craggy coastline of Nova Scotia, or the mesmerising beauty and enchanting wildlife of Alberta and British Columbia, this magnificent country has something for everyone.
And if you’ve always wanted to explore the desolate, icy beauty of Alaska as well as the wild Pacific Northwest, and watch whales in the ocean while eagles soar overhead, you can do all that here, too – you might just need a guide!
With Cosmos, all the research and planning is done for you by expert guides and tour operators, so you can focus on sightseeing and enjoying your surroundings – whether you choose to do that by rail, road, ice, sea, or all four.
To find out more about Cosmos’ extensive range of Canadian escorted holidays, you can head over to their website.