Everything you read about Canada points to it being a top travel destination; Second largest country in the world, longest border in the world with the United States, one of highest standard of living in the world and the longest coastline in the world. Located in North America, Canada is a vibrant country filled with cultural diversity, spectacular natural environments and kind hearted citizens. Big cities provide fantastic food, different ethnicities and interesting founding history while the ecosystem overwhelms the senses, leaving you wanting more. Life is relaxed in in Canada, which the locals being well aware of the dreamland they live in.

The cities found in Canada vary and change mainly due to the different cultural influences, making Canada a great travel destination.

VANCOUVER is a city with all the boxes ticked which makes it a great travel destination. With a bustling city center filled with heart and passion, multiple beaches lining the coast and a dominate mountain range hugging the outskirts makes sure you never have nothing to do. Top attractions include Stanley Park, Vancouver Art Gallery and Granville Island. If you venture only twenty minutes from central city you find adventures waiting for you on Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Canada’s largest city TORONTO lies on the edge of Lake Ontario at the border with the United States. It is the multicultural hub of Canada with one in two residents born in different countries bringing with them their culture and traditions to enrich the city. Must see sights include the CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame and the Royal Ontario Museum. On top of everyone’s destination list should be a day trip to the magnificent Niagara Falls.

The most fascinating city found in Canada is MONTREAL with the world’s highest quality of life. North American and French influences mix together in Montreal creating a constantly evolving, creative culture, buzzing from day through to night. The Old Town in Montreal is definitely the top attraction, with historical buildings and multiple museums to visit. Montreal has also become the food lover’s paradise as its reputation as a cutting edge cuisine city rises. The Jean Talon fresh food market is the best place to visit to buy the best produce and eat like a local.

The chances are you will arrive in QUEBEC CITY and think you have ended up somewhere is Europe. Quebec City is unlike no other North American city and is the only walled city in Canada making it one of the top travel destinations in Canada. Spend days walking the cobbled streets, taking in the sites of the beautiful 17^th and 18^th century buildings and information regarding past battles between the British Empire and the French Empire. Outside the city walls lies the region of Quebec with green forests and stunning East Coast views.

The city with an eccentric culture, exciting atmosphere and stunning surrounding environment is DAWSON CITY. It is located 240km from the Arctic Circle and was foundered as a Gold Rush town in 1898. It is a destination for the summer, when the streets are filled with visitors and locals enjoying the activities at the local Saloons and the outdoor festivals. The natural environment also demands attention with canoes available to rent to explore the Yukon River and also tours through the old Bonanza Creek gold mine. Come September the weather decides the fate of most visitors, making them move on and leaving the locals to buckle down for long winter to revitalize for next summer.

Canada’s population is filled with a wide variety of nationalities making the CULTURE found across the country diverse and vibrant. Canadian Aboriginals represent Canada before the British and French influences and today numbers are still growing. The terms ‘Indian’ and ‘Eskimo’ are considered derogative and frowned upon.  Aboriginal culture is embraced throughout Canada through art, music, language and their way of living, which are still influencing the Canadian Identity. French and British culture are still prominent, with the east coast representing strong French influences and the west, British influences. Rivalry still occurs between the two cultures but both are huge factors in Canadian identity and create Canada into the wonderful travel destination it is today. MUSIC is a domain where all the cultural influences mesh and promote Canada is a truly positive light. Aboriginals, the French and British population have all contributed Canada’s music industry with popular artist consisting of Neil Diamond, Rush and Celine Dion.

Canada has had a constant relationship with the United States through history. The relationship between the two countries is very similar to a sibling rivalry especially in sports and media. The United States has dominated the film industry for decades, but Canada does not go unnoticed with locations in the country proving to be a cheaper, easier location to film than in the States. In the MEDIA spotlight for many years has been the abundance of Canadian comedians, the likes of Jim Carrey, Mike Myers and Michael Cera. The never ending stream of humour produced in Canada reflects back on Canadians personalities which are typically, relaxed and kind hearted.

