In Photos: Mini Trip to Canada

If it’s this cool on the outside, just think what it’s like on the inside. Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) – its answer to London’s Natural History Museum – received a spectacular makeover by architect Daniel Libeskind in 2007.

Other modern wonders in Toronto include Frank Gehry’s redesign of the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), with its spiralling sculptural staircase.

Kayak down Ottawa’s Rideau canal (or skate down it in winter when it freezes over) to take in the sights. On 1 July each year, there’s no more Canadian place to be than here, among the thousands with maple leaf-painted faces as the sky lights up with fireworks to celebrate Canada Day.

Lose yourself in the Group of Seven’s work at the National Gallery of Canada followed by local wines and craft beers at the ByWard Market.

Walk in the footsteps of intrepid French explorers in Montréal’s Old Port and explore their history at the Pointe-à-Callière Museum. Make a relaxing voyage of your own at Bota-Bota, a Scandinavian-style boat-spa anchored on the quay. In winter, when the vast Saint Lawrence river slushes with ice, zip into a snow suit to dance outdoors in the harbour at the electro-music Igloofest.

Montréal is a modern city with deep roots into the past: discover the sunny pleasures of its summer patios when you explore its ancient cobbled streets as skyscrapers gleam above.