NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON - From a perched terrace overlooking a sea of green vines that seem to stretch to the horizon, I stare at my lovely surroundings while sipping a glass of sweet ice wine and think to myself, “Now this is how life should always be.”

TORONTO - Noah stares in bewilderment as I pack his dolphin bathing suit next to his snow pants. I explain several times to my 7-year-old that we are going on a fun “staycation” in our own city. He keeps asking if I’m sure I didn’t make a mistake and we’re in fact going back to the Bahamas.

TORONTO - The CN Tower might be this city’s most famous landmark, but it doesn’t hold a whistle, er, candle to Toronto’s hidden gem: Steam Whistle Brewing.

OTTAWA - The Eternal Flame burns brightly and swishes in the summer breeze, while the Canadian flag atop the Peace Tower appears to be touching the clouds.

TORONTO – I reach the top of the hill on the crooked street and Casa Loma’s regal turrets come into full view.

BANFF, ALBERTA - Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer were once asked to design a golf course combining the best 18 holes they had played around the world.