In the new year we’ll be getting back to providing you with reviews, tips and places to visit as well as trying to give you the best (and cheapest) ways to get to Canada – And if you didnt realise already, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games are almost upon us, so we’ll be covering pleanty of things from these, as well as featuring more places in and around vancouver.. Oh and of coarse giving out information on how to get there and where to stay should you be wanting to get your last minute tickets to see them in person!

Once again guys, hope you all have a fantastic christmas and a happy new year.. and maybe if you haven’t been already – 2010 will be the year you travel to for the first time, and fall in love with the gem that is Canada!

Ottawa at Christmas

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 I departed my house at 2:15PM and arrive in downtown Thorold to this sight: 

(One group of the many groups that made up the  hundreds of patriotic Thorold residents that showed up to show their support of the olympic games.)

Soon after I arrived we were blessed with the Thorold based Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Thorold Fire Dept. and a local steel drum band.

 (Royal Canadian Air Cadets)

(Thorold Fire Dept.)

At about 2:51pm, the Olympic parade made it’s way down Front St.

(The Olympic Parade starting down Front St.)

(The Coca-Coca bear and truck, Coca-Cola being one of the proud supporters of the Olympic games)

At 3:05pm, the moment the entire city had been waiting for, greeted with an uproar of cheering and wagging of Canadian flags, the Olympic Torch made it’s way down Front St. Where it was handed off to the next runner.

(The Torch Handoff, surrounded by patriotic Thorold residents who cheered their excitement apon the second torch being lit)

(Torch and Runner finaly push their way through the extremely excited crowd)

(The runner being chased by cheering residents as he ran down to the next handoff point, greeted by the honking horns of cars stopped by the road closure showing their support)

This gift to my home town, is something I will hold in my thoughts for the rest of my life, and is one of those things that you only get to see once in your life time.

The torch will make it’s way through the rest of Canada until February 12, 2010, where it will light the Olympic torch in Vancouver.

For more information on the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, or to find out if the torch is comming to your town (or if you want to come to it!) check out the official olympic site at:

http://www.vancouver2010.com/

For the Torch route, click the following link:

Torch Route 2010

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The Metro Ski and Snowboard Show is back at London Olympia from this Wednesday running until Sunday, October 25th. To celebrate the event, all this week they’re giving away ski holidays to top resorts in Canada – the home of the 2010 Winter Games – where you can ski from November through to May.

From Quebec in the East to British  Columbia in the West, Canada offers excellent snow conditions, a long season, short lift queues, neck-twisting panoramas, high quality accomidation and an array of activities. Visit www.canada.travel/ski to discover more.

Travelling to Canada is easy and not as far – or as expensive – as you might think. Canadian Affair offers direct flights from Gatwick & Manchester to Calgary and Vancouver, offering outstanding value for money and the highest quality, tailor-made winter holiday packages. To find out more – remember to check out Canadian Affair’s site below

Today’s prize is a three night stay at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise followed by a four night stay at The fairmont Banff Springs… Set in Canada’s Protected Playground, Banff National Park plays host to some of the world’s finest ski resorts offering almost 8,000 acres of terrain on one convenient lift ticket.

You and a friend will enjoy ski or snowboard rentals, three-day, three-resort Club Ski lessons, six day tri-area lift tickets to include night skiing at Mt. Norquay, return shuttle transport between your hotel and the resorts, return flights from London Gatwick and return transfers from Calgary International Airport.

£4 OFF WITH METRO TICKET OFFER

With new features and over 200 exhibitors, the Metro Ski and Snowboard Show is the start of the winter season. Use the code ‘METROSKI’ to get £4 off on-the-door prices at www.metrosnow.co.uk

For more information, terms and conditions and how to enter the competition go to the article’s page:

http://www.metro.co.uk/win/article.html?WIN_A_WEEK_AT_BANFF-LAKE_LOUISE,_CANADA!&in_article_id=753649&in_page_id=4

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Yes, they really do get that red!

