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Sunwing Announces Canadian Summer Schedule; Ace Hotel Toronto Opens June 15

Sunwing is making it easier than ever for Canadians to reunite and explore their own backyard this summer with the return of their domestic summer program.

Now in its 17th year, the program offers something for everyone to enjoy, from bustling city streets to majestic mountains, sprawling prairies and picturesque lakes. Flights begin in May and will run weekly until the beginning of September to some of the most sought-after destinations from coast to coast. As an added travel incentive, the tour operator is offering customers savings of up to $200 per couple on domestic flights.

“We’re thrilled that our domestic program is making its return this summer,” said Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations at Sunwing. “Our program is well loved by customers who enjoy exploring Canada’s diverse landscapes, and will be of particular interest this year to those looking to reconnect with family and loved ones after extended periods apart. We’re excited to be helping even more customers explore Canada under our wing.”

Canadians interested in reuniting in cosmopolitan centres will enjoy convenient daily flights between Toronto and Vancouver starting in May. As one of the most multicultural cities in the world, Toronto offers visitors international cuisine, cultural experiences and quick access to the scenic trails along the lakeshore. Meanwhile, Vancouver combines the best of city living and outdoor adventure, where visitors can soak up the vibrant downtown culture while taking in the city’s mountain views and coastal landscape.

Toronto residents looking to visit close friends and family on the East Coast can fly to the scenic Newfoundland destinations of St. John’s, Gander and Stephenville beginning in June. Visitors will enjoy the rich history, charming hospitality, great seafood and picturesque landscapes that the East Coast is known for, while making new memories to last a lifetime.

Plus, Newfoundland residents can take advantage of regular flights to Toronto to catch up with loved ones over the summer months at the city’s numerous restaurants and patios, with a trip north of the city to Muskoka, or a drive to the world-famous Niagara Falls.

TRENDY ACE HOTEL TORONTO OPENS JUNE 15: NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS
 

The Ace Hotel Toronto. Photo courtesy Ace Hotel

 
Canada’s first Ace Hotel is slated to open in the Garment District of Toronto on June 15.
 
Designed by Shim-Sutcliffe Architects and Atelier Ace’s interior design team, the 123-room hotel is a block west of Spadina Avenue and a block north of Adelaide Street, close to the Entertainment District and Queen West, and is surrounded by great shopping and restaurants. It also overlooks St. Andrews Playground. adjacent to Queen West, Chinatown, and the Downtown business core.
 
The hotel will feature a signature restaurant, Alder, and a yet-to-be-named rooftop bar and lounge debuting later this summer, according to Canadian Architect.
“We’ve long admired Toronto, a free-thinking city and international cultural capital, and we are thrilled to open our first Canadian home here. Ace Toronto is housed in a brand-new building inspired, both in design and ethos, by the electricity and independence of this remarkable place. Along with our brilliant collaborators, including Shim-Sutcliffe and Chef Patrick Kriss, we have created a site that reflects the city’s legacy as a global meeting ground and aims to actively share in its future. We look forward to opening our doors and welcoming everyone — locals and visitors alike,” says Brad Wilson, CEO, Ace Hotel Group.
 
GREAT NEW HOTELS FROM ACCOR
 

The OWO London Hotel Grand Staircase. Photo courtesy Accor Hotels.

 
Accor is pleased to reveal some of its newest properties and upcoming destinations that guests and world travelers can look forward to visiting in 2022 and beyond. Many of the world’s most exciting destinations – such as London, Boston, Doha, and Moscow – will welcome multiple new Accor hotels this year, while several Accor brands have sought out exotic, unexpected or new horizons to explore, such as Pangkalan Bun in Indonesia; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Casco Viejo in Panama City.
 
“Accor is a strong believer in the power of diversity – in our workforce, our client base
and our brands,” said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO, Accor. “We continuously
introduce fresh concepts and exciting new places to discover. With more than 300 new
hotels and resorts opening their doors in 2022, we are certain that each member of our vast community of loyal guests around the world will find somewhere unique to inspire their next journey.”
 
