GO WEST: Vancouver Island, BC Vancouver Island is a world of its own, even though it is just a four-hour ferry ride from the city of Vancouver (or half that time by plane.) Every part of the island has its own character, from the charming capital, Victoria, to the island’s wild north, where you may spot whales and bears. The area’s First Nations cultures are thriving: the U’mista Cultural Centre, showcasing the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw culture, is a great place to start. For a different vibe head to Tofino, a laidback surf town on the west coast that is also a great place for storm watching. And if you’re here in winter you can even take to the slopes in the Comox Valley, which also offers year-round golf and crystal-clear scuba diving. Or go underground at Home Lake Caves which are open all year round, the subterranean temperature sticking to a reliable eight degrees. See vancouverisland.travel GO EAST: Newfoundland Ever seen the heartwarming musical Come from Away, about the mostly American airline passengers stranded in Newfoundland on 9/11? It tells you something about the warm welcome you can expect on this island, where just half a million people are spread out across 100,000 square kilometres. Newfoundland is famous for iceberg spotting in spring and for its extraordinary landscapes: at the World Heritage-listed Gros Morne National Park, the dramatic geological forms include an ancient sea floor and the startling red of the exposed mantle of the Earth. More natural wonders are on show at Cape St Mary’s Ecological Reserve and Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, where you can marvel at tens of thousands of birds such as gannets, kittiwakes, storm petrels and puffins. And of course colourful St. John’s, the oldest and most easterly city in Canada, is another must-visit. See newfoundlandlabrador.com OUR CHOICE: The natural diversity of Vancouver Island, and the ease of access, is hard to beat. GO WEST: Calgary, Alberta Here’s the thing people get wrong about Calgary. They know that the biggest annual event here is the Calgary Stampede, and they assume this former cattle-ranching capital is still all about rodeos. There is actually a lot more to the Stampede than bucking broncos – including music, theatre and art, for starters – and there’s a lot more to Calgary too. This is a city with over 100 pieces of public art, and beautiful parklands ranging from Prince’s Island Park in the middle of the Bow River to the wonderfully wild Nose Hill Park that stretches over 11 square kilometres. You can also time travel in the 51-hectare Heritage Park Historical Village, or get into the groove in Inglewood’s Music Mile, lined with 20 different music venues. Still want more? Get your Jurassic Park fix on at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dinosaur Provincial Park, 2.5 hours out of town, the world’s single biggest source of Cretaceous fossils – around 300 all up. See visitcalgary.com GO EAST: Halifax, Nova Scotia Nova Scotia’s capital Halifax is a city shaped by the ocean. For years this North Atlantic port city was home to fishermen and shipbuilders, and even today its relationship with the ocean remains its defining feature. Take a stroll along the city’s four-kilometre waterfront boardwalk, lined with restaurants, galleries and shops, and you’ll see what we mean. There is plenty more to explore in downtown Halifax including the star-shaped Citadel, from which the noon gun still fires daily, and lively Argyle Street, where you can graze on some of the city’s best food and sample the local craft beer. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is the place to dive deep into local history, which includes a role in the Titanic tragedy. The recovered bodies of victims were brought here; you can see their graves in the Fairview Lawn Cemetery. Don’t forget to sample Halifax’s favourite food, the donair, the local take on the Turkish doner kebab. See discoverhalifaxns.com OUR CHOICE: It’s hard to choose between these two, but we’re giving it to Halifax because it’s so underrated. GO WEST: West Coast Trail The West Coast Trail, winding its way through the wilderness of Vancouver Island, is a bucket-list trek for many hardcore hikers. There’s nothing easy about this 75-kilometre trail: expect to struggle through deep mud, cross fast-flowing rivers, and scramble up and down more than 100 ladder systems, all while carrying a heavy backpack laden with all your gear. And did we mention the frequent rain and heavy wind? Despite all that, enough people sign up that you will need to book well in advance. What makes it so popular? The trail, following the paths and paddling routes used by the area’s First Nations, is a chance to immerse yourself in the island’s ancient temperate rainforest. Don’t expect any luxuries, apart from the Crabshack at Nitinaht Narrows, where you can enjoy a fresh seafood meal. And allow at least five nights to complete the trail, more if you are not at match fitness. See parks.canada.ca GO EAST: East Coast Trail Puffins, lighthouses, icebergs and endless ocean views are all part of East Coast Trail, a series of 26 paths along Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula that can done as shorter walks or – if you have the stamina and the time - a mammoth adventure totalling 300 kilometres. For an easy taster, try the 16-kilometre stretch between Witless Bay and The Cribbies, which takes in seabird nesting sites and a popular humpback feeding ground before finishing in the Tors Cove community with its cheerily painted houses. Other highlights include the Spurwink Island Path, with its massive sea arch at Berry Head, and the 12-kilometre Quidi Vidi Loop – technically not part of the trail but still notable for its beauty as well as for the chance to drink Iceberg beer, made with 20,000-year-old iceberg water, at the microbrewery in the fishing village of Quidi Vidi. If you want to get stuck into longer sections, a guided trip with the likes of World Expeditions is a good option. See eastcoasttrail.com OUR CHOICE: Given that only the hardiest will tackle the western route, the East Coast Trail is the clear winner. THE BEST OF CANADA’S NORTH Be entranced by the Northern Lights The Northern Lights are on display about 240 nights a year in the Northwest Territories and the capital of Yellowknife is a great place to see the heavens light up in extraordinary reds, blues and greens. See yellowknife.ca Paddle an Arctic fjord Kayak amid glaciers watching for whales and seals in Oliver Sound, part of Nunavut’s stunning Sirmilik National Park. Several tours operate during the summer months. See parks.canada.ca Hit the (ice) road Between December and April, driving along roads of ice several metres thick is the best way to get from one far northern community to another. Join a tour to experience this incredible sensation for yourself. See spectacularnwt.com Cruise among the Inuit A cruise through Canada’s deep north is an unforgettable experience, especially the chance to get to know some of the Inuit communities that have thrived here for centuries. See quarkexpeditions.com Ride the rapids in Nahanni The whitewater Nahanni River cascades through the national park reserve of the same name in the Northwest Territories. Spectacular canyons and mountains, sulphur hot springs and waterfalls twice as high as Niagara are part of the package. See parks.canada.ca