Canada travel guide

Set on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, this smallish (in Canadian terms) national park boasts a beautiful coastal landscape of headlands, coves, islands and mountains. It's home to many seabirds and large populations of harbor seals and gray seals. There are plenty of both hiking and bicycle trails in summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails in winter. Le Grand Tour (8.7 km, 3 hours) hiking trail is really diverse and will take you along the rugged coastline, past beaches, on steep and narrow cliff tracks and through forest. Accommodation within the park range from camp sites and rustic shelters to yurts and cabins.

Ok. This one ain't cheap. But there is no better way to appreciate the scale and magnitude of the endless 'wild' that is B.C. than travelling by float plane. An eagle's eye view is the way God meant British Columbia to be seen, so why fight it? Even if only using the plane from Vancouver to Nanaimo or Victoria instead of the ferry, a float plane ride will easily be one of those Top 10 experiences you will tell your grandkids about. There are also sightseeing tours available out of the Vancouver waterfront. There are a couple of things in life where you have to splurge, even if you're on a tight budget. This is one of those times.

Orange Julep is an institution and a landmark in Montréal, and provides a 3-in-1 experience to the visitor. First, the giant orange-shaped building is a sight in itself and can be spotted from quite a distance. Second, the food served at this 24/7 greasy spoon is rather unremarkable, but out of the ordinary is the drink that accompanies the food. The eponymous Orange Julep, is a kind of sugary and foamy orange juice (rumour has it that eggs give the mixture its peculiar taste and texture). Third, in this former drive-in restaurant, the food used to be served at the cars, by carhops (yes, the rollerskating waitresses in old American movies). Sadly, nowadays, customers have to walk to the counter to order their food. But on Wednesday nights during the summer months, the place jumps back in time, and classic car owners line up in the parking lot to exhibit their Cadillacs, Chevrolet Belairs and other old cars while a DJ plays 1950s music. This is probably the most Americana you'll get in Québec.

Habitat 67 is a futuristic (even to this day) concrete housing complex. It was designed by the Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie and built for the World Expo in 1967. It comprises of 354 identical, prefabricated concrete modules stacked in various combinations, which together create 146 residences of varying sizes, each formed from one to eight linked modules. Each module is positioned cleverly to maximize privacy and make sure every residence has at least one private terrace. The multi-levelled urban environment also includes gardens, pathways and bridges. If you think the complex resample a LEGO structure, it's not far off, as LEGO bricks were used to built the first models. Unfortunately, the grounds of Habitat 67 are private, so it's only possible to explore the complex by joining a tour.
On a side note; there is an artificial wave in the St. Lawrence River just behind the north end of Habitat 67, where surfers and kayakers have fun.

When day temperatures start to rise above the freezing point, it means spring for most people. But for many in Eastern Canada and Northeastern US, it also means sugar time. In an old tradition inherited from the First Nations, some of the sweet maple tree sap that climbs up from the roots to feed the burgeons is intercepted midcourse and collected by maple syrup producers. This maple water is then boiled and reduced to syrup in a ratio of roughly 40:1. The province of Québec accounts for around 70% of the world's production and it is therefore here that you'll get the best chances to see the action, should you be in the area during this short period of time. Many "sugar houses" open to the public for 3 to 4 months (longer than the actual harvesting period) and serve traditional meals of eggs, ham, lard, beans, and pancakes, all drowned under rivers of syrup. Some commercial sugar houses can be quite big, overcrowded and tacky, so if you don't fancy being squeezed and rushed, ask the locals for their favourite smaller, more traditional, spots. Better yet: if you have the fortune of befriending someone who knows someone who knows someone's uncle who owns a private sugar house, you're in for a real treat!

Niagara Falls in Ontario are Canada’s largest waterfall by volume and Della Falls (440 m) in British Columbia are the highest. So Montmorency Falls (84 m) must settle with the title as Québec's highest waterfall (sheer drop). It's located a short drive from Québec City and the base is right next to the highway. There are bridges, boardwalks, viewing platforms, and plenty of stairs, all for free. The only things that cost are the cable car and zipline. The public bus runs straight to the top of falls, making it both a spectacular and cheap sight.

Iconic Niagara Falls is among the top tourist sights in the world measured by number of visitors (22 mill visitors per year). But when you first leave the tourist circus behind and walk up to one of the many viewing areas, you will be impressed. Niagara Falls consists of three waterfalls; Horseshoe Falls on the border, the American Falls which are entirely on the American side and the Bridal Veil Falls also entirely on the American side. The height is modest 57m and width about 800m, but the water flow is impressive; up to 2,800 cubic metres per second making Niagara Falls the third biggest waterfall in the world by volume (after Boyoma Falls in DRC and Khone Phapheng Falls in Laos). The city of Niagara Falls itself is a serious candidate as the most touristic city on the planet, but even that can be fun with the right mindset.

The spectacular aurora borealis is a natural phenomenon best viewed in the dead of winter and far away from city lights. Not surprising, as Churchill's tundra provides both requirements, its one of the best places in the world to view nature's own theatre unfold. With little pollution, clear night skies and comfortable accommodation, you won't have to stress or freeze to see the lights. Plexiglass 'aurora domes' keep you relatively warm while you wait for the show to start, but if you want to be surrounded by the dancing sky and hear the crackling of the lights overhead, contact one of the local operators to take you to their cabins by snowmobile. They often provide the necessary clothing, and layered with as much... animal as possible, you're sure to stay warm in the 40 below zero temperature while the hot cocoa will keep you satiated. The best time to view the lights are in winter from November to March. 2012-2013 is apparently the prime period to view them so get cracking and book your flight from Winnipeg, Manitoba's capital.

Even a tourist trap can have its value. Along the beautiful Highway 99 from Vancouver to Whistler, there are plenty of nice views to be had. But nice is not nice enough. A quick way to get some spectacular views over the Howe Sound is to get on the Sea-to-Sky Gondola. The quick ascent to 885 metres above sea level is not the only thing on offer. A series of well maintained hiking trails lead to magnificent (and highly photogenic) view points and suspension bridges around nearly every corner. While it can get busy on weekends or holidays, any other time it's just a quiet refuge above any hustle and bustle below.

The small town of Fernie is nestled into the foot of the Canadian Rockies, 300 km southwest of Alberta. Fernie was put on the map many years ago by its coal mining trade, but since the 1990s, it has gained much attention for another natural resource. During winter, the population increases as herds of passionate snow enthusiasts migrate to this non-commercialised wonderland to search out its world renowned "champagne powder". Fernie's ski resort is often voted as one of the top 10 resorts in North America, but somehow it has managed to keep its small town charm. All visitors here seem to blend into the local lifestyle, things are laid back and relaxed. For those serious about their riding/skiing and with proper avalanche training, the real action in Fernie is its backcountry. There is plenty of companies offering trips to experience untouched bowls and to make all your friends jealous with photos of you chest deep in powder.