Canuck cuisine is like a smorgasbord of the best the world has to offer, reflecting the diversity of cultures that settled in the region since it's discovery by the West.
As well as developing their own specialties (poutine or maple taffy anyone?), Canada has it's own unique way of interpreting more traditional western dishes. Here’s eight of the best food experiences you won’t find anywhere else:
Learn to cook on a mountain peak.
The many different colours ...
... of Jasper National Park.
PICNIC ON A PEAK
Peak Nic is like any other picnic, except that it’s on the edge of a mountain peak. After a four-kilometre hike, you’ll not only be rewarded with stunning views of Jasper National Park, but you’ll also get a lesson in backcountry cooking. Then enjoy a gourmet Canadian meal that you cooked yourself. The best part? Burn off all those extra calories as you head back down the mountain.
When you've caught it yourself, you know it's fresh.
CATCH YOUR OWN LOBSTER DINNER
The only thing better than eating fresh lobster, is eating fresh lobster you’ve caught yourself. In New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, just off Canada’s east coast, you can help a lobster fisherman haul-in the day’s catch for that true maritime experience, and if you’re really game, hold a live lobster as well. Later on, you’ll get to feast on those same delicious lobsters yourself. But be warned: the locals in this part of the world prefer their lobster served cold.
Wild British Columbia salmon, maple glazed, served with local vegetables and salad, enjoyed on top of Blackcomb Mountain.
EAT SALMON AT THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN
They say a good meal is worth travelling for … how about 1800 metres up Blackcomb Mountain on a Jeep Rubicon? Once up top, it’s not just the extraordinary views of Whistler’s famed peaks you’ll be getting on this tour, but a truly amazing (and genuinely Canadian) meal too: maple glazed, wild caught British Columbia salmon, local vegetables, fresh salads and a delicious dessert. One for the intrepid.
Fresh salmon at the top of a mountain - does it get any better than this?
Soar in a seaplane, and sip in style in Butchart Gardens, British Columbia.
SOARING AND SIPPING - IN STYLE
You arrive and depart in style with the epic Soar 'n' Sip experience in British Columbia. Get a bird’s-eye view of the extraordinary Vancouver Island with a flyover in a seaplane, before an upscale afternoon tea experience at Butchart Gardens, one of Canada’s prettiest places. After a stroll through the gardens, you’ll be driven home in a limo - the perfect ending to this amazing experience.
Ready to take-off for a Soar 'n' Sip experience.
Fly high above Vancouver Island.
Yee-haw - eat like the cowboys of yesteryear along Banff's Bow River.
COWBOY COOKOUT BY THE RIVER
Yee-haw! Ride along Banff’s Bow River by horseback just like the cowboys of yesteryear, before a barbeque for the ages: think steak, baked potatoes, cowboy baked beans and more. For those less inclined to get on the back of a noble steed before dinner, you can still feel like you’re in the wild west by jumping on board a horse-drawn wagon which will wheel you to the scenic three-mile cabin, where the feast is held. Giddy up!
Sugar Shack Chez Dany.
GET EVEN SWEETER AT A SUGAR SHACK
There is nothing more Canadian than the maple leaf, and perhaps no food more Canadian than maple syrup. Sugar Shacks, especially in Quebec, are where the magic happens and the sap from maple trees is turned into syrup. At Chez Dany’s Sugar Shack (Cabane A Sucre Chez Dany), you’ll get the warmest of welcomes and a guided tour of the maple syrup process. But the main event is the Canuck classic maple taffy: maple boiled just past the stage of syrup and served on a flat bed of snow. Mouthwatering stuff.
Did you know you don't have to wait until Canada's winter to see the Northern Lights?
ROASTING MARSHMALLOWS UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
A lot of people don't realise that Aurora Borealis is actually visible in many parts of Canada in late summer and early autumn. With this in mind, sitting outside and roasting marshmallows over an open fire as the lights dance across the sky is a Canadian experience you will never forget. And while you're roasting, don't forget to try a s'more, the classic campfire snack: roasted marshmallows and chocolate sandwiched between two graham crackers.
Canada is starting to emerge as a wine destination, particularly when it comes to ice wine.
Peller Estates Winery.
ICE ICE BABY
With it's cool climate and some of the highest snowfall of any country, Canada wouldn’t be anyone’s first thought when choosing a wine destination. Yet, the Great White North is developing a reputation for producing excellent quality wine, with their own unique specialty - Ice Wine (Eiswein). Ice Wine is made from grapes that were frozen before being harvested. While Canada didn’t invent Ice Wine, wine from frozen grapes may date back to the Roman times, they are certainly very good at it. We recommend a Cabernet Franc from Peller Estates Winery, best enjoyed on a lounge carved out of ice at the same winery’s igloo-like 10Below Icewine Lounge.
SPEAK WITH AN ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL DESIGNER TO CREATE YOUR CUSTOM ITINERARY NOW!
Sip & Savour Canadian Flavours
12 DAYS | 11 NIGHTS | FROM $7195*
A culinary themed spin on a classic Canadian journey, this itinerary is a must for foodies. Enjoy discovering the local tastes and flavours, from beavertails and poutine to caesars and cider.
Handpicked Ontario & Quebec
15 DAYS | 14 NIGHTS | FROM $4585*
This Eastern Canada journey will direct you through beautiful parks and countrysides, through modern and historic cities.
Aurora Viewing packages
4 DAYS | 3 NIGHTS | FROM $1075*
Witness one of nature’s greatest feats. Watch the skies come alive with the dancing of the magical, elusive Northern Lights, which begin to become visible from August.
SPEAK WITH AN ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL DESIGNER TO CREATE YOUR CUSTOM ITINERARY NOW!
Sip & Savour Canadian Flavours
12 DAYS | 11 NIGHTS | FROM $7195*
A culinary themed spin on a classic Canadian journey, this itinerary is a must for foodies. Enjoy discovering the local tastes and flavours, from beavertails and poutine to caesars and cider.
Handpicked Ontario & Quebec
15 DAYS | 14 NIGHTS | FROM $4585*
This Eastern Canada journey will direct you through beautiful parks and countrysides, through modern and historic cities.
Aurora Viewing packages
4 DAYS | 3 NIGHTS | FROM $1075*
Witness one of nature’s greatest feats. Watch the skies come alive with the dancing of the magical, elusive Northern Lights, which begin to become visible from August.