1. NFB Films for iPhone & iPad (National Film Board of Canada)

The National Film Board of Canada (or the Office Nationale du Filme du Canada if you’re French) is an Academy Award winning public film producer and distributor funded by the Canadian Government. They’ve produced over 13,000 productions in their long history, and have won over 5,000 awards. Being a Canadian organization, they have both French & English divisions, which means a LOT of multi-lingual content to consume.

NFB Films is available for iPhone and iPad, and has built in support for Airplay. The app has over 1000 movies available, including documentaries, animations, and full length feature films. If you know you’re going to be out of wifi range, you can even save the movies to your device for up to 48 hours for offline viewing.

Highlights include How to Build an Igloo, The Award Winning animation “Cat Came Back”, and William Shatner Sings O Canada.

2. Air Canada for iPhone

Hate keeping track of tickets but love flying? Air Canada for iPhone can give you a leg up over other travelers. This app gives you the ability to Check-In to your flight through you phone. If you’re still an old fashioned checker-inner no harm. There’s still plenty that you can get out of this app. From Finding & Tracking Flights, booking flights, upgrading to executive class, interactive shopping, to even selecting your seat on the flight.

If you fly Air Canada often, or have family who does, this is a great tool to keep in your pocket and help stay up to date on all relevant travel information.

3. Explore Canada Like A Local for iPhone

Need inspiration on where to go, what do to, and when to see it on your next travels through Canada. The explore Canada app is the perfect companion for exactly that. Browse by location, theme, user-submitted travel lists, or use their live map, which allows you to find what’s near you. The Explore Canada App integrates with Foursquare very nicely. This allows you to check in to hotels, hostels, tourist destinations, and scenic views extremely easily.

I’ve used this with great success in the past when visiting a new city. Big thanks to the Canadian Tourism Commission for building this app. It’s been a great inspiration for finding new things to see and do.

4. World Nomads French Language for iPhone

While this app is no replacement for taking actual french lessons, there’s enough in here to help you out in a pinch, should you be hanging out in the French parts of Canada. The World Nomads French Language App provides some basic phrases for everything from Food, Transportation, Introductions, and Safety. My personal favourite phrase World Nomads decided to include is “Ces drogues ne sont pas a moi!” – which translates to “Those drugs aren’t mine!”

5. CBC Radio App for iPhone

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has been a part of Canadian culture since 1936. The CBC Radio App is the perfect addition for any traveling audiophile or news fanatic. This app grabs live feeds from CBC Radio 1, CBC Radio 2, and CBC Radio 3. You can browse by musical genre, or by city. The app also allows you to listen on demand to Arts, News, and Regional programming. While all this streaming content is great, my favourite feature of this app is that it lets you find out the CBC Frequency for any city across Canada. One of my biggest beefs with CBC is finding their station in cities I’ve never been to. It jumps all over the place, so having an app tell me exactly where to turn my dial is awesome!

6. CBC Hockey iPhone App

If you’re a hockey fan that wants to be kept in the loop this app could be your new best friend. The CBC Hockey Night in Canada app lets you track upcoming games, scores, hockey news, schedules, and even watch video. You can even find out player stats throughout their career. This app is perfect for the regular hockey watcher or the die-hard GP measuring hockey fan.

7. TimmyMe iPhone App

Tim Hortons is a Canadian addiction. If you are amongst those affected by it’s meth-like qualities, this app should help you get your next caffein fix quick. TimmyMe grabs your current GPS locations and lets you know where the closest Tim Hortons is to you. This app works in both Canada and the United States. There’s a few other features, but in all honesty they’re pretty boring, like Nurtitional Info and your Tim Card Balance Check. This app really has one purpose in my mind – Find coffee near me, now!

Bonus! Whaddaya App – A Newfoundland Translator App / Soundboard

Hands down my new favourite app. While its not technically free, at $0.99 it’s just about. Simple, quick, and funny! Whaddaya App allows us mainlanders the opportunity to understand what the heck it is those Newfoundlanders are saying. For those who are unaware, Newfoundlanders tend to have a thick and unique accent. A must have app if you plan on setting foot on the rocky shores of Newfoundland & Labrador.

My favourite phrase I’ve picked up from this app is “Stay where ya’at ’til I comes where ya to!”, which roughly translates to “Stay There, I’ll be there shortly”.

Have you come across any awesome free Canadian iPhone Apps? Share in the comments below!

7 Must-Have FREE Canadian iPhone and iPad Apps is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Porter Airlines

I’m starting with the little guy first. If you don’t recognize the name Porter, chances are you’re from Western Canada. Porter is a regional airline headquartered out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. They’re hands down the smallest airline in terms of size and numbers. This can be seen as either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on where you’re trying to get to. Porter operates primarily in Eastern Canada and parts of the United States. So if you’re looking for flights anywhere west of Thunder Bay, Ontario you’re better off looking at the other two airlines. However, if you’re after friendly service, competitive rates, and the opportunity to fly into (or out of) downtown Toronto like a rockstar, Porter could be for you. Did I mention there’s free liquor served on board?

Here’s what other Canadian Travel Bloggers have to say about Porter Airlines:

I love flying Porter. I confess that I was initially drawn to them due to the sheer adorableness of their mascot, but even without the cute-factor, they’re a great airline. Free WiFi and snack lounges at many Canadian airports, available to all Porter clients (not a business class-only lounge), food box on the flight and a big glass of wine too (if that’s your thing).”

Jodi Ettenberg Legal Nomads

If I had the choice between Air Canada, WestJet & Porter, I would hands down fly Porter. Living in downtown Toronto I can literally walk to the island airport. But that’s just icing on the cake. Their staff are incredible – making you feel very welcome, comfortable and important even if you are paying the lowest fare on the plane. The planes are sleek, they have LOADS of sales so if you are willing to wait for a sale you can often get a substantial discount and as Jodi explained, you never go hungry (or thirsty for that matter). I think they’ve done a commendable job branding themselves with a clean cut, trendy image.”

Brock Groombridge Backpack With Brock

WestJet Airlines

Westjet is the second largest airline in Canada, providing flights to 71 destinations across Canada, The United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. They’re headquartered out of Calgary International Airport in Alberta, but also have a hub in Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario. Westjet is a non-unionized airline, which means strikes are practically unheard of. The same thing can’t be said for Air Canada…*Cough..Strike Much?..Cough*.

Westjet is known across Canada as being the “funner” of the three airlines. Stewards and Stewardesses are encouraged to show some personality and have fun on the job, which ultimately leads to a more pleasant flying experience. Flying has become such a sterile activity in recent years, its a refreshing change to see real people behaving like they would with their friends.

While I have nothing but good things to say about Westjet’s people and service, they’re entertainment consoles are sucky in comparison to Air Canada’s. Their satellite TV’s tend to drop often, and don’t even bother turning them on if you catch a redeye flight. Infomercials and News on Repeat will be all that greets you. Not their fault, I know, but if you can’t sleep during the night flights, you might as well gauge your eyes out.

