Today’s travel news roundup looks at Canada’s first Club Med resort in Charlevoix, Quebec. We also have news on Flair Airlines expanding into western Newfoundland and news about Porter’s plans to add service to eight U.S. cities, including Nashville.
CLUB MED CHARLEVOIX NOW OPEN
Club Med Charlevoix exterior. Photo Courtesy Club Med.
Club Med has officially opened the doors to its first Canadian four-season mountain resort, Club Med Québec Charlevoix. As of today, guests can stay in one of the 302 rooms including an Exclusive Collection (5 star) space with 25 suites. With stunning waterfront panoramas and sweeping views of the scenic St. Lawrence River, this 4-trident (4 star) property accommodates families, couples, singles, friends, and meeting & events groups with packages, amenities and activities that cater to every need and desire.
Canada’s first all-inclusive resort
Located only 90 minutes from Québec City in the beautiful Le Massif de Charlevoix region, the all-inclusive destination is spread across 300+ acres of land and features a full roster of experiences to match the skill and interest of any traveller, including all-day gourmet dining and open bar options with local and international specialties, as well as après- ski activities and entertainment.
Along with the remarkable views, guests can enjoy the resort’s array of all-inclusive dining options that celebrate both Canadian and French cuisine classics. With an emphasis on farm to table dining, most food will be sourced locally within Canada.
Home to a wide range of activities all year-round, visitors can enjoy the convenience of ski-in/ski-out slope access with included ski and snowboard passes and classes. Non-skiers will have plenty to do with activities including Nordic walking, snowshoeing, ice-skating, broomball plus a variety of la carte excursions. During the warmer months guests can discover the vast outdoors with a selection of all-inclusive themed guided hikes and with Club Med’s mountain biking school.
Guests can take advantage of the full roster of other activities included all-year round in their stay including workout classes, cardio, spinning and weight room access, yoga and meditation and the quintessential Club Med circus school.
With many wellness offerings designed to help sightseers disconnect, the property has a full-service spa, 23m long heated pool, outdoor jacuzzi, hammam and more.
FLAIR EXPANDS TO DEER LAKE NEWFOUNDLAND
The boat ride up Western Brook Pond in Gros Morne National Park is one of my top things to do in Canada. – JIM BYERS PHOTO
Flair Airlines, Canada’s low-fare airline, expands into Newfoundland with service to Deer Lake Regional Airport from Region of Waterloo International Airport beginning in June 2022. Flair is the first Ultra Low-Cost Carrier (ULCC) to serve Deer Lake, which is in western Newfoundland and is a wonderful gateway to Gros Morne National Park, Rocky Harbour and other great spots.
“We’re excited to connect the Waterloo Region with Western Newfoundland as our first point of service to the province. Deer Lake is ideal for exploring Newfoundland and is the gateway to the majestic Gros Morne National Park,” said Stephen Jones, President and CEO, Flair Airlines. “Flair’s goal is to make the unaffordable affordable and our $49 fares to Deer Lake do just that.”
PORTER: PRECLEARANCE AT BILLY BISHOP MEANS MORE US FLIGHTS
Nashville, Tennessee. Mana5280/Unsplash photo
The Toronto Star has a good item today about how opening a U.S. Customs preclearance facility at YTZ Billy Bishop/Toronto City Airport in 2023 will help boost Porter Airlines’ US offerings. The story from reporter Jacob Lorinc says it will help boost passenger traffic by 40% and allow flights to new destinations, including New York LaGuardia Airport.
A top executive at the airport told Toronto City Council that the customs facility could be ready I 18 to 24 months.
Lorinc’s story said Porter could expand its island airport operations to include flights to Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Detroit and Raleigh, North Carolina. That’s in addition to Porter’s planned jet expansion at Toronto Pearson, which could start next year and is reported to include flights to Vancouver and the Caribbean.
TORONTO-ST. VINCENT FLIGHTS BEGINNING AGAIN
Saltwhistle Bay is a classic Caribbean beach on the island of Mayreau, part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. – JIM BYERS PHOTO
As the winter season kicks off, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is looking forward to welcoming back Canadian visitors, made that much easier starting next week (Dec. 6) with the resumption of non-stop flight service between Toronto and St. Vincent with Air Canada.
I’ve visited the main island of St. Vincent once, and the island of Bequia twice. I’ve also toured the tiny island of Mayreau on a cruise. They’re all wonderful, and relatively undiscovered.
“We are very excited to welcome back our Canadian friends after such an extended absence and are delighted with the return of Air Canada’s non-stop service from Toronto to St. Vincent,” said Glen Beache, CEO of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA). “Air Canada was the first North American carrier to operate flights here and they will once again be instrumental in increasing visitation.”
Operating non-stop, weekly service, flights will depart on Mondays on board Air Canada’s mainline 737Max.
In other exciting news, SVGTA recently relaunched it website – DiscoverSVG.com – which now features a completely revamped and remodeled look, feel, and functionality designed to enhance the user experience while also packed with information and inspiration for those planning on, or thinking of, visiting the islands.
