The days of the ‘colonists’ may be over, but the country they made their own is as lovely as ever. From the wide-open spaces and deep river valleys to the peaks of the snow-capped mountains, much of Canada is even today a true wilderness. Eagle, deer, beaver and bear are common sights. Yet the rugged scenery of the Rockies is only part of the story: despite having one of the lowest population densities in the world, Canada is home to dynamic cities like Vancouver or Calgary – venue for the ‘Calgary Stampede’, the world’s biggest rodeo show.

Fortunately, the settlers’ way of travelling is still around too: the remarkable Canadian Pacific Railway. For the men who built this incredible engineering feat in the 19th Century, the extraordinary scenery it had to penetrate was a huge challenge. For today’s visitor it means that riding the CPR is one of the world’s great experiences… and especially when you do it in a private train hauled by a lovingly restored steam locomotive.

From its remotest to its busiest parts Canada is a remarkable country. A journey across it is something you’ll never forget.

Climate: In winter, temperatures fall below freezing point throughout most of Canada. But the south-western coast has a relatively mild climate. Along the Arctic Circle, temperatures are below freezing for seven months a year. During the summer months the southern provinces often experience high levels of humidity and temperatures that can surpass 30 degrees Celsius regularly. Western and south-eastern Canada experience high rainfall, but the Prairies are dry with 250 mm to 500 mm of rain every year.