Frontier Canada - Year round Holidays to Canada

Charley Boorman biking across Canada coming to Channel 5 soon

2011-11-04T12:32:00.002Z

You can go where Charley goes with the help of Frontier Canada www.frontier-canada.co.uk

Coming soon to Channel 5, Charley Boorman's Extreme Frontiers. He's ridden through Africa in the award winning series 'Long Way Down', braved the wilds of the North on his 20,000 mile 'Long Way Round' adventure and now Charley Boorman, accompanied by producer/director Russ Malkin, is about to launch his latest adventure - a new and exciting adventure expedition that really gets under the skin of an entire country.

Charley Boorman's Extreme Frontiers follows Charley's epic 10,300 mile journey across Canada, the world's second largest country. Travelling principally on motorbikes, the series sees Charley and Russ traversing each of the 10 Canadian Provinces, 2 Frontiers, 3 Oceans and 4 Extreme Frontiers from East to West revealing a unique insight into this beautiful country.

Never before has Charley had the opportunity to deeply explore one country. Each episode sees them embark on a series of dangerous, frightening, inspiring and hilarious tasks from canoeing to rodeo, heli-mountain biking to ice hockey. Charley Boorman's Extreme Frontiers also sees Charley braving the impressive 8,000m peak Mount Fable in Alberta and overcoming his claustrophobia whilst wreck diving in Lake Huron. Every challenge reveals the breathtaking wilderness of Canada, its people and its diverse culture. It sees the team delve into its rich history whilst being pushed to the limit in a series of often tough challenges.

Charley Boorman commented: "I absolutely loved filming this series, but I have to say it was one of the toughest trips I have ever been on due to the intensity, the tough challenges we embarked on and the sheer distance we travelled. During the 6 week expedition I experienced some of the scariest and uplifting moments of my life but as always it was the amazing characters I met along the way that stick with me. Canada is an awesome country and Extreme Frontiers Canada is a great way for people at home to learn more about this amazing place whilst having a good laugh at me at the same time trying to do things like climb Mount Fable when my legs have turned to jelly!"

Charley once again delivers an outstanding performance with his boyish charm and great sense of humour. The series was filmed across six weeks through June and July 2011 during the months of the midnight sun. Travelling throughout these two months provided exceptional cinematography footage and additional time for filming. You will see the team adventure across infinite landscapes in enduring summer light offering a totally unique, in-depth and beautiful picture of the country like no other before it.

The series is due to start on the 28th November.

Purcell Mountain Lodge

2011-10-01T15:21:00.001+01:00

The story of Purcell Mountain Lodge begins in the early 1980s, when founders Russ Younger and Paul Leeson started taking people backcountry telemark skiing in the Purcell Mountain Range. Back then, guests slept in Mongolian Yurts – large canvas tents with wooden floors – in a meadow at the headwaters of the Spillimacheen River.

In 1989, inspired by the area's diverse terrain and unbeatable powder snow, Paul and Russ decided to expand their operation, and with the help of some dedicated friends and skilled artisans, set out to build the finest remote mountain chalet in North America.

Mindful of the alpine ecosystem and committed to the highest ecological standard, Paul and Russ knew that enviromental conservation had to be at the heart of the Purcell Mountain Lodge experience, beginning with its construction. To that end every post and beam was flown in my helicopter; and workers and friends, instead of camping on the meadows around the site, slept in the yurts in the valley below. Each day they trudged up the hill to continue the building project - thereby protecting the fragile flora surrounding the Lodge and reducing their overall impact on the area.

Paul and Russ also built a mini hydro-electric system that harnesses clean energy off a nearby stream and engineered an elaborate sewage treatment plant that is still today considered an industry standard for other backcountry operations. In short, all possible measures were taken to address their twin goals of creating exemplary guest services without sacrificing their commitment to ecological ethics and conservation.

On your tour you'll be seduced by the Lodge's friendly atmosphere – the smiling staff, the cozy living room, the intimate library and the panoramic views. Local artifacts and old photographs line the walls of this hand crafted timber-frame building, and for the guests who return year after year, it feels like home.Purcell Mountain Lodge is a home away from home. Surrounded by the unspoiled wilderness of the Rocky Mountains and Glacier National Park, it is an oasis of comfort in the midst of some of North America's most rugged and spectacular mountain scenery.

You'll arrive by helicopter – itself an unforgettable experience – and touch down in the middle of Canada's largest alpine meadow. As your guides unload the luggage, your hosts will welcome you into the warmth of the Lodge, where the smell of freshly baked goodies greets you at the door.

On your tour you'll be seduced by the Lodge's friendly atmosphere – the smiling staff, the cozy living room, the intimate library and the panoramic views. Local artifacts and old photographs line the walls of this hand crafted timber-frame building, and for the guests who return year after year, it feels like home.Purcell Mountain Lodge is a home away from home. Surrounded by the unspoiled wilderness of the Rocky Mountains and Glacier National Park, it is an oasis of comfort in the midst of some of North America's most rugged and spectacular mountain scenery.

You'll arrive by helicopter – itself an unforgettable experience – and touch down in the middle of Canada's largest alpine meadow. As your guides unload the luggage, your hosts will welcome you into the warmth of the Lodge, where the smell of freshly baked goodies greets you at the door.

On your tour you'll be seduced by the Lodge's friendly atmosphere – the smiling staff, the cozy living room, the intimate library and the panoramic views. Local artifacts and old photographs line the walls of this hand crafted timber-frame building, and for the guests who return year after year, it feels like home.

WICKANINNISH INN RANKED Number 1 IN CANADA

2011-07-13T10:08:00.004+01:00

Travel + Leisure Magazine’s 2011 World’s Best Travel Awards

The Wickaninnish Inn is pleased to announce it was selected as the #1 Top Resort in Canada, #1 overall top Accommodation property in Canada and the Inn’s Ancient Cedars Spa was also voted the #1 Best Hotel Spa in Canada and #3 Best Hotel Spa in the USA and Canada in the coveted 2011 Travel + Leisure Magazine’s World’s Best Awards.

Travel + Leisure Magazine, the leading publication for sophisticated, informed luxury travelers, has released the results of its yearly readers’ poll. The 2011 World’s Best Travel Awards ranks a range of travel experiences, including favorite hotels and resorts, spas, and cruise lines.
The Wickaninnish Inn, situated beachside on Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast, appears in the rankings for the 9th consecutive year, maintaining its place as Canada’s top-ranked luxury resort and accommodation property.

Questionnaires were available in Travel + Leisure Magazine and online at www.TLWorldsBest.com from December 2010 through March 2011, inviting the public to rate hotels on their rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants, food, and overall value. The complete 2011 World’s Best results will be featured in the cover story of the August issue (available on newsstands July 22nd) or online at www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest .

Although Travel + Leisure highlights the Inn’s year-round comfort with spectacular ocean views and in-room binoculars, an extensive early 2012 re-design of all 45 guest rooms in the original Pointe building will further emphasize the Inn’s commitment to excellence, its connection with nature and the spa-like ambiance. “The Inn’s appeal since its opening in 1996,”
according to Charles McDiarmid, Managing Director, “is due to the synergy between its unique oceanfront and forest-fringed location, the destination of Tofino, and a consistent level of personalized service from all team members. Our team is made up of many 10-years-and-counting senior staff who work alongside, often mentoring, new hospitality professionals who have earned a place on the Wickaninnish Inn team.”

About the Wickaninnish Inn: The Wickaninnish Inn, perched on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island near Tofino, is a year-round destination exemplifying "Rustic Elegance on Nature's Edge". A Relais & Châteaux member property since 1997, the Inn is owned and managed by the McDiarmid family of Tofino, and is exclusively located on beautiful Chesterman Beach. Each of the 75 oceanfront guest rooms and suites welcomes guests with a gas fireplace, soaker tub, local art, an individual balcony and a beach or ocean viewscape. The Wickaninnish Inn is home to The Pointe Restaurant, boasting 240º Pacific Ocean views and an innovative culinary program, and the award-winning Ancient Cedars Spa.

To see more of this wonderful place or to book your special holiday
Wickannish

Capilano Suspension bridge

2011-06-30T17:29:00.003+01:00

CLIFFWALK is the newest attraction at Vancouver’s Capilano Suspension Bridge. Opening in Spring 2011, this heart-stopping cliff-side journey takes guests through rainforest vegetation on a series of unobtrusive cantilevered and suspended walkways jutting out from the granite cliff face above Capilano River to previously unexplored areas of the park. Not for the faint of heart, it is high and narrow and, in some sections, glass (very strong glass) is all that separates guests from the canyon far below. If you are looking for some thrilling Vancouver activities, check out CLIFFWALK at Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Visit Vancouver!

news from Whistler!

2011-06-28T16:17:00.001+01:00

The Blackcomb Liquor Store - The Bounty of BC - Wine Tastings
Daily “tasting sessions” Thursday – Saturday at 1:00 pm
Through a sommelier-led presentation; you can experience the quality and diversity of British Columbia‟s wine country in the comfortable setting of the Fitzsimmons Public House at the base of Blackcomb Mountain.
The experience includes tasting a special selection of both white and red wines from a variety of producers with description and discussion of style and region, discussing grapes and wine styles, notable regions and producers and discovering how to taste and assess wine correctly with “sniff, slurp & spit” practice! It also includes learning the “cause and effect” of wine & food chemistry – and how to match wine with your meal! Here your can smell and taste something uniquely British Columbian! The wines of BC reflect British Columbia's agricultural and natural heritage.

Ziptrek Ecotours and Whistler Blackcomb - continue to bring Whistler guests the ULTIMATE Mountain package. A summer
sightseeing journey on the world-record breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, coupled with an exhilarating Ziptrek Ecotour through the ancient rainforest above Fitzsimmons creek. Both experiences combined together at one great price. The package is available to October 10.

Ripplecove lnn, Quebec

2011-06-26T21:46:00.003+01:00

One of my favourite hotels in Quebec has got a new chef. Have a read of this.

Award Winning Cuisine

The Anchorage Restaurant at Ripplecove Inn has again been awarded the prestigious Four Diamond Award in 2011 for chef Rapart's new summer menu. Composed of the finest local ingredients and prepared in a modern French and international style, our new menu earned rave reviews from our guests during its opening evening gala on Friday June 24th. Served in a magnificent Victorian dining room and terrace overlooking the lake, Ripplecove Inn has turned the sophisticated dining experience into much more than just a treat for the taste buds alone. The culinary experience is topped off with live classical piano, a 5,000+ bottle wine cellar, renowned Sommelier and professional and attentive staff.

Luxton Rodeo, Victoria B.C

2011-06-24T16:16:00.000+01:00

Well, the rodeo was amazing - I didn't know there was a rodeo on Vancouver Island - I was wrong.
The whole day was such fun and I took hundreds of photos - I thought this was one of the best - let me know what you think.

TheStar Video: The view from the CN Tower’s EdgeWalk

2011-06-15T12:09:00.000+01:00

TheStar Video: The view from the CN Tower’s EdgeWalk

How about this for the latest in Toronto - it will cost you £109.

Charley Boorman bikes the width of Canada

2011-06-07T15:50:00.002+01:00

Charley Boorman's Extreme Frontiers Canada Expedition 2011 departs June 9th, 2011.

Starting June 9th Charley is going to Newfoundland to take another of his epic journeys - this time east to West across Canada. Perfect territory for him - apparently it will be aired on Channel 5 early next year - that will be required watching.

Have a look at where you can visit in Newfoundland - one of my favourite provinces.
Newfoundland

Calgary Stampede Line up

2011-05-28T18:51:00.001+01:00

The much-anticipated Coca-Cola Covert Concert was held last night at Flames Central and featured performances by Hollerado and The Trews, two of this year’s headline performers on the Coca-Cola Stage. Between performances, the entire 2011 stage lineup was unveiled to a packed house of cheering fans.

Each year the Coca-Cola Stage presents some of the biggest names in music, and 2011 is no exception. The Trews, Mother Mother, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Finger Eleven, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Finger Eleven and Shawn Desman are just some of the performers who will rock the stage this July.

The Calgary Stampede is world renowned as The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth for many reasons, one of which is that it’s one of Canada’s largest music festivals. Don’t forget! Concerts on the Coca-Cola Stage are FREE with admission to Stampede Park.

Entry to the park is included in the Frontier Canada Calgary Stampede package - have a look at

Calgary Stampede

Victoria, BC

2011-05-23T06:20:00.002+01:00

Just arrived in this lovely garden city, the sun is out and I stopped on the way to my friends' house for a walk along the beach. I had forgotten how beautiful it is. Tomorrow, we are going to drive out to Sooke before going to the Victoria Rodeo.
Delicious fish on the barbeque - the food here is so fresh, it is wonderful. Many people are practicing the 100 mile diet - ie everything has to come from within a 100 miles of Victoria - such a good idea - good for the environment and for the local farmer/fishermen economy.

I hope to get some photos of the rodeo tomorrow and will post them. Might also try and look at the new luxury hotel here, the Parkside.

Goats on the Roof

2011-05-11T09:50:00.003+01:00

This wonderful spot is on the way to Tofino - don't miss it - it will be yet another highlight of your time on Vancouver island! I shall be there next week - can't wait:)

The old country market originated from a modest fruit stand in 1971 and later grew to support a hamburger stand alongside the fruit stand. In 1975 the original building was erected. This was the start of the grass roof. The idea for the grass roof came from then owner, Kristian Graaten. He emigrated here from Norway with his family in the mid 1950’s and longed to see some of the buildings from his home country. Many homes in Norway were built from the sides and slopes of the hills with the roofs built as an extension of the hillside.

After the grass had rooted a family of goats appeared. Legend has it that a “few glasses” of wine inspired the idea of putting the goats up on the roof, but you will have to come in and ask Larry about that.

The thought of goats on a roof caught on so well that each year an increasing number of tourists and locals stopped by to catch a glimpse of this trip of “goats on the roof”. With this curiosity and a lot of hard work and pinch of good fortune it has evolved into what it is today.

Do stop for lunch and be warned - you will be tempted by the many good things to eat and buy.

Canada - the next Royal Destination

2011-05-10T12:03:00.004+01:00

Canada is going to be first overseas tour for newly weds William and Kate.

They will visit Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and the capital, Ottawa.

They will certainly come home with with varied memories. From the wilds and wildlife of the Northwest to the history and sophistication of Quebec City.

The Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, in honour of their visit, is offering 20% off during July and August.
Fairmont Chateau Laurier

The Twilight Saga: New Moon & The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

2011-05-04T08:08:00.002+01:00

Pass the popcorn...
Canada’s cities and landscapes have a starring role in some of Hollywood’s hottest films, from mind-bending blockbusters to stylish art-house favourites. Vancouver and Toronto have become well known colloquially as Hollywood North, but film directors have a keen eye for Canadian aesthetics from coast to coast. Grab a drink and a snack and settle in for the feature presentation...

Vancouver’s ethereal rainforests and mountainous surroundings are a perfect atmospheric backdrop for the Twilight Saga’s series of vampire sensations, starring teenage heartthrob Robert Pattinson along with Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.

Aside from its presence on the silver screen, Vancouver’s metropolitan flair was a hit with the cast: The chic Opus Hotel played hotspot host for numerous late-night parties, Rodney’s Oyster House served up scrumptious crustaceans straight from the sea, and Pattinson chose Glowbal Grill and Satay Bar to celebrate his 23rd birthday bash. Twilight fans will recognize the Cullen’s house in the British Properties, the woodlands where Bella is dumped by Edward, and Vancouver Film Studios, where many of the film sets were created.

Frontier Canada can take you to Vancouver and show you the sights.
See Vancouver

Acadian Culture - Nova Scotia

2010-11-25T13:26:00.003Z

Nova Scotia has long been a favourite of mine - I came across this article today which I hope you enjoy.

"The spirit of l’Acadie runs deep in Nova Scotia. Throughout the province, there are reminders of the intrepid French settlers who first claimed Nova Scotia as their home in the seventeenth century: the historical sites, the culture, the language, the music, the food and the crafts.

At Port-Royal, Acadian history is reconstructed at the French Habitation, providing a glimpse into life as part of the first European settlement in Canada. See Acadian-built dykes as you journey to Grand-Pré National Historic Site, once home to the largest Acadian community on the Bay of Fundy and immortalized in Longfellow’s poem Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie.

Head up the Fundy coast from Yarmouth, along the Acadian shore, where you will pass through several French-speaking villages and marvel at the soaring beauty of Acadian churches, such as L’Église Saint-Alphonse or St Mary’s Church at Church Point. On the Southern Acadian Shore, the collection of Pubnico villages makes up the oldest Acadian settlement in the province. Their colourful history is celebrated at Le Village historique acadien, which takes you back to another age.

For a taste of Acadian music and culture, visit Church Point, an Acadian village dating back to 1761. It hosts the music-filled Festival acadien de Clare each summer. Cape Breton also has rich Acadian roots. Enjoy typical Acadian food in a local restaurant, watch the ancient art of rug hooking first-hand, and marvel at folk art in Chéticamp. The Acadian Museum at La Co-opérative Artisanale and Les Trois Pignons cultural and information centre will open the door to this area’s rich Acadian history."

For my favourite Nova Scotia holiday, please do visit Unique Properties of Nova Scotia

Timberwolf Tours - Western Canada

2010-11-15T09:47:00.002Z

Timberwolf Tours is a western Canadian tour operator, based out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the gateway to the Canadian north. The private company, established 1986, is a well known and reliable outfitter for adventure travel and group travel.

Thanks to our experience we deliver a high level of service. From your first contact with us to our last fare-well, we strive to make you feel comfortable and your vacation a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Our 2011 program, SPACES AND TRAILS, is a selection of guided active and adventure tour packages for small groups in western Canada, from the Rockies to Vancouver Island and the Yukon Territories. The outdoor vacations are combinations of sightseeing and activities in and around the Rocky Mountain national parks of Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Glacier, parks of northwestern BC, the Yukon, Vancouver Island and the Pacific shores. Our fully outfitted and escorted canoe adventures in Alberta and the Yukon are suitable for beginners. New for 2011 is a 5-day camping tour along the Sunshine Coast near Whistler, BC with fun activities and great hikes. This tour can easily be combined with other programs on Vancouver Island and in the Rocky Mountain Parks.

A complete package! No hidden costs or unpleasant surprises. It is clearly spelled out in the detailed itineraries if meals or activities are not included. We at Timberwolf Tours are known to take care of every detail, big and small. Our guests shall have enough time and leisure to enjoy their holidays in Canada without stress and also to get a little closer to nature.

Frontier Canada can book all the Timberwolf Tours and can highly recommend this operator.
Canoeing in the Canadian Rockies

Great River Journey of the Yukon

2010-09-23T09:44:00.003+01:00

The Great River Journey is a unique world-class geotour. It combines the adventure of a wilderness river safari with a journey of personal discovery — there is no other product like it in North America. The Great River Journey begins in Whitehorse and unfolds over eight days and 600 kilometers (373 miles) of wilderness leading to Dawson City. Along the way, it passes through the traditional lands of our four First Nations partners, whose citizens are among the people who will be hosting, guiding and caring for guests.

Small groups (maximum 10 people) travel in their own riverboat with a pilot and an experienced local guide. Frequent landings are made to view wildlife, explore the wilderness and historical sites, rest and relax. The small group size and the wide variety of Yukon attractions permit each tour to be personalized to accommodate special interests such as wildlife viewing, nature photography, bird watching, hiking, paddling and participating in cultural and interpretative programs.

Each step in the Great River Journey takes visitors further back in time and deeper into the wilderness, history and culture of the Yukon. Overnight accommodation is in small, private, remotely situated lodge facilities. Each lodge has been designed and themed to harmonize with and accentuate the unique wilderness and historical aspects of the surrounding area. Private “tented” sleeping cabins provide guests with all the security and comfort of a first class hotel suite with the feeling and appearance of a tented cabin.

Fine cuisine featuring local ingredients and traditional foods is served throughout the journey. The lodge accommodation at each overnight stop becomes more rustic, closer to nature and themed in the time period being explored. The tour is comprised of two nights at Upper Labarge Lodge (a Yukon riverboat stop of the 1930s), two nights at Homestead Lodge (a wilderness homestead from 1901) near Fort Selkirk (an historical site preserved in the wilderness), one night at Wilderness Outpost (a trading post of the 1840s) and two nights in Dawson City (the centre of the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898) now a Canadian Historic Site.

The Great River Journey has been developed as a responsible tourism product, with respect for the environment and First Nations culture as its cornerstone values.
Great River Journey

Aurora viewing

2010-09-09T10:12:00.001+01:00

Aurora Village - Northwest Territories

Aurora Village is largely made up of tepees, kept warm for your enjoyment, while waiting for the aurora. Guests can learn about the scientific and legendary element of the aurora borealis and receive information on how to photograph them. We have heated seats for your aurora viewing comfort. Food and drinks are served nightly in our dining hall.

