Take inspiration from BBC’s Race Across the World, and explore Canada, with Canadian Sky

BBC is currently airing the third season of popular TV series, Race Across the World, which sees teams of two compete against each other to sprint to a final destination, stopping at a number of checkpoints along the way. Each duo has a limited budget, no mobile phone access and are not allowed to take a single flight. Whilst previous series of the show have had contestants travelling from London to Singapore and from Mexico to Argentina, the third series is set entirely in Canada, with contestants starting in Stanley Park on the west, and finishing at St John’s in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador on the east. 

Canadian Sky, part of the Tropical Sky family, specialises in offering the very best holidays, tours, hotels and lodges across Canada. They are the experts in tailor-made trips and can help create dream holidays with help from their talented travel experts who have a wealth of knowledge.

From the natural wonders of Niagara Falls or the Rockies, to the cosmopolitan cities of Toronto or Vancouver, seek out polar bears, grizzly bears, orca or beluga whales, or enjoy an enthralling Alaska cruise; Canadian Sky have a tour to suit every traveller.

Follow the route of Race Across the World and choose from one of the amazing tours below, with Canadian Sky.

Episode One of the race began in Vancouver, with teams having to find their way out of Stanley Park and into the wilderness of British Colombia and the magnificent Vancouver Island.

This self-drive itinerary is the perfect way to discover Vancouver Island, with plenty of stops to marvel at the beautiful landscapes and impressive wildlife. It’s a circular route from the waterfront capital of Victoria in British Columbia. Explore this laid-back city on foot and then drive through stunning parks and along stunning coastal routes. Take a bear watching excursion at Campbell River to see grizzlies in their natural habitat and head to the Canadian surf capital of Tofino to take advantage of the never ending beaches and wild waves. From Tofino, drive to Telegraph Cove, home to one of the highest concentration of killer whales in the world and take a whale watching cruise. Sightsee the coastal provincial parks, hiking the trails through forests and along beaches to admire the impressive coastline. A 13-night tour of Vancouver Island, departing 13th September 2023, is priced from £2,749 pp based on two sharing a double room. This includes return flights, accommodation, and fully comprehensive car hire. 

Episode Two saw the teams head north to the spectacular Yukon

Spend 11 nights travelling the Yukon with this fantastic itinerary, spending time in Whitehorse, experiencing the renowned White Pass and Yukon Route Railway and stopping at a number of impressive landmarks on the way. This is an independent tour, with all hotels, transport and excursions booked in advance, but travellers do not have to follow a group or guide. Travel the world-famous White Pass and Yukon Route Railway, reaching heights of 2,890 feet, into Alaska and the Gold Rush town of Skagway. Spend three nights at the mesmerising Southern Lakes Resort, staying in a rustic log cabin. Spend long afternoons walking the woodlands trails and kayaking on the lake. Take a day trip to the majestic mountains of the Kluane National Park, including a series of short-guided walks to discover the hidden gems. Experience a guided tour of Whitehorse and the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and enjoy time in Dawson City, including a historic tour of the gold fields. An 11-night tour of the Yukon, departing 31st August 2023, is priced from £3,399 pp, based on two sharing a double room. This includes return flights, accommodation and transfers.

In Episode Three, travellers had to head south from the Yukon finding their way through British Colombia and into Alberta

Over the course of seven days, this exciting horse riding package will take travellers through some of Alberta’s most amazing landscapes, including Bow River, Allenby Pass and the Sundance Ranges. This tour starts and finishes in Banff, and guests will ride along winding trails and stay at charming lodges en route. Spend one night in Banff, followed by one night at the Sundance Lodge, then three nights at Halfway Lodge, and a final night on the return ride at Sundance Lodge. Each day, guests will embark on a riding excursion of approximately five hours, split over the morning and afternoon. A seven-night riding tour of the Yukon, departing 6th September 2023, is priced from £2,799 pp, based on two sharing a double room. This includes return flights, accommodation, transfers and daily riding excursions.

Episode 4 of the race took teams from Alberta, crossing Saskatchewan and Manitoba, to reach the checkpoint in Churchill

This is a once-in-a-lifetime holiday that comprises wildlife watching in central Canada with the opportunity to spot the Manitoba Big Five – black bear, polar bear, moose, beluga whale and bison. Begin the adventure in the Riding Mountain National Park, with a wildlife drive. Tour the park at different times of day for the chance to witness the everchanging landscape and roaming animals. Then, fly north to the town of Churchill on the edge of the tundra to learn all about its history from a knowledgeable tour guide. Churchill sees more than 300 nights of auroral activity each year; there’s a high chance travellers will witness the spectacular northern lights. The final part of the adventure is on board a Tundra Buggy – specially designed to travel the tundra – and involves looking out for summer polar bears roaming the waters of Hudson Bay. A seven-night tour of Manitoba, departing 7th August 2023, is priced from £6,899 pp, based on two sharing a double room. This includes return flights, accommodation and all excursions.

