Six of the best places to visit in Canada

The capital of Québec province, Québec City is renowned for its rich history, charming European feel (the city is one of the earliest known French settlements in North America), and vibrant culture. Québec City offers a journey back in time, with cobblestone streets and well-preserved 17th-century buildings. The UNESCO-listed Old Town is packed with boutiques and lively cafés, offers stunning views of the St. Lawrence River, and is home to iconic hotel Le Château Frontenac, thought to be the most photographed hotel in the world. Québec City’s unique blend of French and Canadian influences has created a distinctive cultural experience, celebrated through its delectable, often maple-syrup-laced cuisine, and its architecture and museums. For a serene contrast to the buzzing city centre, head to Montmorency Falls, a stunning waterfall on the Montmorency River that’s about a 15-minute drive out of town.

Visit Québec City on one of our Canada & New England itineraries

Vancouver, Canada’s third-biggest city by population, offers a unique combination of natural beauty and urban sophistication. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the North Shore Mountains, Vancouver is an unusual city in that it offers just as much for outdoor enthusiasts as it does for cosmopolitan culture vultures. Visitors can enjoy skiing, mountain biking, canyon walking and kayaking, all in close proximity, along with a diverse culinary scene, cutting-edge arts venues and world-class shopping. Be sure to tick off Stanley Park, around 1,000 acres of natural West Coast rainforest; Granville Island, a shopping and food mecca in Vancouver’s Fairview district; and the neighbourhoods of Gastown and Yaletown, both packed with boutiques, bars and restaurants.

Visit Vancouver when departing or returning on one of our North America or South America itineraries

One of the world’s most breath-taking natural wonders, millions of people flock to Niagara Falls every year – and it’s no surprise why. Straddling the border between Canada and the USA, the falls comprise three individual waterfalls: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls. If you’re in the Canadian province of Ontario, make time to visit this cascading spectacle, which you can admire from observation decks, such as the Skylon Tower. For an up-close experience, where you’ll feel the spray of the falls as well as hear their thunderous roars, we recommend taking a boat tour to the base of Niagara Falls. Waterproof ponchos are usually provided, thankfully!

Visit Niagara Falls from Toronto on one of our Canada cruisetours

Located in the province of New Brunswick, Saint John is a charming city overlooking the Bay of Fundy, and is renowned for its maritime heritage and thriving arts scene. Thought to be Canada’s oldest settlement, Saint John has a rich history that’s reflected in its traditional architecture and landmark sites like the Carleton Martello Tower, which dates back to 1812 and played a key role in conflicts leading up to World War II. Saint John is also home to the Reversing Rapids, a natural phenomenon where the Bay of Fundy’s powerful tides reverse the flow of the Saint John River twice a day. You can see this unique spectacle on foot, or as part of a trolley tour with Princess. As well as offering wonderful coastal views, Saint John is also one of Canada’s culinary hotspots, brimming with cafés, food markets and restaurants. Don’t leave without sampling a maple-glazed pastry from BeaverTails, which you can do on our Foodies Walking Tour.

Visit Saint John on one of our Canada & New England itineraries

On the opposite side of the Bay of Fundy is the verdant province of Nova Scotia, home to the Annapolis Valley. This scenic area is the agricultural heartland of Nova Scotia and is renowned for its sweeping green landscapes and bountiful orchards. The Annapolis Valley is also emerging as Canada’s premier wine region, thanks to its cool climate and fertile soil, which together make ideal conditions for growing a variety of grapes. Visitors to the region can explore vineyards and wineries, each offering tastings and tours that showcase the valley’s viticultural prowess. Signature wines here include Tidal Bay, a crisp white wine made from a blend of appellation-approved grapes, as well as Chardonnays and Rieslings, all of which you can try on Princess’ Annapolis Valley wine excursion.

Visit Annapolis Valley on one of our Canada & New England itineraries

Situated in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Prince Edward Island is postcard-pretty, with rolling green landscapes, red-sand beaches and lovely coastal villages. The smallest of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories, ‘The Island’ is home to 63 lighthouses, a few of which you can visit on a scenic drive excursion with Princess, as well as the famous Green Gables Homestead, the inspiration for LM Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables novel. The island’s charming capital, Charlottetown, was the birthplace of Canadian Confederation and offers plenty of places for feasting on fresh, locally caught seafood – lobster, clams and oysters are firm favourites here.

Visit Prince Edward Island on one of our Canada & New England itineraries