Accommodation
Accommodation
There is a wide range of accommodation from hotels to hostels. Standards are high, with full facilities. International hotel chains are represented in major cities, but advance booking is essential. Guest houses, farm vacations, bed & breakfast establishments and self-catering lodges are available throughout the country. Hunting and fishing trips to the wilderness areas of the north are often best arranged through ‘Outfitters’. These are guides (often licensed by the local tourist office) who can arrange supplies, tackle, transport and accommodation. For further information, contact the Visit Canada Centre (see Contact Addresses section) or the Hotel Association of Canada, Suite 1206, 130 Albert Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4 (tel: (613) 237 7149; fax: (613) 237 8928; e-mail: info@hotelassociation.ca; website: www.hotelassociation.ca). Grading: There is no national system of accommodation grading. Some provinces operate their own voluntary grading programmes; see the individual Provinces/Territories sections for details.
Camping/Caravanning
Camping facilities in the National Parks are generally only open from mid-May until the end of September. For further information, contact Canadream Campers (website: www.canadream.com). Mobile trailers and caravans are extremely popular ways of traversing the enormous expanse of the Canadian landscape. There are two different types of vehicle available: a ‘motorhome’ is a vehicle with connected driving cab and living space, equipped for up to five adults; whilst a ‘camper’ is a vehicle with a separate driving cab, more like a truck with a caravan on the back, equipped for up to three adults. There are different models according to the size of the accommodation and facilities required, but most have a fridge, cooker, sink, heater, fitted WC and showers. All vehicles are fitted with power steering. Petrol consumption is about 24km (15 miles) per imperial gallon (but petrol costs half as much as it does in Europe). Hiring is available to those who hold full licences and are aged over 25. The cost of hire can vary according to the season. High season runs from June to the end of September, and low season runs for the rest of the year. Full details can be obtained from the Visit Canada Centre (see Contact Addresses section).
Youth Hostels
There are youth hostels in major cities and national parks across the country. For further information, contact Hostelling International Canada (tel: (613) 237 7884; fax: (613) 237 7868; e-mail: info@hostellingintl.ca; website: www.hihostels.ca).
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