Gourmet Canada

Explore Canada’s largest city, a diverse and friendly place where the 553m CN Tower dominates the skyline. On a clear day you can even see the spray of Niagara Falls from the top! Discover the charming old town, filled with architectural and historical marvels, such as the futuristic twin-towered City Hall and the gothic revival mansion Casa Loma. Make sure you’re hungry because Toronto’s dining scene offers some of the finest food in North America, especially the sizzling Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai flavours in Chinatown. As well as tasting and exploring this fascinating city, have a spectacular lunch overlooking the mighty Niagara Falls and then learn how Toronto’s excellent craft beer has improved the lives of its residents.

Fly to the island city of Montreal and see how its strong French roots have given rise to a heady mix of Parisian eateries, French-style boutiques and markets and tempting North American flavours. Taste your way along the city’s diverse main street, Saint-Laurent Boulevard, on a foodie adventure, tasting the cuisine of 13 different nationalities and neighbourhoods. There’s always something going on in Montreal, including numerous music and comedy festivals, as well as a great arts scene – perhaps visit the Musée des Beaux Arts or the Pointe-à-Callière Museum of archaeology to get an idea. You don’t have to venture too far to find a bit of adventure either – try your hand at river surfing on the Saint Lawrence River or cross-country skiing in Parc du Mont-Royal. Dining here is a delight, with a smorgasbord of delis and markets, including a fair number of BYO (apportez votre vin) restaurants. Do not leave without trying the decadent speciality of poutine (hot chips with cheese curd and thick brown gravy).

Board your flight to pretty Vancouver, a cosmopolitan outdoorsy city, where you’ll continue your food-themed adventure as you cruise the harbour, take a look around the fresh produce of Granville Island Market, and sample the city’s finest food trucks – but save room for the fabulous dim sum in Chinatown and the excellent array of stylish waterfront restaurants. With nearby skiable mountains and a mild climate, Vancouverites enjoy a high quality of life and enjoy spending time outside. They also love their sports teams – for a taste, try to catch the Vancouver Canucks ice hockey team in action. Culture vultures are catered for too and can visit the numerous diverting museums such as the aquarium, Science World or the Vancouver Art Gallery.