Jetsettersblog

Port Credit, ON,
There are few places on earth as unique as Sable Island, a 41-km long sandbar, 300 km southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. For the first time ever, Adventure Canada grants travellers in depth access to this mysterious destination with the only cruise itinerary focusing exclusively on Sable Island.

On the island, Adventure Canada’s guests will observe the famed herds of feral ponies, throngs of seabirds and seal breeding grounds. They will also interact with the small local population, learning about the island’s traditions, folklore and history. For many, the main attraction is just getting to Sable Island, a place very few people have explored, despite its proximity to mainland North America.

The inaugural sailing takes place June 12th to June 19th 2014 and will be unlike any other voyage for the lucky few who participate.

“It is always our goal to give guests new destinations to explore that they would otherwise be unable to reach,” says Cedar Swan, Adventure Canada’s Vice President. “Sable Island is now officially a national park, and we are so excited to provide an easy, yet exciting way for people to visit the new destination.”

Guests will embark from picturesque St. John’s, Newfoundland. Aboard Adventure Canada’s Sea Adventurer ship, dynamic leaders and informed speakers will inspire, teach and entertain voyagers. On the island, travellers will explore the national park, tour the Research and Rescue Station, observe the unique animal populations and meet some of the vastly outnumbered human inhabitants.

On the return journey, the Sea Adventurer will make port in the French territory of St. Pierre and Miquelon, whose population of 6,500 blends French, Basque, Breton and Normand ancestry.

Rates begin at $1,995 USD per person and include the complete itinerary, onboard meals, park and entry fees, access to Adventure Canada’s team of resource specialists, an educational program and pre-departure materials.

To book and for more information please go to Adventure Canada’s website,

www.adventurecanada.com/trip/sable-island-2014

or call 1.800.363.7566.

About Adventure Canada

Adventure Canada is a family-owned adventure travel company specializing in land-based and small ship cruise adventures into the world’s far-off places, including the Arctic, Antarctic and the Galapagos Islands.

Adventure Canada’s trips feature a wide-array of special guests including musicians, authors, biologists, historians and much more.

Crystal Cruises is offering more than 65 Crystal Adventures shore excursions in conjunction with the line’s five Canada and New England cruises beginning September 16. Options will include biking, kayaking, hiking and Zodiac excursions for active travelers; sightseeing options including helicopter and seaplane trips and environmentalist activities at national wildlife reserves and nature parks.

Sailing between Boston, New York and Montreal through November, the itineraries visit Bar Harbor, Maine; Newport, Rhode Island; Halifax and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; Baie-Comeau, Saguenay Havre-Saint-Pierre, Quebec City and Sept-Iles, Magdalen Islands, Quebec; and Saint-Pierre & Miquelon, France. All-inclusive cruise fares begin at $2,830 per person, if booked by June 28, 2013.

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic is offering a 14-night voyage that visits Haida Gwaii, an island chain so rich in biodiversity that it is known as the “Canadian Galapagos.”

The voyage, which begins in Seattle, also will explore Alaska and British Columbia.

Formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, Haida Gwaii is home to the world’s largest black bears and at least 39 subspecies of animals and plants found nowhere else in the world. National Geographic Sea Lion and National Geographic Sea Bird will be the first ships carrying more than 22 passengers to visit the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site in more than two decades.

The ships received special permission from the Gwaii Haanas Archipelago Management Board. Passengers will visit the ancestral Haida village of SGang Gwaay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, see a collection of ancient totem poles at the Haida Heritage Museum, and learn about the spiritual beliefs and respect for nature integral to Haida culture.

The voyages depart from Seattle on May 3, May 4, Sept. 6 and Sept. 7, 2014. A National Geographic photographer will accompany the September voyages. Rates begin at $9,990 per person, double occupancy.

Space, Flight and Oceans

Montreal’s new window on the Stars
Montreal is already a city of stars, but it will be possible to see those high above in a new light with the opening of a brand new planetarium which opened on April 6th. Situated in the middle of Canada’s largest natural science museum complex, Space for Life, the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium joins the Biodôme, Insectarium and Botanical Garden just east of downtown.

