Vast, sparsely populated and
filled with breathtaking natural landscapes. No wonder Canada takes the top
overall spot as the number one country in the world, according to the 2021 Best
Countries Report, a ranking and analysis project by U.S. News & World
Report.
I’ve only visited two of its
provinces, British Columbia and Ontario. But it’s already enough for me to say
that Canada is one of the best, if not the best country to live in.
Here are just some of the reasons why people fall in love with this place.
1. Canada is a country with incredible natural beauty.
With bright forests and scenic
coastlines, Canada is a dream destination for anyone
who loves the great outdoors. I would often see photos of Canadian family and friends hiking or having picnics at the park. That’s why I’ve always known
Canada’s allure is in its natural attractions. But upon arriving in Vancouver,
I was surprised to see the mountains literally stretched everywhere. It’s a
city unlike any other.
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Unrivaled views of the Burrard Inlet and North Shore Mountains from Prospect Point
 | Vancouver's iconic Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
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| Granville Island, located across False Creek from Downtown Vancouver |
Sprinkled throughout the urban
sprawl are many beautiful parks including The Queen Elizabeth Park. It was
springtime when I arrived and Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom.
The areas surrounding Vancouver also boasts stunning natural spaces. On top of the list is Whistler, home
to Whistler Blackcomb, one of the largest ski resorts in North America. It’s a two-hour drive from Vancouver highlighted by lots of picturesque
sights along the way.
While it's true that Whistler is a
ski paradise, this place is also perfect for mountain biking and scenic hikes during the warmer months. Last April, there was no more thick powdery snow but skiers are
still on the go for a final ski run.
 | | Whistler prides itself for hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics |
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At the base of Whistler and
Blackcomb mountains is Whistler village. Visitors are greeted with various cozy hotels,
souvenir shops and world-class restaurants.
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Hidden deep in the forest is Whistler’s most unique hike, the Train Wreck Trail. This site has several rusty boxcars from a derailed train in 1956. The boxcars are now covered with layers of graffiti, making the area look like an outdoor art gallery.
The Peak-to-Peak Gondola is the highlight of my overnight stay in Whistler. It's a 15-min ride from the village up to the mountain offering unparalleled views of the beautiful snow-carpeted mountains.
I
also got to visit the Chiliwack Tulip Festival, Vancouver’s largest and most
famous flower festival. It boasts 20 acres of vivid fields with tulips,
hyacinths and daffodils.
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| This tulip farm is located in Fraser Valley, a 40-min drive from Downtown Vancouver |
But Canada’s natural beauty doesn’t
end in Vancouver or British Columbia. More than two thousand miles away is Ontario, home to one of the most iconic and breathtaking sights in all of Canada.  |
On average, 3,620 tons of water flows over Niagara Falls per second
I was totally in awe of the mighty Niagara Falls. The thundering roar of the waterfalls along with the sight of the emerald green water is unforgettable. It's something that everyone should see at least once in their lives.
The best view is from the Observation Deck of the Skylon Tower. |
But there's definitely more to this country's natural beauty.
2. Canada is recognized as one
of the most diverse countries in the world.
Canada is repeatedly lauded for being multicultural, and
for being very welcoming to tourists and immigrants alike. In 2021,
Canada welcomed more than 401,000 Permanent Residents, the highest in record since 1913. (Source: Canadian Government website)
Ethnic diversity has a long
history in Canada. The British and the French are the first migrants to come in
during their colonization in the 17th century. Since then, newcomers
from all over the world are migrating to this beautiful, vibrant country. But
diversity in Canada goes beyond ethnicity. Diversity in religion, language and
gender also plays a significant role in making it a multicultural society.
As a solo Filipino tourist, I felt
safe. Perhaps this also holds true to Filipinos residing here.
According to the 2016 Canadian Census, more than 800,000 Filipinos are living in
Canada, making it the fourth largest visible minority community after South
Asian, Chinese and Black American communities.
And there’s a slim chance of being
homesick. In Vancouver, I was ecstatic to see a strip of Filipino restaurants ready
to serve my favorite Filo dish.
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| Pinpin Restaurant locaed along Fraser St. |
3. Canada has a celebrated food
scene.
Thanks to its diverse culture and
ethnicity, Canada has a dynamic culinary scene with so many different flavors. From
chic breakfast cafes, colorful local markets and food trucks; to unrivaled tapas and
Michelin-star restaurants, everything has something tasty to offer.
Downtown Toronto is one of the best parts of the country for food. Serving the best ramen is Momofuku Noodle Bar, owned by the famous New
York Chef, David Chang. It’s also a place
known for serving exquisite pork buns.
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| Pork Ramen - pork belly, scallion, soft egg and chili oil |
Gusto 101, located along Portland
and Adelaide intersection offers authentic taste of Italy to Toronto. I tried
their famous Mafalde ai Funghi (truffle pasta with oyster mushrooms) and it was
to die for.
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| Complementing its extensive menu is a rooftop patio where guests can enjoy their meals under the breeze and sunshine of the city |
Breakfast lovers have lots of choices in Toronto. The classic
chain, Eggspectation is my favorite. They serve egg dishes that
will truly live up to your eggspectation.
Next on the list is Sunrise Grill, a no-fuss, casual breakfast spot that will fill you up with bacon, eggs and everything that goes along with them.
And lastly, the fancy Maman Toronto, where pistachio loaf bread is a crowd favorite.
