The leaves are falling, the nights are a little cooler – but don’t let the change of seasons get you down. There’s no better way to battle pre-winter blues than a pre-winter trip. And there’s no better way to travel across Canada than with VIA Rail.

Save big with VIA’s exceptional fares from coast to coast.

• Conquer the West by train!
• Ontario and Quebec are yours for the taking!
• Don’t miss out on the splendors of the Maritimes!

To celebrate Car Free Day this September 22, VIA Rail is offering you 40% savings on Economy class travel completed by December 14, 2009 to anywhere on the VIA Rail network.

To get your 40% e-coupon, simply visit VIA’s Car Free Day page online and sign up for one of VIA’s e-letters – if you aren’t already one of our subscribers.

What are you waiting for? The coupon is only available until September 28, 2009.

Get your savings e-coupon now!

Every September 22, people around the world leave their cars at home and become pedestrians, cyclists and public transit users to show how much we care about climate change.

No matter how you spell it, Carfree Day is a way of showing how our cities might look, feel and sound like without cars. Here is what many communities around Canada – and the world – have planned for 2009:

• In Vancouver, they’re throwing block parties.
• There’s going to be a bike stunt show in downtown Toronto.
• Montréal is offering an audio guide for walking tours.
• There’s going to be square dancing and giant chess displays in Winnipeg!
• In London, England, they have the Freewheel - a mass cycle ride that looks at landmarks along the way.
• In Brussels, Belgium, they close the whole downtown core.

So what will you do to show your solidarity for Carfree day?

The votes are in for our contest, and we’ve got your TOP 10 songs of summer 2009!

At an overwhelming #1, with comments ranging from “LOVE IT!” “ma préférée” “just so catchy, I can’t help but sing it” “makes people want to get out and have fun” is:

1) The Black Eyed Peas mega-hit I Gotta Feeling

Also in your top three?

2) Powerhouse Lady Gaga’s fame-ridden Paparazzi and

3) The Lonely Island’s hilarious hip-hop sendup I’m On A Boat

Ringing in at “uno-do’-tres-cuatro”:

4) Pitbull’s ridiculously danceable I Know You Want Me

Chased by heartstring pullers in:

5) William Deslauriers‘ Star Académie reprise of Moisi , Moé’ssi and

6) Ginette Reno’s 50 year celebration in Fais-moi la Tendresse

Rounding out your favourites:

7) Franco-pop sensation Sliimy’s Wake Up

Sean Kingston’s “somebody call 911″ Fire Burning

9) Heart-on-sleeve Green Day’s 21 Guns and

10) Canadian Anjulie’s chart-climbing Boom

A big thanks again to everyone who entered! And congratulations to our winner, Anne Marie Budgell!

Our favourite song of the summer contest was a huge success! And now for the winner [drumroll please]:

Anne Marie Budgell of Sarnia, Ontario!

Anne Marie has won $200 in VIA Rail travel, lucky lady.

Thanks to all who entered – and keep an eye on this space for more contests soon!

Looking for a fall destination with activities enough to please everyone? Fairs. Festivals. Golf. Wineries. The Great Outdoors. Then book a weekend in Prince Edward County, Ontario! I went there for Labour Day weekend, and I still haven’t come down from my cloud.

Here’s my top five favourite things to do in PEC:

1.	Climb the dunes at Sandbanks	Crazy, but true… there are giant sand dunes and golden beaches on the shores of Lake Ontario. It might be a little cold but the sunsets are marvellous. Perfect for a romantic picnic!
2.	Visit some wineries	Not only can you enjoy tastings and gourmet lunches, but many wineries also have art galleries and fabulous boutiques too. If you’re not a wine-lover, the spectacular grounds should keep you and your camera busy.
3.	Go birdwatching	Over 300 species of birds have been recorded in Prince Edward County. That’s a lot of feathers! The fall migration season is especially spectacular. Warblers, flycatchers and thrushes, oh my!
4.	Take a bicycle tour	The distances are short, the country roads are scenic and gentle, and there are villages galore ready to welcome you for lunch or a contemplative rest. And the views are absolutely jaw-dropping!
5.	Travel the taste trail	Wine. Cider. Cheese. Ice cream. Artisan beer. Apple and berry pies. Every meal was a symphony of flavours. Don’t get conned into thinking that small towns can’t produce gourmet – the fall flavours will truly knock your socks off.

Visit my Flickr photostream for a few more pics!

Halifax to Paris, by train?

Not exactly (but have fun googling “transatlantic tunnel” for some ambitious plans!)

Enjoy the French countryside even more by seeing it for free! Thanks to a new partnership, your VIA Préférence points can now treat you to a trip anywhere on France’s SNCF network — even on board the famed TGV.

You’ll definitely be surprised by how low the redemption levels are.

Learn how to redeem your points for free train travel in France!

Oh, summer – how to make you last just a few days more?

Enter my summer song contest for a chance to win $200 in travel vouchers from VIA Rail.

Deadline is September 10 – so get moving!