No trip to through Canada is complete without a cozy retreat to your very own cabin in the woods. Every year, tens of thousands of tourists flock to the serene nature reserves of Banff, Yukon, and British Columbia to unwind among pristine greenery and enjoy the kind of peace and quiet that only these parts of the world can offer.
If you’re in Canada and are about to embark on a nature retreat of your own, it helps to arrive prepared. Even if you’re heading to a nature lodge that is complete with WiFi and a 24-hour bar, it’s unlikely that your stay will offer the same amenities as a hotel in downtown Vancouver. Here’s everything you can do to prepare for your first Canadian cabin retreat.
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1. Choose Your Lodgings Wisely
The first and most important step is choosing where you want to stay. Canada has a hugely diverse range of rural retreat accommodations, all of which have their own individual merits. There are the threadbare log cabins that rarely come with running water, where you’ll have to chop your own firewood to stay warm. There are rural cottages that come equipped with electricity, internet, water, and the rest, but are nonetheless isolated. Then there are the luxury eco-lodges such as Le Grand Lodge in Mont Tremblant, which offers a concierge service, restaurant, bar, supermarket, and wellness activities on site.
2. Pack the Essentials
No matter what kind of trip you are embarking on, it is essential to pack what you need to see it through. If you have any existing medical conditions, make sure to pack more than enough medication to see you through the duration of the trip. Make sure to pack tick spray (and tweezers in case you get bitten), as well as plenty of sunscreen (regardless of the time of year) and proper hiking boots. You’ll want to pack for every type of weather, as the climate in the Canadian heartlands can be pretty volatile at the best of times. Consider every possible eventuality and pack for it, as you will not be able to pick up supplies from the local store once you arrive at your retreat.
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3. Bring Some Extra Entertainment
While you should be using your Canadian retreat to switch off for a bit, it’s important to keep in mind that there will be some long stretches where you may be in need of entertainment. Just the drive to many of the most popular nature destinations can take in excess of 12 hours, so it helps to have some ready entertainment to get you through. If you have a phone and internet access, then download some free e-books from sites like Amazon, Gutenberg, or iBooks. You can also access major online casino games platforms like NetEnt, which offer a lot of free slots to play that have themes and features to suit every type of gamer. Single platforms with lots of entertainment options such as these are your best bet for a long journey.
If you follow these simple steps, you’ll be able to enjoy a fun and trouble-free retreat in the Canadian wilderness. Remember to stay safe and have fun.