Travel Article
Your second visit to Canada: Where to go beyond the Rockies
By Dallal, Canada Travel Expert at Travelwise
Where to go beyond the Rockies
Most first-time travellers to Canada fall in love with the Rockies. And it’s easy to see why: the landscapes of Alberta and British Columbia are some of the most dramatic in the world, with glacial lakes, mountain lodges and wildlife encounters at every turn.
Dallal BenRomdhane
With a goal to visit every US state and a passion for ancient civilisations, Dallal designs thoughtful, immersive trips that feel personal at every step. Her favourite areas of expertise are North America, North Africa and the Maldives.
But what about your second trip?
For me, planning a return visit is where the fun really begins. That’s when we get to dive deeper, finding new regions to explore based on what you loved the most the first time around.
Love the wild open spaces?
Try the Yukon.
If you were drawn to the sweeping wilderness west of the Rockies, then the Yukon might be the perfect next step. It’s rugged, remote and endlessly atmospheric, full of wide skies, mountain ranges and a deep sense of history. Think: gold rush towns, midnight sun and a genuine feeling of being off the beaten track.
Wildlife lover?
Churchill is your next stop.
If you loved spotting bears or whales off Vancouver Island, I’ll often recommend Churchill in Manitoba, one of the best places on earth to see polar bears in the wild. It’s an unforgettable experience, and often combined with beluga whale watching or even a chance to glimpse the Northern Lights.
Urban explorer?
Swap Vancouver for Montréal and Québec City.
If city life appeals most, a second trip could take you east – riding the train between Montréal and Québec City to explore Canada’s French heritage, food scene and arts culture. It’s a completely different side of the country, one that feels more European but still entirely Canadian.
Logistics that make it a holiday, not a mission.
Canada’s scale can be deceptive. It’s so vast that one of my most important jobs is helping clients keep things realistic. It’s not a case of trying to do everything (you’d be there forever and still not have enough time!), it’s about choosing the right route and travel style so that each moment feels like a highlight, not a box to tick.
Knowing how to pair trains with planes, or when to hire a car versus fly between destinations, is a big part of what I do. You want to feel immersed, not rushed.
Trusted connections and insider insight.
I’ve completed Canada’s Elite Training Programme and regularly update my knowledge with first-hand trips, hotel visits and calls with my network of on-the-ground experts. I know the lodge owners, the guides and the people who transform a good trip into a brilliant one.
Because while the landscapes do, of course, do a lot of the heavy lifting in Canada, it’s the people, the stories and the planning behind the scenes that make it truly special.
