Guest post by Julie Kinnear, a Toronto real estate agent.

As is the case in most developed countries in the world, so it is in Canada: there are a handful of major players in the real estate business who collectively dominate the vast majority of the market. Even online services have been largely unable to shake the strong tradition of the real estate agent profession thus far.

This is in part because of the fact that human contact and personal trust are indispensable when it comes to an investment as large as a house. Most of us feel comfortable ordering a book, a movie, or a pizza over the internet, but a house is a completely different story.

For these reasons, about two thirds of the market in Ontario alone is controlled by five to six large agent networks (according to 2010 bought and sold statistics). In Ottawa, six players control as much as 90% of the local market. And when you’re dealing with so much power, it is good to know something about your Realtors®, isn’t it?

Let’s now look at a brief history of each of the largest real estate firms in Ontario.

RE/MAX

RE/MAX was established in Colorado in 1973 to organize real estate agents and allow them to benefit from the synergy of their working together. It had a rocket start, selling the first franchise outside of Colorado a mere two years later.

The first Canadian branch sprouted on the East Coast in 1979. This is still the primary area of influence for the company in the country. RE/MAX has since then “overgrown North America” and settled in many European countries. Israel and a couple of Asian countries are now familiar with the iconic red-and-blue hot-air balloon, too.

RE/MAX is the network with the largest turnover in most Ontario areas, closely followed by Royal LePage.

Royal LePage

Royal LePage is a respected real estate agent network with the longest experience in the Canadian market. It was founded in 1913 by Albert Edward LePage, a 26-year old realty enthusiast, as A. E. LePage Real Estate. The company will thus be celebrating its centennial in 2013. In Canada, Royal LePage is the largest real estate network originating within the country.

Albert LePage was also a founding member of the Ontario Real Estate Association and the Toronto Real Estate Board — two of his many realty career achievements. Nearly 14,000 agents are affiliated with Royal LePage today.

Among the strengths of Royal LePage is its presence across the nation and its reach within relatively small municipalities — this is, of course, in addition to the metropolitan centres. The second largest network in terms of property turnover in Toronto is Royal LePage.

Sutton Group

The Sutton Group came to Ontario with the western wind. Founded in Vancouver in 1983, it had spread across to Atlantic Canada within the first ten years of its existence. Claiming to be the first company to have a website, Sutton is now the home-brand of over 8,700 Realtors®.

In most areas (including Ontario), Sutton ranks within the top seven for its number of closed deals, on the buyers’ as well as the sellers’ side. While RE/MAX and Royal LePage are the industry leaders, there is nonetheless a much smaller bite of the real estate cake left for the smaller players.

Century 21

Century 21 came to Canada as a Vancouver-based franchise in 1974, after its successful launch in California in 1971. There are several hundred independently owned brokers operating in Canada under the Century 21 franchise.
Century 21 is a significant player in Ontario, ranking among the top five big realty networks.

HomeLife

HomeLife has been around for over 35 years. Founded in 1985, HomeLife has been consistently spreading its presence inside and outside of Canada.

HomeLife has considerable presence in certain parts of Toronto — namely Richmond Hill and Central Toronto. Here, it is only slightly lagging behind RE/MAX and Royal LePage.

Keller Williams

Keller Williams was, unsurprisingly, founded by Gary Keller and Joe Williams, in the United States. While the company was busy climbing to the #3 residential real estate company in the US, it has been spreading its nets in Canada as well.

In Ontario, the company has 13 Keller Williams-branded offices, including three in Toronto and four in Ottawa.

I hope that you’ve enjoyed this brief enumeration of Ontario’s most influential real estate networks. Please let us know in the comments if you’d like to know more details about either of them.

Brought to you by Julie Kinnear, a Toronto real estate agent. Visit Julie’s GTA and Toronto MLS here. See here for more detailed real estate statistics.

