When most people think of Canada they imagine hockey teams skating around the tundra while moose, Mounties and maple leaves fill the miles of open space. But there’s more to Canada than stereotypes. A lot more. If you’ve never been properly introduced to all that Canada has to offer, then please, allow me to do the honors.

The Land

For starters, the beauty of the True North is immense and diverse. From the unique reversing falls of New Brunswick to the Mountains of British Columbia there are waters to tame and peaks to conquer throughout the country. On foot, the Canadian terrain offers incredible hiking. The most famous is probably the West Coast Trail in Vancouver which is regarded as “one of the world’s best hikes”.

But really, no matter which region you visit, there are beautiful, scenic trails to follow. These paths will lead you into vast old forests, through prairies, along coastlines and over mountains. By sea, there are waterways across the nation that offer bountiful opportunities for boating, kayaking, canoeing and rafting.

The St Lawrence Seaway, on the east coast, is a series of locks and canals that is also home to The Thousand Islands. These islands have become a popular tourist destination with shared ownership between the US and Canada. The Yukon Territory boasts a combination of thrilling white water rapids as well as the chance to experience arctic mountains and wildlife. Slightly south, visiting Vancouver means the chance to Kayak with Orcas.

In the north east, you can sail off the coast of Newfoundland and through Iceburg Alley, for the experience of seeing real icebergs, as they depart Greenland and drift into the Atlantic Ocean. In Halifax you can canoe along the Rock formations of the Bay of Fundy. From east to west the scenic Canadian waters are utterly incredible.

But possibly the best vista in all of Canada comes in the form of the northern lights. The Auroras, which occur at both poles, are the world’s most breath-taking natural light show. These proton emissions appear to humans as a stunning spectrum of lights and colors on the horizon. Canada’s proximity to the North Pole makes it an ideal place to witness the phenomenon of the Aurora borealis up close.

The History

The bearing strait, the small waterway between Alaska and Russia is perhaps one of the great mysteries of human history. The 53-mile stretch of water served as a passageway for human migration from Asia to the New World. If scientist speculation is accurate then that makes Canada the first home for migrants and quite possibly a gateway to all of the northern Americas. The people who settled, and traveled through Canada those tens of thousands of years ago left behind an abundance of information for us to uncover, recover and use to discover the secrets of our past.

For students of archeology, or history buffs, the dozens of dig sites across the nation are a unique and rewarding destination. Whether you are studying Aboriginal cultures or the history of the First Nations there is an infinite amount to be learned here. From Beothuk history in Alberta to the Hudson Bay Company’s fur trading posts, Canada offers unique archeological insights into the development of civilization in the Western hemisphere.

The Canadian provinces also have 42 national parks and nearly 1000 historic sites including aboriginal villages, floral gardens, forts and a plethora of churches, manors and other buildings with great historical significance. Some of the most famous attractions include Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a tribute to the Reverend Josiah Henson, who was a major influence on the Underground Railroad.

The site also serves as an homage to Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel of the same name, a book which was credited for sparking the US Civil War. Also on the Eastern coast, in Halifax to be exact, lie the remains of 150 victims of the Titanic tragedy, the largest contingent anywhere in the world. Historical relics and monuments are widespread in Canada and have been sharing their stories with tourists for generations.

The Culture

As an officially bi-lingual country with both bustling cities and vacant arctic plains there is no shortage of unique and exquisite culture to experience in Canada. Strong influences from the British, French, US and the aboriginal people of Canada, make for a unique mixture of arts, cuisine and traditions. While aspects of culture vary from province to province, one of the most famous parts of Canada is Quebec, or French Canada, where influences from France are strong and pervasive.

Meanwhile, on the western coast, traces of Chinese culture have subtly emerged in daily life in Brittish Columbia. As a reflection of their progressive society, nationwide, there is a more widespread acceptance of the LGBT community than in many other nations. Recent legislation adding sexual orientation as a protected human rights status has made Canada a leader in the gay rights movement.

There is also a wide variety of art, literature, music, sports and theater to experience in Canada. Each year Montréal plays host to the “Just for Laughs Festival” one of the largest comedy gatherings in the world. Musically, the government fosters creation by mandating that 36% of all music played on the public radio is Canadian in origin. The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa is home to artistic masterpieces from world- renowned artists like Rembrandt, El Greco, Monet, Degas, Van Gogh and numerous others.

And Of course, representing the country’s national winter sport are numerous hockey stadiums and the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Oh Canada!

Canada offers truly offers the trip of a lifetime to anyone. With an abundance of opportunities for outdoor adventure, historical study and cultural enrichment, Canada is full of awe-inspiring beauty and spiritual gratification. For anyone who’s never considered Canada as a dream destination it may be time to turn your eyes to the True North for your next odyssey.

Leslie is a true Canada aficionado who writes regularly for Canadian Pardons. Her favorite vacation spots are St John, NL and Montréal QC.