Escape the everyday with daytrips

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Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a cultural connoisseur, daytripping has something to offer everyone, no matter your budget.

The affordability crisis is an unpleasant reality that many people face today. Rent, food and gasoline all seem to be expensive. This leaves little room to do other things such as extended trips in the summer.

Fortunately, no matter where in Canada you’re situated, a plethora of day trips await! We are a country blessed with a rich tapestry that includes small town charm, nature experiences and cultural diversity. These experiences are usually only a few minutes away by car or bus, perfect for a day trip.

For the uninitiated, daytripping—sometimes called “daycations”—is simply leaving the town where you live and exploring a new place, returning home the same day. The trips are short, but they offer a nice break from city life and the daily grind. They also allow you to experience small town living or get closer to nature.

There’s something very freeing about day trips. They’re this easy, low-stakes way just to go somewhere and find inspiration from your new surroundings.

Here are some options that might be of interest to you.

From Toronto

Elora, a town located just 90 minutes from Toronto, is one of our favorite getaways. Elora is a 90-minute drive from Toronto and has been a popular getaway for those looking to escape city life for decades. Its striking centerpiece, The Elora Milleloramill.ca), which was taken over and given a major facelift by Pearle Hospitality in 2018, has since become the anchor for the community of 7000.

Located at the junction where the Grand and Irvine rivers meet, Elora is also home to a plethora of distinct artist studios offering everything from glassware to ceramics and everything in between. In July, the town is filled with the sounds of classical music performed by guest virtuosos. It’s all part of the famous three-week Elora Festival which is followed in late August, by the rollicking rocking sounds offered by Riverfest, which has become a signature end-of-summer event. For a small village, the variety of events and other activities is astounding.

And don’t forget to take in the incredible views while hiking the 2.5 km stretch of the Elora Gorge.

From Montreal

Moving further east, Quebec is unquestionably one of the most scenic of all the Canadian provinces, and there’s innumerable places to explore. Quebec City stands out as the best of all.https://www.quebec-cite.com/en). With its mix of cobblestone streets and French colonial and Victorian architecture, the walled city is certainly the most European of all cities in North America.

After exploring The Plains of Abraham or taking in the exhibits at the Musee national des beaux-arts, be sure to check out the hub of Quebec nightlife: La Grande Allée. The nightclubs are pulsing, the sidewalk patios are beautiful, and the restaurants are exquisite. If you happen to be visiting on New Year’s Eve, the entire street shuts down for pedestrian-only revellers. After dinner take in some spectacular scenery near the Fairmont Château Frontenac which overlooks the mighty St. Lawrence River.

From Calgary

Banff is a 90-minute drive away from Calgary and offers a wide range of outdoor activities. One place we’ve loved is Sulphur Mountain (banffjaspercollection.comThe Canadian Rocky Mountains are home to this gondola, which takes you up the east side of the mountain to the summit ridge. From there, you can enjoy spectacular views of the Bow Valley, Mount Rundle and the Sundance Ridge. A gondola transports you up to the summit of the ridge on the east side, where you will be able to enjoy the spectacular views over the Bow Valley and Mount Rundle. Enjoy one of the three restaurants or explore the multiple observation decks. Make sure to visit the 1903 built meteorological observatory. Two hot springs are also worth a visit: the Banff Upper Hot Springs and Cave and Basin National Historic Site. The 5.4 km switchback hike takes approximately three hours. Wear good shoes and bring sunscreen and water.

There are many options for day trips. They are close, natural and affordable. Always research the site and plan your trip accordingly before you go. Your destination may be flooded with tourists during certain times of the year or closed down due to special events. Planning ahead can make the difference between a new experience and a boring one. And once you’ve sampled the exhaustive range of incredible daytrip offerings, you’ll be hard pressed to stop.

CarterHammett is an author, social worker, and trainer based in Toronto.

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Original content by Canadianimmigrant.ca: “Escape the everyday – Daytrips for refreshing break”

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