Canada: Where Our Social Media Lead Will Return Once Her Travels Resume

With our 2020 travel plans temporarily on hold, we find ourselves returning to memories of past adventures, finding joy in journeys that resonated, inspired, elevated – and that taught us something meaningful about ourselves and the wider world we share. In this new series, we revisit our best–ever trips with you, and hope you’ll do the same for us. This week, social media lead Caleigh Alleyne travels back through Canada — she visited all 10 provinces and three territories in 2017.

enRoute Tell us why this trip in particular keeps coming back to you now — what made it so memorable?

Caleigh Alleyne As everyone in Canada is coming together during this time, I can’t help but think of the places that I visited in 2017 and the people that I met along the way. During Canada 150, the 150th anniversary of our Confederation, Canadians came together across the country to celebrate. As someone working and writing about travel, I realized the importance of discovering my own country first and made it my goal to visit every province and territory.

ER That’s quite an ambitious trip! Where did you start?

CA Instead of going on one cross–country journey, I planned several shorter trips throughout the year, timing my visits to each province or territory when they offered the best opportunity to explore. I kicked things off with a winter ski trip in Banff National Park and ended my adventure by exploring my home province of Ontario in the fall. This approach allowed me to experience the best of the country, switching my travel style and companions along the way. For a solo trip, I went to Yellowknife to see the Northern Lights in March and stayed at a quaint bed and breakfast in the Old Town. Later in the year, I brought my then 82–year–old grandfather back to the legendary coasts of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador to a province he remembered fondly.

ER What impact did this cross–country trip have on you?

CA It helped expand my perspective of Canada. When travellers think about where to go, larger cities and landmarks often come to mind first. But, this country has so much more to offer. As I told people about my year–long journey, they’d tell me about places I couldn’t miss. I met a fellow traveller who recommended restaurants like The Hollows and Odd Couple that I had to try in Saskatoon and as I made my way through the Maritimes, we took a detour to Miramichi for lobster and saw one of the best sunsets on the patio of the Rodd Miramichi River in New Brunswick.

ER When you look back at your country–wide tour, what sticks in your mind the most?

CA I was amazed by the geographic diversity in Canada. In one year, I had the opportunity to hike on the tundra in Nunavut, and to sip wine in the arid desert in Osoyoos in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, and paddleboard by the red sand shores in Victoria–by–the–Sea in Prince Edward Island. Our country has so much beauty to offer, and it’s been amazing to be able to share that with others.

ER If you could travel anywhere in Canada tomorrow, where would you go?

CA After spending the last two months at home in Toronto, the spot in Canada I miss most is British Columbia. I’d love to spend some time reconnecting with nature and being close to both the mountains and the oceans. One of my favourite memories of that year was spring skiing in Whistler and seeing a rainbow over the village as we descended on our last run. The drive from Vancouver to Whistler along the Sea to Sky highway is one of the most picturesque in the country.

ER Describe your travelling style in 30 words or less.

CA My first experience as a solo traveller was backpacking through Europe. Because of these experiences, I never take the exact same path twice and will only bring carry–on luggage (no matter the length of the trip).

ER What was your favourite souvenir from the trip?

CA My favourite souvenir wasn’t something I brought back; it was the people I met along the way. I now have friends from coast to coast and know that when I do return, I can grab a bite to eat in Vancouver with Dished editor Hanna McLean or shop local in Halifax with artist Élana Camille.

We’d love to hear about your favourite travel memory. Just send us a photo and 50–100 words about why this trip in particular had such an impact on you – and why you can’t wait to go back.