Why I Jetted off to Canada and a Vancouver Video I Love

Canada and Vancouver

As you read this I’ll be squished into an economy class plane seat for 13 hours somewhere between Brisbane and or milling around at Los Angeles International Airport for five hours.

I’m winging my way to Canada as a guest of the Canadian Tourism Commission so that I can write all about it, share my photos and entice you off to the wilds of Canada too.

I know what you’re thinking and yes, it is a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. I must have been a very good girl lately because this year that somebody is me.

The trip includes the Go Media Canada event in Whitehorse where I’ll be meeting 150 other travel writers from around the world, including representatives from the big guns like National Geographic and the BBC, as well as other humble, independent travel writers and bloggers like me, all united in the same mission: to find out more about and experience Canada.

I’ll be heading to the Yukon, which borders Alaska, and to Banff in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, where I’ll be keeping an eye out for bears, beavers and other beasties as I canoe, horseride and hike through the stunning scenery.

But first I’m visiting Vancouver and, although I only have one evening there, I wanted to share this Dear Vancouver video I discovered on YouTube so you can get a taste of Vancouver City because many international visitors to Canada will arrive there first.

The 60 second video is both a beautiful love letter to the city and a fun peek into what makes Vancouver special. I love how it shares the seedy, gritty side of Vancouver too because that’s part of the appeal of cities which I’m sheltered from in my cosy little resort town of Noosa in Australia.

Reading by email or RSS feed? Click here to visit the blog post and watch the video.

If you’re chomping at the bit and can’t wait to read more about Canada here are links to some of the official tourism sites for the places I’ll be visiting:

The Canadian Tourism Commission has gorgeous photos as does Tourism Vancouver.

White Horse is the biggest city in the Yukon.

Banff and Calgary are both in Alberta.

I’ve got some hot posts scheduled so you have something to read while I’m enjoying Canada and no doubt there will be plenty of stories to share when I get back.

Until then, happy travels wherever you are.

Where are you now and where are you planning to visit next?

Photo credit: JMV

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15 Comments

  1. QwkDrw May 27, 2012 at 3:15 pm - Reply

    Congratulations and all the best to you, 150 other travel writers, and the Canadian Tourism Commission on describing what a wonderful country Canada is to visit

    ..

    • Annabel Candy May 28, 2012 at 5:10 am - Reply

      Hi Q,

      Thank thank you! It sounds like you’ve been to Canada already :-)

  2. Michelle Gorham May 28, 2012 at 5:00 am - Reply

    Congratulation Annabel, I hop you have a great time in Canada. I can’t wait to read about your trip as I am wanting to plan a family vacation there next year. Have fun and stay safe.

    • Annabel Candy May 28, 2012 at 5:11 am - Reply

      Hi Michelle,

      Thank you! That’s great timing I’m sure I will have some beautiful stories for you and lots of hot tips:)

  3. Seana Smith May 28, 2012 at 5:30 pm - Reply

    I can’t believe you didn’t secrete me in your suitcase! Am so enjoying doing some armchair travelling in your excellent company. I have never (yet!) been to Canada and it’ll be a great introduction to see it through your eyes, Annabel.

    • Annabel Candy May 29, 2012 at 11:16 am - Reply

      Hi Seana,

      Wish you were here! But I’ll be doing my best to give you the Vershaw Canada experience and hope you make it over here someday soon. I’m here now and, needless to say, loving it

  4. Melissa Callaghan May 29, 2012 at 9:08 am - Reply

    Annabel

    Look forward to taking you out on our Discover Banff Tours Voyageur Canoe Tour. Thought I would share the photos of the grizzly bear mum and her cubs that swam right past the canoe last week. Check out our Blue Canoe page on Facebook.

    Enjoy!

    • Annabel Candy May 29, 2012 at 11:20 am - Reply

      Hi Melissa,

      I I can’t wait to see it and hang out with you there :-) the photo is gorgeous but the link is playing havoc here… Might have to take it away but maybe I can share the photo in a blog post :-)

  5. Lana May 29, 2012 at 4:22 pm - Reply

    I am so excited for you! I only wish you had told me you’d be at LAX for several hours – I could have found some time to meet you, maybe, and share a bite!
    Enjoy – you were a good girl:)

    • Annabel Candy May 30, 2012 at 2:26 am - Reply

      Hi Lana,

      Oh Lana, that would have been fantastic. Nest time I’m in LA we must meet:)

  6. Molly Kelash May 30, 2012 at 1:26 am - Reply

    So wonderful! We’re headed to that part of the world this summer — a few days on Victoria Island, maybe a stop-off in Vancouver after we enjoy Glacier National Park in Montana and a wedding on Bainbridge Island (Seattle) in Puget Sound…I’ve been to Banff’/Lake Louise and I still have dreams about it. Sigh. You’ll fall in love, I promise.

    • Annabel Candy May 30, 2012 at 2:27 am - Reply

      Hi Molly,

      Oooh, those sound like exciting travel plans too. Will keep you updated about Banff:)

  7. Melissa Callaghan May 30, 2012 at 9:14 am - Reply

    Of course Annabel, if you would like a high rez copy of the photo, just let me know and I can send to you.

    Cheers !

  8. Teresa Long June 4, 2012 at 1:31 am - Reply

    OMG! This is my dream holiday…You can tell them I am sold already! Congratulations on being so brilliant!

  9. Hannah Buffer June 11, 2012 at 7:22 pm - Reply

    What a nice cover photo. I havent go to Canada yet but reading this blog surprise me of how beautiful and wonderful the Canada is. :) So Brilliant!

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