Family time in Canada: Unforgettable adventures for young and old!

Heiko and Melissa Schmetz from Solingen have a passion for traveling and want to introduce their daughters to the joy of discovery. When planning their trips, they noticed that there was little help for families with children. In order to close this gap, Heiko Schmetz began collecting notes and keeping a travel diary, which ultimately led to the publication of her book “Abenteuer Familienzeit”.

The book describes the family's two-month trip to Canada in 2023, during which they traveled through the country for eight and a half weeks, covering around 7,500 kilometers. During the trip, all family members celebrated their birthdays: the little one her first, the older one her third, while Melissa Schmetz turned 32 and Heiko Schmetz turned 34. The Schmetz family consciously decided to spend the night in rooms instead of a camper, which proved to be advantageous. Heiko Schmetz highlights the positive bonding experiences he had with his children during the trip.

Travel tips and practical information for families

In order to share the experiences of the Schmetz family, Heiko Schmetz created a list of 122 playgrounds that are suitable for traveling with children. These playgrounds should be inclusive, functional and equipped with well-maintained toilets. The book “Adventure Family Time: The travel guide for parental leave trips and family vacations with (small) children in Canada” has 237 pages and is available for 14.99 euros. It can be ordered via Amazon or borrowed from the Solingen city library.

Another report discusses the necessary preparations for family trips to Canada. Parents should note that EU citizens need a valid passport and children need their own children's passport. Furthermore, the Electronic Travel Authorization (Canada ETA) is required for every traveler. When traveling alone with a child, written permission from the other legal guardian is required. The current Corona rules should also be taken into account, such as registration in the ArriveCAN app and the vaccination requirements for travelers aged 12 and over.

The best time to travel to Canada is all year round, with summer from June to mid-October being considered ideal. For families traveling between September and October, Indian Summer offers breathtaking autumn landscapes. As a child-friendly travel destination, Canada also impresses with friendly residents and good infrastructure for children, including high chairs and play areas in restaurants.

For families who prefer the RV adventure in Canada, the good accessibility of the roads and the variety of RV providers should be mentioned. It is recommended that you reserve campsites in good time as they fill up quickly. The entire range of travel options speaks for Canada as an ideal destination for family holidays.

• Das Buch „Abenteuer Familienzeit“ ist über Amazon erhältlich.
• Reisevorbereitungen nach Kanada erfordern gültige Ausweisdokumente für Eltern und Kinder.
• Die beste Reisezeit für Familien ist von Juni bis Mitte Oktober.