Canada

I love Montreal for the quaint, cobblestone city streets of Old Montreal and the feel of being far from home. If you choose to travel there, make sure to brush up on your French because it is the native language. But don’t worry, Bonjour (hi) and Merci (thank you) will get you far!

Vancouver is ranked as one of the prettiest cities in the world. It is a perfect blend of modern urban features and a natural setting. Surrounded by mountains, ocean and forests Vancouver is a clean bustling city with a vibrant food and cultural scene mixed with an abundance of outdoor activities. It is a great weekend getaway destination or a starting off point to explore more of the Pacific Northwest.

Whistler is home of some of the best mountain biking, hiking and golf in North America. All of your activities are accessible from Whistler Village; you are in an epicenter of adventure! Plenty of wildlife to be seen, breathtaking views of the majestic mountains and lakes all around you. You can stay right in the village, or be as remote as you wish, and stay off the grid in the backcountry.

Vancouver, with direct flights from many US Cities, especially on the West Coast, makes for an easy weekend getaway with reasonable weather year round and plentiful nature opportunities. The city is close to the ocean, islands, forest and mountains so outdoor activities could occupy you endlessly. Foodies will love the city’s eateries full of sustainably sourced seafood and locally grown produce. Vancouver is also an easy launching point for exploring the islands of the Pacific Northwest, taking an Alaskan cruise or heading to Whistler.

We think Montreal is completely underrated and deserves a spot on your girls trip, family weekend away or romantic escape list! The city is bursting with undeniable European influence and culture, amazing food, colorful art, cafe culture, unique architecture, natural beauty and so much more. If you're wondering how to experience Montreal in an authentic way (we’ve got you, we lived in Canada for many years!) Here are six Canada travel tips for discovering the best food and culture in Montreal.

Whistler is the ultimate winter playground - think Disneyland for Adults (and kids too!). It was voted the #1 ski resort in North America for 2022 by Conde Nast Traveler, I couldn't agree more. I moved there with my family in January of 2016 and was lucky enough to call myself a local for the following 6 years! The rugged beauty of the mountains and the picturesque village at the base make Whistler stand out. While visiting you can enjoy some of the best ski/snowboard terrain, snowshoeing (and many other winter sports), wellness spas, fine dining, live music and plenty of après! This small town has something for everyone and every age.

Montreal is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec, beautifully located on the Saint Lawerence River and named after Mount Royal, a mountain in the center of the city. It's a wonderful way to feel like you have travelled to Europe without having to travel far if you live on the East Coast, and easy to fly into if you live elsewhere. Montreal is rich with food, wine, culture and the outdoors. It's a perfect place for a couple's getaway, girlfriends' weekend or fantastic for a family. It is the home of the Cirque Du Soleil and is broken up into different districts all having a unique vibe and flavor to them. The best times to visit is April to November, unless you are traveling to up ski at Mont Tremblant or love the beautiful cold weather.

My parents retired in Vancouver and so I make the trek there at least once a year, and have taken Alaskan cruises from its port twice. This is the easiest airport-to-cruise terminal experience you’ll ever have because of the excellent Skytrain network. But why not enjoy this lovely seaside city before or after your cruise? In the summer, the sun doesn’t set until after 9 pm, and having a car is optional!