Toronto, the capital city of Ontario, is a vibrant, multi-cultural city that boasts an incredible range of attractions and events. Perhaps its best-known landmark is the world-famous CN Tower, a national icon and one of the world’s tallest buildings. Visitors rocket to the top at 15 mph in a dizzying, 58-second elevator ride then enjoy 360-degree city views from the fine dining restaurant at the pinnacle. Visitors to Toronto can enjoy discovering the artwork and all the action in the boutiques, galleries, theatres and cafés of the pedestrian-only Distillery District, or hit the high-end boutiques on Bloor Street and at the Eaton's Centre. Later they can take in world-class theatre, opera, symphony and more in the booming theatre district or head for the Beaches, the city’s popular lakefront neighbourhood where sidewalk cafés, trendy restaurants and pubs welcome everyone from bohemian artists to financiers.
Sitting at the head of its eponymous fjord in the Qeqqata municipality of Greenland, the lively town of Kangerlussuaq is known as the ‘safari’ capital of the country. The area is home to approximately 3,500 musk oxen as well as arctic foxes, polar hares, reindeer, gerfalcons and a range of other unusual bird species. Kangerlussuaq boasts the nation’s busiest airport making it a popular point of transit. The town also offers a variety of recreational facilities including an indoor public swimming pool, a sauna, a whirlpool, a sunbed, and an 18-hole golf course. Natural attractions include the magnificent Russell Glacier as well as an extraordinary ice sheet in the Isunngua highlands. Originally created by Americans in the Second World War, the town has an interesting history - learn more at the Kangerlussuaq Museum.
The charming town of Sisimiut, situated just 40 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, is the northernmost town in Greenland. Identifiable by its colourful homes dotted amidst snowy landscapes, this charming little hamlet draws in travellers from far and wide to enjoy its wonders. A nature lovers dream and an adventure seekers paradise, Sisimiut, offers a wide range of outdoor activities including dog sledging, snowmobiling and hiking around the remarkably varied surrounding terrain, as well as a unique open-air swimming pool that is supported on stilts so that the heat does not melt the permafrost. Don’t miss the fascinating Sisimiut Museum, home to an intriguing collection of ancient tools and household items, an inventory from the Old Church with the original altarpiece dated to approximately 1650, and numerous paintings from the 1790s.
Ilulissat is located on the western coast of Greenland at the southern end of Disko Bay, the country’s premier tourist region. The city is situated at the mouth of the immense Ilulissat Ice Fjord. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ilulissat Ice Fjord is a geographical marvel, where a constantly advancing glacier slowly feeds icebergs into the fjord. Hiking is very popular in the mountains and around the lakes of the region, and there are also opportunities for fishing and dog-sledding. In terms of cultural sights, the Ilulissat Museum pays homage to the explorer Knud Rasmussen, and the Ilulissat Art Museum holds works by Emanuel A. Petersen among others. Finally, boat trips to scenic Disko Island are easily organised via the company Disko Line.
Greenland was recently voted by Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 countries to visit, and the world’s largest island certainly lives up to its new found reputation as a hot travel destination. As the biggest non-continental island on earth, Greenland is blessed with vast expanses of untouched wilderness, magnificent glaciers, relaxing hot springs and the world’s largest national park, the Northeast Greenland National Park. As the central region of the country is covered by thick ice, the majority of the 56,615 strong population resides in the warmer coastal areas. This coastal strip is strewn with picturesque little villages dotted with brightly painted wooden cottages, a number of small friendly towns, and of course the lively capital, Nuuk Town. These urban areas offer an intriguing mix of modern convenience and traditional Greenlandic culture such as the use of dog-sleds as a primary mode of transport! With its fascinating and unique cultural eccentricities, its abundance of remarkable wildlife, and its unbeatable scenery, Greenland always offers a truly unforgettable and exceptionally adventurous holiday experience.
Resting on the Northern tip of Baffin Island in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada, Pond Inlet is a picturesque hamlet inhabited by a traditional Inuit community. This popular polar arctic destination boasts some spectacularly scenic surroundings characterised by dramatic fjords, glaciers, and icebergs. This magnificent wilderness area is home to a remarkable array of wildlife species including, among others: wolves, foxes, caribou, orca whales, and large pods of narwhals. Popular activities in the area include snowmobiling, dog team tours, cross-country skiing, igloo camping, boat trips for sport fishing and wildlife watching, or sea kayaking among the icebergs. Must-see sights include the Sirmilik National Park, which offers some excellent hiking; and the Tamaarvik Territorial Park, which is an ideal location for an adventurous camping trip.
Lancaster sound, also known as Tallurutiup Imanga is a marine protected area located in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada. The marine conservation area is protected in conjunction with the local Inuit community to conserve the rich biodiversity of Lancaster Sound and its connected waterways, as it is one of the Arctic’s most biologically productive marine ecosystems. Lancaster Sound is an area of stunning coastal beauty. It is surrounded by ice-covered mountains, deep fjords, tidewater glaciers, river valleys, and lush plains. Visit the Franklin Expedition graves at Beechey Island, hike on Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth, and cruise among icebergs at Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Located in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Beechey Island holds historical significance as a site of great exploration. It became renowned due to the tragic Franklin Expedition of 1845. The island's desolate landscape features rugged cliffs and icy shores, creating an eerie and haunting atmosphere. Franklin's crew members, who perished during their attempt to find the Northwest Passage, are buried here. Their graves, marked by poignant memorials, stand as solemn reminders of the perils faced by early Arctic explorers. Today, wildlife enthusiasts can spot Arctic species, and historians can immerse themselves in the narratives of exploration that still echo across this frozen frontier.
Located in the administrative region of Nunavut, Canada, the Kitikmeot Region encompasses King William Island, the southern portion of Prince of Wales Island, the southern and eastern parts of Victoria Island with the adjacent part of the mainland as far as the Boothia Peninsula. The region is home to a collection of protected areas including Ovayok Territorial Park, the North-West Passage Territorial Park, the Kuklok Territorial Park and the Queen Maud Gulf Bird Sanctuary. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the magnificent landscapes and local communities of the Kitikmeot Region. Popular outdoor activities include fishing, hiking, dog sledding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
As previously described
Situated on the north shore of the Great Slave Lake, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories, Yellowknife beckons adventurers, nature lovers, history buffs, and anyone yearning for pure nature. (If you had to draw a line from Yellowknife to the Arctic Ocean no road would cross your path.) A visit to the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre will assist you in making the most of it, but must-do’s include the scenic Ingraham Trail, a visit to the colourful houseboats of Yellowknife’s Old Town, and the exhibits at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. And if you’re there in winter or autumn, the Northern Lights will put on a show.
