Best Cities to Live

1. Melbourne, Australia

This vibrant city at the Southern end of Australia is a treasure trove of beaches, seaside esplanades and quirky antique shops. Edgy urbanites co-exist with aboriginal culture in a city that grooves with urban culture. Melbourne is just an hour away from the Great Ocean Road, a stretch of coastal cliffs bursting with wildlife and hiking trails. The Grampians mountain range are also just several hours’ drive away. It’s definitely my favorite city in Australia, just be careful, you might never want to leave.

2. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona: progressive, new-age, explosive and colorful. The hip crowd can hang around the beach at Barceloneta, while the artistic ones can mingle around works of Gaudi. Barcelona, best experienced on a hop on hop off Barcelona bus tour, is a sprawling city with the conveniences that every cosmopolitan city has, yet it has completely come to its own.
Spain might not be ranking tops in the European ranking of infrastructure or GDP, but everyone who’s been there knows about the immeasurable quality of life. The three most important things in life for the Spaniards – cerveza (beer), siesta and fiesta.

3. Singapore

Coming in at number 1 in Mercer’s 2009 Worldwide Infrastructure Ranking, Singapore is definitely one of the best places to live in Asia. There’s not just low crime rate, but also excellent connection with the world, good career opportunities, high standard of living and a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Urbanites who like living in a metropolis will definitely appreciate the vibrant nightlife and entertainment establishments available. Being a bilingual nation also helps a foreigner get by easily.

 

4. Prague, Czech Republic

One of my favorite cities in Europe- Prague is cheaper than most west European countries, but has equally stunning architecture, historical monuments and rich culture. In terms of security and stability, it is also on par with its neighbors. The weak currency makes cost of living here much lower as well- an important point to consider when relocating. The proximity to neighboring Germany and Austria also make it a good base to explore the area.

5. Dubai, UAE

Ranking as the top Middle Eastern city in the quality of life index,  Dubai has been an expatriate-hub in the recent years. Plenty of friends looking to work abroad are seeking out opportunities in Dubai and it looks like they’re doing better than before. Quoted as ‘the fastest growing city in the world’, Dubai is now home to the tallest building, largest man-made marina and the most luxurious hotel in the world. Adventure seekers can also head out to nearby sand dunes to surf in the sand.

6. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is the most influential city in the whole of South America, despite its economic debacle in 2002. Stretching from old neighborhood like San Telmo to the swanky riverside zone of Puerto Madero. the city holds on to its history and culture like no other. Littered with gorgeous architecture, melancholic tango bars and antique shops, Buenos Aires is reminiscent of Europe, yet completely its own. A unique place to live and smell culture, this is the perfect place to live for art lovers who seek a bohemian lifestyle.

7. Seattle, U.S.

Surrounded by magnificent mountain range, Seattle is said to be one of the best residential cities in the U.S. Being the 13th largest metropolitan area in the States, it’s neither too big nor too small. Temperatures are also milder here, which means comfortable winters and summers. There’s a vibrant music scene and plenty of outdoors options from boating to hiking.

Adventure of Traveling in Africa

African Adventure

 

Swimming in Devil's Pool, Victoria Falls

© Zambia Tourism

For those seeking thrills beyond the every day adventure of traveling in Africa, there are many options. The top adventure experiences in Africa I would recommend are:

• Hot air ballooning over the Serengeti Plains. It's a real thrill to be floating above the acacia treetops following the hoof steps of thousands of zebra and wildebeest on their annual migration.
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  Wildebeest from Above

  While we missed seeing the great migration, the Serengeti never disappoints and we still got to see plenty of wildlife including wildebeest ... more below
  
• Canoeing down the Zambezi. This a canoeing and camping trip rolled into one with enough crocodiles and hippos around to really keep you paddling.
• Walking safari in Zambia. Find out how to approach an elephant without getting charged while experiencing the earthy smells and sounds of the African bush.
• Bungee Jumping -- try it off the Victoria Falls bridge. Nothing quite like giggling hysterically while bouncing upside down viewing the world's greatest waterfall. Once you've finished your jump you can calm yourself down by white-water rafting down the wild Zambezi river, or a swim in the Devil's Pool.
  