When you ask most people, think of some colours you’d see as representing autumn.. Most say Brown, Yellow or Orange.. In Canada, you get a whole variety of these colours, as well as Reds. Sometimes reds so vivid, you would seriously wonder how it is possible for a tree, a thing from nature to paint its leaves such brilliant red! Of coarse, there are other places you may see red leaves, but Canada truly is the best place on earth you will ever get to see this in such a quantity.

No doubt you may have even came to look at this article because you may be interested in actually seeing this for yourself, so i don’t really think i need to ‘big up’ this firework display of colour too much, but one thing i will say – is this is one of those things you MUST do before you die! So better sooner than later!..

Interestingly there are particular places in Canada you’d be best to go to should you really want to catch nature in its full glory when in Canada and so if your main reason for visiting Canada is to see the leaves Ontario, Quebec or the Maritime provinces are probably your best destinations! Here are the best places, within those provinces – and just as important – the times in which you’ll want to plan your trips.

Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario: Somewhere we have already featured on Canada Trip, and happy to feature once more. The size, beauty and proximity to Toronto of this 7,725 square kilometre park make it one of the most popular parks in Ontario. The forests, lakes, and rivers that comprise Algonquin Park can only be explored by foot or canoe.
The maple trees are at their best at the end of September or early October. The aspens, tamaracks and red oaks reach their peak in the middle or end of October. Consult the Algonquin Fall Colour Report for fall colour activity and specific viewing spots. For more information on Algonquin park, check out our Algonquin park catagory!

Niagara Parkway, Ontario: The historic Niagara Parkway, or “River Road,” is the route that Winston Churchill called “the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world,” and follows the winding curves of the Niagara River, which divides Canada and the US. The loveliest stretch in autumn is between the small towns of Queenston and Niagara-on-the-Lake and reaches its pinnacle of colour in early October. Finish your day with by tilting back a glass of Niagara Wine.

The Bruce Peninsula, Ontario: The Bruce Peninsula features one of the best portions of the Bruce Trail – an 800 km (almost 500 mile) hiking trail – that features splendid Ontario flora, fauna and water vistas. Some of the trees are more than 1000 years old and in the autumn, especially the end of September to beginning of October, the colours are something to behold.
Check the Ontario Parks Fall Colour Report for autumn colour activity and great viewing spot suggestions.

The Laurentian Mountains, Quebec: Québec is famous for its autumn colours because of the sugar maple trees. Also prevalant are the provincial yellow birch and the American beech. Try the Laurentian Mountains for one of the most beautiful displays of fall foliage in North America. Colours begin their peak at the end of September and continue until mid- to late-October in lower elevations and more southern locations. Celebrate the season by visiting resort town Mont-Tremblant for its annual Symphony of Colours festival.

Prince Edward Island: PEI forests have an exceptional range of colours in autumn. The warm waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait moderate PEI’s climate and help to create one of the longest fall foliage periods in northeastern North America. PEI’s forests are bear-free, providing year-round safety for visitors. As well, there are no deer or moose in Island forests, providing a safe viewing experience without large game hunting. Consult the PEI Fall Foliage Website for details.

The Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia: Hailed as one of the world’s most beautiful drives, the Cabot Trail winds around Cape Breton’s northern shore and rewards fall colour seekers in a spectacular way. Fiery reds, oranges, crimsons and golds blanket the highlands and reach their peak the first or second week of October. Try visiting Cape Breton Highlands National Park or Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. Consult the Nova Scotia Fall Foliage Report for detailed autumn colour activity.

Fundy Coastal Drive, New Brunswick: Like the Cabot Trail, the Fundy Coastal Drive is another outstanding maritime journey. See some of the highest tides in the world and enjoy the vivacious reds and deep pumpkin oranges, which are at their best the first two weeks of October during Canada’s Thanksgiving Weekend. Tree variety and colours are similar to New England’s, yet crowds are minimal in New Brunswick by comparison.

ALSO here’s a little factoid!
Autumn or Fall?

