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.

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 guarantee applies to any destination Air Canada serves for tickets bought in Canada on aircanada.com.

“Air Canada’s new Lowest Price Guarantee means customers can be certain they will always get the best price for their Air Canada flight at aircanada.com,” said Ben Smith, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Air Canada.

“With the proliferation of travel websites the market can be confusing, so to make it easy for customers and give them confidence they are getting the lowest price available online we are expanding our existing North American fare guarantee to cover our entire global network.”

The Lowest Price Guarantee is available to all consumers and travel agencies purchasing tickets in Canada for Canadian originating flights on Air Canada, Air Canada rouge or Air Canada Express flights operated by Sky Regional or Jazz Aviation LP through Air Canada’s website.

The new cabins will be introduced on Air Canada’s Montreal-Paris flights from July 11.

Other routes offering Premium Economy will be added over time as five new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft join the airline’s fleet.

Two 777s will be delivered in June and August and Air Canada has just announced that it will add three new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in November and December and February 2014.

Premium economy cabins will have 24 larger and wider leather seats with more recline and seven more inches of legroom (38) than economy.

Customers will also be offered premium meals with complimentary bar service, priority check-in and baggage delivery at the airport.

Some of the highlights of this three hour, fully-narrated tour are a stop at Notre Dame Basilica (entrance not included), residential and financial districts, historic Old Montreal, an outside view of the Olympic Complex, the campus of McGill University and the panoramic view from an observation point on top of Mont Royal.

The tour can be considered a complete tour of the city, as it will bring passengers by more than 200 points of interest. An optional spa session may be booked in conjunction with your package. Rates for this package start at $201.

This Valentine’s Day a special package includes a VIA train trip, a two-night stay at the Delta Centre-Ville, a city tour of Montreal, a bottle of Rio de Plata Etchart Chardonnay and six chocolate strawberries.

Some highlights of this fully-narrated tour are a stop at Notre-Dame Basilica (entrance not included), residential and financial districts, historic Old Montreal, an outside view of the Olympic Complex, the campus of McGill University and the panoramic view from an observation point on top of Mont Royal.

Rates for this package start at $263.

Another Valentine’s Day option includes a VIA train trip, a two-night stay at the Fairmont hotel, Codorniu sparkling wine and chocolate strawberries for two. A small plate of 10 chocolate strawberries and a bottle of Codorniu sparkling wine will be delivered to the hotel room to celebrate a Valentine’s Day getaway. Rates for this package start at $326.

The Niagara Falls Wine Lovers and Gourmet Lunch includes roundtrip transportation by rail, two nights in a hotel, gourmet lunch and winery tour. The tour will start with a private tasting of award-winning wines at one of the many small wineries set along the scenic Niagara Escarpment. A drive along country roads will take travelers to Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery where they will see some of the most spectacular views in the area and have a fully guided tour of the winery followed by tasting of premium wines.

Travelers get a three-course gourmet lunch accompanied by wine pairings in the Peninsula Ridge Winery Restaurant set in a Victorian manor. After lunch, travelers will visit more of the local award-winning wineries for private tasting of award winning wines. Rates for this package start at $269.

But not every traveller has time for a transcontinental odyssey. These day trips allow you to experience the romance of the Canadian rails, soak up some great scenery and maybe even get back in time for dinner.

Sea to Sky Climb, British Columbia

Running from Vancouver to Whistler, this luxury trip aboard the Rocky Mountaineer takes passengers along island-studded Howe Sound before climbing into the snow-capped Coast Mountains.

Opt for seats in the domed car for panoramic views of waterfalls, canyons and turquoise rivers – a true glimpse of the wilds of Western Canada. Runs: mid May to late September. Duration: 3.5 hours, one-way.

Yukon Adventure

Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, the narrow-gauge White Pass and Yukon Route is an engineering marvel through the mountains of Canada’s far north.

The 109-km (67.5-mile) rail adventure takes passengers from sea level in Skagway, Alaska, high up to the 879-metre (2,885-foot) White Pass Summit, then down to a restored 1903 station and on into Carcross, Yukon. Expect glaciers, waterfalls, cliff-hugging turns and unforgettable mountain scenery. Runs: late May to late August. Duration: six hours, one-way.

Agawa Canyon Tour Train, Northern Ontario

This 183-km (114-mile) excursion transports passengers north of historic Sault Ste. Marie, originally settled by French missionaries and fur traders, and into the forests of the Canadian Shield – a dramatic landscape of lakes, rivers and granite rock formations. The highlight is the dizzying 153-metre (500-foot) plunge to the floor of Agawa Canyon, where travellers disembark to explore waterfalls and scenic overlooks. This trip is particularly popular in autumn to see the fall colours. Runs: late June to mid October. Duration: 10 hours, round-trip.

