Car Hire Canada - Mini guide to Canada

Despite the fact that most of this enormous country is inaccessible wilderness, Canada still boasts many exciting, cosmopolitan cities with both modern and historic character.

With its cliff-top position, ancient walls, old stone buildings, narrow streets and citadelle, Quebec City is a world heritage site, situated on the St Lawrence river and famous for its distinctly European atmosphere. Place Royale, the Lower Town’s hub, is surrounded with restaurants, galleries, cafes and historic buildings.

Montreal is another French enclave, with a charming and relaxing character. Named after the park-covered Mont Royal, the city comprises of cobblestone streets of Montreal's old precinct, lined with stone houses, Paris-like cafes and architectural beauties. Central to Montreal’s character is the distinctly French culture.

Ottawa, the capital, has some fine buildings to match its ‘politicians atmosphere’, and impressive museums, dominated by the neo-Gothic Parliament Buildings.

Toronto is the country’s principal city, with a multi-cultural, lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere. It boasts the world’s tallest structure (CN tower), and plenty of bars and restaurants. The renovated Harbour front is a fine place for an outdoor wander to eat and drink. Some of Toronto's best-preserved historic buildings can be found in York old town, and there's a peerless collection of fine Victorian domestic architecture in Cabbagetown.

Vancouver’s back drop of mountains, and its convoluted bays criss-crossed by many bridges offer stunning views. The old town sits on a peninsula jutting out into English bay, and the renovated neo-Victorian Gastown now houses restaurants, bars, boutiques and galleries; Stanley Park, offers outstanding views of downtown Vancouver. Lively Chinatown is supported by Vancouver’s sizeable Chinese community, and features a wonderful classical Chinese garden.