Guest post by Allison Gamble

Crazy busy! That’s how life can get. So, if you need a rat race remedy, why not visit Canada where the opportunity for a little R & R lies around every corner? Canada is a huge country with a diverse topography and no shortage of tranquil, peaceful destinations. Here, you’ll find the top picks for those who need to unwind, regroup, and get a fresh perspective on life.

Tofino, British Columbia

Tofino sunset. Photo by Allison Gamble. Used by permission.

Nothing says relaxation like a few days of lounging on the beach. True, Canada isn’t normally thought of as a major beach destination, but visitors to Tofino can spend their days unwinding on warm sandy beaches where the rhythm of crashing waves is sure to ease away their stress. Pass the days combing the beach, surfing the waves, kayaking, or hiking miles of coastal trails. For a little more adventure, visit the rainforest on Clayoquot Sound or nearby botanical gardens. While in Tofino, rent a beach front villa or stay at the secluded Wickaninnish Inn where guests enjoy the best in de-stress treatments at The Ancient Cedars Spa.

Prince Edward Island

Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence off the coast of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island is most noted for its striking beauty. Green, rolling hills contrast with distinct red-soil cliffs, rocky coastal inlets, and red-sand beaches, making Prince Edward Island a nature lover’s paradise. You can commune with nature on the island’s expansive trail system, or simply lounge on the beach with a good book at Cedar Dunes Provincial Park. Add to the laid-back atmosphere of Prince Edward Island by staying at the West Point Lighthouse in O’Leary. Here, guests may enjoy the unique experience of spending the night in a light keeper’s room.

Churchill, Manitoba

This small town, located on the shores of the Hudson Bay, is famous for its polar bear and beluga whale sightings. Spend the day taking a tour to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures, or hike through the nearby Boreal Forest to observe one of the world’s largest natural bird habitats. Reconnect with mother nature and let the rustic charm of this secluded northern town soothe away the tension of your hectic daily schedule. As darkness falls in Churchill, sit back and watch in wonder as the Aurora Borealis displays its magical show in the sky.

Quebec City, Quebec

If you want to escape to a faraway place, but just don’t have the time to travel far, Quebec City is the place for you. In all of Canada, there isn’t a city more culturally unique. In fact, a trip to Quebec City is like traveling to Europe without ever leaving North America. Visitors can lose their worries in this city’s abundance of European charm. Sip coffee at sidewalk cafes, enjoy world-class museums, or partake in one of the city’s many festivals. While in Quebec City, visit the famous Chateau Frontenac, resting on cliffs overlooking the beautiful St. Lawrence River. No matter what activity you choose, a visit to Quebec City will make you feel like you’re worlds away from home.

Banff National Park, Alberta

Banff National Park, Alberta

There’s nothing that soothes away stress more than losing yourself in the wild beauty of Banff National Park. The enchanting scenery of the area attracts visitors from around the world who travel to enjoy this area’s boundless natural attractions. Whether visiting in the summer or winter, enjoy an endless array of activities or just simply sit back and drink in the beauty of the area. Spend the day on the Lake Louise and let the majestic power of the towering mountains diminish your worries. After a day packed full of fresh air activities, get a good night’s rest in the areas world-class accommodations such as the Banff Springs Hotel or Chateau Lake Louise.

Taking time out from the stress of our daily lives is important for our overall health and well-being. So when it comes to taking care of yourself, spend a little down-time in the many tranquil locals that Canada has to offer. No matter what your preferred style of rest and relaxation, its a sure bet that Canada has the destination for you.

Allison Gamble has been a curious student of psychology since high school. She brings her understanding of the mind to work in the weird world of internet marketing with psychologydegree.net.

Canada is emerging as an increasingly popular destination for UK citizens studying overseas.

Guest post by James Cave

With the introduction of compulsory course fees at English and Welsh universities, many potential UK undergraduates are seriously considering studying overseas for the first time. The thinking goes that if you’re going to be paying thousands each year to expand your mind at university, why not enhance the experience by submerging yourself in the culture of a different country at the same time?

As an English speaking Commonwealth country, Canada is emerging as a top choice for many getaway students from the UK. This is understandable for the reason that Canada is different from home but not different enough to be scary or alienating.

