National Geo-graphic Traveler magazine has named British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest and Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island as being among the world's "must-see places" of 2013.
The rainforest is "an untamed strip of land" stretching 400 kilometres along the B.C. coast, but its tranquillity has "recently been rocked" by the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline project to send oilsands crude from Alberta to a terminal at Kitimat, the magazine says.
An environmental review panel examining the controversial plan will release its report by the end of 2013.
On Canada's East Coast, Cape Breton lures visitors with its "abundant wildlife, natural beauty and assembly of French, Micmac and Celtic cultures."
The island's 300-kilometre Cabot Trail is often ranked among the world's most spectacular drives.
Online: travel.nationalgeo graphic.com/travel/besttrips-2013/