The Millennium Experience

Four hours east of Vancouver, the Okanagan Valley is known throughout Canada for its bountiful fruit harvests. It lures visitors with spring blossoms, sleepy towns, warm weather and tranquil lakes. North of this the region around the Thompson rivers, drier sage bush-covered hills and canyons fill the landscape until the land climbs into the highest peak of the Canadian Rockies – Mount Robson. ... More

Life above the 60th parallel in the mountainous, river-threaded Yukon, and the lake-dotted Northwest Territories and arctic Nunavut is strange and wonderful. The inherent strangeness of the world north of the 60th parallel—the latitudinal line separating Canada’s provinces from the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut—is perceptible in empirical, practical, and mysterious ways. ... More

Regina, Saskatchewan, was originally dubbed Pile O’Bones, in reference to the remnants left by years of buffalo hunting by native peoples and later European hunters. The city was renamed after the Latin title of Queen Victoria, the reigning monarch in 1883. It was at this time that the railroad arrived and the city became the capital of the Northwest Territories. The Mounties made it their headquarters. When the province of Saskatchewan was formed in 1905, Regina was chosen as its capital. At the beginning of the 20th century, immigrants from the British Isles, Eastern Europe, and East Asia rushed in to claim parcels of river-fed prairie land for $1 per lot. Oil and potash were discovered in the 1950s and 1960s, and Regina became a major agricultural and industrial distribution center as well as the head office of the world’s largest grain-handling cooperative. ... More

Alberta is best known for its spectacular slice of the Rocky Mountains. Sliding up towards the sky, the craggy peaks of these world famous mountains loom over the sparkling azure lakes and age-old glaciers that combined create Canada’s top tourist destination. These mountains can be hiked or biked, skied or climbed, but they are only a fraction of what Alberta has to offer. ... More

Canada’s easternmost province consists of the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the mainland. In summer, Newfoundland’s stark cliffs, bogs, and meadows become a riot of wildflowers and greenery, and the sea is dotted with boats and buoys. Mountains, lakes, and rivers provide further opportunities for first-class adventures from wildlife viewing to kayaking and fishing. St. John’s, the capital, is a classic harbor city offering a lively arts scene and warm hospitality. ... More

The Rockies tower in the south eastern corner of British Columbia, the tempting crisp blue mountains flanked by crystal lakes and icy glaciers. Drive through the breathtaking scenery of this rugged region, take the train, or set off on foot into the wilderness. The numerous parks in the region offer a number of activities: white water rafting, hiking, climbing, canoeing, skiing, fishing, and llama trekking for the intrepid. ... More

Saskatchewan’s largest city is Saskatoon (population 219,000), nicknamed City of Bridges because it has seven spans across the South Saskatchewan River, which cuts the city in half diagonally. It is considered one of the most beautiful of Canada’s midsize cities, in part because a zealous protectionist campaign has allowed the riverbanks to flourish largely in their natural state. ... More