As a full-time travel writer for a full 15 years (okay, 14 years and eight months), I’ve been able to visit every province in Canada, as well as Yukon several times. There are so many great areas to highlight, and, with the low Canadian dollar, it’s a great time to stay close to home and enjoy a great Canadian holiday.
Since most of us are a little short on cash, and a little short on time, I thought I’d post a series of brief Canada travel items over the next few weeks, highlighting different parts of the country. I’ll start with Newfoundland and Labrador and highlight The Battery district of St. John’s. It just might be the best urban walk in the world.
THE BATTERY, ST. JOHN’S
Colourful, ramshackle wooden homes clutching the side of a steep, rocky cliff. One of the world’s most striking harbours. And fog rolling in off the Atlantic.
A walk along the path that winds its way through The Battery neighbourhood of St. John’s, Newfoundland is one of the best urban walks in the world; a treasure of sights and sounds mixed with the smell of fresh sea air and a stiff breeze off the ocean.
A walk through The Battery is a must on any visit to St. John’s. JIM BYERS PHOTO
One of the things I love the most about the walk is how casual it is, with hand-painted signs pointing the way and a real sense of “what’s around the next corner” adventure. Homes and front porches are often set up right against the pavement.
There are a few artist’s residences/galleries scattered along the way, giving you more time to linger. But given the beauty of the natural setting and the rainbow-coloured houses and the friendly locals (Newfoundlanders are so welcoming they make the Irish look mean) you’ll already be taking plenty of time along the way.
As you reach the end of the area with homes, you’ll find a wooden boardwalk that takes you along the harbour and up a steep trail with LOTS of stairs to Signal Hill, where you’ll find an old military fort that commands a wonderful position overlooking the city. On a clear day you can see for miles down the coast towards Cape Spear, the easternmost point of North America.
Take your time. And don’t be shy about engaging the locals. Chances are you’ll be invited in for coffee, or at least a long chat.
AIR CANADA SEAT SALE
Air Canada has a very nice seat sale going. They’re listing one-way fares from Toronto to Vancouver for as little as $123 and Vancouver-Halifax for $207.
WESTJET PILOTS DEAL DETAILS; AIR CANADA NEXT
Reuters says WestJet pilots will get a 24% pay hike over four years and improved benefits as part of the tentative deal the union recently approved.
Pilots have yet to vote on the proposed agreement, and it appears no ratification vote date has been set.
Delta Airlines pilots in the U.S. recently signed a four-year deal that provides a 34% pay hike; substantially more than WestJet pilots appear to be in line for.
Open Jaw reports that Air Canada pilots have used an escape clause provision in their contract to force the airline to begin negotiations this summer. They signed a 10-year deal in 2014, so the move moves contract negotiations up by a year.
