VANCOUVER - Recently, younger travellers have been choosing their destinations for another reason — getting in a good workout.

FOGO ISLAND, NL — Lots has been written about the contemporary inn that bears this island’s name and its legendary founder Zita Cobb. In fact, the reason most people come to this remote outpost off Newfoundland’s northeast coast is to stay at the incredible Fogo Island Inn.

PERTH, ON — In the local museum of this historic Upper Canada town, where much is made of the fact that Canada’s last fatal duel took place, the past comes to life.

QUÉBEC CITY — Every time I push open the polished bronzed doors of one of Fairmont’s legendary heritage hotels, like this city’s fabulous Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, I’m imbued with a sense of history.

WALLACE, NS — I gaze in wonderment as the setting sun silhouettes a small lighthouse standing on the jagged coastline where the mind-blowing Fox Harb’r Resort drifts off into the Northumberland Strait. It’s a Maritime scene worthy of a frame.

VANCOUVER - Coach No. 5 is abuzz with excitement. The occupants have spotted a bald eagle soaring majestically above the bi-level car’s glass dome ceiling and cameras are clicking at a rapid pace. The graceful creature with the piercing eyes and trademark white head and tail seems to be enjoying all the attention and follows our Rocky Mountaineer train until suddenly, and without warning, it drops from the sky like a missile and plucks a large fish out of an emerald green lake with its lethal t...

SAGUENAY LAC-SAINT-JEAN, QC - From its rolling green hills to flower-box accessorized homes to a landscape dotted with water everywhere, Saguenay — Lac-Saint-Jean had me at “bonjour.”

KINGSTON, ON - We were in this city’s historic City Hall when it really hit me. Sure, I knew that Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, had made his mark in Kingston, and had lived here for years. But when I saw his old desk, (a partners’ desk) carefully preserved in City Hall, I finally had tangible proof of his having lived and worked here.

DAWSON CITY, YUKON - My stomach turned as I watched Marcus gulp down his cocktail, the blackened, mangled toe swirled around the rim of his glass eerily. The crowd cheered and clapped at this feat but I felt repulsed.

BARRY’S BAY, ON - Theirs had a sauna. Big bonus. Theirs had a wasps’ nest. Big minus. (The spray stuff you buy in grocery stores to eliminate the kamikaze pests, by the way? Good luck with that.) Theirs had a swimming raft with a kid-friendly slide on it. Check. Theirs was well equipped for a family of four, two adults and two kids, ages 2 and 6.