| econd largest country in the world should by no means | | | | elsewhere. Travel west into Canada's serene |
| stand in the shadow of its more boisterous southern | | | | backwoods to discover Vancouver, a metropolitan |
| neighbor. Canada's 10 million square kilometers of land, | | | | diamond in the rough of British Columbia's rugged |
| lakes and life brings its own signature flavor to the | | | | wilderness. Ski Whistler's nearby slopes or enjoy a day |
| North American continent. Travel through Canada is a | | | | of sailing, then flex your cosmopolitan muscle in the |
| truly mind-opening experience for even the most | | | | evening with a stroll through the acclaimed Vancouver |
| seasoned vacationer. | | | | Art Gallery and appetizers at Canada Place. |
| The region has been inhabited since the retreat of the | | | | Visit Vancouver for a taste of Canada's blossoming |
| last ice age, creating nearly 10,000 years of aboriginal | | | | multiculturalism and international flavor. For a slower |
| history. Vikings roamed Canada's arctic shores long | | | | and more intimate pace, discover Nova Scotia's capital |
| before Europeans began bickering over land rights | | | | of Halifax in the northeast. This revamped harbor town |
| during the 16th century. The French settlers founded | | | | has become Canada's Hollywood, with a large number |
| Quebec City in 1608 while British explorers populated | | | | of movies and shows being filmed along the charming |
| the Atlantic seaboard and Hudson Bay. European | | | | avenues. |
| wars exacerbated Franco-British tensions until the | | | | Unlimited Supply of Adventure |
| American Revolution sent British refugees north, tipping | | | | Canada's Northwest and Yukon Territories offer some |
| the balance away from the French. Canada was | | | | of the most pristine stretches of natural beauty in |
| finally unified under a constitution in 1867, while | | | | North America, along with the best light show around |
| maintaining ties to the British crown. Since then, a large | | | | complements of the Aurora Borealis. Kluane National |
| Quebec sovereignty movement has emerged in the | | | | Park protects Yukon's World Heritage Sites and |
| French speaking province and has gained momentum | | | | Canada's highest peak. In Alberta, Banff and Jasper |
| at the federal level. | | | | National Parks provide the most spectacular views |
| Canada's Untainted Urban Gems | | | | from the Canadian Rockies and a visit to Canada's |
| Canada's cities are as diverse as its territory is | | | | Glacier National Park, British Columbia, is imperative to |
| expansive. French-speaking Montreal is the largest city | | | | witness the retreating ancient glaciers. With 39 National |
| in Quebec and arguably the liveliest in Canada. After | | | | Parks and Reserves, Canada provides an infinite stock |
| the 1976 Montreal Olympics, the Biodome de Montreal | | | | of breathtaking encounters. |
| filled in the empty stadium with four actively maintained | | | | Due to Canada's extreme northern latitude, travel is |
| ecosystems and numerous living exhibits. The | | | | best enjoyed during the summer months of July and |
| collection of species is nothing short of phenomenal. | | | | August, even if the days are extremely long or |
| Montreal has a thriving museum culture (buy a | | | | endless. Winter sports can be enjoyed in many resorts |
| 3-museum pass) and an irresistible nightlife, boasting | | | | year-round; however, December and January tend to |
| the largest dance floor in the country and a pioneering | | | | be unbearably cold and dark, particularly in the northern |
| music scene with an eclecticism not to be found | | | | regions. |