The word autumn comes from the Old French word autompne (automne in modern French), and was later normalized to the original Latin word autumnus. There are rare examples of its use as early as the 12th century, but it became common by the 16th century.

Before the 16th century, harvest was the term usually used to refer to the season. However, as more people gradually moved from working the land to living in towns (especially those who could read and write, the only people whose use of language we now know), the word harvest lost its reference to the time of year and came to refer only to the actual activity of reaping, and fall, as well as autumn, began to replace it as a reference to the season.

The alternative word fall is now mostly a North American English word for the season. It traces its origins to old Germanic languages. The exact derivation is unclear, the Old English fiæll or feallan and the Old Norse fall all being possible candidates. However, these words all have the meaning “to fall from a height” and are clearly derived either from a common root or from each other. The term came to denote the season in the 16th century, a contraction of Middle English expressions like “fall of the leaf” and “fall of the year”.

During the 17th century, English immigration to the colonies in North America was at its peak, and the new settlers took their language with them. While the term fall gradually became obsolescent in Britain, it became the more common term in North America, where autumn is nonetheless preferred in scientific and often in literary contexts.

Source: wikipedia

So, now you know!

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The Canadian National Exhibition has been around for well over 75 years, taking place on the outskirts of downtown Toronto, this exhibition shuts down an area of 8 city blocks around the Direct Energy Center in the historic ‘Exhibition Place. The exhibition started in 1879, after the success of the last years traveling fair, it has always been host to the most state of the art technology. The shops and attractions have always represented the interests of the Canadian public, which has drawn in well over 6 million people from around the world in the last 10 years of the CNE.

(The kids fair ground at the CNE, Photo© 2009)

In this article I’ll take you through the pride of Canada’s aviation history, and long time partner of the CNE, the Canadian International Airshow.

As to it’s name the CIAS has been wowing crouds for 60 years, and celebrated it’s 60 year anniversary at the CNE, on the same day that Canadian aviation took flight 100 years ago with it’s first powered aircraft, the Silver Dart which took flight in 1907. Watching this airshow brings back the history of this still proud and powerful nation through the message of flight.

This years CIAS contained airshow preformers from around the world, both civilian and military, I have listed them below, with the planes they fly (for you aircraft buffs out there!):

Canadian Heritage Flight: CF-18 Hornet, CT-114 Tutor, and the F-86 Hawk One Sabre.

USAF Heritage Flight: P-51 Mustang, F-16, and F-22 (The F-16 was replaced this year durring the show by another P-51, due to an engine failure)

The RCAF SnowBirds: CT-114 Tutor

The USAF Blue Angels: F/A-18 Hornet

The Horsemen: P-51 Mustangs

Matt Chapman: CAP 580

RCAF: CF-Griffon Helicopter

Mike Wiskus: S-111B

Mike Goulian: Castrol Aviator Extra 330SC

Russell Air Group: Spitfire

Royal Canadian Air Cadets: Airforce Training Gliders

As well as naval appearences by the Canadian Navy’s HMCS Ville De Quebec.

(The Canadian Heritage Flight going over the HMCS Ville De Quebec, Photo© 2009)

This years CIAS lasted well over 4 hours, with tributes to both modern and past Canadian and international soldiers. I have included this and many of my favorite moments of the CIAS in the following video clip, sadly I was un-able to get pictures/video of the RCAF Snowbirds due to the extreme length of the airshow which required me to move on to eat, so grab a bite ahead of time so you can see all of this amazing airshow!.

I’ll leave this article about one of the greatest airshow experiences in the world with a gallery of photos from the CIAS at the CNE 2009.

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Prince Edward County (”the County”) is a region of southeastern Ontario that juts out into Lake Ontario. With its abundance of water, fresh air and wide-open spaces, the area has become increasingly popular with visitors, artists and Toronto residents… oh and it’s only 130 km / 81 miles (about 90 min drive) away from down town Toronto! The perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Prince Edward County is especially distinguishing itself among foodies, with the introduction of organic farms, wineries, breweries and cheese factories. Top chefs have been drawn to the area for the abundance of local goods.