• A Motorcycle Tour, whether you fancy retracing the steps of the old Dakar Rally, or want to experience the wild Omo River region in Ethiopia, there's a motorcycle tour for everyone.
• Join a salt caravan between Timbuktu and Taoudenni in Mali. The Touareg have been carrying and trading salt for thousands of years and if you are very adventurous you can join them on this incredible journey in the heart of Dogon country. The camel trek lasts about 40 days through the beautiful but brutal Sahara desert.
  
• Ride a Bike - it's the green way to go, and your pace matches that of the local environment. You can take the epic Cape to Cairo route, or simply enjoy a day of rugged mountain biking through a wildlife park.
• Tracking Mountain Gorillas in Central Africa. There are only around 800 Mountain Gorillas left in the world and luckily enough you can actually get to visit them in their natural habitat. Tracking gorillas is fairly strenuous and you may get charged at, but the experience is unforgettable.

African Safari Destinations,Beaches,Natural Wonders

With more than 50 countries to consider, making a decision about where to go on vacation in Africa can be quite daunting. Africa is incredibly diverse and you can experience different cultures, languages, fauna, flora and topography in every individual country.
Figuring out what you would like to see and do while on holiday in Africa is probably the best way to decide where to go. This is especially helpful if your time in Africa is limited to one or two weeks. If you have a month or more to spend in Africa then it is probably best to consider an Overland Tour so you get to experience several countries and get more of a taste of the 'real' Africa.


Below you'll find a list of activities which will introduce you to the best Africa has to offer:

African Safari

Lions, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

© Anouk Zijlma

Many visitors to Africa are interested in going on a safari. The best countries to visit if you want to see the 'Big 5' in particular are: Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Botswana. For the Great Annual Migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra, you need to head to Kenya or Tanzania, depending on the time of year... 

• Kenya offers some of the cheaper safari options but is probably the most crowded as well.
• Tanzania offers the ultimate safari experience with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, The Serengeti and other great parks in the north, as well as the wild beauty of Selous and Ruaha in the south.
• Botswana is at the luxury end with many exclusive camps offering wonderful game viewing for small groups.
• South Africa is great for its wide variety of wildlife especially in the Kruger area, north of Johannesburg. South Africa is also a wonderful family safari destination because it offers some excellent malaria-free safari options.
• Zambia is the best destination for the more adventurous souls who want a true bush experience on foot. South Luangwa National park is home of the fantastic "Walking Safari".
• Rwanda and Uganda are the best destinations if you are interested in tracking Mountain Gorillas.                                                                                                                                                   
  
  Africa's Beaches
  
  

  Anse Source D’Argent Beach, La Digue

  Getty Images/Buena Vista
  Europeans have been enjoying beach vacations in Africa for decades and Americans are starting to discover the joys of combining a beach holiday with a safari and a dash of African culture.
  
• Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco have plenty of beach resorts and there are tourist packages available for all budgets.
• South Africa boasts some of the best beaches for sunbathing and surfing. You can even share your beach towel with penguins, and you can easily add on a safari to your itinerary.
• Kenya has some good beaches on the Indian Ocean and is very popular with Europeans who flock to Malindi, Diani and Lamu. Zanzibar in Tanzania offers white sands as well as an interesting history and culture. Mauritius and The Seychelles Islands off the East African coast are simply idyllic for divers and beach lovers. In West Africa, Gambia and Ghana have some lovely beaches as well.
• Africa's many lakes also offer good beaches and swimming, Lake Malawi is particularly popular with backpackers, but you have to be careful with Bilharzia, a parasite that lives in lakes and rivers throughout the continent.
• For diving, Egypt's Red Sea coast ranks among the world's best. If diving with sharks is what you're after, South Africa has some wonderful opportunities to get close to the Great White.
• Ghana's western beaches are wonderful to explore, lots of budget guesthouses, friendly fishing villages and plenty of opportunity to play some drums and enjoy a few cold beers. Watch out for currents!                                                                                                                                       Africa's Natural Wonders
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  Sahara Dawn, Tunisia

  © Anouk Zijlma
  The scenic beauty in almost every country in Africa is legendary but some sights truly stand out and are worth a trip in themselves. These include:
  
