Travel expert Loren Christie picks out five trips you can take across the nation in your car this summer.
PEI
The Gulf Shore Parkway
On this road trip you can the drive through Prince Edward Island National Park and see the glowing red cliffs of Cavendish and the sand dunes of Dalvay and Brackley. You can also check out the lighthouse squatting in the sand dunes at Covehead and the little fishing port at Covehead.
And remember, whether you come via the Confederation Bridge or the ferry, you don't pay the toll when you arrive on the Island, you only pay as you leave. Consider taking the bridge to the Island and the ferry off or vice versa to experience both. Borden to Cape Tormenting, NB is the bridge, Woods Islands - just outside Pictou; NS to Caribou is the ferry.
Alberta
The Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper.
This drive features the historic, Num-Ti-Jah Lodge and the arresting colour of the glacier fed lakes. Peyto Lake, Athasbaca Falls, North Saskatechewan River lookout, Crowfoot Glacier are among the unbelievable sites along the drive from Banff/Lake Louise area up to Jasper.
Be sure to visit the Columbia Icefield along the way. Located in Jasper National Park, it is the largest sub-polar body of ice in North America and is one of the reasons why the United Nations declared Canada's four Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Sites. The Icefield covers 325 square kilometres with solid ice up to 350 metres deep. Bring a glass with you when you visit the Icefields Parkway as you can drink the glacier water for a true Canadian treat.
Nova Scotia
The Cabot Trail
The 300 km Cabot Trail through the Cape Breton Highlands Regional Park has been called one of the best marine drives in the world. It is possible to drive through in one day, but much easier to do in two. Apart from the stunning scenery, driving along the trail is a cultural journey. The St. Ann's Gaelic College www.gaeliccollege.edu is one of the best known colleges for Gaelic arts in the world. During the summer Visitors can see students perform an afternoon ceilidh.
The town of Baddeck is a great base to do the trail. It features excellent hotels, restaurants and the very worthwhile Alexander Graham Bell Museum www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/grahambell .
There are lots of spots to stop and do coastal and interior hiking, whale watching and sea kayaking. There is also a great opportunity for salmon fishing on the Margaree River. Incredible coastal campgrounds are available and there are also lots of great picnic spots to stop and eat.
Northwest Territories & Yukon
The Dempster Highway
The Dempster Highway is a true road trip and adventure,
Start in Yukon and travel the Dempster through Yukon and the Ogilvy Mountains, across the Eagle Plains to the Arctic Circle and then through the Richardson Mountains down and across the Mackenzie River to the Delta and Inuvik.
There is only one gas station between Dawson and Fort McPherson at Eagle Plains. There is no cell service on the highway, but there is analog service in Inuvik. Bring a good spare and some food and camping gear, and observe the speed limits and rent or take a vehicle that is in good condition.
A good time to travel is mid July to mid August to catch some of the North's big events. These include the Midway Music Festival which is held every summer on the first weekend in August. It features country music, fiddling, traditional jigging, dancing and family fun. Phone 867 952-2330.
Inuvik has the Great Northern Arts Festival in late July
100 northern artists will be featured over 10 days in the largest visual arts festival in the North. There will be evening performances with northern musicians, drummers and dancers and art demonstrations www.gnaf.ca . Phone 867-777-3536
Also experience the midnight sun as it never sets north of the Arctic Circle through June, July and into August. For more information, visit .
Ontario
The Bytown and Beyond
Ontariotravel.net has 9 suggested self-guided driving itineraries on the ontariotravel.net site called "Great Drives: Summer."
The Bytown and Beyond is one of the great drives featured, as Ottawa, formerly Bytown, celebrates its 150th anniversary as our nation's capital. There is also the possibility that the Rideau Canal will be declared a UNESCO world heritage site on June 30th.
Events planned in Ottawa include Opera under the stars on June 29 & 30 in the newly built festival area in front of the Canadian War Museum. Along the 202 km stretch of the Rideau Canal you can drive through charming towns like Merrickville around 40 minutes from Ottawa. Prince Edward County and The 1000 islands in the Kingston area are less busy than the area north of Toronto and beautiful. If you'd prefer to ride a bicycle you can visit wineries such as the Wapoose Estates Winery and the Huff Estates Winery or take a stroll along the white sand beaches at Sand Banks Provincial Park.
