Founded over 350 years ago, the town of Baie-Saint-Paul is nestled in a valley located on the northern shore of the Saint Lawrence River. Known as the birthplace of Cirque du Soleil, Baie-Saint Paul is one of Quebec’s oldest municipalities featuring narrow streets lined with charming boutiques and art galleries. Popular attractions include the Carrefour culturel Paul-Médéric and Musée d'art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul; Maison René-Richard and Le Massif de Petite-Rivière-Saint-François. The latter is a popular scenic 6-kilometer drive down the mountain to the St. Lawrence River.

"Ithaca is gorges" can be read on proud t-shirts across New York State, and there is definitely truth in advertising. Sitting on the shores of Cayuga Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes, the hilly town of Ithaca is surrounded by dense forests, towering waterfalls, and many gorges. The natural beauty has a distinctly academic feel, as local universities have filled the woods with museums and education centers like The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which features a 220 acre wildlife sanctuary.

High in the cool hills, this colonial gem of cobblestone streets and picturesque churches inspires artists with its colour, character and light. Baroque, neoclassical and neogothic mix in the city's buildings, notably at the pink stone 18th-century church on the Plaza Principal. Founded in 1542, the city is a mix of Hispanic and Mesoamerican influences.