Vancouver or Toronto? Which is Canada’s Top City to Visit?

Canada’s two most popular cities, Toronto in the East and Vancouver in the West, each offer visitors a great experience, but given the choice, which city should you visit?  After you read these descriptions of the amazing things to do in both cities, we are sure you will be ready to get a cheap flight to Canada.

There is a reason why Toronto has Canada’s busiest airport, the city is simply a top choice for those who want to experience one of the best cities in the world.  Toronto is known for its Maple Leaf’s hockey team, its international film festival, the CN Tower, and it’s most famous current resident, the musician Drake, but with gems strewn around the city like confetti there are many more reasons to get here.

The city abounds in upscale dining with bunches of cafes, bistros, and restaurants whose offerings rival New York and London, and its shopping is comparable to Los Angeles or Hong Kong.

Those visitors interested in the outdoors have many choices from the Toronto Islands, to beaches to dozens of parks and hiking paths. Or get in a round of golf at one of Toronto’s top golf courses. For culture freaks, Toronto has museums and galleries galore. And for families, the city abounds in activities for young people including the Ontario Science Centre.

But even with all of this, Toronto is different and much more. The city is set on the northwestern shore of beautiful Lake Ontario, and with a fast growing population of 2.6 million, it is now, the fourth largest city North America. Toronto is a very modern city, with almost every building being built during the past twenty years. In 2005 there were only thirteen skyscrapers and today the city has 50 with 130 more being planned or built.

For business, Toronto is Canada’s top city, with a booming business sector and many large international companies setting up shop here and many of Canada’s top companies having their home offices in the city.

With so many reasons to come, how could you possibly stay away from Toronto?

Vancouver, Canada

In 2015, the Quality of Living survey ranked Vancouver as the best city in North America for quality of life, for the second time. The survey looks at personal freedom, crime, political stability and air quality.

Even with these major accolades, Vancouver is still an under-rated destination that excels at being a modern, traveler-friendly place with a moderately mild Pacific Northwest temperature and a host of reasons to visit again and again.

Many say Vancouver is blessed with more natural beauty than any major city in the world. With its gorgeous sites including: the North Shore Mountains, English Bay, Vancouver Island, its temperate rain forests, and an active volcano, Mt. Baker, Vancouver is a wonder to behold.

For gastronomes, the city can’t be beat. You can find every style and taste here and because a large part of Vancouver’s multi-cultural mix comes from Asia, the best Korean, Japanese and Chinese food in North America can be found in Vancouver.

The climate, the ocean and the mountains combine to make Vancouver and area a year-round playground. You can sail, play tennis, snowboard, swim, windsurf, run, mountain bike, paraglide, and ski nearly year round here.

For entertainment, the city features the Vancouver Canucks hockey team, and a full range of museums, parks and sites to engage visitors of all ages, for days on end. And of course the is Vancouver’s famous Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains that with over 8,100 acres of snow-covered slopes, offer the ultimate in big mountain skiing experiences

The city is also a top film and television location destination, with many top films shot here every year. And downtown Vancouver is home to many of Canada’s most successful businesses.

Both Toronto and Vancouver offer a stunning array of amenities and attractions for visitors and each has its own unique character. Which city is the best to visit depends on your personal preference. Is it the big city allure of Toronto, or the beauty and charm of urbane Vancouver? Our vote is you visit both!

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Top Island Destinations for Your Honeymoon

Getting married and looking for the perfect honeymoon destination?. There are so many choices, so how do you pick the perfect one? Here are three top destinations for your honeymoon, where you can’t go wrong.

Belize

Although Belize is the second smallest and least populated island nation in Central America, this tiny island nation is filled with beauty and adventures that would appeal to just about honeymooners. Belize is one of Central America’s least crowded and visited countries, giving travelers opportunities to explore without the crowds of tourists one might expect.

Located between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize is the perfect destination for exploration, relaxation and romance. With more than 400 islands, white sandy beaches, the longest unbroken barrier reef in the western hemisphere (and second largest in the world), and 298 kilometers/185 miles of coastline, Belize is a world-class scuba diving destination where you can swim with bus-sized Whale Sharks and dive with friendly nurse sharks. On land, the Black Howler Monkeys will always be your companions (and probably keep you up at night with their howling). Visitors love to explore the ancient Mayan ruins, visit the many rainforests, make island hopping day-trips, hike, go cave tubing and of course lay on the many white sand beaches. Couples can dance to the local marimbas, and create their own special moments that last a lifetime.

Belize resorts to consider for your honeymoon include: Belize’s top beach area is the Ambergris Caye Region with resorts there: Azul Belize, Cayo Espanto — just offshore of Ambergris Caye El Secreto Resort and Las Terrazas Resort and Itz’ana Resort & Residences.

Maldives

The Maldives is known to be one of the best honeymoon destinations, with resorts occupying 100 if the island nation’s more than 1200 islands. Simply put, a Maldives honeymoon is exclusive and secluded and as close as it gets to paradise. Crystal clear lagoons, vibrant coral reefs and palm-fringed beaches come as standard, while candlelit dinners under starry skies, and customized benefits packages make for an extra special start to married life. Overwater villas that sit on stilts provide direct access to the ocean and are the height of romantic.

In terms of things to do, life beneath the water’s surface is where the Maldives really shines. The island’s abundance of marine life throughout the country sets it apart from other dive destinations. There are vast numbers of fish to see including: Parrotfish, Snappers, Jacks, colourful Sponges, invertebrates and Gorgonian Fans and Sweetlips at every site where the water flows. The highlights also include: Manta Rays that grow to an amazing 8 meters in length and weigh up to 2,300 kilograms, beautiful and docile Whale Sharks and 26 Shark Species including Hammerhead, Whitetip and Tiger sharks. Beach activities abound and island hopping day-trips also are a leading activity among guests.

The top honeymoon resorts to consider on the Maldives include: Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, Cocoa Island, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Dusit Thani Maldives. Keep in mind that each resort occupies its own island and sometimes availability is limited. So if you are reading this post about the Maldives it is best to call a good travel agent and enquire about available rooms and prices in paradise.

Oahu, Hawaii

Hawaii’s most popular island, Oahu has the beauty and a wealth of near endless activities that attracts honeymooners from across the globe. From outdoor adventures to world class shopping, a thriving nightlife, and historical sites, Oahu offers it all.

Surfing knows no equal here, and the Oahu’s North Shore waves are world famous and hosts the Triple Crown of Surfing. The crystal blue waters of Oahu also offer great conditions for snorkeling (try Hanauma Bay or Sharks Cove), kitesurfing, swimming and scuba diving. There is plenty of hiking with trails running throughout the island. Or you can simply spend an enjoyable day with your loved one at the beach, particularly the famous Waikiki Beach in Honolulu.

Couples can also visit the many cultural sites including the Polynesian Cultural Center’s authentic luau, and its Polynesian village exhibits, and the Honolulu Museum of Art, the Bishop Museum, or the famous Iolani Palace to see how the Hawaiian royal family lived. For military history buffs, visiting Pearl Harbor, including the USS Bowfin, USS Missouri and Arizona Memorial, is one of the best things to do in Oahu.

There are so many romantic places to visit and take pictures and the island is filled with nightclubs including the Sky Waikiki is a 7,000-square-foot nightclub and lounge with a fire pit, and world class restaurants overlooking the water, lovers will never tire of the amenities.

These three destinations offer honeymooners the chance to start their lives together with a memorable stay at a beautiful, fun-filled location.

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