Canada

Canada is a land of such immense scale that it feels like nature is operating on a grander canvas. It’s a place where cosmopolitan cities are merely the gateways to some of the most rugged and breathtaking wilderness on the planet—from the jagged, turquoise-hued peaks of the Rockies to the historic, cobblestone charm of the French-speaking East.

Your journey likely begins in the West, where Vancouver sits nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the snow-capped North Shore Mountains. It’s a city where you can go skiing in the morning and sailing in the afternoon. But the true call of the wild lies just a few hours away in Banff and Jasper National Parks. Driving the Icefields Parkway is an experience that defies description; you are surrounded by ancient glaciers, towering limestone peaks, and lakes like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, which are so blue they look like they’ve been edited in real life. Standing on the edge of these glacial waters as the sun hits the Victoria Glacier is a moment of pure, silent awe.

As you head East, the landscape shifts from rugged peaks to rolling prairies and finally to the historic heart of the country. Toronto offers the high-energy buzz of a global metropolis, dominated by the iconic CN Tower and its proximity to the thunderous Niagara Falls. But for a taste of Europe in North America, you must visit Quebec City. Walking through the fortified walls of Old Quebec, with its narrow streets, stone buildings, and the majestic Château Frontenac looming above, you’ll hear the lilt of the French language and smell the aroma of fresh crêpes. It feels like a time capsule from the 17th century.

Whether you are watching the Northern Lights dance over the Yukon, spotting grizzly bears in the Great Bear Rainforest, or enjoying a classic poutine in a Montreal bistro, Canada reminds you that there is still plenty of room in this world to breathe, explore, and be still.