But just how do you get started in ticking off your bucket list? If lack of time, money or inspiration is holding you back, then listen to our bucket list podcast with Dan Hipgrave, musician and travel writer and Darleen Federoshyn from Travel Alberta.

They will be discussing a new poll into the nation’s top adventurous pastimes we should try before we die, which has revealed hot air ballooning as our number one. The five try before you die activities were as follows:

1. Hot Air Ballooning

2. Skiing

3. White Water Rafting

4. Snowboarding

5. Climbing

Listen to the podcast using the controls below.

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In the past several years, Vancouver, BC, Canada has grown in favour as a tourist destination for those taking long-distance vacations. This is largely because of its ideal location, between the ocean and mountains, close to the border with the United States, and on the Pacific Rim. This location gives it a natural, spectacular beauty–and yet all the benefits of being a cutting-edge cosmopolitan city.

Flights to Vancouver

If you’re traveling from Europe, of course you’ll be flying for several hours to reach Vancouver. While the airfare is not the bargain it once was, if you time it right, you can still pick up a cheap Vancouver flight online.

The best deals normally come from British Airways. Also, at minimum, you want to schedule your flight a couple weeks in advance. For truly cheap flights to Canada, though, plan several months ahead of the actual trip. If you do so, you can often get roundtrips from the UK to Toronto for as little as £249.

Things to Do and See

There’s much to do in Vancouver, but let’s be honest: Vancouver is, more than anything, a city to be seen. For instance, in the midst of all of the chaos of city life in Vancouver is a magnificent oasis known as Stanley Park. This park covers a thousand acres and is lined with trails that are perfect for hiking. In fact, the park has so many attractions; you should plan a day just to see it all.

You’ll want to make some time for the North Shore in Vancouver. As you’re traveling there, visit the Lion’s Gate Bridge, which is on the way. There is a stunning view of the English Bay and Burrard Inlet.

Once you’re on the North Shore, visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge, a top attraction in Vancouver. The Capilano is a wooden suspension bridge spanning the enormous canyon, with the water 230 feet below you.

Also on the North Shore is Cleveland Dam, which provides 40 percent of the water for the Lower mainland. You’ll also find the Capilano Fish Hatchery nearby.

But not everything is on the North Shore. You’ll also want to visit the Sunshine Coast. Consider taking the ferry for a truly unique experience. There are lots of areas to hike on the Sunshine Coast, and also plenty of mom and pop shops when you’re ready for a souvenir or a snack.

While in Vancouver, you have to consider going whale watching. On the shores of the Pacific are pods of gray whales, humpback whales and Orcas. Companies compete there to take tourists out on the water. You can see them up close and personal, especially from May through October.

Dining in Vancouver

Vancouver seems to have more than its share of world-class chefs, providing some of the finest cuisine in Canada. Within the city are first-rate restaurants offering Sushi, African, Indian, Greek, Mexican, Italian, Thai, and yes, Pacific Northwest cuisine. Some of the better establishments:

- COAST, located on Hamilton St., offers some of the city’s best seafood, in an upscale setting. Their signature dish is the coastal crab cake.
- The William Tell, which has been at Beatty St. for 44 years, offers both Swiss-French and West Coast fare in an intimate environment. Their signature dish is chateaubriand.
- The Cobre Restaurant, found on Powell St., offers both Spanish and Latin American dishes. Their tapas are among the best in this part of Canada.
- Another outstanding Latin restaurant is the Century, located on Richards St.

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Canada has always been under-rated as a travel destination. Those who have vacationed there have found it to be one of the world’s most exciting destinations. Some of the most wondorous cities in the West, including Toronto, Montreal, North Vancouver, and Halifax, are there. Not only that, but they also have beautiful, engaging outdoor offerings, such as rafting, hiking, skiing and fishing.

Getting To Canada

If you are travelling from the United States, you might be close enough to drive to Canada. The rest of us will be glad to hear that flights to Canada are plentiful and as a result, affordable, if you plan the trip in advance. Cheap flights are available from most of the UK airports, for instance, but the cheapest fairs are available if you buy tickets at least a couple weeks in advance.

Here are just a couple of facts to illustrate this point: By ordering tickets two weeks in advance, cheap flights are available to Vancouver costing just £249. Tickets to Toronto are similarly priced, between £249 and £279. Usually, British Airways is one of the best options for cheap flights to Canada.

What to See in Canada

Keep in mind that Canada is a huge country, so there are literally thousands of attractions, most of which you’ll not have time to see. What you can see will be totally dependent on which province or provinces you visit. Here are just a few options:

Ottawa seems a likely destination for tourists, since it’s the capital city. It’s a cosmopolitan area and for those from the UK, is particularly attractive, since it retains more of a British personality than other Canadian cities. In downtown Ottawa, you’ll find many magnificent Victorian houses, which serve as restaurants, shops and homes.

