CANADA

Whether you’ve been to Canada before or not, this year marks the perfect opportunity to really discover its wild and rugged landscape. The country celebrates the 150th anniversary of its Confederation and as a gift to everyone, the government is waiving entry fees to all 46 of its national parks and reserves. That means you can go whale watching from the very top of Mackenzie Mountain and wander round Banff National Park’s jewel-coloured lakes with the Rockies as your backdrop, all without having to reach for your wallet.

If city breaks are more your style, plan a trip for 1 July when the capital, Ottawa, will explode with fireworks and live music for Canada Day. It’s also worth spending time in Montréal as it honours its 375th anniversary with events across the city. June’s night bike ride Tour la Nuit is something special.