Top 5 sexiest places in Canada

Vancouver’s beautiful Wreck Beach, known for its nudity, is clothing-optional. (©Julia Pelish/Vacay.ca)

Story by Vacay.ca Staff

Recently, Vacay.ca published our list of The 10 Most Romantic Places in Canada, and then we turned around and asked ourselves, what about the sexiest? And more important, what is it that makes these places sexy as opposed to romantic? A romantic place, we determined, is when thoughtfulness and togetherness are at the top of our minds. It’s where we are inspired to show love. A sexy place, on the other hand, is about spontaneity. Generally speaking, sexy in Canada means five things: Youthful, edgy, hip, fun and energetic. Here are five places we believe bring loads of each:

1. Vancouver & Whistler, British Columbia

Surrounded by water on three sides and nestled alongside the Coast Mountain Range, Vancouver has more than half a million residents and one of the mildest climates in Canada. Whistler, one of the best places in the world to ski and snowboard, is a 90-minute drive from Vancouver and is Canada’s premier winter sports playground. The two cities co-hosted the raucous 2010 Winter Olympics.

Why it’s sexy

British Columbia has always been one of Canada’s more liberal locations. The province was the second in the country, after Ontario, to legalize gay marriage in 2003 and its largest city has a thriving gay community. The laid-back attitude is also reflected in how Vancouverites and others in British Columbia look at sex. A 2011 Angus Reid Public Opinion survey found that 53 percent of Canadians (57 percent in BC) support making it legal to run a bawdy house and solicit. Vancouver is also a hub for Canada’s porn industry and known for its adult massage parlours and escort services. Some people might say there’s too much exploitation of women in Vancouver, and that’s not sexy at all. The city’s beauty, beaches and warm climate help to encourage spontaneous hook-ups that may start at pick-up clubs like Roxy’s.

At Wreck Beach, a popular clothing-optional destination in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, things can get hot. According to wreckbeach.org, it’s a 7.8-kilometre-long, wilderness-like beach, with a 200-foot cliff system. It’s Canada’s first and largest legal, clothing-optional beach. If being sexy is about being free of inhibitions, then Wreck Beach is one place you need to visit at least once. Thousands of people trek here every year to do a little skinny dipping, bathe in the sun, walk along it’s rustic shore and maybe do a little more.

In Whistler, the party scene, especially in winter, can lead to all kinds of hi-jinks and spur-of-the-moment encounters. The nightlife scene continues to get better in this mountain resort town, and with the number of people from around the world attracted to Whistler, finding instant chemistry with someone new and fascinating isn’t difficult.

2.  Ste.-Catherine Street, Montreal, Quebec

The heart and soul of Montreal, Sainte-Catherine Street is constantly bustling with activity and is one of the best spots in the city for people watching. According to montreal.streetviewtours.com, the street runs more than 15 km from east to west, and is the commercial artery of Montreal.

Why it’s sexy

This street has everything you could ever want in a sexy location. Lingerie stores, shoe stores, cafés and boutiques that address every fashion taste you can think of. Amazing restaurants serving a wide variety of food and hotels populate the entire street.

Do you want to see this street come alive? Come down before or after a Montreal Canadiens game, and see tourists and locals mingling. Looking for an edgier, fun crowd? Tons of nightclubs, bars, and strip clubs cater to the business crowd and students of Dawson College, LaSalle College and McGill University.

If that isn’t enough, Ste.-Catherine Street also hosts events by some of Canada’s most successful festivals, including International Jazz Festival and the Just For Laughs Festival.

3. Hazleton Hotel, Toronto

In the heart of fashionable Yorkville, guests of the Hazleton Hotel are just steps from the luxury shops of Bloor Street, and many of the country’s finest art galleries, world-class museums and theatres. The oversized accommodations were created by internationally renowned designers Yabu Pushelberg, and feature the latest in technology and communication.

Why it’s sexy

Nothing sums up sexiness in Toronto like Yorkville. This area is always hopping with amazing shopping and world-class restaurants. But without question the time to be down here is during the Toronto International Film Festival, when hundreds of movie stars visit the city and descend around the ritzy neighbourhood. The Hazleton Hotel has always been a favourite for visiting stars.

What can be sexier than a sighting of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie having brunch right next to you?

There are dozens of places to shop till you drop in Yorkville and just south on Bloor Street. When your day is over, have dinner in ONE Hazleton Restaurant and then head for your room with your love and kick back and relax in absolute luxury.

4. Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls, with eclectic restaurants, contemporary hotels, and electrifying attractions, is a true Canadian vacation destination for couples. Just 20 minutes from Buffalo International Airport and about an hour from Toronto, Niagara Falls sits on the Canadian border like a mini Las Vegas.

Why it’s sexy

Where do we start? Walk to the edge of the Falls and thrill at the view.

Like things dangerous? Then get even closer to the Falls. If you feel like getting wet, head down to the Maid of the Mist and see the Falls from a perspective you won’t soon forget.

Head over to Clifton Hill and indulge in the mindless fun of a carnival atmosphere, with restaurants, and other attractions. Take an elevator to the top of Skylon Tower, or have dinner in any of the amazing nearby hotels. Need more excitement? Try your luck at Fallsview Casino Resort or Casino Niagara.

5. Hull, Quebec

Hull is located on the west bank of the Gatineau River and the north shore of the Ottawa River, opposite the nation’s capital.

Why it’s sexy

Don’t think for a second that this region is just government offices and bureaucrats … although, yes, you will find lots of those here. With incredible natural beauty, Hull is a place where you can have fun skiing or snowshoeing, or you can enjoy a day learning and laughing at the Museum of Civilization.

There’s also a delightful steam train that runs from Hull to Wakefield, filled with great shopping, restaurants and interesting architecture.

But what really makes Hull the place to be is the drinking age of Quebec, which is 18. Thousands of young Ontarians who feel saddled with a drinking age of 19 flock to Hull to enjoy the nightlife, turning the city into party central and one of the wildest places to be on the weekends.

Vicky is the worldly publisher of Vacay.ca. Having graduated from McGill University in Montreal, she has set about building a talented team of travel experts to deliver to you words and images of the very best places to see and experience in Canada. Based in Yorkville in Toronto, Vicky regularly jet sets around Canada — be sure to catch up with her when she's in your part of the country.

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