CANMORE, AB - We reach a point where the nature trail we’ve been following intersects with the frigid glacial waters of the Bow River and the man leading us on this Tour de Canmore suggests we stop and admire the stunning Canadian Rockies view.

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.

MONTREAL - Dozens of laughing children are running after huge floating bubbles. My son Noah is among the mix of locals and tourists chasing the super-suds along Place Jacques-Cartier.

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.

GRAND MANAN ISLAND, N.B. - It’s not every day you go sea kayaking in the Bay of Fundy with your bikini top stuffed with toilet paper. And no, it wasn’t to impress the finbacks, humpbacks or minke whales that frolic through the bay, or even Ryan, our buff-looking guide.

CONRAD GLACIER, B.C. - Clinging like a gecko to the sheer face of a giant rock slab, I figure there’s no better time to practice mind over matter … as in, it won’t matter if I take a tiny misstep and plunge off this cliff because I’m wearing a safety harness attached to a fixed steel cable.

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.

WHISTLER, B.C. - The large wooden doors of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre open slightly and a small boy pokes his head through the narrow crack.

EASTMAN, QUE. - The first shock is the bucket of ice water in my room with a note attached telling me to splash the chilly contents all over me, then quickly hop into bed. That, the note says, will guarantee a good night’s sleep. The second shock is that it works!