Polar Bear Express, Northern Ontario
This passenger train serves as a vital artery between the communities of Cochrane, Moose Factory and Moosonee in remote northern Ontario. For travellers, the 299-km (186-mile) route offers stark scenery, a fascinating glimpse into local First Nations culture and an experience well off the beaten path. Keep in mind that creature comforts aboard are limited and actual polar bear sightings are rare. Runs: year-round. Duration: 5.5 hours, one-way.

Le Train du Massif de Charlevoix, Québec
Traversing cliffs, fjords and bays along the St. Lawrence River, this 140-km (87-mile) journey takes passengers from Québec City to the 200-year-old resort town of La Malbaie in the historic Charlevoix region. Multi-course gourmet meals highlight local fare as colonial river settlements, towering waterfalls and teeming wildlife reserves slide by outside. Runs: January to mid October. Duration: 12 hours.

There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who love camping and those who don’t. If camping is not your thing, you can still bond with the great outdoors, enjoy its sights and sounds, and still be comfy and cozy. Wilderness accommodations combine the best of nature and nurture.

Flight of fancy

Bald eagles might be synonymous with the United States, but if you want to see the world’s greatest number on record, you’ll have to come to Brackendale, British Columbia.

From mid-November to February, Sunwolf offers a Where the Eagles Soar package, an eagle viewing float trip to get the best views of the eagles via the river and a stay in a cute-as-a-button waterside cabin.

The dish on fish

On the northwestern peninsula of Newfoundland, Tuckamore Lodge serves as a hub for adventurous travellers.

The surroundings are rugged and pristinely beautiful with rivers teeming with Atlantic salmon and Arctic char. When the snow flies, the Vakkar Viking Journey traces the path of the Vikings to L’Anse aux Meadows via snowmobile.

Chase away chills back at the lodge with homemade chowder and a Scandinavian-style sauna.

Bear necessities

Canada’s North has never looked more beautiful, looking out from Seal River Heritage Lodge in Manitoba. Located near the Seal River estuary, it becomes a central point for polar bear activity each fall and winter.

The Polar Bear Photo Safari package, offered by Churchill Wild, puts photographers up close and personal with their furry subjects. Boast about your perfect shot later on by a roaring fire or in the on-site library.

Surf’s up!

Winter heats up with action in Haida Gwaii in northern BC. Access it at Hidden Island Resort in Masset. The town draws surfers from October to May, who come for the pristine waves, specifically around Graham Island.

Get your gear (including a well-insulated wet suit) at the North Beach Surf Shop. Or stay in to watch the legendary winter storms roll in from the comfort of ocean-view accommodations.

Remote control

If you don’t mind having no fixed address for a while, sign up for Holman High Arctic Dogsledding Expedition in the Northwest Territories from Uncommon Journeys. As you travel across frozen sea ice and snowy hills by dog sled, your accommodations (winterized tents) go with you.

Camping here isn’t roughing it at all. Tents have propane heaters and toasty sleeping bags, plus the food is gourmet-calibre (such as beef stroganoff and prawn linguini). Remoteness is rewarded with sightings of muskox, Arctic foxes, seal and the northern lights.

Follow us on Twitter @ctccct / Suggested Tweet: Luxury lodges combine comfort and adventure @SunwolfBC @ChurchillWild @hgtourism

The air link, which will run three times a week, is the first between the two cities since 2009 and will start in July 2013, initially flying for the summer season.

Other routes for its inaugural 2013 season include a new service to Venice as well as Air Canada’s existing flights from Toronto and Montreal to Athens and those to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Costa Rica.

Scottish minister for Transport and Veterans, Keith Brown, said: “This is great news for Edinburgh and Scotland. Canada is an important market for Scotland and the Edinburgh service will complement existing Canadian services out of Glasgow.

“The Scottish Government will continue to work with Scotland’s airports to improve Scotland’s overall connectivity and for a speedy devolution of APD for the benefit of all concerned.”

Special introductory fares are now available for purchase until December 25, 2012, subject to availability, at aircanada.com for travel on Air Canada rouge between July and October 26, 2013.

Air Canada rouge will initially lease two Boeing 767-300ER aircraft for transatlantic flights and two Airbus A319 aircraft for North American flights from Air Canada’s existing fleet.

The airline hopes to grow this to 50 planes in the next three to five years.

Air Canada claims 200 new jobs will be created for flight attendants and pilots at Air Canada rouge, in addition to 900 employees hired by the airline as part of its 2012-2013 recruitment program.

Cost savings for the low cost airline are reported to come from lower wages, different work rules and a higher density of seating on board.

