Canada

Canada is one of the most exciting countries to explore, from coast to coast, each province offering its share of incredible natural wonders with pristine beauty, different cultures, history and architecture to exciting cities like Montréal, Québec, Toronto to Vancouver and Calgary. In the east you will find the beauty of the Gros Morne National Park along with the cities of Halifax and St. John's. If you are looking for something a little wilder and remote then maybe hear towards Nahanni National Park, the Great Slave Lake and to towns and cities of Churchill, Whitehorse and Yellowknife. Here are just some of the highlights.

Ottawa is the Capital of Canada with its Parliament Hill that stands high above the Ottawa River. The 19th Century Parliament buildings are adorned in a Neo-Gothic style with the most prominent feature, the Peace Tower. During the summer months you can see the Changing of the Guard that takes place on the front lawn. The historic Rideau Canal area is a must visit place when in Ottawa.

Known as the birthplace of Confederation in 1864, Prince Edward Island has a history that dates back thousands of years. Visit the gabled house that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables in the Prince Edward Island National Park and don’t miss the site of Montgomery’s Cavendish home. Visit the iconic red sand of Prince Edward Island at Cavendish Beach where stunning rock structures tower from the beach, touching the cool waters of the Atlantic.

Protected by Parks Canada, Sable Island is only accessible by plane or boat. Anyone wishing to visit must obtain permission. Located roughly 300 kms from the Halifax Coast, the sandy island is one of Canada’s furthest offshore islands is home to hundreds of wild horses. Sable Island has come to be called ‘The Graveyard of the Atlantic’ as more than 350 shipwrecks have now been recorded.

Québec is like arriving into another country, with architecture that is some of the oldest and most surprising in Canada. Québec is home to cobblestone streets and the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac with a mix of heritage, culture and art. Must visit places include the Vieux-Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site spread across both the Upper and Lower Towns, the Citadel, the Plains of Abraham and the Place d'Armes.

Montréal has many beautiful historic buildings, this vibrant city has a waterfront where you can soak up the traditional atmosphere. Some of the must-see places include Rue Bonsecours, the landmark Marché Bonsecours, the stunning Notre-Dame Basilica and the vibrant Place Jacques-Cartier.

Toronto is an enormous city offering every kind of attraction one could think of including museums, galleries, music, dining, arts, theatre, sports and shopping. A visit to the CN Tower along the shores of Lake Ontario is a must, it is one of Canada’s most famous sites as is the Hockey Hall of Fame. Located just over an hour from Toronto is Canada’s most famous natural attraction, Niagara Falls, bringing millions of visitors every year no matter what the season.

The Forks in Winnipeg is a popular tourist destination with over 6000 years of history. Nestled in the heart of downtown, The Forks offers unique attractions, a plethora of dining choices, incredible shopping and live entertainment all year round.

Churchill, Manitoba, is known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World. Located on the shores of Hudson Bay, Churchill is a subarctic community boasting a large tourist industry, with many people flocking for their chance to spot a Polar Bear or a Beluga Whale. The Northern Lights can also be a spectacular sight as has bird watching become popular.

Situated on the border of Saskatchewan and Alberta, the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park offers a mix of grassland, wetlands and forests. Nature lovers will appreciate the gently rolling hills, beautiful lakes and the wide diversity of plants and animal life. Home to historic Fort Walsh and with zip lines and real functioning ranches for horseback rides.

Calgary is famously known for the Calgary Stampede. Held over 10 days it is one of the most widely anticipated events in Western Canada. Every July, the City of Calgary turns into a true western town and at the Stampede Grounds there are daily rodeo events, thrill rides, games, food and a nightly Grandstand Show.

Banff National Park is situated in the heart of the majestic Rocky Mountains and has some of Canada's most magnificent scenery with snowcapped peaks, glaciers and turquoise coloured lakes. The jewel in the crown is Lake Louise, where the green waters reflect the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Just a short distance is Moraine Lake, another impressive Alpine lake with an even slightly more dramatic surrounding. The Icefields Parkway, which runs from Lake Louise to Jasper, makes for an unforgettable drive.

One of Vancouver's many sights is the 405 hectare Stanley Park, on the west side of the Downtown area. Situated on a Peninsula, the park is surrounded by the ocean and home to huge Red Cedar and Douglas Fir trees. The Seawall, which rings the park, has an extensive walking, jogging, and biking paths designed for walkers and cyclists. Within the park are the Vancouver Aquarium, scenic Beaver Lake and numerous Totem Poles. Other must visit areas in Vancouver include Gastown, West End, English Bay and Granville Island.

Just two hours by ferry from the mainland is Vancouver Island, where you will feel like you have gone back in time, a great place for the nature lovers. You will also find the internationally recognised Butchart Gardens here.

With just a two hour drive from Vancouver you will arrive in Whistler the internationally famous ski resort of Whistler Blackcomb. Whistler is now a year round destination and has some unique boutiques, award winning restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.

Located on the Banks of the Yukon River, Dawson City is best known for its history of gold mining. Erected during the famous Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1800’s, many of the current buildings still resemble a frontier gold town. Dawson City has a unique culture, art and museums. When travelling past Whitehorse, over the mountain ranges and river valleys, one of Canada’s best kept secrets is the untouched wilderness of Wolf Lake. One of the few lakes that thee rare and beautiful Arctic Grayling calls home. Wolf Lake is also a fisherman’s paradise.