|
|
 |
ALBERTA
If you've only seen pictures of Alberta's mountain lakes, you might think the photographs have
been altered, that the water can't possibly be those shades of blue. In truth, the photographs
are misleading; the colors are even more vivid when you see them in person. But, as impressive
as the Rockies and their lakes are, they're not the whole story. With sun-bleached wheat fields
and lunar badlands lying to the east of the serrated mountain peaks, Alberta is far from one-
dimensional in either its landscape or its attractions. Excellent museums and interpretive sites
showcase the area's past, from the days of the dinosaurs to the times that tribes stalked buffalo
across the plains. Alberta isn't all Wild West, either. Its two major cities, Calgary and Edmonton,
both of which have a cosmopolitan atmosphere that may surprise you, offer everything from cultural
activities to Olympic sites to the world's largest shopping and entertainment center, plus some of
the best internationally diverse cuisine in western Canada. |
| D.C. is run as a virtual colony of Congress, where residents have
just one, nonvoting representative and couldn't
vote in presidential elections until the 23rd Amendment was passed in 1961. Other than the federal government,
tourism is D.C.'s biggest industry. The city attracts almost twenty million visitors each year. Conveniently,
most arrive in midsummer when the lawmakers have gone home, so overcrowding is rarely a problem. The nation's
showcase puts on quite a display for its guests, and admission to virtually all major attractions is free. The
most famous sites are concentrated along the central Mall, including the White House, individual memorials to
four of the greatest presidents and the superb museums of the Smithsonian Institution. Georgetown, arty Dupont
Circle and the funkier Adams-Morgan district offer superb nightlife happenings. |
|
|
| Travelers from all over the world have long enjoyed Canada's unique mix of natural beauty and urban excitement.
As the world's second largest country, with three oceans on its borders, it should be no surprise that Canada
contains a wide range of geography, culture and climate. With many world heritage sites, cultural events and
tourist sites to keep you entranced, there's no shortage of places to visit - British Columbia and Alberta's
awesome Canadian Rockies, the sparkling show of Northern Lights in Canada's far north, the unmatched grandeur
of Ontario's Niagara Falls, the scary record-breaking high tides of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia's Bay of
Fundy and Newfoundland's historic L'anse Aux Meadows on the Atlantic Ocean. Whether it's Montreal's "Just For
Laughs" comedy festival or Toronto's soaring CN Tower, Canada truly has it all. |
|
|
BRITISH COLUMBIA
On their own, mountains can be majestic, and any seashore can be a place of beauty. But when mountains
plunge into deep blue waters, the panorama can be breathtaking. Add in tall forests, great rivers, rare
birds, whales, salmon, bears, boats and small villages, and you've got an idea of what you'll find along
the west coast of British Columbia. With these attractions - as well as the inland mountains, forests,
lakes and orchards - British Columbia will prove most irresistible to those travelers who love the outdoors.
But you don't have to be a wilderness kamikaze to appreciate the wonders. The province has lots of boat
trips, guided tours and well-maintained roads that allow you to see the sights in a good deal of comfort.
Those who have no desire to look at even a single eagle, barking sea lion or glacier will find the cities
of Victoria and especially Vancouver to be urban jewels almost as outstanding as the province's natural
resources. Be aware, however, that these cities are still within gazing distance of the mountains and the
sea. Escaping the scenery in British Columbia is no easy task. |
| << Previous | Next >> |
|
|
|
