Canada
Ferry good choice
An affordable way of travelling the waterways of British Columbia is by hopping on a BC Ferry.
Travelling as many of the locals do gives you the opportunity to meet interesting people, hear local stories and find out quirky hideaways and events that are not always well published. Having the freedom to hop on and off at any location that takes your fancy is another definite benefit of travelling by local ferry.
The BC Ferries’ website enables you to plan and cost your journey and book fares before you head off. The added convenience of being able to take a car on-board makes travelling through British Columbia easy, comfortable and very convenient.
To plan your trip and check prices, visit BC Ferries.
No stopping you
After volunteering at a local disabled ski school, Tommy Chevette realised that modified equipment on offer soon left instructors with aching backs and muscles. He set to work and invented the sit-ski (ISOSIT), giving greater access to snow fun to those in wheelchairs. Based on the fit of a ski boot, the ISOSIT is adjustable and has a push-up cylinder that takes part of the skiers weight, making it easier to get in and out of, and thanks to its clever design, skiers can remain in it when riding chairlifts.
Another clever invention from the snow loving Canadian is the Sno-Limo, a single-person sled-chair with room for a driver, great for those less agile or not brave enough to tackle the slopes solo. Standing driectly behind his passenger, the driver guides the sled down the slopes on skis attached to the unit. As with the ISOSIT, you can also ride the chairlift whilst in the Sno-Limo.
The Sno-Limo is currently on offer at four British Columbia ski resorts: Grouse Mountain, Big White, Sun Peaks and Whistler.
For more information visit Sno-Limo.
Northern lights
“Northern lights, northern lights!”
It was 3:00am on a December morning and the young man who first saw them graciously and excitedly shared the news with those who were enjoying music and hot chocolate in the homey
log cabin.
With nary a word, parkas were grabbed, hats were pulled over ears and 23 guests streamed out the door. It was as if they were saving their enthusiasm for their first glimpse of the dancing curtains of lights that, to each of them until this very moment, had been just legend.
The guests gasped at the first sight and then squealed with glee. They had heard of such things, seen pictures even, but to stand beneath them and watch one of nature’s most glorious displays was more than they had ever hoped for.
Watching the northern lights is incredible….and something that should be on everybody’s “life list”.
Yukon enjoys exceptional viewing of the aurora borealis. You can gaze in awe from a hot tub, wilderness lodge, cabin, wall tent, around the campfire or while soaking in a natural hot spring. The aurora is visible from late August to early April. Visit in late August or early September and you’ll also witness the magic of a Yukon autumn.
For more information, an all there is to see and do in Yukon, visit Travel Yukon.
Free companion train travel
One of the most pleasant ways to enjoy the Canadian countryside and scenery is from the comfort of the train. VIA Rail are offering a free senior ticket for your travelling companion.
Simply purchase one ticket at the full senior rate in Comfort class and your travel partner travels free. This offer is available until 14 December.
Don’t worry if you’ve planned your trip for after then. VIA Rail also offer a 75% discount on a second train ticket when you purchase a full senior fare in Sleeper class, so there really is no reason not to relax and enjoy yourself.
For full terms and conditions and more details of the above offer, visit VIA Rail.
Classic Canadian rail for $631
Think Canada, and the famous Rocky Mountaineer rail journey comes to mind, a must do trip for all train buffs.
From the dramatic scenery to the untamed wildlife and multi-cultural cities, the Rocky Mountaineer presents travellers with the perfect way to see this amazing region of western Canada. A journey on the Rocky Mountaineer is considered by many to be the trip of a lifetime, experience it for yourself with Creative Holidays.
The best way to make the most of any Canadian holiday is to utilise the finest experiences on offer in each destination and as the two day Rocky Mountaineer all daylight rail journey follows the historic route through Canada’s West and the Canadian Rockies, taking in sceneries of snow-covered mountains, rugged canyons and sightings of wildlife.
Travel from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops on the Rocky Mountaineer rail service. You will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser River Valley to the desert-like environment of the interior.
