Destinations
Celebrity Adds Winnipeg to ‘All Included’ Program
Celebrity is once again expanding its “All Included” Caribbean cruise program with Winnipeg joining as a new point of departure for the packages that will take off and set sail weekly from Jan. 29 to April 3, 2016. This complements the original departure cities of Hamilton, Ont. and Ottawa that were joined by London (Ont.), Quebec City, Moncton, N.B. and Halifax in 2015. “Our continued expansion of the All Included program demonstrates our commitment to bringing Canadians cruise travel the way they prefer,” said Ken Brooks, Canadian sales director. “Celebrity’s All...
Canopy by Hilton Says Hello to Reykjavik
Canopy by Hilton, Hilton Worldwide’s new hotel brand, and Icelandair Hotels have unveiled plans for Canopy’s first hotel in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik. Canopy Reykjavik City Centre is expected to be the first hotel globally to open in the brand’s portfolio, which launched in October 2014. “Reykjavik has an incredible energy and is a fitting setting in which to introduce our first Canopy by Hilton hotel,” said Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice-president, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide. “Iceland has grown in stature as a destination, owing to the...
Air Canada Sets Radar On Brisbane
Air Canada will launch new non-stop flights from Vancouver to Brisbane, Australia, initially operating three times weekly using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners beginning June 17, 2016, with the intention to increase to daily service, subject to obtaining the necessary government approvals. “Air Canada continues to strategically expand its international network with the addition of our second Australian destination - Brisbane, capital of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. The new route increases our presence in the Asia-Pacific market at a time when trade and travel in...
Avalon Delivers Special Interest Culinary Cruises
Thanks to an increased interest in themed cruises over the past five years, Avalon Waterways has tripled its culinary, wine and beer-themed offerings for 2016. The river cruise company is offering travellers six wine-themed itineraries, three beer-focused special interest cruises and one departure dedicated to helping travellers indulge their culinary cravings. “It’s no secret that one of the main reasons Canadians travel to Europe is for the food and wine,” says Avalon’s Stéphanie Bishop. “What a great way to combine a love of Europe with the experience of sailing past...
UNESCO Honours Hamburg Sites
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has approved Hamburg’s application for the “Speicherstadt and Chilehaus with Kontorhaus District” to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The committee, which comprises 21 UNESCO member states, acknowledged the outstanding universal value of Hamburg’s urban, maritime warehouse complex and office district dating back to the early 20th century. The World Heritage Committee based its decision on the belief that the Speicherstadt and the Kontorhaus District are “an outstanding example” of buildings and ensembles which...
The Irish Are Coming
The Irish Pavilion, presented by Tourism Ireland, will see some of Ireland's top brewers, finest chefs and emerging musicians from July 24-26 inside a 10,000-square-foot outdoor space at Toronto's Festival of Beer. On July 26, three emerging Irish bands will join Canadian Alt Rock Pioneers, Lowest Of The Low, from the Bandshell Park Main Stage. Dana Welch, manager of Tourism Ireland Canada, commented, “We're delighted to join forces with Toronto's Festival of Beer to present this showcase of Ireland's craft beer, culinary and music entertainment. The island of Ireland's food and...
Carnival Corporation Gets Approval for Travel to Cuba
Carnival Corporation & plc has been granted approval from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Commerce to begin travel to Cuba. Carnival Corporation intends to take travellers to Cuba beginning in May 2016 via its newly launched fathom brand – a new social impact travel brand providing purpose-oriented, social impact experiences, initially in the Dominican Republic. Carnival intends to operate fathom travel itineraries directly to Cuba for the purpose of providing cultural, artistic, faith-based and humanitarian exchanges between American and Cuban...
ACV Celebrates in Cuba
Air Canada Vacations (ACV) recently visited Havana to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Canada’s relationship with Cuba. To commemorate the occasion, the Canadian Embassy in Havana orchestrated a free concert in Havana’s Plaza Vieja. Hundreds of guests gathered in the square to enjoy performances by the Camara de La Habana orchestra, as well as the Habana Compass Dancers and Canadian musician Aldo Mazza. The crowd also sang along with popular Cuban musician Carlos Varela and experienced the sounds of Juno award-winning Canadian rock group Sam Roberts Band. Yves Gagnon,...