Air Canada has said before it needs a low cost airline to increase its market share against airlines such as Transat, Sunwing and WestJet, see previous story.

The airline’s name was announced following a contest launched on Facebook inviting customers, employees and travel industry professionals for their input.

The new airline brand was launched following a contest on Facebook inviting customers, employees and travel industry professionals for their input. Details about the contest and prize winners are posted on www.facebook.com/aircanada.

“With the introduction today of Air Canada rouge, Air Canada enters today’s growing leisure travel market on a truly competitive basis,” said Ben Smith, Air Canada’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, at a news conference in Toronto. “In partnership with Air Canada Vacations, part of our new leisure group, Air Canada rouge will leverage the strengths of Air Canada’s extensive network, operational expertise and frequent flyer reward program in order to offer Canadians great value for their vacation travel.”

Michael Friisdahl, president and CEO of Air Canada’s Leisure Group, said that with leisure time at a premium, Air Canada rouge will combine affordable fares, great service and choice leisure destinations with those benefits offered by Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations that are valued most by vacation travellers. “We look forward to giving them a warm welcome onboard Air Canada rouge, Canada’s affordably stylish leisure airline,” he said.

Special introductory Air Canada rouge fares now on sale to: Venice, Edinburgh, Athens, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Costa Rica.

For its inaugural 2013 season, Air Canada rouge will introduce new routes not currently operated by Air Canada to Venice, Italy and Edinburgh, Scotland.

In addition, Air Canada seasonal services from Toronto and Montreal to Athens, Greece, will be flown by Air Canada rouge.

Similarly, existing Air Canada flights operated in cooperation with Air Canada Vacations to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Costa Rica will be operated by Air Canada rouge effective July 2013.

To celebrate the launch of Air Canada’s new leisure airline, special introductory fares are now available for purchase until Dec. 25, 2012, subject to availability, at Air Canada’s website and through travel agents, for travel on Air Canada rouge between July and October 26, 2013. Air Canada Vacations is also offering introductory specials for bookings made by Dec. 25, 2012 on air-inclusive vacation packages to select Caribbean and European destinations.

Air Canada rouge flights to all destinations to be served in the carrier’s inaugural 2013 summer schedule will depart Air Canada’s main hub at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport offering customers seamless connections with Air Canada, Air Canada Express and its Star Alliance partner flights.

The new airline brand will also operate non-stop flights to Athens from Montreal’s Trudeau Airport, in addition to its Toronto-Athens flights. Air Canada rouge customers benefit from attractively priced through-fares from any point within Air Canada’s extensive network on a single ticket as well as baggage checked through to final destination and Aeroplan mileage accumulation and redemption.

The Air Canada rouge fleet will initially include two Boeing 767-300ER aircraft to operate trans-Atlantic flights in a two-cabin configuration offering a selection of rouge

Plus seats with additional legroom and Premium rouge seats featuring additional seating comfort, space and enhanced meal and beverage service. It also will feature two Airbus A319 aircraft to operate North American flights in an all-economy configuration offering a selection of rouge Plus seats with additional legroom.

These four aircraft will be released from Air Canada’s existing fleet to Air Canada rouge as the mainline carrier takes delivery of two new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in 2013, as announced October 1, 2012.

Air Canada rouge will expand to other holiday destinations as Air Canada starts to take delivery of new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in 2014, thereby freeing up aircraft for deployment in the Air Canada rouge fleet. As this occurs, and subject to commercial demand, Air Canada rouge may operate up to 20 Boeing 767-300ER aircraft and 30 Airbus A319 aircraft, for a total of 50 aircraft, to pursue opportunities in markets made viable by Air Canada rouge’s lower operating cost structure. Flights operated by Air Canada rouge are subject to receiving all required regulatory approvals.

Two hundred new jobs will be created for flight attendants and pilots at Air Canada rouge, in addition to Air Canada hiring 900 employees to meet its own planned workforce requirements as part of its 2012-2013 recruitment program announced Sept. 20, 2012.

The company offers packages in each of the 19 Porter Airlines destinations and includes flights and accommodation, with additional a la carte offerings available in some markets, like a New York CityPass, providing access to landmark attractions.

New Yorkpackages come with a concierge service, allowing clients to book theater tickets, sporting events or dinner reservations through a dedicated phone number during the course of their stay.

Custom ski options are available in Mont Tremblant, the Charlevoix region adjacent to Québec City and throughout the state of Vermont.

The first Porter Escapes departures will be available on Jan. 14, and packages available through travel agents in early 2013.

Porter Escapes are available in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Halifax, St. John’s, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Windsor, New York (Newark), Chicago (Midway), Boston, Washington (Dulles) and seasonally Mt. Tremblant, Que.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and Burlington, Vt.