A country once shaped by glaciers and ancient rock formations has quietly become Earth’s freshwater powerhouse. Today it remains home to millions of lakes, an ice-carved land that still surprises many visitors.

Imagine flying over a land so vast and remote that you see no cities for hours, just water. Countless shimmering blue patches appear at every turn.

Now imagine that this country, sprawling across forests, tundra and mountains, has more lakes than any other on the planet. It may sound exaggerated, but the numbers bear out the truth.

The nation in question holds at least 563 lakes larger than 100 km, and many estimates push the total number of lakes, including modest ones, into the millions. Over 60% of the world’s lakes above a given size threshold are in Canada.

By area, Canada’s nearly 9% of the land surface is covered by freshwater lakes.

GLACIAL SCULPTURE AND A SHIELD OF ROCK

The country’s lake richness owes its existence to continental ice sheets long ago.

As glaciers advanced and retreated, they gouged deep basins and left behind mountains of rubble, creating the hollows that filled with melt-water. Much of the terrain is underlain by the ancient rock of the Canadian Shield, exposed, eroded and ideal for lake formation.

Lakes large and small span the breadth of this land: from glacial giants in the far north to countless cottage-strand pools in its southern forests. The same landscapes that once stifled colonial exploration now support a freshwater abundance.

According to the government’s figures, this country has 563 lakes over 100 km — the highest number of any nation. And in the basin of its shared Great Lakes, the freshwater system forms one of the biggest on earth.

A FRESHWATER LEGACY: THE LIVING ROLE OF LAKES

Beyond sheer numbers, these lakes are the lifeblood.

They provide drinking water, irrigation, hydroelectric power and habitats for wildlife. The Great Lakes basin alone supplies millions of people and supports major industries.

Indigenous communities have lived beside and on these waters for millennia. For them, lakes signify not just resource but a connection to land, identity and heritage. Today the lakes offer recreation, tourism and solace.

Yet these lakes are not immune from challenge: climate change, industrial runoff and shoreline development are altering water levels, warming waters and shifting ecosystems.

FUN AND SHOCKING FACTS ABOUT THE LAKE-LAND NATION

• It has over 2 million lakes (including smaller ones) and at least 563 larger than 100 km.
• Lakes, rivers and glaciers cover about 11.7% of its total land area (freshwater and groundwater combined).
• The Great Lakes basin, shared with the United States, holds roughly 18% of the world’s fresh surface water.
• In some remote parts there are 30 lakes for every 100 km of land surface.
• Some lakes in the far north are so remote and frozen that their existence was scarcely known until satellite maps revealed them.

WHY IT MATTERS

Canada’s lakes aren’t just dots on a map, they’re the country’s quiet storytellers.

Each one mirrors a different sky, season and sound. From the frozen stillness of Great Bear Lake in winter to the rippled glow of Lake Louise in summer, these waters hold pieces of Canadian identity, vast, calm, and resilient.

Scientists say many of its lakes are still forming, shaped by shifting ice and sediment. So while most nations count monuments, Canada counts reflections, millions of them, scattered like glass across its landscape, each reminding the world that nature remains its oldest and proudest signature.

These are six underrated places to visit in Spain.

Spain is known for Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville, but beyond these iconic spots lie hidden gems brimming with history, charm, and breath taking scenery. Here are six underrated destinations in Spain that deserve a spot on your travel list.

Albarracín, Aragon: Often dubbed one of Spain’s most beautiful villages, Albarracín charms visitors with its pink-hued stone buildings, ancient walls, and cobblestone alleys that transport you back in time.

Cadaqués, Catalonia: This coastal village was a favourite of Salvador Dalí. Cadaqués offers serene beaches, whitewashed homes, and a slow pace that makes it one of Spain’s most artistic and peaceful retreats.

Cazorla, Jaén: Nestled in the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park, this hidden gem is ideal for hikers and nature lovers. Cazorla boasts olive groves, waterfalls, and a quiet, authentic Andalusian vibe.

Cuenca, Castilla–La Mancha: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cuenca is famous for its Casas Colgadas (hanging houses) suspended over cliffs. Wander its medieval streets and admire views that make you feel suspended in time.

León, Castilla y León: Less crowded than Madrid but equally captivating, León dazzles with its Gothic cathedral’s stained glass, delicious tapas, and vibrant local culture, perfect for slow travellers.

Ronda, Andalusia: Perched dramatically on a gorge, Ronda is one of Spain’s most stunning hilltop towns. Its stone bridge, Puente Nuevo, and bullring give it an old world charm that feels straight out of a storybook.

Travellers heading abroad in 2026 may need to budget more, as several countries prepare to introduce new tourist taxes aimed at managing over-tourism and supporting local infrastructure. Governments in Thailand, Japan, Norway, Greece, Italy, and Spain are implementing or expanding levies to fund public maintenance, crowd control, and sustainable tourism measures.

Thailand: Tourism entry fee from February 2026

Thailand will start charging foreign visitors a 300-baht entry fee, known locally as ‘Kha Yeap Pan Din’, from February 2026. The amount will be collected on all arrivals by air, land, and sea. Of the total, 70 baht will provide travel insurance coverage, while the remainder will support infrastructure upgrades and emergency services. The fee will be collected by airlines and border authorities, with possible exemptions for work-visa holders and frequent travellers.