However, here are many good reasons to consider studying in Canada. Firstly, it’s a big place, stretching from the Atlantic in the east to the Pacific in the west, and offers a huge variety of locations to choose from. From cutting-edge festival cities such as Montreal and Toronto which regularly poll as offering among the highest quality of life anywhere in the world to visually stunning and unique places such as Quebec, Alberta and Newfoundland, Canada has a university town to attract everyone. And, although it is a long plane journey away, there are plenty of companies that fly to Canada, especially to Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal.

On a practical level, tuition fees in Canada are generally competitive with those in the UK and other English speaking countries. Many educational institutions in Canada offer scholarships, grants or bursaries for international students. Each institution is different, though, so it’s best to research the institutions you’re considering applying to individually to find out what sort of financial support opportunities may be available. You can find contact information for each university at the Study in Canada website. You’ll also find information on the admission policies of each institution.

Crucially, the education you receive and the qualifications you gain from an accredited Canadian university, college or business school will be recognised throughout the world. You can check that a particular institution is fully accredited by visiting the website of the

Avenue St-Denis, with Chateau Frontenac in the distance.

Guest post by Janelle Vadnais

Also known as Ville de Quebec, Quebec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is the second largest city (by population) after Montreal. Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, Quebec City is a popular tourist destination as it is rich in history as well as extremely scenic.

Depending on where you are coming from as well as how long you are planning on staying, you may want to consider hiring an car transport company to ship your vehicle to Old Quebec City. Of course, there is nothing wrong with driving there yourself either. Regardless of how you decide to get there, the following are some points of advice if you do find yourself traveling to this historic area.

1. Bring a passport. As a non-native, make sure that you have a valid passport as well as a form of photo identification ready to show once you approach the border by car or at customs by airplane.
2. Bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes. Old Quebec City is a walking city with quaint shoppes and cobblestone streets. There is a lot of history within a short distance, so make sure that you bring some comfortable shoes to wear.
3. Bring a light jacket.Depending on what time of year you travel to Quebec City, you’ll want to make sure that you dress accordingly. For instance, summers in Quebec City aren’t nearly as hot as they are in other parts of the world, with temperatures typically reaching no more than 78 degrees. Nights tend to be cool, so make sure you bring a light jacket if traveling there during the summer months.
4. Know the foreign currency conversion before you leave. The foreign exchange rate changes all of the time. Make sure that you check it with your current currency before you leave. Depending on the current rates, you may want to exchange your monies prior to leaving.
5. Notify your bank/credit card company of your travel itinerary. With some credit card companies, such as American Express, you do not need to notify them when you travel outside of your native country. However, for most other creditors, placing a simple phone call could save you a ton of frustration or financial problems when you find your accounts frozen due to suspicious activity. Letting them know when you are planning to travel as well as where will help to prevent any trouble.
6. Plan to be stopped at the border. If you are traveling by car, make sure that you have all of the necessary paperwork for your vehicle with you as well as your passport and photo identification. Though your vehicle is not customarily searched, the border control officers will ask you a series of questions as to your business in that country as well as questions as to how you know the other passengers in your vehicle, etc.
7. Bring a French/English dictionary, just in case. If you don’t know French, it may be a good idea to bring a French/English dictionary just in case as the official language of Quebec City is none other than French. And though most places will provide an English equivalent, street signs/names will be listed in French. Additionally, more than 80 percent of the population in Quebec City speaks French with the remaining population speaking English.
8. Take advantage of free activities. Just because you are traveling to a foreign country doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to spend an exorbitant amount of money. When you arrive, grab a walking tour map and spend the first day exploring the city on your own. Once you get a feel for it, you can venture out more and choose certain activities to do.

About the Author: Janelle is an avid travel enthusiast and blog manager for one of the leading auto movers in the United States, National Transport, LLC. For more information about car shipping rates, you can contact National Transport, LLC at 1.800.665.5022.

