BRIDGET MORRISON

From the stunning and scenic Canadian Rockies to the animated nightlife in Toronto, Canada has plenty to offer student travelers. With its diverse culture and landscape, Canada entices travelers from all over the world, so why not explore some of its amazing attributes this summer?

First on the list is Kluane National Park in the Yukon. This reserve is a tourist favourite for seekers of untouched natural beauty. Kluane is home to Mount Logan, Canada’s highest peak at 5,959 metres, and its largest ice field. It also is home to North America’s most genetically diverse population of grizzly bears.

There is no shortage of activities at Kluane National Park, no matter the season. Summer activities offered include hiking, rafting the Alsek River, mountain biking, boating, canoeing and fishing. Kluane National Park is a great place to spend a week, but even if you only have a day, it’s definitely worth checking out.

Second on the list is quite a contrast to the first. Montréal, Que. is a great place if you want to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of a young and culturally diverse city. Montréal’s population largely consists of students attending one of the many anglophone and francophone universities, offering the opportunity to meet and make many new friends. Here you can catch amazing concerts, enjoy art shows and eat a whole lot of delicious food.

While in Montréal, you may as well take the opportunity to make a trip to Québec City. It costs around $33 one way and takes about three hours via train through scenic countryside. Once you’re in Québec City, there are a couple of must-visit places, the first being Old Québec.

Old Québec is a designated United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization world heritage site that includes the famous hotel, the Château Frontenac, which overlooks the St. Lawrence River. The Château Frontenac was built in the late 1800s to promote luxury train travel, and has since been host to many celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Charlie Chaplin and Queen Elizabeth II.

While in Québec City, you can also check out the Fortification of Québec, the walls and ramparts which enclose much of Old Québec. Interestingly, Québec is the only city in North America, north of Mexico, that is fortified. Built between 1608 and 1871, you can explore the walls and gates built as a defense system, and learn about the unique military history of Québec.

A Canadian travel log is not complete without some good old island hopping. The Gulf Islands Region in British Columbia will not disappoint. Sail through Active Pass from the B.C. mainland via one of the many ferry routes and spend a couple of days on each island, taking in the beauty of each. The Gulf Islands include Gabriola, Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Salt Spring and Saturna Island.

Each of these islands has their own attractions but as a whole, you can expect great art galleries — often featuring work by members of the many local Aboriginal tribes — farmers’ markets, scenic points where you can hike and cycle, ocean kayaking, sailing lessons, scuba diving and more. You will be in complete awe of the nature and beauty, I promise.

My final recommendation is Halifax and the South Shore region, both found in Nova Scotia. Pay particular attention to the cute town of Lunenburg, and for a gorgeous drive, head north from Halifax through the Annapolis Valley to Antigonish and stop to visit the sprawling grounds of St. Xavier University. You will also find the best seafood chowders along this journey.

Set aside a couple of days and visit the Cabot Trail, which runs along the northern tip of Nova Scotia and passes through Cape Breton. Enjoy the scenic trail consisting of ocean, forests, glaciers and highlands. Along this route, you can enjoy numerous outdoor activities, and be sure to look up what towns are holding summer festivals ahead of time— there are plenty at this time of year.

Set those textbooks aside and put studying for finals on hold to have a little fun planning your summer getaway. Summer is the perfect time to travel, and there’s plenty see in our own backyard.

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Image: Lesia Karalash