If Westjet were to ever upgrade their entertainment units they could totally drop to one knee and pop the question, and chances are this guy would say yes!

Here’s what other Canadian Travel Bloggers have to say about Westjet Airlines:

When flying in Canada, I normally try to fly with Westjet. Why? Because the staff is friendlier, they’re more helpful and efficient, and you need to be at the check-in just 30 minutes prior to boarding. I really feel valued as a customer, and now with the Westjet dollars they give you for flying with them it’s even better! I haven’t flown Porter yet as they don’t service my city (Winnipeg) but I’ve heard nothing but good things about them as well.

Doreen Pendracs Travel Diversions With Doreen

Despise Air Canada. Always fly Westjet if I can. They were horrid when my ex’s father died. Instead of being helpful, they offered a flight to Winnipeg. My ex is from Saskatchewan. Nor did they offer bereavement rates. Westjet pulled thru, so they had me at “hello”.”

Jeannie Mark Nomadic Chick

I also prefer Westjet over Air Canada. Friendly, funny staff who act like real people who just want to help you out. I like the personality. Air Canada is too corporate in their image.”

Gillian Duffy One Giant Step

A little bit of an echo in here now, but in the past I have preferred Westjet because they staff were typically more friendly and laidback than Air Canada. Now that points are involved in my life and I’m traveling outside of Canada so often, Aeroplan and the Star Alliance win me over. I just ignore the staff anyways.”

Dustin Main Skinny Backpacker

Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, currently providing service to 178 destinations. They’re headquartered in Montreal, QB and were one of the founders of the Star Alliance Program. For those not in the know, the Star Alliance Program is a network of global airlines, created to offer customers a smoother travel experience when grabbing international flights. While Air Canada remains the most travelled airline in Canada, it’s had a bumpy past. In 2003 Air Canada had to file for Bankruptcy protection, and it seems there’s always talk in the news of its financial difficulties or of an upcoming strike.

This might sound bleak, but if you’re anything like me, smiles and fun personalities won’t entertain me longer than a few minutes. Air Canada‘s on-demand entertainment consoles make those long flights a breeze. They may not win the most awards for happy faces and fun memories, but they get the job done.  I like to compare Air Canada as sort of like ordering a burger & fries. You know what you’re getting every time. It might not be the best item on the menu, but it’s good enough. Seeing as Air Canada has the most destinations, a good points system (if you know how to use it!), and reasonable rates, I see nothing overtly wrong with saying Air Canada is pretty okay!

Here’s what other Canadian Travel Bloggers have to say about Air Canada:

Westjet has the best customer service, in my opinion. Air Canada, however, has the best rates out of Newfoundland…and beggars can’t be choosers.”

Candice Walsh Candice Does The World

If Air Canada and I were dating, our relationship status on Facebook would say – it’s complicated. I can’t really decide how I feel and every time I feel like breaking up they win me over again.

Ayngelina Brogan Bacon Is Margic

I will usually fly on whoever is cheapest. As much as I find the folks at West Jet friendlier, I find the AC planes, especially on longer flights more comfortable and I like their entertainment system better. Also points eventually add up with Air Canada and I find their Aeroplan program to actually be pretty good. West Jet now offers an improved frequent flyer program where you get West Jet dollars – I forget the percentage of every fare – maybe 2%. Then you can you use that money towards a flight at anytime. The only downside is the credit takes almost a month to post to your WEst Jet account. If I lived where Porter flew I’d be trying them.”

Leigh McAdam Hike Bike Travel

We fly out of Vancouver a lot and, unlike most of the responses in this thread, we love Air Canada and avoid WestJet. We has some bad experiences with AC many years ago, but in the past 5 years we have been very impressed. We really like the newer planes that Air Canada has and find its entertainment much better than WestJet. I need a little more than a smile to be satisfied with an airline’s service, expecially on long haul flights.

We also like the fact that Air Canada is a part of the Star Alliance and Aeroplan. We have Aeroplan credit cards, so often times we can double dip the points when purchasing flights and hotels using our credit card. For us, WestJet’s lack of partnerships globally has almost pushed us exclusively to Air Canada.

Nicole & Cameron Wears Traveling Canucks

So who should you fly with in Canada?

It’s clear there is no right answer. When it’s all said and done, it comes down to what type of things are important to you during air travel. Do you need good customer service, a warm smile to greet you boarding you on the plane? Then you might be best suited for Westjet, or Porter if you’re out east. If you’re an entertainment junkie who partakes on flights longer than a few hours, and just so happens to be an airline points hoarder, Air Canada’s probably your best bet. Regardless of whomever you decide to go with, Canadian Airlines are after all…Canadian. Expect apologies when your flight is delayed, expect a helping hand if your flight is cancelled, and one of my fondest memories, expect an open liquor cart when your plane has technical problems that require a couple hours of mechanical work before departure.

Special thanks goes out to the Canadian Travel Blogging community who helped bring their two cents to the table!

Air Canada VS Westjet VS Porter – A Canadian Airline Comparison is a post from: I Backpack Canada

A warm welcome from a green building

Stepping into the downstairs lobby, it feels as if I’ve traveled to the future. A future inspired by the aesthetic design of Apple Inc, with all of the added benefits of sustainable living. In this future, staff wear cool t-shirts, buildings have awesome modern Canadian art on the walls, and travelers try to leave as little impact on the world as possible. It takes me a second to realize that this is real. Why aren’t more places like this? My curiosity was getting the best of me as performed an ocular pat-down of the hostel commons area.

One of the friendly staff members, (also sporting a cool t-shirt) showed me around this modern building. He covered the rules of the hostel, and explained the kitchen etiquette, and then gets into what separates Planet Traveler from the rest of the gang. He explained there is free wifi throughout the entire hostel & several iMac’s situated in the lobby (free to use), should you not be a laptop traveler. A commons area on the main floor allows guests from all over the world to socialize, and another on the 5th floor patio, which offers the best view of downtown Toronto that I’ve ever seen. (See last photo in this blog post! Yea, that good!)

I was then taken to the beating heart of the hostel. I looked through the glass door as the staff member informed me what steps are being taken by the hostel to ensure the smallest ecological footprint is made. The solar panels located on the roof aide in the electrical consumption of the building and also heat the water throughout the hostel.

Photo by Natalie Taylor

After pulling my jaw off the floor, I’m told that the entire building is outfitted with LED lights, which allows the entire hostel to be lit by the same amount of power that a typical household toaster would use. A smile creeps across his face as I’m visibly blown away by this information. Clearly the staff is proud to work here. Why wouldn’t they! This place is awesome!

Friendly & Happy Hostel Staff

While making my way to my room, I bumped into another staff member. She was on cleaning duty, but I managed to pull her away from work long enough to chat. She was from Germany and had been working at Planet Traveler for almost a month. I asked how she enjoyed working at this eco friendly hostel. She warmly smiled and told me how much she loved it. She explained that the entire staff are able to switch jobs whenever they want. If she wants to be at the Front of House checking guests in, she can, if she’d rather keep to herself that day, she can do room cleaning.

