Canada

Canada is massive with wilderness, mountains, cities, and winter that stretches on forever. The distances are huge so you need to pick regions carefully. The national parks look stunning, the cities stay clean and safe, and everything costs money. Two weeks covers one or two regions properly. Summer runs short but shows the country at its best.

Canada Rocky Mountains and Banff

The Rockies draw most visitors for good reason. Banff and Jasper National Parks have turquoise lakes and jagged mountain peaks rising straight up. Lake Louise is the postcard shot with the glacier sitting behind it. Moraine Lake looks even better but fills up early so you need shuttles. The Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper runs as one of the most scenic drives on earth. Glaciers come down to the road and waterfalls drop from cliffs. Go in summer because winter closes roads and buries everything. Hiking trails lead to alpine meadows and mountain lakes. Elk wander through Banff town. The hot springs in the mountains let you soak with views. Canmore nearby offers cheaper accommodation than Banff town.

Canada Vancouver and West Coast

Vancouver has mountains meeting ocean in every direction. The city looks beautiful with Stanley Park and the seawall wrapping around the water. Granville Island market fills with food vendors and artists. The neighborhoods each have different vibes from hipster Commercial Drive to fancy Yaletown. Whistler two hours north has world class skiing in winter and mountain biking in summer. Vancouver Island across the water has Victoria with British colonial charm and afternoon tea. Tofino on the island’s west coast has wild beaches with massive waves and surfing year round. The Pacific Rim has rainforest meeting rocky coastline. Black bears fish in streams during salmon runs.

Canada Toronto Montreal and East Coast

Toronto is the biggest city with the CN Tower dominating the skyline. It’s clean and multicultural with every cuisine represented. Kensington Market and Chinatown show the diversity. Niagara Falls sits close and swarms with tourists but the waterfalls still impress. Montreal has European vibes with French language and culture mixing with North American energy. Old Montreal has cobblestone streets and historic buildings. The bagels and smoked meat earn their reputation. The Maritimes out east have coastline and fresh seafood everywhere. Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick stay quieter with fishing villages. Newfoundland pushes remote with icebergs floating by and whales breaching offshore. Winter hits long and cold everywhere. Like really cold with snow for months. Summer runs June to August with short spring and fall seasons.

Food mixes immigrant influences with poutine, seafood on coasts, maple syrup on everything, diverse restaurants in cities.