It’s been hard to miss Canada lately. Fresh off a spectacular job of hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics, the country to America’s north has been everywhere. One of the most common things I heard people say in the past couple of weeks was, “Vancouver looks beautiful. I have to get up there.” So I went to my favorite Canadian to get the scoop. Chances are you know her as well. Along with her long-time boyfriend Gene Simmons of KISS and their two children, Shannon Tweed is a reality TV star on the hit A&E series Gene Simmons Family Jewels. I talked with Shannon about what you need to know about Canada and what you can’t afford to miss.  -Dale

Dale Blasingame: Vancouver was just in the global spotlight because of the Olympics. What’s your favorite thing about Vancouver?

Shannon Tweed: It’s hard to have a favorite part of Vancouver! I have a few. I love Yaletown at night and Gastown during the day. I like good old shopping downtown, too. There are beaches but I don’t think people necessarily think of sand when they picture life in Vancouver. However, they’re quite nice and I believe there’s even a topless one! (She’s correct – Wreck Beach.) One of my favorite memories is when Gene and I took the kids bicycling around Stanley Park along the sea wall. It was breathtaking. I have a home in Whistler and always look forward to the drive from Vancouver to Whistler. It is, in a word, spectacular.

(Shannon at a popular viewing point between Vancouver and Whistler)

DB: Describe the area where you grew up a bit. What is life like in Newfoundland?

ST: I was born in a small town in Newfoundland. My father was a mink rancher back then, so we lived on acres of ranch land – lots of woods and ponds and horseback riding and frog catching. We bused to school along the east coast and during certain times of the year you could see the icebergs and whales very close to shore. The beaches there are rockier than southern beaches, but the summers are still beautiful. We used to go and scoop up kippers (little fish) with our buckets during the summer. They came in droves and you couldn’t help but get some. The waters were thick with them.

DB: I think many Americans assume all Canadians can ski or play hockey. How far off is that assumption? Are there ski resorts on every corner?

ST: We do get four seasons all across Canada and the summers are hot. I know a lot of folks think we speak French and live in igloos, but you can equate our weather in the middle of Canada to that of Chicago. You can compare Newfoundland to New York City’s weather. I never learned to ski because either my mom decided that seven kids and skis was not a great idea or the trip to the ‘hill’ would be too far. There isn’t a ski resort in every town and there isn’t snow year round.

DB: What’s the one thing tourists should know about Canada?

ST: Tourists should know Canada has everything! We have some of the best skiing, fishing, music and art festivals in the world. There are beaches, mountains, prairies and lakes. And you will never find a friendlier, more accommodating people or a more diverse melting pot of cultures to sink your teeth into. Americans should know we speak mainly English. French is the second language. The driving rules are the same but signage is in kilometers. Centigrade and the metric system have been in place for 30 or so years, but most everything else will be very familiar.

(Shannon with family at Penticton, British Columbia)

DB: Which part of Canada do you recommend for first-time visitors?

ST: First-time visitors should try either coast, any of the Maritime Provinces (you’ll find some thick, almost Irish/Scottish accents there and the loveliest people) or beautiful, cosmopolitan British Columbia. Or you can take a train tour. I could go on and on…

You can catch Shannon and her family every Sunday on Gene Simmons Family Jewels. The new season premieres March 21^st at 9/8c on A&E. You can also follow Shannon on Twitter (@shannonleetweed).