Conveniently located on nearby Aurora Lake, Aurora Village offers both day and night activities that will make the memories of your stay in Yellowknife last a lifetime.

At 62.27 degrees latitude, we experience up to 20 hours of darkness.
W e have designed Aurora Village to maximize the viewing pleasure of our guests and introduce them to our culture, the northern environment and offer them some good wholesome fun!

Since we are located on a hilltop overlooking the lake our guest have an excellent panoramic view, without any distractions from city lights or passing vehicles.

Soft light from lanterns provide enough light for safe walking without interfering with a guest's view of the Northern Lights.

Summer Sightings on the Coast

2010-07-30T10:12:00.003+01:00

Captain Neil Shearar reports some great highlights from the just completed 7-day North Coast / Khutzeymateen trip aboard the Island Roamer. With the early spring salmon runs now coming in, various pods of orcas from the "A" clan were in the area providing some excellent whale watching. The Khutzeymateen Conservancy lived up to its reputation with some incredible grizzly bear viewing with local guide Greg Palmer. The finale was coming upon a howling wolf pack and a lone wolf out along the shore; followed on the last morning by a visit to one of the most famous petroglyphs (rock carvings) on the coast, "Man who fell from Heaven", accompanied by a Tsimshian native guide. If you haven't visited this area book now for 2011 and find out why everyone is talking about the Khutze!

June 3-6, 2011 (4 days) £1450
June 7-10, 2011 (4 days) £1450
June 11-14, 2011 (4 days) £1450
June 15-21, 2011 (7 days) £2550

NB These trips can be combined with a wonderful holiday in the Galapagos of the North, the Queen Charlotte Islands

Sevilla Island Resort - British Columbia

2010-07-16T09:24:00.002+01:00

I went here a few years ago and loved it.

At Sevilla Island Resort we focus on providing both relaxing oceanside vacations and memorable eco-adventures to guests of all ages. We offer oceanfront accommodations, exquisite meals, Desolation Sound Sea Safari Boat Tours , Snorkeling Tours , Savary Island Biking/Beachcombing Trips , Sea Kayaking Tours and a wide range of other eco-adventure activities with either individual pricing or all-inclusive packages. You can relax at the Resort, select from one of our standard all-inclusive adventure packages, or have us arrange a custom activity package to meet your specific BC Sunshine Coast vacation needs.

The Resort is located on Sevilla Island just across the bay from Lund harbor on the world renowned BC Sunshine Coast. The area around the Resort offers a rich ecological diversity with five protected marine parks, towering mountains, lush rainforests, sandy beaches, rocky islands and hundreds of miles of rugged coastline. The area around the Resort is a mecca for sea kayaking, hiking, sea safari's, snorkeling/scuba diving, canoeing, beachcombing, mountain biking, fishing and 4x4ing. There are few places in the world where you can engage in so many different outdoor activities in such a wide range of diverse settings.

For those looking for a more relaxing vacation the stunning scenery, diverse marine life and broad array of local flora and fauna provide for excellent exploring, sightseeing, bird watching and photography. You can relax and enjoy the scenery around the Resort from one of our many decks, lounge in our oceanside hot tub, explore the warm waters and sandy beaches of Savary Island, experience Desolation Sound on one of our Sea Safari's or go golfing or fishing.

It is not our website because it is so small, but give me a ring on 020 8776 8709 and we can certainly help you include Sevila Island Resort on your BC holiday itinerary

Tin Cup Lodge, Yukon

2010-07-15T09:12:00.004+01:00

When Tincup Lodge was built in 1991, no expense was spared in constructing the finest of facilities. The main lodge offers sweeping views of the lake and surrounding mountains, and features a dining room, bar, kitchen and large outdoors deck with a hot tub. The duplex cedar-log guest cabins can accommodate 10 guests and each have their own cozy wood stove, covered verandah and private bathrooms.

Owned and operated by Larry Nagy and Jose Janssen, the Lodge is a labor of love, it expresses the commitments we have made to their guests' comfort and enjoyment, to the Yukon wilderness and to the fine art of fishing and relaxing.

Pictures are worth thousands of words!

Tincup Lodge guests are met either at the arrivals in Whitehorse Airport or at their Whitehorse Hotel Lobby and are then transported to the Alpine Aviation floatplane dock.

They are then flown by a Beaver or Cessna 206 floatplane, 250 km to Tincup Lodge.

The cost of this chartered flight is included in the 4 or 7 day Tincup Lodge package.

Gatherall´s Puffin & Whale Watch - Newfoundland/Labrador

2010-07-14T14:37:00.001+01:00

This is a note from the company that we use to see puffins and whales near St. John's in Newfoundland.

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce Gatherall's. Our Family firmly believes that if you compare Gatherall's Puffin and Whale Watch with all of the other marine tour operators in Newfoundland, you are sure to determine that Gatherall's is the overwhelming choice to include as part of your Newfoundland itinerary. We look forward to an opportunity to demonstrate our ability to your clients first hand this season.

Gatherall's takes pride in the warmth, sincerity, and professionalism of our staff.

We have taken great care to select those unique individuals whose enthusiasm is contagious. Gatherall's goes to great lengths to retain our staff so as to ensure our clients receive the highest level of service possible. Local guides--to whom hospitality comes naturally--will captivate you with their enthusiasm, energy and spirit. Their goal is to bring to life all of the wonders of the Reserve and the rich and varied history of our area.

Gatherall's goes to great lengths to ensure that we provide the highest level of service to all of our clients. Our guides receive the most in-depth training and on the job experience provided by any operator. Attention to detail pervades our entire operation and is one of the reasons why Gatherall's continues to thrive while many others have come and gone.

The live commentary presented during the 90 minute tour is a blend of adventure, excitement, and education your group will cherish for a lifetime. This program has been specially prepared to offer our guests a deeper appreciation of the natural and cultural heritage of our province. As it is a live presentation, this program remains flexible so as to satisfy the particular interests of each group.

The program is intended to be both educational and entertaining. Information offered on the trips is now available in both German and French, in written and audio form. Live entertainment is also available upon request.

Gatherall's dedication to providing memorable experiences is matched only by our commitment to quality, innovation, and integrity.

Le Manoir Richelieu Resort in Charlevoix, Québec

2010-06-17T13:59:00.005+01:00

Nestled majestically between the sea and the mountains, the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu Quebec Resort in Charlevoix is a vision of historical splendor. Rich in tradition, this exquisite paragon of hospitality blends the quiet charm of the countryside with the sophistication of a world-class resort.

The expert Quebec resort staff and well-equipped facilities guarantee successful meetings and conferences. Outdoor activities abound at Manoir Richelieu - golf, whale-watching cruises on the St. Lawrence River, downhill and cross-country skiing and tennis are but a few of the activities that would make your stay worthwhile. There is a world-class casino where you can test your lucky streak! Experience the magnificent landscape surrounding Fairmont Manoir Richelieu’s Charlevoix hotel – a source of inspiration for artists and a delight to both business and leisure travellers.

At the confluence of the St. Lawrence River and the Saguenay Fjord, Baie-Ste-Catherine is perched between the cliffs and the sea. Known as one of the world’s most beautiful bays, it is home to several species of whales during the summer. Croisières AML gives you the chance to encounter these astounding marine mammals.
You can expect to see the white beluga whale; if you are lucky you might run into into one of the might blue or fin whales that inhabit the St. Lawrence.

Manoir Richelieu

Participate in Actual Whale Research - Newfoundland/Labrador

2010-06-15T13:12:00.002+01:00

Our Whale Study Week is a great opportunity to participate in actual whale research.

Your experience will start with an introduction to the ocean and the whales during a 2.5 hour trip on the Atlantic Whaler. We also view puffins and hundreds of thousands of other seabirds. We review the marine ecology of the North Atlantic (get our sea legs) and prepare for our onboard assistance to local whale census and acoustic research. We also travel to the eastern edge of the continent to do more whale watching.

We spend six hours on board our coast guard certified vessel looking at whales. Humpbacks and minkes are the most common whale species but dolphins and fin whales are also occasionally seen. In fact, 20 varieties of whales are reported from Newfoundland waters so you can expect an occasional surprise. We will focus on tail fluke photography, individual whale recognition, behavioral observations, feeding ecology and just enjoying the sights. We have also been involved with hydrophone development research and may try to listen in on humpback feeding sounds together with any vocalizations associated with their other behaviours.

On we go whale watching from the land as we try to take in some of the range of the world's largest population of humpbacks. A caribou herd, moose habitat, a humpback-feeding beach and seals usually add to the day's sightings. Scenic photographers will enjoy the coastline and the lighthouses should they want to see more than just the whales. Bird lovers will enjoy the small seabird colonies near our whale study lookouts. This day is sometimes the holiday highlight as we enjoy up-close encounters with the humpbacks as they cruise their feeding beach.

Humpback tails are as distinctive as human faces or fingerprints; and we use this six hours on the water attempting to get scientifically useful tail shots that allow us to identify individual whales and mother calf pairs. This provides insight into their range and life history. You'll learn how we contribute to the worldwide study of both humpbacks and orcas. If the science doesn't excite you just sit back and enjoy the gentle antics of the whales and the other wildlife of the North Atlantic.
Whale Research

Golf in British Columbia

2010-06-04T09:15:00.001+01:00

A few spectacular suggestions for golfing in British Columbia

Discover the Okanagan… Renowned for its natural beauty, abundant sunshine, crystal-clear lakes and extended golf season, it's truly a golfers' paradise! Situated on the eastern shore of th e Okanagan Lake mid-way between Penticton in the south and Vernon in the North, Kelowna is the largest city in the Okanagan Valley. With fine dining, unique shops and a vibrant cultural like - yet orchards and vineyards within 10 minutes of the downtown core, Kelowna is the perfect setting for any golfer.

GolfBC is pleased to offer two wonderful facilities centrally located in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. The Okanagan Golf Club, consisting of The Bear and The Quail courses, and Gallagher's Canyon are both nestled amongst spectacular ponderosa pine forests and emerald greens. If time is limited and you want to be able to enjoy all the highlights of the breathtaking city of Kelowna, perhaps our 9-hole mid-length Pinnacle Course would be more fitting.

Furry Creek is not a course that one merely plays - it is an enriching adventure to be savoured. Considered one of the most beautifully landscaped playgrounds in the province, Furry Creek delivers an unforgettable experience with its breathtaking beauty, dramatic play and first-class facilities. Be sure to visit the Sea to Sky Grill - serving the best in West Coast cuisine.

As BC's most scenic golf course, Furry Creek perfectly captures the most spectacular qualities of this part of the country. This par 72, 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Muir Graves and built in 1993 offers panoramic ocean views and encounters with abundant wildlife.

Snowcapped peaks. A brilliant emerald-coloured lake. Majestic fir trees. Fresh, invigorating mountain air. This is the setting that inspired the great Jack Nicklaus to create a course as unique as himself.

This par 71, 18-hole course winds along a gentle valley floor offering you a spectacular setting as your golfing skills are tested to the fullest. Just minutes from cobblestone walkways and street side cafes of the resort town of Whistler, Nicklaus North stands out as one of the great courses in North America. It's no wonder this is only one of a few rare golf courses in the world bearing Jack Nicklaus' name.

Parksville, Vancouver Island - British Columbia

2010-05-28T09:40:00.003+01:00

During the winter, adventurous locals and tourists alike flock to BC's hills and valleys for skiing, snowboarding, and dog sledding, During the summer, escape to the great outdoors for rock-climbing or white-water rafting.

Looking for family-friendly fun in British Columbia? Water activities abound, including whale watching, kayaking, fishing, and scuba diving. Or stick on dry land at one of BC's renowned golf courses.

Sheltered on the east coast of Vancouver Island, Parksville lays claim to long stretches of sandy, white beaches, hot summer days, and incredible scenery. Each August, the city is host the annual Parksville Beach Festival. The weeklong event caters to families, but will be enjoyed by all. The highlight of the festival is the sandcastle building competition, which features professional teams from around the world. The public is invited to watch the teams create their amazing sand structures and vote on their favorite. Build a castle of your own, have your face painted, or simply stroll down the beach collecting sand dollars.

Explore the beauty of Englishman River Falls Park, only 12 km (7.5 mi.) west of Parksville. The park was named after a First Nation's legend that told of natives discovering the remains of a white man beside the river over 100 years ago. Hike the scenic trails that wind through the park, up stairs and across bridges over rushing streams. Pack a picnic and settle beside the magnificent waterfalls for a relaxing afternoon before you trek out of the park again.

Parksville sits 147 km (92 mi.) north of Victoria on Highway 19. Commercial bus routes service the area, while commercial airlines fly into Nanaimo, 37 km (23 mi.) south of Parksville. BC Ferries depart from Tsawwassen and Horseshoe ferry terminals in Vancouver, and dock in Nanaimo Avg. July Temp: 23.5ºC (74ºF)

Hotels recommended by Frontier Canada: Tigh-na-mara Resort and the new Beach Club.

Wine in British Columbia - a hidden and excellent secret

2010-05-27T09:13:00.005+01:00

Did you know that BC produces some excellent and award winning wines? Burrowing owl is just one, but one of the best. Situated in the very pretty Okanagan Valley, Frontier Canada can incorporate it in a fly-drive holiday for you.

The Winery at Burrowing Owl Vineyards - Osoyoos Lake - British Columbia

Balance is a time-honored goal in the making of premium wines and working toward balance is a way of life at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery. Founder Jim Wyse is committed to balance, well beyond that of the fine, world-class wines being produced. A kind of Hippocratic oath ("to do no harm") underlies the creative viticultural and enological practices at Burrowing Owl.

The varied and deceptively fragile desert ecosystems within the adjoining vineyards continually challenge the environmentally sensitive team at Burrowing Owl. Alternative pest control systems are the standard. More than 100 bluebird boxes and two bat nurseries invite insect-eating guests to stay awhile and dine in the vineyards. Ground nests of meadowlarks are protected by barriers in springtime to prevent farm machinery and vineyard workers from inadvertently destroying them. Snakes are safely relocated. Bears and big horned sheep are discouraged from sharing the harvest but never harmed.

The winery and vineyard lie within one of Canada 's most unique ecosystems which includes the northernmost tip of the Sonora Desert. The location (on a southwest-tilting, sandy plateau) near the north end of Osoyoos Lake, is one of the most highly rated grape-growing locations in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, and for that matter Canada.

On weekends at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, a tour guide is available to personally lead you into our cellars and describe the inner workings of the winery. There is no cost and reservations are not needed.

Live the legend that is Great Slave Lake - Northwest Territories

2010-05-27T09:12:00.000+01:00

Great Slave Lake stretches to the northern horizon like a vast inland sea. It’s one of the biggest, deepest freshwater lakes on the planet, and the second largest lake within Canada. Great Slave stretches 456 kilometres from east to west, and feeds the 1800 km long Mackenzie River, which flows north to the arctic coast. With typical northern understatement, we call Great Slave “the Big Lake”.

Hay River is the largest community, a town, shipping port and home of the Great Slave fishing fleet. Take a local boat tour, or seek out the headwaters of the Mackenzie River in a sea kayak. Go camping or fishing with our experienced outfitters. With a population of 3253, the North's largest shipping hub has accommodations, restaurants, a seaport atmosphere and Great Slave Lake. Visit Katl'odeeche Reserve, home to the Dene Cultural Institute and Hay River Mission National Historic Site. Sports events and fishing derbies are yearly highlights, and don't miss the fiddling and jigging contest at the Metis Friendship Centre. Hay River is accessible via Highway 2; regular air service is available to and from Yellowknife. Then, drive east to the wildlife-rich Slave River Delta and Fort Resolution, once a fur trading outpost. Explore the story of the wood bison at a local ranch, or tour the Delta with an aboriginal guide. At Lutsel’ ke, accessible by air (from Yellowknife), the fishing really heats up. Here in the East Arm of Great Slave Lake you’ll find world class lake trout fishing, and the site of a future National Park.

A quiet stronghold of Chipewyan and Métis culture, Fort Resolution was established in 1786 as a fur-trade centre on the Slave River Delta. today it's a base for sport fishing adventures and explorations of Great Slave Lake. Drive here via Highway 6, or fly from Yellowknife. Accommodations include B&Bs and wilderness cabins at Little Buffalo River.

Lutsel K'e ("Place of small fish"), a Chipewyan settlement, is the only community on Great Slave Lake's legendary East Arm. You can engage an outfitter for memorable large trout fishing on the Big Lake, or to take you on a boat tour. There's a summer fishing lodge, and Lutsel K'e receives regular air service from Yellowknife.

Sunshine Coast

2010-05-25T09:53:00.004+01:00

While staying at the beautiful Rockwater Resort,

Talaysay Tours - Kayaking and Cultural Adventures - Sunshine Coast - BC

In the spirit of caring and sharing, you are invited to visit the calm waters and majestic forests of the Sunshine Coast. Learn about the ecological practices of the shishalh (Sechelt) First Nations while viewing the many species of marine life. Experience first hand the history, legends and stories of the shishalh people.

Discover the beauty of the Sunshine Coast by seagoing canoe. Your local Shishalh guide will take you on an exciting canoe adventure filled with stories and legends about the Shishalh First Nation who have lived in this area for over centuries. Discover traditional camp and village sites and learn about our ancestors' way of life. On this experience you will make your own craft – a friendship bracelet – and learn its meaning and story. Along the route you will have many opportunities to enjoy the stunning scenery and to observe the bountiful wildlife and marine life in the area. This is a smooth water adventure for all ages and abilities. * Lilly Dip is an expression for a leisure paddle. With humour intended, a paddler who is called a Lilly Dipper, is perceived as a casual paddler.

Or, you may want to take a leisurely walk and listen to the legends and whispers of the forest. Or, for the more energetic, take our day hike through the primal forest and magnificent landscape of the Tetrahedron. Our hiking guides are first-aid certified and they're bursting with traditional knowledge and stories to share with you

Nova Scotia

2010-05-19T01:16:00.002+01:00

Just spent an awesome day on the Cabot Trail of Nova Scotia - what a day.
Have been checking out some hotels - Crown Jewell resort which is a ranch, Keltic Lodge in Ingonish with some of the best views I have seen from any hotel anywhere in Canada, an hour hiking with stunning views, a two hour whale watching experience - still a bit early in the season but still saw Minke and porpoises. Back to the Inverary Hotel in Baddeck in time to eat a lobster and swallow a couple of glasses of excellent Nova Scotia Chardonnay.

Back to real work soon - oh well :(

Nova Scotia

2010-05-17T02:20:00.002+01:00

No pictures I am afraid - but I am working my way around Nova Scotia.
Just had two amazing days at Trout Point Lodge. What a vision those two men had when they create the lodge. In the middle of nowhere - just south of Kejimkujik and north of Yarmouth; it is a beautiful log built building on the shores of a river. The food is amazing, the rooms lovely and the fishing supberb. If you are not a fisherman - don't panic, there is still walking, canoeing and kayaking if you can pull your self away from the comfortable chairs in the great room or your bedroom. mORE SOON, but if you cannot wait, go to www.frontier-canada.co.uk and put Trout Point Lodge into the search
Lap top running of battery - must rush

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

2010-04-29T11:41:00.010+01:00

UNESCO´s Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Get yourself to the sea! Explore the historical buildings and vessels in the UNESCO town of Lunenburg. The breath-taking Lunenburg waterfront is the home of the world-class Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, recently named as one of the top 1000 best places to see in the US and Canada before you die. The Museum commemorates the fishing heritage of the Atlantic coast of Canada. Housed in brightly painted red buildings, with floating vessels at wharfside, the Museum offers a host of attractions, a maritime gift shop and restaurant.

I am going next month and really looking forward to it.

Three floors of exhibits including the world's largest collection of BLUENOSE artifacts. Wharf side exhibits, which include full access to the schooner Theresa E. Connor and the side trawler Cape Sable, where you can attempt to get your 'sea legs'. Visit the aquarium and get the scoop on scallops and lobster lore. Launch a model schooner and listen to a yarn from our old salts that have lived on the North Atlantic all of their lives.

You can fit Lunenburg in on a fly drive holiday to Nova Scotia - try this one

Lunenburg The Lunenburg Inn is highly recommended.

on of my favourite places on earth - the Pacific Rim National Park

2010-04-23T10:40:00.002+01:00

Rainforest Trail Pacific Rim National Park - British Columbia

The trail system is a two part adventure and experience into the history of a living rainforest. The walking trail is mostly boardwalk with many interpretive signs along the route. i did it in December and it was gorgeous!

The Rainforest Hiking Trail weaves in and out of fallen trees surrounded by gigantic red cedar and western hemlock trees which tower high above, reaching towards the sky, creating an umbrella-like forest canopy. The trail is an audio theatre experience filled with wilderness sounds like singing birds, trickling water, crackling twigs, scurring wildlife and drifting ocean breezes mixed with a moist scent of forest.