Photo by Natalie Taylor

Having worked at several hostels before, I know how nice it is to get out of doing the same job over and over again. This community mentality really seemed to help. Staff & guests are warm and inviting and generally seem to have the same mentality towards this movement. “These places are great for everyone, hopefully someday all hostels & buildings will be built this way” explained one of my fellow guests.

This hostel takes green to a new level!

I checked into my room expecting the same modern and eco-friendly treatment. I wasn’t disappointed. Clean white walls, fresh linens, and a duvet that was practically begging me to sleep with it. A calming green warmth surrounded the room, allowing me to feel like I’m both in luxury, and in nature. I looked around for the source of this feeling, and spot the upper window pane. A lime green piece of glass tweaks the harsh sunlight, cooling off the room and putting me into a happy state of mind.

Photo by Planet Traveler

Planet Traveler has done everything in its power to promote these feelings of quality, security, and clean ecological living. You don’t have to sacrifice electricity, hot water, or the comforts of home in order to be “Green”. Technology exists to make the impact of our own existence a small afterthought, but it requires clever designers, smart people, and eco conscious members of the community to make this type of living happen.

Photo taken from Planet Traveler Rooftop Patio!

Travelers are beginning to realize that they have an impact on the places they visit, something that’s easily visible at the Planet Traveler. If you’re in Toronto, and care about the world at all, be sure to book a reservation.

Planet Traveler

(647) 352-8747

@planet_traveler

Special thanks to the folks at Planet Traveler for assisting Natalie Taylor & Myself during our recent adventure in Toronto. All opinions expressed herein are my own. Disclosure Boom! 

Get Eco-Friendly at The Planet Traveler – North America’s Greenest Hostel is a post from: I Backpack Canada

The kind folks from The Clever Travel Companion sent me over some of the latest travel duds for your unmentionables. What’s great about this particular design of underwear isn’t the fact that they’re comfy, or that they’re surprisingly sleek and sexy. It’s the pockets! Two front pockets, that are perfectly sized to fit your passport, credit cards, money, and any other important documents you might carry while you travel.

Protect Your Goods with Pockets

It’s natural to be protective of your identity. While some countries seem to be more prone to this type of theft than others, it can and does happen in Canada. Ensuring all of your documents and bank accounts are protected can be crucial when it means crossing borders, or heading home if you’re from away. It would be pretty difficult for any would-be thiefs to pick-pocket through your jeans. Even if they were crazy enough to try, I’m sure you’d be in full on defence mode if someone started getting grabby down there.

So you might be wondering, “Sure, they make sense, and probably work. But do you sacrifice comfort for security?”

Nope! The fabric feels great, and the fit ensures “everything” stays in place. I’m a big fan of the boxer-brief style, and the folks at The Clever Travel Companion did good work on the overall construction and quality of their mens underwear. The pocket zippers feel like they’re sturdy and could be definitely be trusted with hanging onto your documents. Despite what my photos show, the pockets allow the entire passport to be zipped up.

While it takes a bit of getting used to the feeling of having a couple pockets in your underwear, you stop noticing after a few minutes. Even with the pockets filled with credit cards & a passport, it’s by all means not uncomfortable. These undergarments would make a perfect gift for travellers, or a great buy for yourself if you’re heading somewhere sketchy.

The Clever Travel Companion offers underwear with pockets for both men & women in multiple sizes & colours. They currently sell for $29.90 USD on their website. Be sure to check them out on Twitter too! @CleverTravelCo

Product Review: Travel Underwear with Pick-Pocket Prevention is a post from: I Backpack Canada

$50 Dollar Bill

Let’s start big (well, as big as I could hide from myself). The 50 Dollar Bill, aka “Big Red”, due to its prominence of red hues.You can sometimes find these guys spitting out of ATMs; however, you’re more likely to find its lesser-brother, the Twenty being dispensed from those Bank Robots.

The most recent Canadian 50 dollar bill features a portrait of William Lyon Mackenzie King, the Canadian Coat of Arms, along with picture of the Parliaments famous “Peace Tower”. As you can see, a Canadian Note wouldn’t be Canadian without a couple Maple Leafs thrown in there.

$20 Twenty Dollar Bill

Next up, The Twenty Dollar Bill. Hands down the most common Canadian Bill. This one (or should I say Twenty) should be easy to acclimatize with as it’s Green. The portrait on this particular note is of Queen Elizabeth the Second, and features some famous Canadian Art by Bill Reid along with a quote from Gabrielle Roy. The most recent 2004 edition of the Canadian $20 was also given the “prestigious” award of “Bank Note of the Year” by the International Bank Note Society. Go 20!

$10 Dollar Bill

The 10 dollar bill is one of my personal favourites, just due to the cool colour of purple. This sweet piece sports an awesome portrait of the late Sir John A. Macdonald, and a picture of Canadas famous Library of Parliament. The theme behind this bill is remembrance, and features images of war, along with a portion of John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields”. That poem deserves a post on I Backpack Canada, so thank you Tenner for inspiring me.

$5 Dollar Bill

The Canadian Five-Dollar Bill is the smallest bill you’ll find in Canada. This one’s another fan-favourite as it is blue, and features the Eerie portrait of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, along with the West Block of the Parliament Buildings. If you flip the Bill you’ll see some very Canadian themes, including Tobogganing, Skating, and some Ice Hockey! If you look close you’ll also notice a quote from Roch Carriers story “The Hockey Sweater”.

If you’re lucky, you might come across a Spock Five. I wrote about this little phenomenon a while back. Basically people from all over Canada will modify the face of Sir Wilfrid Laurier into the image of Spock. (The famous Star Trek Character played by Leonard Nimoy) Hilarity at its best.

$2 Dollar Coin a.k.a “The Toonie”

To understand the strange nomenclature behind the Toonie, one has to look at the $1 Dollar Coin, which is called the Loonie, due to the fact that it features one of Canada’s iconic birds, the Loon. When they released the $2 dollar coin, it wasn’t long before everyone was calling it a Toonie.

The Toonie features the popular Bi-Metallic look that other countries have adopted as well. One side of the coin features Queen Elizabeth II while the other features an image of a Polar Bear, which Canada named “Churchill”. A nifty little reference to Winston and due to the many sightings of Polar Bears in the Churchill Manitoba area.

$1 Dollar Coin a.k.a “The Loonie”

The Loonie, kind of a goofy name for a Dollar, but it works. As I mentioned earlier, it inspired the name of Canada’s Two-Dollar-Coin. Something kind of cool that a lot of people may not know about, is that if it weren’t for the Courier Service losing the original Master Dies, the Loonie would not exist. The One-Dollar-Coin was meant to have a Voyageur type theme, with Canada’s famous “Coureur Des Bois”. Thankfully that minor mishap saved us from potentially calling our Dollar Coin something even more strange.

The Pocket Change

For die hard coin collectors, this is where the magic can happen. For me, its where I get bored and laugh at myself, wondering “What am I doing writing about a 5c piece…my time has to be worth more than that…” Well, apparently not. I typically am the first to tell the cashier to keep the change, mainly because I don’t have a change compartment in my wallet, but also because I just find it to be more of a pain than its worth. So forgive me if the detail on the following Canadian coins suffers a bit.

