Yoho in British Columbia is the quieter neighbour of famous Banff. When the crowds at Lake Louise got too much, we'd hop in the car and within half an hour find ourselves standing by the emerald waters of Emerald Lake, the thundering Takakkaw Falls, or the natural rock formation of Natural Bridge.

Okanagan Canada is a surprising wine paradise in British Columbia, where we used to escape on weekends while working in Calgary. Expect world-class wineries, Mediterranean-warm lakes, hot springs, and the laid-back city of Kelowna.

Edmonton is a surprisingly smart starting point for Jasper and the Icefields Parkway. This festival capital of Alberta offers the West Edmonton Mall with its indoor amusement park, the hipster Old Strathcona district, bison in Elk Island, and northern lights just outside the city in winter.

Waterton Lakes is just a short drive from Calgary, yet most people only make it to Banff. Here are 10 things to see and do in Waterton Lakes National Park.

The famous national parks quickly wore us out with their endless crowds, so we escaped to the mountains right on our doorstep. Here you'll experience raw, untouched wilderness where you won't see a soul.

Expecting deep forests and bears? The capital of British Columbia will throw you off completely. You'll feel more like you're in old England, somehow transplanted to the Pacific coast.