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Top 10 Hottest Canadian Destinations

Wondering why Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2009 has listed Canada as one of the world's hottest destinations?

According to Lonely Planet, Canada is primed and ready to be explored next year. Whether travelling there in winter or summer, there are plenty of activities and experiences awaiting the unsuspecting visitor.

Here are ten reasons to quench your curiosity and make you question why Canada isn't at the top of your 'hot places to visit' list for next year.

King Pacific Lodge - A resort that floats
King Pacific Lodge is a luxury wilderness resort unlike any other, where resort buildings are actually towed to a docking location in a sheltered harbour along the shores of Princess Royal Island during the summer months amid the temperate rainforest of British Columbia on Canada's Pacific coast. A favourite destination of Kevin Costner and featured in Architectural Digest, the lodge is just two hours north of Vancouver and accessible only by boat or floatplane, and is one of the few Canadian destinations where you can view the Komode bear population.

Key activities include whale watching (where migrating whales actually swim past the lodge), fly fishing, heli-fishing, wildlife viewing and cultural programs in partnership with the indigenous Gitga'at Nation, hiking and kayaking and a day spa. The lodge has no television or mobile coverage but does have wireless internet.

Spectacular Sonora - Gourmet, Spa & Adventure Retreat
Sonora Resort, located on Sonora Island in Canada, is a high end luxury resort providing the best in pampering and gourmet experiences with daily degustation menus.

You can also fly to Sonora in the resort's own helicopter from Vancouver.

The Wellness Centre is among the best in the world, with a fitness room, yoga/pilates studio, gym facilities, sauna, steam-room and three mineral pools.

Activities include golfing at Stoney Creek, a guided Grizzy bear tour, white water rafting, guided All Terrain Vehicle Tours through Holmalco First Nations land discovering wildlife in its natural habitat, a guided Zodiac nature tour, guided drift-boat fly fishing, helicopter fly-fishing and helicopter glacier tours.

The Deluxe Gold Rooms have fireplaces and soaker tubs while the resort offers an outdoor heated pool, hot tubs, steam rooms, tennis court, nine-hole putting green and games room, including virtual golf games and a state-of-the-art movie theatre, plus a stocked Rainbow Fly-Fishing pond.

Hiking with Huskies in the Yukon
The immensity of the Yukon landscape provides unparalleled choice for discovery. More than 80% of the Yukon is natural with its spectacular panorama preserved within comprehensive national and territorial parks and other protected areas.

An ideal destination for the adventurous type, Yukon offers spectacular day hikes usually joined by sled dogs, boating on Lake Laberge with visits to sites of historical interest, summer dog team rides, canoeing and lakeside picnics.

Staying at the colourful Bombay Peggy's at Dawson City, this newly restored building still bears the name of its former Madam. Built during the Gold Rush era it served as a mining company's headquarters and residence, a family home, brothel, boarding house, art gallery, and now an historic inn and pub.

The Okanagan Valley - A golfer's nirvana
Discover this jewel in central British Columbia with more than 100 vineyards and 75 golf courses, the majestic Monashee mountains, refreshing lakes and rivers, lush orchards all meet to create one of Canada's most loved golfing, gourmet and vacation destination - The Okanagan Valley.

Ideal for the avid golfer and located within the Okanagan Valley, Gallagher's Canyon Golf Club is a spectacular par 72, 18 hold championship course full of challenging fairways, well-protected greens, woodland glades and absolute cliff-hangers. You will marvel at the scenery around you as you play through tall groves of ponderosa pines and along the very edge of the picturesque canyon. Framed by rugged mountains and crystal sky, Gallagher's Canyon is your getaway to the quintessential Okanagan golf experience.

Golfing is not all that the Okanagan Valley has to offer. The Mission Hill Winery can be thought of as a refuge from the hurried pace of daily life. You are invited to experience the nature and art of winemaking by walking through their glorious on-site vineyards and visiting their underground cellars. Sample fine wines by the glass, marvel at the vista and reflect on a process that's almost as old as time itself.

If you're after a great place to retire from golfing on the lush greens or sampling the highest quality wines, the Hotel Eldorado is the perfect boutique Kelowna hotel in British Columbia. Situated on beautiful Okanagan Lake and just steps from Kelowna's sunny beaches, this boutique hotel has a private boardwalk and marina. With twenty wonderfully intimate guest rooms, convention facilities and a lakeside dining room the Hotel Eldorado offers an atmosphere all of its own.

Aurora Borealis - A getaway in the land of the midnight sun
Take part in the Aurora Borealis adventure and experience the northern lights dancing in spectacular multi-coloured displays. You'll have an exclusive, front row seat for nature's own light show after dark.

In late summer, the Aurora often fills the night sky, reflecting off the shimmering waters of Blachford Lake. On crisp winter nights, the Aurora, the moon and the stars light your way on snow covered paths. The northern lights have been in existence since the earth formed an atmosphere, and shine most intensely in this region.

Blachford Lake Lodge sits on a remote jewel of a lake set in Precambrian rock, just 20 minutes by charter aircraft from Yellowknife, the capital of Canada's Northwest Territories. The spacious, handcrafted log lodge and cabins offer a blend of rustic charm and modern comfort.

