Preface Geographically speaking, Canada is enormous -- the second-largest country in the world -- so it stands to reason that, from sea to sea to sea, there are more than 100 destinations worth visiting. But we think this list is a great starting point for your journeys. Photographer George Fischer and I reviewed dozens of "Top Destinations" lists from magazines, newspapers and travel-related websites. We also talked to people who have travelled extensively throughout Canada. We made working lists and revised them repeatedly. Our 100 destinations hovered around 130 for several weeks until the pressing need to make travel arrangements forced us to declare a final, definitive 100. This is our selection. We think it's a good one. The 100 destinations appear in no particular order, destination #100 is no less worthy than destination #1, and we chose not to present them from east to west or west to east because we want to emphasize the incredible geographic diversity that Canada possesses. Some provinces and territories may be more spectacular than others due to their mountain ranges or coastal settings (or both!), but every province and territory has its own memorable sights. We have attempted to be as factually accurate as possible. Most of the information in this book was checked and double-checked against standard reference works as well as the most current national, provincial and/or municipal tourism sources, national and provincial parks services websites, and so on. Additional historical and scientific information was obtained from a variety of sources; these were not always in precise agreement with each other. If the Top of the World Highway is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) longer according to your odometer or your favourite birding reference claims that northern gannet chicks hatch in late June instead of early July, you may be correct. Please keep in mind that this is a book of proposed journeys and not a reference book. We would also like to note that we didn't set out to promote Fairmont Hotels. It just happens that in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Canadian Pacific Railway president William Van Home built some of the grandest luxury hotels in Canada at some of the most stunningly beautiful sites in Canada, and these hotels are now owned and operated by Fairmont -- The Empress, Chateau Lake Louise, Banff Springs Hotel, Chateau Frontenac. In Van Home's own words, "Since we can't export the scenery, we'll have to import the tourists." As you enter these pages, we hope you'll allow yourself to be "imported" into Canada's unparalleled scenery, its magnificent parks and nature reserves, historic cities and charming villages, colourful festivals and uniquely Canadian activities. We hope you like where this book takes you. Excerpted from Unforgettable Canada: 100 Destinations by George Fischer, Noel Hudson All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
