Career Breaks and Grown Up Gap Years in Canada

Quick Travel Guide to Canada

Canada is a great country to visit and is as varied as it is vast - on a gap year it could be one of many wonderful stops or as a single destination it has everything you need. Whether you are heading for the many ski resorts to work or to have fun, planning to stay in some of the wonderful cities or looking for a quieter break wildlife watching or hiking Canada has a lot to offer.

If you are thinking of taking a career break, alternative holiday or golden gap year in Canada, we think the following will come in handy:

When to go

That depends on what you want to do! Many people flock to the ski resorts of Canada each year to ski, snowboard or find jobs. If you are looking for work to fund you career break or gap year then the winter is a must in Canada due to the sheer amount of extra jobs that are available. If you're not keen on skiing or the cold then the summer months are generally hot, with cooler temperatures in Spring and Autumn. Another advantage of travelling in Winter, Spring and Autumn months is lower airfares.

Weather

Canada is such a huge country (second only to Russia in terms of size) that the typical weather is difficult to summarise. It is generally hot in the summer with temperatures reaching 90 degrees - but thunderstorms and afternoon showers are very common. In winter temperatures fall below freezing point throughout most of Canada and it is relatively mild in the spring and fall. It's worth noting that temperatures are considerably cooler on the coasts.

Useful Links:

BBC: North America Weather Page

Things to do

There are so many great things to do on a career break or alternative grown up gap year in Canada, whether it's enjoying a train ride cross country, whale watching at Digby Neck in Nova Scotia, or working and soaking up the lifestyle of one of the major cities you'll find that Canada can easily fill up your time.

We've picked out some of the best things to do with your time.

Take a train journey from Vancouver to Toronto

Not only one of Canada’s best train trips but one of the world’s best too. This trip takes three nights non-stop and there’s a choice of travelling economically in a reclining seat or doing it in style in a sleeping car with meals included. Sights include Niagara Falls, Banff and Lake Louise and Jasper National Park.

Visit the VIA Rail Canada Website

Don't miss our Canadian Train Journeys review!

Visit Vancouver

Vancouver is up there on every ‘world’s best cities’ lists and with good reason. It’s easy to combine the best of city living – top restaurants, shops, bars, art galleries and nightlife, with the outdoor lifestyle – skiing, swimming, climbing or sailing. It’s also an incredibly safe and laid back city to explore and an aesthetically pleasing one too with Whistler framing the city skyline. A perfect destination then for part of that career break, trip of a lifetime or golden gap year.

Visit Vancouver Tourism Website

Don't miss our Focus on Vancouver review!

Head for the Calgary Stampede

Calgary is the location for the Stampede, held every July. A massive event, the city is heaving with visitors clad in cowboy hats and plaid shirts. It's a sight to behold, and there are loads of extra jobs available!

Visit the Travel Alberta Website

Go whale watching at Digby Neck, Nova Scotia

Small whales, big whales, spotted whales, striped whales – you’ll find them here. Fin, humpback, minke, right, sperm, pilot and even the mighty blue whale have all been spotted along this coastline.

Visit the Destination Nova Scotia Website

Don't miss our Wildlife Watching in Canada review!