• The stunning Victoria Falls along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The spray is so impressive from the look-out points, it feels like you are in the middle of a torrential rainstorm. The Victoria Falls are one of the Natural Wonders of the world and something you just have to experience.
• Namibia's Fish River Canyon is not as well known internationally but is second only to the Grand Canyon in the US. You can take a five-day hike in season that will leave you tired but elated. Luckily a spa greets you at the end of the walk.
• There are many spectacular mountain ranges but the most famous mountain in Africa is its tallest, Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania). Rising 19,336 feet out of the savannah with a permanent snow-capped peak, it's worth a trip even if you don't plan to climb it. More about - Best Treks in Africa.
• For greenery you shouldn't miss the rainforests in the Virunga Mountains (Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC) which are home to the last remaining Mountain gorillas.
• Personally I love the stark beauty and romance of the desert. The dunes of the Sahara desert do not disappoint. The best places to enjoy a trek on a camel and spend a night in a bedouin tent include Tunisia and Morocco. There are some particularly spectacular dunes in Sossusvlei, Namibia.

Tourist Destinations in India

India is very very diverse – probably the most diverse of countries that you will find on this earth. We have some of the Coldest places in Kashmir, A place that has highest rainfall in world – Cherrapunji, and also one if the driest places on the Earth – The Thar Desert. Adding to that – More than half of Indian boundary is home to beautiful beaches. And don’t forget that Northern part of India hosts Himalayan Ranges snow capped mountains.
Mix all this with different cultures and hundreds of Languages and Dialects – You have a got a potent mix of diversity. If you really think, I really am amazed that with such diverse people & geographies how do we operate as one single democratic country !

The Top 10 Tourist Destinations in India

Agra

Agra’s Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world, the mausoleum of Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, and one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra.
Completed in 1653, the T?j Mahal was built by the Mughal king Sh?h Jah?n as the final resting place for his beloved wife, Mumt?z Mahal. Finished in marble, it is perhaps India’s most fascinating and beautiful monument. This perfectly symmetrical monument took 22 years (1630-1652) of hard labour and 20,000 workers, masons and jewelers to build and is set amidst landscaped gardens.

Jaipur / Udaipur

Jaipur is also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is a very famous tourist and education destination in India.

Lots of people flock to Jaipur to view the various forts and monuments in Jaipur which reflect its glorious past. Tourism is a significant part of Jaipur’s economy. Some of the world’s best hotels are located here.
Forts & Monuments

• Hawa Mahal
• Amber Fort
• Jaigarh Fort
• Nahargarh Fort
• City Palace
• Jantar Mantar
• Jal Mahal
• Rambagh Palace
• Chandra Mahal, The City Palace, Jaipur
• Diwan-e-Aam, City Palace
• Central Museum, (Albert Hall Museum)

Goa

Goa is Famous for its pristine beaches, infact 90% of all the tourism in Goa happens only for its beautiful beaches in Coastal Areas. Goa has two main tourist seasons: winter and summer. In the winter time, tourists from abroad (mainly Europe) come to Goa to enjoy the splendid climate. In the summertime (which, in Goa, is the rainy season), tourists from across India come to spend the holidays.

In 2008 there were more than three million tourists reported to have visited Goa, more than half million of whom were from Foreign visitors. Infact, many foreigners have made Goa as there home for its laid-back and relaxed lifestyle !

Kashmir

Kashmir was once called Heaven on Earth, and once of the most beautiful places in the world. However, in last couple of decades, terrorism has faded its charm – A place home to Himalayan Ranges.

The State of Jammu & Kashmir has main three geographical regions known as “The Lesser Himalayas” or the “Jhelum Valley” (Kashmir), “The Inner Himalayas” or “The Indus Valley” (Ladakh & Frontier areas) also called “Trans-Himalayas”, and “The Outer-Himalayas” or “The Southern mountain range” (Jammu). The area of Jammu & Kashmir is 2, 22,236 square kilometers.

Kanyakumari

Though there are several places of tourist-interest in the town and district, Kanyakumari is especially popular in India for its spectacular and unique sunrise and sunset. The confluence of three ocean bodies – the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea – makes the sunrise and sunset even more special. On balmy, full-moon evenings, one can also see the moon-rise and sunset at the same time – on either side of the horizon.

Kerala (Backwaters)

Kerala, situated on the lush and tropical Malabar Coast, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Named as one of the "ten paradises of the world" and "50 places of a lifetime" by the National Geographic Traveler magazine, Kerala is especially known for its ecotourism initiatives, Beautiful Backwaters and Alternative healing massages.