Prince Edward County weather is about the same as that of Toronto or Buffalo. Summers are warm and humid, Autumn is cooler with gorgeous fall colours, winters are snowy and cold and spring is warming up but wet.

Summer is certainly the most popular time to visit, with cottagers arriving on weekends and plenty of other visitors arriving to enjoy water activities, camping, biking, and all the other outdoor fun that the County offers.

Some of the County’s top attractions are..

* As of 2009, many of the County’s wineries are young, but look forward to more wineries and more mature wines.
* Arts Trail is a journey of the County’s many studios and galleries.
* The Waterfront Trail hugs Lake Ontario, stretching from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Quebec border – including through the County – along major roads, off-road dedicated paths and residential streets.
* Taste Trail comprises more than 20 wineries, restaurants, cheese shops, breweries and apple cider producers.
* Antique shopping is popular in the County, with primitive Canadiana pieces especially prevalent
* The County is a natural spot for bird watching as it’s a catch-all for migrating birds during spring and autumn

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Prince Edward County has many B&Bs and cottages to rent, inns and resorts. As the towns are all quite small, and currently there are no major hotel chains. See the full accommodation lineup.

Campers can set up at Sandbanks Provincial Park, but book early. The dunes and beaches of this park are popular and campsites fill up early!

Toronto families have been scooping up property for cottages in the County for about a decade now, so it follows that there is plenty for children and their parents to do, so why not have a look at taking a trip to the following places and events:

Sandbanks Provincial Park is a beach with loads of dunes and sandbars that is a delight for kids. Camping is available but book way in advance.

Maple in the County gives visitors the chance to watch the maple-syrup-making process.

Pumpkinfest is an annual October event.

All this and it still doesnt cover the food! The area has some of the country’s best chefs and resteraunts, so for the moment, until we feature some of them in the future i’ll let you head out and do some discovering of them for yourself!

For more information about Prince Edward County – check out their website: http://www.pec.on.ca This site lists all the accomodation, so should you want to stay for a night – this is the site you want to visit.

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Thomas Cook 757 at Toronto in June 2006

I’ve been looking for a while and once again our recommended company to book flights with comes tops again! The £452.80 fare is based on you flying out of Gatwick on 11th February 2010 – getting you to Canada in time for the opening of the games, and after a week of experiencing the games in Vancouver flying back on 18th February. This is why i always book my flights to Canada with Canadian Affair.. They are the absolute cheapest way for anyone in the UK to get out there and experience Canada for themselves.

So you’re thinking about that flight? here’s how to find it:

Outbound: Thu 11 Feb 2010
departing London Gatwick: 10:30
arriving Vancouver: 12:40
Non-Stop
Thomas Cook A330

Return: Thu 18 Feb 2010
departing Vancouver: 10:30
arriving London Gatwick: 12:40
Non-Stop
Thomas Cook A330

So, what about my experience with Canadian Affair? Well every time i have ever visited Canada, i have always booked through Canadian Affair. This is because back in 2005 i went hunting for the best prices and Canadian Affair won hands down every single time. Since then I’ve been on 12 separate flights booked by Canadian Affair and I’ve never had any major problems what so ever.
What I’ve found on review sites are a few people who mention Overbooking being a problem.. I have only ever seen this happen twice out of my 12 flights. Canadian Affair’s method to deal with overbooking is very generous and they try to make it as fair as they possibly can – The first time i knew my flight was overbooked was my flight out in May this year. An apologetic person went through the check in queue asking for Volunteers, letting people know the flight was overbooked and offering them if i remember right over £100 off their next Canadian affair flight and accommodation for the night if they would take the offer of going on the next flight out to Toronto. It is entirely voluntary – BUT do as i do. ALWAYS get to your check in when it opens, just because you have 3 hours to check in doesn’t mean you can get there an hour after it opens – if you get there first, whether you have booked seats or not, you will always be guaranteed to fly out on the flight you booked.. Oh and the second time? My return flight last Saturday, this time the apologetic Canadian woman going through the queue was offering £250 off the next Canadian affair flight, as well as accommodation for the night if someone would volunteer to transfer flight. £250 was the entire amount i payed for that flight! So as you can see Canadian Affair do all they can to be fair and honest to their customers.

