Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

© Mr. Simon Paul/Shutterstoc

A little Canadian rest and relaxation. Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta

Glimmering in aquamarine tones, Lake Louise rests amid the Canadian Rockies in Alberta's Banff National Park. The Indigenous Nakoda people refer to the lake as Ho-run-num-nay, meaning 'lake of the little fishes.' It was later renamed by settlers, inspired by Britain's Princess Louise, whose husband was governor general of Canada between 1878 and 1883. The adjoining hamlet is also called Lake Louise and, at an elevation of almost 5,200 feet, is Canada's highest community.

This glacial lake is accessible throughout the year via the Trans-Canada Highway, and visitors enjoy hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter, and incredible mountain views at any time of the year.