Old Delhi

Delhi, Capital of India has many attractions like mosques, forts and other monuments that represent India’s history. The important places in Old Delhi include the majestic Red Fort. New Delhi on the other hand houses many government buildings and embassies, apart from places of historical interest.

The Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb have been declared World Heritage Sites.

Ajanta Ellora

Ajantha & Ellora are 28 – 30 rock-cut cave monuments created during the first century BC and 5th century AD, containing paintings and sculptures considered to be masterpieces of both Buddhist religious art and universal pictorial art.
The caves are located just outside the village of Ajantha / Ellora in Aurangabad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Since 1983, the Ajanta & Ellora Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Darjeeling

Darjeeling in India owes’ its grandeur to its natural beauty, its clean fresh mountain air and above all, the smiling resilient people for whom it is a home. Known for its natural splendor, Darjeeling’s best gift to its’ visitors is the dawn of a new day. The mountains awaken first with a tentative peeking of the sun.

A steep ride, five kilometers from Ghoom, or an invigorating walk up a steep incline, leads sun worshippers to Tiger Hill. The air is chilly with darkness and damp. To the east, a dull orange sun emerged painting the sky with brilliant strokes of magenta, gold, orange and fuchsia. The snow capped Everest, Kabru, Kanchenjunga, Jannu and other peaks slowly emerge from slumber to start a new day. The sun worshippers gasp at the magnificent sight.

Mysore

Mysore is a tourism hot spot within the state of Karnataka and also acts as a base for other tourist places in the vicinity of the city. The city receives the maximum number of tourists during the period of the Dasara festival when festivities take place for a period of 10 days. One of the most visited monuments in India, the Ambavilas Palace (also known as Mysore Palace) is the center of the Dasara festivities.
Hope you have found this Top Ten Tourist Destinations in India article interesting. If you have any questions, do drop in a comment

Best European Destination 2012 – PORTO

The Portuguese northern city of Porto, the second largest city in the country, was elected Tuesday the “Best European Destination 2012” winning the title over 19 major European cities.
Sponsored by the Tourism Offices across Europe the voting was carried online involving multiple social networks and a total of 212.688 voters.
Porto offers a variety of resources and historic authenticity to its visitors. Discovering Porto means discovering what makes it different: the famous Port Wine, an Historical Center designated World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, Museums, enchanting parks and gardens, according to the European Travelers Choice.
Lisbon, the winner of the tittle  in 2010, was voted 8^th place in the contest. The other top best destinations for a holiday or city-trip in 2012 included Dubrovnik, Vienna, Prague, Brussels, Berlin, Budapest, Florence and Edinburgh as the most voted destinations after Porto.
In 2010, Porto had won 4th place among the 10 top best value 2012 world destinations.
Porto,  population 237,559 (2011),  has undergone a remarkable renaissance in the last two decades. At the mouth of the Rio Douro, the hilly city  presents a diversity of styles from narrow medieval alleyways to extravagant baroque churches, romantic little squares and wide modern boulevards.  A millenary city, Porto is also internationally known for exporting the famous Port wine.
European Consumers Choice is an independent non-profit-making organization based in Brussels created to recognize companies skilled in producing innovative and intelligent designs for easy to use products. European Consumer Choice in partnership with tourism offices also rewards the best holiday destinations in Europe.
Using Eurostat’s annual tourism data and experts’ professional advice, a central jury selects 20 towns to compete for the “European Best Destination” title.
European citizens vote online to select their preferred destination and the town which receives most votes (over a period of 21 days) is awarded the trophy for best European destination (Lisbon 2010, Copenhagen 2011). Every year our jury and partners in the field of industry, design, tourism and the specialized press select products on the basis of their originality, innovative features and exceptional qualities.

