Lumberjacks, beavers, hockey fanatics, Mounties and maple syrup spring immediately to mind. While Canada certainly provides all of these traditional associations in abundance, this awe-inspiring country has so much more to offer than a slew of cliches. With its unrivalled outdoor adventure facilities, its unforgettable natural landscapes and its exceptionally cosmopolitan and progressive cities, Canada has plenty to offer those seeking cutting-edge culture as well as adventure junkies looking for a serious adrenaline kick. Popular tourist destinations include: the magnificent Rocky Mountains around Banff and Lake Louise, high-end luxury ski resorts such as Whistler and Blackcomb, the French-speaking cities of Montreal or Quebec, or the uber-cool and perpetually bustling urban centres of Vancouver or Toronto. Whether visiting an Inuit lodge in Nunavut, taking a dog-sled ride through the Yukon to view the spectacular northern lights blaze across the night sky, or indulging in some lovely high tea on Vancouver Island, you are bound to find plenty of activities to keep you blissfully engaged in this exceptionally diverse and incomprehensibly vast nation.
If a subarctic holiday involving the chance to see polar bears and beluga whales grabs your fancy, then head off to Churchill, northern Manitoba. Situated on the west shore of Hudson Bay, the town has more than a few once-in-a-lifetime surprises in store. It is one of the top three places in the world to see the luminescent swirls and streaks of the northern lights. You can view polar bears ambling along the coastal ice from a tundra buggy and sail out on the Churchill River to marvel at and hear the sweet sounds of beluga whales - also known as "sea canaries". For the adventurous, there's snorkelling, kayaking, plenty of bird and animal life, and the town is an ideal base to explore Wapusk National Park southeast of Churchill.
As previously described