The Pacific Rim Hwy divides the Rainforest Trail into " Loop A" and "Loop B" trail sections forming the number 8. Each loop trail is approximately 1 kilometre in length, mostly an easy going boardwalk trail with, what some would call, speed bumps like wooden stair climbing. There are areas to rest while reading the interpretive signs along the route.

The trail is an up and down affair, dropping in and out of sunken forest valleys passing alongside fallen trees buried in moss sprouting new trees growing from the decayed wood and vegetation.

"Loop A" starts on the otherside of the parking lot, across the Pac Rim Hwy. The route is lined with interpretive signs discussing the history and life cycles of a rainforest. From the parking lot, you can walk to the beginning of the "Loop B" portion of the Rainforest Trail. The interpretive signs discuss the forest environment and the wildlife which inhabit the forest.

Crowsnest Pass - Alberta

2010-04-22T10:33:00.001+01:00

The Canadian Pacific Railway and a series of coal mining communities at the end of the nineteenth and turn of the twentieth century founded the Crowsnest Pass.

For over the past century the Crowsnest Pass has experienced an exciting, unique, and often tragic history. Shootouts and train robberies reminiscent of America 's wild west, Emperor Pic's rum-running empire during prohibition, numerous mining disasters, and the Frank Slide make up just part of the Crowsnest Pass ' unique history. The Crowsnest Pass is the essence of Canada 's old and new wild west.

Located two hours southwest of Calgary, Alberta in the Rocky Mountains of southwestern Alberta, the Crowsnest Pass is a Mecca for outdoor recreation, history buffs, and artisans. Today you can experience the Pass by partaking in awesome outdoor recreation, taking in incredible mountain scenery, revisiting its unique history, or experiencing the artisans within the community.

A fantastic mountain playground for both summer and winter recreation the Crowsnest Pass offers its visitors activities like mountain biking, hiking, all terrain vehicles, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and world-class fly-fishing.

Mountain Bike Park in Whistler

2010-04-16T10:08:00.005+01:00

The Whistler Mountain Bike Park opening day is just around the corner, scheduled for Saturday May 15 - weather dependent.

Whistler Mountain Bike Park has something for every level of rider. Gentle, banked cruisers through the Coastal forest. Tight and twisty single track - perfect for intermediate riders. For the armour clad, full face wearing, 50lb. bike group there are steep rock faces, gnarly, root strewn lines, drop offs of all descriptions and more.

Touch the Artic - Manitoba

2010-04-15T10:02:00.000+01:00

Churchill is more than just bears! Spring in Churchill is not prime polar bear season however it is the best time to see the aurora borealis. Area residents have been marveling over the aurora for centuries, however, they weren't watching them from the comfort of a modern home or lodge; they were watching them from the comfort of an igloo. Out of respect for both the native people and natural architecture of this land, igloo building was made a central tenet of this exciting and authentic Arctic adventure.

The Fire and Ice adventure is certainly our most rugged. The tundra is frozen and snow covered at this time of year which makes for an amazing Antarctic-like experience while being somewhat further south. This trip also offers the opportunity to participate in Inuit traditions. You will build your own igloo (for a night's stay if they feel so inclined) and will witness an authentic dog sled race, the Hudson Bay Quest, move right past your lodge.

Our Great Ice Bear adventure takes place in prime polar bear season in October and November. This is the time when polar bears in the Churchill area congregate in large numbers on the coast of the Hudson Bay as they wait for the ice to freeze so that they can begin their annual hunt. Great Ice Bear is undoubtedly the most diverse and holistic polar bear viewing package offered in the Churchill area. It combines 4 days at our wilderness lodge where bears are seen and photographed on foot or from the lodge, with one day in Churchill on the Tundra Buggy.

Columbia River Cruises - Columbia & Snake Rivers Cruise West Small Ships

2010-04-14T10:32:00.001+01:00

Scenery. History. Native American culture. You’ll find it all here.
While most river cruises carry you past urban centers and crowded shorelines, much of the Columbia & Snake Rivers remains pristine and wild. You can clearly see evidence of the great floods that carved this region thousands of years ago in the breathtakingly beautiful Columbia River Gorge, the golden coulees and scablands, the great black pinnacles of basalt that guided Lewis & Clark. The volcanic forces of the coast are apparent in snow-capped mountain peaks and the emerald evergreen forests coating the Cascade Range. And you’ll find that the past and present coexist here, from Oregon Trail wagon ruts to the eight locks and dams built to tame the mighty Columbia River.

Adventures beckon daily. Take a jet boat up Hells Canyon past 7,000-year-old Indian petroglyphs. Wander the hidden city beneath wild and wooly Pendleton, where Chinese emigrants once carried out their daily lives. Visit fascinating museums or Lewis & Clark landmarks like Fort Clatsop, where they spent the chilling winter of 1805-1806. The history of the Columbia River region is not one preserved in amber, but one you can touch, breathe and experience first-hand when you travel with Cruise West on our unique Columbia River cruises.

Moose Photography Workshop

2010-04-08T14:04:00.002+01:00

Itinerary
Want to get close to a few moose - so close they stick their tongue out at you? Well we offer an opportunity to join professional photographer Rob Stimpson for a few days of shooting up in the northwest corner of Algonquin Park in Ontario on a fun-filled canoe trip. Bring your long lenses and lots of card space or film - which ever you prefer.

DAY 1 - FRIDAY JUNE 4/11
Arrive at the Algonquin Log Cabin for lunch (12:30pm). Enjoy a hike around the cabin before a late afternoon introduction of wildlife photogrpahy.
Wine and cheese and dinner at the Algonquin Log Cabin followed by sunset photo shoot of the point.
Accommodation double occupancy at the Algonquin Log Cabin

DAY 2 - SATURDAY JUNE 5/12
Breakfast and short transfer to "put in" of canoe route. Travel through lakes to base camp with lunch on the way. Enjoy basecamp on a scenic point covered in Red Pine and enjoy dinner and sunset/ dusk photo shoot with Rob.
Camping accommodation in Algonquin Park

DAY 3 - SUNDAY JUNE 6,13
Early morning canoe to wildlife viewing location, with great opportunities to see and photograph beavers, Great Blue herons and loons as well. Return for coffee and breakfast. After packing, out we go for a photo shoot and hike through mixed maple forest. Paddle back to the take out, stopping along the way for a large smorgasbord lunch.

The above itinerary is intended to give you an idea of a 3 day Algonquin photographic workshop. The exact program is tailored "on trip" to the preferences of the group and weather. Please note Algonquin park in June is bug season. Be prepared for black flies and mosquitoes!

Rob Stimpson is back showing all of us amateur photographers how to take great pictures of wildlife. This will be our third year offering the workshop and if the last two years are any indication, we can guarantee you will see moose - lot’s of them! One of our trips counted 28 moose in over 24 hours.

June 4-6 and June 11-13, 2010
£466 per person

"Thanks so much! This was a great trip. I wasn't sure at first - not having canoed before - but it was fantastic! The guides were great and very knowledgeable. And Rob (Stimpson) was great too with lots of advice! So, thank you Rob! And thank you Voyageur Quest for a wonderful weekend!

- 2009 participant, Marilyn Scott

Free $500 on Rocky Mountaineer

2010-03-29T15:28:00.002+01:00

This offer came into the office today:)
Until May 14, 2010, Rocky Mountaineer are celebrating their 20th year with a very special offer. Book a qualifying Rocky Mountaineer rail tour of 7 nights or more between April 12 and May 14, 2010 and receive a credit worth $500 per couple to enhance your vacation with your choice of added experiences!

Where Canada´s Wilderness Begins

2010-03-29T10:07:00.001+01:00

"On British Columbia’s North Coast you don’t control nature, you pay attention to her every mood. This is a place where eagles, bears, and whales outnumber people. An area with over 10,000 years of First Nations history. Where fishing is both a job and a form of recreation. A place where being friendly and out-going is just the natural way to be. This is Canada like you have never experienced. Join us in Prince Rupert, and let us share with you the history, the people, and the many moods of British Columbia’s North Coast."

Ideally situated on British Columbia's beautiful North Coast, only a short distance from the Queen Charlotte Islands and Ketchikan Alaska, Prince Rupert is easily accessible by air, rail, cruise ship, ferry, car, or rv.

The excellent sport fishing, exceptional wildlife viewing, top notch attractions, and extensive outdoor activity options make Prince Rupert the ideal choice for a family vacation, a corporate retreat, or a solo getaway.

This year, we invite you to discover, experience and explore Prince Rupert, BC.

The Northwest Coast of America came to European attention during the Age of Discovery, when Spain, England and Russia all competed to expand their influence on the Pacific coast, but it was trade that brought Europeans into direct and lasting contact with the First Nations of the coast. At first British and American ships visited in search of the prized sea otter pelts but eventually the Hudson’s Bay Company expanded their territoryto include permanent trading posts. The fur trade led the newcomers to see that the real wealth here was salmon, the bounty of the sea that formed the foundation of the First Nations lifeways. By the end of the 19th century dozens of cannery villages were scattered throughout this area to take advantage of the rich salmon runs of the Skeena and Nass rivers. The selection of Kaien Island and the Port of Prince Rupert as the terminus of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, and the arrival of the first surveyors on the future site of Prince Rupert in 1906, was the beginning of today’s city.

Today, the city of Prince Rupert remains at the edge of wilderness, secure in a sheltered inner harbour and protected by a rim of islands along the famed Inside Passage. We are a diverse mix of people, with varied interests, and guests often comment on the rich cosmopolitan culture found in our city. Superb museums and outstanding attractions defy our small population and remote location, and our lives are enriched by an extraordinary visual and performing arts community. Scenery, wildlife, sportfishing, heritage, and culture are part of our daily life.

Outstanding ferry and rail connections and new cruise facilities offer fun and easy travel alternatives, and have brought us into a new chapter in the Prince Rupert story

Trout Point Lodge - Nova Scotia

2010-03-23T10:17:00.004Z

I am off here in May - reading this makes me even more keen to check it out as it is one of the very few places on our website that I have not visited. Nova Scotia is developing an excellent reputation for good food and of couse is lucky enough to have a vast larder in its backyard!

Savor beautiful Nova Scotia river country at Trout Point Lodge, a luxury nature retreat offering superb outdoor recreation, outstanding cuisine, & engaging culinary vacations. An unparalleled place for relaxation & enjoyment of the outdoors, Trout Point's 200 acre wooded estate borders the Tobeatic Wilderness Preserve & the pristine waters of the scenic Tusket & Napier Rivers. Enjoy kayaking, cooking lessons, wood-fired hot tubs, river swimming, hiking trails, & nature walks amidst natural splendor. A true eco-lodge, Trout Point follows sustainable tourism practices. Your stay includes gourmet Creole-style meals—so just arrive in our serene world, and relax with no further worries, bills, or concerns. (Non meal-plan options are also available.) The Lodge is located just 30 minutes by car from the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal, with daily service from Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine, USA.

The Dining Room serves fresh Nova Scotia seafood in daily-changing fixed menus inspired by the French New World, including Cajun, Creole, and local Acadian specialties. Salmon, scallops, halibut, haddock, tuna, mussels, and other seafood pulled straight from the sea just hours before; wild chanterelles, porcini, or seabeans; garden-fresh organic produce; and always homemade breads and desserts form a part of every candlelit dinner.

Trout Point's cooking vacation programs offer participants complete culinary get-aways, including double occupancy in luxury Trout Point guest suites, all gourmet meals, culinary instruction in the Lodge's teaching kitchen, and field trips to unique food destinations. These learning vacations generally focus on the use and preparation of fresh seafood. Daily cooking lessons are also offered to regular guests, happening almost every afternoon. The Seafood Cookery School teaches beginners and advanced cooks alike how to identify, choose, and prepare fresh fish and shellfish using the French Creole sensibilities of our Louisiana-trained instructors.

The Norstead Viking Village - Newfoundland/Labrador

2010-03-10T11:30:00.003Z

A Viking Village and Port of Trade on L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland is a non-profit organization that was created to take history out of the exhibit case and place it in the hands of visitors. Join costumed interpreters in the dim light of the Viking-style Chieftain's Hall and listen to mysterious Viking tales.Check out info on the blacksmith forging iron. Step aboard the full-scale replica of the Viking ship "Snorri". Learn how the Vikings mastered the North Atlantic. Use a simple notched stick to measure distance by the stars. Get you "Runes" told by the wise women. Shape clay into pottery the way the Vikings did. Spin sheep fleece into yarn using ancient drop spindle technology, dye the yarn bright purple, pink, or rusty yellow using local plants and berries....weave it into cloth at the loom.

Located about two km from L'Anse aux Meadows UNESCO World Heritage Viking Site, the only authenticated Viking site in North America, Norstead replicates a Viking port of trade as it may have looked during the Viking era (790-1066 AD). The four-hectare site has a boat shed with its very own Viking ships, including the 54 foot replica Viking knarr which sailed from Greenland to L’Anse aux Meadows in 1998 with a crew of only nine men. There is also a chieftain's hall, church, and a workshop, with costumed interpreters who bring the site to life. All buildings, which consist of wood paneled walls and earthen floors, have been created to convey the look and feel of the Viking Era.

Norstead, which won the provincial Attractions Canada award for “Best New Attraction”, was the centerpiece of a series of events held in 2000 to mark the 1,000th anniversary of the Vikings' arrival in the New World. Those events generated widespread media coverage and helped the site attract 28,000 visitors in its first season of operation. The aim of the site is to ensure that visitors have the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of Norse life, while having fun through an enriched travel experience.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzzAs1noEcA

Source and more information: http://www.norstead.com

Gaspé Peninsula - Québec - a journey around Canada from the Canada holiday specialists

2010-03-08T10:20:00.002Z

The imposing Gaspé Peninsula, jutting out into the Atlantic, offers its inhabitants and the many visitors who flock to the area beautiful vistas of the sea and mountains. As big as Belgium, with just over 30,000 square kilometres, its population of more than 100,000 people is concentrated in waterside towns and villages, and the mountains of the interior have largely remained a wild and virgin territory that is much appreciated by outdoors enthusiasts.

The mountains at the heart of the Gaspé Peninsula are among the tallest in Quebec. Mount Jacques-Cartier, for example, reaches 1,268 m and is the highest summit in the southern part of the province. But these mountains are only a shadow of what they once were, as gradual erosion – particularly by glaciers during the most recent ice age – transformed the once towering peaks into undulating plateaus.

The Gaspé is but the northeastern tip of the Appalachians – an extensive mountain chain that begins as far away as Alabama in the United States. Hikers who walk the length of the famous International Appalachian Trail are very proud of their accomplishment once they reach the end at Cap-Gaspé. But few of them realize that they have only seen half of the Appalachians, the next section beginning on the island province of Newfoundland in the Atlantic, and continuing to the other side of the ocean, into the highlands of Scotland and Norway...

The Heritage of Banff National Park - Alberta

2010-03-04T09:27:00.002Z

It was the first in Canada and third in the world when it was created in 1885 after a natural hot springs was discovered. Banff National Park soon became a tourism icon around the world, as well-known as our Mounties in red serge jackets and felt hats. Maps were charted, luxury hotels were built, mountains were climbed and tourists arrived with the train, then cars and air travel. Banff - named for Banffshire, Scotland - and Lake Louise are located within the park which forms part of the UNESCO.

In the fall of 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers stumbled across a cave containing hot springs on the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains. From that humble beginning was born Banff National Park, Canada's first national park and the world's third. Spanning 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world's premier destination spots.

Banff National Park and Lake Louise encompass a vast, untamed territory begging to be explored. Find adventure in the stunning Canadian Rockies – home to breathtaking wild animals, soaring eagles, and pristine rivers flowing from 1,000 glaciers. Treat yourself to a scenic drive on The Icefields Parkway, Bow Valley Parkway, or TransCanada Highway. Each of these roadways offers spectacular scenery and a sublime, relaxing escape. You’ll love natural wonders like Columbia Icefield, Johnston Canyon, Castle Mountain Junction, and Bow Glacier.

Fossil World Discovery Center - Alberta

2010-03-03T17:22:00.000Z

Drumheller Alberta Canada leading attractions are the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Fossil World Discovery Center, World's Largest Dinosaur and Reptile World.

Fossil World Discovery Center delivers quality family edutainment for memories and learning that will last a lifetime. There is real magic in coming into the Drumheller badlands and experiencing as a family all the dinosaur models, the world class Fossil World Discovery Center.

Drumheller is a total immersion into understanding dinosaurs, fossils, minerals and the natural history of Alberta. There is something here for everyone in the family and we can promise you a memorable and meaningful family learning time together.

Drumheller is known as the Dinosaur Capital of the World, because of its location in the heart of the Canadian badlands and the abundance of dinosaur fossils found here. The hills of Drumheller are still filled with buried dinosaurs. There are so many dinosaurs in our hills that new excavations could continue for a 100 years or more.

This is as close as you will get to a real T.Rex and live to tell about it. This dinosaur is simply the finest animatronic dinosaur made in the world. It is so well done and so realistic you will be amazed. Be sure your batteries are charged up to capture and bring home your family memories.

Whistler

2010-03-02T11:10:00.003Z

I am just back from a fabulous few days in Whistler and Vancouver - the sun shone, the atmosphere was unbelievable and of course the sport was amazing. However, Whistler is also really good in the summer as well.
Summer in Whistler-Blackcomb, British Columbia

There are few places in the world that can match the endless adventure and entertainment that Whistler Blackcomb squeezes into a summer. From a sightseeing gondola ride to a mountaintop restaurant to an alpine hike with 360 degree views; from a bear viewing tour to a glacier walk; from a day in our mountain bike park to an afternoon of mini golf, there is an activity with just the right amount of adventure to suit just about anyone.

Nothing compares to the PEAK 2 PEAK Alpine Experience. The journey between the two Mountains provides a 360-degree window into Whistler Blackcomb’s alpine environment, its surrounding peaks, changing seasons and wildlife habitat, but sightseeing is just the start of your adventure. Looking for an epic hike to an ancient glacier? A gentle stroll on an alpine walking trail? A tour of black bear habitat? High tea at an alpine hut? Wine tasting on a mountain-top patio? The choice is yours with the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Access 50+ kilometres of hiking trails spread over 19 trails, including six new options on Blackcomb Mountain. From easy to epic, there’s something for everyone.

Whistler is truly North America's finest four-season mountain resort with golf to match. In the summer Whistler is home to some of the finest signature golf courses in the world.

Nicklaus North is the only golf course in the world to bear the name of its legendary designer. One look and you'll see why it was this spectacular track to which Mr. Nicklaus decided to attach his moniker. It is 6,908-yard, par 71 gem framed by snow-capped peaks and glacier-fed lakes. Nicklaus North Golf Course weaves between ancient fir trees and blends seamlessly with the incredible natural surroundings. It contains all the hallmarks of classic Nicklaus design, from the trademark bunkering to long, challenging par threes and is a must-play for any golfer visiting Whistler.

Rising above Whistler Village are the vast coastal hemlock-cedar forests of the Whistler Blackcomb ski area. These forests interspersed with ski trails provide diverse food and shelter for some 50 black bears. Experience the pristine views of wildlife, glacial peaks and memorable sunsets in a 4x4 vehicle. Travel through deep old growth coastal hemlock-cedar forests, visit active bear dens, daybeds and feeding sites. Witness evening play between a mother and her cubs.

Yukon Horseback Riding Adventures

2010-02-11T09:10:00.002Z

Enjoy a horseback ride through the scenic country around Fox Lake or Lake Laberge, just a short drive north of Whitehorse in the Yukon. The legendary Midnight Sun provides not only long days, but a type of light that photographers dream of.

Join us for a day horseback ride, or just stop by the lakeshore and relax or cast a rod into the pristine waters where Arctic grayling and lake trout live. Watch a beaver build his dam or a bald eagle soaring high overhead. Listen to the varied sounds of the many different species of waterfowl in the area. Traveling by horseback offers a superb way to enjoy the sights, the sounds and the feel of the wilderness.

If you're looking for a longer excursion, join one of our multi-day horsepacking trips. These trips can be customized to suit your needs, and range from overnight to seven days in length. Ride to the top of a mountain for some breathtaking scenery, listen to an owl hoot from outside the glow of a cozy campfire, explore the many hidden lakes in the area, learn to pack a horse, or observe wildlife from a distance. Explore natural game trails with an experienced guide and learn the local lore and history of the region.

To expand the multi-day adventure possibilities even more, there is cabin and bunkhouse accommodations available, and "ranch stay / pack trip" combinations.

Columbia Icefield in the Canadian Rockies - Alberta

2010-02-04T09:09:00.003Z

The Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience is located on Canada’s most scenic mountain roadway; The Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff. This is the route to over one hundred visible glaciers, turquoise lakes, rushing waterfalls and numerous hiking trails, picnic spots and campgrounds. Getting to the Columbia Icefield is a remarkable attraction in itself!

The Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience™ reveals the most unique attraction in the Canadian Rockies. Massive Brewster Ice Explorers, specially designed for glacial travel, take passengers on a remarkable excursion onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. Each 90 minute journey is lead by an experienced driver-guide, who shares a wealth of fascinating information about glaciers, icefields and their impact on our environment. Mid-point in the tour, passengers can safely step out onto the glacier and stand on this powerful ancient ice. Tours depart every 15-30 minutes from the Icefield Centre on the Icefields Parkway.

Facing the Columbia Icefield Visitors' Centre lies the Athabasca Glacier - a tongue of ice 6 kilometres long and one kilometre wide. Take time for Brewster's "Ice Age Adventure", a tour onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. You will travel in a specially designed Ice Explorer to the middle of the glacier, on a 5 kilometre round trip journey. Your driver/guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point out interesting geological features as you travel in safety and comfort. At the mid-point, you will have the option of stepping out onto ice formed from snow falling as long as 400 years ago.

The Columbia Icefield is located on the boundary of Banff and Jasper National Parks. One of the largest accumulations of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle, it covers an area of nearly 325 square kilometres, sometimes reaching a depth of 300-360 metres. The continuous accumulation of snow feeds eight major glaciers including the Athabasca, Dome, and Stutfield Glaciers, all visible from the Icefields Parkway. The Columbia Icefield is a true "hydrological apex," for its meltwater feeds streams and rivers that pour into the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans.

Visit to Victoria, British Columbia

2010-01-28T13:58:00.000Z

Victoria - British Columbia

The Gem of the Pacific North-West, the Garden City of Canada, is the preferred destination of millions of international visitors each year. Many British Columbians also call Victoria home. One little known fact is that Victoria receives 65% more sunshine than Vancouver. Said another way, Vancouver receives 65% more rain than Victoria.

Victoria offers a unique blend of old-world British charm and 21st Century comfort. In 1862 Victoria was described as: "The largest town north of San Francisco; population 4,000 to 5,000, or about four-fifths of the entire population of the colony. Four years ago it was a trading post of the Hudson Bay Company, and contained about 250 people."

Whether you wander the vibrant gardens and parks, stroll the lively Harbour or break-water, visit the museums and stately homes, go to a spa or rest in the sun as you watch the world go by, Victoria has something for everyone.

For exciting shopping, visit the quaint shops on Government Street, the open-air craft market in Bastion Square, Antique Row, Murchies the Tea merchant, the many art galleries or the excellent specialty stores in the downtown.

Discover fine dining at one of the many local restaurants offering everything from North West Cuisine to exotic ethnic fare. And consider doing Victoria in Victorian style by staying at one of Victoria's fine Bed and Breakfast Inns where your hosts can point you in all the right directions.

With its mild weather and temperate climate there is always a flower in bloom from the cherry blossoms in January, through daffodils and tulips in March, lilacs in May, to the abundance of roses and rhododendrons in the Summer and Fall. The air reflects the aroma from the blossoms, especially during the long summer nights.

The sun shines on Victoria year round and, when it rains, the rose petals glisten, the rich greens deepen and the fragrance in the air sweetens - encouraging the abundant bird life to sing out.

This is the city that breaths in an abundance of fresh sea air and soaks up more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in Canada. It’s the perfect place to hold hands with nature and witness marine wildlife in its natural habitat; and to feel safe, free, and refreshed.

Parliament Hill - Ottawa - Capital of Canada

2010-01-27T09:42:00.002Z

Following on Dave's visit last winter, here is some information about the summer in Ottawa

Parliament Hill is the seat of Canada’s government, home to both the House of Commons and the Senate. Free tours are offered every day, but are occasionally rescheduled due to the business of the House. You must pass through security similar to an airport. www.parl.gc.ca

In the summer, there is a free Changing the Guard ceremony on Parliament Hill each day at 10:00 a.m. Modelled on the version performed in London, the ceremony runs from late June to late August 25 annually. Pure pomp and ceremony.

There’s also a free Sound and Light Show, entitled Canada: The Spirit of a Country, on Parliament Hill every night after dark between early July and early September. Images are projected onto the Parliament Buildings.

Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill are spectacular—the only place to be on July 1 if you’re Canadian, or even if you’re not. Free concerts, short speeches by politicians, the Snowbirds, the Musical Ride, maple leaf “tattoos,” face painting, fabulous fireworks, and everyone in a patriotic mood.

Bear watching on Vancouver Island

2010-01-22T11:14:00.002Z

This amazing picture was taken from Hidden Cove Lodge near Port McNeill on Vancouver island.
The northern part of Vancouver island is one of the many hidden gems of British Columbia. It is one of the best places to see whales, sea otters and both grizzly and black bears.

Newfoundland - good news

2010-01-20T09:42:00.002Z

Air Canada have resumed direct flights from Heathrow to St. John's in Newfoundland - the closest bit of Canada to England. This is splendid as it now only takes a few hours to get to this wonderful province.

The Artisan Inn has operated since 1997 and, by Canada Select, is Trinity’s highest rated inn. In addition to the main building of the Artisan Inn there is a fishing “store” at the shoreline. Originally used to store and maintain nets and gear, it is now home to the Twine Loft dining room, recommended in Where to Eat in Canada. We also offer Vacation Homes and operate the Campbell House B&B.

The Inn provide full breakfasts, soup and a sandwich lunches and, in the evening, affordable fine dining. Our evening menus are table d'hote using local produce and products and employing eco-friendly practices.

There is an in-house sommelier and careful attention is given to our wine list and to food and wine pairing.

Twine Loft dining is open to the general public and we encourage visitors to Trinity to drop by, visit us and view the menus. The Twine Loft is also a venue for artisan workshops and artistic presentations.

The accommodations are in several buildings, each with only a few bedrooms within minutes walking distance of Trinity’s major attractions. Trinity itself is centrally located on the Bonavista Peninsula and within an hour’s drive of other popular area attractions. Trinity is about a 3 hour drive from St. John’s.

Historical Trains in Saint Constant, near Montreal Quebec

2010-01-06T09:18:00.002Z

Exporail - Canadian Railway Museum - Saint-Constant, Québec

Exporail's new exhibit pavilion showcases 44 historic pieces of rolling stock in a spectacular climate-controlled 90,000-square-foot building. With a total of over 160 streetcars, interurban railway cars and locomotives, Exporail is recognized as one of the world's most important railway museums – and is, bar none, the largest such collection in Canada.

MTC streetcar 1959 runs every day from 10 AM to 4 pm.

The "John Molson" locomotive, a replica of an 1849 steam engine locomotive, is used for demonstrations on occasion throughout the summer. Check our schedule for details.

Barrington Station, an example of a rural flag stop station from southwestern Quebec, brings visitors back to the nineteenth century.

Other vehicles from the collection are on view in the railway yard; Visitors will frequently see railway cars and locomotives in motion. You will feel the sensation of being in a real operating rail yard.

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic - Nova Scotia

2009-12-04T17:31:00.001Z

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is the oldest and largest Maritime Museum in Canada. Having celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1998, the Museum has developed a unique history of its own. The idea of this maritime museum can be credited to a group of Royal Canadian Navy officers who envisaged a maritime museum where relics of Canada's naval past could be preserved. Starting with a small space at HMC Dockyard, the museum moved to quarters in the Halifax Citadel in 1952 and became the Maritime Museum of Canada in 1957. Floods & fires in the early 1960s caused temporary relocations to a variety of sites until 1965 when a home was found in a former bakery building at the Navy's Victualling Depot. The museum became the Marine History section of the Nova Scotia Museum in 1967. The exhibits remained on Citadel Hill while the offices, library and some of the collection moved to the new Nova Scotia Museum building on Summer Street in Halifax in 1970. Through the 1970s, a long search for a permanent home ensued. Finally, in 1982, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic was established on the site of the historic William Robertson & Son Ship Chandlery and A.M. Smith and Co. Properties on the Halifax Waterfront. It opened to the public on January 22, of that year. Since then, nearly two and a half million people have visited the Museum.

The Museum is a valuable historical, cultural and educational institution. It is the largest site in Nova Scotia that collects and interprets various elements of Nova Scotia's marine history. Visitors are introduced to the age of steamships, local small craft, the Royal Canadian and Merchant Navies, World War II convoys and The Battle of the Atlantic, the Halifax Explosion of 1917, and Nova Scotia's role in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster.

The Yukon River

2009-10-10T14:37:00.001+01:00

just heard from those lovely people at the Great River journey in the Yukon that they are reducing their prices - I am so pleased - it is such a fabulous trip but was outside the budget of most of us before.
Have a look at http://www.frontier-canada.co.uk/detail.php?id=454&a=1

The bears of Bute - an invitation from the Homalco people

2009-09-28T12:45:00.001+01:00

Join us on board the "Chinook Spirit" for a trip through the waters surrounding the Discovery Islands. Our destination is Bute Inlet, home to Homalco First Nations people and the Bears of Bute.

Homalco Wildlife Tours invite you to share the experience of the magnificent creatures found along the shorelines of the narrow waterways and inlets between Campbell River and Bute Inlet.

Your day trip starts in Campbell River on board the comfortable 32-foot "Chinook Spirit". Leaving from the Discovery Harbour dock, the one and a half hour trip will take you past abandoned villages and mile high peaks. You will arrive at the mouth of the Orford River where lunch is supplied. You will then be transferred to one of the specially designed viewing platforms that provide a safe area to wait and watch for the Bears of Bute.

Departures are at 10:00am daily and return by 6:00pm . Lunch is included. Tours are limited to 11 passengers. Bring warm clothing and don't forget your camera and binoculars.
Bute Inlet is a long, deep fjord that cut into the coastal mountain range of British Columbia. The remote and pristine area of the British Columbia coastline is located 50 kilometers north across from Campbell River on Vancouver Island . Bute Inlet reaches 66 kilometers into the coastline where the Homathko and Southgate rivers feed waters running from the glaciers and ice fields high up in the mountains.

The Orford River is located halfway between the entrance to Bute Inlet and its headwaters. The glacier green waters of the Orford are feed from the Lillooet glacier and many lakes and creeks nestled in among the rocky peaks. The luscious green valley and estuary of the Orford River are perfect for attracting wildlife that roam along the shores of this coastal river.
At the Orford River site is the Taggares-Homalco salmon hatchery that operates year round. The hatchery produces Chinook, Chum and Coho salmon that enhance the natural stock. It has a capacity to incubate up to 4 million Coho eggs, 6 million Chum eggs and over 150, 000 Chinook eggs annually.

To get to the Orford River site, the Chinook Spirit departs Campbell River and travels for approximately 90 minutes cruising at up to 32 knots.

Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary

2009-09-14T11:07:00.004+01:00

Covering an area of approximately 26,000 sq. miles, the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary, straddling the boundary of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut in Canada's mainland Arctic, is the largest and most remote wildlife refuge on the North America continent - and possibly the world. As there is little surrounding development in this region, the unusual forest oasis located far out on the tundra truly represents one of the last great, unaltered ecosystems on our planet. For those few fortunate enough to have ever visited this extreme remote region, the experience is like stepping back to a time when grizzly, wolves and musk-ox ruled the earth.

During the intense studies carried out by the International Biological Program (IBP) in the 1960's, the Thelon Sanctuary was identified as a 'Biological Site of Universal Importance'. This was primarily due to the extreme biological diversity found in the unusual boreal forest oasis that for nearly 100 miles follows the meandering Thelon River valley located 200 + km north of the tree-line. Many other important sites throughout the North identified by the IBP later became UNESCO World Heritage Sites. However, accessible only with difficulty and high expense, the Thelon Sanctuary was all but a forgotten entity.

The Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary has always been a political enigma: control over this vast area has been passed from one government department to another - both federally and territorially - and subsequently there has never been a true management policy in effect - no department had the budget to police or even patrol such a vast, remote area. It remained closed to all development activity including native hunting since the 1920's; and was probably the only Sanctuary or Park in Canada that offered such full protection for wildlife. This anonymity of the Thelon Sanctuary was most probably its best protection during those times, as everyone seemingly left the Thelon alone.

Jasper River Rafting

2009-09-08T10:45:00.002+01:00

For an adventure of a lifetime! Jasper's best rafting float trips take you down the Athabasca River for those in seek of a complete and fun filled Alberta wilderness adventure.

We invite you to travel with us on a river rafting adventure and share our love of whitewater, wilderness, and friendship. Our rafting trips are great for young and old alike looking for a more mild adventure.

Jasper offers first-class visitor attractions, activities, facilities and services within magnificently scenic wilderness surroundings of unparalleled beauty.

Jasper National Park is Canada's largest Rocky Mountain Park and one of North America's largest natural areas. Shimmering glaciers, abundant wildlife, crystal clear lakes, thundering waterfalls, deep canyons and evergreen forest surrounded by towering, rugged mountain peaks and pristine rivers - are what your eyes have been waiting to see.

Jasper is an internationally recognized four-season destination with so much to see and do to suit everyone's tastes. Whatever spectacular time of year you choose to visit - just be sure you plan to stay awhile.

Houseboating at it´s best - Shuswap Lake, British Columbia

2009-08-26T10:53:00.003+01:00

Nestled amongst vast BC mountain valleys, the beautiful Shuswap Lake in the North Okanagan, accessed through Sicamous, British Columbia is the home for Waterway Houseboats. This magnificent lake, half way between Calgary and Vancouver is a recreation paradise. Countless kilometers of pristine shoreline on Shuswap Lake await your exploration. Sun drenched beaches, beautiful waterfalls and awesome fishing are yours to discover from the comfort of your home away from home. Swimming, hiking, water skiing, golfing, ATV riding and mountain biking are some of the activities available for those with the need for more vigorous action.

Before you even reach Sicamous, you’ll see something spectacular - the houseboats. No matter how many people your vacationing with, There are a variety of luxury houseboats to accommodate your needs. From the first class fittings and trim to our comfortable berths and spacious bathrooms, you’ll feel like you're a guest in a first class resort condominium. Some of them even have hot tubs on board!

Spring starts early on Shuswap Lake. You can get a jump on summer fun at Great pre summer rates. April to June 9th is a favourite time of year for many Houseboaters - not only for the fabulous fishing, but also for golfing, hiking, exploring and especially the famous Shuswap Lake Beach Parties that are always going on somewhere on this fabulous lake system. Meet new friends or relax with old friends in one of the hundreds of secluded coves or beaches.

Trophy Mountain Buffalo Ranch Wells Gray Park- British Columbia

2009-08-21T12:50:00.003+01:00

We are just adding this property to our website. A welcome newcomer to the Wells Gray Park scene.

Trophy Mountain Buffalo Ranch is located 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Clearwater, British Columbia. The ranch is surrounded by beautiful Wells Gray Provincial Park. Within a 20 minute drive, you will find many things to do and see, such as; hiking, sightseeing, canoeing, fishing and whitewater rafting. Wells Gray Park is world famous for "Helmcken Falls". The falls are three times higher than Niagara Falls.

As you drive down the driveway, you will see a herd of bison on your left and horses on your right. You will also see a well treed campground. Overlooking the property is the log home Guest House. Enjoy a quiet country stay, where you can eat and watch the Buffalo Roam.

This unique home is built from hand-axed square logs. Built in the late 1920's, it originally resided in Blue River, north of Clearwater. In 1992 the home was taken apart log by log and brought to Clearwater where it was reassembled by Joe Fischer. Along with the Guest House, there is horseback riding, bison farming, campground and a fully licenced restaurant specializing in bison meat.

Enjoy a scenic horseback adventure to Moul Falls. The 3 hour trip takes you by a fabulous view of the Clearwater River and then down to Moul Creek. There you have break to stretch your legs and walk down to the falls. If you go all the way down to the bottom, make sure you take the short trail behind the falls. On the way home we may go faster or stay at a walking pace, depending of the abilities of the group.

You do not have to be an experienced rider to take the trip. As well as seasoned riders, we take people who are beginners and many first timers. Children must be of 10 years old and up to join our guided trips.

Cruise North Expeditions

2009-08-20T09:44:00.002+01:00

Nobody Gets Closer - News from Cruise North

Cruise North Expeditions and our exciting line-up of expeditions for 2009/10, including our first-ever tour of the Northwest Passage.

Cruise North is a very special company. Owned and operated by and for the Inuit of the region we visit, the company is an investment in protecting the past, and at the same time, preparing for the future. Our top priorities are cultural preservation, community investment and environmental commitment. With each expedition our guests help us to realize our goals.

Our expeditions highlight this region’s striking landscape and seemingly impossible contradictions of nature, where delicate wildflowers survive among rugged terrain and exotic animal life.

We travel to islands in Canada’s Arctic where polar bears, measuring up to 11 feet in length, patrol their favourite beaches, while thick-billed murres in the thousands fly overhead. We visit sites populated by the almost prehistoric-looking muskox, with their crown tusks and skirts of fur. White beluga whales, a walrus colony and all sorts of marine mammals are common sights aboard our expeditions.

We travel to virtually untouched archaeological sites dating back thousands of years, explore remote outposts and follow in the footsteps of early explorers in their search of new lands. On ship and ashore we are greeted by Inuit hosts and visit communities where residents still live traditional lives by harvesting from the land and speaking the Inuit language of Inuktitut.

While relaxing on deck, we glide alongside immense icebergs thousands of years old, and take in the scenery of rolling tundra and towering fiords.

This is the Cruise North experience. Join us for an unforgettable and authentic journey to catch the spirit of the North.

All Bookable through Frontier Canada - www.frontier-canada.co.uk

One of my favourite hotels in Ontario

2009-08-19T11:04:00.002+01:00

Arowhon Pines - Algonquin Park - Ontario

Arowhon Pines is a small, rustic 50-room summer resort located in the heart of Algonquin Park, a huge nature and wildlife preserve. Arowhon Pines is on the shores of Little Joe Lake from where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the woods of the Canadian north. Perfect for a peaceful getaway, honeymoon or to celebrate an anniversary.

The tranquillity of Arowhon Pines' natural setting amidst lakes, rivers and forests filled with wildlife - myriad of birds, moose, deer, fox - seeps into your soul. They combine this spectacular peaceful location with a renowned kitchen, warm hospitality and attentive service - your assurance of this is the fact that 60 per cent of guests return year after year.

The rustic log cabins range in size from three, four, eight and twelve bedrooms. All bedrooms, furnished with antique pine furniture, have ensuite bathrooms with robes, electric heat and hair dryers. Each shared cabin has a spacious central lounge with comfortable chairs and couches around a wood burning fireplace. The one and two bedroom suites, each in their own building, have a lounge, fireplace and private deck.

In keeping with Arowhon's approach to a relaxed and peaceful holiday in the woods, there are no televisions or radios in the rooms. Outside telephones are centrally located. In the evenings guests watch a movie, drop by an impromptu bonfire, take a moonlight paddle or enjoy meeting others from around the world in the lounge.

Arrowhon Pines is a pretty three hour drive from Toronto and Ottawa - and is open from late May to Thanksgiving.

Aboriginal Journeys - Campbell River, British Columbia

2009-08-19T10:59:00.002+01:00

Aboriginal Journeys is a family owned and operated First Nations wildlife viewing and adventure tour company located in Campbell River on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada within the traditional territory of the Laichwiltach (Native) peoples.

They offer awe-inspiring wildlife, marine life, and nature-viewing excursions through some of the most scenic areas found anywhere in the world. Enjoy Whale Watching, Grizzly Bear viewing, Black Bears, soaring Eagles, playful Dolphins, and other Marine Wildlife in their natural habitats.

View some of the world's strongest ocean currents with rapids, boils, and whirlpools. Our tours provide insight to our local First Nations (Native) history and culture.

Enjoy a comfortable journey aboard the tour boats — such as our 27-foot covered high-speed tour boat with onboard washroom. This vessel carries 12 passengers and is fully equipped with proper navigation and safety equipment. Even on a rainy day, you'll be warm and dry inside. We also have a 24-foot Zodiac tour boat that carries 12 passengers.

Your tours are guided by locally born residents, Garry Henkel and Daniel Billy, an elder from the We-Wai-Kai First Nation on Quadra Island. Garry is Daniel's son-in-law. Both are certified boating professionals. Garry has over 30 years experience and Daniel over 60 years experience working and travelling within our waters.

The Laichwiltach (Laichkwiltach / Lekwiltok / Ligwithdaxw) peoples are part of the Nation now commonly referred to as the Kwakwak'awakw (and Kwak'wala speaking people).

The Kwakwak'awakw Nation's territory extends from Cape Mudge to the mouth of Bute Inlet in the south to Smith Inlet in the north and around the northern part of Vancouver Island to Quatsino Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The Laichwiltach are the southernmost of the Kwak'wala speaking people.

On of the greatest sights in the world

2009-08-17T09:34:00.006+01:00

The Icefields Parkway drive between Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper is pretty spectacular stuff! The undeniable highlight is the Columbia Icefield which is one of the largest accumulations of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle, covering an area of nearly 325 square kilometres in the Western Canadian Province of Alberta.

