Savannah and Charleston vs Toronto

Two of the South's most beautiful old cities sit just two hours apart, making them an easy pairing for a four- or five-day trip. Start in Savannah, Georgia, where 22 leafy squares shaded by Spanish moss-draped oaks break up a historic district made for wandering. Stroll to the white fountain in Forsyth Park, tour a historic house that tells the full story of the enslaved people who lived there, and end the day on cobblestoned River Street watching container ships glide past. Then drive about 110 miles up the coast to Charleston, South Carolina. Walk past the pastel facades of Rainbow Row and the grand homes on the Battery, cool off at the Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park, and dig into lowcountry seafood: shrimp and grits, she-crab soup and fresh oysters. Plantation tours such as Magnolia, Boone Hall and McLeod Plantation are part of any visit, and the best of them center the histories of enslaved people and the Gullah Geechee culture they built. With extra days, add Sullivan's Island, the beaches of Tybee Island and Kiawah, and the quiet waterfront town of Beaufort. Spring and fall bring mild weather, blooming azaleas and comfortable walking.

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.