“What a big, friendly country.”

That’s the thought many travelers come away with after visiting Canada, the vast landmass sitting quietly above the USA.

And even though Canada has its share of political discontent – think secession threats from disgruntled states – the overwhelming feeling one receives in Canada is one of welcome and homeliness.

To take in all Canada has to offer, you need to devise a trip that combines its natural beauty – massive snowscapes, soothing estuaries, jagged mountains and plunging waterfalls – with its many great cities.

Let’s take a quick look at the top cities on any travelers to-see list.

Top Cities

Quebec City

Stroll through the streets of this French Canadian capital and you could be forgiven for thinking you had been teleported to Europe. Sitting high on a cliff face above the Lawrence River, Quebec City is protected by walls stemming from its battle-scarred colonial history.

The city was established by the French in 1608, captured by the British in 1759 and now serves as the capital of the Province of Quebec.

A great time to visit is during the Winter Carnival, which normally has about one million participants and features all kings of snow related fun.

Vancouver

The British Columbia capital regularly features at the top end of most liveable cities lists, and for good reason. Vancouver is an altogether agreeable place, featuring parks to walk in, lakes to row on and no end of museums and galleries to browse.

If you dig beneath the surface, you will find a host of interesting subcultures – busy Chinatown, hip coffee shop hangouts, cool young things in SoMa and more.

You could gloss over Vancouver in a couple of days, but if you stay a while longer you will get to see the real city.

Toronto

Talk about multicultural mayhem. The country’s most populous city is bursting at the seams with folks from every nationality you could think of. Sitting on the pristine Lake Ontario, Toronto is where to go to see any kind of live performance.

If you want music, theatre, ballet or street performance, chances are you can find it here.

Sports fans will also be overstimulated with the football, soccer, baseball, basketball and lacrosse stadiums that litter the city.

Into the wild

Banff and Jasper National Parks

You probably could not come up with a more awe inspiring, beautiful landscape than that of the Banff and Jasper National Parks. Mountains rise imperiously out of dense green canopies, rivers snake secretly among them, and distant animals catch your eye as they roam in an area almost untouched by man.

Prince Albert National Park

Lovers of camping, hiking and canoeing rejoice: Prince Albert National Park is the forested playground of your dreams. Start out in the tiny but delightful village of Waskesiu, before heading out on a three-day camp or a number of smaller trips. You won’t be disappointed.