‘‘Inukshuks’’ were traditionally used by the Inuit of the Canadian Arctic as directional markers. Today, these stone sentinels are symbolic of the ethnic heritage and diversity of modern-day Canada. They have also been adopted as the symbol of the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

This island city in Quebec province is brimming with culture and is constantly ranked as one of the top cities in the world to live. In a country of 32 million people, Montreal is the second-largest city in Canada. It’s one of the biggest Frenchspeaking cities in the world and is often referred to as ‘‘The Francophone Metropolis of North America.’’

Montreal was the base for French exploration and the bustling fur trade along the St. Lawrence River during the mid-1600s. It remained under France until the 1763 Treaty of Paris, when it was ceded to Britain.

The city was subsequently made the capital of Canada from 1844 to 1849, when Anglophones increased their presence in the region and turned Montreal into the bilingual city it is today.

Montrealers’ remarkable bilingual skills can easily be observed on the city streets, as people fluidly switch back and forth between French and English without skipping a beat. The strong prominence of English in Montreal makes touring this city very easy in comparison to Frenchspeaking Paris.

The convenient layout of the city also makes it easily traversed by foot or bike. One can climb to the peak of le parc du Mont-Royal, walk to Little Italy for dinner and amble down to the waterfront for dessert, all before nightfall.

The cosmopolitan nature of Montreal seems almost inherent, as if the city was born this way. Its legendary nightlife, multicultural neighborhoods, and rich arts community invite North Americans to experience a taste of Europe in their own backyard. It’s hard to believe that Montreal only lies 65 km from the U.S. border.

Stylish locals and wide-eyed tourists check out local designer boutiques in the Latin Quarter, before settling into a classy French meal in Plateau Mont-Royal, one of the hippest neighborhoods in the city. Hopefully, the buzz from the post-dinner espresso and butter cream tart will provide an energy boost for a night of dancing in one of the many lively clubs on Boulevard St. Laurent.

If plans call for a romantic evening on the town, Old Montreal is a good starting point. It’s easy to stroll down its charming narrow streets filled with colorful cafes and art galleries. Victorian stone houses and 19th century churches pepper the neighborhood, making you secondguess the country you’re actually in.

Gone are the days of tumultuous relations between the Anglophones and Francophones residing in Montreal. The city’s positive social and economic conditions have allowed for improvements in infrastructure, with the expansion of the metro system and the construction of new buildings throughout the city.

Montreal’s charm not only lies in its cobblestone streets and cultural venues, but rather in the friendliness and openness of its people. One should be ready to feel embraced in this city, as there truly is something for everyone.

Vancouver looks good in green
Vancouver has long been known as one of the premier ‘‘green’’ cities of North America. With its close proximity to the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Ocean, Vancouver serves as an excellent base for exploration of the stunning surrounding areas.

The city also serves as the North American gateway to Asia, enticing Japanese tourists and exchange students to enjoy life on this easygoing stretch of coastline in Western Canada. H.I.S. Canada Inc., an international travel agency specializing in Japanese tourism, has been actively involved in attracting Japanese tourists to Canada for the past 10 years.

‘‘Canada is a pleasure destination, and has many natural sights and attractions that the Japanese are drawn to,’’ says Hideo Hatano, general manager of the H.I.S. Vancouver office. ‘‘Our goal is to increase the number of Japanese tourists visiting Canada annually.’’

H.I.S. mainly focuses on young, independent Japanese travelers coming to Canada. ‘‘We offer the best prices in comparison to our competition,’’ says Hatano. ‘‘Currently, we’re also trying to increase the number of Japanese students visiting Canada for school trips, as well as reaching out to Canadians who want to visit Japan.’’

H.I.S. has plans to expand its services beyond just Japanese tourists. ‘‘We want to be the No. 1 tourism agency in the world. Our next strategy is to provide services to mainland Chinese who want to visit Canada,’’ says Hatano.

You won’t find the typical touristtrap attractions in Vancouver but rather natural spaces that encourage visitors to slow down and awaken their senses.

Stanley Park, Vancouver’s first park, is an evergreen oasis of 400 hectares close to the heart of the downtown area. It offers numerous activities and attractions for solo and group adventurers. On sunny and rainy days alike, locals and tourists head to its golf course, children’s farmyard, miniature railway or its first-rate aquarium.

The 9-km-long seawall that straddles one side of the park was originally built to combat erosion. Now, it attracts cyclists, dog-walkers and boaters, as well as tourists who are seeking out a fresh seafood meal.

Another popular Vancouver attraction is the delectable public food market on Granville Island. With its many theaters and art galleries, Granville Island is one of Vancouver’s cultural hot spots. This colorful and bustling hub is located at the south end of False Creek under the Granville Street Bridge.

Visitors to the island are treated to a feast for the eyes and taste buds. They can enjoy a wide variety of ethnic food and local produce, all while watching tiny ferries shuttle people to and from various sites along False Creek.

A trip to Vancouver wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Whistler.

Only a two-hour drive from downtown Vancouver, this picturesque mountainous region is one of Canada’s premier travel destinations. Recently, Whistler Blackcomb was rated the ‘‘best ski resort in North America.’’

Whether one visits in the winter or summer months, there is a dizzying array of outdoor activities to enjoy in Whistler, which together with Vancouver will host the Winter Olympics in 2010.

Preparations for the Winter Games have gone into full swing with work being done on the ‘‘sea to sky’’ highway intended to accommodate the increasing amount of traffic from Vancouver to Whistler.

The Winter Games are scheduled from Feb. 12 to 28 while the Paralympic events will take place from March 12 to 21.