A My Travel A330 - my outbound flight in 2006

How about the quality of the flights? Well, I’ve flown on Thomas Cook and Air Transat as I’ve mentioned before (as well as My Travel before they were bought by Thomas Cook) and the food – in my opinion – for airline food was top quality. Thomas Cook, being a British airline company will usually serve two hot traditional style meals (such as a chicken dinner or pasta bake) or, depending on the time you’re flying a hot meal and a snack – usually of a small sandwich, crisps, cheese and biscuits and a branded chocolate bar. Air Transat however are a French Canadian Airline and the food you find on these flights are usually different, with a nice french/American twist to their meals – for example a carrot and cinnamon muffin for breakfast, and a portion of three bean salad with your hot meal. On either Airline you fly with i have always found the service by the crew very helpful and polite, and in the case of my flight back last Saturday very patient, since my partner kept accidentally pressing the “call” button on the armrest!

Entertainment varies on your flights greatly. It’s very difficult to say that there is good entertainment on specific flights simply because everyone has different preferences as to what they want to watch. Most of the flights operated by Air Transat or Thomas Cook in my experience have TVs that come down from the roof, so offer only a single channel of TV. These usually include two recent movies one oriented at kids, and another oriented at Family, or in the case of when i was flying back last Saturday on a Thomas Cook A330, we had three films which pretty much filled up the whole flight – Pink Panther 2, 17 Again and Aliens Vs Monsters. If you’re lucky – some of the Thomas Cook A330 Planes have back seat TVs built in, which gives you a much greater choice of what you can watch – but my tip is if you’re pretty specific about what you like to watch, try take a PSP or small DVD player with you, or maybe even a good book, for the programs or films you may not feel like watching

The GPS Map Channel on Thomas Cook A330 Aircraft

My experience with Canadian Affair has always been positive, speedy response to queries be it email or telephone, kind personal responses which make you feel respected and valued, great quality service and flights and the absolute best prices.

If you book with them for your next Canada Trip please email them and let them know if you’ve had a great flight and service, also feel free to leave a comment here to let everyone else know what you think! The funny thing about us British is we’re always quick to complain, but we very rarely take the time to complement – and Canadian Affair, certainly over my last 12 flights deserve all the compliments they can get! So let me know your experiences with Canadian affair by leaving a comment!

One final question.. Why are they so cheap? The truthful honest answer i can find to that question is simply that they want to be the one company which anyone in the UK thinks about using if they’re traveling to Canada.. to offer people flights to parts of the world people could only dream about – at more than fair prices.

If you want to look for the latest deals, the cheapest flights are made easier to find, when you get to the home page after clicking the link to Canadian Affair below – check the “Special Flight Offers” section on the right, it’ll take you to the list of all the lowest priced flights and which dates they’re on, so go check it out at Canadian Affair!

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Cypress Mountain Area View

The ski resort is a 30 minute drive north of Vancouver, and has 47 named alpine ski runs (many accessible for night skiing) and 19 km cross country tracks. Snowshoeing tours are also popular. Ski schools and rentals, cafeteria and lounge and a retail shop are also located on the premises. In summer the ski area is shut down, but there are many hiking trails in the park. However, construction of the 2010 Venues will continue at a rapid pace in the next few years.

The ski area’s downhill runs are built on two mountains (Mt. Strachan (prounounced “Strawn”. – 1440 m and Black Mountain – 1200 m), on a vertical rise of 610 m.

Despite the resort name there is in fact no Cypress Mountain in this area. Cypress Mountain itself is actually 24 km east, in Coquitlam. The ski resort name Cypress Mountain is derived from the name of the bowl between the two mountains – “Cypress Bowl”, which was the original and still used common name of the resort (the correct name is Cypress Bowl Recreations Ltd.). The term “Cypress” comes from the Yellow Cedar tree Chamaecyparis nootkatensis which is common in the park at altitudes over 800 metres, and is also known as Yellow Cypress, as well as from the name of the park in which the resort lies.