Gourmet meals are prepared by talented chefs, and the lounge offers a cozy retreat in the evenings. Embark on a hiking trail or join an authentic dog sled excursion.

Banff Lake Louise - Romance in the Rockies
The hustle and bustle of everyday life can be quite demanding and straining on a relationship. Banff Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada, offers the perfect getaway for couples seeking some quality time.

Staying at the majestic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, located deep within the heart of pristine Banff National Park, your romantic escape begins. The prestigious hotel offers a number of facilities and services including an indoor heated pool, steam room, fitness centre, high speed Internet access in all guest rooms, and pampering options such as facials, massages, manicures, and pedicures. Offering a broad range of dining options, including a fine dining experience at their four diamond Fairview Dining Room restaurant, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise ensures a relaxing and hassle-free holiday.

For couples wanting to experience all that this part of Canada has to offer, there are many activities to guarantee you discover every facet of the glorious Banff National Park. These include hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting on the spectacular Kicking Horse River.

Gourmet Yacht Cruise - Combining your love of food and the sea
For food and wine lovers seeking a unique culinary travel experience in the Gulf Islands, a gourmet yacht cruise is the ideal option.

The beautiful Gulf Islands are located between Vancouver Island and the mainland. Breathtaking and picturesque, they are considered by many sailors to have some of the best cruising on the west coast of North America.

The Gulf Islands Gourmet Yacht Cruise focuses on food and wine with Chef Catherine Cafiti who cooked for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turino. Catherine will prepare fresh west coast Canadian cuisines such as lobster and wild Canadian salmon confit paired with award-winning wines from the Okanagan region of British Colombia that have been custom designed for you.

Staying in a luxurious private stateroom aboard the historic 115-foot Yellowfin, the trip's highlights include anchoring off a secluded beach, exploring seaside cliffs, white shell beaches and villages that are practically untouched by time and tourists, and optional activities such as swimming, sea kayaking, hiking and biking routes, power boating, onshore excursions, and sport fishing.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort - Holiday like a star
The Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is a perfect destination for adventurous couples or friends looking for the best of both worlds: a remote wilderness experience with first class outdoor activities plus luxury accommodation with sumptuous food and pampering opportunities.

The glamorous and elegant Scarlett Johansson married in October at the picturesque and secluded resort located in the fragile Clayoquot Sound biosphere reserve near the seaside village of Tofino on Vancouver Island.

Exploring the natural beauty of Vancouver Island can be achieved by hiking, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding and mountain biking through the wilderness. After a day out, visitors can retire to their luxurious five-star indoor/outdoor glamour camping accommodation in a suite tent completely furnished with modern decor, Adirondack-style beds, air conditioning, private showers, and more.

Visitors are sure to experience one of the most exclusive and unique holiday offerings in the world.

Yukon Backroads by 4X4
If you've ever wanted to visit the top of the world, this adventure will take you further north than you've ever been before. Driving through Canada's rugged Yukon in a 4X4 you'll experience a unique environment full of breathtaking vistas as you traverse several towering mountain ranges throughout your adventure.

The Yukon offers thousands of kilometres of secondary roads and trails for the off-road enthusiast to explore. The majority of this trip takes you on gravel roads and scenic backcountry routes, offering both excitement and plenty of spectacular photo opportunities.

Your adventure will begin in Whitehorse, the gateway to the Gold Rush, as you ascend roughly hewn roads that deliver you to serene, wooded landscapes. You will continue your journey across the Yukon to places such as Frances Lake, Inuvik, Dawson City, and Kluane. See the famous signpost on top of Ken Hill, the legendary Klondike Goldfields in Dawson City, and take a ferry to the Arctic Circle. Your trip will end with a drive over the Top-of-the-World Highway and a visit to Kluane National Park.

Boasting Jacuzzi suites and a fitness centre, the Westmark Whitehorse Hotel and Conference Centre is the largest hotel in the Yukon region and a great place to recuperate from the day's exhilarating adventure. Dine at the Steele Street Patio with an open-air design providing a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for guests to enjoy a lunch, light snack, dinner, or refreshing beverage.

Beluga Birds and Blooms in Churchill
Throughout July and August, Churchill - situated at the estuary of the Churchill River, at Hudson Bay in Manitoba - springs to life.

As the ice covered Hudson Bay melts during summer, more than 3,000 Beluga whales gather in the mouth of the Churchill River to feed on crustaceans in the warmer waters. These friendly whales, known as the sea canaries for their melodic vocalisations, will thrill you as they swim by your boat or kayak and roll over to look you in the eye.

Other activities at Churchill include a full day tundra buggy adventure, summer hike program with authentic Arctic sled dogs, a tour of the Prince of Whales fort, and snorkeling and kayaking with the whales.

Accommodation options are modest and include the Tundra Inn, Polar Inn & Suites, and Seaport Hotel. Churchill is the ideal destination for those wanting little rest and plenty of adventure.

For more information or to book any of the listed packages please visit www.sensationalcanada.com