Destinations
Sneak peak at 2014 travel trends
The travel experts at Cheapflights.ca have gazed into their crystal ball to offer thoughts on the upcoming year’s travel agenda. And while they think many of 2013 travel trends -- such as multi-generational travel, social media travel planning and digital detox -- will still be in play for 2014, they have also revealed some new developments. The following are some highlights from Cheapflights.ca’s top travel predictions for 2014: !!! The Rise of the Super Airline. One of the biggest stories of the past year is the rise of the super airline. With United, Delta and the new...
Heli-skiing gets more Health and Wellness
Currently taking place is Health and Wellness Week at Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing in Blue River, BC. It offers full-day and half-day heli-ski packages that include exercise and wellness components, guided by a staff of fitness specialists. Guests can book sessions for spin/stretch, meditation, “yoga for jocks,” snow shoeing and cross country skiing. Chiropractic and acupuncture treatments are available, as are post-ski massages. Nutrition is emphasized in the meals. Health and Wellness week operates through Jan....
Dining around in Victoria
Celebrating its 14th year, Victoria’s “Dine Around & Stay in Town” event will take place from Feb. 20 to March 9. This year’s edition will see more than 60 of Victoria’s restaurants participating, including Café Brio, Veneto Tapa Lounge and The Marina Restaurant. Three-course menus will be offered in four price categories: $20, $30, $40 and $50 p.p. Accommodation packages are also available with prices at participating hotels, resorts and bed & breakfasts starting at...
Jamaica surpasses two million visitors
Jamaica welcomed its two millionth stopover visitor for 2013 on Dec. 29. This accomplishment is a huge milestone as it is the first time that the country has welcomed in excess of two million visitors in a one-year period. With an increase in tourist arrivals of 11.2% in October and a 7.3% increase in November, the Jamaica Tourist Board anticipates additional growth in 2014. The destination officially began its 2013/2014 winter tourism season on Dec. 15. Jamaica’s director of tourism, John Lynch announced that over one million air seats have been secured through the winter months...
Jamaica hosts western seminars
The Jamaica Tourist Board will be conducting destination update breakfast/lunch seminars for travel agents in Western Canada this month. The dates are as follows: Jan. 20, Saskatoon, 8 a.m. breakfast at the Delta Bessborough; Jan. 21, Regina, 8 a.m. breakfast at the Ramada Plaza; Jan. 21, Vancouver, 8 a.m. breakfast at the Hilton Vancouver Downtown; Jan. 22, Edmonton, 8 a.m. breakfast at the Delta Edmonton Centre; Jan. 22, Winnipeg, 8 a.m. breakfast at the Delta Winnipeg; Jan. 23, Calgary, 8 a.m. breakfast at the Delta Calgary Airport and a noon lunch at the Delta Bow Valley. Visit the...
Ireland unveils new signature driving route
Tourism Ireland has announced details of its new signature driving route, the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s first long-distance driving route, stretching from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork, where travellers can navigate and discover Ireland’s wild west coast. The 2,500 km of road along Ireland’s western seaboard makes the Wild Atlantic Way a captivating drive and the longest defined coastal touring route in the world. Official Signposts, maps and web site will be ready for the launch in March and the drive also conveniently connects with Northern...
A guide to England’s hotspots for 2014
VisitEngland has released a guide to the top 2014 vacation hotspots in England, from litera-tours through Hardy’s Dorset and Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon to top cycle rides in the wilds of Yorkshire and the curves of the Olympic velopark. Two big blockbuster movies released in February 2014 include scenes shot at Camber Sands – the World War II epic Monuments Men, starring George Clooney, Matt Damon and Cate Blanchett, and The Invisible Woman, a film about Charles Dickens and his secret mistress, starring Ralph Fiennes and Kristen Scott Thomas. This winter destination is...
New kid-friendly zone at Kicking Horse
There’s a new Kid’s Zone at Kicking Horse Ski Resort, located close to Golden, in eastern BC near to the Alberta border. The new facility offers twisty runs through the trees at a pace and design suited to pint-size skiers and boarders; a dedicated slow skiing family friendly zone with more than 10 runs, served by the Catamount chair; and an expanded tubing...