We chose Canada because we had never been to North America and we were curious about its fauna.
Given the vastness of the country, we opted for the east: city, Atlantic coast and verdant nature, leaving the wilder west for another occasion. Our itinerary touched Montréal, Québec City, the Gaspésie promontory and finally Toronto.
Coniferous and moss forests that extend for hundreds of kilometers, often close to the ocean, and a continuous green that accompanies the journey are enthusiastic. The landscapes, although not too different from those of some areas of Northern Italy, are striking for their vastness and for the feeling of isolation: you drive for hours without traffic, immersed in the silence of the woods.
Cities and towns, on the other hand, left us with more mixed impressions. For those coming from Europe, accustomed to urban centers rich in history and cultural stratifications, the modern and functional imprint of Canadian cities may be less engaging. The smaller villages are often made up of wooden houses, pretty but very similar to each other, without a real center or a periphery. Everyday life revolves around the car and the great outdoors.
For us, who normally travel on foot or by public transport, it was surprising to see how difficult it is to do without a car: the distances are such that even the simplest activities require long journeys on state roads. It is an efficient organization, of course, but one that makes a slower and more pedestrian approach to the territory complicated.
Even from a gastronomic point of view, the experience was unusual. It is not so much a question of variety: what struck us is the almost total absence of a recognizable local cuisine. The offer is often reduced to fast food and burgers, which are not a satisfactory meal for us. It is the first time, after trips to Europe, Asia and Africa, that we have preferred to cook independently rather than eat out.
It was an intense journey, between long hours of driving and trekking, but full of discoveries and landscapes that leave their mark that are undoubtedly worth it.