Episode 5 travels south from Manitoba through Northern Ontario and ends in Toronto

Discover Superior and Huron, the Canadian Great Lakes, on this circular self-drive itinerary through Ontario. Spend a few days exploring Toronto, being sure to visit the famous Ripley’s aquarium, home to 450 ocean and freshwater creatures, before heading into the hills and sparkling lakes of Muskoka. Hike the scenic wilderness trails at Algonguin Provincial Park, then travel onto the dramatic landscapes of Killarney. A highlight of the tour is the unique Manitoulin Island on Lake Huron. Here, travellers can appreciate a range of exhilarating activities including kayaking, hiking and biking. The tour will end with a loop back towards Toronto via the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Travellers will have the opportunity to visit the impressive Niagara Falls on a Hornblower cruise. A 14-night self-drive tour of the Canadian Great Lakes, departing 21st September 2023, is priced from £2,199 pp, based on two sharing a double room. This includes flights, accommodation and fully comprehensive car hire.

In Episode 6, teams must travel from Toronto towards Montreal and Quebec City

This rail tour allows travellers to visit Canada in style, travelling by VIA Rail to the vibrant cities of Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City. Soak up the rolling landscapes from the train windows and take the time to discover the fascinating cultures. Enjoy a full day trip to Niagara Falls, join a sightseeing tour of charming Ottawa, explore the beautiful walled city of Quebec, and discover Montreal with its thriving arts scene and quaint old town. This independent tour allows travellers to experience the holiday at their own pace, but also take advantage of pre-booked, locally guided tours in each key location. See the sights of Toronto on a hop-on hop-off bus trip and ascend the magnificent CN Tower for far-reaching views of the city and Lake Ontario. A nine-night rail tour, departing 11th October 2023, is priced from £1,999 pp, based on two sharing a double room. This includes return flights, accommodation and rail transfers with VIA.

The penultimate Episode 7 travels through Quebec and New Brunswick to Halifax in Nova Scotia

Join this is unique rail route through Quebec and New Brunswick ending in the spectacular Nova Scotia. Experience the “Ocean” rail route on VIA Rail on this captivating itinerary, stopping to learn about the best of Canadian Maritimes and Quebec. Starting with a few days in Halifax, discover the fascinating maritime city before boarding the “Ocean” train for a two-day journey through Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Make the most of this luxurious train journey with a delicious dinner and a night in a private cabin. Spend time in historic Quebec City, then board VIA rail to follow the St Lawrence river to Montreal. Once in Montreal, travellers will love a three-hour city tour to see all the highlights. The final leg of the journey takes travellers from the province of Quebec along the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor and through Ontario to the cosmopolitan city of Toronto. A seven-night rail tour, departing 13th October 2023, is priced from £1,749 pp, based on two sharing a double room. This price includes return flights, accommodation and rail travel.

The final episode, Episode 8, takes travellers through Nova Scotia up to the beautiful Cape Breton National Park and stunning Cabot Trail, then by ferry over to Newfoundland

This 19-night tour is a magnificent itinerary stopping to admire the many national parks of the Atlantic Canada region. Take scenic hiking trails to spot exotic wildlife, enjoy the warm hospitality of the inhabitants, and travel at a leisurely pace and take time to discover the quirky and lesser travelled towns of Nova Scotia. Visit Gros Morne National park in the lovely province of Newfoundland, with rugged cliffs, waterfalls and glacial fjords. Head to Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island, known for its fantastic restaurants and gorgeous sandy beaches. Explore the hiking trails of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, spotting birds, wildlife and moose along the way. End the trip with a visit to the iconic Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick and marvel at the Bay of Fundy. A 19-night tour through Atlantic Canada, departing 5th September 2023, is priced from £2,999 pp, based on two sharing a double room. This includes return flights, accommodation and fully inclusive car hire.

For more information about Canadian Sky, please visit www.canadiansky.co.uk or call 01342 331798. 

For more information, please contact Lynsey Devon on 07717 078862 or lynsey@heavenpublicity.co.uk or Emma Berg on emmab@heavenpublicity.co.uk 

About Tropical Sky

Tropical Sky and sister brands, Africa Sky, Canadian Sky, American Sky, Australian Sky and New Zealand Sky offer high-end holidays, tailor-made travel, escorted tours, spa retreats, cruise breaks and hotels worldwide. Creating unforgettable experiences, Tropical Sky helps guests plan once-in-a-lifetime trips to the Caribbean, the Far East, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and beyond, with a huge range of world-class resorts and breath-taking experiences on offer. Tropical Sky specialises in providing expert-travel advice and exceptional-customer service to make it as easy as possible to book the right holiday. The team of specialist travel advisors at Tropical Sky have a wealth of experience and knowledge about their destinations and resorts – they are experts at creating perfect, bespoke holidays. Customers can choose from a wide range of holiday types, including adult only, family, rail travel, and weddings.