As the second largest country in the world, Canada is a country so vast and so varied that it offers visitors an amazing choice of places to see and things to do. From the Maritime Provinces on the Atlantic coast, to British Columbia on the Pacific Ocean and north to the Arctic Circle, Canada traverses the North American Continent with cities as unique as the land itself. From the tiniest hamlet to the largest metropolis you can find it all in our neighbor to the north.

Quebec City

Having just turned 400 years old this is the oldest city in Canada. It is a World Heritage Site and for most Americans it may be as close to Paris as they will ever get. History is everywhere, from the Plains of Abraham to the Place Royal it is all around you. It isn't only history however, that draws the crowds here every year it is the sheer beauty of the city. The building with their shiny green roofs, the glittering silver churches the magnificent St Lawrence River all combine to paint a picture that you won't soon forget.

As you stand on Dufferin Terrace in the shadow of the Chateau Frontenac you will be entertained by the street artists and enchanted by the joie de vivre that is so much a part of the Gallic experience in Quebec City. Yet, it is not all French, these days Quebec City is very friendly to non-French speakers. You will have little problem finding someone who speaks English anywhere that tourist visit.

Food, glorious food, that is another thing that will draw you to Quebec. You can sit at an outdoor cafe almost anywhere in either the Upper or the Lower City and enjoy a cuisine that is guaranteed to make you want to learn to speak French. Steak and fries, mussels and fries, crepes, fantastic local fruit and bread that will have you saying "je t'aime Quebec" (I love Quebec) or more likely Je me souviens, "I will remember".

Victoria, British Columbia

At the other side of this magnificent country lies Victoria. Located on Vancouver Island off the coast of British Columbia this charming city gives a very different experience. Here we have all the old world charm of the English countryside and London. For a taste of a London, tea there is nothing better than a tearoom in Victoria.

Visit the Fairmont Empress if you want the total experience of the elegant British upper crust afternoon tea. If you would like to see how the working class enjoys their tea head out to The Blethering Place Tearoom, where the atmosphere is much homier but the food delicious. No visit to Victoria would be complete with a stop at Butchart Gardens. A former quarry has been converted into a fantasy garden with fountains, roses, and wonderful walks. If you have ever dreamed of taking a whale watching tour this is the place to do it, watching the orcas dance is hard to describe and amazing to see.

I could go on and on, Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax, St. John, Toronto, Ottawa, Churchill; Calgary the list is almost endless. Rest assured no matter what city in Canada you decide to visit you will come home with a new appreciation for our neighbor to the north or if you are from another part of the world with a new view of what this magnificent country has to offer.

Learn more about this author, Belle Starr.
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