Top Ten Countries with Largest Areas of Forest

Top 10	Country	SQ KM	SQ Miles	% Of Total
1	Russia	8,087,900	3,122,756	47.9%
2	Brazil	4,776,982	1,844,402	57.2%
3	Canada	3,101,340	1,197,434	33.6%
4	USA	3,030,890	1,170,233	33.1%
5	China	1,972,900	761,741	21.2%
6	Australia	1,636,780	631,964	21.3%
7	Dem. Rep. of Congo	1,336,100	515,871	58.9%
8	Indonesia	884,950	341,681	48.8%
9	Peru	687,420	265,414	53.7%
10	India	677,010	261,395	22.8%

Top 10 Biggest and Popular Rainforests in The World

Rainforests are the forests who get the high rainfall throughout the year between 1750-2000 mm. The monsoon trough plays an important role in creating these rain forests. Rainforests have a large amount of unique plants, animals, insects and microorganisms and some are still undiscovered. These rainforests are the jewels of the Earth, because natural medicines are there and 28% of oxygen turnover is because of them. Normally rainforests have two types that are tropical and temperate rainforest.
There are a large number of rainforests in the world, and they affect our global climate very much due to the fact that they absorb a vast quantity of carbon dioxide, they are a source of timber and animal products for us, they are also tourist attractions. So people here we have this list about the top 10 rainforests of the world and if you ever get a chance to visit them, you really should do that!

10. Emas National Park and Chapada Dos Veadeiros, Brazil

These are located in the Center-West Region of Brazil and have a cerrado ecosystem and have a large amount of unique wildlife in it. Animals like the giant anteater, giant armadillo, maned wolf, and jaguar and pampas deer are present there. These are known for their rich vegetation and wildlife.

9. Sinharaja Forest, Srilanka

This is located in the south-west Sri Lanka. It has more than 60% of endemic and rare trees. They have the most unique species of birds and animals. This is known as the virgin forest with natural streams, springs, rivers, waterfalls, animals like leopard, monkeys, insects like butterflies and moths and has the plants like medicinal herbs and rare trees and shrubs.

8. Montecristo cloud Forest, El Salvador

This is a very thick and protective forest and has many rare species of animals and plants like ferns, oaks, laurels, orchids, owls, spider monkeys, anteaters, pumas and toucans.

7. The Monteverade Forest, Costa Rica

This one has a canopy-level cloud cover and a continuous supply of moisture which raises the plant production here. This forest is abundant with vegetation and unique animals including reptiles, mammals and birds like three-wattled bellbird, bare-necked umbrellabird, keel-billed toucan, long tailed manakin and howler monkeys.

6. The Mount Kinabalu National Park, Malaysia

This park is the botanical paradise of flora and fauna and has variety or species of plants like 4,500 and 289 species of birds and 290 types of butterflies including the Kinabalu Giant red Leech and Giant Earthworms.

5. Sapo National Park, Liberia

This is also a virgin rainforest and a humid one, they have the unique species of vegetation like choleras and flesh-eating micro-organisms. But this one is really a human threat forest like while visiting this place, inform the authorities before going there.

4. Alaska’s rainforests

These are the temperate type rainforests and have the unique species of plants and animals here like the tall stands of spruce, hemlock and cedar trees and mosses, wild flowers and berries of different types are found here. This one is really perfect for the nature lovers. image source: www.elisetomlinson.com

3. The Amazon Rainforests

This one is called the home to the largest rainforest of the earth. This covers the 40% of the South American continent that includes countries like Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname. This is made of different types of ecosystems and vegetation types like rainforests, seasonal forests, deciduous forests, flooded forests and savannas.

2. Ecuador’s Cloud forests

This is lush and cooler than the lowland rainforests and these have less mammal species but have the El Monte reserve of Central American Agouti, Ocelot, Margay, Red Brocket Deer, Paca, Tayra, Andean Coati, Three-Toed Sloth and White Fronted Capuchin Monkeys.

1. Daintree, Australia

They have the coolest reef system and is a tropical rainforest. It is said that they contain 30% of the frogs, marsupial and reptile species plus 65% of bat and butterfly species and 18% bird species are found here. Over 12000 species of insects are also found in this rainforest.

Top-Ten Places to Visit in Canada

my Top-Ten might seem unorthodox, but if you've been to any of these places you will agree that these are Canada's Top-Ten Best Places to Visit.

10. Prince Edward Island

Green pastures and the distinct red-soil cliffs make Prince Edward Island a great destination for travellers who are just looking for some relaxation or a fun day at the beach. Take a car to get around, the island is not big so you could see everything in a day.