The Canadian Quarter – 25 cent piece

Biggest in size next to the loonie & toonie. This coin that sees most of its action in drinking games features a Caribou & The Queen. Fun fact – 4 of these puppies makes a dollar. Neat eh?

The Canadian Dime – 10 Cent Piece

A thin, wimpy looking coin which looks like it could get blown away in the wind. Which maybe was the inspiration behind including the famous Nova Scotian sail boat, the Bluenose Schooner on the front. As with all Canadian coins, Mrs. Queeny is hanging out on the other side.  As far as size goes, this is the smallest coin we have.

The Canadian Nickel – 5 cent piece

Perhaps I’m a little childish in my thinking. But this particular Canadian coin makes want to give high fives and make jokes about the Queens Beaver. However, since I’m a respectable “writer”, I’ll refrain myself. This coin features The Canadian Beaver on one side, and the Queen on the other. The Beaver was tossed on there as it was such a huge part of Canadian history, what with the fur trading and all. In terms of size, the Nickel is “Medium” in size.

The Canadian Penny – 1 cent piece

The penny features a couple Maple Leaves along with the Queen. It’s slightly less than Medium in size. Some argue that this coin should be taken out of commission, similar to the way Australia operates. I have to say I agree, the Penny completely sucks! Its worth almost nothing and always seems to trick me into thinking I have enough for a coffee. I can’t count how many times I’ve pulled out all the change from my pocket to say to the Tim Hortons girl “Guess I gotta use debit on this Double Double…sorry!” I’d personally rather see the expense of making pennies go into something a little more beneficial to all Canadians. Not just the penny-savers.

Whatever your thoughts are on this guy, its legal tender whether we like it or not. Which means you should expect to experience the classic elderly lady or gentleman paying for their fuel, coffee, or groceries with all pennies. Always worth a smile.

Monopoly Money Ain’t So Bad

Seeing Canadian tender laid out like this is sort of strange. It’s rare that Canadians give much more than a glance at what they’re handing over or receiving. There are some unique stories & pieces of art behind the design of our money. Sure, it might be a little monopoly-esque compared to our American brethren, but talk about being easier to identify.

I’ve always been a fan of how countries all over the world portray significant events in their history through the medium of money. They can be a great starter for learning more about any country, and Canada holds true to this pattern. The Royal Canadian Mint, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba should be commended more often for their coin & cash creativity. Keep up the great work guys, and if you need anyone to sample your goods ahead of time, don’t hesitate to call.

What’s the weirdest piece of money you’ve seen? Have you got a favourite Canadian piece?

Canadian Money – How to Understand & Identify our Monopoly Bills is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Gap Adventures is a multi-national adventure travel company that’s been around since 1991. Since Day One they have been promoting social and eco-friendly travel to each of their many locations, which believe it or not, now includes all seven continents on Earth. Gap continues, to this day, to be the leader in eco-tourism and bringing travellers out of their shell and into the world.

As of recently not only can you experience the the thrill that Gap offers, you can do so with the benefit of Flight Centres travel consultants. They’ll be there for you, helping you make the crucial decisions needed to make your trip a successful one.

Flight Centre and Gap Adventures take care of just about everything, so the hardest part of it all is deciding where you want to go next. Gap Travel currently offers more than 1000 adventure tours, so the best thing you can do is research and ask questions. Thankfully Flight Centre makes that simple as well. You can easily browse through every tour that is offered and find out the specifics. From price, to length of time, to what you’ll see and what you’ll be doing when you’re there.

One thing I love about this partnership they have setup, is the information they have available for you. Upon finding a tour you’re interested in, clicking ‘More information’ will bring you to a page with a tour summary, details on the itinerary, the difficulty of the tour, the dates and rates, as well as a contact number which you can call if you have any other questions. For those not in a hurry, you can also inquire online, something that’s crucial in this day and age, however something that is often overlooked by booking companies.

So what am I getting at? Well, if you’re new to travel, and want to experience something a little outside the realm of normality, booking a Gap Adventure through Flight Centre can be an amazing wall to lean on while you’re adjusting to your newfound surroundings. You can never have too much help when making a big decision like travel!

Book a Gap Adventure with Flight Centre is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Live streaming begins Saturday March 13th, 2010 at Yahoo.CBC.ca. Not only that, but the live NHL streaming will also be active through the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs! All you hockey fiends will be happy to hear that you can finally watch the NHL Live online. This is a first for a professional sports partnership to offer live online streaming, and rumour has it this might expand to include more sports in the near future.

This is life changing stuff people! We can now travel, and so long as we have an internet connection, watch Hockey anywhere we go.

Watch the NHL Live Online and for Free is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Hotels

Many large hotel chains offer free wifi to it’s residents. If you’re able to get close enough to the hotel without looking too suspicious, you might be fortunate to find an unencrypted wifi signal. If it’s encrypted though, you’re going to have to either find someplace else, or find the balls to pretend you’re staying in the hotel and asking the front desk for the Wifi Key. Check out hotels like Days Inn, Travelodge, Holiday Inn, Best Western, Delta Hotels, Super 8′s, Howard Johnson Hotels (aka Hojo’s), or any other decent looking hotels.

Public Librarys

Canada’s public library system is pretty awesome. With most large cities having several locations, you’re never too far from one. Almost all public libraries will have some public computers to use the internet on for free, and many locations are beginning to offer free wifi. Particularly those that are close to Colleges and Universities. A quick google search in your area should turn up the cloesst Public Library in your area.

Coffee Shops

Tim Hortons aside, there are thousands of small locally owned coffee shops that offer wifi to it’s patrons. Order whatever’s cheapest on the menu and you can hang around. Most of the larger coffee shops such as Starbucks and Second Cup will have free Wifi as well.

Tim Hortons

Canada’s favourite coffee shop has slowly, and begrudgingly begun to put free wifi in many of it’s locations. Just ask one of the Staff and they’ll know right away whether it’s offered. It’s a bit of a hit and a miss though.

Hostels

It’s becoming more frequent that hostels offer wifi to it’s patrons. Hostels normally indicate if it’s offered on their brochures and on their website. If you don’t see it a quick phone call will let you know if the internet’s free or if they have Wifi.

Computer / Technology Shops

Many shops that offer computer repair or sell computers and technology have free wifi to offer. Check your local Best Buy, FutureShop, and particularly any Apple Store. You’re best bet is at an Apple Store though, I haven’t come across one yet that doesn’t offer it.

Fast Food Chains

This one’s a head scratcher, but I’m not one to complain about free Wifi. Many Fast Food joints are starting to offer wifi. Check McDonalds first (read more), then try A&W, Wendy’s, Dairy Queen, or any other store that’s prepared to sell you burgers and fries.

Large Apartment Buildings

If you have any morals against hopping onto somebody else’s Wifi signal, this one may not be for you. But for those who don’t care, hang out around a large apartment building and you’re sure to see a whole list full of signals. You wouldn’t believe how many people leave their wifi signals unencrypted.