If you plan to visit in winter, Quebec City is worth considering, since, in times of big freezes, this area is transformed into a true winter wonderland. Quebec City looks magnificent in the snow plus, there’s plenty of good skiing.

If your trip will be during warmer weather, consider traveling to Niagara Falls. The Falls are one of the world’s great scenic attractions, and are especially lovely from the Canadian side (as opposed to the U.S. side).

Planning on a trip to Calgary? Be sure to take in the Calgary Stampede. This is held in July and is Calgary’s best-known tourist attraction. This huge event features chuckwagon races, a rodeo, and even an amusement park.

Canadian Eats

Again, there are thousands of restaurants in Canada. Some of the best to sample include

Canada is affordable, under-stated yet truly a memorable destination for your vacation. In British Colombia, if you favor exquisite oysters or Kobe beef short ribs, check out Araxi at Village Square.

One of the best Montreal restaurants is Au Pied de Cochon on Duluth Ave., with delicious gras poutine or blood sausage. Bishop’s, in Vancouver, is not to be missed (on Fourth Ave.), with its duck breast and sablefish.

A trip to Canada is like visiting another world–and yet, with people familiar enough that you don’t feel like an alien. It’s worth considering for your next holiday.

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Edmonton – Alberta’s capital City is situated on the North Saskatchewan River in Canada. The city as a tourist destination isn’t as popular as its neighbour Toronto however you would be pleasantly surprised with what Edmonton has to offer with its many national parks, wildlife and Canadian Rocky mountainous regions.

Edmonton plays an important part in Canada’s economy with its primary resource being gas and oil this growth is reflected in the city’s continuous re-growth and development where more and more skyscrapers, penthouse apartments and large department stores are being constructed.

The best time of year to visit Edmonton is during the summer months as it is one of the more pleasing cities with less humidity and rainfall than any other Canadian City and if you decide to visit in the winter Edmonton host some very good winter sports in its biting chilly winds and guaranteed snowfalls.

Sightseeing

Edmonton’s surrounding landscape is stunning so a trip to North Saskatchewan River valley is a must. Here you can expect to find many different varieties of pine tree nestled amongst rugged forest landscape, gushing rivers and a good selection of wildlife including deer and bear as well as several golf courses, public zoo and botanical gardens and conservatory.

You cant go to Edmonton and not visit the fourth largest shopping mall in the world! The West Edmonton Mall is no ordinary shopping mall, it is a whole entertainment centre as well with its amusement park called Galaxy land complete with rides for children and adults. The mall also house an ice-rink and North America’s largest indoor water park you can also expect to see an 18 hole golf course, IMAX theatre for all the latest movie releases and an indoor lake which is home to sea lions and a variety of aquatic life. And if you and the family are exhausted after your day trip round the 800 department stores and shops in the mall there is even a hotel within the mall itself.

Dining Out & Nightlife

The downtown district of Edmonton is where all the fabulous restaurants and cosmopolitan bars are to be found. Like all Canada’s cities there is a diverse cultural population so if you fancy a curry, Chinese or Italian meal there is plenty establishments to choose from. It would be a sin to visit Canada and not try the local delicacies. If you are a meat eater and not too Squeamish you could taste Elk, Bison or deer dishes.

As with most big cities entertainment is plentiful with something here for every age whether you like to go to the theatre, watch a movie, go clubbing till the early hours of the morning or just simply have a few quiet drinks in a bar your spoilt for choice.

If you are lucky enough to be visiting in you may want to check out the Edmonton International fringe festival. There are several big festivals hosted throughout the summer months.

Travelling to Edmonton

Flights to Canada arrive into Edmonton International Airport from several UK airports including Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Heathrow and Gatwick Airport.

Flying time from the United Kingdom to Edmonton is around 9 hours.

In order for your to enter Canada as a visitor you are required to hold a current valid passport and apply for a visa waiver form. If you are not born within the UK you may be required to attend a medical examination before being allowed entry into Canada.

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Set amongst the stunning scenery and world-famous snow conditions of Fernie, Red Mountain, Whistler and Banff, select from sociable improvement camps and instructor courses that take powder skills to new heights whilst giving your CV a welcome (ski) lift that’s sure to appeal to prospective employers.

Two weeks in Western Canada cost from £2,300 pp including flights, accommodation and professional coaching whilst 11 weeks in this wintry wonderland start from just £5,850 pp (under £525 a week). Departures from November 2008. Call NONSTOP Ski & Snowboard on 0845 365 1525 (www.nonstopski.com).

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