From coast to coast, the second-largest country in the world is full of modern cities and stunning landscapes. In wintertime Canada becomes a wonderland for skiing and snowboarding at the spectacular snow-capped peaks of famous resorts like Whistler and Banff in the west, and the European-style ski village of Mont Tremblant in Québec in the east.

The city of Vancouver sits on the US border, surrounded by water on three sides and bordered by the majestic North Shore Mountains. The cobbled streets of Gastown neighbor one of the country’s largest Chinese communities, while the stone Seawall winds around sprawling Stanley Park. In the east, the city of Toronto is located on the cool waters of Lake Ontario, where you’ll find a lively arts scene and a seemingly endless array of cuisines to savor. Montreal is the core of Canada’s French identity, home to imposing 18th- and 19th-century architecture, cafe culture, and an internationally renowned jazz festival.

Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined — more than two million — including the picturesque Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories, the magical Lake Superior in Ontario, and the largest lake in the country, Lake Huron, with more than 3,000 miles of coastline and hundreds of beaches to enjoy.

There are numerous natural wonders to explore in Canada, including the fjords in Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park, Mount Thor on Baffin Island in Nunavut — home to the greatest vertical drop on the planet, at over 1,250 metres — and the iconic Niagara Falls in Ontario. Spectacles like the Northern Lights in Canada’s Great North draw visitors to one of the few places on earth where you’ll witness this natural phenomenon.

There are a host of vacation rentals, homes, and cabins to make your stay in Canada memorable. In winter, most places are very cold, with temperatures often below zero in many places, while snow covers the ground from December to April. This draws winter sports lovers from far and wide to some of the best ski resorts on the planet, especially in the Canadian Rockies. In spring and autumn you can expect a mix of pleasant sunny days and colder rainy days. In September, movie buffs and celebrities flock to the world-renowned film festival in Toronto.

The hottest regions in summer include British Columbia, Southern Alberta, and major cities like Toronto and Montreal. Coastal cities like Victoria and Halifax are often milder, making them popular for those who don’t like it too hot. Parades, fireworks, and celebrations mark Canada Day on July 1 throughout the country.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is one of the most serene places in Canada. The island is connected to the eastern mainland in New Brunswick by the 12.9-kilometre-long Confederation Bridge and boasts rolling green hills and red sandstone cliffs. Enjoy miles of sandy beaches and pristine waters, visit charming towns with local shops, enjoy locally caught seafood, and go lighthouse spotting. The Island is home to 63 of them, including the historic Point Prim and Cape Bear lighthouses.

Drumheller, Alberta

Travel to the heart of the Canadian Badlands to the dinosaur capital of the world. In the late 19th century, a dinosaur skull was found near the Red Deer River. Since then, hundreds more fossils have been found in the region. Visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum to see the dinosaur and fossil exhibits, and explore the Badlands on the Dinosaur Trail, a 48-kilometre scenic drive looping around the Red Deer River.

Whitehorse

Travel to the beautiful city of Whitehorse, the capital of Canada’s Yukon territory, which is a paradise for outdoor lovers. Miles Canyon is a natural wonder that can be reached on foot from the city. At the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, you can spot an array of local wildlife including Arctic foxes, elk, and bison. If you visit around the first few weeks of winter, you might witness the Northern Lights, one of the great natural phenomena.