The Canadian government is making national parks free this summer for all visitors, as well as providing free admission to national museums, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites administered by Parks Canada. Ottawa also is making it easier to see the country by train, with free travel on VIA Rail for kids aged 17 and under if accompanied by an adult, and a 25% discount for those aged 18 to 24. On top of that, the government is providing a 25% discount on camping fees for Parks Canada properties. “This summer, Canadians can enjoy the very best Canada Read more
Canada
Summer 2025 is shaping up to be a good one for Canadian travellers, with homegrown nature, European escapes, and meaningful experiences leading the way. Booking.com has uncovered new data on Canadians’ summer travel plans. Here’s a snapshot of what’s shaping the season: Travel optimism is high. 72% of Canadian leisure travellers feel excited about exploring the world this summer, and the same amount (72%) expect to spend more on travel than they did in 2024. Canadians are keen to take advantage of our renowned green spaces and biodiversity. 42% of Canadian travellers express a desire to explore natural Read more
I checked my Apple map. This seemed to be the right place. But where was my hotel? My wife and I were booked for two nights at Le Petit Hotel Notre Dame in Old Montreal. Our Uber driver stopped on Rue Notre Dame, just steps from Notre-Dame Basilica, but I didn’t see our hotel. I know enough French to understand Le Petit means small hotel, but I literally couldn’t see it. Finally, I spotted a small (ahem) sign in a window of a building on the north side of the street that said “Petit Hotel.” We got our carry-on bags Read more
The District of Muskoka is hoping to reconnect southern Ontario cottage country with Toronto cottage owners and would-be visitors. Porter Airlines was the last to offer commercial flights to Muskoka Airport with 35-minute service from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport during summer 2019 and 2022. Yours truly was able to try the flights a couple times, and thought they were outstanding. The route was suspended during the pandemic and officially cancelled in early 2023, As reported by my friends at Open Jaw, “with travel patterns shifting and demand for domestic getaways rising, local officials say the time is right for a Read more
Destination Canada has unveiled a new campaign, “Canada, naturally.” It’s a nice play on words that emphasizes this country’s truly spectacular natural landscapes. The first look of this long-term campaign came with the launch of the U.S. multi-channel marketing campaign that went live in market May 12. “Rooted in Destination Canada’s 2030 Strategy: A World of Opportunity, Canada, naturally. is a bold step toward strengthening Canada’s global position and generating $160B in annual tourism revenue by 2030,” Destination Canada officials said. “To achieve this goal and build long-lasting demand, Canada needs to be a destination that resonates deeply with target Read more
