Unexpected Canada

A yearlong spotlight on the people and places that make the country unique.

A turquoise lake among mountains in British Columbia, Canada

Canada has more than 2 million lakes, thousands of mountains, and a seemingly infinite sense of wilderness.

Courtesy of Igor Kyryliuk and Tetiana Kravchenko/Unsplash

Throughout 2025, we’re celebrating Canada’s communities, culture, and traditions with a series of stories that will immerse you in the varied landscapes and experiences across the vast country. And while popular cities like Vancouver and Toronto have their many charms, we’re focusing here on the exciting spots several clicks off the usual path—from British Columbia in the west to Newfoundland and Labrador in the east.

So read on for inspiration, whether you’re looking for culinary adventures, beloved national parks, vibrant urban hubs, or new ways to explore Canada’s truly great outdoors. You’ll meet Indigenous tour operators offering epic trips, pioneering trail builders opening up pathways along rugged cliffs, and much more.

Tim Chester
The best way to explore the country’s wilderness in winter? Fat biking.
The Rockcut Twillingate Trails offer a new way to take in cliffs, sea stacks, wildlife, and beaches in Canada’s easternmost province.
A visit to a sugar shack run by First Nations people sheds light on maple syrup’s deep roots in northeastern Canada.
A visit to Iqaluit, Canada’s northernmost city, reveals a lot about life in the Arctic.
Explore the nature and culture of the Great White North with these Indigenous-owned companies and organizations.
More Canada Inspiration