With 24 percent of the world’s boreal forests in our backyard, Canada boasts a rich tapestry of interesting animal life, especially if you know where to look.
We know where to look, and the Volvo V60 knows how to get you there, in style and safely thanks to its large-animal detection and all-wheel drive. Its 9-inch centre console screen is perfect for navigating, and the fact that you can control it using voice commands means you can keep your eyes on the road—and on the gorgeous scenery in these five dream destinations for nature lovers.
The Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia
B.C.’s spirit bear isn’t a polar bear, but you’d need to get pretty close to tell the difference. The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the few places that will let you do that—though you still want to be safe about it. A colossal temperate rainforest located in coastal B.C., the Great Bear Rainforest is an excellent place to whale watch, salmon fish, and spot everything from sea lions and dolphins to the elusive kermode “spirit” bear, which is actually a black bear with a rare recessive gene that gives it an off-white coat.
Churchill, Manitoba
While this northern Manitoba town is a great place to watch for beluga whales, it’s better known as the polar bear capital of the world. And while the Volvo V60 is as safe as can be, to be extra careful around the majestic but dangerous bear, you’ll want to take a tundra vehicle to watch the white bears as they patrol the shores for food. If you’re really lucky, you’ll also catch the Northern Lights while in town.
Moose watching in Forêt Montmorency, Québec
Moose need to be seen to be believed. The stereotype that they’re lanky and awkward holds true, but it doesn’t do justice to their astonishing size and power. It’s not rare to see moose, especially to those in rural Canadian towns, but the chance to see them safely and up close is an opportunity that you’ll find only in places like Québec’s Forêt Montmorency. Metropolitan Canadians are urged to take an aptly named moose safari to see the antlered behemoths safely.
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Amateur bird lovers and seasoned ornithologists alike should head to Cape Breton’s Bird Islands sanctuary. A two-to-three-hour tour will bring you up close and personal with a long list of seabirds, from loons and razorbills to the elusive (and adorable) puffin. Better yet, you’ll also see birds of prey like the iconic bald eagle, loveable grey seals on the shore, and perhaps even a whale or two.
