Mounties and maple syrup may spring to mind when you mention Canada, but the country has much more to offer its visitors. As a country it spans six time zones and borders three oceans.

Canada has everything – skiing or snowboarding over the huge mountains of Banff and Jasper National Park, sailing, visiting museums, immersing yourself in culture, shopping or watching the wild life. Western Canada is famous for its stunning countryside whereas eastern Canada mixes European charm with the trendy bustle of New York.

The most famous landmarks have to be Niagara Falls which separates the province of Ontario from New York State and the Rocky Mountains that stretch for 3000 miles from northern British Columbia right the way down to New Mexico.

Canada’s icy landscape of the Inuit territory of Nunavut in the far north is stunning as are the unspoilt beaches of Prince Edward Island. The country is so diverse there will be something to please everyone.

If you prefer the culture and luxury of a city break rather than the big outdoors, Canada also has its fair share of stunning cities. Montreal is one of the most attractive, with its bohemian atmosphere and lively nightlife. Toronto is equally worth visiting for its art galleries and excellent restaurants. But Vancouver offers the best of both worlds: a stylish city with beautiful parks and beaches.

Canada is a vast country (the world’s second largest) so when you plan your trip it is best to concentrate on one area to get the most out of your time there. Try to do too much and all you’ll so is spend many hours in a car or plane. 

The currency in Canada is the Canadian Dollar. Money exchange facilities can be found in all the major towns, cities and tourist destinations. The most convenient - and often the cheapest - way of changing money is by credit or debit card at an ATM and of course, all major credit cards are widely accepted.