Guest post by Trevor Stuart

Many people have heard of the Rocky Mountains. Most people are under the impression that the Rockies are located exclusively in the United States – namely, in Colorado. However, this is untrue – it just happens to be that the part of the mountain range in Colorado is an incredibly beautiful and well known part that contains Mount Elbert, the highest peak in the entire range. A good chunk of the Rocky Mountains is located in British Columbia and Alberta in Canada. This section of the mountain range is known as the Canadian Rockies.

The Canadian Rockies extend all the way from the Interior Plains of Alberta to the Rocky Mountain Trench of British Columbia. In the south, the range borders Idaho and Montana while in the north it ends at the Liard River. Unlike the American Rockies, the Canadian Rockies are made out of shade and limestone. The following parks are located in the Canadian Rockies: Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Kootenay National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, Yoho National Park, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, Mount Robson Provincial Park, Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park, Kwadacha Wildnerness Provincial Park, Stone Mountain Provincial Park and Muncho Lake Provincial Park. Many of these parks, as a whole, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Mount Robson Provincial Park

Mount Robson Provincial Park is an especially notable park due to it being the largest provincial park in the Canadian Rockies. This 2,249 kilometer park was created in 1913, making it the second oldest park in British Columbia. It is home to Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. There’s something for everyone in this park, from easily accessible trails trod upon by thousands to pristine untouched land. There are several different types of vegetation zones, over 182 species of birds, many different types of animals and some truly breathtaking landscapes to see. You can take a day trip into the park, or camp overnight in one of the three campgrounds.

Waterton Lakes National Park

Another popular park is the Waterton Lakes National Park located in Alberta. It borders the Glacier National Park across the border in Montana. Collectively, these two parks are known as the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Waterton Lakes National Park is a World Biosphere reserve with all kinds of different habitats such as prairie grasslands, aspen grove forests, alpine tundras and coniferous forests. Historical and cultural memorials at the park include the Prince of Wales Hotel, the first oil well in Western Canada and the Bar U Ranch.

Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park is located in between two other national parks. It is home to Mount Burgess, a mountain that is so frequently climbed that for years it was featured on the Canadian ten dollar bill. Other mountains in this park include Mount Stephen, the President, the Vice President, Mount Goodsir and Mount Balfour. There are many lakes and waterfalls in the park, including Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake and Wapta Falls.

Provided by Trevor Stuart from the Toronto auto insurance website www.completeinsurance.ca. Another one of Trevor’s favourite spots in this area is Banff National Park.

Guest post by Forex Traders

The Great Recession, as it has been so named, has been extremely difficult for most countries with well-developed economies. Various recovery programs have failed to stimulate the domestic growth and hiring necessary to replace and exceed those jobs lost during the recent downturn. Australia seems to be the only outlier that was able to skirt the global recession, due primarily to its proximity to Asian markets and its export trade of raw materials to China’s fast-growing industrial complex.

Canada, however, has already outdistanced its other G7 brethren in newly gendered economic performance, including generating enough jobs to replace the 460,000 that were previously lost. To the South, the United States continues to stumble along, mired in political gridlock with tepid recovery results, still wondering when the nine million job lost figure will ever be diminished. Canada’s recovery is ongoing, and economic activity is well past pre-recession levels.

Canada’s recovery began in earnest in 2010, jumping ahead with 6.2% GDP growth for the first quarter, more than three times the average of 1.9% for the other G7 countries combined. However, by the end of the year, the annualized growth figure had leveled off at 3%, roughly the same as the U.S. The reason cited for the decline in domestic growth during the balance of 2010 was weak export trade.

The U.S. does account for 80% of Canadian exports, and, without a full recovery south of the border, export demand suffered. The USD CAD currency pair tells the story. The Canadian Dollar has blown past parity with the greenback in 2011 and continues to appreciate, a positive trend that currency trading enthusiasts have kept a close eye on.

