Archive for the ‘Canada’ Category

100th Anniversary Celebration.

The 16th July 2011 is the 100th anniversary Celebration Of Canada’s Parks Day.  Parks Canada is one of the world’s oldest national park service.  Over the next few months, their will be a number or events to celebrate the anniversary.  Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver will have a selection of Canadian artists performing at free concerts.  These are just a few events that have been layed on for the 100th Anniversary Celebration.  I haven’t been to Montreal or Vancouver, but Toronto is lovely.  I had a great time and went to Niagra Falls.

Visitors can enjoy many of the Country’s natural parks and learn about the Country’s history at sites.  The Parks Canada organisaiton is responsible for 4 marine conservations, over 40 national parks and more than 160 historic sites.  Parks Canada will be leading the way through the 100th anniversary celebrations in style.

More Than One Celebration.

This is a big year for Canada regarding landmark dates.  In addition to the 100th anniversary celebration of their Parks.  On the 1st July 2011 also marks Canada’s 144th Birthday.  See my earlier post for celebrations and events in London.

Canadian Affair is the UK’s largest Tour Operator to Canada.  They offer high quality low cost flights and holidays to 7 exciting destinations: Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

Alternatively see BA, ebookers, expedia, Lastminute.com or Low Cost Holidays. Oh, and don’t forget to book your travel insurance.

Pocahontas mountain; Jasper National Park, Photographed by Ken Ludwick.

On 1st July 2011, there will be a Canadian Affair in Trafalgar Square. The event is designed to boost tourism in Canada, as well as highlight the Canadian culture.  They will have lots of information about many destinations all over Canada.  I’m told that Quebec is approximately 5 hours from London Heathrow Airport.  That’s close enough to have a short 3/5 day short break holiday which is great.

2011 marks the Country’s 144th Birthday (Canada Day). There will be many featured designations.  Lots of travel information about where to go and how to get there. Plus entertainment including, Canadian culunary delights, live music, and an outdoor hockey match.

EVENT: Canada Day.
LOCATION: Trafalgar Square.
DATES: 1st July 2011.
FEE: Free.

If you’ve never been to Canada, I can tell you that it is a lovely Country.  I’m truly sorry I’ve have not returned since.  I visited Toronto and enjoyed my time very much.  Also there is one thing overlooked by many.  Canada may not be in the top 10 honeymoon spots, but it is such a lovely Country, it could be viewed as a home away from home.  Especially for UK and US travelers.  If you’re thinking about checking Canada out for a Wedding Spot, you could also check out the Toronto Wedding Videographer

I hope to be back there within the next 18 months.

If you want to check out flights, hotels and package deals.  See Canadian Affair, the UK’s largest tour operation to Canada, or Lowcostholidays.com.

Alternatively see BA, ebookers, Expedia, Lastminute.com.  As always, when traveling, don’t forget your travel insurance.

Photo by Nicolas Raymond.

Calgary – New Attractions.

If you are thinking about visiting Calgary, Canada next year, here are some new attractions and events that might interest you.  Next March 2011 in Alberta, Calgary, a new Sports Hall of Fame is due to open.  It will feature interactive displays and many artefacts relating to Canada’s heroes and sports history.

In the Autumn there will be a new science centre in Calgary called TELUS World of Science.  There will be lots of activities, events and exhibitions.  Lastly, in the Summer Calgary will be hosting The Calgary Stampede.  This will have live music, wagon racing, rodeos and many other events taking place between 8^th July 2011 and 17^th July 2011.

For a great canadian travel experience see  Canada Affair.  Don’t forget to check out your travel insurance options.

Quebec.

Yes I’ve seen the pictures, there really is an Ice Hotel in Quebec, Canada.  The unusal holiday category has just risen in my book, I’ve never heard of it before, have you?  Have you stayed there?  Would love to know.  The “Hôtel de Glace” is made completely out of ice.  Don’t ask me how it doesn’t melt, even when pop belly stoves are used to heat the bedrooms.  I don’t know, probably too cold in Quebec for it to melt.   Anyway here’s the word!