Two years in the making, the chic, contemporary design of the $48million eco friendly building – its two silver cones pointing skyward like telescopes – mirrors the high tech interior with its original approach to astronomy, blending science with art. Two leading edge venues include the Chaos Theatre where a journey into space is sound tracked by a Philip Glass symphony: the Milky Way Theatre production changes seasonally and is presented by an astronomer.

An interactive exhibition called EXO zeroes in on the search for life in the Universe through interactive terminals, videos and multimedia games. One section of the permanent exhibition focuses on meteorites with a real geology lab containing a vast collection of extra terrestrial rocks including the oldest piece of the solar system. There will also be changing multimedia shows that will offer experience like space flight simulators.

All of this is part of a people friendly space that even has an innovative rooftop garden open to visitors making it fun and easy to get state of the art insights into worlds beyond our own.
http://www.planetarium.montreal.qc.ca/ @EspacePourLaVie

Fly Over Canada in Vancouver

FlyOver Canada is a new major visitor attraction expected to open at Canada Place, Vancouver in May 2013. Guests will soar from coast to coast on a breath taking aerial journey viewing the grandeur of Canada through the latest virtual flight ride technology. Groups of up to 60 guests at a time will strap into their seats and will move above a large custom spherical screen for spectacular views of the country. They will move in concert to a film with the most stunning vistas of Canada all shown from the air. The immersive effect will be complete with the addition of wind, scents, mist and sound.

www.Flyovercanada.com @FlyOverCanada

Ripleys’ Aquarium of Canada to open this summer
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, next door to the iconic CN Tower, the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada -a $130 million facility now under construction – is a major family attraction set to open in summer 2013. The highly anticipated aquarium is expected to draw nearly 2 million visitors each year and will feature more than 13,500 exotic sea and freshwater creatures, a unique 96 metre long (315 foot) moving walkway through an acrylic tunnel deep below the 2.84 million litre Shark Lagoon, a tropical reef tank and a Marine and Freshwater Education Centre with dedicated classroom space
www.ripleyaquariums.com/canada @RipleysAquaCA

www.keepexploring.ca

Suggested Tweet: Canada’s newest attractions @RipleysAquaCA @FlyOverCanada @EspacePourLaVie

For more media information please contact Nim Singh, PR and Media Manager, Canadian Tourism Commission on 0207 389 9983 singh.nim@ctc-cct.ca @canadanim (not for publication)

Scotland’s Premier Holiday And Day Visit Destination Celebrates The Year Of Natural Scotland 2013 With New Product Offers
09 Apr 13
The Love Loch Lomond Destination organisation – www.lovelochlomond.com – is a consortium of over 140 tourism businesses from the Loch Lomond and the Clyde Sea Lochs. This beautiful area close to Glasgow offers the perfect location for visitors to experience the best of Natural Scotland. Love Loch Lomond is exhibiting at VisitScotland Expo at the SECC Glasgow on 17 and 18 April, 2013. VisitScotland expo is Scotland’s premier business to business travel trade event.

Find Love Loch Lomond at Stand H1.

New products for 2013 showcasing Love Loch Lomond’s natural attractions include:
Cruise Loch Lomond has launched two new Nature Cruises in partnership with the Royal Society for Protection of Birds and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The RSPB Nature Cruise sails every Tuesday from Tarbet Pier to Inversnaid RSPB Reserve on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond. Join the Reserve Manager aboard and then afterwards, a guided walk to learn about the wildlife and eco systems of the Reserve.

