Last summer we recruited one of our Montreal hostel staff, Gabrielle and a cameraman, Jonathan to go on a trip across Canada, stay in HI hostels all over the country, experience each city and film the whole thing! They travelled by car, bus, plane and train and stayed in many of the 60 hostels across the country. They spent their days exploring, surfing, canyoning, ziplining, hiking, biking, partying and, well… hit play below to see the rest!
After coming back from their adventure, we asked Gab and Jonathan about their experience.
You had to spend a lot of time in a car with someone who was previously a stranger… do you have any survival tips?
G: Be open and curious, everybody has a story to tell!
J: I had been told not to look Gab in the eyes, because she could bite…
Tim Hortons are a classic. Thou not necessarily hight quality, definitely an essential part of a Canada trip. How many Tim Hortons do you think you've stopped at?
G: I remember having lunch and dinner at Tim’s on the same day in B.C. Definitely too much Tim Hortons for one day.
J: Not that many, 5 max!
What is your short list of must-bring items on a road trip?
G: I’d rather travel light, so I try to bring clothes that can work both for day and night outfits. I have a black dress that is perfect for just that and I’ve been bringing it with me on trips for the past three years! Other than that, I never leave without sunscreen and a phone to take pictures with.
J: The camera… the Polaroid… and I never go on a trip without the 35mm camera and a toothbrush.
Where would you have spent more time at and why?
G: I really fell in love with Tofino and I would have loved to spend more time exploring Vancouver Island. Same thing for the rockies in Alberta, I would have loved to go on all the hikes travellers, guides and hostel staff recommended, but we didn’t have enough time.
J: Banff, all the way. Nature in this place is... I have no words to describe it. Would’ve loved to stay longer and see more of it.
In an ideal situation, how long would you say is needed to road trip across Canada from coast to coast?
G: At least two months. I like taking my time and I think there are many destinations that deserve longer than a two-day stay.
J: Minimum a month and a half.
What was the craziest thing you did during this trip?
G: For me, the entire experience was crazy! I had never imaged embarking on such a trip and being filmed all throughout.
J: I gotta say that zip-lining in Sasquatch was pretty crazy. Especially because I was trying to film and keep Gab in the shot while zipping at about 100 km/h.
It seems like you guys ate a lot of food during the trip. What would you say is a must-have on any Canadian road trip?
G: Lobster rolls out East, poutine in Québec, and sushi in Vancouver. Tim Hortons is also an obliged stop. It’s not the best food out there, but it’s never expensive.
J: Tim Hortons is a must! Joke aside, sushi in Vancouver is excellent! And of course, the poutine in Québec.
What surprised you the most and why?
G: The Sea Shack in Gaspésie. We saw whales and aurora borealis on the same day/night!
J: Tofino. I never expected to find this surfer people vibe here in Canada. But the Sea Shack also deserves a special mention. It’s the biggest hostel party I’ve ever seen!
Would you do it again?
G: Anytime!
J: NEVER! Hahaha, of course I would! It was the first time I went out to explore my own country, and it was amazing. I recommend it to everyone!