Universities

Take a walk or drive through campus and you’ll probably find an unsecure Wifi hotspot somewhere. Check the dorms and the library first. Universities these days are getting pretty secure about this kind of stuff, so you might want to leave this as a last resort, unless it’s real close by.

Office buildings

Like Universities, most offices remain pretty secure. But if you’re desperate and you’ve got time, they might be worth giving a try. Smaller business’s tend to be a lot less secure than the larger ones.

Free Wifi Services

Many larger cities have begun to offer free wifi throughout their cities. Keep in mind they are usually a little spammy, with lots of ads and what not, but with a good ad blocker, they’re perfect in a pinch. Check out Wireless Toronto for details

Downtown City Centres

Many large cities offer Free Wifi in the downtown core of it’s city. They are usually unsecure and always busy. Expect slow speeds and intermittent connections.

Campgrounds

Believe it or not some of the larger campgrounds offer free wifi. You’re best bet are ones with RV and Motorhome facilities. If it’s just a piece of land in the bush, you’re probably out of luck. But a quick phone call will reveal if it’s offered.

**If you’ve got any other tips or locations you’d like to reveal, feel free to post a comment and let the world know.

Places to find Free Wifi in Canada is a post from: I Backpack Canada

CTV Live Olympic Video Feed

Click image to enlarge!

Seeing as I live in Canada I cannot confirm if this will work in any other countries. Make sure your computer has Microsoft Silverlight installed, head to the CTV Video section and you should be able to catch the events live. If you look in the photo the green arrow indicates where you’ll end up needing to click. Take a close look at the big arrow, there will be a Red Box there with whatever is currently airing live. I’ve got it on right now, watching Canada rock the rink in Speedskating. Woop!

**Update: Just found out if you go to CTV’s Listings they’ll link you up with whatever station is broadcasting the Olympics Live Online. Which is extra handy.

NBC Live Olympic Video Feed

Live Olympics Feed for Americans Only

I just did a quick look to see if I could get connected with NBC’s Live video feed. However like Hulu, NBC has let me down. Turns out they won’t let international viewers take a peek at their intense content. But if you’re in the States, or if you want to bother setting up a proxy, head to the NBC Video Section and give it a whirl.

3rd Party Olympic Streams

I played around with these and had no luck. Just a lot of ads and spam. However according to lifehacker and some of the comments on these 3rd party sites, people have managed to get them to work. I read a post on one of them that their website crashed recently from all the traffic, so it might be a hit and a miss until they sort their website out. If the first two fail you then you should give these a try.

• Watch Vancouver Olympics
• Watch Olympics Online

Head to the Pub

If all else fails, find yourself at a sports bar or pub anywhere in Canada or the US and there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find at least one TV with the Winter Olympics playing.

Best of luck people, hopefully by the next Olympics, streaming video will be all the rage and we won’t have to fight so hard to figure this stuff out. Unfortunately ’til then, we’ll have to settle with what we’ve got. Which is a couple streams, and some archive videos posted within 30-45 minutes of the event finishing.

How to watch the Olympics Online for Free is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Photo courtesy of Wili

For traveling couples, the thought of spending a night together in a hostel may not be the height of their romantic lifestyle. However, hotels have a tendency to be expensive. But if you do enough digging, you can find last minute hotel rooms for the cost of a double room in a hostel. Using RatesToGo, RedTag, or CAA,  you should have no problem finding a last minute hotel for under 70 dollars in any major city in Canada, however a little luck can make all the difference.

As a backpacker, it sometimes feels like cheating when you’re comfortable and have the ability to spread out in your own space. It’s way too easy to grow accustom to being in a cramped dorm. However, if you’ve been on the road for months, sometimes decompressing in a private room is all you need. I’ve personally used RedTag along with CAA several times without any problems. These hotel deals are fairly easy to find, you just need to set aside a few minutes to search through some websites to find the best deal, along with the best location.

Remember that if none of those engines turn up with any good deals, hostels and backpackers tend to have some good doubles and ensuites. However during the peak season you may notice they are booked up. So plan a couple days in advance just to be safe.

Last minute Hotel Deals in Canada is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Our Hostel Booking Engine can be a great tool to use for planning out your next backpacking trip around Canada, especially during the peak seasons when hostels can fill up in no time at all. So book ahead or simply use our engine to find out the cost per night at the hostel of your choice, and you should be well on your way to having a great time backpacking across Canada.

Click Here to browse through hostels you can book online

Book Hostels with i Backpack Canada is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Click on Red Icons to show drinking age

Canadian Provinces where the drinking age is 18

• Alberta
• Manitoba
• Quebec

Canadian Provinces & Territories where the drinking age is 19

• British Columbia
• Saskatchewan
• Ontario
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Newfoundland & Labrador
• Prince Edward Island
• Yukon
• Northwest Territories
• Nunavut

As you can see, there are only a few provinces left in Canada where the drinking age is 18. I’ve heard rumours that even those few may end up at 19 sooner or later. So take advantage of Canada’s younger drinking age while you can. Drink responsibly.

Legal Drinking Age in Canada is a post from: I Backpack Canada

The iPhone Camera is one of those tools I find myself using almost everyday. Sometimes I’m snapping a picture of the scenery, sometimes some buildings, other times I’m just grabbing a stealthy snap of the ‘Perfect 10‘ I saw on the weekend. While I tend to go a little crazy sometimes with pictures, I find myself angry on occasion just over small things. It always seemed as if the iPhone Camera was missing something. Then came ‘The GorillaCam’. It has the abillity to turn your semi-awesome iPhone Camera into a fully-awesome iPhone Camera. Some of it’s most notable features include:

• Self Timer – A great tool to have for catching those group photos or scoring a shot of your sweet boy-band pose. You’ll probably want the Gorillamobile Tripod for this, unless you’re a master of leaning your phone against Pillows or books.
• Unlimited Rapid-Fire – With the GorillaCam app you can get snap-happy with a sweet 1.6 shots per second. Just click & hold your shutter button and you’ll find yourself telling your subjects, “You’re a tiger, grr”
• Grid Overlay – Overlay an grid to help create more pleasing photos to the eye using that magical “rule of thirds”.
• Time-Lapse – One of my favourite features, take multiple photos spaced at an interval of your choosing. Perfect for getting some cool shots of the clouds moving, cars going by, or actually cattching that action shot you’ve been trying to nail with the old school iPhone camera.
• Auto-save – This extremely handy feature allows you to keep firing away while your photos are being saved in the background. No more holding your phone up waiting between shots.
• Bubble Level – Level out your shots everytime. Great for lining up your photos horizontally and vertically.
• Read more features at the GorillaCam website

These features are all trumped by the best feature of all. It’s free! It’s like they read my cheap mind. Thank you GorillaCam. You rock my world, and my phone.

