According to topschoolsintheusa, in Manitoba – a real Canadian insider tip – visitors will find nature at its most beautiful and spectacular: endless skies, boundless wilderness, thousands of lakes, icebergs, prairies, deserts and a rich wildlife. In addition to spectacular natural scenery, Manitoba offers one thing above all: absolute tranquility, from the subarctic coast to the red, yellow and purple blooming fields. As the sun sets across the vast, flat country, the sky is just as colorful. Manitoba’s 100,000 lakes and swamps are home to hundreds of bird species. In addition, depending on where you are, there are wolves, bears, elks, beavers, polar bear and whale watching. Manitoba is a relatively sparsely populated province of Canada, but the few people who live here are known for their hospitality. They hail from many different countries including Iceland, Italy and Japan.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Air Canada (AC) connects Manitoba with the entire world. There are no direct flights to Winnipeg from Germany, Austria and Switzerland; Stopovers in Toronto or Montréal, among others.
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Winnipeg: 11 hrs; Zurich – Winnipeg: 11 hrs 40 mins; Vienna – Winnipeg: 12 hours 40 minutes (pure flight time in each case, without stopovers).
Arrival by car
Excellent roads connect Manitoba to Ontario (Highway 1 through Kenora), Saskatchewan (Regina) and the United States (Fargo, Minnesota and Bismarck, North Dakota). The road network within the province covers a total of around 20,000 km. Bus: Regional bus services are operated by the municipalities, long-distance Beaver Bus Lines (charter buses) serve many cities. Taxis are available in all major cities. 15% tip is customary. Tolls: There are no toll roads in Manitoba. Documents: The German national driving license is valid for 6 months in Canada. However, it is recommended that you carry your international driver’s license with you. All other nationalities require the International Driving Permit.
Arrival by train
VIA Rail Canada connects Saskatchewan and Ontario with Winnipeg in the south of the province. The Canadian connects Vancouver in western Canada with Toronto in the east, passing through Winnipeg several times a week in both directions. Timetables and prices are available from VIA Rail.
rail passes
The Canrailpass and Canrailpass – Corridor are also valid in Manitoba. For more information on Rail Passes, contact Via Rail Canada or CRD, or see Canada – Local Mobility.
Arrival by ship
The largest port is Churchill on Hudson Bay. The port is frozen for most of the year.
Passport and visa regulations
Entry with children
Since June 27, 2012, children need their own travel document (passport / children’s passport) for trips abroad (also within the EU). Entries of children in the parental passport are no longer possible.
Language
Overview
Although Manitoba is officially bilingual (English and French), English is the primary language spoken.
Winnipeg, the provincial capital, sits about halfway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans amid the vast prairies that make up most of southern Manitoba. Winnipeg is a cultural center with theatres, museums and galleries, a ballet and an opera. An architecturally remarkable building is the parliament building with Manitoba’s landmark, the “Golden Boy”. City attractions include the Manitoba Museum of Natural History and Folklore, which showcases the history of the prairie, the ICE Futures Canada grain market, and The Forks National Historic Site, which features a market, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and more offers more. St. Boniface, once a separate city, is now Winnipeg’s French Quarter. In the suburbs it is worth visiting the Royal Canadian Mint,
A cruise on Winnipeg’s Assiniboine River and Red River is both relaxing and informative. A trip on a historic train is also a unique experience. The Prairie Dog Central Railway’s steam-powered train connects Winnipeg with Grosse Isle and Warren. The train station is north of Winnipeg Airport. It’s not far from Warren to Lake Manitoba. Lake Winnipeg with its beautiful sandy beaches and numerous boat rentals is only a stone’s throw away.
Manitoba’s Pioneers and Settlers
West of Winnipeg, the Trans-Canada Highway runs through wheat country. The Fort la Reine Museum/Pioneer Village in Portage la Prairie commemorates the town’s days as a pioneer trading post (18th century).
