Canada

Canada by train—that’s the real way to see a country—and it’s a hot destination in and of itself. The Canadians definitely have their train situation under control, and it’s a great experience to cross Canada on VIA RAIL between Vancouver and Toronto.

This is train travel the way it’s supposed to be. We’re talking about sleeping cars, eating in the dining car—with much of the food cooked on board, and of course the dome car for the best views. The best part is that it’s also affordable. The one way fare between Vancouver and Toronto is just $520, but there are a number of packages that start around $700 that allow you to get off the train in certain cities, explore a few days and then reboard the train.

In Vancouver, there’s a great food scene coupled by amazing parks (such as Stanley Park), and the restaurant scene out in Granville. Then you can hop aboard the train and head to Calgary, hop off and hang at the legendary Banff Springs Hotel, or out on Lake Louise at the Chateau Lake Louise, then hop back on for stops in Montreal and Toronto.

Want to fly back? Check out Porter Airlines, which flies from one of the cutest airports in the world—the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport—which is located on a tiny island right near downtown Toronto. It’s a great experience.

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