The National Park Nature Cruise departs every Wednesday from Luss to the National Nature Reserve on Inchcailloch. The National Park Ranger leads the cruise to this special island and is on board helping visitors watch out for special wildlife such as osprey. More information: www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk/new-for-2013/

Sweeney’s Cruises new Balloch to Inchmurrin Island to Balmaha ferry service now gives visitors the opportunity to visit the largest island on Loch Lomond. Inchmurrin has been inhabited since the 6th century and is the setting for ruins of Lennox Castle, once visited by King Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots. The island also has a small family run hotel serving pub lunches during the summer months. Visitors can then carry on the route to Balmaha on the west side of Loch Lomond with its walks, trails and bike routes. More information: www.sweeneyscruises.com/ferry_e.php

The Iconic A-listed Titan Crane in Clydebank, which helped build some of the most famous ships in the world, is now home to Scotland’s second permanent bungee jump. Adrenaline junkies plummet 164ft from the cantilever of the crane towards the River Clyde at 50mph whilst enjoying breathtaking views! www.titanclydebank.com

Photography Breaks are the latest special break offering at Knockderry House Hotel on Loch Long in conjunction with Paul Saunders Photography. The Introduction to DSLR Photography Course is a real hands-on training day, teaching guests how to get the most out of their camera and to improve their photography. Knockderry has excellent training facilities in a wonderful lochside setting, perfect for capturing the beauty of natural Scotland. www.knockderryhouse.co.uk

A brand new and detailed guide book on The Three Lochs Way, one of Scotland’s Great Trails is about to be published. The Way enables keen walkers to enjoy some of the most scenic of the Love Loch Lomond area. It goes from Balloch to Inveruglas on Loch Lomond. It is 55 kilometres (34 miles) long and can easily be walked in three to four days. One of the walk’s highlights is the beautiful Glen Loin Woodlands, Site of Special Scientific Interest and home to red squirrels. www.threelochsway.co.uk

Bike Hire developments for 2013 include well-known activity operator Can You Experience, who have been offering bike hire at Loch Lomond Shores in Balloch for the past 11 years, now working with partners in Luss, Rowardennan and Balmaha so that customers can pick up and drop off their bikes around Loch Lomond. More info from Natalie Miller @ www.canyouexperience.com

Visitors can also take bikes on board Sweeney’s and Cruise Loch Lomond sailings for a very nominal charge.

Cruise Loch Lomond are also about to start a new cycle hire operation from Tarbet Pier offering visitors the opportunity to combine outdoor family adventure with the Loch Lomond Waterbus Service to explore the area in a sustainable way. More information: www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk/new-cycle-hire/

Visitors to Glengoyne Distillery are now offered a delicious insight matching a world class single malt whisky and gourmet chocolate. Visitors can pair two whiskies (including their multi-award winning 21 year old) with four handmade chocolates from local chocolatier Nucoco, to create a delicious sensory experience. www.glengoyne.com/visiting-us/tours/13/whisky-and-chocolate-matching

The Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha has just launched the Balmaha Brewing Company, brewing a range of real ales and ciders using local ingredients and supporting green credentials. It has long been the dream of owner Sandy Fraser to offer visitors and walkers a truly locally brewed beer – with tasting notes as well. www.oak-tree-inn.co.uk

Love Accommodation – As one of Scotland’s longest-established visitor areas, accommodation ranges from traditional inns to modern luxury hotels & spas, lochside hideaways to elegant town-houses. There are also hostels and bunkhouses for the budget-conscious. And all of this is a short journey from the cities and airports of central Scotland. www.lovelochlomond.com  for more information.

The Great Canadian Travel Company is offering a new collection of tours called “A Touch of the Arctic,” which includes the opportunity to spend two, three or four nights in a traditional Inuit community in Canada and to explore the region and learn about its native people and their cultures

The programs are designed with maximum flexibility allowing participants to choose how they want to spend their time. Accommodation is through the Inns North properties, each owned by the local co-operative.

The communities that are accessible include:

 Kimmirut on the southern coast of Baffin Island, home to 400 people; Qikiqtarjuaq at the northern end of Auyuittuq National Park; Pond Inlet on Baffin Island; Repulse Bay on the Arctic Circle; and Pangnirtung, an old whaling village at the southern end of Auyuittuq National Park.

The programs are priced from $2,427 to $4,006, including roundtrip air from Ottawa or Winnipeg to the community; three nights’ accommodation (four or two nights in Repulse Bay); and all meals. The programs operate year round.