In North & Central America, Accor has experienced a record-breaking year of growth,
closing the 2021 year with 11 newly signed developments, primarily luxury and lifestyle
properties, across the region. Most noteworthy deals for the region include two new
developments for the globally renowned luxury Fairmont brand, including the 550-room Fairmont Orlando, opening in 2025; the MGallery Hotel Collection’s official debut into Canada and Mexico, with the conversion of Hotel Belmont Vancouver – MGallery Hotel Collection in late 2021, and a new build, Mayaliah Tulum Hotel & Residences – MGallery Hotel Collection, opening in 2024; and two new soon-to-be-announced Novotel developments in Mexico, both slated for 2023.
 
Accor continues to bolster its position as the second largest Luxury operator in North
America, and in 2021, it celebrated several outstanding additions to its regional portfolio – including the highly-anticipated unveiling of the reimagined LA icon, Fairmont Century Plaza; the global debut of one of new international design concepts for the Novotel brand, with the opening of Novotel Mexico City Toreo; and the reopening of the Berkeley Park Hotel in Miami, following a top-to-bottom $18 million renovation,as the newest member of the MGallery Hotel Collection.
 
EMERALD CRUISES 2023 EUROPE COLLECTION
 

The views are wonderful from the top of the Grossmunster Cathedral in Zurich. JIM BYERS PHOTO

Emerald Cruises has unveiled its 2023 Europe river cruise collection, which includes a new, 11-day “Grand Danube” river cruise sailing from Passau to Belgrade. Guests sailing in 2023 will also be able to enjoy new city-stay extensions in Copenhagen, Munich (including during Oktoberfest), and Seville, as well as a three-night exploration of Zermatt and Zurich that includes a journey on the Glacier Express train from Zermatt to Chur.

 
Guests booking 2023 European river cruises qualify for airfare and suite upgrade savings, and early payment discounts. Booking on itineraries of 15 days or more will include free, round trip airfare to Europe; booking of eight to 15-day sailings (excluding those on the Douro River) will include $295 round trip air per person; all Douro river cruises in Portugal will include $395 round trip air per person, and bookings of five-day sailings will include $495 round trip air per person. Guests will also save $250 per person on a suite upgrade on 15-day sailings, while those booking shorter sailings will receive $150 per person off their upgrade. Finally, all guests paying for their sailing in full twelve months in advance of departure will receive an additional Super Earlybird savings of 10% off per couple. This offer is good through March 31, 2022.New additions to the 2023 program include:

11-Day The Great Danube river cruise

Travellers can discover the culture at the heart of iconic European capitals and small towns with excursions to up to seven UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites included on the new 11-Day The Grand Danube Itinerary. Sailing from Passau to Belgrade, this new itinerary offers a delight for the senses, with hikes and bike rides offset by wine tastings that celebrate centuries of tradition and various cultures along the Danube. Highlights include a vineyard hike with tasting in Weissenkirchen, a guided bike tour in the Wachau Valley and a visit to Serbia’s second city, Novi Sad, for a panoramic ride and wine tasting at Sremski Karlovci. Prices for the 11-day river cruise start from $6,445 per person.

 
More city stay extensions

For those wishing to extend their journey and immerse themselves in the culture of a new city, Emerald Cruises offers city stay extensions as well as a range of more inclusive touring options. New additions to the city stay extension program for 2023 include Copenhagen, Munich and Oktoberfest, and Seville. Alternatively, a truly unforgettable journey through the central Swiss Alps with the new three-day Swiss Glacier Express program is available for guests sailing on Emerald Cruises’ Jewels of the Rhine itinerary.

New ports of call on best-selling eight-day Danube Delights river cruise

Journey from Regensburg to Budapest on this insightful itinerary which crosses into four countries, offering a unique perspective into their past and present simultaneously. New to 2023, explore the untapped beauty of quaint market town Engelhartszell with a visit to its magnificent monastery and church, before discovering the charm of the historic city of Krems – renowned for its excellence in wine production. Prices for the eight-day river cruise start from $4,245 per person.