Ottawa

Ottawa, Canada's federal capital on the Ontario-Quebec border where the Ottawa and Rideau rivers meet, is a city of grand government architecture, world-class museums and a bilingual character that reflects Canada's French-English duality. It is a well-ordered, pleasant and surprisingly interesting city that many Canadians underestimate. Parliament Hill, the Gothic Revival complex housing the Canadian federal government, dominates the city from its cliff above the Ottawa River — the Centre Block (rebuilt after a 1916 fire), the Peace Tower and the library are magnificent. The Changing of the Guard on the Hill lawn (summer daily) is one of Canada's finest traditions. The National Gallery of Canada, designed by Moshe Safdie, holds the finest collection of Canadian art in the world and an excellent indigenous art section. The Canadian Museum of History across the river in Gatineau (the largest museum in Canada) is outstanding. The Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage waterway, runs 200km from Ottawa to Kingston — in winter it becomes the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink (8km within the city), lined with hot chocolate and Beaver Tail (fried dough with toppings) vendors. The ByWard Market area is the best for restaurants and bars. Gatineau Park, 20 minutes from downtown, offers cycling, swimming and fall foliage of extraordinary colour. Ottawa is very safe and pleasant.