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| You're in for a treat with this cheddar 'n mushroom omelette from Eggspectation |
Sunset Grill, located along Yonge St. & Richmond St. West
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| Sunset Grill's classic three eggs served with bacon, sausage and potatoes |
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| Did someone say pastries for breakfast? |
Vancouver also offers the best of the best. On top of my list is Yolks, a homey breakfast place along East Hastings . Their lemon-berry crisp french toast paired with hot chocolate & whipped cream is a perfect match. Trust me, it's just the right kind of sweet.
For a catching up sesh over breakfast, Downtown Vancouver has Cafe Medina. This bistro-style restaurant gets jampacked easily so better book a reservation.
If you're looking for the perfect Pain au Chocoloat, just head over to Port Moody. Cascadia Bakehouse is a quaint neighborhood bakery that serves the most filling Pain au Chocolat. It also has crusty baguettes and flaky & buttery croissants. I went there several times for breakfast.
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Cafe Medina's best: Wolves Breakfast for Two: Poached eggs, flatiron steak, bacon, sausage, roasted potatoes and grilled focaccia
Nothing says comfort food like the perfect homemade danish |
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| A family owned-bakeshop serving the most delish pastries in Port Moody |
And the best place to see a diverse culinary culture? Food markets!
The Granville Island Public Market in Vancouver has more than 50 stalls
that offer a wide variety of cheese, meat, bread, fresh produce and other local specialties in the city. It’s a paradise for adventurous foodies.
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| Lee's Donuts. Best paired with a cup of Americano from JJBean |
Toronto has its own famous
food market too, the St. Lawrence Market. It’s so famous that even Anthony
Bourdain paid a visit to try the delish peameal bacon sandwich.
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| Carousel Bakery's Peameal Bacon Sandwich |
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| Once named as the Best Food Market in the World by National Geographic |
Date nights can be extra special in Canada if you have the sea and the mountains as your backdrop. Nestled in towering trees and a
view of the English Bay is The Teahouse in Stanley Park.
Their lobster bisque and the aromatic seafood spaghetti are truly exceptional.Cincin Ristorante, a wood-fired Italian restaurant is also a go-to place for those who are looking for a more cosmopolitan dining experience.
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| Good food with spectacular sea and mountain views |
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The Teahouse's Lobster Bisque
 | | Cincin's Angus Steak and a glass of Merlot |
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And the most iconic street food in Vancouver? The savory Japadog. This Japanese hotdog in a bun is glazed with sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce. You really haven't been in Vancouver if you haven't tried this one.
4. Artists thrive while art
enthusiasts always have something to look forward to.
Canadian creativity is celebrated
across the globe. From famous visual artists such as Emily Carr and Bill Reid
to pop stars like Justine Bieber, Drake and Michael Buble’ to Hollywood’s brightest
including Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, artists from Canada are very much
applauded.
It’s a country that supports people
to get their artistic career off the ground. Canada understands that art in
whatever form is an important sector in the society. That’s why they have a
generous funding for cultural activities. From public galleries to cafes and
even along the streets, aspiring artists can always showcase their masterpiece.
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| Toronto's best street art: Kensington Market |
According to the Artists and
Cultural Workers in Municipalities, Toronto has the largest number of artists,
nearly twice as many as any other city. From colorful graffiti walls, hand-painted cafes to world-class museums like
The Art Gallery of Ontario, Royal Ontario Museum and Bata Shoe Museum, art is well-celebrated. Not to mention the flourishing
film and television industry in Toronto. |
Meanwhile, 2018 by Matthew Wong at the Art Gallery of Ontario
Excerpts of the Earth's rich biodiversity at the Royal Ontario Museum
Art reigns supreme in Distillery District |
5. Overall quality of life is
good.
While it’s true that quality of
life is subjective, no one can deny that the perks of living in Canada are
plentiful. The country offers free universal healthcare to
permanent residents, has quality but affordable education, good job market, low
crime rate and low air pollution. Citizens are generally contented with their
lives.
Canadians also value their downtime.
With the abundance of parks and mountains, there’s a lot of outdoor activities
that can be done for free. This is the best option for people who are dreaming
of a life with the right balance of work and play.
Although living in highly
urbanized cities like Vancouver and Toronto is expensive, my Canadian relatives
and friends believe it’s definitely worth it. Plus, even citizens or
residents earning an average income can still afford a good quality of life.
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| Gastown, Downtown Vancouver |
In my personal experience, quality
of life is good because people are not stressed with their daily commute. Toronto,
home to many business headquarters, boasts an easy commute for office workers
because of its integrated public transportation system. You can choose from taking
the subway, bus or streetcars, which are all easy to navigate.
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| Streetcars in Downtown Toronto are my favorite |
Another reason why Canada is a
benchmark for quality public service is Toronto’s underground walkway called
the PATH. Stretching over 30 kilometers, the PATH links subway stations, office
buildings, malls and hotels in Downtown Toronto. It’s not your typical
underground walkway since it houses a lot of shops and restaurants.
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| If you see this sign in a building, it means it's linked to the PATH |
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The PATH is listed as the world's largest underground shopping complex in the Guinness Book of World Records
Food courts are always ready to serve hungry commuters |
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| Even my hotel is linked to the path (Sheraton Centre Toronto). Convenient, right? |
It’s no surprise why a lot of
people are looking at Canada as their top option for migration. But even if
you’re just a tourist wanting to see the stunning Canadian scenery, I’d say the
visit is definitely worth it. It’s a paradise for locals and tourists alike. |
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