Cypress Bowl Ski Area has two high-speed detachable quad chairlifts (Eagle Express and the Lions Express), two fixed-grip quad chairs (Raven Ridge and Easy Rider) and two double chairlifts (Sky Chair and Midway). There used to be a Rope Tow until 2002 when it was replaced by the Easy Rider Chair. The original Sunrise chairlift was dismantled in the summer of 2007 and moved to the expansion area on Black Mountain in time for the 07/08 Season, where it is now known as the Raven Ridge Quad Chair. The new high-speed chair (The Lions Express) was also constructed in 2007 on Mount Strachan by Doppelmayr. A new base lodge, scheduled for completion in late 2008, is under construction in a more convenient location near the base of the Eagle Express and Lions Express chairlifts.

During the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Cypress will host all of the freestyle skiing and snowboarding competitions (moguls, aerials, ski cross, half-pipe, snowboard cross and parallel giant slalom). The half-pipe and the venues for the moguls and aerials were completed in the summer of 2007.

Cypress Mountain In Summer

Though if you’re heading out to the area in Summer, there are still activities to be done at this scenic area such as Hiking and nature spotting. Although some sections of Cypress were logged before the park was established, its remaining old growth stands contain some of the largest and oldest recorded trees for the species in BC. Many of the parks yellow-cedars (or yellow-cypress-fir; which the park is named after) are well over 1000 years old. Red and white heather, copper bush, white rhododendron and many other native shrubs and wildflowers can be seen along the wheelchair-accessible Yew Lake trail and else where in the Park.

A variety of large and small mammals inhabit the park so if you’re looking for Canadian wildlife you’re sure to find a whole broad spectrum of it here! Coyotes and deer are often seen close to the access road. Black bears, squirrels, hares and weasels may be encountered in the backcountry. Adding colour and sound to the park are a variety of birds like ravens, gray jays, chickadees, warblers, woodpeckers, grouse, hawks and owls.

This park has two day-use/picnic areas. The Quarry picnic area has a large grassy area with eleven picnic tables. Highview has a small grassy area and six picnic tables. The Highview day-use area is mainly a lookout over Vancouver, Fraser Valley and the south end of Vancouver Island. Both the day-use areas have two pit toilets and picnic tables with barbeque attachments, bring your own briquettes. There are however no fire rings and fires are not permitted, so dont start them!

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With a variety of different trails – this place is guaranteed to please any hiking, wildlife and nature enthusiast – and in Winter, it provides the more sporty skiing enthusiasts with their fun! All in all a fantastic all year round place to visit while you’re in and around Vancouver!

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A Chipmunk stuffing an entire monkey nut into its mouth

Chipmunks are some of the most daring critters you’ll ever meet, and you probably thought squirrels were pretty daring. Some chipmunks you may know are Alvin, Simon and Theodore – or maybe even Disney’s Chip and Dale. It seems fitting that these lively and entertaining little critters have been animated, because when you come across one you’ll likely see the characters you see on TV being acted out in front of you!

The same chipmunk with two whole nuts stuffed in his mouth

Eastern chipmunks mate in early spring and again in early summer, producing litters of four or five young twice each year. Western chipmunks only breed once a year. The young emerge from the burrow after about six weeks and strike out on their own within the next two weeks. Chipmunks have an omnivorous diet consisting of grain, nuts, birds’ eggs, small frogs, fungi, worms, and insects. At the beginning of autumn, many species of chipmunk begin to stockpile these goods in their burrows, for winter. Other species make multiple small caches of food. These two kinds of behavior are called larder hoarding and scatter hoarding. Larder hoarders usually live in their nests until spring.

