Ottawa

Canada's Capital City

As Canada’s Capital and fourth largest city, Ottawa is a vibrant urban centre, full of culture and history. Located on the provincial border of Ontario and Québec, the city captures Canada’s unique character as both French and English can be overheard in its many parks and cafés. Whether you’re enjoying a skate on the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO heritage site, or watching the Canada Day fireworks from Parliament Hill, Ottawa is truly a four-season destination.

For the student traveler, the National Capital Region (which encompasses the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau, Québec) offers a rich variety of national museums such as the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Canadian War Museum, the Royal Canadian Mint, and the National Gallery of Canada to name only a few.

As visitors, students can learn about politics from a contemporary or historical perspective by taking a guided tour of the Canadian Parliament, the Governor General’s residence Rideau Hall or visiting the over 130 foreign embassies scattered around the city.

The downtown area is a breeze to explore on foot, whether walking along the pedestrian-only Sparks Street or shopping in the Byward Market or Rideau Centre. Regardless of the season, hardly a weekend passes without a major festival or cultural event. Some highlights include: Winterlude, the Tulip Festival, the Festival Franco-Ontarien and the aforementioned Canada Day celebrations.

The greater Ottawa area also offers many unique learning opportunities for students. Just a short drive from downtown you'll find the Diefenbunker; an actual underground bunker from the Cold War era and the ancient, glacial caves at Aventures Laflèches.

Contact us today to receive your own customized itinerary and price quote.