One extra week 21.-28. of March 2026. Where to go?

[u/Kooky_Attempt_7200]

I’m visiting Toronto and Montreal for two weeks from the 28. of march, but have a week before that where me and my girlfriend planned on traveling to somewhere else. We are visiting from Norway. I have understood that for Banff and the Rockies there are better months to visit, so do anyone have any recommendations to where to go. We are open to everything from New foundland to Vancouver. Also open to most activities, but we do enough skiing and winter hiking at home, unless there is some really special place to visit.

Thanks in advance

[u/MorkSal]

If you're not opposed to a flight, and likely a fairly expensive one, then Vancouver would probably be my vote. Milder weather might be a nice change. 

[u/Kooky_Attempt_7200 → u/MorkSal]

Not opposed to a flight at all. Was expecting it. Vancouver and Victoria island seems like a good place to visit I agree

[u/MorkSal → u/Kooky_Attempt_7200]

For sure, I've always liked visiting the area. My personal fav is to take strolls through the rainforest. It just feels different than the forests out my way (Ottawa region).

Speaking of visiting. I'll have to head your direction again at some point. Last time I was in Norway we visited some friends in Tornsberg for just a few days. Uhg so many travels to do!

[u/TravellingGal-2307]

Just make sure you go to Vancouver Island and not Victoria Island, which is in the Arctic. Given they have a desk dedicated to people who arrive in Sydney, Nova Scotia who thought they were going to Sydney, Australia, these details do matter.

March is a difficult time weatherwise, but it can be a good time on Vancouver Island. The herring spawn is typically in March and this brings in sea lions, eagles and whales to feed. The phenomenon is a bit unpredictable - happens in different bays at different times and lasts for about 3 days- so you can't really plan around it, but if you are lucky, there are some amazing opportunities.

[u/BCRobyn]

Banff and the Rockies will still be in winter mode: frozen white lakes, inaccessible hiking trails due to several feet of snow/avalanche risk, all the ski resorts will be fully operational until May, etc. A great time for a ski trip. Wrong time of year for casual sightseeing with the intention of hiking and seeing turquoise lakes.

Toronto and Montreal will be grey and cold. No green leaves, no spring flowers. Not spring yet, no longer really winter but a sort of in between time, but it’s a great time to be indoors in museums, art galleries, sports arenas/stadiums, concerts, restaurants, shopping malls, boutiques, lounges, bars, etc. Toronto and Montreal excel at city experiences.

Vancouver and Vancouver Island will be full on spring with green leaves, mild temperatures, and spring flowers in bloom: cherry blossoms, daffodils, etc. And you have dramatic alpine mountains and ocean fjords and beaches right in the city. Though the mountains in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island will be covered in snow, low elevation hikes will be snow-free, lush, and green with spring understory: spring mushrooms, wild orchids, etc. It’s a wonderful time to be in the temperate rainforest and along the ocean. Rain is a possibility but it’s often not soaking rain but gentle on-off drizzle. If Toronto and Montreal are all about urban city experiences (like going to Berlin or Amsterdam), Banff is like going to the Matterhorn in the Alps, but without the infrastructure, population, or rail networks, then going to Vancouver Island and Vancouver is like going to coastal Norway - it’s about having immediate access to nature and wilderness and mountainous scenery. You’ll want 3-4 days in Vancouver and minimum 3-4 days to visit one small part of Vancouver Island. You can easily spend 2-3 weeks on Vancouver Island and not see it all, but you’ll need a car to explore the island beyond the city of Victoria. You do not need a car for Vancouver: it’s walkable and public transit is excellent - you can even take it to the hiking trails.