CANADA

Stretching across six time zones, Canada is vast – in fact, it’s the world's second largest country. Ninety per cent of Canadians live in the well-developed cities huddled along the clement south, while the subarctic north is a sparsely populated tapestry of gelid lakes, boreal forests, chilly coves and snowy peaks.

This is a country that invites you into the great outdoors, with scenic rail routes and excellent roads that make it easy. And when you do accept the invitation, you’re spoilt for choice. In the west, the peaks of the Canadian Rockies loom large, while British Columbia’s lakeside lodges serve as hides for spotting grizzly bears. Meanwhile, the east is a picture of vineyards, farmland and maple forests, alongside the economic powerhouse of Toronto – gateway to the Niagara Falls – and the distinctly French-Canadian cities of Montréal and Québec City. You can also explore Canada’s distinct Indigenous heritage in the numerous First Nations settlements across the country.