Creative Holidays’ two days Rocky Mountains – Classic Rail Journey is priced from $631 per person, twin share (land only). On this tour enjoy the experience of staying the night in Kamloops where you will reboard the Rocky Mountaineer the following day and pass changing scenery from lush green fields, through forests and winding river canyons. Tour includes: Two-day Rocky Mountaineer Redleaf Service, one nights accommodation in Kamloops and breakfast and lunch daily. Tour departs Tuesdays, Thursday and Sundays for travel from 16 April until 31 October, 2009. Price based on travel from 16 April until 30 April, 2009. For all other travel dates, please ask for prices. Seasonal surcharges apply.
Creative Holidays’ is also giving you the opportunity to make your travel experience for luxurious by upgrading to Gold Leaf Service from an additional $676 per person, twin share (land only). This service includes: assigned seating in reclining dome level seats with extended leg room, most meals, one-nights accommodation, complimentary snacks and beverages, full galley with cooked to order gourmet breakfast and lunch luggage handling.
Creative Holidays great deals are available through travel agents. For more information on any Creative Holidays deals see creativeholidays.com.
Discover the Rockies
Think Canada, and dramatic scenery, untamed wildlife and multi-cultural cities come to mind. Canada really is a must-experience, once in a lifetime destination.
And if you haven’t been before, or even if you have, Creative Holidays has the perfect holiday for you.
Over seven nights Creative Holidays’ Rocky Mountains Skeena Discovery trip uncovers some of western Canada’s most famous regions including Vancouver, Victoria, Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Prince George, Jasper, Banff and Calgary.
The best way to make the most of any Canadian holiday is to utilise the finest experiences on offer in each destination and this trip does exactly that.
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour in Vancouver, see the scenic Ocean Drive and Oak Bay as well as the fascinating Butchart Gardens. From Vancouver the trip takes to the road where you can soak up the breathtaking panoramic views of the Gulf Islands and the Strait of Georgia, before spending the night in Port Hardy.
Of course, no trip would be complete without a cruise through Canada’s Inside Passage. From Port Harvey to Prince Rupert you will have time to enjoy the awe inspiring snow capped mountain and dramatic fjords, you may even catch a glimpse of some of the local inhabitants, including killer whales, sea lions and playful porpoise on this unforgettable cruise.
And then, the journey continues. There is no better way to see the areas between Prince Rupert and Jasper than by travelling through the rugged terrain on VIA Rail’s Skeena Service where you can relax onboard and just enjoy the dramatic scenery pass you by.
From there the trip heads to Calgary for a ride on the Athabasca Glacier, another unforgettable experience.
Creative Holidays’ seven-night Rocky Mountains Skeena Discovery tour is priced from $2908 (per person, twin share, land only) which includes seven nights’ hotel accommodation, most meals, sightseeing as per itinerary, transfers to Port Hardy, Prince Rupert and Prince George, B.C. Ferry Inside Passage cruise, VIA Rail “Skeena” Train between Prince Rupert and Jasper (Totem Deluxe Class), transfer between rail station and hotel in Jasper, and Banff Hotel to Calgary as well as a Ice Explorer ride on Athabasca Glacier.
For more information see www.creativeholidays.com.
C’est fantastique
Discover the French flavour of Quebec with fantastic packages with a cosmopolitan Canadian twist.
There is something romantic about the flair and vibrancy of the French culture and you can experience it on a trip to the largest French speaking city outside France, Quebec City.
Creative Holidays has fantastic packages designed to give travellers a real taste of cosmopolitan Quebec and magical Montreal, from the fine cuisine to the wonderful culture and historic treasures.
With all the must see sights included in the holiday and plenty of free time, Creative Holidays’ Flavour of Quebec is the perfect way to see the region.
Discover Montreal, the worlds second largest French speaking city, with a city excursion highlighting Old Montreal, Notre Dame Basilica, one of the masterpieces of religious architecture in North America, Olympic Park, Mount Royal Lookout from which the city all comes into view, McGill University, Montreal Harbour, St. Josephs Oratory, City Hall, Place Des Arts, a world class centre for the performing arts, and the residential and financial districts.
Then see another side of Montreal and the St. Lawrence River onboard a Parisian styled glass-roofed riverboat, Le Bateau Mouche, which takes travellers upstream against the Sainte Marie current. Cruise through century old locks, visit the Park de Eduses, cruise under Montréal’s bridges and around the islands of Expo 67 all the while enjoying the expert commentary and insight from the onboard guide.