Download the GorillaCam iPhone App here

Pimp your iPhone Camera with GorillaCam is a post from: I Backpack Canada

1. Dog Sledding

Take a guided trip and command your own team of dogs. There are several options to choose from in different areas of Canada. Be sure you’re ready to brave the cold. Overnight trips are available as well. Dog Sledding trips are perfect for families and couples, or anyone who wants to see some of the most remote parts of Canada.

2. Tobogganing

Tobogganing (or sledding) is one of the most popular things to do in the winter. Grab a crazy carpet, GT, wooden toboggan, anything that’ll let you slide, and aimlessly propel yourself downhill. Get ready for face washes, snow in your boots, ice burn, and tingling fingers. But like the heat in the kitchen, if you can’t take the cold, stay out of the snow.

3. Snowmobiling

Many provinces, such as Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, have an intricate network of trails for snowmobiles. Many of which are groomed as well. Find your nearest ski doo rental shop and hop on a Polaris. The thrill is that of riding a motorcycling all terrain through the snow. It’s awesomeness won’t let you down.

4. Ice Fishing

Canadians have an unhealthy obsession with fishing. Spring, summer, fall, and even winter, there’s always something to catch. Drive to the nearest lake and expect to see a village of wooden shocks on top of the ice. Many Fishing Supply Stores will have their own shack, and some even rent them out. Be sure to bring coffee or hot mocha.

5. Snow shoeing

Snowshoes are one of those great inventions that made the Settlers in Canada extremely thankful to have. Several parks around Canada offer guided tours, including Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay and Glacier National Park. Although not nearly as thrilling as snowboarding or skiing, this activity is great for snapping pictures of the Canadian terrain.

6. Skiing & Snowboarding

Most skiing and snowboarding activities take place on the west coast of Canada, between Alberta and British Columbia. Rentals are available at nearly every ski shop once you make it into one of the many mountain villages. Rentals are occasionally done right at mountain as well. Canada has some of the best mountains for skiing and snowboarding, so be sure to give it a go during the winter.

7. Cross Country Skiing

Picture yourself skiing down a mountain. Now picture that there is no mountain and you’re pushing yourself through the flat snow. Doesn’t sound all that awesome does it? Well believe it or not this is still a popular sport in Canada, and can offer some great views of Canada’s winter landscape. Be prepared for a sore body as this is an extreme workout for people who’ve never done it before. Bring a camera along as you should have plenty of time to snap a few pictures while waiting to catch your breath.

8. Build an Igloo / Quinzhee

Having the ability to construct a shelter out of nothing but snow and ice is a valuable skill to have. Despite the fact that it can take a good few hours out in the snow to complete one, once you’ve got everything finished, there is nothing like relaxing in the hollow sound of a Quinzhee or Igloo. As a kid I used to build a couple of these every winter. Until I got bored and put my smash-face on. They make the perfect forts for snowball fights and can keep you warm in the harsh winter conditions of Canada.

9. Snowball Fights

The art of molding a perfect snowball is a skill most Canadians possess. It’s something we acquire from birth really. We can tell you which snow to use, which to avoid, and how to properly remove the frozen sheet of snow which gives access to the hidden ‘good stuff’. In recent years, snowball fights have been banned at most schools, and there are always a few nutty parents screaming devil’s play at the sight of kids hurling snow and ice at one another. This hasn’t stopped snowball fights from happening. Whether it’s getting in a snowball fight with some random kids at a park, or taking part in a drunken snowball fight after a night out of partying, you should always be on your toes and be ready for a snowball fight to break out. Avoid picking up that frozen block of ice to throw, breaking faces is one of the few rules of war. Dirty snowballs are sometimes fair game, just try not to be the first to throw them.

10. Pond Hockey / Skating

By late December, most ponds and lakes have frozen over, and the cities have finished their public skating rinks in the parks, giving people another surface to play on. Whether it’s a quick game of hockey, or just practicing your sweet Elvis Stojko moves, you’ll have a good time out on the ice. There’s something magical about the sound of blades tearing through ice, the sound of pucks hitting the boards, the swish and spray of someone putting on the breaks, and the sight of your own breathe following you wherever you go. Depending on where you are, public skating rinks and ponds are nearly everywhere. Just be sure to watch for signs indicating ‘Thin Ice’, and never skate on pond or lake ice alone.

10 Winter Activities You Shouldn’t Miss is a post from: I Backpack Canada

If you’re considering putting through the application yourself, visit the Foreign Affairs & International Trade website. They have several guides, and online applications that you’ll need to fill out in order to be considered for a working holiday visa. Make sure you have Adobe Reader, as these documents tend to be in .PDF format. There are certain restrictions & some requirements that you must meet in order to be accepted for a working visa.

Including:

• satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your employment;
• show that you have enough money to maintain yourself and your family members in Canada;
• be law abiding and have no record of criminal activity (you may be asked to provide a police clearance certificate);
• not be a risk to the security of Canada;
• be in good health (complete a medical examination, if required);
• produce any additional documents requested by the officer to establish your admissibility.

The application process can take quite a while, and will require a lot of reading. An application can be rejected for the smallest of reasons, so go through the application at a slow pace and double check everything. Anyone who thought the application could be done in one sitting, I apologize, but that’s very unlikely.Global Backpackers have a Guide for applying for Canadian Working Holiday Visas, I highly recommend you read through it.

If you’re looking to simplify this process as much as humanly possible, I suggest you look into some third party companies who handle this sort of thing on a day to day basis. I personally recommend SWAP.ca – I went through SWAP to obtain my Australian & New Zealand Working Holiday Visa. Their prices are very reasonable and it’s probably the easiest way to get a working visa. This program is aimed at students, however young adults can also use their services. They simply ask that you’re between the ages of 18 – 35. You’ll first need to register with their website, but once registered they’ll be able to answer all of your questions and get the application put through for you. They don’t guarantee you’ll be accepted, but they do this for a living, so you have a way better shot at getting accepted through them.

SWAP Working Holidays is a non-profit program that was put in place by the Canadian Federation of Students. It offers young Canadians the chance to travel the world and work along the way. They’ve been doing this for 30 years, helping thousands plan their working holidays. They can also help those from outside of Canada obtain a Canadian work visa and provide you with all the information needed in order to find a job in Canada.

Remember, these application forms can be a headache, but once completed, and should you be accepted, you’ll be able to work in Canada without much of a problem. Hundreds of thousands of foreign travelers come to Canada each year to find a job, so long as you’re patient, you could be one of them.

How to apply for a Canada Working Holiday Visa is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Address Labels – Perfect for tagging those expensive valuables you’re still unsure whether you should bring. Laptop, iPod, that $1200 Nikon Camera. Should you have the misfortune of losing it, my good friend Karma may help you out and allow that item to find it’s way back to you. Zing!

Book Covers – The ultimate in James Bond-esque disguisery, allowing you, the lost tourist, to mask the fact that you are a lost tourist. Keep your cool, gradually flip to your hidden map page, and walk on like nothing ever happened.  Pah!

Plastic Wrap - Keep a couple sheets with you at all times. Works wonders in placing over shampoo bottles before closing the lid. Adds that extra security that is sometimes needed if you’re afraid to put on that fancy shirt only to find out it has a dirty goo stain. Goo!

