With Europe becoming busier and busier, I’ve now found myself retreating to the Canadian wilderness for what the travel world is now calling a ‘Quietcation.’ Whether it’s the ‘Mystic Outlands’ of Newfoundland or the peaceful bohemian enclaves of Vancouver Island, these are the places I’ve personally visited and found that they are just perfect for those anyone looking to find their own slice of ‘quiet’ in a very loud world…
1. Vancouver Island
I actually wished I stayed a lot longer on Vancouver Island and couldn’t get enough of the calm, otherworldly feel it had. I thought it was just perfect for a very atmospheric ‘Quietcation’ with scenery consisting of misty cedar-scented old-growth forests like Cathedral Grove, wave-lashed cliffs along the Pacific Rim Highway, and creative boho towns such as Tofino where surfboards lent outside cafés and Indigenous art filled the galleries!
From Victoria’s heritage streets to the towering trees of Cathedral Grove, it was all pure drama – I was lucky enough to catch glimpses of orcas and humpback whales, embark on a wild drive along the Pacific Rim Highway and go for afternoon tea at the legendary 5-star Fairmont Empress – I really liked how the honey was harvested from the hotel’s very own hives!
Where I stayed – the scenically located 4-star Long Beach Lodge Resort – the Great Room was a stand-out with soaring cedar beams, massive river-rock fireplace, and enormous floor-to-ceiling windows where I sat and gazed out at the wild Pacific Ocean!
2. The Rockies – the ultimate 2026 ‘Quietcation!’
Icefileds Parkway – I thought this whole area was breathtaking!
When I was young it was always my dream to go to the Rockies, I saw them featured on films and documentaries and everything looked so wild, untamed and also incredibly peaceful! And I found out it really was! There were imposing limestone peaks, ancient pine forests, and seriously unreal-looking glacial lakes — Peyto’s electric blue and Lake Louise’s milky-turquoise — that almost look artificially coloured.
I spent two weeks exploring Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho slowly getting used to the unique stillness in the air and hiking glacier-carved valleys, soaking in Banff’s hot springs, and riding the legendary Rocky Mountaineer (the glass-domed coaches were awesome!)!
Where I Stayed:Penthouse At Solar Resort and Spa – it had decor seemingly made for Instagram (with views to match!) and trendy little details such as Keurig coffee pods, a spa-like large bathtub and a stone-framed gas fireplace that threw out a surprising amount of heat!
3. Jasper National Park
I took this shot of Glacier Skywalk in Jasper National Park – it was seriously vertigo inducing!
Jasper National Park was most definitely tranquil but it also was much larger but significantly less crowded and commercialized than its famous neighbor Banff. It was also stunning with its sprawling landscapes consisting of towering mountains, sparkling lakes, pines, spruces and firs all spectacularly set against the backdrop of the rugged Canadian Rockies.
I couldn’t help but not embark on an epic hike here so I opted for the steep 5-mile Sulphur Skyline Trail which I managed to complete in just over four hours before I sunk myself into the steaming Miette Hot Springs at the trailhead! I also managed to take a boat cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island (the glacier-fed water was just such an unreal milky-turquoise color!) and ride the Jasper SkyTram too!
Where I stayed – the cozy Pyramid Lake Lodge, it sat a little outside the townsite so the night skies there were just soo dark and on one clear evening I even saw the Milky Way appear above the lake!
4. Banff National Park
Peyto Lake in Banff National Park – it really did look like a wolf’s head from afar!I was in awe of its endless snowy landscapes and had to snap them!
Banff exceeded all my expectations of being a seriously breathtaking beauty spot and had all the crazy beautiful scenery to match – scenery so dramatic that it almost feels staged — jagged peaks, lakes that glowed brilliant turquoise and a faint aroma of pine resin everywhere! There was also a small but fun town that felt adventurous, peaceful and wonderfully cozy all at the same time!
I found ticking off all the big hitters was surprisingly easy as everything was handily clustered close together and connected by well-maintained roads and trails. Of course, I have to mention the kayaking on Lake Louise, waterfall-hopping through Johnston Canyon, steaming away the miles in the Banff Upper Hot Springs but I actually found the quirky gift shops to be a great draw too, especially the Tie-die slogan tees at Cool As A Moose.
Where I stayed: At the 4-star boutique Sunshine Mountain Lodge – I loved the huge outdoor hot tub, the cedar-lined dry sauna and how the air felt noticeably thinner and colder being so high up on a mountain!
5. Toronto – a quieter alternative to New York!
Seeing the Toronto skyline at sunset from a boat was a special moment!