Following a few wonderful days in Montreal the holiday heads to Canada’s oldest city, Quebec. To help acquaint yourself with the city the trip includes a sightseeing excursion to visit the Plains of Abraham, the site of the historic battle between French and British forces, Palace Royal, the National Assembly and Upper and Lower Quebec, before allowing plenty of free time explore and immerse yourself in the charming blend of ancient and modern architecture and elegant atmosphere of the city.
Creative Holidays’ five- night Flavour of Quebec package is priced from $1209 per person, twin share (land only) and includes five nights hotel accommodation including provincial taxes, visits to Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, VIA 1 rail service between Toronto and Montreal, including one meal, sightseeing excursions of Montreal and Quebec City, a Montreal Museum Pass, a Le Bateau Mouche river cruise (seasonal) and luggage handling at hotels.
To book see your local travel agent or for more information, visit www.creativeholidays.com
Great bear nature
Holidaying in Canada been on your mind? Do you want a holiday with culture and history as well as a whole lot of opportunities to get up close to the wonders of Mother Nature?
Creative holidays has the perfect Canadian holiday package for those who love nature, because on this trip you’ll be surrounded by the amazing wide-open spaces of Canada, and you’re sure to catch a glimpse of some of the regions natural inhabitants, from the grizzly bear to the bald eagle.
Creative Holidays’ The Great Bear Nature Tour offers world-class grizzly bear viewing excursions to Great Bear Rainforest, one of the best places in the world to observe grizzly bears, black bears, wolves and bald eagles.
Depending on the season, your experience may vary, but you can guarantee it will be amazing! In May and June this holiday takes you to the estuary to observe the grizzlies as they graze on grasses and sedges. During the summer season, the grizzlies move between the various habitats to optimise their feeding. See them gorging on berry patches, grazing on estuarine grasslands and scouting for the early salmon. In the fall watch as bears congregate by the river to take advantage of the return of tens of thousands of salmon. This is the stuff memories are made of.
Even when you’re resting your head after a day of animal spotting you can rest assured you won’t be far from the action staying at the The Great Bear Nature Lodge, a rich grizzly bear habitat. It is a charming two-storey eco-friendly floating lodge with five bedrooms, all with private bathrooms. Your hosts will prepare wilderness-gourmet meals during your stay, using the best local seafood and produce available.
Creative Holidays’ three night Great Bear package includes return flights from Vancouver to Great Bear Lodge near Port Hardy, return airport transfers, welcome orientation for wildlife viewing, two nights in a private room at Great Bear Lodge, one night at Port Hardy, wilderness-gourmet meals including wine with dinner, afternoon and morning bear viewing sessions, guided by a wildlife biologist, as well as guided hiking, boat cruises or kayaking.
The Great Bear Nature Tour is priced from $2464 per person, twin share (not including international airfares).
For more information about Creative Holidays visit www.creativeholidays.com
Destination Canada
Picture yourself in awe of soaring mountain tops, rendered speechless by brilliant turquoise lakes and mighty glaciers and excited by the dazzling array of native flora and fauna. Now make that vision a reality.
Visit Whistler, one of North America’s top resorts with Creative Holidays and you’ll discover a holiday destination like no other. Enjoy plenty of recreational options alongside some of the most spectacular natural wonders and breathtaking scenery in the world.
The best way to make the most of any Canadian holiday is to utilise the best experiences on offer in each destination – take a train ride from Vancouver to Whistler on the Whistler Mountaineer, passing rugged fjords and mountains. Spend time in Whistler absorbing the wonderful atmosphere before taking the spectacular Sea-to-Sky highway. The Sea-to-Sky highway will take you past Shannon Falls and offer you the chance to walk with a naturalist through old growth coastal rainforests – all of which will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Canada offers a myriad of experiences. Discover untamed wildlife and multi-cultural cities. Experience the indigenous and British traditions that give this region its complex three-dimensional character and explore the vast expanses and breathtaking scenery.
Every year Canada draws hoards of tourists to its shores and this year it’s your turn to breathe in the crisp air, enjoy the wide open spaces and uncover what it is about Canada which brings travellers back again, and again, and again.
