I’ve often been an advocate for travelling to popular places in shoulder season. Europe, in particular, is jammed with visitors in summer. But it can be just as delightful in April or May, or in October or even November.
Places like the Algarve in southern Portugal and Sicily in southern Italy are delightful most of the time in winter, and Spain’s Canary Islands usually sport January temperatures in the low 20s, which makes it a great destination all year long.
The Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, Spain. Jim Byers Photo
I received an email this week about Spanish tourism, and it said nearly half of Spain’s tourism activity (47%) now takes place beyond the peak season. That’s truly remarkable, and quite smart, as travelling at non-peak times usually means cheaper hotel rates and cheaper flights.
AIR CANADA WINTER ESCAPES: CANADIANS LOVE SOUTH AMERICA AND HAWAII
As Canadians begin planning their fall and winter getaways, Air Canada is making it easier to turn a destination idea into a booked vacation – whether they are returning to a familiar favourite or discovering somewhere new.
New research from Ipsos offers insight into what Canadian fall and winter travellers want from their next escape. Of those surveyed, nearly three-quarters (72%) say relaxing and recharging are important when choosing a destination, while 55% say there are many winter destinations they have yet to explore. Nearly one in four typically return to the same destination or rotate among a small number of preferred getaways. For 36% of those surveyed, the appeal of trying somewhere new is the possibility of finding a new favourite.
“Canadians love their favourite winter escapes, but our research shows many are curious about destinations beyond the familiar,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo at Air Canada. “Our expanded winter network is designed to offer our customers more choice, more non-stop options and more opportunities to discover somewhere new, while continuing to serve the destinations Canadians return to year after year – with the confidence that comes from travelling with Air Canada.”
The Keanae Peninsula on Maui. PHOTO COURTESY HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY
A Winter Break Should Feel Easy to Take
Choosing a winter destination can be about more than finding sun. Safety, healthcare quality and political stability are among the considerations Canadian travellers weigh when deciding where to go, along with financial risk and weather. With more non-stop service, more destination choice and Air Canada Vacations packages, Air Canada makes the journey and the planning straightforward.
Where Travellers Want to Go
More than one-third (37%) surveyed say destinations in Central and South America, including Colombia and Peru, feel unfamiliar, but are places they would still like to visit. Similarly, from the survey, 33% say the same of long-haul Asia-Pacific destinations. Our research suggests Canadians are interested but may be more hesitant when destinations feel unfamiliar. Air Canada’s expanding network helps bridge that gap by making new winter destinations easier to reach, plan and book.
The same appetite is visible in the destinations Canadians are already considering: in the survey Hawaii tops the list of future winter escapes at 49%, followed by Costa Rica at 47% and Australia at 41%.
(If you’re someone who wants to explore Hawaii and go off the proverbial beaten track, I’d suggest a visit to Molokai. You pretty much have to fly to get there, but there are flights from both Oahu and Maui. If you want a luxury hotel and all the amenities, it’s not the place for you. If you need fancy grocery stores and boutiques, it’s not the place for you. But if you, like me, enjoy quiet, authentic places with lots to see and do, Molokai is a fine option. There’s only one hotel, Hotel Molokai, which doesn’t have a beach but has a nice pool and a very good restaurant on the water. There are also some condos, including the Wavecrest condos on the pretty east end of the island. I’ve stayed there twice and loved it. I’ve stayed at Hotel Molokai two or three times and always enjoy it there, as well. Here’s a link to my latest Molokai story.)
A beach on Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Jim Byers Photo
I don’t know Costa Rica, but I have explored a good deal of Australia. I’ve been to Western Australia twice in the past five years, and I think it’s one of the best parts of the country, with city life (Perth is vastly underrated), outback scenery (Kalbarri National Park is awesome, and only seven hours drive from Perth), amazing wildlife (check out the quokkas, a wonderful little marsupial that can be found on Rottnest Island, a short ferry ride from Perth), fabulous beaches, and some of the world’s best wine in the Margaret River region, which also has tremendous beaches and is only a few hours drive from Perth. Here’s a link to my latest roundup on things to see and do in Australia.
Air Canada’s new routes give travellers different ways to discover somewhere new. Explore the volcanic landscapes of Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands, discover the beaches and reefs of Roatán, take in the culture and history of Santo Domingo, savour the cuisine and cultural richness of Mérida, or experience Mazatlán’s Pacific coast. These destinations offer more than a new route – they offer different ways to make a new favourite winter escape.
CUNARD UNVEILS NEW PROGRAM FOR 2028-29
The Queen Mary 2 in New York Harbor. CUNARD PHOTO
Queen Elizabeth World Voyage
HOLLAND AMERICA’S ALASKA HERITAGE TOURS COMING NEXT YEAR
As Holland America Line prepares to celebrate 80 years of exploring Alaska in 2027, the cruise line is unveiling Alaska Heritage Tours, a collection of iconic experiences that connect today’s guests with the earliest days of Holland America in the Great Land. Select tours trace their roots back 80 years, giving guests the opportunity to experience many of the same places and traditions travelers did generations ago. While the experiences have been thoughtfully modernized over the decades to reflect evolving guest interests and expectations, they remain true to their heritage, offering an authentic connection to Alaska’s history, culture and communities.
Available on select cruises and Cruisetours, Alaska Heritage Tours highlights some of the experiences that have become enduring favorites among Holland America Line guests. From the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, which traces a route first forged during the Klondike Gold Rush, to the Riverboat Discovery, where travelers have long explored Alaska’s interior by river, the collection showcases experiences that remain as relevant and inspiring today as they were when Holland America Line first began exploring Alaska nearly 80 years ago.
A glacier in Alaska. Peter Hansen/Unsplash Photo
“One of the most remarkable things about Alaska is that many of the experiences travelers seek out today are the very same ones that first inspired visitors decades ago,” said Carole Biencourt, vice president, onboard revenue, Holland America Line. “As we approach our 80th season in the region, we’re proud that the experiences featured in our Alaska Heritage Tours collection have been part of the Holland America Line journey since our earliest explorations of Alaska in the 1940s. While these tours have evolved over the years, they continue to offer guests an authentic connection to Alaska’s landscapes, wildlife and communities, which is what has made them enduring favorites for so long.”
The Alaska Heritage Tours collection spans the many ways travelers have explored Alaska throughout Holland America Line’s history in the region. With more than three dozen tours to choose from, the collection highlights experiences that connect guests with Alaska’s railways, glaciers, wildlife, wilderness and national parks, reflecting the landscapes and adventures that have defined the destination for generations.
I had a wonderful voyage to Alaska with Holland America a couple years ago. I’ve also been on the White Pass Railroad and found it exhilarating.