I have to admit, Toronto really surprised me, yes like any major city it had its grittier parts but overall I personally thought it was vibrant, characterful and handsome, with a superb shiny skyline dominated by the CN Tower, layers of both old and new architecture and a breezy lakeside setting along Lake Ontario. The city’s dynamic energy reminded me of New York, it was just a little calmer, cleaner, and more compact.
Hanging out at Cineforum was just one of the unique experiences I had here. Local eccentric Reg Hartt showed me short films and animations in his living room and even talked about his colorful party lifestyle past with a can of Labatt Blue in hand! Other off-the-radar gems included the historic Distillery District, foodie-focused St. Lawrence Market and soaking up the creative vibe in Kensington Market.
Where I stayed – The 4-star Drake Hotel, I was pretty taken with their kitsch wallpaper and their cool turntables where I spun Funeral by Arcade Fire on vinyl!
6. Whistler
Whistler – it had such a peaceful vibe!
When I visited the famous heavyweight of the North American ski scene, and I totally got what all the fuss was about. It was all breathtaking alpine views, mountains blanketed with forests and an easy-on-the-eye mix of stylish modern resorts and traditional Swiss-style chalets. I couldn’t not mention the atmosphere too, there was an infectious buzz about the place.
It was just a two hour drive from Vancouver and I stepped into all the big-mountain thrills — epic skiing, soaring alpine views, relaxation in the eucalyptus-scented steam room in Scandinave Spa, and a buzzy mountain village alive with both buzzy après energy and outdoorsy cool. Locals told me to come back in the summer, as the hiking and biking there was just as awesome as the skiing!
7. Johnstone Strait
I caught this moment in Johnstone Strait – it was incredible to see a humpback’s tail rising slowly and gracefully!
I discovered the waters here were home to the largest populations of resident killer whales! I also thought it was a stunningly beautiful place, with silvery clear waters surrounded by untouched coastal scenery and forest-covered mountains and the curious resident orcas just added to the extraordinary natural drama of it all!
It wasn’t that hard to get to either and when I staying on Vancouver Island, I drove 1 hour 40 minutes from Campbell River to the tiny community of Telegraph Cove to get here. I stayed a few days and took an orca-viewing boat tour to Robson Bight Ecological Reserve, took a kayak out on the waters and dined on glossy linguine in The Old Saltery Pub while watching the cute and playful sea otters on the planks just outside. The whole place felt wonderfully zen and very nervous system healing!
8. Prince Edward Island
This was just my kind of hidden gem. It was a little off the beaten track but also worth the extra effort to get here, I discovered quaint maritime towns, historic Victorian architecture, green hills, and pristine sandy beaches which ranged from white to red sand. I was also charmed by its welcoming small-town vibe and very slow pace of life! There were warm smiles everywhere I looked here!
After crossing the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick, I slowed right down for three days and eventually decided on exploring red-cliffed Cavendish village, paying a visit to the pretty home of Anne of Green Gables and padding across Basin Head’s “Singing Sands” beach.
Where I stayed – the historic boutique The Great George, it was a romantic spot housed in a carefully restored heritage building. The in-room Lavender & Vanilla Stress-Relief Massage and my mahogany four-poster bed were highlights!
9. Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
This was the place where my Northern Lights dream finally came true! It was a surreal but very striking northern capital that had a very different feel to the rest of the country. It was where a raw Arctic wilderness met quirky architecture, big skies, and a strong sense of community that gave it a really authentic kind of frontier soul (if that makes sense)!
Yes it I must admit it wasn’t the easiest place to get to but in the end after I weighed it all up I decided the 2.5 hour flight from Vancouver was definitely worth it. I had front-row seats to a spellbinding aurora show at Aurora Village, tore across the frozen wilderness of Great Slave Lake on a snowmobile, and learnt all that I could about Yellowknife’s Indigenous roots at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.
Where I stayed –Great Slave Lakeside Bed & Breakfast I liked how the shoreline behind the B&B doubled as a front-row Aurora Borealis viewing spot!
10. Churchill, Manitoba
I braved this shot of a polar bear in Churchill – it was incredible to see one this close in the wild!Then I found this cute little fella making a nest and sleeping!
This tiny northern town honestly was unlike anywhere I’d ever been before. It was remote, wild, and sitting right on Hudson Bay, with unspoilt landscapes, long sub-zero Arctic nights and epic wildlife encounters I know now I’ll never forget! It’s known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World for good reason and on my trip here I actually saw 40 of them in one day (seriously)!