The Athabasca Glacier is a tongue of ice 6 kms long and 1 km wide which drops almost to the road. Brewsters of Banff, offer tours up onto the icy slopes in the purpose built Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle equipped with large, low pressure tires. The 5 km round trip travels up over the ice and the driver/guide explain how glaciers are formed and points out interesting geological features. Up at the icefall, below the glacier headwall, you can walk around on the ice, make snowballs from 400 years old snow, take pictures and cool your heels for a while.

The tours run from the Icefield Centre, a chalet-style stone building which houses 'The Glacier Gallery' an extensive interpretive centre on the National Park. There is also a dining room, cafeteria and snack bar, gift shop and from the third floor up - a hotel. The Chalet Hotel has 32 guest rooms - most have at least two queen beds and a loft. You can actually hear the glacier moving in the still of the night.

If you are traveling the Icefields Parkway - you can’t miss the Glacier. Leaving from Banff the Parkway follows the Bow, Mistaya and North Saskatchewan Rivers and after an essential diversion to see Lake Louise, you return to the Parkway and drive on by Bow Lake, Peyto and Crowfoot Glaciers, Mistaya Canyon and the Weeping Wall to the Glacier.

From Jasper, the route passes Athabasca Falls and the Sunwapta Canyon. It is breathtaking wilderness habitat for elk, bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goat and both grizzly and black bears. Allow a whole day for this drive of 230 km (143 miles) from Banff to Jasper and if you are on motor coach tour, the Icefield is usually a major sightseeing stop. There are also roundtrip motor coach day tours from Banff to the Icefields.

Vancouver Transit System - good news! Airport/downtown in 26 minutes

2009-08-14T09:46:00.004+01:00

The new Canada Line opens on August 17, 2009 4 months ahead of schedule! Vancouver is the only Canadian city with a rapid transit link to the airport. It will take approximately 26 minutes for visitors to travel on the Sky Train between Vancouver International Airport and downtown, with three stops in downtown. Have a look at http://www.translink.ca/en/Rider-Info/Canada-Line/Map-and-Travel-Times.aspx and more information is at www.canadaline.ca/. The Vancouver Airporter bus will stop operations September 30.

The Canada Line will cost C$3.75 (£2.00) per person one-way for all journeys on the Sky Train. From January 1st 2010, Vancouver Transit Authority will charge a premium fare for Canada Line passengers going to and from the airport. The premium will be $2.50 (£1.40) over and above the regular transit fare and a premium ticket will be valid for 90 minutes; therefore, the total cost will be $6.25. (£3.50.

Still good value compared with the tube to Heathrow!

Osoyoos Desert - Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

2009-08-13T16:43:00.001+01:00

Tucked into the southernmost corner of British Columbia’s beautiful Okanagan Valley, this extraordinary habitat is home to one of North America’s most fragile and endangered ecosystems. The area hosts one of the largest concentrations of species at risk (over 100 rare plants and over 300 rare invertebrates) in Canada, and is of international importance. Our desert is actually part of the Great-Basin Desert.

The Osoyoos Desert Centre is a 67 acre nature interpretive facility where visitors can learn about desert ecology, habitat restoration and conservation of endangered ecosystems in the South Okanagan. Guests are invited to explore Canada’s desert by taking a guided or self-guided tour along a 1.5 km elevated wooden boardwalk. In addition, the Centre features an interpretive facility with hands-on exhibits and a native plant demonstration garden.

The Southern Okanagan Valley provides the hot dry summers and mild winters characteristic of the arid antelope-brush ecosystem. This region is home to a diverse array of uniquely adapted wildlife species such the Nuttall’s Cottontail, Great Basin Spadefoot Toad, Western Rattlesnake, Tiger Salamander and Wind Scorpion, to name a few.

The humming birds ‘hum’ and the rattlesnakes ‘rattle’ in the bright morning sun of Canada’s only desert. Simmering at the northern tip of the Sonora desert system which starts way down in Mexico, this dry, arid finger extends up through North America to the resort and vineyard country of the Southern Okanagan Valley where the long hot summers and dry mild winters maintain an eco system unique in Canada.

Don’t worry too much about the ‘rattlers’ though; they are shy and are seldom seen, and only then if you stray from the raised boardwalk! But you can watch the humming birds, darting, diving, then hovering at their honey feeders.

Early morning is for the birds – and you can join local birding experts very early each Wednesday morning to see and hear the desert’s avian species and experience the beauty of the desert at sunrise. Nesting Bluebirds feed their young and Meadowlarks swoop after food.

Hiking in Banff National Park

2009-08-11T10:40:00.003+01:00

White Mountain Adventures is a small, Banff based, active outdoor company, in operation since 1987. In addition to the Sunshine Meadows service, they also offer a variety of other unique services in the Rockies and across western Canada.

Join a professional naturalist/guides for a hike on top of the world! You'll have great opportunities to learn about the unique alpine ecosystem, about different plants and animals found in the alpine, and about the colorful history of the area. And best of all, you'll stretch your legs and see a lot more of one of nature's finest landscapes!

Walk among flower-speckled meadows and turquoise lakes. Hike up through golden larches and along the ridges above. Take in the views from a sun-baked summit!

Example: Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its meadows and easy hiking peaks which lie below the Matterhorn-like summit that towers above.

This relaxed hiking tour is for those interested in experiencing four days of walking in this beautiful sub-alpine region along with the simplicity of life that comes with staying at the rustic Naisset Cabins.There are not many areas where it is possible to do this and yet avoid carrying the heavier backpack usually required to visit such a place.

Diamond Tooth Gerties - Dawson City - Yukon

2009-08-10T09:29:00.003+01:00

A group of local citizens keen to promote tourism formed the Klondike Visitors' Association in the late 1950s. Recognizing that gambling was a major part of Dawson’s Gold Rush history, the association obtained a special gambling licence from the Canadian Government and in the early 1970s began running casino nights on the dry-docked S.S. Keno.

Today, Dawson City’s world famous non-profit gambling hall is named after bona fide dance hall queen Diamond Tooth Gertie. During the Gold Rush of 1898, in order to distinguish herself from numerous Klondike kings and queens, Gertie Lovejoy wedged a sparkling diamond between her two front teeth. Any discomfort this caused paid dividends. Instead of working the creeks for her riches, Diamond Tooth Gertie made her fortune by mining the lonely prospectors who readily opened their gold pokes in return for her affections. In Dawson City today, Gertrude Lovejoy’s moniker lives on at the town-run Diamond Tooth Gertie's Casino.

Replete with cancan dancers and a singing master of ceremonies named Gertie, Canada’s oldest gambling hall gives you a chance to re-live the heady days of Dawson’s Gold Rush era. With three nightly shows by Gertie and her Gertie Girls, Diamond Tooth Gertie's is today a fixture of fun-filled entertainment where patrons can enjoy a beverage while playing blackjack, roulette, Texas Hold'em poker and an array of glittering slot machines.

Dawson can be visited on several of our Yukon itineraries.

Klemtu in BC's Great Bear Rainforest - The White Spirit Bear

2009-08-10T09:14:00.005+01:00

Put quite simply, this is one of the most amazing places in the world that I have ever been to. Accessed by float plane or ferry, a population of under 300 First Nations people, less than 5 kilometres of road and probably the most memorable of any of my bear watching trips.

Don't just take it from me - this is what the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation people say about themselves.

Sprit Bear Adventures - Great Bear Rainforest - British Columbia

Waterfront Accommodation in BC's Great Bear Rainforest and Famed Inside Passage
Visit the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. Explore the natural habitat of the Spirit Bear and home of the world’s only Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy. Unique tours in the ancestral lands and traditional territory of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation.

Our newly constructed Spirit Bear Lodge in Klemtu is built in the spirit of our First Nations heritage with the comfort of our guests in mind.

Whether you are a guest on one of our unique wildlife viewing tours or cruising the Inside Passage aboard your vessel or sea kayak, the waterfront Spirit Bear Lodge is a welcoming and comfortable place to lay your head at night while visiting British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest

Architecturally, the exterior of the Spirit Bear Lodge pays homage to the traditional long houses built for thousands of years by West Coast First Nations. Inside, the atmosphere is modern and relaxing. After a day of Spirit bear viewing, share stories with fellow guests in “The Great Room”, an intimate central room with comfy couches, 20-foot high, ocean view windows, local Tsimshian Art and two 12-foot, solid cedar dining tables. Gaze out towards the grey blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and watch for passing Orcas, White-Sided Dolphins and Sea Lions. Listen to the silence as you revel in the natural wonders of the pristine and raw landscapes that surrounds you in this unique culturally authentic accommodation.

Lobstermen Tours - A Fun & Unique Lobster Fishing Adventure - Nova Scotia

2009-08-07T10:04:00.005+01:00

If you are visiting Lunenburg on Nova Scotia's southern shore - and if you are a lover of lobster (as I am) I think this looks good fun. It is run by Lobstermen Tours in Lunenburg http://www.lobstermentours.com and this is what they say:

"Discover first hand, the salty history of charming Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) by experiencing the life of a Lobster Fisherman! This is an entertaining and educational experience and an absolute must if you’re visiting Nova Scotia this summer.

Our tour begins next to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic with a brief look at the historic Lunenburg waterfront.

Then, off to the fishing grounds for the hauling of the lobster traps! Along the way you'll learn about lobsters and lobster fishing from the professional crew.

Our boat, the 'Chris L' is a real working lobster boat and is converted into a tour boat for the summer season. It is equipped with comfortable seating, washroom, and a canopy to protect you from nature’s unpredictable elements.

Throughout the tour you’ll benefit from lots of 'hands-on educational science'. We have an onboard marine biologist and a touch tank featuring lobsters, crabs, and other marine creatures.

Another highlight of your adventure will be watching seals and marine birds in their natural environment! Throughout the tour you will be treated to some of Nova scotia's most picturesque coastline."

Internation Selkirk Loop

2009-08-07T09:56:00.007+01:00

This is a wonderful "off the beaten track" flydrive which Frontier Canada could put together - not on their site at the moment, but with a little encouragement from you could easily be created.

The Selkirk Mountains in northeast Washington, north Idaho and southeast British Columbia, a place of forested hillsides, sparkling waterfalls, snowcapped craggy peaks, and charming small towns. The nearest metropolitan area is Spokane, Washington, about one hour southwest of the Selkirk Loop. Within the Loop, the Selkirk Mountains are accessible from the Salmo Basin, Sullivan Lake, Priest Lake, Pack River, Roman Nose, Kootenay Pass and Kokanee Glacier recreation areas.

Nearly the entire Loop route follows rivers and lakeshores. The waterways historically were used for transportation, but today they are a source of year-round recreation, from fly fishing to ice fishing, boating, water skiing, windsurfing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, diving and rafting.

Much of the land in the Loop corridor is National Forest, National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife Management Area, or Provincial Park, so there are myriad opportunities for outdoor recreation - a vast uncrowded playground! Hundreds of miles of trails are available for all levels of hiking, biking, horseback riding, skiing and snowmobile touring. Rock climbing and geo-caching are popular for the more adventurous. These public lands are home to the largest diversity of wildlife in the lower 48 states. The wildlife Refuges and Management Areas are home to more than 50 mammal species and 265+ bird species. Moreover, Lake Pend Oreille and Kootenay Lake are two of the largest lakes in the west.

The Loop's scenery changes with each season. In spring, the bright greens of new foliage blend with the colors of early wildflowers, set against a backdrop of snow-covered mountaintops and rushing waterfalls. In summer, wildflowers are in full bloom, and the rivers and lakes teem with fish below warm blue skies. Fall brings changing colors, with brilliant golds and reds amid the dark green pine and spruce. Canadian geese by the thousands stop for respite on their journey south through the Pacific Flyway. In winter, a peaceful blanket of snow covers higher elevations of the Loop, with greenery remaining in the milder climates of the river valleys. Moose, deer and elk often are spotted as they browse for tender shoots beneath the snow. No wonder this route was voted “The West's Best Scenic Drive” by Sunset Magazine.

The most delightful aspect of the Loop's scenery is its variety, from narrow river canyons to broad fertile valleys and vibrant village scenes, from lowland meadows to breathtaking mountain vistas. Surprises await around every corner!

CrossRiver Wilderness Centre and Kootenay Wilderness Tours

2009-08-05T09:45:00.004+01:00

Although this is written by the owners of CrossRiver - I have stayed there and it is as they claim a special place;

"Welcome to the online mirror for the CrossRiver Wilderness Centre, our home in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. As we hope you will soon discover, this place is truly magical. It has evolved out of love and the landscape itself, and encompasses much more within its warm embrace than may at first be revealed to you. Out here, the patient, respectful, and adventurous heart entices opportunities for great memories and photographs while relaxing around the cabins or teepees, or on a beautiful hike or rafting trip. The wilderness also offers plenty of opportunity for learning, for healing, for direction, for connection, and even transformation, if you want. We speak from experience.

We have had many helpers along the way, who have all added their own gifts and talents to the fabric of our secluded retreat: from carpenters to painters, to cooks, to cleaners, to guides, to teachers, musicians, dancers, preachers, lawyers, doctors, engineers, accountants, storytellers, athletes, photographers, writers, and visionaries, to name a few. What I love most about their contribution, however, is the friendships we’ve been able to build along the way. We look forward to welcoming your own gifts, talents, and magic into the mosaic. This is a place where people can be real; let go of attachment, judgement, hierarchy, and façade, and stand in a respectful circle with all of creation simultaneously. You will see, if you want to.

Once people get here, they sometimes have a hard time leaving; kind of like leaving a family all over again. The divine appointment we are realizing while you are here, however, is one that we will cherish, give thanks for, and honor by always working to keep this place a vibrant, strong, organic, sustainable, and peaceful place for you to return to, or share with others. In the meantime, we invite you to sit still out on the land somewhere; connect with the trees, water, smells, sights, sounds, animals, and people around you in a meaningful way; delight in the adventure of totally new experiences and uncertainty; and allow your imaginations to be captured. You will not regret it.

Canadian Rockies Rafting

2009-07-30T09:06:00.007+01:00

I went with Canadian Rockies Rafting a couple of years ago on the Kananaskis River - loved it. The scenery, the wildlife, the sheer pleasure of being on the water as well as the professionalism of the Canadian Rockies Rafting team made for a memorable day.

This is what they have to say about themselves.

We love rivers. All kinds of rivers. And each section of river we run has its own personality, its own rhythm, and its own set of rewards. With three major river drainages and four distinctive trips, we're certain we can introduce you to a river you can learn to love.

At Canadian Rockies Rafting, the safety and enjoyment of our guests is paramount. We know our guests arrive with a unique set of needs, desires, and experiences. We work hard to ensure that we meet each and every one of your expectations. We want you to enjoy the rivers we run as much as we do.

Join us for an exciting whitewater paddle raft adventure on the Scenic Kananaskis River. Enjoy a beautiful mountain river located along the front ranges of the majestic Canadian Rocky mountains. The river tour is rated as Grade 2 to 3 and is an excellent experience for adventurous groups, families and friends. The Kananaskis River offers wonderful mountain scenery, excitement and natural history. This half day tour is very popular for people looking for an introduction to whitewater or river experience the whole family and group can enjoy.

We run the same stretches of river as other rafting companies but that is where the similarities end. We run all the rivers that are offered in the area. Our equipment is the finest on the river. We use 100% self bailing rafts that we ensure are built to our specifications for the rivers we run. Our staff members are friendly, experienced and willing to answer your questions and concerns. We offer opportunities to waterfight, cliff jumps, short hikes and body surfing that no other company offers. Our customer service level is second to none.

Authentic Cowichan First Nations Experience - Vancouver Island, BC

2009-07-27T09:13:00.001+01:00

Quw'utsun' offers all guests an Authentic Cowichan First Nations Experience - Interpretive Guided Tours, West Coast themed Gift Shop and First Nations contemporary cuisine in the Riverwalk Cafe.

The Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre is located in the Cowichan Valley, 45 minutes from both Nanaimo and Victoria in the southeast corner of Vancouver Island.

"This (Cowichan) legacy was, and still is, an incredible connectedness to the warm land called Quw'utsun'. It is not the transitory character that typifies most recent North American culture, but a rare permanence of place that has endured for hundreds of generations." Daniel P. Marshall

Twenty years ago the Quw'utsun' People embarked on a project to raise the profile of Quw'utsun' knitters, carvers and jewelry makers, while displaying the Quw'utsun' culture and history to the world. In 1986 the Cowichan Tribes outbid twenty organizations and bought the Cultural Center buildings from Expo '86. The Cultural Centre opened its doors in 1990.

The Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre is a world-class destination, focusing on the economic development of the Cowichan People. The goal is to foster and promote pride in the culture and to offer a memorable experience to all visitors.

Trip report The Canadian Rockies and Alaska by Ferry

2009-07-20T09:02:00.002+01:00

14th July 2009.

Dear Sandra

Ref: Canada & Alaska Holiday 31 May to 02 July 2009.

We have now returned from our most enjoyable holiday which was so well organised by Frontier Travel and more than exceeded our expectations. Congratulations on using your detailed knowledge of the two countries which contributed to our marvellous experience and enjoyment of our trip particularly as the weather was good except for two days. We thought you might like more information about our experiences.

Fairmont Palliser Hotel Calgary gave us a great start with superb accommodation, food and service.

Brookes Heritage Inn Drumheller had a comfortable clean room but not much else to commend it. Our visit to the Dinosaur National Park, Tyrrell Museum and Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump was well worth our visit despite the long drive because everything was so well signposted along the way.

Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Banff again excellent accommodation and food and places of interest were close by.

The drive along the Icefields Parkway was spectacular and we had ample time to visit Lake Louise & Moraine Lake on our way to Emerald Lake and the Lodge.
A truly spectacular location with superb views from our balcony room but The Lodge could do with a refurb and was not the same standard as the Buffalo and food average.

Coast Pyramid Lake Resort, Jasper a spectacular location but a car is essential until the day of departure if catching a train. We persuaded them to provide us with a first floor Suite which has great views of the lake and mountains and the restaurant was excellent.

The Skeena Train was excellent giving us time to relax and rest after our long drive with helpful and friendly staff. The Treasure Trove Casino & Hotel, Prince George was a long way out of town and recommend finding somewhere closer to the station.

Crest Hotel, Prince Rupert an excellent location with amenities close by with Bald Eagles in the trees by the hotel.
Grizzly Bear Tour, Khutzeymatee was fantastic and the local operator looked after us very well. We saw 7 Bears grazing on sedge grass and searching for clams etc by the waterside and visited the Ranger Station. No motion sickness problems!
The Indian Museum is a must visit and recommend the Guided Tour.
Our journey on the Ferry up the Inside Passage was excellent with a clean comfortable cabin, spectacular scenery and occasional Whale Spotting. Again no motion sickness problems!

Alaska.
The Goldbelt Hotel, Juneau was in a good location close to the town but had not a lot to commend it. Because of the numerous Cruse Ships the Town Centre was nothing more than an open air Shopping Mall and Restaurants were not that great. A lovely place for Breakfast is Paradise Cafe under the digital clock seen from the traffic lights entering Main St providing lovely home made Pastries etc.
We took the Bus Tour from the centre to Mildenhall Glacier with a most amusing driver.

Admiralty Island Tour by Sea Plane was again spectacular and Butch our Pilot was great and very friendly. Unfortunately after 5 hours on the island we did not see any Bears. Unless the Salmon are running I would not recommend this.

Westmark Hotel, Sitka a perfect location for visiting the island. We used the hourly hop on off circular bus to visit local attractions. Recommend the Russian Dancing Display at the Museum and the Indian Dancing at the Long House. We also went to The Fortress of the Bear which is at a former Paper Mill. There are two Bear Cubs housed in what was a large Pulp Vat about the size of a Cricket Pitch with a Pool to swim around. By flying out early morning and returning to Juneau later the following day we had ample time to see everything.

Gustavos and the Glacier Bay National Park.
Another amazing experience on a comfortable and large Catamaran with close up views of the carving Glaciers. People at the Goldbelt in Juneau flew over the night before staying at the Gustavos Glacier Bay Lodge which they enjoyed and was really nice and close by the boat jetty.

Anchorage
Ramada Hotel was comfortable, clean and provided a reasonable complimentary breakfast. The Staff was very friendly and the Complimentary Airport Shuttle was great.
We also enjoyed the City Tour on the Tram.

Denali National Park
The drive up by bus was very comfortable with some great scenery and the return journey by train was really nice with large comfortable seats.
The Tundra Wilderness Tour was spectacular with a very knowledgeable guide and we had a wonderful clear day with fabulous views of Mt. McKinley.
Plenty of wildlife sightings of Red Foxes, Moose, Caribou Herds, Goats and 2 bears with 2 cubs each.

Vancouver.
The Marriot was in the perfect location and the weather was good so we hired bikes and cycled around Stanley Park.

