Canada’s surf scene is totally radical, dude. Even Outside Magazine has taken notice of our Great White Waves, naming Tofino, British Columbia “North America’s Best Surf Town” in their 2010 Editor’s Choice Awards and calling it the Surf City of Canada. However, there’s surfing to be had right across this.

Of all the places in the world to visit this year, National Geographic Traveler recommends 20. And two of them are right here in Canada – one on the west coast, the other on the east.

February in Canada may be synonymous with snow, chilly winds and freezing temperatures. But don’t let that fool you. Canadians still find ways to heat things up for Valentine’s Day.  

From coast to coast, ice and snow offer a backdrop for romantic adventure. Here are five uniquely Canadian experiences sure to spark a little heat. 

With more coastline than any other country – 244,000 km (151,019 miles) of it – lighthouses are plentiful in Canada. Remote, romantic outposts, they offer colourful stories, great views and, especially in Eastern and Central Canada, a unique place to overnight.

We may be better known for paddling kayaks and portaging canoes but Ryder Hesjedal has proven that Canadians are just as wicked on two wheels as on the water. In case you missed the excitement, Hesjedal became the first Canadian to win a cycling Grand Tour when he captured the 2012 Giro D’Italia.

It’s funky, chock-a-block with retro-hippie shops, restaurants and residents, and Osborne Village, one of Winnipeg’s oldest neighbourhoods, has been named Canada’s greatest by the Canadian Institute of Planners.

When a fleet of tall ships sails into Halifax, Nova Scotia this summer a 10-day festival (July 19-29) begins which celebrates the maritime heritage of Canada.

Celtic Colours International Festival is a nine-day celebration of North America’s only living Celtic culture taking place each autumn on Cape Breton Island. Featuring artists from all over the Celtic music world, Celtic Colours presents dozens of concerts and hundreds of community cultural events set against the backdrop of Cape Breton’s world-renowned beauty and hospitality.

As the star of The Rick Mercer Report on CBC television, Rick Mercer has visited virtually every nook and cranny of the country to share stories about the people and places who live there. Here are Rick’s faves (in no particular order):