No matter how long winter’s seemed, spring is nearly here! And it brings some of my fave travel experiences in Canada. Why not plan a visit to:

• Ottawa. The Canadian Tulip Festival, held May 7-24, 2010, delivers the largest tulip fest in the world with over 3 million blooms. That’s one gift – the original Dutch behest of bulbs after WWII – that’s kept on giving!

 

• Vancouver. Stroll the city admiring over 36,000 ornamental Japanese cherry trees at the Cherry Blossom Festival! Look for the first blooms in mid-March, and full splendour in April. My fave way to enjoy? By bike – with breaks for al fresco sakura dining!

 

• Montreal. Nowhere is spring sweeter than during sugaring off. Have you ever tried tire? Maple-y treats are a MUST on any visit to Québec! (I’ll be sampling my way through this list of sugar shacks)

 

• Stratford. A Shakespeare fan’s dream, Ontario’s Stratford Festival starts its run this April with As You Like It, Peter Pan, & Kiss Me, Kate. A bonus – Christopher Plummer (who’s appearing as Prospero this season) is up for an Oscar!

 

• Churchill. The subarctic makes my springtime cut simply because it’s the best spot and best time to view the Aurora Borealis! Look for northern lights tours delivering wilderness adventure with one of the most amazing light shows on earth.

So shake off winter with a spring vacation (it sure beats spring cleaning!)

For most Canadians, Spring Break and, well, springtime, aren’t exactly synonymous.

But who cares if you’re still shovelling out your car and shoving on those toques when you can be swept away by these sweet fares!:

For travel between March 8 and March 31, 2010, inclusive.
Buy your tickets soon! Offer ends at 11:59 p.m. on March 9, 2010.

• For Toronto – London, book online choosing Economy – supersaver fare.
• For Toronto – Windsor, book online choosing Economy – special fare or Economy – supersaver fare.

Other conditions apply.
*Prices quoted are based on an adult one-way Economy class ticket (before taxes), valid for one-way or round trip travel. Tickets must be purchased at least three (3) days in advance.

Got spring fever yet?

♪ lala laala lala…DOOWWNNTOWN! ♫

Tired of the same old scene? Try out a new city!

This winter, find amazing downtown-to-downtown deals on train travel in Quebec and Ontario. VIA Rail’s bringing you one-way fares starting at:

*Some conditions apply.

How can you lose?

Meet Canadian athletes AND enter to win a first class trip for two onboard the Canadian… with VIA Rail.

Between February 17th and 24th, from noon to 5 p.m., head to Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station to take a tour of the iconic Canadian’s rail cars (love that 360° dome!)

And from 2-4 p.m., get autographs signed by former Olympians and CAN Fund recipients such as:

• Feb.17 – Annamay Pierse, Swimming – 2008 Olympian and 200 m short course breaststroke world record holder
• Feb.19 – Katie Weatherston, Ice Hockey – 2006 Olympic Gold Medalist
• Feb. 20 – Brian Price, Rowing – Men’s Eight, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist
• Feb. 22 – Sami Jo Small, Ice Hockey – 3-time Olympian and 2-time member of Olympic gold medal winning team (2002 and 2006)
• Feb. 23 – Alexandra Orlando, Rhythmic Gymnastics, 2008 Olympian, 3 Pan American Gold Medals
• Feb. 24 – Ben Rutledge, Rowing – Men’s Eight, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist

You’ll also get a chance to win a first-class sleeper touring trip for two between Vancouver and Toronto on the Canadian!

Find further details here.

Pea soup, tourtiere, and sugar pie await! Visit the Festival du Voyageur website.

From skiing the Rockies, shopping sprees in Montreal, to sun-worshiping down south – I’ve done it all on March Break!

And now I want to know where YOU’re raring to go. Enter my “Spring Break 2010” contest:

1. Leave a comment on this post describing your getaway plans for March 2010’s Spring Break.
2. Share your vacation vision before February 22, 2010 at 11h59 PM.
3. Be automatically entered to win a $200 VIA Rail travel credit.*

The winner will be announced February 23, 2010. Can’t wait to hear about everyone’s Spring Break escapes!

*Contest open to residents of Canada only. For specifications and full eligibility requirements, read the contest conditions.

Looking to treat your darling? Buy your tickets no later than 11:59 p.m. on February 5, 2010, for travel between February 12 and 15, 2010, inclusive.

Find four tempting offers. Choose between these one-way fares when you buy round trip travel in Business class:

Montréal <-> Toronto $99
Ottawa <-> Toronto $99
Montréal <-> Ottawa $49
Toronto <-> Windsor $79

Book online using the discount code: LOVE. Some conditions apply.

No time for cold feet! This Valentine’s surprise is only available for three days.

Still got a sweet spot for Valentine’s Day? Skip the cards and candy. I’ve found all-inclusive deals to the most romantic spots in Canada, including train travel, luxury accommodations and guided adventure!

My Top 5 Valentine’s Train Getaways are…

1. Montréal and Québec City – A Moment in Time  Whisk by train for a 4 star stay within the Old Walls of Québec, a St. Lawrence cruise and tours of both cities’ historic quarters.
2. Niagara Falls  - Romance  Travel by rail for a trip that includes a room view of Niagara Falls and sampling the region’s famed wines.
3. Jasper – Getaway by Rail  Get onboard in Edmonton for a weekend jaunt to Jasper! Spend the day skiing, or try a snowshoe adventure or the Maligne Canyon Ice Walk.
4. Toronto – Experience  Book a whirlwind tour of Toronto’s best, including the CN Tower, Casa Loma, the ROM, Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto Zoo and even a Medieval Times dinner show!
5. Vancouver  to Edmonton  – The Canadian  See ocean, mountains and prairies whiz by onboard one of the most romantic train journeys ever – the Canadian!  Enjoy a comfy cabin and fine dining.

Happy Valentine’s!

Canada is a paradise for winter sports, both familiar and extreme! Why not try:

1. Skiing & Snowboarding | Ultimate downhill adventure awaits in the Rockies’ UNESCO world heritage sites, legendary resorts or heli-skiing packages.

 

2. Snowshoeing | Break trail through thousand year old cedar trees skirting Georgian Bay & the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula.

 

3. Snowmobiling | Mountains, ocean, fjords and fishing villages greet snowmobilers in Newfoundland’s Gros Morne.

 

4. Skating | The world’s largest skating rink – the Rideau Canal – enchants visitors to Ottawa, Ontario.

 

5. Sliding | Hitch your toboggan to the “bowl” at the heart of New Brunswick’s Fundy Nat’l Park.

 

6. Ice Fishing | Tie up a string of perch, northern pike and walleye from Manitoba’s Clear Lake.

 

7. Dog Sledding | Head to Nunavut for an authentic arctic dog sledding adventure in Quttinirpaaq.

 

8. Northern Lights | Experience the Aurora Borealis in the NWT’s Wood Buffalo Nat’l Park.

 

9. Waterfall Ice Climbing | B.C.’s Yoho Nat’l Park offers hundreds of popular climbs for the brave!

 

10. Soaking | Relax in the natural warmth of the Rockies’ Radium and Banff Upper Hot Springs

So get moving and get outside!