Canada

Canada has a permanent seat at our bucket list table. Because while we can say we’ve been there, our brief trip through a tiny corner of British Columbia was a mere scratch on the surface of this huge and varied nation.

As the second largest country in the world, the diversity of landscapes and experiences within Canada’s borders is extraordinary: from the peaks of the Rockies and the wild fjords of the Pacific coast (or inlets as the locals call them) to the tundra of the far north, the lakes and forests of Ontario, the maritime villages of the Atlantic provinces, and the remote wilderness of the Yukon.

Our introduction to Canada was built around an epic road trip through Vancouver Island. It’s a tale of eagles, wolves, bears and giant trees. Of watching for elusive orca and playful humpbacks, following totem trails, kayaking with curious otters, sipping local wine and sampling fresh seafood, hiking to a historic plane wreck, and learning about the long story of the region’s First Nations.

It felt like we barely pulled back the curtain, but as our first experience of Canada, it was a showstopper, and it virtually guaranteed we’ll be back to see more of this amazing country.