Ottowa

Ottowa is the capital city of Canada, not Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver as many people seem to think. The city is home to around 812,000 people, making it the fourth largest city in Canada. It's in the province of Ontario, on the banks of the great Ottowa River, a 1,271km waterway which was responsible for the early economic growth of the region. The early French fur traders used the river to transport their goods inland, but the real growth in the region took place when the river was used to carry trees for the timber trade. It gave easy access to large forests of white pine, extremely popular in Europe as they were straight and strong. Even today, Ottowa is a centre of the timber industry, although more high-tech industries have taken over in recent years.

So, I'm here and ready to do some sightseeing. What can I see? Well, my first stop is 24 Sussex Drive. Why? Because it has been the residence of the Canadian Prime Minister since the government bought the house in 1943. It was built in 1866 by Mr Joseph Currier, a politician and lumberman (somebody who works in the timber industry).

Next is Byward market, located in the downtown district, and a popular meeting place for all people. It is in fact a farmers' market but has become a fashionable bar and restaurant district with street entertainers and artists adding to an already cosmopolitan atmosphere.

After a refreshing beer, I crossed the Ottowa river into a different province, Quebec, to take a look at Canada's most visited museum – the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Not only are the exhibits very interesting, but the building itself is amazing, with a massive glass wall which gives the most beautiful view across the river of Parliament Hill. It was worth the admission price just to see that.

Back across the river to the odd looking glass structure, which turns out to be the National Gallery. Having survived the fright of seeing a 30 foot tall spider outside the entrance, I entered to find an impressive collection of artists as varied as Van Gogh, Matisse, Dali, Andy Warhol and Mondrian.

If you're here in winter, February to be precise, you absolutely must visit the Winterlude, the annual festival celebrating all things to do with winter. There are ice and snow sculptures, concerts in he ice arena, skating, an ice playground for kids – well, you get the idea. You also must eat a beaver tail. Not literally, of course, but this type of doughnut served during the festival. Now, if you're thinking that it seems a bit of a silly festival, tell that to the 1.6 million visitors who came in 2007 and they'll tell you otherwise.