Canada's insider blog

Hats off to Canada! The True North made a strong showing in glossy mag Condé Nast Traveler’s November 2010 issue, Reader’s Choice “Best in the World” ranking.

Canada’s west coast gem, Vancouver, BC, nabbed the No. 1 spot as  “Top Cities”  in the Americas, north and south (that’s Canada, Central America and South America). It’s not the first time Vancouver has hit the spotlight. This mention in CNT is the fifth since 2004. In No. 2:  Québec City, QC;  Victoria, BC came in 4th;  Montréal, QC was 6th; and Canada’s Big Apple,  Toronto, ON No. 9. Not bad, eh?

In “Top 100” properties, Canada scored big, too: BC’s King Pacific Lodge (11); Alberta’s Emerald Lake Lodge (47); and Hotel Le Germain-Dominion of Quebec (71).

For “Top Islands” in North America: Victoria (Vancouver Island), BC nabbed No. 2;  Vancouver Island, BC came in 3rd;   Prince Edward Island, 7th. In “Top Resorts” in Canada, again BC’s King Pacific Lodge and Alberta’s Emerald Lake Lodge on top in No. 1 and 2, respectively; with BC’s Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre in third, plus many from the iconic Fairmont hotel chain.

The mag’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey (this year the 23rd) ranks top cities, islands, hotels, resorts, airlines, car rental agencies and cruise lines around the globe; in all, 25,916 readers and 1,060 winners.

It’s based on a poll looking at culture and sites, restaurants, lodging, shopping, ambience and friendliness. The write-up will appear in the November issue.

"Top Cities"