Gay And Lesbian Destinations In Canada
When is the best time for gays and lesbians to travel to Canada?
Canada, for the most part, you will want to go to during the summer. On the other hand, Whistler, outside of Vancouver, has a great gay ski weekend, or actually a week. For the most part, you want to travel in Canada in the summer for the changing of the leaves, up in the north east part in the fall - September or October. There are good websites to check when the maximum peak time is. Summer is a beautiful time to go to Canada.
What are popular gay and lesbian destinations in Canada?
Canada offers a really excellent variety of choice. Vancouver is a great value destination similar to San Francisco but about 25% cheaper, and probably to me one of my favorite cities in North America, so definitely Vancouver. Montreal, just because it's bilingual, it's got the French side to it, great restaurants, and again because your dollar is stronger, goes a lot further. Toronto is just a heck of a lot of fun, a lot to do, the lake is beautiful, you can do a side trip to Niagara Falls, and great nightlife.
How much money should gays and lesbians be prepared to spend in Canada?
If you are going to go to Canada I think you can kind of project what you would spend in the U.S. minus twenty percent. The one thing that gets a little pricey in Canada is anything to do with sin: smoking and tobacco. That is how they pay for their really exceptional health care up there, and so be prepared if you drink or if you smoke; you are going to pay more. Where you are going to pay less, is for food and for hotels. So, pretty much pegged to what you would spend here, but about twenty percent less, with the exception of alcohol and tobacco.
What are some lesser-known Canadian gay and lesbian destinations?
I think, as far as lesser known lesbian and gay destinations in Canada, Quebec City. People don't always think of it, but it's a beautiful city. The other one that really is kind of a lost gem is Ottawa, the capital. It is, you know, Ottawa on one side and Hull on the other, so it's got both the English side and the French speaking side. And as a nature destination, with the national park right outside of there, I think it's one of the really premier gay and lesbian destinations in the country. And the one thing I want to say about Canada is they have been so supportive of the gay and lesbian community. They have legalized gay marriage, and I think we need to thank them. If you're looking at a vacation, it's a great place to go. It's a great value, and when you come back, send a nice little letter to the Canadian Tourist Board, thanking them for everything they've done for us as a community.
What are some safety tips for gays and lesbians traveling through Canada?
Canada is a very safe destination. In fact it's incredible how different and how much more safe it is than, for example, our own country in the United States. So other than some of the natural things that you want to avoid, frostbite. I think you're going to have a pretty good safe time in Canada.