Water Bottles – If you hoard your flight tickets, maps, postcards, but always find you rip and tear them to shreds. Try rolling them up inside a waterbottle. They’re kept airtight, and can be cut open when you get home, allowing you to cherish torn free photos, maps, and what-nots. Kablahm!

Roll them clothes – If you’re new to travel, this may come as a shock. But rolling your clothes is the best way to squeeze more clothes in, while keeping them relatively wrinkle free. Not only do you save room, it’s a lot more easy to organize as well. Keeping structure in your backpack is essential, unless you like digging 10 minutes to find a clean pair of socks. Smack!

Plastic Bags - Keep a few spare bags to put your worn and stinky clothes in, keeping the rest of your wardrobe fresh and stink-free. Toss in some dryer sheets for some added smell security. Wiff!

Split up your money – You wouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket, so why keep all your hard earned cash in one pouch? Hide some cash in random places, don’t worry about forgetting where you put it. If you really need it, you’ll find it. Even if you don’t, what’s better than finding money you forgot about? Bling!

Plan the weight of your items - When packing items into your backpack, place all lighter items at the bottom of your bag, work your way up to medium weight items, followed by the heaviest items.This technique works as it causes your back to take more weight than just your shoulder. If you’re going to be wearing that pack for a while you might as well be comfy. Oof!

Flip the batteries – If you have a flashlight or headlamp, flip the batteries around so the proper contacts are NOT touching, this way, if during transportation that button gets hit, you’re not going to grab your flashlight only to discover it has since turned into a pale dead glowstick. Click!

Don’t carry gifts and souvenirs – If you find something that you know your friend MUST have, don’t bother carrying it around wasting your space. Ship it away ASAP. No sense having to throw away your third favourite t-shirt in lieu of that stupid wooden ornament. Stupid!

Photocopy security details – Keep some photocopies hidden of your passport, flights, or any other important documents in the off chance you lose something. Having those photocopies can speed up this unfortunate kick in the butt. Thud!

Congratulations grasshopper. You just passed Packing Tips 101!

Students, should you find anything worthy of adding to your Sensai’s list, please comment. Type!

Packing Tips 101 is a post from: I Backpack Canada

For all those Facebook users, check out Mile High Flyer, it is THE application to have to find cheap flights for your friends. And who knows, maybe if they like you enough they’ll actually book the flight and say hello!

Track Cheap Flights with Facebook is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Either way, print it off, it should make having a case of the packing-worries a thing of the past.

Click Here to View The Ultimate Packing List

The Ultimate Packing list for Backpacking Across Canada is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Scoring a cheap flight in Canada isn’t the easiest thing. By comparison to other countries, flying in Canada can be expensive if you don’t plan it right and use all the services at your disposal. There are several factors to take in when trying to find the best deal on a domestic or international Canadian flight.

The two most popular airlines are AirCanada and Westjet. Both of which run international and domestic flights through Canada. AirCanada Jazz and Tango are their cheapest flights, and occasionally that can be noticeable. However, since AirCanada became the official airline of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, the flights are getting much nicer. The majority of airplanes in Canada will have a personal entertainment system built into the seat ahead of you, as well as those awesome fold down trays we all love so much.

Step 1

Check for specials. Airlines will occasionally have specials during certain weeks of the month. If you’re trips not for another couple months, make a habit of looking twice a week for specials. Sometimes its only 15% off, but that 15% could go towards accommodation, food, or drinks.

Step 2

Book your flights to fly during Mid week. A flight on a Tuesday or Wednesday will be cheaper than a flight on Friday or Saturday. Always! Also, try and making the initial booking on a Tuesday or Wednesday, airlines have a habit of lowering their prices mid week.

Step 3

Search Google for Coupon Codes – apply a coupon code to your flight and save sometimes up to 40% off your flight! Check out Smart Canucks and Bargain Moose, they occasionally run coupon codes for flights. I’ve used these several times without a problem.

Step 4

Compare costs of flights between Expedia, Kayak, Orbitz – some will be cheaper than others. Once you’ve found one, don’t hesitate too long. If you think it’s a better deal than what the others are offering, it probably is, dive on it before someone else does. However, check the airlines website for the exact same date. Occasionally it will be cheaper through the airlines as Orbitz takes a small fee (~$6), might save you the cost of a beer.

Step 5

Book ahead – leaving a flight until last minute can cost you quite a bit. Try and give yourself at least 3 weeks, 4 would be preferable. But when you’re Backpacking Across Canada, sometimes schedules don’t always work.

Step 6

If you’re a student or under 25 years of age, apply for a ISIC card. If you fly often, these cards are great to have, they’re valid all over the world, including Canada. With these cards you can use student sales at  http://www.travelcuts.com/ – a great canadian site used by University students for cheap flights worldwide.

Step 7

If you plan on making more than a couple flights throughout Canada, The United Stated, and Mexico, you should consider buying a North American Air Pass through Star Alliance. This pass allows you to purchase coupons (3 to 10) for flights anywhere through North America. There are serious amounts of savings to be had here, definitely worth looking into it. 

Warning

Flights between Labor Day and Thanksgiving tend to be the cheapest time to book flights. Should you try and grab a flight around Christmas, you’re sure to pay some holiday inflation. Same goes for just about any other holiday, as well as the time of the day. Airlines update costs up to 5 times a day. Check the flights as early as possible. Check at least once before 5am, and again at or around 5pm.
Fly safe!

7 Steps to finding Cheap Flights in Canada is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Each hostel comes with it’s own description (in 5 different languages) as well as photos of the hostel that is currently selected. You can also use the applications built in Google Maps feature which will help plot exactly where the hostel is. Once you’ve gone through the booking process, you also have the ability to save the booking in offline mode, which will allow you to view your bookings should you be somewhere with no cell phone reception or Wifi service.

The Hostel Hero iPhone application is very simple to use, and hostels are continuously being added into the application. Whether you’re backpacking through Asia, or traveling Canada on a budget, this program could very well save you some money as well as headaches.

View a Demo of the program below:

Download Hostel Hero here

Hostel Hero iPhone Application is a post from: I Backpack Canada

I understand some of you may see this as stealing. I however don’t. So give it a go, you know you want to…

Read the original article here

How to get Free Wifi in Airports is a post from: I Backpack Canada

This iPhone application allows passengers to search Air Canada flights by route  or by flight number. Passengers receive all the information they need, such as flight status and gate numbers. It even allows users to check-in using their iPhone. There have been more and more airlines trying to incorporate the use of cell phone technology to their passengers, however Air Canada seems to have been one of the first to nail it.

Included within the App is the ability to setup a car rental using Avis or Budget, which allows users to grab a rental without ever leaving the Air Canada App. Air Canada has included several other features into their application as well. If you’re an iPhone user, and you plan on traveling Canada, it’s probably worth it to download the app and check it out yourself.