The hotel itself was first launched in 2001 and moves locations every year.  It is also redesigned and rebuilt when it is moved.  Definately unusual!  There are three main packages you can go for.  They are; the “Northern Discovery” package, the “Winter Experience” package and the “Icy and Urban Adventure” package.  Call me a kiljoy, but they all sound cold!

The Hotel Experience.

These getaways are quite pricey, costing approximately $400 – $600 Canadian Dollars  per person, for one nights stay at the Ice Hotel, and another nights stay at a different hotel in Quebec.

Apparently, half a million people have already stayed in the hotel.  This may be one of the reasons for a boost in visitors to Quebec.  See  my earlier blog post.   Good wishes to all you brave people who love Winter holidays.  Me, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  I HATE THE COLD!!

Canada.

I know that Americans often drive over the State line to Canada.  I drove across the Canadian Border over to America with some Cousins of mine.  We drove from Calary to Cleveland Ohio.  It took about five hours, and oh boy did I need to stretch my legs.

Quebec, Canada is fast becoming a very popular holiday destination for visitors from the UK.  The flight is less than seven hours, which makes Quebec, a good option for a city break, or short holiday destination.  Along with the appropriate travel insurance.

US Cities Closest To Canada.

I’ve often thought I must go back to Canada one day.  Perhaps Quebec will be the next city I visit.  If you are in the USA, and live in or near Alaska, Idaho, Maine,  Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont or Washington.  It should be relatively easy for you to visit Canada for a break!

If you want to check out flight services to Canada CLICK HERE.  Otherwise see BA or Canadian Affair.

Photo By: B Cleary.

CityPASS.

Here’s some good news for Travellers and tourists, a new CityPASS is available.  If you are hoping to save some money during a city breaks in New York, this will help.  There is a New Attraction called “Top of the Rock”.  Visitors and residents can now go to the top of Rockefeller Plaza to view Manhattan.

What’s also good new is the CityPASS,  is that it is a book of admission tickets to some major tourist attractions in certain Cities across America and Canada.  In New York for example, Once purchased, you will again access to tourist attractions such as Ellis Island, the Museum of Modern Art, the Statue of Liberty, the Guggenheim Museum and Empire State Building.

The CityPASS is valid between 9-14 days (depending on which city).  It also gets you into these famous attractions for about half the price you would normally pay.  Plus you’ll skip the long queues.

Other US Cities that CityPASS Books are available are; Chicago, Boston,San Francisco, Canada; Toronto.

Price: (approx) Adults; $79 (£53) Children 6 – 17 $59 (£39); Children under 6yrs FREE.

The Passes can be purchased on the CityPASS Official Website or at any participating Tourist Operator. Check with your local travel agent.

Don’t forget travel insurance if you are flying abroad.

Egyptian Exhibition.

If you are going to travel to Toronto, Canada, a great tourist attraction would is The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO).  It is currently showing: An Egyptian Exhibition, on Tutankhamun. (Egyptian Pharaoh of ancient Egypt).  The Exhibition will feature numerous artefacts and special images of the Pharaoh created from his mummified remains.

Don’t miss this very rare, fascinating, Egyptian Exhibition.  if you live in Toronto, or anywhere near.  Or if you are into ancient Egypt and you live in the USA. You won’t have much trouble visiting for the weekend away.   Toronto, Ontario could be the place for you.

The works of the German sculptor and painter, Anselm Kiefer will also be showing.  Promises to be a great day out.

Egyptian Exhibition Details.

Dates: 4th March – 18th April 2010.
Location: 317 Dundas Street West, Toronto Ontario, Canada, M5T 1G4

If you’re making the trip to Canada, don’t forget travel insurance.

Check out flights with BA.

Picture by JOH_7977 Wikipedia.org.