Canada

on every bit of land available in an area dominated by the pristine waters of the Strait of Georgia. There is nothing like a scenic flight over the city, a relaxing boat cruise around it or a fun bike ride through it to truly absorb Vancouver s remarkable scenery.

Vancouver is a truly cosmopolitan city and bursting with different nationalities, languages and cultures to explore, while it is also the national centre for the arts, sport and fashion. With some of the best shopping in the world and great value for Australian shoppers, you ll find everything considerably cheaper so be sure to leave plenty of room in your suitcase or take a spare The city itself is adorned with beautiful parks that only enhance its landscape, a perfect way to enjoy the sun or have a snowball fight in winter. Visit the world-renowned Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park for its unique gardens and UBC Botanical Gardens, the oldest continuously operating university botanical garden in Canada with a stunning array of plant species.

For an escape to the mountains nearby, take on the Grouse s Grind path that leads you 850m up the world s most hiked mountain. If you want to make it to the top without wearing out the body however, there is the Skyride Gondola that offers an easier way to enjoy the view. Enjoy nature and the Capilano River from a different perspective by walking across the, at times wobbly, Capilano Suspension Bridge. At 137 metres long and 70 metres high, it s not for the faint-hearted For an interactive science experience, visit the globe-shaped Science World British Colombia or for a glimpse of history, explore the UBC Museum of Anthropology with over 6,000 objects from British Colombia s First Nation.

Toronto

With a recognisable skyline crested with the distinctive spike of the CN Tower, the largest city in Canada, Toronto, is a true modern city. Toronto encapsulates the energy of New York and the order of clever urban planning and design, making it a large city more liveable than most. For incredible views of the city, climb to the top of the world s sixth largest free-standing structure, the CN Tower. Architecture buffs will enjoy a visit to the grand and imposing Casa Loma while nature lovers can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and seek solitude in the serene lakeside charm of Centre Island, also known as Toronto Island.

Calgary

The city of Calgary is probably best-known for its annual stampede. North America s premier rodeo, it spectacularly celebrates western heritage and values. The Calgary Stampede is held for 10 days every July and is also considered as The Greatest Show on Earth

Victoria

British Colombia s capital city, Victoria is labelled North America s most English city and boasts historic buildings, fascinating museums, colourful gardens, a scenic harbour and some fantastic cycle routes that make for an easy and fun way to explore this picturesque city. One of Victoria s top tourist attractions and a highlight for many is the magnificent Butchart Gardens. Internationally renowned, the gardens feature exquisite floral displays that are vastly different from season to season, though can be enjoyed immensely at anytime of year. Other activities that can be experienced from Victoria include sightseeing flights, whale watching and salmon fishing.

Banff

300kms north of Jasper sits the town of Banff. Primarily a resort town, Banff manages to retain its rural authenticity and offers a range of options to fully exploit the options of The Rockies. From the town you can take one of its numerous hiking trails across the region s green plains or, depending on your level of fitness, its more mountainous terrain. Have a go at scrambling, a unique mix of hiking and rock climbing, or, for a bit more exhilaration, grab a bike and tackle the famous Rocky landscape. The nearby Lake Louise is local icon and famous for its turquoise beauty set against a backdrop of picture perfect pine-clad mountains. In winter the area really lights up, with its three ski resorts providing a haven for fans of snow sports.

Whistler

It is Whistler however that is the place to be for an unrivalled skiing experience. Whether you are a skier, snowboarder, sledder or just there for a bit of beginner s fun, the resort town has all abilities covered and provides a genuinely fun experience. Whistler Village is a scenic place to rest a weary body after a big day in the snow and has won a variety of awards for its design and accessibility. It use as a destination of the 2010 Winter Olympics is testament to its ability to deliver the complete ski experience, and its two million annual visitors can t be wrong.

Whether in summer, autumn, winter or spring, Canada s wilderness offers an escape to nature unsurpassed anywhere else in the world.