28 days in Canada, United States, Caribbean & Europe Itinerary

Most people remember their holiday in Canada by the country's great outdoors, yet this sprawling land of hulking mountains and rocky coastlines also boasts numerous modern cities, home to some of the world's finest dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Made for leisurely road trips, North America's biggest country features vast landscapes still unspoiled by mass tourism. A tour of Canada reveals a place packed with diverse cultures, living in tolerance and enjoying one of the highest standards of living in the world. If the vastness of those natural landscapes overwhelms you at any point during your Canada vacation, head to the openhearted cities of Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal, ideal destinations for art lovers, history buffs, shopaholics, fashionistas, and impassioned foodies.

Canada's only predominately French-speaking province, Quebec boasts a French heritage that not only sets it apart from other parts of this sprawling country, but also from the rest of the continent. A trip to Quebec allows tourists to discover a land with a European look and feel, which you can best appreciate by immersing yourself in the region's bistro culture. Like the rest of Canada, this province features impressive natural attractions, which many choose to discover on a network of nearly 3,500 km (2,100 mi) of bicycle paths. For an urban experience, add Montreal to your Quebec sightseeing itinerary and discover a busy metropolis with a perfect blend of history-steeped neighborhoods and trendy districts offering modern distractions for every traveler's taste.

More than the country of car-packed streets seen in TV shows and movies, the United States of America is a complex and diverse home to over 300 million people living in a wide range of landscapes and climates. From its big-city skyscrapers to its sprawling natural parks, the country's ''melting pot'' combines many ethnic groups that share a strong sense of national identity despite their cultural differences. A country of road trips and big blue skies, the United States harbors orderly cities filled with restaurants, parks, museums, and innumerable sightseeing opportunities, as well as pristine natural areas perfect for a holiday in the great outdoors. To see as much as you can of this diverse land quickly, drive over some of the more than 6 million km (4 million mi) of highways leading through deserts, mountain peaks, fertile fields, and giant urban centers.

Madeira, the largest island of the eponymous archipelago, serves as one of Portugal's top year-round holiday destinations. Although it draws a growing number of visitors, the island retains much of its relaxed atmosphere and provides an alternative vacation idea for travelers seeking a tropical paradise still relatively unspoiled by mass tourism. The capital city of Funchal, settled in the 15th century, attracts the biggest crowds and serves as a convenient stopover for trans-Atlantic cruise ships sailing from the Caribbean. When you get tired of exploring Fuchal's lively streets and beaches, hop on a boat tour of the archipelago for some whale watching or big game fishing.