Canadian
City Highlights

Canada is well known for it's vast expanses and untamed nature. Less known are its cities: They are Canada's unknown pearls and a visit to any Canadian city is highly recommended. What all Canadian cities have in common are cleanliness, low crime rates, friendliness, a close proximity to the surrounding nature and, most of all, a teeming abundance of culture, restaurants, coffee shops and things to do.

Canadian cities are graced by their having been designed for the people living in them. We've listed them in the alphabetical order of the province or territory in which they are located.

Vancouver, British Columbia

Located on the southwest coast of Canada, Vancouver is one of the world's most beautiful; with the Pacific ocean and the coastal mountain range as backdrops. Still a young city (founded 1886), it is the natural surroundings that make it so unique. The tempo here is laid-back and, rather than business and work, people here seem to be more occupied about what they'll be doing after work or on the weekends. A temperate climate, comparable to Paris, France, allows for a wide range of activities, year-round. During most of the year it is possible to ski, golf and sail - all in the same day! No wonder Vancouverites like to play…Tourism Vancouver

Recommended
· Stanley Park: Take a walk along the seawall circling Stanley Park, a unique 400-hectare refuge right next to the downtown area, and round it off with lunch overlooking English Bay beach.
·Grouse Mountain: If the gondola ride up doesn't take your breath away, then the view from the top will be. Lots of things to do once you're up there…
· Combine your stay with a ferry trip through the Gulf Islands to Victoria (see below).

Victoria, British Columbia

British Columbia's provincial capital, Victoria is a great place to visit. With Canada's best climate and ocean on all sides the city pays homage both to its old English roots and to the newer Canadian frontiersmanship. Not many cities this size can still call themselves cozy…Visit the Tourism Victoria website

Recommended
· Whale watching. Visit the Prince of Whales website
· Butchart Gardens: Just gorgeous!
· Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria
· High tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria. Second only to Raffles in Singapore?

Winnipeg, Manitoba

The capital of Manitoba, Winnipeg is somewhat of a sleeper. On the surface a mid-sized prairie city divided in half by the Red River winding through the middle of it. Take off the lid and you find a teeming cultural life: Winnipeg is home to one of Canada's premier ballet companies, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and acclaimed artists like Neil Young, the Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive. Above all, Winnipeg is home to a whole lot of prairie friendliness. Destination Winnipeg

Recommended
· Check out the cities many theatre and music experiences Theatre/music in Winnipeg
· An excursion to Winnipeg Beach Provincial Recreational Park combined with a visit to the Icelandic community of Gimli, both on the southwest shore of Lake Winnipeg, just 65-75 km from Winnipeg. Interlake Tourism

Fredericton, New Brunswick

The provincial capital of New Brunswick, Fredericton is a small, charming city, with a population of only about 50,000, steeped in early Canadian and Maritime history. New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province, and Fredericton is a living example. Both the Acadian (French-speaking) and Loyalist (English-speaking) cultures continue on in Fredericton through language, festivals, architecture and cuisine. Fredericton

Recommended
· A visit to the historic Garrison District, a National Historic Site, the city's premier heritage and festival centre. Tourism Fredericton
· Tall Ship Whale Adventures: Out of St. Andrews on the south coast of New Brunswick, just 90 km from Fredericton.
· For golfers: Kingswood Golf, named by Golf Digest as Canada's best new course in 2003.

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, and home to about 20,000 people, lies at the edge of the Arctic, in the heart of the wilderness, on the shore of the Great Slave Lake. It is, in large part, a product of its surrounding mineral resources; first gold and now diamonds, oil and gas.
Yellowknife has a reputation as a friendly little city, a happy reminder of its frontier past. In addition to the many aboriginal descendants of the Yellowknives, the Dogrib Dene and Metis there are people from all over the world here. It is estimated that over 25 languages are spoken here - a truly international and multi-cultural city. Yellowknife

Recommended
· Northern Lights: A spectacular, "free" light show put on in the northern night-time skies by Mother Nature herself. Most likely time to see them is September-May. Aurora Vacations - Yellowknife, NWT.
· Caribou Carnival: Held the last weekend of March each year, this festival puts an end to winter in Yellowknife. Entertainment, skidoo and dog races and feats of strength and skill.
· Canadian Championship Dog Derby: A three day, 150-mile race run on Great Slave Lake ice, held at the end of March, and part of the World Cup of dog sled racing.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax, Nova Scotia's capital, is much more than just a premier gateway into Canada's east coast and the northeast U.S.A. It's cosmopolitan, historic, maritime and rural. Just minutes from the city core you can find the small coastal villages, country charm and wilderness for which Nova Scotia is known.Destination Halifax

Recommended
· Halifax has a compact downtown core that is perfect for walking tours of 1-3 hours. The city's tourism office has put together some great tour suggestions, both by foot, or for out-lying regions, by car. Halifax tour suggestions
· Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Brewery: One of the oldest working breweries in North America. Learn all about Mr. Keith's famous beer in the Stag's Head Tavern.
· Bedford Institute of Oceanography. Canada's largest oceanographic research centre