Creative Holidays has carefully created a package for travellers who want to experience the magic of Whistler. This 2 night package includes accommodation and two great ways to travel to/from Whistler. Take a casual 3 hour train ride up from Vancouver to Whistler on Whistler Mountaineer, passing rugged fjords and mountains. Return to Vancouver along the spectacular Sea-to-Sky highway with stops along the way to see Shannon Falls and a walk with a naturalist through old growth coastal rain forest.
For full details on the trip see www.creativeholidays.com for more information.
Creative Holidays’ Canadian Rockies Highlights
Explore the vast expanses which boast some of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders and breathtaking scenery. Discover untamed wildlife and vibrant, multi-cultural cities. Experience the indigenous and British traditions that give Canada its complex three-dimensional character.
Travelling onboard the famous Rocky Mountaineer train across Canada is the best way to make the most of any Canadian holiday.
Travel from the stunning west coast city of Vancouver to Kamloops on the Rocky Mountaineer rail service. You will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser River Valley to the desert-like environment of the interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River.
Continuing eastwards to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta this ultimate train journey will take you across ranch-lands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through remarkable tunnels that form part of the rich rail history of the Canadian Rockies. See Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific railway was driven, enjoy the climb over Roger’s Pass, the Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels and the glaciers and snow capped peaks.
Top it all off with a spectacular 20 minute helicopter flight above six glaciers of Mount Resolute, Mount Cline and Whitegoat Peaks. You’ll view a 900 foot waterfall, spectacular aqua-green alpine lakes and cross over a 9000 foot mountain pass.
This trip will leave you with memories you will cherish forever.
Creative Holidays’ five-night Canadian Rockies Highlights is priced from $1748 per person (twin share, land only) and includes two-day Rocky Mountaineer Redleaf Service, two breakfasts, two lunches, five-nights accommodation, and exclusive Attractions Pass, a Glacier Helicopter tour, transportation and luggage handling and national park fees.
For more information see www.creativeholidays.com
Holiday in Canada
Has a holiday in Canada been on your mind? Do you want a holiday with culture, history, nature, wide-open spaces and cosmopolitan cities…a holiday with a bit of everything? Creative Holidays can help.
From the vast, glacier-filled sea, to the endless clear blue sky, Canada boasts unforgettable experiences for travellers. Ancient national parks and thousand-year-old pines sprawl across the monumental state, just waiting to be explored. Indigenous fauna present unexpected surprises to those who are watching, from a whale bursting from the deep water, to a brown bear and its cub walking through the forest or a bald eagle soaring magnificently through the air.
No, Canada is not a blander version of the USA. It is a wild northern frontier, which blends traditional culture with cosmopolitan, edgy cities and vast, open natural spaces boasting snow-capped mountains, still lakes, great plains and grasslands, as well as the famous Rocky Mountains.
This year Channel Nine’s Getaway named Canada its ‘Country of the Year’, in testament to this amazing and diverse part of the world. Uncover it for yourself with Creative Holidays’ six-night tour, ‘Sea to Sky Indulgence’, as seen on Getaway in September.
This trip will take you to Vancouver where you can choose which cultural site you’d like to visit – the Vancouver Aquarium, Stanley Park Carriage or the Vancouver Art Gallery. You will also enjoy a sunset dinner cruise, which will allow you to appreciate the beauty of this harbour city.
Other highlights include a Rocky Mountain rail journey; Ancient Cedar Walk or Ziptrek Ecotour; a float plane from Whistler to Vancouver and a Victoria City and the choice between a Butchart Gardens tour or whale watching cruise, ensuring you have a taste of all the key west Canadian experiences.
Creative Holidays’ six-day ‘Sea to Sky Indulgence’ tour is priced from $1541 per person, twin share, land only. It includes entry to a Vancouver site, sunset dinner cruise and Whistler Mountaineer Coast Classic train ride from Vancouver to Whistler, float plane from Whistler to Victoria, as well as sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary, coach transport and some meals.
Creative Holidays is Australia’s leading independent holiday company with a range of holidays to suit everyone – especially those who enjoy the independence and flexibility of planning their own holiday. Great deals on Creative Holidays packages are available through travel agents. For more information, click here
