Who doesn’t occasionally zone out at their desk at 3 PM, fantasizing about planning a European vacation? We’ve all done it!
Sadly, life is expensive, and maybe trekking across the planet isn’t the best financial move right now. That’s okay, you can get just as much old-world charm for a much lower sticker price by travelling within Canada!
It’s all the perks of a European vacation… without the massive timezone jump or currency exchange. Heck, you won’t even need your passport!
Here are 5 Canadian cities that pack all the European charm you could want – they might just be pretty enough to fool you!
Surprised that a little slice of Europe could exist in Ontario? The charming city of Collingwood is often compared to cities like Stavanger in Norway for its picturesque waterfront, vibrant cultural scene, and nearby Blue Mountain.
It’s a beautiful retreat in the winter months, but no matter the season, you’ll love this town’s coastal charm and historic architecture. The photo ops are everywhere!
Where to stay: Candlewood Suites Collingwood
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Of course, the capital city of British Columbia would pay homage to England. Victoria is well known for its British charm, lush gardens, and picturesque waterfront littered with street artists and vendors.
Spend a day wandering the streets and it might make you think of English cities like Bath or Cambridge. Victoria has photogenic architecture in spades and several places where you can make a reservation for high tea! It’s a little slice of England on the west coast – how cute!
Where to stay: Holiday Inn Victoria – Elk Lake
It’s not called the “Paris of North America” for nothing! Montreal is a fun and vibrant blend of European traditions and North American modernity. It’s worth a trip for all the things to do alone!
The city’s diverse cultural scene, bustling cafe culture, and stylish boutiques evoke Parisian neighbourhoods like Le Marais or Montmartre. Although it may also remind you of similarly diverse cities like Switzerland’s Geneva thanks to its eclectic mix of historic and modern architecture.
Where to stay: InterContinental Montreal
Stay tuned for colourful row houses, rugged coastlines, and a rich maritime history. St. John’s looks like something out of a storybook, the kind you’ll never want to leave!
St. John’s calls to mind coastal towns from along the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland. The city boasts a lively pub scene, traditional music, and a strong sense of community. All that warm and cozy hospitality will make you feel like you’ve been transported right to the Irish coast.
Where to stay: Holiday Inn St. John’s Conference Centre
Stunning vineyards, lush orchards, and rolling hills… are you in Tuscany? No! We’re talking about Kelowna in BC’s Okanagan Valley, but you’ll definitely feel like you’re in the Italian countryside.
Kelowna offers a Mediterranean-like climate ideal for wine production, with vineyards as far as the eye can see. If you’d like to spend your days wine tasting and unwinding on the beach by the lake – you can’t do better than Canada’s Okanagan.
Where to stay: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kelowna – East
Book your next European-inspired vacation, and make sure you download the new IHG One Rewards app to start earning on your trips!
IHG Hotels & Resorts is a global hospitality company, with a family of 19 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programs.
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