Toronto, Ontario

Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is both the provincial capital of Ontario and Canada's largest city. Its population is cosmopolitan and international, in fact its the world's most diversely ethnic city by percentage of non-Canadian-born residents. Because of the city's low crime rates, clean environment and generally high standard of living, Toronto is consistently rated as one of the world's most livable cities. It's also a great place for visitors, boasting an unrivalled offering of ethnic culture, entertainment and cuisine. Toronto Tourism

Recommended
· Visit some of the many ethnic neighbourhoods; including two Chinatowns, Greektown, Little Italy, Portugal Village, and Little India among others.
· If you're a hockey buff and you're in Toronto, a pilgrimage to the Hockey Hall of Fame is mandatory. Hockey Hall of Fame
· CN Tower: It's the world's 2nd tallest building and it offers a spectacular view of southern Ontario that just can't be CN Tower

Ottawa, Ontario

Canada's capital Ottawa lies on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River, a major waterway that forms the boundary between Ontario and Quebec, while Gatineau lies on the Quebec side. Together they form the federally-designated "National Capital Region". Many of Canada's best museums and cultural facilities, as well as the Parliament Buildings and other historical structures and major institutions, are located in the Capital area. Ottawa's role as the capital of a bilingual Canada reflects in the city's bilingual cultural life, i.e. English and French. Ottawa Tourism

Recommended
· The Rideau Canal, with its 47 masonry locks and 52 dams, is Ottawa's prime waterway and is the oldest continuously operated canal in North America. It celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2007 and is Canada's nomination to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In winter, the portion of the 202 km long canal that runs through the city becomes the world's longest skating rink. In the summer, boaters enjoy its waters and countless others walk, run, inline skate or bicycle on the recreational paths that line its banks.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown, like the rest of Prince Edward Island in which it is the capital, is an extremely charming and friendly small city. It is known as Canada's birthplace as well as the home of "Anne of Green Gables". It's also a great starting point for a tour of the island, one of North America's prettiest. Charlottetown

Recommended
· A cycle trip around Prince Edward Island, with Charlottetown as your base. See our suggested cycle route
· Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic novel "Anne of Green Gables" and the tv-series of the same name have made this one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations. 2008 will be a special year here as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of the novels publication. Anne of Green Gables 100 years 

Montreal, Québec

Although French and English are the main influences Montreal is truly international with influences from all over the globe. Its unique energy and joie de vivre has a European flair and sophistication that combines the best of modern conveniences with old-world charm. Montreal is the centre of the Canadian fashion industry, Montreal is night life, Montreal is FUN! Tourism Montreal

Recommended
· Old Montreal: Once a fortified city, the old town is now a safe and vibrant community. Like Quebec City, it is very European in character: Cobblestone streets, café culture, historic 17th and 18th century architecture. Best time to visit is May-December.
· A Walk up Saint-Denis Street & Saint-Laurent Boulevard: Not only for shopping enthusiasts; this is where it "happens". Hundreds of great restaurants, boutiques, and shops, populated by hundreds of well dressed "beautiful" people.
Jean-Talon Market (Marché Jean-Talon): Not so touristy, and off the beaten path, which means cheaper prices and more genuine products.

Québec City, Québec

Located on the St. Lawrence River, Québec's Old Town (Vieux-Québec) has an old-world charm unique to North America and is the only North American fortified city north of Mexico whose walls still exist. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, as the "Historic District of Old Québec". 2008 is an extra good year to visit as "la vielle capitale" celebrates its 400th anniversary.

· 2008 is the 400th anniversary. The celebrations last from Jan. 1st until Oct. 19th but the BIG party is July 3-6th. / link title: Québec City's 400th anniversary celebrations
· Québec Winter Carnival. Quebec Winter Carnival
· The Montmorency Falls in Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, 12 km east of downtown Québec.
· A stroll through the city's oldest neighbourhoods, like Petit Champlain, Place-Royale and the Old Port.
· A stay at one of the world's only ice-hotels, that's right, a hotel built entirely of ice. Open, for obvious reasons, only in the winter months January through March. Ice-hotel.

Regina, Saskatchewan

Regina lies like an oasis on the vast Canadian prairie, bearing witness to its provinces economic foundation, i.e. agriculture, tourism, and oil and gas production, as well as its administrative function as the province's capital. Originally known by the Cree and the earliest settlers as "Pile of Bones", the city today is a busy and prosperous metropolitan centre with a rich cultural offering rooted in their prairie heritage. Tourism Regina

Recommended
· Wascana Centre: A 2,400 acre urban park in the heart of Regina is not only home to Canada's largest legislative building. It also includes museums, galleries, a skating rink and plenty of tranquillity.
· The RCMP Heritage Centre: As home to the RCMP for many years, Regina is still an integral part of Canada's famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Whitehorse, Yukon Territory

Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon Territory and accounts for more than 75% of the territory's sparse population. Originally developed as a supply centre for the Klondike Gold Rush it has become a modern, albeit small, thriving city. It has a dry, sub-arctic climate but surprisingly is ranked among Canadian cities with the most comfortable climate, partly because of its distinction of being Canada's driest city. It's serviced by an international airport but it also accessible by car over the Alaskan Highway, which also serves as the city's main thoroughfare. Visit Whitehorse

Recommended
· A drive to Haines Junction, the gateway to Kluane National Park - a magnificent wilderness area including Mt. Logan, Canada's tallest mountain.