There are five main SPORTS that are loved in Canada, Football (Gridiron), Basketball, Baseball, Ice Hockey and Lacrosse. Ice Hockey is the official winter sport and Lacrosse the summer.  Lacrosse is an interesting sport which is not very well known worldwide, but it is Canada’s oldest sport originating from the Aboriginals. It is played using a small rubber ball and each player having a long handled lacrosse stick with a loose mesh net to catch the ball. Internationally, Canada is most successful with their Ice Hockey teams, with the sport being the most popular spectator sport in the country. To see a game played in Canada is an unforgettable experience, where you will witness extreme pride and passion on display.

When you think of Canada you thoughts normally jump to the Rocky Mountains or Niagara Falls or just vast spaces filled with natural wonder. There is a reason for this, is because that is Canada and what makes it a dream travel destination! The National Parks in Canada are ranked amongst the best in the world and are home to Glaciers, Mountains, Rivers and majestic Lakes. Coastal Islands and the Arctic Circle also provide polar opposite environments that can be explored alone or with great guided tours.

Two words, CANADIAN ROCKIES. Running roughly along the border line between British Columbia and Alberta provinces, the Canadian Rockies dominate the landscape. The numerous peaks and ranges of the ranges block British Columbia from Eastern Canada, so in the 1880’s the Canadian Pacific Railway was built as a connection. Today you can take a variety trains through the Canadian Rockies and be wowed by the spectacular views and experience.

One of the top travel destinations in Canada is to one of the many equally as impressive NATIONAL PARKS. Banff and Jasper National Park are located in the Canadian Rockies and is so overwhelmingly beautiful; you will never want to leave. Glassy aqua blue lakes, rivers snaking around the mountains and giant Glaciers moving slowly down towards the road fill these parks with natural wonder. Prince Albert National Park located in Saskatchewan is very different from Banff and Jasper. Here endless prairies meet large sections of forests. Far east is Cape Breton Highlands National Park, which is great for hiking and mountain biking.

The NIAGARA FALLS might be one of the famous icons of Canada and on the top of everyone’s travel destination list. There is a reason for that. It is magnificent! Doesn’t matter when you visit, it always manages to impress and take your breath away. Niagara Falls is located on the border between Canada and the United States with one water fall in each country. The Canadian Horseshoe Falls is the larger of the two and can drop more than 100,000 cubic feet of water per second. The water flow of the falls is resourcefully used to create hydroelectric power. Fantastic boat tours are available to take you right up to the falls, to the point where you are hiding your camera from the water spray. Also you can go through tunnels to stand behind this powerful natural beauty.

An aspect not as well known about Canada is its lovely collecting of coastal ISLANDS. Queen Charlotte Islands or the First Nation name of Haida Gawaii, comprise of 6 islands and are low visited gems. Rainforests cover the islands making it the home for large amounts of vibrant wildlife and stunning flora. They are also home to the native First Nation people, who make this destination, overflow with culture and atmosphere. Grand Manan is located on the east coast of Canada with some of the strongest tides in the world. More populated than Haida Gawaii, Grand Manen provides awesome cliff views and the great Swallow Tail lighthouse. Venturing North there is an abundance of islands filling the Arctic Circle with are largely uninhibited.

With the vast and varying ecosystems in Canada, it is no wonder that a wide variety of WILDLIFE can be found throughout the country. The North American Beaver is a well known symbol of Canada, along with other well known mammals such as the moose, the caribou and the Canada lynx. The brown bear and grey wolf are large predators in Canada. The brown bear lives predominately in the Northern Provence’s, but the grey wolf territories cover majority of Canada. Far north in the Arctic Circle are the magnificent and mysterious Polar Bears. Having adapted over time to live in the harsh cold temperatures, there is now concern over climate change affecting their habitat.

It’s hard to decide where to start when travelling in Canada. So much to see and it is just so big! But it is a special country, with lovely, friendly people, filling up some of the most breath taking environments to be seen in the world. This dream travel destination has something for every type of traveller and once you leave, your first thought will be, ‘When can I go back!’

Tags: Aboriginal, british canada, Canada, Canadian Beaver, Canadian Rockies, culture, Dawson City, dream travel destinations, french Canada, Haida Gawaii, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, lifestyle, media, Montreal, music, National Parks, Native Candaians, Niagara Falls, North America, Quebes City, Queen Charlotte Islands, sports, Toronto, travel, Vancouver, Wildlife