Click here to find out How to Download the iPhone Air Canada App

Air Canada iPhone App is a post from: I Backpack Canada

The cell phone providers will vary depending on where you decide to begin your travels. Below is a list of the most used carriers in Canada.

Rogers / Fido-Microcell: Ontario & Quebec (GSM)

Bell Mobility: Ontario & Quebec (CDMA)

Telus Mobility: Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec (CDMA)

Sprint Canada: Ontario, Quebec (GSM or CDMA depending on the region)

Aliant: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland & Labrador (CDMA)

SaskTel: Saskatchewan (CDMA

Virgin Mobile: Ontario (CDMA-PCS)

For those who aren’t familiar with CDMA and GSM the main thing you should know is CDMA does NOT use SIM cards, whereas GSM does use SIM Cards. If you are going to bring your phone from your home country to Canada, be sure to find out:
1. The Frequency of your phone
2. If your phone is unlocked to be used on any carrier
3. If your phone uses a SIM card or not.

If your phone isn’t able to use the 800, 850, and 1900 MHz frequency range, then it is pretty likely the phone won’t work at all once you get into Canada. Unlike in Europe, it is pretty hard to find places that will unlock your phone in North America. I would highly reccommend you consider getting this done while you’re still in your home country. If your phone is already unlocked, and has the ability to read the proper frequencies, all you need to do is buy a SIM card (approximately $20) from any GSM provider, plug it into your phone and you should be well on your way.

Once you have your cell phone activated, remember to use Mobile i backpack Canada and have all the Canadian Travel Information at your fingertips.

Canadian Cell Phone Networks is a post from: I Backpack Canada

The majority of Wal-Marts across Canada allow RV/Campervans to park free of charge in their parking lot. Be sure to check all entrances for a “No Overnight RV Parking” sign, however these signs are rare. There are some Wal-Marts that refuse free RV and Camper parking, but they are few and far between. Many Wal-Marts have taken an underused portion of their lot and use it to encourage the RV/Campervans to stay. Knowing perfectly well that you will likely use their facilities and perhaps even stock up for the next leg of your trip.

One thing worth mentioning, is this is free parking, not free camping. Unfortunately you can’t just pitch a tent in the parking lot, despite how cool that would be. In order to reap the benefits of free RV/Campervan parking, one needs to have a RV (motorhome) a campervan, or at least a car to sleep in.

I highly recommend you use this as a last resort, the campgrounds in Canada are truly unique. Many are next to rivers, lakes, and beautiful scenery. Each offering it’s own view into the Canadian Wilderness. It’s very rare you’ll experience this kind of beauty in a Wal-mart parking lot.

The thought of sleeping on the doorsteps of a mega-chain store might sicken you to your stomach, considering you are traveling Canada to experience the “Great Outdoors”, not the “Great parking lots that destroy the great outdoors”. Keep in mind, the damage is done, and I’m rarely one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Free RV/CamperVan Parking is a post from: I Backpack Canada

The first step to busking is to have “a thing you do”, that thing could be to juggle, play guitar, sing, play spoons or eat glass. Whatever it is, it may be enough to make it in the cutthroat industry that is busking. But before you grab a piece of cement and commence your busking attempts, lets go through the basics.

Location, Location, Location.

Like any small business, the location you setup “shop” can have a strong impact on how many people see you, which in turn, determines how much you’re going to make. Keep in mind, certain places to busk are illegal, or certainly frowned upon. (Setting up shop outside an abortion clinic=bad. Setting up shop in a downtown city square=good) Avoid being too close to other buskers, they may be better at the “thing they do” and could possibly steal your potential clients. Or, if they are slightly deranged, they may feel you’re stepping on their turf, which may end in a Busk Off, and if you’re new to to the game, you’ll probably lose.

Setup Shop

Finding somewhere with good lighting will cause more people to see you, which in turn may fill your hat a little quicker. It also keeps people from tripping over you and your stuff.  You don’t want some Yuppie to kick your guitar case causing all your hard work to spill down a drain. Trust me. Once you’ve got your spot picked out, you’ll need a container, a hat, your guitar case, or something that you can keep your earnings in. As lame as it may sound, tossing in a couple of your own dollars into your case can benefit you. Some people will think “Someone else thought he/she didn’t suck, I think I might do the same. After all, I dig this song.” But having too much can have the opposite effect. “What a bunch of suckers giving their money away, look at him, he’s got enough to feed himself for two days. And what’s with this song? Sucks to the mega…”

Play for the masses

Just because you’re a huge fan of slipknot, or some other rhetorical screamo band, does not mean other people are. So stick with the classics and play what everyone really wants to hear. “Wonderwall”, “Knockin’ On Heavens Doors”, perhaps some ACDC. If you’re doing a decent rendition of the song, some people may stop. Once you have 3 or 4 people stopped and listening, you officially have them eating out of your hand. Now reel them in further, and finish them.

Pay up!

A good finishing move can determine whether you’re going to get some guys coffee change, or his lunch money. Go for the lunch money. He may have been planning on having a steak for lunch. So once you’ve finished the song that seduced those people in, be sure to tell one or two of them a little about yourself. Speaking to the masses while busking lets people sneak off, because they figure “someone else is listening too”. Single one or two of them out, aim for the ones that look like they’d be having that steak. Speak loud enough to those people that others can hear your plight. “I actually just do this on my days off when I’m not working at the Childrens Hospital”. Don’t turn into a chatty Kathy though, or a sob, if you lose their attention, you lose their money. On to the next song.

Plan a decent playlist

On occasions where people are actually listening to you, you don’t want to be scratching your head thinking “What could I play next?” – Have it written on your hand, a piece of paper, or on the back of your guitar. Find a consistent flow between songs. You may have heard of the 80/20 rule in business. The same applies here. Have 80% of your songs geared towards the majority (ie covers from the last 25 years that people will recognize immediately) – Then fill the remaining 20% with songs you enjoy playing or hearing. If you get a crowd on your 20%, stick with it. It might bring in some money.

Be grateful, not dead

If someone tosses in a couple quarters, don’t snap on them. It may have been all they had. I once saw a busker lose it on someone for throwing in less than he expected, and he lost it. He scared away all his potential clients. Needless to say he may have been one of those deranged buskers, or maybe he was just itching for a drug fix. Either way, he was rude. Be polite. Even if you look like a bum, or smell like one, if you’ve got a kind heart and a gracious smile, people may show compassion and be willing to give. A polite “Thank you sir” or “Thank you ma’am” is all it takes. You are providing your clients with a product, and that product is music (or whatever you do) along with a Warm Fuzzy Feeling. Without a “thank you” you are only giving away the thing you do. People will give again if they get the warm fuzzies. You may not ever see that money, but fellow buskers may. Share the love.

There isn’t much of a science to busking, just get out there, make some noise, be friendly. Talk to locals if possible, or other buskers. Ask them for tips. Ask them what the best corners are or which stores won’t chase you away with a broom. Remember to have fun with it. As soon as it starts feeling like work, then it might be time to quit. After all, you’re traveling to avoid that, n’est pas?

Busk A Move – A Guide to Busking is a post from: I Backpack Canada