Colorado Rockies vs Toronto

The Colorado Rockies pack big mountain scenery within easy reach of a lively city, which makes them perfect for a long weekend. Start in Denver, the Mile High City, where food halls, breweries and green-chile-smothered everything have turned neighborhoods like RiNo, LoHi and Union Station into a serious food scene. Just 30 minutes west, Red Rocks Amphitheatre sits between towering sandstone slabs and is one of the world's most famous places to see a concert, or simply to climb the stairs at sunrise. From there the mountains take over: Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park climbs past 12,000 feet above treeline, and the old mining towns of Idaho Springs and Georgetown, plus the gateway town of Estes Park, make charming bases. With more time, head to Breckenridge, Vail, Glenwood Springs' hot springs pools, Aspen's Maroon Bells and the red rocks of Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs. Plan ahead: Rocky Mountain National Park requires timed-entry permits in summer and early fall, the Maroon Bells need a shuttle or parking reservation, and the altitude is real, so drink plenty of water and take the first day easy.

Canada's largest city is one of the most diverse in the world, with distinct ethnic neighbourhoods — Kensington Market, Chinatown, Little Italy — reflecting waves of immigration. The CN Tower anchors a downtown skyline on Lake Ontario, and the city's food scene, museums, and proximity to Niagara Falls make it a strong base for exploring southern Ontario.