Edmonton, Canada
West Edmonton Mall, North Edmonton, Sherwood Park

The provincial capital of Alberta is among Canada's most northerly cities, and at times - notably in the teeth of its bitter winters - it can seem a little too far north for comfort.

Situated above the waters of the North Saskatchewan River, whose park-filled valley winds below the high-rises of downtown, the city tries hard with its festivals, parks, restaurants and urban-renewal projects. With a downtown area that still has the somewhat unfinished feel of a frontier town, however, it's perhaps appropriate that the premier attraction for the vast majority of visitors is a shopping centre, the infamous West Edmonton Mall. This certainly has curiosity value, perhaps even enough to merit a special journey here.

Downtown has a handful of modest sights, though most enjoyment in the city is to be had in Old Strathcona , a rejuvenated "historic" district south of the North Saskatchewan River filled with heritage buildings, modest museums and plenty of eating and drinking venues. Edmonton lacks the big set-piece museums of Calgary and Vancouver, but its Space and Science Centre is a sight within a whisker of the first rank.

Edmonton is also a great jump point to visit Jasper national park. A mere 3 hours from Edmonton, the national park offers many options for luxury travellers, including the famous Chateau Lake Louise.

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