It takes time to develop more export avenues on the global stage, but the prospects for the future will come from the west, not south as in the past. The IMF, as well as many other leading economic research groups, is projecting the growth trends in Asia, especially in China and India, to continue for the next two decades. Years of corporate off shoring have relocated the manufacturing center of the planet to China. India and others have followed suit, resulting in the largest redistribution of wealth that the world has ever experienced.

Prospering middle classes in Asia are also desirous of the Western lifestyle, complete with better homes, cars, clothing, and food. Although their national economies are currently driven by exports, both China and India will evolve to a more consumer-driven environment over time. CEO’s for nearly every major multinational company have often noted in recent quarterly reports that their future prospects will come from servicing demand for their many products and services in these burgeoning markets.

Canada has already benefited from China’s unquenchable need for energy imports, but other opportunities will abound as well. Forecasting growth and demand from Asia may be difficult, but well-established trends will create future export demand. Consequently, Canada can already forecast GDP growth in 2011 in the two to three percent range.

You’ll find hundreds of Tourist Guides for the wonderful city of Toronto suggesting that you visit those obvious destinations like the unmissable CN Tower and the Eaton Centre, where you can shop all day long and encounter crowds of other tourists. But why not try a few destinations in Toronto that aren’t as mainstream but are, nonetheless, very unique? You should definitely visit these amazing locations if you want to experience a real taste of Toronto.

1. The Distillery District
The Distilery District is a National Historic Site tied with the Gooderham & Worts Distillery opened in 1832. It is just east of downtown and covers a large area of almost 13 acres. It was once the largest distillery in the British Empire and produced millions of gallons of whisky and spirits in the 1800’s. After closing in 1990, it became a popular filming location. Nowadays, it’s a pedestrian-only village dedicated to arts, culture and entertainment with its historical heritage still intact. It boasts a great mixture of restaurants and cafes and a unique shopping district — not to mention the many galleries, artists’ studios and performing arts venues. Forget about Starbucks and McDonald’s! The Distillery District offers the most interesting and original stores, featuring one-of-a-kind goods ranging from designer jewellery, award-wining purses, fabulous footwear, and world-class cosmetics to state-of-the-art home accessories and the world’s best mattress for $60,000!

2. The St. Lawrence Market
The St. Lawrence Market is the name of a whole neighbourhood in old-town downtown Toronto, known for its colourful architecture and its famous market, which has come to describe the area. If you stay in Toronto on a weekend, try to stroll through the market, viewing and sampling the local produce in the unique atmosphere of the thriving historical market that was developed in the early 1800’s. It is even ranked as one of the 25 best markets in the world, and is a popular destination for shoppers from all over the city. People delight in the market’s character. You’ll hear music and 120 specialty vendors calling out to the crowds inside one of the three buildings: St. Lawrence Hall, the South Market and the North Market. The South Market is also famous for its Market Gallery on the third floor, which was the original council chamber of Toronto’s City Hall until 1899.

3. “Time and a Clock” Installation in Riverside
If you happen to be near the Riverside neighbourhood in Toronto, be sure to check out the Queen & Broadview area, with the Queen Street East bridge over the Don River and the three-piece public art installation located in this area. Created by Eldon Garnet, a famous Toronto-based public sculptor, in 1996, the installation examines the essence of time, its substance and ambiguity. “Time and a Clock” is a sculpture located at three different places. The first part is the decoration of the historic Queen Street East bridge with a clock and an inscription above that reads: “This river I step in is not the river I stand in.” The second part is located at the intersection of Queen Street East and Broadview Avenue, where the author embedded a time-related phrase into the sidewalk. The third part consists of four slim poles with stainless-steel pennants on Queen Street beside the Jimmy Simpson Park. There are four descriptors of time on each of the pennants, creating a lyrical poem: “COURSING, DISAPPEARING, TREMBLING, RETURNING.”

4. High Park
The largest and most popular park in Toronto, High Park also lent its name to the neighbourhood surrounding it. The area that is now High Park was given to the city in 1873 by John Howard, a great benefactor who even donated his home, Colborne Lodge, to the city. This estate is a historical museum now. If you want to escape the city for a while, the largest green space in Toronto offers manicured ornamental gardens, picnic grounds, playgrounds, flower gardens, animal paddocks, quiet spots with native vegetation, a whimsical zoo, sport facilities and much more. It also naturally hosts a black oak savanna — a rare and endangered forest ecosystem.

