As Canada gets ready to celebrate its 150th birthday, respected travel guide Lonely Planet has market it as the number one choice for tourists and travellers in 2017.
Lonely Planet has issued its choices for its “Best in Travel 2017” list, including the top 10 travel bargains, regions, cities, and countries. Canada dominated the other countries on the list, including Nepal, Dominica, Finland and Colombia.
The countries making the Best in Travel 2017 list include:
- Canada
- Colombia
- Finland
- Dominica
- Nepal
- Bermuda
- Mongolia
- Oman
- Myanmar
- Ethiopia
Canada was praised for its “inclusiveness and impeccable politeness”. Lonely Planet also remarked on the “positively unleashed by its energetic new leader Justin Trudeau”, and pointed to its weak dollar as a positive reason for travellers wanting to taste the exciting fusion food in the country, along with its “mysteriously underrated wine.”
The company also released a list comprised of the best places to visit in Canada when the country turns 150. Ottawa topped the list, as the guide stated that it will have the biggest birthday bash in the nation, including a giant street party, flyovers by the snowbirds, and free events and concerts, many of which will be held on York Street, in the new cultural village that’s currently being built out of sea containers.
According to Lonely Planet, visitors who can’t make it to Ottawa should be heading to Charlottetown, which regularly has a huge celebration for Canada and will be cranking this celebration up a notch for 2017. There will be a ten-hour concert showcasing the musical talent of Prince Edward Islands, and it will include everything from rock to fiddles to jazz. Expect to rub shoulders with plenty of tourists who will be drawn to the town for the giant birthday cake and 21-gun salute.
While there are plenty of reasons to travel abroad, many Canadians will find that staying home to celebrate Canada’s birthday on the 1st of July and maybe do some domestic travel may be a better choice.
For those who want to get outdoors, all heritage sites and national parks will be free in Canada for all of 2017 allowing visitors to choose from 168 historic sites and 47 parks, including Lake Louise, Gros Morne National Park, and the Fortress of Lousibourg.
Visitors to Toronto will be keeping their ears open, with the Toronto Symphony linking orchestras across the country, bringing some of Canada’s heritage composers to life and commissioning some new pieces to celebrate the nation’s eclectic musical traditions.
Vancouver will also be celebrating Canada Day, with events including a citizenship ceremony for new Canadians, a full-day music concert, street performances, a huge fireworks display, and an evening parade.
If you’re planning to travel in 2017, be sure to work in a trip within Canada, to make sure you can finally see those spots which have been on your bucket list and celebrate living in such a spectacular country.
