The next time you're driving to Toronto or Niagara Falls, stop in Hamilton, where tourist traffic isn't quite so rampant. The Niagara Escarpment provides spectacular scenery, with beautiful trails and waterfalls. Visit nearby farms, orchards and vineyards, or plan your trip to coincide with Hamilton's lively fall fairs.

Picturesque Laval has an ice trail in winter, with heated shelters, the interactive Armand-Frappier Museum for kids, and year-round indoor surfboarding. Explore space at the Cosmodôme and history on the Heritage Trail.

What happens when a "gassy" Englishman rows into town feeling thirsty? A pub is born. And from that a city—in this case Vancouver. Though the pubs are plentiful, food and drink aren’t the only things to take in during your trip. In its 150 years, Vancouver has grown into a cosmopolitan city nestled in the great outdoors. Enjoy the snow-capped mountains, waterfront forests, cityside beaches, Olympic history and the world’s highest suspension bridge. Hipsters welcome. (Don’t worry, they don’t bite.)

Harrogate is also known as "The English Spa." For centuries, visitors have flocked to the mineral hot springs. Today, those springs still soothe the body while the placid RHS Harlow Carr Gardens and Yorkshire Dales national park stimulate the soul. Tea rooms, architecture, and art galleries are the main pastimes in this pleasant town.  With four rail stations for easy transport, travellers can board trains running between Harrogate and York, Leeds, Knaresborough, and London.

The “smallest town” on earth, Durbuy, is just 2 hours from Brussels. With a population of 500, Durbury has maintained its charming medieval setting, another Belgium village to relax and enjoy the beauty of history. The city’s first castle was built around 889, awarded “city” status in 1331. Today its pedestrian streets are narrow, flowered and cobbled, winding between the old bluestone homes and buildings, attracting tourists to its shops, fine restaurants and hotels. In December, the streets are alive with Christmas markets. Adventurists can also kayak or raft the Ourthe River that passes through the city. Must-see Durbuy attractions include the Topiary Park, The Belvedere, The Confiturerie Saint-Amour, and with a last thirst-quenching stop at the Marckloff Brewery.