These small mammals fulfill several important functions in forest ecosystems. Their activities harvesting and hoarding tree seeds play a crucial role in seedling establishment. They consume many different kinds of fungi, including those involved in coexistent associations with trees, and are an important vector for dispersal of the spores of truffles which have co-evolved with these and other mammals and thus lost the ability to disperse their spores through the air.

Chipmunks play an important role as prey for various predatory mammals and birds, but are also opportunistic predators themselves, particularly with regard to bird eggs and nestlings.

Chipmunks construct expansive burrows which can be more than 3.5 m in length with several well-concealed entrances. The sleeping quarters are kept extremely clean as shells and feces are stored in refuse tunnels.

So there you have it! The sweet little chipmunk, keep your eyes open for them scurrying around in the grass while you’re out in Canada!

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Halifax Citadel

Located within the centre of Halifax, this fort is easy to get to from wherever you may be staying in the city. Though a little word of warning – each day at noon a cannon is fired as a symbol of Halifax’s military history.. This often comes as a great shock, being so loud, to unsuspecting tourists – so now you wont be one of them!

The current star-shaped fortress, or citadel, is formally known as Fort George and was completed in 1856, following twenty-eight years of construction. This massive masonry-construction fort was designed to repel a land-based attack by United States forces and was inspired by the designs of Louis XIV’s commissary of fortifications Sébastien Le Prestre, Seigneur de Vauban – a star-shaped hillock fortress with internal courtyard and clear harbour view from armoured ramparts.

Fort George was constructed to defend against smoothbore weaponry; it became obsolete following the introduction of more powerful rifled guns in the 1860s. British forces upgraded Fort George’s armaments to permit it to defend the harbour as well as land approaches, using heavier and more accurate long-range artillery. The role of Fort George in the defense of Halifax Harbour had evolved by the turn of the 20th century to becoming a command centre for other, more distant harbour defensive works, as well as providing barrack accommodations.

Although never attacked, Citadel Hill’s various fortifications were garrisoned by the British Army until 1906 and afterward by the Canadian Army throughout the First and Second World Wars; Fort George having been used as temporary barracks during 1939-1940 and as the coordinating point for the city’s anti-aircraft defences.

According to the historian and novelist Thomas Head Raddall, Citadel Hill was “like Vesuvius over Pompeii, a smiling monster with havoc in its belly”. Following World War II, the hill and fortifications were designated a National Historic Site and today is under the responsibility of Parks Canada. Fort George has been restored to the mid-Victorian period.

Halifax Citadel Parade Ground

Fort George has a living history program featuring animators portraying life in the fort where soldiers of the 78th Highland Regiment, the Third Brigade of the Royal Artillery, soldiers wives, and civilian tradespersons re-enact life in 1869.

There are guided and self-guided tours available as well as an army museum, audio-visual presentations and exhibits which serve to communicate the Citadel’s role in shaping Halifax’s and North America’s history.
Approaching the Christmas season, Citadel Hill annually hosts a “Victorian Christmas”. Visitors are treated to crafts, carolers and games.

When visiting the Halifax Citadel, if you are in need for some refreshment, stop at the Citadel’s Coffee Bar. The Coffee Bar is located in the historic Cavalier Building and is sure to be a pleasant experience as you eat in the unique military surroundings. The Coffee Bar is open from May 7 to October 31 during the same hours as the Site
Within the Citadel visitors will be pleased to find a unique shopping experience in the Regimental Shop. Choose from a variety of military souvenirs, T-shirts, ornaments, books, postcards and much more. The Regimental Shop carries something for all tastes and budgets. Come in and chat with our friendly and knowledgeable staff who will be glad to assist with your selection.

The fort has a Paid Parking car park ($3.25 per visit) for 80 cars which is inside the Fort’s West Ditch

For more information about how much it costs to get in check out the citadel’s official website which will give you more information about the living history and events that will be taking place here.

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So with so much to see and do at this place its not worth missing!

Remember if you’re flying to Halifax from the UK, the best value flights are available at our reccomended company Canadian Affair, check out the link below to have a look at the latest offers:

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