Vancouver Island
We were so pleased that we chose to fly to Tofino because again the weather was perfect and gave us spectacular views from the air. The Wickaninnish Inn more than exceeded our expectations with excellent sea views from our room and superb weather during our stay.

So thank you once again for arranging our dream holiday

Edward & Glynis

The Whale Route - Quebec

2009-07-16T09:58:00.003+01:00

From Tadoussac to Blanc-Sablon, Côte-Nord is really the Whale Route.
Most of the 13 species of whales found in the St. Lawrence are easily observable along this route, from the small harbour porpoise to the enormous blue whale, the largest mammal on the planet. This region is one of the five best places in the world in which to observe several species of whales each year. It is no coincidence that four internationally renowned research groups are based in this area.

Tadoussac Bay, a member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club, is at the heart of the Saguenay-St.Lawrence Marine Park and is the home base of several companies offering sea excursions. While Tadoussac is the best known area for whale watching, several other sites in Côte-Nord, in both the Manicouagan and the Duplessis regions, offer exceptional observation conditions—even from the shore. Keep your eyes peeled from April to November, and remember that three species of seals and many species of marine birds will probably join in the show for your visual pleasure.

While exploring the Whale Route, be sure to stop at the new Garden of the Glaciers in Baie-Comeau. This attraction offers unique multisensory experiences that focus on phenomena associated with the last ice age, climate change and the migration of the first peoples. Located in a converted church, the Glacier Exploration Center features a multimedia show trail with spectacular projections and décors. Continue your adventure in the Maritime Adventure Park where you can observe how the surrounding landscape has been carved out by glaciers over 10,000 years ago. The park offers three interactive guided tours, including the Valley of the Seashells, a site that is unique in the world. Outdoor lovers will also want to visit the Adrenaline Zone, which offers a multitude of exciting activities. Finally, sea kayaking and hiking are also possible in the park.

Talls Ships in Nova Scotia

2009-07-06T11:23:00.001+01:00

The international gathering of world-class Tall Ships is in Halifax, Nova Scotia from July 16 to August 1, 2009. Having hosted Tall Ships gatherings four times over two decades, Nova Scotia is no stranger to the visitors who come to see these grand ships in Halifax and ports across Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia provides the perfect setting for a Tall Ships event. The atmosphere, the tradition and the opportunity to follow the ships around the province is an experience that is offered to the visitors and people of the province during Tall Ships Nova Scotia 2009.

Ships will arrive in Halifax on Thursday, July 16 and following the magnificent Parade of Sail in Halifax on Monday, July 20, designated ships will head north to Cape Breton, making stops in Port Hawkesbury (July 22 - 23) , Louisbourg (July 22 - 23) and Sydney (July 25 - 26) while others will head to the mainland ports including Lunenburg (July 22 - 23) Pictou (July 28 - 29) and Pugwash (July 31 - August 1).

Imagine stepping aboard a majestic Tall Ship feeling the sway of the deck and seeing the view from the bow, this is the only way to experience a Tall Ship, short of sailing on one.

Wildlife Sightings in British Columbia

2009-07-01T09:18:00.003+01:00

A group aboard the Island Roamer this week spotted 2 Sperm Whales in the open waters of the Queen Charlotte Islands! They were approximately 40 feet long. In the same day they also spotted 45 black-footed Albatross.It has been another amazing season for Humpback Whales, birds, bears and all the species in the Northern Galapagos (as the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia are known)

The fictional Moby Dick was a sperm whale. The real one has the largest brain of any animal - indeed it is the largest of the tooth whales and very rare to see near a coastline. They do live in all the oceans except the polar but are not often seen in the waters of British Columbia.

Observatory & Eco Adventures in Southern Ontario

2009-06-30T10:13:00.002+01:00

Just over 2 hours to the west of Niagara Falls is a much less busy place!

High in the trees on a 100' ridge overlooking Long Point Bay and Turkey Point Marsh experience breathtaking zip lines and swinging suspension bridges. Fly through the Carolinian forest over native plant and bird life.

Looking for a unique experience and something that is out of the ordinary? Experience breathtaking zip lines and swinging suspension bridges. Glide through the Carolinian forest over native plant, animal and bird life on a world class zip lines. The views of the bay and marsh from the zip lines and canopy tour are outstanding.

There is only one place along the shores of Lake Erie where you can enjoy 15,000 acres of protected forests and marshlands along with spectacular aerial views. High in the trees on a 100' ridge you can stand on the deck of the 45' astronomy observatory and gaze across this Great Lake to see the hills of Pennsylvania. The highly trained staff are dedicated to sharing the beautiful environment in a safe, eco-friendly way while educating you on the local flora, fauna and wildlife. This outdoor eco-adventure combines education with adrenaline-filled action, which is sure to leave you with an experience that will be hard to forget. From kayak trips to zip lines to an astronomy observatory, the goal of the folk at Turkey Point Marsh is provide you with a great adventure.

2009-06-29T10:11:00.000+01:00

The Fundy Trail Parkway - New Brunswick

The Fundy Trail opens up previously unreachable areas of the Bay of Fundy coastline. Skirting cliff tops above the world’s highest tides, the Fundy Trail winds its way along one of the last remaining coastal wilderness areas between Florida and Labrador.

From stunning ocean views above the caves of St. Martins to the deep pools and rapids of Big Salmon River, the Trail will delight you at every turn.

One of the easiest ways to see one of world’s most stunning coastlines is from the comfort of your vehicle. The paved, low-speed auto parkway winds past scenic lookouts along the 13-kilometre (8-mile) route to Cranberry Brook Lookout.

Spacious, complimentary on-site parking areas allow easy access to footpaths, picnic areas and rest stops. Step out of your vehicle into the only coastal wilderness remaining on the entire east coast of North America.

View the unspoiled beauty of the Fundy coast as you bike along the 13-km (8-mile) trail to Cranberry Brook Lookout. The hilly, multi-use trail runs parallel to the Parkway road; the trail surface is gravel dust.

You’ll find the biking trails perfect for bird watching and photography. You’ll also find water stations and outdoor toilet facilities at rest areas along the trail.

Pack your helmet and pick up a trail map at the Park entrance!

Whether you’re a day hiker or an avid back-packer, you’ll find the Fundy Trail Parkway satisfying terrain. From easy two-hour guided walks, to self-guided or interpretive multi-day wilderness hikes, from educational walks to special group bookings there’s something for everyone.

Lace up your sneakers or hiking boots. Grab your binoculars. Fundy is a well-known birding destination. And the view from 250 metres (820 feet) above the beach is spectacular!

Siwash Lake Guest Ranch

2009-05-19T10:10:00.001+01:00

Siwash Lake Guest Ranch - British Columbia

Siwash Lake Guest Ranch in BC, Canada, is truly one of the world's premier luxury dude ranches and guest ranches, surrounded by 80,000 acres of pristine British Columbia wilderness. Wildlife thrives here among our natural grasslands, forests, lakes, and rivers. This remarkable, eco-friendly setting provides a refreshing oasis of wilderness solitude, filled with enriching moments for adventurous people who seek the finer things in life.

At Siwash Lake, come riding on a beautiful horse and explore the best of British Columbia’s open range on your own or with a personal riding guide. Our very special riding program ensures that horseback riding vacations at this dude ranch are extraordinary. They are highly sought after holidays that feature guided riding to your heart’s desire, for first-time beginners through to advanced riders, with the option of riding on your own as well. And besides horse riding, we offer world-class fly-fishing, guided eco adventures, other nature based wilderness activities and much, much more

Along with riding, cast for trout on sparkling waters, hike a canyon to nearby waterfalls, mountain bike the backcountry or paddle a canoe across shimmering Siwash Lake. Try our sustainable living workshop or a wilderness survival class, land stewardship project or wildlife tracking… Guests are immersed in the wilds, with nature all around. Our dude ranch offers the discerning family or couple a spectacular wilderness experience.

And later, indulge in fine cuisine and complete comfort at this unique guest ranch — savour ranch grown, organic food that rivals fine city dining and then sleep amidst the softest linens. Siwash is family operated and features a boutique wilderness lodge, akin to country estates of the “Old West”, and within its honey-hued log walls, you'll enjoy a soul-pleasing blend of the rustic and the refined.

Siwash Lake offers the best in dude ranch vacations tailored to individual needs — a guest ranch adventure with the luxury of outstanding personal service, attention to detail, and the most unique riding program in Canada — we're an authentic BC working ranch for all-inclusive horseback riding vacations and eco-adventure escapes.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

2009-05-18T15:21:00.002+01:00

On the 1st of June, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises will be launching their NEW 2010 Europe & the Med and 2010/11 Worldwide Cruise brochures. Packed full of fantastic destinations and new itineraries, including cruises onboard Independence of the Seas which will be sailing from Southampton all year round from 2010.

Salmon Fishing in New Brunswick

2009-05-15T10:12:00.001+01:00

New Brunswick has some of the best salmon waters on earth

The rivers of the province number among the top salmon fishing grounds in the world. The best salmon rivers in New Brunswick are, in statistical order, the Southwest Miramichi, the St. John, the Restigouche, the Northwest Miramichi and the Tobique. Specimens weighing in at 30-40 pounds can be caught with a fly-fishing rod. This is not guaranteed, but still not unheard. In the 50 salmon rivers in the province fishing is only permitted when accompanied by a local guide. Salmon fishing is therefore, as it is all over the world, an expensive activity.

As well as salmon, Artic char also appear in most waters. The landlocked Atlantic salmon in the southernmost part of the province (2 - 3 pounds in weight) and trout in the lakes (between 3 + 10 pounds in weight) are also highly prized as well as the perch and pickerels which are native to the south west.

In addition to salmon and trout fishing, saltwater fish are the most popular in New Brunswick. Especially in the Baie de Charleur, lucky anglers reel in magnificent giant tuna weighing in at some 1000 pounds every year.

Whistler Bike Park

2009-05-15T09:28:00.004+01:00

WHISTLER MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK OPENS SATURDAY MAY 16

"At Whistler Blackcomb we’re lucky enough to have six months for mountain biking season. As all trails are covered in snow, the anticipation builds when we can finally clear the trails and get the Bike Park open,” says Brian Finestone, Whistler Mountain Bike Park Manager. “The mud gates are about to open this Saturday and people are worked up into a frenzy with opening day anticipation. We’ve got lots of trails ready to go and are expecting a great start to what will no doubt be another fantastic season.”

The Bike Park is open daily from 10am-5pm until June 19 and then from 10am-8pm starting June 20 through the summer. Weekday access is via the Whistler Village Gondola with the Fitzsimmons Chairlift opening on weekends.

The Garbanzo Zone is scheduled to open June 27 in time for Whistler Blackcomb’s core summer operations. Riders can look forward to new trail sections on Blue Velvet and Freight Train, as well as the completely redeveloped No Joke trail in the Garbanzo Zone. The Bike Park also features redesigned Slopestyle, Giant Slalom and Dual Slalom courses.

First-timers can test drive the Whistler Mountain Bike Park with the Sampler ticket, which provides three lift rides. If the sampling turns into a full-blown addiction, riders can upgrade to a full day ticket with options to receive discounts on riding in the Bike Park for the rest of the season.

Full suspension bikes, helmets and body armour are available at Garbanzo Rentals in the Whistler Gondola building. Meanwhile, the Garbanzo Bike and Bean in Carleton Lodge offers rental and repair services, and features a retail section filled with top-end mountain bikes, clothing and equipment.

For those looking for some inspiration, the epic and adrenaline-fueled mountain bike movie, Redbull Rampage: The Evolution, premieres at the Garibaldi Lift Co. (GLC) Friday, May 15 at 9pm. The eye candy continues at the GLC on Saturday, May 16 with the premiere of the Goldstein Productions movie, On The Line starting at 9pm. The GLC is open daily throughout the summer at the base of the Bike Park, and is the perfect spot to enjoy a sunny post-Park patio session or an evening of live music, DJs and good times.

Whistler Mountain Bike Park, May 16-October 12, 2009

Shangri La in Vancouver

2009-02-25T18:22:00.002Z

NEW HOTEL OPENING: SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, VANCOUVER
Living the High Life: at 61 stories the Shangri-La Hotel is the tallest building in Vancouver and at $300 million, one of the most expensive developments in Canada. Complete with a spa, a restaurant managed by french chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, staff that number two to every one guest room ratio, and unique meeting space complete with state-of-the art technology, this hotel has all that you need to make your stay in Vancouver memorable.

It was amazing as I drove over the Lions Gate Bridge last week, you could see the hotel dwarfing all the other buildings -

ICE Currency advice.

2009-02-25T17:40:00.002Z

I saw this today - interesting stuff. The Canadian dollar has not changed that much - probably because the price of oil is now so low that extracting oil from the sands is not so profitable.

Leading international currency expert, ICE (International Currency Exchange), has named Russia, Mexico and Brazil as its top spots for alternative holidays where UK travellers can get the most value for their Sterling compared to the previous six months.

With the strength of the US Dollar and Euro against the Pound, it is now the time to consider alternative holiday destinations. As the Pound has recently fallen an amazing 30% against the Dollar and a huge 12.5% against the Euro, ICE has looked at the value of Sterling across many currencies, comparing the exchange rate on 17th August 2008 to the current rate, in search of good news or, better still, a bargain.

Top 3 alternative destinations for Family Breaks

Mexico - Exchange rate today 20.88 / rate 6 months ago 18.99
Norway - Exchange rate today 9.96 / rate 6 months ago 10.10
Canada - Exchange rate today 1.80 / rate 6 months ago 2.00

Andrew Hamilton, Head of Marketing at ICE, says: "Our research has shown that while Europe and North America are getting lot more expensive for UK travellers, there are some great alternative destinations well worth checking out this year to make the most of our stretched holiday budgets."

Family breaks in Mexico offer great value. The value of the Mexican Peso to the Pound has weakened by 9.1% in the last 6 months. With bustling cities, beautiful beaches, deserts, swamps and 26 world heritage sites, Mexico can offer something for the whole family.

Alternatively in Norway, Sterling has weakened against the Krona by only 1% since August 08. With return flights from the UK starting from £40 and the costs of transport, groceries, accommodation and admissions similar to the UK, equivalent travelling throughout beautiful Norway can be done on a budget.

Then for outdoors, adventure, theme parks, camping, shopping, golf, mountains, skiing, festivals, culture and history; Canada has it all for the family. While Sterling has fallen about 11% against the Looney (as the Canadian Dollar is known), it's not as spectacular as the fall against the US Dollar.

Inn on the Lake, Yukon

2009-02-25T17:35:00.002Z

National Geographic Traveler is launching their “2009 Stay List: 150 hotels you will love” and have chosen Inn on the Lake on Marsh Lake just south of Whitehorse, to be featured this year. The 2009 Stay List celebrates 150 hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean region, these hotels are among the best at blending location, inspired architecture, ambience and amenities, eco stewardship and an ethic of giving back to the community.

A well deserved listing I think. I stayed there with the children a few years ago - great food - we stayed in the cottage so had masses of space. I would love to go back and see the Northern Lights there.

Ottawa - by Dave Ashmore

2009-02-20T13:32:00.001Z

The temperatures were well below zero and there were tonnes of snow on the ground, but the welcome in Ottawa was very warm. From the Front Desk at the Lord Elgin to the staff at the Ice Hockey stadium everyone was friendly and happy to welcome visitors to their city. Ottawa maybe Canada’s capital, but might not be the first thought of people looking for a city break in Canada, it is however, definitely worth a visit and will, undoubtedly, exceed expectations.

The city has plenty of historic sites, not least the Rideau Canal, which runs through the heart of downtown and was a major artery of the development of the country itself. In the winter, the canal has a further attraction – it becomes a massive outdoor skating rink, with many people using it as a route to work. The small, but interesting, Bytown museum charts the development of the canal and the city and the larger and dynamic Museum of Civilisation, across the water in Gatineau, traces its people and the origins of the country as a whole. The city is home to many other museums too, perhaps most interesting of which is the magnificent Canadian War Museum, with its detailed historamas and extensive collection of weapons and tanks. Our visit to Ottawa also took in the Canada Aviation Museum and the Parliament Buildings. The tour of the latter is enjoyable and the view from the top of its Peace Tower stunning.

Further afield we visited a delightful restaurant, L’Oree du Bois, in Chelsea, Quebec, for a lovely dinner, which was made all the more appetizing following as it did an evening snowshoe trip with a First Nations guide and storyteller, Daniel Richer. We also spent an evening watching the Ottawa Senators play at Scotiabank Place – Ice Hockey at its best in a 20,000-seater indoor stadium. We also travelled to Sucrerie de la Montagne, in Rigaud; a traditional sugar shack and log-built restaurant with a larger than life owner Pierre Faucher and his equally friendly pet wolf.

The ultimate highlight of the trip, however, was the morning we spent dog-sledding. Hosted by Aventures Nordik we spent three hours with the dogs and out sledding in the woods. A truly memorable experience.

B.C. Wineries Fly Drive! - Staff trip by Ruth Heymans

2008-10-17T13:10:00.005+01:00

Sept 2008:
Flight to Calgary with Air Canada - we took off about 30 minutes late. The aircraft we boarded was new so we all had our individual screens fitted on the seat in front us with a great choice of films to watch and radio stations to listen to.

We landed into Calgary and Dave from Pure Travel Ltd welcomed us at the airport. He introduced himself and we walked to his very comfy minibus. Brand new vehicle, leather seats and DVD player. He had bought a large supply of water bottles which came very handy, especially when driving through the Okanagan. English guy who left the UK with his wife about 15 months ago to start a new life in Canada and set up his own transport company. Lovely chap!
The following is a brief and hopefully helpful description of the hotels we stayed at and visited as well as the different activities we did.

Emerald Lake Lodge: arrived at about 8:30-9pm. No cars allowed at the Lodge; guests have to leave their vehicle at the car park and ring the lobby for a bell man to come and pick them up as well as their luggage. It is a few minute away from the reception where you collect your keys. The bellman would take your luggage to your room/cabin.
We stayed in a double room, comfy, warm and welcoming. Beds are quite small though, anyone taller than me would have struggled. Would suggest upgraded to any room with queen/king size.
Next morning: we had quite an early start with a lovely buffet for breakfast (cold but hot breakfast available if ordered, which we did ). We just had time for a 10-15min stroll around the lake and marveled at the typical Canadian scenery around us: canoes on the shore, pine trees and mountains all around. It was a bit too early and cloudy for the lake to show off its unique and natural color but we could definitely notice the blue/green color (due to particles from the Glacier that ends up at the bottom of the lake when snow melts). Gorgeous! Walking from your room to the reception/restaurant, to and around the lake without any cars around is a bonus as well.

We then left and went zip lining in Revelstoke. I was not too sure what to expect from this adventure. It was a fun challenge! Got to say I wondered more than once why on earth I was doing going from trees to trees, hanging from a cable. Was praying throughout the whole thing that my harness was strong enough. It was. Sweet.

After this we made our way to our next accommodation.
Three Valley Lake Chateau in Three Valley Gap: Was quite surprised by how big this property is. They do have quite a few rooms and all seem to have a balcony with view over a beautifully maintained garden and lake. Room we stayed in was standard double rooms. Basic, simple room décor. I would say poor décor quite frankly though the bed was very comfy. Shame because it is beautifully located. They do great breakfasts. Also we could not drink or even use the tap water from the bathroom sink to wash out teeth. They provided us with a water bottle in each room. We were meant to visit the ghost town just next door but we run a bit late (too comfy beds). Well it looked like a replica of a western town. It is so next door that one might think it’s part of the accommodation. Spooky.

We left for the Thompson Okanagan region. We had a lovely stop at the Gatzke’s Farm. They grow numerous tree fruits (about 50). As the pigs’ bloods (type of plums) were ripe I could not resist but taste one. Yummy! I had the most amazing home made apple juice, fries and pies. They make everything from scratch and it sure does taste great. They do offer few accommodations (farm cabins, camping and RV sites. Although we were not shown any of them). I would strongly recommend anyone driving to stop for lunch or refreshments there providing it’s spring or summer. They do sell a wide range of fruits and have a lovely display.

After this came the so long waited high light of the whole trip. Wine tasting.
First winery we visited was Mission Hills. Interesting and unique architecture. The buildings looks quite ‘churchy’ and are inspired by roman architecture which gives the winery estate a ‘sacred’ atmosphere. It does look great but I personally thought it looks a bit impersonal and cold. We had a lovely guided tour of the property and finally… best to last: tasting white, red and ice wine. We were shown how to first sniff the wine, take a sip to rinse our mouth then give the glass a good twirl to release the aroma and then to taste it again. Yeap, it works. We tried with three different wines and I did these tasks wholeheartedly.
Red Wine was the winner. Unfortunately I forgot the name of it. I shall wander into Waitrose and M&S and see if I can find it.

Now off to Penticton. We stayed the night at the Penticton Lake Resort in a double room. Basic rooms. Simple but comfy. Dinner at the Hooded Merganser Restaurant just on the lake outside the hotel.