Prince Edward Island

9. Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa is the Capital City of Canada and a great place to soak in Canadian culture. The Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill or the RCMP march are always popular sights, along with some world class museums. There are also many parks and bike paths that make summer outdoors fun. The winters aren't bad either. The Rideau Canal, which connects the Ottawa River to the Great Lakes for leisure boaters, makes for the longest skating rink in the world when it freezes.

Ottawa, Ontario

8. Kelowna, British Columbia

Where do Canadians go on vacation? Kelowna, BC. In the heart of the Canadian Rockies is the Okanagan Valley, a river-valley that has some of Canada's best weather. Warm in the summer and mild in the winter; the most you can ask for in the Great White North. The valley produces Canada's world famous B.C. apples (illegal in the U.S.) and wine. The Valley has a marina for the avid boaters and many golf courses. Relaxing at the beach or sitting on the porch of a lakeside cottage is everyone's idea of the perfect destination.

Kelowna, British Columbia

7. Churchill, Manitoba

You might be wondering why Churchill? Well hear me out, Churchill, Manitoba is a small town in northern Manitoba on the shores of the Hudson Bay. The town is the Polar Bear Capital of the World (sightings are year round), Beluga Whale Capital of the World (sightings from late June to late August), and one of the best places to catch a glimpse of an Aurora Borealis or Northern-Lights (sightings from late November through to late March). No-one ever forgets a visit to Churchill. It's the best place to connect to the many wonders of mother nature.

Click thumbnail to view full-size

Aurora Borealis, Churchill, Manitoba

6. Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver is a great place to see and do anything and everything. You can enjoy the city's night life, ski at Whistler and go whale-watching along the coast. Camping, hiking, and boating are also just a few of the things you can do when in town. If you love the outdoors and want to see some real wildlife, Vancouver should be on your itinerary.

Vancouver, British Columbia

5. Niagara Falls, Ontario

 
It's one of those unfortunate 'luck of the draw' things I'm afraid to say, because the majority of the Falls are technically in the United States. This would be fine except that to see it, you have to be on the Canadian side. That's why Niagara Falls lands on Canada's Top-Ten list. To get to the other side there is a pedestrian bridge that links Canada with the United States without the inconvenience of border patrols, yeah!
This tourist town is great for sightseeing and if you happen to be in Toronto, Niagara Falls is not far. Niagara Falls is also a popular place to get married, competing with Las Vegas for favourite wedding destinations. Niagara Falls was also rated as the World's Most Romantic Place.

Niagara Falls, Ontario

4. Quebec City, Quebec

Visiting Quebec City is like taking a tour of France in North America. Quebec culture is rich and unique from the rest of Canada, and no-where is it as evident as it is in Quebec City. The world famous Chateaux Frontenac overlooks the St. Lawrence River on a cliff that was once a French Fort. The Old-City is contained in an stone wall that once protected the city from the British Navy. The City Fortress makes Quebec City one of the last walled cities in the world.

Quebec City, Quebec

3. Montreal, Quebec

Montreal is perhaps my all-time favourite place to just walk around by myself. No other city will allow you to be on a hill overlooking the city from above; shop at fancy French boutiques; dine at some of the best restaurants in the world; see old historic buildings and modern skyscrapers; enjoy a vibrant nightlife; and watch the sun rise and set at the port - all within walking distance. You will feel as if you have walked into a different dimension. Being the world's second largest French speaking city (second only to Paris) some would compare it to France. I on the other hand believe that Montreal is in a league of its own.

Montreal, Quebec

2. Banff, Alberta

Banff is great but a little over-crowded at times. Best to take in the nature experience during the off seasons. But it doesn't matter what time of year it is, there is always stuff to see and do in Banff. Having been to Banff many times, I have never gone and not seen either a bear, elk, deer or mountain goat. With the guaranteed wildlife sightings, you will always enjoy your stay at the Banff Springs Hotel. Be sure to take advantage of their outdoor hot-springs while you are there. Reservations at the hotel are made months in advance but don't fret because there are many other hotels in the area.

Banff Springs Hotel, Alberta

1. Lake Louise, Alberta

The picture says it all. Deep in the Canadian Rockies a large turquoise lake trickles from the thousands year old glacier in the distance. The Fairmont Hotel is world class and books visitors months in advance. But don't let this deter you from visiting, there are many camp-grounds that make visiting fun and affordable.

Lake Louise, Alberta