5. Gerrard India Bazaar
The commercial centre of Toronto’s East-Indian community and the largest ethnic market of Indian goods in North America is located along Gerrard Street East between Greenwood Avenue and Coxwell Avenue. The India Bazaar, or “Little India,” as it is unofficially referred to, is a popular destination for all sorts of shoppers, especially those who want to add some unique pieces to their jewellery box. Earrings, necklaces, rings and bangles fashioned from 22-carat gold imported from all over the world or custom-made jewellery from talented goldsmiths and gemologists are among the many goods available at the bazaar. Shopping in the bazaar for wonderful silks, embroideries and ornately sequined pieces of cloth is a really amazing experience. The bazaar also gives you a chance to taste a wide variety of Subcontinental cuisines, which differ from chef to chef — so don’t miss this lovely Toronto spot!

Prepared by Toronto real estate professional Heather Hadden. For more information about areas in Toronto, check the Toronto neighbourhoods section!

Guest post by Maria Rainier

If you think the only place to see plains animals in their natural habitat is at the zoo, you might want to put Alberta, Canada’s Elk Island at the top of your list of places to visit. You’ll never even think of going to another zoo once you’ve experienced this park’s natural wildlife firsthand. After the African Serengeti, Elk Island has the highest population density of grazing animals in the world, and uncommon species like bison are among the wildlife you’ll be able to watch when you visit.

Elk Island’s Role in Elk and Bison Survival

Elk Park was established in 1906 and was renamed Elk Island Park two years later, reflecting its original purpose: to protect one of the last remaining herds of elk in Canada. It was started by five local men who signed a $5,000 bond in order to open the park and pledge their devotion to protecting the herd. In 1907, Elk Island unwittingly began its role in bison preservation when 48 of these animals escaped en route to Buffalo National Park via train. Eluding capture, the bison found that Elk Island was the perfect environment in which to flourish and soon grew substantially in numbers. Over the next century, thousands of healthy bison were sent to other plains areas with struggling populations to help save the species from endangerment and potential extinction. The year 2007 designated a century of successful bison conservation, making Elk Island National Park the leading organization in the preservation of this species.

Other Conservation Roles

In 1987, the park began a trumpeter swan reintroduction program to help these birds recover from
low population numbers and disappearing habitats. As the largest waterfowl in North America, the
trumpeter swan is an important species to conserve – and Elk Island has helped not only to save this bird from endangerment, but also to help it thrive by reestablishing it in a pristine habitat. In addition to elk, bison, and trumpeter swans, the park conserves populations of moose, deer, coyotes, beavers, and over two hundred avian species. No matter which type of animal lover you might be, you’ll find a species to watch at Elk Island National Park.

Enjoying the Park

There are two main species of bison at the park: wood and plains. It’s easy to tell them apart based on a variety of characteristics, but the easiest is probably to spot the pointed “beard” and horns on the wood bison. This species also has a longer tail and a hump that is squarer in shape, whereas plains bison have short tails and rounded humps.

Because the park is located in bison country, park rangers advise you to be careful when using your own vehicle on the scenic drives. Close encounters with bison can be breathtaking, but it’s important to be cautious in order to avoid agitating the animals. It’s recommended that you remain in the vehicle and silently wait for the bison to pass – honking your horn could result in danger. If you’re walking or hiking the trails, make noise to let the bison know you’re close by and avoid approaching any of these animals head-on. This will keep you and the incredible species of Elk Island National Park safe and free to enjoy the natural environment.

Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education where she’s been researching the lowest paying degrees as well as the highest paying jobs. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

Guest post by Ryan Embly

Interested in taking a road trip and seeing Canada by car? Instead of randomly zigzagging through the country with no real plan in mind, check out the Trans-Canada Highway Route. This 4,860 mile long
highway, which stretches between Victoria, British Columbia and St. John’s, Newfoundland, is the
world’s longest national highway. There are two routes that make up the Trans-Canada Highway the
main Trans-Canada route and the Yellowhead Highway. Both highways run along the southern part of
Canada, linking together the ten provinces of Canada.

Since the Trans-Canada Highway passes through so many cities and locations, it is the perfect route
for anyone taking a road trip through the country. Some of the cities near the highway are Victoria,
Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, St. John’s, Quebec City, Ottawa and Winnipeg. The highway also
passes by several landmarks and sites that are the epitome of the Canadian experience. Road tripping
down this route is a great way to experience the breathtaking Canadian landscape while on the way to a
great destination. Here are three wonderful road trip destinations in Canada accessible from the Trans-
Canada Highway.

Gros Morne National Park

Located in Newfoundland, this national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. World renowned for
its geological wonders and fjords, activities in the park include camping, hiking, photography, skiing,
boating, and snowshoeing. With beautiful waterfalls, sea stacks, beaches, marine inlets and little fishing
villages to check out, there are plenty of lovely sights to see.

Fortress of Louisbourg

This reconstructed 18th century French fortified town is located east of Sydney, Nova Scotia, on Cape
Breton. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the experience of life in another century. Guides will happily
explain the history of the fortress and how people lived in those days. There are lots of buildings and
exhibits to see, and fun activities to do.

Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology

This fascinating museum in Drumheller, Alberta, has the world’s largest exhibit of complete dinosaur
skeletons. Learn about the history of our planet through numerous exhibits, displays, computer
simulations and fossils. There’s also a lovely prehistoric garden and opportunities to watch museum
technicians preparing fossils for display.

Ryan Embly is the writer of this post. He writes for the website Car Rental Express, which features
information about discount car rentals and other travel tips.

Guest post by Eric Rea

Looking for some great Canadian ski resorts? Here are three gems that you may not know about.

Living in Alberta, there is access to some of the best snow in the world. Aside from Whistler, Alberta hosts all of the big name Ski Resorts that you see on the cover of Ski Canada Magazine. Lake Louise and Sunshine Village should ring a few bells.

While these resorts have beautiful amenities and fantastic terrain, they are some of the busiest and most expensive places to ski in the country. Most go skiing to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and to enjoy an almost magical experience with just you, nature, and your skis or snowboard. Whether you are riding the newest skate banana, or a vintage pair of atomics, skiing can feel like an out of body experience. When you arrive at one of the mega resorts, you will soon realize that you are going to have a tough time doing either. On the other hand, there are a few lesser-known resorts that can provide an amazing getaway with the complete terrain and amenities most are looking for.

1. Fernie Alpine Resort – Fernie is nestled right in the historic town that it was named after. The town has other attractions to visit as well. After a day on the slopes, you can head over to the Fernie Brewing Company to unwind. Instead of hitting the slopes one day, take a scenic heritage tour.
2. Fortress Mountain Resort – Located only one hour west of Calgary, Fortress is a great place to take the whole family, and a lot less than most of the nearby resorts. Fortress has terrain for every level of skier. Although there are not as many amenities as Fernie, this is still a great place for single day trips, and can be very suitable for skiers on a budget.
3. Big White Ski Resort – Big White has gained quite a bit of attention over the last few years, and it is no wonder why. The terrain is some of the best in the Rockies, and the snow is pure bliss. It is on the pricey side, but the village provides excellent dining and accommodations. One great thing about Big White is that you can be there for a week and never have to get in your car to drive somewhere. That is one of the most relaxing benefits to a ski trip at Big White. If you have the money, and the time for an extended stay ski trip, Big White is the place to go.

Canada was blessed with amazing mountains, and as a result, has some of the best skiing in the world. Next time you are planning a ski trip, make sure to think of these three fantastic ski destinations.

Eric Rea is a university student who loves snowboarding. He runs skatebanana.net, a reverse camber snowboard review site.