Next day: we drove to Summerland, to the Kettle Valley Steam Railway to enjoy a 1hr30min ride on an early 20th century steam train and restored locomotive. We had the most amazing view of the valley, the Okanagan Lake and canyon. One of the train staff was paying banjo and got passengers to sing along. The whole experience felt quite authentic. Lots of fun. Twas a lovely morning.

Had lunch in Summerland at the Zias Stonehouse Restaurant. Very colorful decoration/furniture in quite a spacious room. When commented on the vast and roomy restaurant I was told that it was 2 houses put together and one of them was haunted. Charming. Food was really nice; I opted for some chicken with apricot sauce. Not bad.
Off to the second winery: Burrowing Owl. My favorite. Located on a top of the hills, with vineyards all around, Burrowing Owl looks like an inviting, big Italian Villa. They also have 10 beautiful rooms with a balcony overlooking the hills and the pool. We saw a king size room with lovely rustic type of furniture, and an amazing bathroom (bath tub + walk in shower). Floor and walls were made of what looked like natural stones. They also had a penthouse suite on the top floor with 1 x king bedroom and 1 x double bedroom with a sofa bed. Definitely my favorite winery. Wine tasting as well of course. I was expecting to prefer red wine, as usual but had a soft spot for their white. Once again I cannot remember its name… And no it is not due to excess tasting but to my notoriously exceptional bad memory.

We then drove to Osoyos and went to the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre. Running behind schedule we only had time for a 45 min visit which consisted of a guided walk through the desert and a replica of first nation’s habitation. Tourists are showed a winter and summer ‘tipi’ where they would be explained how the Nk’Mip first nation would live. We were showed some utensils that they would use to cook food, saw etc. We also watched a 10 min animated movie relating a famous first nation legend about how a coyote saved a whole village. The guides are of course natives. Very insightful visit.

Third winery: Nk’Mip Cellars. Started, managed and operated by Nk’Mip natives, first of its kind in North America. The guy who gave us a tour was not a native though. This is the only winery where the guide explained how wine is made, the difference in red and white wine making. They buy barrels made from US oak and other from French oak. French oak barrels can last longer and gives its wine a nicer, more ‘bodied’ taste. Of course... It also costs few thousand CAN dollars for only one barrel. The Nk’Mip Cellars has a lovely restaurant with the most amazing view on the Lake Osoyos.

Had dinner at the Passatempo at the Spirit Ridge Resort. Didn’t have a chance to view the hotel, just their restaurant. We had an unplanned outing after dinner to a festival where 6 local chefs competing for the best dessert. Locals wineries were also promoting their wines and we had tickets for 6 x wine tasting max. Don’t think I could have used all my vouchers even if I wanted to! After 2 wineries it was just what the doctor ordered. Desserts were just so lovely, especially the chocolate one! A group of 4 natives kids performed some aboriginal dances in traditional clothing. Quite impressive.

Well after a long day at work we headed to the Walnut Beach Resort. We stayed in a 2-bedroom – fully equipped kitchen with a great view on the lake and the pool’s resort. Each room is named after a wine: Chardonnay Studio Suite, Sauvignon 1-bedroom suite etc… The bigger suite is the Sommelier Penthouse who can sleep 6-8 guests max. Absolutely outstanding resort. One of my favorite. It just opened this summer.

Early start next morning and by 8:30am we arrived at the Crowsnest Winery in Cawston for a short visit and some more wine testing. Crowsnest Winery was like a small farm: welcoming, not as big and touristy as the previous wineries we visited. They had hotel rooms rated 3 ½ star but we didn’t have a chance to visit as they were full (if my memory is correct).
Next on our trip was a stop at Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon: 200 million gallons of water per minute run through a 33 meters wide narrow passage. The air tram ride 150m above the river was quite magical. They have a ‘first settlers’ village’ attraction where you can pan for gold, enjoy food at their cafeteria (they do great salmon burgers!)… It’s also known to be haunted by ghosts!

We then departed for the Hills Health and Guest Ranch and arrived at about 6-630pm. Room we stayed in was a double standard room. The decoration/furniture looked very out dated. It was a bit of a let down. But there is definitely a family spirit among the staff; Pat and his wife are really warm and welcoming. We had dinner at the 108 miles room; nothing like a fondue to bring people together!
Lovely secluded resort with lots to do: horse riding for all levels, horse whispering, numerous hiking trails, fishing in their dozens lakes, mountain biking… About 150 kms of trails in the forest. The resort does also lots of spa treatments for men and women.
They are open all year around and some guests are loyally coming back every year for about 2 months. During winter, guests can go cross country skiing, snow shoeing, skating on the outdoor rink and enjoy a hot drink by the fire in the bar area.

Off to another ranch in the morning: Ten-ee-ah Lodge. We had to drive about 30-45min off the main road to access the ranch. Very remote location in the middle of the forest, on the shore of the Spout Lake. It’s the only property located on 7 miles along the lake. It gives a definite sense of tranquillity. As we drove in the resort there were about 5 horses walking freely in the ranch. Guest rooms are located just next to the restaurant/reception. The rest of the accommodations are individual log cabins, all facing the lake. Our cabin had a lovely living/dining room, wood fire place, fully equipped kitchen, 2 bedrooms plus loft. It looked very ‘Canadian’ inside out. This is what I visualise when thinking about holidaying in Canada: a wood cabin by a lake.
All cabins had woods and an axe outside; guests can cut their own logs and enjoy the lovely wood fire. As well as horse riding, tourists can go canoeing, biking and hiking. The resort has also about 10 allocated RV camp sites on the other side of the restaurant/reception.
The only down point was that there was no electricity between 1230am and 630am. All cabins have a torch inside but I guess when you have very small children it’s not that fun. (Nappy change at night…) Also the iron is very high in the area and the water does smell funny when you shower etc…
Overall this was a great experience. I had time to go on a canoe and it was just … so quiet and relaxing! Well the guys were paddling and I was just sitting there, enjoying the ride. Loved it. The location/view is definitely the resort greatest bonus. My favourite among all the accommodations we visited. Would gladly return.

Next visit: Whistler. It was a jolly good drive, about 6 hrs. Time for a good DVD, a good snooze and enjoying the scenery.
We checked in at the Hilton Whistler. Lovely double standard room. Their entrance/corridor is quite big, which gives plenty of space to put suitcases, throw your shoes around or your skis and boots in winter. Very comfy rooms, the largest standard rooms in Whistler: 2 x double rooms plus a big comfy armchair by the window. Andrew showed us few rooms/suites: very warm, modern and really spacious 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom suites. Great for families with kids or group of friends: living/dining room offers plenty of space for kids to run around. Hilton is located in the village, they have an entrance/exit that takes you right in the middle of bars, restaurants but it is also a very short walk from the mountains (30sec). Dinner was a 5 course feast with marvellous wine (red, got to be red). Staff are very, very friendly.

Next morning: Delta Whistler Village Suites. We had a lovely breakfast. Very homey and inviting lobby just like the rooms. Warm and comfy furniture/décor.

ATV Tour: 2 hrs tour up and down the mountains with Canadian Snowmobile & All Terrain Adventures. We saw a wild grizzly bear feeding on grass. Very exciting! I had a moment of intense self hatred: I’d left my camera in the changing room! Only lasted for a moment. Went back to loving my great self again shortly after. Twas a great tour. Hint: if you ever go on one, do avoid being the last driver; my face was very dusty and the smell of gas sort of spoilt the mountain fresh air experience…

Then off to Pan Pacific Village Centre for another site inspection and had lunch in a lovely Irish pub, Dubh Linn Gate. I love pubs. Pan Pacific does offer great view of the mountains and village in modern and elegant rooms. Their have the biggest windows ever. The penthouse is just … great!
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre: new, just opened in July, this center introduces the Squamish and Lil’Wat native tribes to visitors and celebrates its customs, cultures. Both tribes used to live in the land covering north of Whistler to Vancouver. Every half hour, staff, all First Nation, would sing a couple a songs in their native language and with native instruments. Quite mesmerizing. They also ask the audience to participate; great fun for kids for everyone. They have lots of old photographs, utensils etc showing how Squamish and Lil’ Wat nations used to live, eat, hunt, marry, trade etc. They also have activities where visitors can make their own bracelets etc. Unfortunately we didn’t have time for it… It’s definitely worth a visit (about 5-10min walk max from the village).

Then off to Vancouver. Our last transfer with Pure Travel Limited. We got to spend the whole week plus few days with Dave and we got to know him quite well. Very friendly and offers class service. It’s only him and another driver at the moment. They are based in Golden and offer transfers between Calgary and Kicking Horse.

We arrived at Grouse Mountain. Dinner at Altitudes, at the peak of Grouse. Beautiful view of Vancouver by night. Quite a sensational view on the gondola.
Fairmont Waterfront: located just by the harbour, and about 15min from Robson Street. Best view is rooms overlooking Stanley Park. We stayed in a Portside Deluxe with a view over the harbour. They also have standard rooms with a patio on the garden where the hotel is growing its own veggies and herbs. Guests’ rooms have huge windows from floor to ceiling, maximizing the view. My favorite room is the Signature room, or corner room, it has 180 degree view of both the Burrard Inlet and Stanley Park.

Next morning: breakfast at the Westin Bayshore Hotel. Best breakfast I ever had. A huge range of cereals, fruits, pastries, bread and of course a hot buffet with eggs, sausages, bacon, waffles, pancakes etc… We also had our names written in chocolate on our plate… How thoughtful.
Hotel is located just opposite Stanley Park. You can come out of the hotel and walk along the Harbour where all the floatplane land and take off.

Vancouver Aquarium: sea otters, belugas, all kinds of fishes, frogs, jelly fishes, spiders… Really worth a visit! Pictures on the next page.

Capilano Suspension Bridge: a very wobbly bridge. Once on the other side, the tree tops ‘promenade’ among the cedar rain forest is a fun adventure. Ghosts are also known to be appearing from time to time… Canadians love their ghost stories.

Granville Market: fresh vegetables and fruits market. Lovely little boutique shops as well. Definitely a nice spot to hang out.
Went back to mainland with Aquabus. Cutest little boats I’ve ever seen; looks like a toy. Takes about 15 passengers and it’s a great and practical way for sightseeing.

Fairmont Vancouver: splendid décor from early 20th Century. It was the first hotel to be built in Vancouver. Boutique type of hotel. Very British. Has more ‘character’ than H2O but maybe not as casual. The Gold Fairmont Room is worth the upgrade: separate check-in area, free hors d’oeuvres in late afternoon etc. My favorite hotel in Vancouver.

Pan Pacific Hotel: not on the itinerary but went there to have a drink and it’s very… corporate. Lots of the guests look like professionals on a business trip. Not a very ‘relaxed’ atmosphere. Reception desk is on the 1st floor. Kind of awkward to get to. Lovely view from the bar/restaurant though!
Landsea Tours: transport company offering city tours etc. Very knowledgeable and friendly drivers.

Yukon/Skagway - Staff trip by Bolanle

2008-09-10T13:56:00.003+01:00

Executive First class seats on the way out- definitely worth the extra money -the service, comfort, quality etc is just great

10mins max drive into downtown Whitehorse- stayed at the High Country Executive Inn- rooms are lovely, large- as the name already gives it away- all rooms have Jacuzzi's, wireless internet connection, fitness facility and a business centre which is all complimentary.

Drove up to Carcross (world’s smallest desert)- took about an hour and a half, then another hour from there to Fraser still on the Hwy 2 to board the White Pass & Yukon train to Skagway- this train takes about an hour and a half and you'll experience views of the mountains, glaciers, historical sites, tunnels and many more which are of course very well narrated so that you can follow the map.
Arrive in Skagway and you need your passport for US immigration and $6 US- they will NOT accept Canadian dollars although it states so on literally all their magazines etc.
Skagway- small but busy, alot of restaurants and expensive souvenir shops and that’s all you've got there
Drove down to the Inn on the Lake (Whitehorse) from Skagway stopping off at the Suspension Bridge on the way down on the South Klondike Hwy which is only about a 30minute drive from Skaway- guides are there to give you some history about the place and the best place to see some bears.
Continuing through the Southern Lake circuit (Tagish Road and Jakes Corner) to the Inn on the Lake- 2hrs drive from the Suspension bridge but only 35minutes away from Whitehors. Inn on the Lake- absolutely lovely. Rooms in their main lodge are all ensuite but the cabins which can fit up to 5people (2rooms and a loft) only has one shower to share. Another cabin which sleeps up to 9 has ensuite but is one of their newer buildings. All rooms/cabins come fully equipped with access to BBQ, balcony etc. Rooms can get cold as there are no heaters in the cabin except for the log wood fire in the living room. Room rates include breakfast and pretty much all the water activities. They have 2 lovely dogs who meet you with the Owner Carson- you can take one of the dogs out for walks if wanted as it can fight off bears and people feel safer with that although they do give you pepper spray too. Dinner price is additional and there is only 1 sitting- 7pm- this place is definitely worth it

Depart on the Alaska Hwy to Haines Junction Airport (Kluane National Park)- 2hrs drive from the Inn on the Lake. Took a 45minute Glacier Flightseeing trip and although the views were great- advice you not to sit at the back- unfortunately being the smallest, I had to & I felt sick! Whilst at Haines, 20minutes away, we took the St Elias Mountain Trail- where we hoped to see bears- (no such luck I’m afraid and definitely too many mosquitoes)

From Haines, an hours journey to Uncommon Journeys in Whitehorse- Uncommon Journey are a company that offer premier guided dog sledding, canoeing and hiking adventures and just like a lot of places in Whitehorse, also offer packages to include the Northern lights. This is a lovely place and the family are great- so are the dogs!
Another 45minutes drive back to Whitehorse

Sunday- Air North flight Whitehorse to Dawson City- takes about an hour but the plane is grubby & old. We were met at the Airport by a tour group taking us on tour of the Dempster Highway- 1.5hours from Dawson City- we drove just beyond Tombstone Mountain- the drive was awesome- traveling across Northern Yukon to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories and is the only public road in Canada that crosses the Arctic Circle (I’m sure you all knew that)
Back to Dawson City - Klondike Gold Rush- stepping back into the 1890’s at the height of the Goldrush, when Dawson City was the largest city north of San Francisco and was known as the “Paris of the North”. It only has a population of about 2,000 people. The streets are still unpaved and lined with wooden boardwalks and historic buildings – most preserved and restored to their original state. I loved this place- was the highlight of the trip for a lot of us- place was so old, colourful and so historic! Diamond Tooth Gerties Casino definitely worth a visit (OH and you have to try the sourtoe drink- SORRY)
We stayed at the Aurora Inn- lovely place- you must take off your shoes before entering but they do provide slippers, rooms are spacious and offer free internet and breakfast. They do lock the doors after 11 so you have to ensure you take your keys with you!
Dawson City- we were given an historic walking tour of the Goldrush times etc- it was a fun tour and again worth going on.
Transfer back to Dawson City Airport- 15mins drive. When we arrived at Whitehorse, we were met by Tom’s Touring service for a transfer to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve- about 30mins- nothing special at this reserve I’m afraid, but if you’re into birds, then this is for you! Continued for another 30minutes to Takhini Hot Springs where there’s also a Campground and a new place being built for people to see the northern lights. Took about 40minutes to get back to Whitehorse after the tour around Takhini. Stayed at the Gold Rush Inn- although this Hotel was very central- it was basic, small and definitely had a lot of characteristics going back to the Goldrush days as the name would imply- but still- not for me!

Loved this area - sad to go home

Alaska - Staff Trip by Bolanle

2008-09-10T13:34:00.003+01:00

BA World Traveller Plus is quite comfortable and in my opinion, is worth upgrading although I preferred economy but I guess that’s because I’m a shorty! Arriving in Seattle was simple and clearly signposted. After collecting your baggage- you think that's it but it has to go through further security again whilst you catch a train to the main terminal whether you’re connecting or ending your travel in Seattle- advantage- you don't need to worry about carrying your baggage around. Finding the taxi depot is however confusing and when you do find it, there’s apparently always a huge queue which I also experienced- took me 25mins to finally get a taxi
Hotel- Comfort Inn & Suites is not based in downtown Seattle although the description says it is- instead it’s about 35miles away from the airport and costs about $80 for the taxi. Hotel itself was nice with laundry, pool and business centre available free of charge, close to some shopping and restaurant. The only disadvantage is the distance.
I have been advised that Bellview area is the place to be and is closer to downtown Seattle and the airport.
Alaska Airline to Ketchikan- easy to check in, online check in and drop off your baggage in an allocated space and continue to your gate. 2hrs flight, same flight goes on to Wrangell, Juneau and ends in Anchorage although on their system, it states that it is a direct flight, but please note that it always stops at the destinations mentioned. For Juneau, there is 1 direct flight and that’s a late flight

Day 1
Ketchikan airport is small but serves its purpose, very quick and no immigration to go through. From the airport, you have to take a water taxi or ferry into town- leaves every 30mins but only takes 2mins to cross over- costs $11 if you have a car and $5 for foot passenger’s roundtrip. Takes about 10mins to get to your downtown hotel including your transfer
The Best Western Hotel is definitely one to be recommended- it has recently gone through refurbishment, has 2buildings, one that is solely accommodation and the other has the restaurant, business centre, fitness centre, gift shop and a pub. They have wifi connection in all rooms which is free, complimentary shuttle bus into town and Airport courtesy shuttle also available
Activities available in Ketchikan; Humpback whales and seals- May to September but have killer and grey whales all year round. Snorkelling and Scuba Diving. No grizzly but a lot of black bears which you can see from your backyard sometimes (so I was told). Hiking and Ziplining ($169per person) also available 15mins away from your downtown hotel by car both guided and unguided.
Deer mountain hiking- independent- would take the whole day.
Recommended day trip to Prince of Wales Island by flight and board the ferry in search of the Minerals- you can only fly to Prince of Wales Island from Ketchikan. Bar Harbour restaurant is a nice place to have dinner. Although people mainly only cruise through Ketchikan, it is very easy to fill 3days of activities here.

Day 2
Black bear Inn- is about 10mins from downtown (4miles) and is a lovely place to stay especially in Summer when its so busy- this place is quite secluded with outdoor hot-tub and BBQ. Clients can make their own food and feel like they are back at home. I would suggest clients hire a car although there is a bus service from downtown during the week but nothing over the weekend and I would suggest staying at least 2nights. Mainly for ‘fishers’ but there is a guy across the road from the lodge that offers kayaking trips which is highly recommended- www.yakfishalaska.com

Salmon Falls Resort- open mid May to Mid Sept and is 17miles out of Ketchikan. Mainly for Halibut and fly fishing, they are high-end, will collect you from the Airport and take you back, very secluded, No spa facilities but the best fishing resort in Ketchikan. Although secluded and solely for fishing, if you want to go out to see the bears/ Misty Fjords, they will arrange that for you www.salmonfallsresort.com

Alaska Undersea- 90mins underwater in a boat- chances to see otters, whales (orcas and killer whales), Octopus. Also offer a 2hr bear watching, eagles, salmon and seals- has to be pre-booked. Based in downtown and have to make their own way to the depot. This company did look good only disadvantage is that they don’t provide a pick-up from your Hotel. It’s ok if staying in a downtown Hotel.
Gilmore Hotel for the night- right in downtown Ketchikan across from the dock- old hotel, rooms are small although all rooms are 1bed suites- it does make rooms very claustrophobic- bathroom is VERY small and all that is in there is a shower-no bath. I personally didn't like this place, topped with the fact that my room was freezing and the Hotel couldn't do anything to help.

Day 3
25min flight to Wrangell- small place- reminds one of Dawson city but a bit more recent. In Wrangell, you can go out on Jetboat to see the wildlife- 4hrs trip with Summit charters- www.summitcharters.com - $149per person or Annan Creek where you’re most definitely guaranteed to see the bears. Trip range from 4 to 7hrs depending on which trip is of preference to the clients. July- August- best time to see the black and brown bears
There is also a hike that can be done with Rainwalker expeditions, along with kayaking and biking tours (www.rainwalkerexpeditions.com)

Day 4
A city tour of Wrangell with www.alaskawaters.com - To see the museums and cultural sites- this is actually a recommended tour and would advise people to take this tour first so that they get a feel for Wrangell and a bit about its history.

Flight from Wrangell to Juneau- 1hr including a stop in Petersbourg
Some of the few things one can do in Juneau- hiking (100 trails), the Glacier Gardens, the brewery, steamboat rides, glacier flights, fishing, kayaking are just a few and of course the Mendenhall Glacier
Goldbelt Hotel- nice hotel in downtown Juneau with spacious rooms, gym, business centre and wifi facility

Day 5
45mins flight with Alaska Airlines to Sitka where we were taken round the city with Sitka Tribal Enterprises- www.sitkatribe.org
Tour included Sitka National Historical Park, the Alaska Raptor Centre, St. Michael's Cathedral church, Sheet'ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Dancers and the Archangeldancers show (definitely recommended).

