Vibrant urban centers are sprinkled across Canada's nature wonderland, from Vancouver in the west to the historic city of French-inspired Montreal in the east, to hip and bustling Toronto. Our city stay packages and self-drive trips are just the thing, while ski bums and snowboarders head to Whistler and other resorts in winter months. Of course, quality guide services for your very own Canada tour are readily arranged.

As our northern neighbor, much in Canadian cuisine will be familiar. As a matter of fact, split pea soup is a French Canadian invention. And Canada does have its unique dishes, perhaps none as well known as poutine. There are variations, but traditional poutine is french fries with peppery meat-based gravy and curds. Tourtiere is French Canada's version of Russian pierog, a crust filled with ground pork, beef, veal or game with herbs and spices. On the sugary side, beaver tails are like a flat donut without a hole and butter tarts have a crumbly crust and a creamy center of butter, sugar and egg. And don't forget the maple syrup.

Souvenir of Canada (D. Coupland), The Last Spike (P. Berton), Alias Grace (M. Atwood), Fifth Business (R. Davies), An Inconvenient Indian (T. King), The Great Canadian Bucket List (R. Esrock), Moon of the Crusted Snow (W. Rice).