8 unforgettable Canadian travel destinations for summer 2025 and beyond, according to an expert
Soak up coastal views and spot wildlife in Newfoundland
'One of the iconic places to go this time of year is Twillingate, Nfld. where you'll see icebergs coming by and the arrival the puffins,' says Cook. Just 90 minutes from Gander's airport, visitors can watch dolphins, seabirds and harp seals in the waters off the rugged coast, or explore the outport's historic, charming streets.
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Perched off Newfoundland's northeast coast, just a couple of hours away from Twillingate, Fogo Island's wild beauty is set against magnificent landscapes, making it another great place to visit, she adds.
'For a special treat, don't miss staying at the Fogo Island Inn,' suggests Cook. The luxe property offers spectacular views, fine dining, iceberg tours and whale-watching excursions.
Pro tip: Take a short ferry ride to Europe — the French islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon are just 20 kilometres from Newfoundland's southern coast.
Dine on the ocean floor in Nova Scotia
For an unforgettable culinary experience, head to Burnt Coat Head Park on the Bay of Fundy, the home of the world's highest tides.
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Organized by Food Fantastique, Dining on the Ocean Floor includes scrumptious coastal fare, local craft beer and Tidal Bay wine. Guests can forage for edibles, tour the ocean floor to see fossils, then savour a three-course dinner while watching the incoming tide followed by Mi'kmaq storytelling around a campfire.
'This is a five-hour event and it's absolutely incredible,' says Cook, adding that foodies will also love the seasonal delights at the award-winning Flying Apron Inn & Cookery in Summerville, an hour from Halifax.
Explore the Flavour Trail in Charlevoix, Québec
Québec City's European-style culture, architecture and gastronomy make it a popular destination, but Cook encourages visitors to venture about 80 kilometres east to discover Charlevoix.
'It's a beautiful area with lots of hiking; you can get outside into more remote areas and do a wonderful wine and food road trip,' she says.
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Known for its lush forests and rolling hills hugging the St. Lawrence River, plus its Biosphere Reserve — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Charlevoix also has a vibrant culinary and agrotourism scene. Guests can take a self-guided driving tour along the Flavour Trail to meet 40 local producers, growers and chefs and sample award-winning artisanal cheese, organic charcuterie, hand-crafted chocolate, maple whiskey and traditional cider; all perfect ingredients for an alfresco picnic.
Discover lakefront luxury in the Muskokas
Ontario residents have flocked to the Muskoka District north of Lake Simcoe for decades. For an unmatched experience, Cook suggests renting a bespoke villa for a week on this expansive stretch of pristine waterfront. The region's 4,000 hectares of accessible forests, abundant wildlife and rocky shorelines make it the perfect nature getaway, she notes.
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If you're really looking to go big, 'skip the traffic and take a private plane from downtown Toronto, which makes this trip special,' says Cook. Beyond the private plane? Cook notes that travellers can still arrange concierge services, like a chef to prepare meals, guides to lead forest or water-based activities, or a personal masseuse.
Travellers can follow the Cranberry Trail to tour local wineries and sample wines and ciders, play a round of golf or enjoy Muskoka's waterways aboard a classic steamship cruise.
Enjoy remote fishing experiences in Northern Manitoba
'Northern Manitoba is fabulous for people looking for luxurious fly-in fishing lodges. There are lots of lakes and award-winning fishing up there,' says Cook.
One prestigious spot, Kississing Lake Lodge, features world-class trophy angling for lake trout, walleye and northern pike. After flying from Winnipeg to Flin Flon, visitors board a float plane for a 20-minute scenic flight to the main lodge to fish the countless bays and channels nearby, enjoying delicious shore lunches.
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Guests can also do wilderness excursions including hiking in the boreal forest, paddling along the shorelines or relaxing in a traditional wood-burning sauna.
Pro tip: Sign up for the Aurora Alert wake-up service so you don't miss the Northern Lights. Peak viewing is typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Sleep under the stars on Vancouver Island
Cook suggests exploring the wild west coast surrounded by a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve.
'The Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge offers remote glamping that's truly incredible,' she says.
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Here, 25 luxury canvas tents dot the magnificent shoreline surrounded by ancient growth conifers – the property sits at the mouth of the Bedwell River within an inlet of the Pacific Ocean that's only accessible by boat, helicopter or seaplane. Visitors can enjoy sunrise yoga, hiking, wildlife-spotting, guided fly-fishing or helicopter tours with gourmet picnics.
Cook also recommends staying at Sonora Resort, a fly-in property tucked in the Discovery Islands archipelago off British Columbia coast. This bespoke destination offers guided adventure tours, gourmet dining and world-class salmon fishing.
Sail away to the Canadian High Arctic
Travellers wanting the ultimate adventure should book an expedition cruise, suggests Cook.
'Think Northwest Passage, polar bears, seeing the Northern Lights, bird migration and experiencing First Nations communities — what it looks like today may not look like this in 10 years, so now is the time to go,' she says.
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Expedition cruises are usually two to three weeks long, and guests can depart from several locations including Edmonton and Newfoundland, adds Cook, who recommends sailing with Quark Expeditions or Aurora Expeditions.
Enjoy a secluded haven in the Northwest Territories
For those seeking an authentic way to experience Canada's North, head to the jaw-dropping wilderness of the Northwest Territories. Cook suggests staying at the lakeside Blachford Lodge, which operates year-round.
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'In the spring, summer, and fall, you fly in, and in the winter and early spring, you go in on planes with skis instead of floats,' she explains. 'You're on the edge of the North in luxury, with amazing culinary experiences.'
From birdwatching, canoeing and fishing to hiking and kayaking, there's no shortage of fun for nature lovers, she adds. Bonus: In the summer, you can swim any time of day and you'll always be bathed in sunlight.
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