A visit to the Westmark Inn- lovely place and seems to be the best property in town with views overlooking the harbour and to finish off the tour in Sitka, take a semi-submersible with sea life discovery tour to see the underwater ecosystem.
Back to Juneau and a sight inspection of the Best Western Country Lane Inn and Grandma's Feather Bed. Best Western Country Lane Inn is 10mins walk from the airport but whilst you’re there, you don’t feel so close to the airport, all rooms are like Motel rooms, very spacious, clean and actually a nice basic alternative for people who may not want to be in downtown. Grandma’s Feather Bed- this place reminds me of Abigail’s B&B in Victoria , Canada, when you get in, so as you can imagine, very nice, all rooms are different which makes it all unique. Grandma’s Feather bed also has a restaurant and the food there is awesome, it is 2mins walk from the Best Western and owned by the same person.

Day 6
Alaska Marine Highway ferry to Haines- 'the Fairweather’- takes just over 2hrs and is a very comfortable and smooth ride with a place available to buy food and children’s play area.

Arrived in Haines and have to say, I felt that this place really was the 'real Alaska'. It had so much history and culture to offer. Activities available- rafting with www.jetboatalaska.com which can be incorporated with a cook-out lunch- same place- about 30mins out of Haines town- on the way to Kroshels. This place also offers canoeing from/to the mouth of the glacier in Skagway. There's also Kroshels Wildlife Centre, which was the highlight of the trip- very inspiring and educational. Kroshel is a film producer who works with Mario ..... who can both be seen on the wildlife channel- together they own the wildlife centre, training all kinds of animals from wolves to moose and minx. The animals are not held in captive, they are animals who either have no 'mother' and cannot survive in the wild or injured. Kroshel takes an hour and half tour telling you how they live, eat, how or if they use them for any filming. This place is about 45mins out of Haines town.

Stayed at Hotel Halsingland- old army cadet hall. This place has character, however basic but they do ensure that your stay with them is VERY comfortable. Haines also has the world's smallest brewery.

Day 7
Chilcat cruises to skagway- 35mins from Haines. Again, very comfortable cruises with the possibilities of seeing some wildlife on the way- such as mountain goats, otters and whales. Took the White Pass & Yukon Railroad train for 3hrs roundtrip to the Summit. From Skagway, we were scheduled to go dog mushing on the glacier but weather didn't permit so we took a city tour and ended up in Dyea- 15mins away from Skagway on a dirt road. In Dyea, we visited Chilkoot trail outpost which is a brilliant place and somewhere I think we should feature if people are taking a self drive option through Alaska. They have different cabins and include breakfast with all their packages but require a 2night minimum stay, which again I feel is right. They offer wildlife viewing and hiking opportunities. Skagway is only 15mins away and also the White Pass & Yukon train. Here is where we got the chance to see 3 black bears walking across the road.

Skagway air to Gustavus- 1hr- baggage and weight restrictions but is a nice and inexpensive way of flying over the Glaciers. Gustavus- population of 3300-very small and secluded
Each lodge on this Island offers transfers from & to the airport. Bear Track Inn- totally beautiful. Probably the best lodge on the Island with only 14rooms, no TV or phone in the rooms. Rates include all meals and will help to arrange activities such as kayaking with the orcas, glacier trip, bear/whale-watching. This place is only 15mins away from the airport.
We actually stayed at the Glacier Bay lodge- biggest lodge on the island. Not as nice as the Bear Track, but the next best thing available. Motel type cabins but spacious, again, no TV's, but there are phones in the rooms and include breakfast in their package.

Day 8
Walked down to the harbour- 2mins and boarded the Catamaran for a 7hr cruise to Glacier Bay. On the way, we saw whales, sea otters, puffins, mountain goats, black bears, moose, eagles and of course the Glacier. This trip is definitely worth taking, costs $160 and includes lunch and snacks. Departs at 0730 and returns back to the lodge around 1530. Back at the lodge, took a transfer back to Gustavus airport (25mins). Note that it takes so long because of the speed restrictions put in place & they are very strict on it too. There is only one car hire Company on the island- Bud car rental- he will meet you at the airport with the car including a tank of petrol

Wings of Alaska scheduled flight to Juneau - 9 Seater - 30mins flight to Juneau and transferred to 'sheepscreek' for dogmushing which again was awesome- you get to learn about the dogs, history and way of living for both dogs and trainer. Trip costs $160 for 2hr tour and includes pickup & drop-off from your hotel or airport.
Recommended place to eat is at the top of Mount Roberts Tramway.
Final night at the Westmark Baranof Hotel, looks like the best Hotel in town, spacious, right in downtown, 2 restaurants and very high-end. Suites and standard room available here

Halifax & Nova Scotia - Staff trip by Bolanle

2008-09-10T13:27:00.004+01:00

Day 1:
The flights with Air Canada were very comfortable.
Arrived at Halifax Airport and collected our car, drove to downtown Halifax (Delta Barrington Hotel) via the Toll Bridge and took us about 25mins to get into town due to some roadworks. Costs 0.75cents to cross the toll.
Delta barrington Hotel- right in the centre of town- loads of restaurants and the shopping centre right opposite. The hotel is quite old but lovely, rooms are spacious. Free internet access in all the rooms and a business centre available, the gym and pool is very small but does the job and as its open from 6am-11pm

Day 2:
Delta Barrington Hotel is very central as we were walking distance from city hall, World Trade & Convention Centre, Clock Tower, Citadel- natural historic site where you can see the changing of the guards every hour.
Had a quick glance at the Public Gardens- a bit like the Botanical gardens in Montreal from what we could see on the bus and of course the ever so famous Titanic Cemetery where 328 people from the Titanic disaster were buried.
Springarden road for the main shopping district
Brewery Institute- educating customers on how to taste beer, how to choose beer with what they are eating etc- it is quite exciting and would recommend for beer drinkers.

Day 3:
45 minutes drive to Prospects for some kayaking with Eastcoast Outfitters - quite a nice place to go to on the way to Peggys Cove. From here, another 20mins to Peggy’s Cove taking the lighthouse route. Continued our journey through to Oak Island Resort & Spa. If this was a straight journey from Halifax to Oak Island, then the journey would have probably taken about an hour and 15mins or so.
Oak Island Resort & Spa- lovely place, spacious but they could do a lot better with it- the décor are quite dated and unfortunately, everything that goes on, you can more or less hear it in the room- I could hear the people upstairs walking in their room. The Spa facilities looked great- wanted to stay for a treatment but didn’t have time unfortunately, other than that though- the Resort was great, good food, views, activities are available on resort- tennis, mini golf, outdoor/indoor pool, boat/sailing activities and children’s playground. Free parking and internet

Day 4:
Continued on the coast through Mahone bay for a city tour of Lunenburg with Eric Croft- this is actually quite an interesting tour to take- its very informative, saw the bluenose ship- you can take a day trip on that whilst you’re there before continuing on to Digby on Highway 8. Stopped off at Maitland Bridge where we branched off to Kejimkujik National Park for an afternoon of canoeing- again a recommended trip to go on and all this can be done leisurely in a day before finishing off at Digby- the drive from Kejimkujik to Digby is a lovely one with a great view of the Bay of Fundy. Great place to stop over for lunch is M&W Restaurant at Maitland Bridge just a minute from Kejimkujik National Park.
Digby Pines Golf Resort & Spa- beautiful from the outside and also inside, but the rooms are quite small, headboards not attached to the beds so it keeps banging on the wall when you move whilst on the bed- was quite annoying. Restaurant was lovely and the views are great.

Day 5:
Half an hour drive from digby Pines to Petit passage Whale Watch (www.ppww.ca) which takes you along the Bay of Fundy which I was told was lovely but no sign of whales.
On to Annapolis Royal- scenic town which overlooks Annapolis River with over 150 heritage buildings- known for its ‘weird’ (they call it unique) shops, galleries and artist studios. On to Highway 1 to wolfville- took us about an hour and a half from Annapolis Royal. Wolfville is actually quite a busy place and those who don’t know that it is a university town will be surprised at how busy the place is compared to other places they may have visited before Wolfville. Stayed at the Blomidon Inn- beautiful place- only has 28rooms and is a family business. All the rooms are very different and unique in its own way- although the place and décor are dated, they have refurbished the place with new fitted bathrooms, 4poster beds etc- would definitely recommend it as a stopping destination.

Day 6:
Blomidon Provicial park- 30minutes drive from Wolfville and is a great place for hiking, after that, went on to Grand Pré National Historic Site- where a stone church has been built as a memorial to the Acadians who were forcefully exiled from their homes and farms by the British and this I would DEFINITELY recommend to anyone travelling through that way just to stop over for an hour and its only $8 to enter and its definitely worth it for any age group- it really is very educational but at the same time interesting.
5minutes away from here is Grand Pré Wines- Wine Tasting- for those wine lovers- a nice place to go and have lunch and take the wine tour.
6hours from Grand Pré to Pictou- took the coastal routes and it was long- too windy and not much of a view so it was a long tiresome drive, I would advise anyone taking this route to take the Motorway there so you can enjoy what Pictou has to offer- because of the long journey- we didn’t get to really explore the lodge and the area.

Pictou lodge- beautiful place surrounded by the lake- very colourful too. The check in is somewhere in between the gift shop and the restaurant and is kind of lost in between that but makes it quite exciting. All rooms (or motels as they call it) are cabin style and very spacious. All rates include bike and canoe rentals- unguided.

Day 7:
2hours drive to Urbania for the Tidal Bore Rafting- it is very easy to get lost for the Tidal Bore as it is called the Shubenacadie Tidal Bore Park and there is a place called Shubenacadie- it is very easy to mis-judge how long this place takes to get to, but it is about an hours drive from Halifax and 2hours from Pictou travelling on the highway.
Tidal Bore Rafting- they have 2 time slots for the tides 10am and 1600hrs- if you miss that, then you’ll be watching from the viewing bridge- they have 2hour and 4hour rafting and the 4hours includes the mud slide- no experience is necessary and a change of clothes is DEFINITELY required. They can also arrange for a BBQ lunch to be included in the package if you have a group and don’t want to travel anywhere else for lunch as it is difficult to find somewhere else to stop off for lunch in that area.

Inn on the Lake off Highway 102 or Highway 118- not far from the airport- nice cozy place to stay if you don’t want to stay downtown and you have an early flight in the morning or you got in late- its only about 10minute from the airport but not too close to be disturbed by the noise from the aircraft.

4 Cities in 10 Days - from Ontario to Quebec - Staff visit by Sarah Jennings

2008-02-05T11:53:00.000Z

The comfort of the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto and the polite and professional welcome was much appreciated after the flight. Toronto on a Sunday is quiet and thus was a nice way to ease into the holiday, exploring its towered streets and enjoyed a visit to the CN tower for the fantastic views across Lake Ontario all the way to Niagara. The harbour and St Lawrence street market were worth a stroll The food, as in all places we visited was excellent, especially The Armadillo restaurant on Front Street. After a very romantic proposal David & I concluded our Toronto visit with a visit to Niagara Falls with Toronto Tours who made the trip even more special.

We took the train to Kingston, enjoying the great views over the St Lawrence; Kingston was quiet but this added to the relaxed feeling of our trip. A bit of exploration revealed some good shopping, including the harbour front street market which offers food from around the world. The Radisson hotel housed the best restaurant in Kingston with excellent food and brilliant views over the river. We also visited the Kingston Brewing Company where we had to try their home-brewed beer!

A slightly longer train journey, but no less comfortable, took us up into the snow-clad countryside of Québec. Québec City was much busier than our previous two cities, but the Auberge St Pierre set in the heart of the old city provided somewhere quiet to rest. The staff were especially helpful advising us on must visit restaurants and what to see and do. The deep snow made the city enchanting and the old city in particular definitely feels more continental than Canadian. We visited the Citadel and other historical attractions in Québec, learning a bit about the colonial struggles that this part of Canada experienced.

Our final part of the holiday was spent in Montréal, which was a much more bustling city than Toronto. The choice of things to do was enormous, so we chose to visit the Biodôme first. This was an excellent opportunity to come close up against nature and even presented the chance to have a conversation with explorers at the South Pole. This whirlwind trip was a good introduction to what Eastern Canada has to offer and is perfect for deciding where to go next time round!

Ontario - Staff visit by Julie Thompson

2008-02-05T11:24:00.000Z

Sandra and I compared the Toronto downtown hotels, from the 3-star Days Inn, via the lovely boutique hotels such as the Cosmopolitan and the Soho Metropolitan, to the regal Fairmont Royal York. Our visit to Niagara was wonderful, including a stay at the gorgeous Queens Landing in Niagara on the Lake (much more relaxed than Niagara Falls) and a superb helicopter flight over the Falls in glorious sunshine plus some wine tasting. We travelled through the Menonite communities for a further night of luxury at the Relais & Chateau Langdon Hall – a beautiful country hotel – and then visited Blue Mountain which as a resort with lots of activities on offer and the benefits of Intrawest properties to stay in, is a hard place to beat for a 2 or 3 night stay just a short distance from Toronto.

We then travelled through Georgian Bay enroute to Algonquin Provincial Park, comparing all the various properties in the Huntsville area, of which there is one to suit every requirement and budget, and then the hotels in the park itself. Here you can choose from the lovely adult-oriented Arowhon Pines and the family friendly Killarney Lodge or take a boat over to Bartlett Lodge and stay in one of their eco-friendly cabins, or even try their new resort platform tents for a ‘tent and breakfast stay’. After visit to the opulent Couples resort on the edge of the park, we completed our trip with an overnight stay at Elmhirst Resort. This family run resort is always a favourite with our clients and it was great to experience their facilities first hand before the flight back home.

Vancouver & Victoria - Staff visit by Gill Rice

2008-02-05T11:22:00.000Z

In hot June sunshine, our first day in Vancouver, saw us exploring Granville Island – a group of shops, galleries, cafes, theatres with a market full of stalls bursting with mouth-watering produce. Partly straddled by Granville Bridge, the island developed from a disused industrial park into an artisan’s enclave. Although a couple of factories remain, trees and flowers and brightly coloured paintings lighten the gritty surroundings. I have an abiding memory of relaxing with a coffee and a bun at a café overlooking Vancouver harbour - busy with boats and bobbing Aquabuses - and taking in the view through Burrard Bridge along the coast to English Bay. We returned in the evening for dinner in a buzzing restaurant under the bridge, after a visit to the Museum of Anthropology to view looming, stately totem poles, housed in a dramatic museum building in the grounds of the University of BC. Excelling in shopping and eating venues, Vancouver is an attractive modern city with a great atmosphere, quite different from Victoria which we visited next. This city has a more open, sedate feel, particularly round the harbour, which is looked down on by the doughty Empress Hotel and the Government buildings. From Victoria, we went to Butchart Gardens – a spectacular acreage of beautiful show gardens pocketed in the vast scars of a worked-out quarry, and celebrating 100 years as a family-run business. To top off our brief (5-day!) trip to Canada we went whale-watching among the Gulf Islands, which was a thrilling experience.

Klemtu/BC/Motorhome - Staff Visit by Sandra Potter

2008-02-05T11:12:00.000Z

With my two nearly adult children, we rented a 24 foot motorhome in Calgary and drove to Vancouver. Those are the bold facts; what they hide is my fear of driving the motorhome, how difficult it would be to manoeuvre, the difficulties of operating the septic tanks and the propane. I need not have worried! After very careful instruction from Westcoast Mountain Campers, between the three of us, we quickly became experts and came to appreciate both the space inside the vehicle and the freedom the RV gave us. We travelled through the Rockies, the Okanagan Valley (sampling the wine and fruit stands) and then drove to Siwash Lake Ranch where we abandoned the motorhome for the considerable comforts of the ranch. After a couple of days wonderful riding and having been thoroughly spoiled by our hosts, we said our reluctant goodbyes to one of the most luxurious ranches in Canada and hit the road again. This time, we headed west along the little travelled highway 20 towards Bella Coola on the coast. Being part holiday and part “educational” we looked at several properties more or less on our way. I particularly liked the Elkin Creek Ranch for a relaxed family holiday and Chaunigan Lake Lodge for the fishing. Dean on Nimpo would have been a lovely place to stay for a couple of nights and Tweedsmuir Lodge is in a beautiful position.

One of the joys of staying either at Tweedsmuir or the less expensive Brockton Place in Hagensborg is the bear watching. We were lucky enough to be there in September when the grizzly bears are stoking up for winter. Their favourite diet (like mine) is salmon and a float trip down the river allows you to watch the bears fishing. We took the ferry from Bella Coola through the inside passage seeing hump back whales and white sided dolphins en route to Port Hardy at the northern end of Vancouver Island where we again parked the RV and flew north to Klemtu.

Although I have been going to Canada for over 30 years, I have never been anywhere quite like this. For starters you take off from Port Hardy in the normal way, but find yourself landing on water in Klemtu – the plane has both wheels and floats! Klemtu is a tiny Indian village 450 miles north of Vancouver. With 315 residents, 2 miles of roads, this is somewhere special. There is now a new hotel which has 6 bedrooms and a restaurant. However, you don’t come to Klemtu for the accommodation or the food; you come to see the Kermode bears. If you are lucky (and sadly we weren’t) you will see the Spirit Bear. This white bear is a genetic freak – actually a black bear, just born white! It is not unheard of to see a family of bears where one cub is black and the other white. We did see lots of bears and some humpback whales. Seeing the bears was awesome, the boat dropped us each morning on Princess Royal Island and we walked through the forest to a river bank where we waited until the bears came and they did in good numbers. We watched as they ate, swam and played in the river, we heard wolves and saw their tracks and we were guided by a passionate and very well informed guide for whom nothing was too much trouble.

That sadly ended our adventure, we flew back to Port Hardy, collected our trusty RV, drove the length of Vancouver Island to Victoria where my daughter inspected the university as she too has fallen in love with Canada, then the ferry to Vancouver to drop the motorhome and spend a few days with friends before flying home – a trip that will live long in the memory.

Frontier Canada - Year round Holidays to Canada

Charley Boorman biking across Canada coming to Channel 5 soon

Purcell Mountain Lodge

WICKANINNISH INN RANKED Number 1 IN CANADA

Capilano Suspension bridge

news from Whistler!

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Calgary Stampede Line up

Victoria, BC

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The Twilight Saga: New Moon & The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

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Timberwolf Tours - Western Canada

Great River Journey of the Yukon

Aurora viewing

Summer Sightings on the Coast

Sevilla Island Resort - British Columbia

Tin Cup Lodge, Yukon

Gatherall´s Puffin & Whale Watch - Newfoundland/Labrador

Le Manoir Richelieu Resort in Charlevoix, Québec

Participate in Actual Whale Research - Newfoundland/Labrador

Golf in British Columbia

Parksville, Vancouver Island - British Columbia

Wine in British Columbia - a hidden and excellent secret

Live the legend that is Great Slave Lake - Northwest Territories

Sunshine Coast

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

on of my favourite places on earth - the Pacific Rim National Park

Crowsnest Pass - Alberta

Mountain Bike Park in Whistler

Touch the Artic - Manitoba

Columbia River Cruises - Columbia & Snake Rivers Cruise West Small Ships

Moose Photography Workshop

Free $500 on Rocky Mountaineer

Where Canada´s Wilderness Begins

Trout Point Lodge - Nova Scotia

The Norstead Viking Village - Newfoundland/Labrador

Gaspé Peninsula - Québec - a journey around Canada from the Canada holiday specialists

The Heritage of Banff National Park - Alberta

Fossil World Discovery Center - Alberta

Whistler

Yukon Horseback Riding Adventures

Columbia Icefield in the Canadian Rockies - Alberta

Visit to Victoria, British Columbia

Parliament Hill - Ottawa - Capital of Canada

Bear watching on Vancouver Island

Newfoundland - good news

Historical Trains in Saint Constant, near Montreal Quebec

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic - Nova Scotia

The Yukon River

The bears of Bute - an invitation from the Homalco people

Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary

Jasper River Rafting

Houseboating at it´s best - Shuswap Lake, British Columbia

Trophy Mountain Buffalo Ranch Wells Gray Park- British Columbia

Cruise North Expeditions

One of my favourite hotels in Ontario

Aboriginal Journeys - Campbell River, British Columbia

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Hiking in Banff National Park

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Klemtu in BC's Great Bear Rainforest - The White Spirit Bear

Lobstermen Tours - A Fun & Unique Lobster Fishing Adventure - Nova Scotia

Internation Selkirk Loop

CrossRiver Wilderness Centre and Kootenay Wilderness Tours

Canadian Rockies Rafting

Authentic Cowichan First Nations Experience - Vancouver Island, BC

Recent comments from the Yukon

Trip report The Canadian Rockies and Alaska by Ferry

The Whale Route - Quebec

Talls Ships in Nova Scotia

Wildlife Sightings in British Columbia