Stopping by Churchill Northern Studies Center and seeing polar bear tracks and skulls, learning about wind-hardened tundra plants, and hearing alongside sobering insights into climate change and the earlier break-up of Hudson Bay’s sea ice was a highlight and so was paying a visit to the historic Prince of Wales Fort (which was only reachable by boat).
The friendly locals told me that in the late summer, beluga whales flooded the bay and also that it was another great place to watch the Northern Lights thanks to its high latitude and minimal light pollution.
My photograph of Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal – I loved the dramatic Gothic spires and the breathtaking, rainbow-lit interior!
This was my Instagram snap of Old Port (Vieux-Port) in Old Montreal – this was one of the most scenic and lively parts of the city!
If I was asked to describe Montreal I would say it was bold, creative, and packed full of personality. Yes, it did have its rougher edges, but Old Montreal was a beautiful area which I ended up having a real soft spot for. I wandered its cobbled streets and stumbled across historic facades, a lively Old Port, and an irresistible mix of European-inspired cafés, boutiques, and large ornate churches.
After soaking up as much elegant architecture as I could (including Notre-Dame Basilica of course!), I kicked back at the unique Bota Bota Spa (which was located on a former ferry!) – I opted for their famous ‘water circuit’ which featured cedar-scented hot pools, icy plunges pools and eucalyptus-infused steam rooms. But just relaxing in their zen-like gardens was just as good as any treatment!
I flew into Montréal-Trudeau Airport and spent four days in at the historic boutique LHotel Montreal where I wandered the cobbled historic streets, stepped inside the impressive Notre-Dame Basilica, and soaked up panoramic city views from Mount Royal Park — all fuelled by their iconic eats (hearty poutine and pillowy bagels)!
Where I Stayed– LHotel Montreal – it had an awesome art focus and I found myself gazing at an Andy Warhol painting in the lobby!
12. Vancouver – the serene city!
The city of Vancouver – I thought the city looked pristine in a panoramic view!
A Seaplane in Vancouver taken as I was just about to board it to Vancouver Island!
After I’d visited Vancouver I agreed with all those reports that always listed it as being one of the most liveable cities in the world. It was exceptionally clean looking and easy-on-the-eye with shiny downtown towers rising atmospherically beside historic brick warehouses in Gastown, floatplanes hovering over my head and the snowy North Shore Mountains looming very dramatically across Burrard Inlet.
It was all such an effortless switch-up, I was indulging in café culture one minute then then immersing myself in mountains and well-kept beaches the next. After flying over from Calgary, I cycled the famous SeaWall in Stanley Park, tucked into comfort food on Granville Island (the Mushroom & Spinach Pot Pie was divine!), and soared above the city on the Grouse Mountain gondola.
Where I stayed – the unique 4-star L’Hermitage Hotel – the boutique interiors were a mix of Parisian and West Coast sophistication and my Italian marble bathroom, the ultra-plush Italian Frette linens and outdoor heated (saltwater) lap pool and jacuzzi were stand-out features!
13. Quebec City
This is my snap of Quebec City – it was such a romantic place!
I’ve mentioned a few cities on this ‘Quietcation’ list and that’s because Canadian cities are usually pretty chill. This one was utterly charming and a bit seductive too with old-world European flair, elegant historic landmarks, French colonial architecture, and cobbled, storybook-pretty streets. Yes, it was touristy (as I expected!), but with its cultural festivals, cosy little cafés, artisan markets, and bilingual residents that made me feel very welcome, I realised it’s popular for a good reason!
I took time to just wander around and take it all in as I thought this was the best way to explore the city. The dramatic sight of the imposing – almost mystical looking – Château Frontenac and the city views from the Observatoire de la Capitale were both stand-out experiences for me!
Where I stayed– at boutique Le Capitole Hotel where I admired its glass-walled rooftop pool, Belle Époque style architecture and the spa-like marble effect bathrooms!
14. Niagara Falls
I have to be honest, I did find Niagara Falls to be touristy but it was one of those bucket-list places that I just couldn’t miss. Over-commercialisation aside, these waterfalls are a household name for a reason. It had immense cascades of water that actually created rainbows and a cool mist that clung to my hair and jacket, all set against a dramatic natural backdrop. It was both powerful and mesmerizing at the same time!
I decided to opt for experiencing the thunderous power of the falls up close on the Maid of the Mist boat tour (I just let people pass to ensure I was first to the wettest spot on the boat!), walked behind the cascading waters at Journey Behind the Falls and tucked into a Rice Pilaf Entrée while gazing at 360-degree views in the Revolving Dining Room in Skylon Tower – it rotated 360 degrees every hour so the view changed as I ate!
