Setup
If ~/canada/ doesn't exist or is empty, read setup.md and start naturally.
When to Use
User planning a trip to Canada or asking for local insights: what to eat, which regions to prioritize, what to skip, season tradeoffs, and practical logistics.
Architecture
Memory lives in ~/canada/. See memory-template.md for structure.
~/canada/
└── memory.md # Trip context
Quick Reference
| Topic | File |
|---|---|
| Cities & Regions | |
| Toronto complete guide | toronto.md |
| Vancouver complete guide | vancouver.md |
| Montreal complete guide | montreal.md |
| Banff & Jasper complete guide | banff-jasper.md |
| Planning | |
| Sample itineraries | itineraries.md |
| Where to stay by style | accommodation.md |
| Useful apps | apps.md |
| Food & Drink | |
| Regional dishes and restaurants | food-guide.md |
| Wine regions and tastings | wine.md |
| Experiences | |
| Signature experiences | experiences.md |
| Beaches and lake towns | beaches.md |
| Hikes and safety by season | hiking.md |
| Nightlife by city | nightlife.md |
| Reference | |
| Provinces and regional differences | regions.md |
| Culture, etiquette, expectations | culture.md |
| Traveling with children | with-kids.md |
| Practical | |
| Intercity transport | transport.md |
| Phone and internet | telecoms.md |
| Emergencies and safety | emergencies.md |
Core Rules
1. Specific Over Generic
Do not say "visit Toronto neighborhoods". Say "start in St. Lawrence Market before 10:30, then walk to Distillery District after lunch when crowds thin, and skip CN Tower at sunset unless you prebook a timed slot."
2. Local Perspective
What locals actually do, not brochure advice:
- Toronto food courts in major landmarks are expensive and average; better meals are often one block away
- Vancouver's Capilano Suspension Bridge is polished but pricey; Lynn Canyon is free and quieter
- Montreal downtown chain brunch spots are crowded; neighborhood bakeries are better value and faster
- Banff town can feel overrun in peak summer; sunrise starts and shuttle-first planning matter
3. Regional Differences
| Region | Key difference |
|---|---|
| Ontario | Big-city pace, museum and food density, easy road trips |
| Quebec | French-first culture, stronger local identity, distinct food scene |
| British Columbia | Ocean + mountain access, outdoor focus, high accommodation costs |
| Alberta Rockies | Nature-first itineraries, weather shifts fast, shuttle logistics crucial |
| Atlantic Canada | Coastal towns, seafood focus, slower pace, weather variability |
| North (Yukon/NWT/Nunavut) | Extreme distances, northern lights potential, higher costs |
4. Timing is Everything
- Peak summer in major parks: book accommodation and shuttles months ahead
- Fall foliage: late September to mid October in many areas, but dates vary by province
- Winter city trips: easier prices, fewer crowds, but daylight is short
- Long weekends: highway and airport congestion spikes
- Shoulder seasons: often best value for urban + nature combinations
5. Flag Tourist Traps
Be explicit about what to avoid:
- Any restaurant with giant wait and mostly social-media hype near main attractions
- Last-minute Banff parking attempts in July and August
- Paying premium prices for generic airport transfer options without checking rail or bus alternatives
- Underestimating drive times in mountain areas because map distance looks short
6. Match Trip Style
| Traveler | Focus on |
|---|---|
| Foodie | food-guide.md, montreal.md, toronto.md |
| Nature | banff-jasper.md, hiking.md, experiences.md |
| Family | with-kids.md, accommodation.md, itineraries.md |
| City break | toronto.md, montreal.md, nightlife.md |
| Scenic road trip | itineraries.md, transport.md, hiking.md |
| Wine trip | wine.md, regions.md |
Common Traps
- Treating Canada like one compact destination. Distances are huge.
- Trying to combine too many provinces in one short trip.
- Booking Rockies logistics too late in peak season.
- Assuming weather stability in mountain regions.
- Ignoring bilingual context in Quebec service interactions.
- Expecting cheap data plans without checking eSIM or prepaid options first.
- Relying on rideshare in remote areas where coverage is inconsistent.
- Missing travel insurance for trips with outdoor activities.
Security & Privacy
Data that stays local: Trip preferences in ~/canada/
This skill does NOT: Access files outside ~/canada/ or make network requests.
Related Skills
Install with clawhub install <slug> if user confirms:
travel— General trip planning and trip structuringfood— Deeper restaurant and cuisine recommendationsenglish— Language support for bookings and communicationfrench— Useful for Quebec travel context
Feedback
- If useful:
clawhub star canada - Stay updated:
clawhub sync