Two National Historic Sites are located on the banks of the Red River: The Riel House and Lower Fort Garry. The latter brings the days of the 19th century settlers back to life just 25 km from Winnipeg. The Riel House in Winnipeg is dedicated to Louis Riel and the Métis.
St. Andrew’s Rectory, also just 16 miles from Winnipeg, demonstrates the important role missionaries played in the lives of 19th-century settlers.
Churchill, the polar bear capital of the world
Churchill, a subarctic port city on Hudson Bay in far northeast Manitoba, is accessible by boat or plane. Polar bears can be seen from here and beluga whales in the summer in Hudson Bay. The wonderful spectacle of the Northern Lights also fascinates visitors to Churchill all year round. On the coast is the more than 250-year-old Prince of Wales Fort, a National Historic Site that offers a glimpse of fur traders’ life in this subarctic region. A dog sled tour through the snowy landscape is also an unforgettable experience and in summer bird watchers will find the best conditions around Churchill.
Manitoba’s unspoilt nature
The almost 2800 square km large Whiteshell Provincial Park, which is a paradise for anglers and canoeists thanks to its large number of lakes and rivers, is located in eastern Manitoba on the border with Ontario. Hikers, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers will also find excellent terrain for their sport here. There are numerous resorts along Lake Falcon and Lake West Hawk.
The Riding Mountain National Park in southern Manitoba, about 250 km from Winnipeg, is known for its rich wildlife (bison, elk, deer, bear, wolf) and flora. Fatbike rentals available locally are great for exploring the terrain all the way up to the Pembina Escarpment (aka the Manitoba Escarpment).
Wapusk National Park in northern Manitoba is the 12,000 sq km natural home of polar bears. Arctic foxes, arctic hares and herds of caribou also roam this area, where the taiga and the arctic tundra merge.
Mennonite town of Steinbach
The German-speaking Mennonite town of Steinbach is located southeast of Winnipeg on the Trans-Canada Highway. Mostly Russian-born Mennonites and immigrants from Germany and the Philippines live here. The multicultural composition of the city’s population is reflected in the gastronomic offer of Steinbach.
Shopping
Overview
All towns in the province offer unusual boutiques and shops. North of The Pas is a Native American handicraft shop where visitors can watch Native American women making moccasins, mukluks, jackets and jewelry. The Rock Shop sells jewelry made from stones from the local quarry; if you want to collect yourself, you need a license. Shop opening hours: Mon-Wed and Sat 10am-6pm; Thu and Fri 10am-9.30pm; Sun 12.00-17.00.
Nightlife
Introduction
The National Film Association of Canada screens award-winning films for free once a month in the auditorium of the Winnipeg Planetarium. Numerous cinemas, theatres, nightclubs, restaurants and bars also provide entertainment. Moonlight cruises are available in Winnipeg on the Red River and Assiniboine River. The elegant Crystal Casino is located in the Fort Garry Hotel; here you can play blackjack, roulette and baccarat.
Culinary
Overview
Winnipeg has a variety of restaurants that reflect the cuisine of the city’s diverse cultural groups. There is also a good selection of inexpensive to exclusive restaurants outside of the capital. The restaurants in the hotels and motels are generally particularly recommended. 15% tip. Beverages: Must be 18 or older to purchase alcohol, however, those under the age of 18 may drink alcohol at mealtimes in the presence of a parent or guardian. Spirits can only be bought in state shops. The opening hours are from 11.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Accommodation
Camping
The biggest attraction are the large forest and lake areas in the north of the province, where there are a corresponding number of campsites. Several rental car companies rent out fully equipped campers. Additional information is available from the Manitoba Association of Campgrounds and Parks, Box 68, St Malo, MB R0A 1T0. (Tel: (204) 347 5543. Web: www.macap.ca), or from Travel Manitoba (see addresses).
Climate
Best travel time
Warm and sunny in summer, cold winters, especially in the north. Most rain falls between May and July.
