Canada is a vast country with six different time zones. It is surrounded by the contrasting Pacific and Atlantic seaboards. Canada has a lot of rivers and lakes that can satisfy your urge to do some fishing and enjoy water sports. It offers a variety of sightseeing options, ranging from the cosmopolitan cities like Ottawa and Montreal to the lonely and isolated Eskimo regions alongside the frozen seashores of the Hudson Bay. The Rocky Mountain provides some breathtaking views of the valley. Here are some of the happening vacation spots which will serve as a guide for an exciting tour of Canada.
Capital of Canada
Ottawa is famous for its historic Rideau Canal, which is connected to the Ottawa river. Also, the Parliament building is a historical monument worth paying a visit to. In Ottawa, you will get to see a perfect blend of traditional and modern art in the form of many museums. The Museum of Civilization is one of them. Many historical artifacts are preserved here, along with their background information. The National Art Gallery is one more place which has a magnificent collection of photographs, sculptures and artwork of many famous artists like Group of Seven, Monet, Picasso, Renoir, Van Gogh and Bacon etc. If you are a crazy shopper; especially outdoor shopping, then Byword Market is the place for you. This market dates back to more than 200 years. With a cheerful atmosphere at any time of the day, this market is an absolute must-see.
Banff Gondola Mountaintop
A gondola ride is the best thing to do in the Banff National Park; situated in the heart of the Canadian Rocky mountains. It boasts of extremely breathtaking bird-eye views in 360 degrees during its eight minute ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. The Gondola elevates you from the height of 698m to 2,281m. After arriving at the Upper Terminal, there is no end to the fun and adventure. The Banff Skywalk is a 1km self-guided route, that takes you to the Sansone's Peak Meteorological Station and Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site of Canada. The 'interactive giant compass' is also present at the Upper Summit Terminal. The conserved local wildlife of Canada including the bighorn sheep of Rocky Mountain is unforgettable. Though these animals are friendly for most parts it is still advisable to keep a safe distance, as they are wild animals after all.
National Treasures
Canada has more than 42 National Parks. The Parks like the 'Bar U Ranch' is the birthplace for ranching in Canada. The Cave and Basin National Historic Site is an open-air mineral pool with growing mats and algae. The Discovery Boardwalk Trail, situated above the bathing pavilion, the Marsh Boardwalk Trail, the Sundance Trail and many more small walkways are enough to let you know the history of this Park. There are naturally occurring warm mineral springs inside the cave.
Conservation Parks
The Glacier National Park protects the Columbia Mountains Natural Region. Endangered animals like mountain goat, caribou and grizzly bear are protected here along with the unique stands of old-growth hemlock and cedar trees. The Rogers Pass is also situated here. The scenic and mountainous Jasper Park is a world heritage site. The Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Glacier is also located here. The Kootenay National Park is rich in its ecology and landscapes. Yoho National Park is where the secrets of ocean life and animal communities are presented.
Niagara Falls
There is no need for an introduction to this amazing creation of nature. It is situated on the Niagara river, on the international border of the Ontario and New York. There are two falls, with The Horseshoe Falls being the larger one and the American Falls being the smaller one. Niagara Falls is the main tourist attraction in Canada and the most favorite spot for honeymooners. 'The Maid of the Mist', which is the oldest tourist attraction, is named after an ancient Ongiara Indian mythical character. This cruise ship carries the passengers to the whirling thunders of the falls from both sides.
Adventure Sports
Hiking is the main attraction in almost all the national and provincial Parks. Canada's long-distance foot paths include the Voyageur Trail, surrounding the northern shores of Lakes Huron and Superior, the 690km Bruce Trail from Queenstown on the Niagara River to Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula, etc. Both cross-country and downhill skiing can be enjoyed in all the major cities like Toronto, Ontario, Montreal, Quebec and all the major resorts. Canoeing is one of the major attractions. You can do both boat and airplane drop-offs. Canoeing gets the most challenging in the northwest territory and in British Columbia, where rivers and lakes in Ontario also provide exciting opportunities. You can also enjoy Ice hockey, American football, Canadian football and soccer, especially in Toronto, where these sports are hugely promoted.
Shopping
Toronto is the most famous shopping spot in Canada with its high-end, discount stores, huge shopping malls and designer shops. St. Lawrence Market and Eaton Center in Toronto are some of them. West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, is named as the world's largest shopping mall by the Guinness Book of World Records. It contains more than 800 stores, 110 eateries, a hotel, and a huge water-park. 26th December, Boxing day, is the Shopping Day of Canada. It is the day when you can get great bargains. You can buy the best butter tarts, ice cider, Neige Apple Ice Wine, foreign coins especially 'The Toonie' and the triple-layer chocolate Nanaimo bars here.
We can say that, Canada is the country where you can experience the hype and noise like New York city; tranquility and peace of old English countryside and the wilderness of Africa at the same time. So, are you packing your bags for Canada?
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