Japan: New hotel tax and Mount Fuji fee

Japan is expanding its over-tourism measures with a new tiered hotel tax in Kyoto starting March 2026. Rates will range from ¥200 for budget stays to ¥10,000 per night at luxury hotels. Authorities expect to raise ¥12.6 billion annually for transport improvements and crowd-management efforts. In addition, climbing Mount Fuji now requires an advance reservation and a ¥4,000 entry fee, with a daily cap of 4,000 climbers to improve safety and reduce congestion.

Norway: Municipal tourism levy

Norway plans to introduce its first national tourist tax by summer 2026. Municipalities will be allowed to charge up to 3% on overnight stays and cruise visits to ease pressure on local infrastructure in fjord towns and Arctic regions. Popular ports such as Bergen, Geiranger, and Tromsø are likely to be among the first to implement the fee, which will fund the maintenance of trails, toilets, and parking areas.

Greece: Cruise passenger fees at Island Ports

Greece has introduced a disembarkation fee for cruise passengers to tackle crowding on popular islands. Travellers will pay €12 in Santorini and Mykonos and €3 at smaller island ports during regular months, rising to €20 and €5 in peak season. The revenue will fund port upkeep, waste management, and crowd-control measures as the country manages record cruise arrivals.

Venice: Day-tripper fee

Italy’s Venice reinstated its day-visitor entry fee this year with higher charges for late bookings. The €5 levy doubles to €10 for reservations made within three days of arrival. It applies on 54 high-traffic days between April and July, with QR code registration required for entry. The measure generated €2.4 million in 2024 and aims to better manage the city’s growing number of short-term visitors.

Spain: Regional and city tourism taxes

Spain continues to expand its tourist tax system, particularly in Catalonia and Barcelona, where visitors now pay €4 per night, set to rise to €5 in 2026 and €8 by 2029. Other regions, including Galicia, the Basque Country, and the Balearic Islands, are introducing similar charges on accommodations and cruise stops. Funds will be directed toward heritage preservation and environmental projects under new national sustainability guidelines.

These measures reflect a global shift toward responsible tourism. While adding modest costs for travellers, they are introduced to preserve destinations, ease local strain, and ensure that tourism growth benefits both visitors and residents.

From Japan’s cherry blossoms to Kenya’s safaris and Canada’s Northern Lights, discover 10 extraordinary bucket-list vacations every traveler should experience. Read more for travel inspiration.

Some journeys change you forever — not because of where you go, but how the world feels when you’re there. From chasing the Northern Lights to wandering beneath Japan’s cherry blossoms, these ten extraordinary vacations promise adventure, awe, and that unmistakable feeling of being alive in the world.

1. Chase the Northern Lights Across the Arctic Sky

There’s pure magic in watching emerald and violet ribbons dance above a frozen landscape. From Canada’s Yukon and Northwest Territories to Iceland, Norway, and Finland, the Aurora Borealis paints the heavens in surreal hues. Cozy up in glass igloos, remote cabins, or Arctic lodges as the night sky turns into nature’s grandest light show — an experience that feels less like travel and more like transcendence.

2. Wander Beneath Japan’s Cherry Blossoms

Come spring, Japan blushes in pink. From Kyoto’s Philosopher’s Path to Tokyo’s Ueno Park, cherry blossoms flutter like confetti in slow motion. Locals picnic under the petals, strangers become friends, and for a fleeting moment, the world feels impossibly beautiful.

3. Trek Through Vietnam’s Emerald Rice Terraces

In Sapa’s mist-covered highlands, rice terraces ripple down mountains like green silk. Morning fog lifts to reveal farmers in conical hats tending their fields — a living postcard of patience, rhythm, and grace. It’s slow travel at its most soul-stirring.

4. Safari Like an Explorer in Kenya’s Wild Heart

The sun rises over the Masai Mara, spilling gold across endless plains. Here, lions yawn awake, elephants march in silhouette, and time itself seems to pause. Staying in a private conservancy lets you feel Africa’s pulse without the crowds — pure, raw, and unforgettable.

5. Float Above Turkey’s Surreal Landscapes

In Cappadocia, dawn paints the sky in shades of apricot and rose as hundreds of hot-air balloons rise silently over honey-colored canyons. Below, fairy chimneys and cave dwellings whisper stories of ancient civilizations. Few moments rival this — serenity suspended in air.

6. Ride the World’s Most Romantic Train

Step aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and you’re instantly transported to another era. Crystal glassware clinks in vintage dining cars as Alpine peaks rush past your window. Between Paris and Venice, luxury feels timeless — more experience than transport, more dream than journey.

7. Cruise Through Patagonia’s Edge-of-the-World Beauty

Patagonia is where Earth shows off. As your ship drifts past towering glaciers and wind-sculpted fjords, the world feels vast yet intimate. Dolphins dance in the wake, condors soar overhead — it’s a reminder that wild beauty still reigns in the far south.

8. Explore Ireland’s Ancient Mysteries

In Ireland, the land itself tells stories. From the Ring of Kerry to the Giant’s Causeway, every moss-covered ruin and misty cliff carries a whisper of myth. It’s a country best discovered slowly — over pints, poetry, and roads that wind like memory.

9. Master the Art of Slow Travel in Tuscany

Here, time tastes like olive oil and red wine. In Tuscany, days stretch long and lazy among sun-drenched vineyards and stone villas. You’ll learn that joy lives in simple things — a shared meal, golden light, and the art of doing absolutely nothing.

10. Adventure Through Costa Rica’s Wild Heart

Nature runs the show in Costa Rica. Volcanoes hiss, waterfalls tumble, and rainforests hum with life. One day you’re ziplining through jungle canopies, the next soaking in a hot spring under starlight. It’s adventure and peace — perfectly balanced.