The Great Canadian Travel Company also offers a three-day, two-night trip to Iqaluit, the capital city of Nunavut (population 6,000) for only $1,499 per person, including accommodations and round trip air from Ottawa or Montreal.

Air Canada’s rebranded top tier frequent-flyer recognition program, Altitude, has taken effect. Designed to recognize and reward Air Canada’s most frequent flyers, Altitude offers members a range of travel privileges, rewards and additional status levels. Improved benefits include enhanced priority travel services such as a complimentary checked baggage allowance, higher upgrade priority for higher status members, exclusive partner offers, such new incentives as tier status gifts and a new website.

“We have renamed our top tier program Air Canada Altitude and redesigned it to better recognize and reward our most frequent flyers,” said Craig Landry, Air Canada’s vice president of marketing. “These changes are the most significant made to the program since we launched Air Canada Super Elite status over 15 years ago.” Altitude members continue to enjoy travel privileges with over 25 Star Alliance member airlines.

Canada continues to improve its rail system as VIA Railnears completion of an almost one billion dollar investment from the Canadian government to modernize key elements of the passenger rail network including: making service improvements, updating equipment and tracks as well as the information technology it uses to help make the customer’s experience more seamless.

A few notable improvements include: new Ottawa – Québec service and track upgrades on VIA’s Corridor route; an expanded network of intermodal partners, providing customers with better connections to urban transit systems, bus companies and airlines; upgrades in VIA’s cars including improved access for persons with disabilities.  Technological improvements will include new WiFi service and automated train status information with real-time information on train locations. E-ticketing and mobile reservations are now available, increasing business travelers’ on-the-road productivity

Passengers on VIA Rail Canada’s Quebec City-Windsor corridor trains can now stream live videos on their laptop, smart phone or tablet. The new on-board entertainment will be provided to passengers in addition to the free Wi-Fi that is already in place. In partnership with CBC/Radio-Canada and the National Film Board — a publicly-funded film producer and distributor — VIA Rail will also allow passengers to view Canadian TV shows and news broadcasts.

This wide selection of on-board shows, in French and English, includes free CBC programming, animated and documentary movies from the National Film Board of Canada and the Heritage Minute series of short films on Canadian History. VIA Rail has offered Wi-Fi on all of its trains for the past two years. With this new on-board entertainment, passengers can sample Canadian culture on and off VIA Rail and throughout the entire trip.

VIA Rail Canada’s largest passenger rail service, from now until April 28, is offering 25 percent discount on supersaver and discounted business fares on Saturday and Sunday. VIA Rail’s business benefits include exclusive lounge before boarding, priority boarding, more spacious and comfortable seats, three-course meal with wine and more.

Every week, VIA operates 503 intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking 450 communities across its 7,800-mile route network. Passengers must be booked by March 31 to secure one of these VIP seats. The seats can be booked by clicking on Via Rail Booking.

The Great Canadian Travel Company this summer will operate 10-night Greenland voyages from July 2 to Aug. 27.

Fares start at $3,785 per person, double occupancy, onboard the 249-passenger Sarfak Ittuk, Greenland’s primary intercommunity vessel.

The cruise starts with two nights in Reykjavik, Iceland, and three nights in Ilulissat, Greenland, which is north of the Arctic Circle in Disko Bay.

Then travelers board the Sarfaq Ittuk to sail to Aasiat, Manitsoq, Sisimiut and Nuuk, the capital. After a two-night stay in Nuuk, guests will fly to Reykjavik for another night’s stay before catching flights back to North America.

The “Classic Greenland Coastal Voyage” includes round-trip airfare between Iceland and Greenland, three nights’ accommodation with breakfast in both Reykjavik and Ilulissat, two nights’ accommodation with breakfast in Nuuk, arrival transfer and one local tour in Iceland, and accommodation on board the ship in a twin berth cabin. Airfare from North America to Iceland and meals other than breakfast daily are not included (the ship has a restaurant and lounge).