When visiting the Rockies, Lake Louise is just one of the many spectacular sights to see. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF MUMEMORIES
TRAVEL
Your Great Canadian Adventure Awaits
No passport needed for these world-class destinations — explore your way by train, plane or on the road.
By Elisa Keay
The sandy coastlines stretch seemingly forever. The cities exude culture, history, art and architecture. The vast wilderness calls, with dense forests surrounding crystal-clear turquoise lakes. The monumental mountain ranges offer striking views. If you’ve dreamed of travelling to spectacular destinations like these, adventure awaits — right here at home in Canada. Whether it’s solo travel, a couple’s getaway, family fun or setting out with a group of friends, experience Canada by train, plane and epic road trip.
The red sands of Cavendish Beach are due to the high iron oxide content — a signature feature of PEI. | PHOTO: ENVATO/EDB3_16
Take a plane to… PEI
Distance: 1,451 km from Niagara Falls, Ont., to Prince Edward Island (PEI) Route: Niagara Airbus Niagara Falls, Ont. to Pearson International Airport: 2 to 2.5 hours.
Flight time: From Pearson International Airport to Charlottetown Airport: 2 hours 12 minutes
PEI offers a wonderful mix of things to see and do. From charming towns to heritage-filled cities, beautiful beaches and incredible landscapes, PEI is an ideal destination for relaxing and slowing down. Solo: Charlottetown makes it easy to venture out on your own. The picturesque downtown is full of historical sites. Roam around the Great George Street Historic District, which runs from Richmond Street to the waterfront. Designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990, you can check out early Canadian architecture, from Province House to St. Dunstan’s Basilica. On Sundays throughout the summer, visit the Downtown Farmers Market with its wonderful selection of local produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods and artisan crafts all set to live music. Enjoy the floating patio, the great shopping and some time by the water at Peake’s Quay Marina.
Romance: Head to Rustico Harbour and experience magic moments throughout your visit. The warm sands of nearby Cavendish Beach provide the perfect opportunity for sunset strolls. Indulge in sumptuous seafood caught locally mere hours before reaching your plate at Blue Mussel Café.
Family: Cavendish is a great destination for summer days on the red sand beach. The young and the young-at-heart will enjoy a tour of Green Gables Heritage Place, the fictitious home of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s redheaded orphan, Anne. Wander the grounds and feel her story come to life. For thrill-seekers, the Sandspit Amusement Park offers rides, roller coasters, a Ferris wheel and carnival treats — or head to Shining Waters Family Fun Park for the waterslides.
Friends: Pack your clubs and head out to the greens — PEI has more golf courses per capita than any other province in Canada. Mix it up and play different courses or spend a luxurious stay at a golf resort such as the Rodd Brudenell River Resort, which overlooks the greens of the Brudenell River Golf Course. Beaches and fresh seafood top off the trip.
The picturesque Brudenell River Golf Course also features a resort, making it a great spot for a stay-and-play getaway. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF RODD BRUDENELL RIVER RESORT
Winding through the Rockies, the train offers an excellent vantage point. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF VIARAIL
Take a train to… the Rockies
Distance: 3,673 km from Niagara Falls, Ont., to Jasper, Alta. Route: Niagara Airbus Niagara Falls, Ont. to Toronto Union Station: 2 to 2.5 hours
Train from Toronto to Jasper, 3,546 km Train time: 2 days, 22 hours, 35 minutes
One of the best ways to experience the Rockies is by train; winding through the majestic mountain range, you get a front row seat to it all. VIA Rail offers “The Canadian”, a 3,546-km train ride from Toronto to Jasper. It takes about three days to complete.
Solo: For something special, the Prestige Class booking on the train includes a few treats for the solo traveller. An all-inclusive ticket includes everything you need, from dining and wine tastings to reserved seating and access to the Panorama car — a glass-domed carriage with incredible views of towering mountain peaks.
Romance: Explore the countryside without distraction. From intimate dinners in the dining car to long sleep-ins in your berth, the cross-country trip is an idyllic opportunity to be alone together, surrounded by nature. This is travel at a less hectic pace, without the distraction of planning or driving — it’s the ideal setting for romance.
Family: Instead of just seeing the Rockies, why not get out and explore them? Rent a car and drive from Jasper to Lake Louise with the family for a few days of fun. The Lake Louise Ski Resort, with its Summer Gondola, is designed with family members of all ages in mind and is an incredible way to make Rocky Mountain memories. Hiking trails are a great way to explore and take in some of the outdoors before getting back on the train to return home.
Friends: Rocky Mountaineer offers a once-in-a-lifetime, ultra-luxurious opportunity to travel to remote regions of the Rockies. This sightseeing adventure offers glass-domed train cars for the most spectacular panoramic views. These trips run from two to nine days and are only available in June and July — they do sell out, so you may need to consider this trip well in advance. Trains stop along the route at the end of each day, allowing passengers opportunities to do exclusive mountain activities — from spas to helicopter tours — in different areas, staying at hotels along the way.
The Rocky Mountaineer is an exceptional experience, with luxurious glass-domed train cars for panoramic views. | PHOTO: ROCKY MOUNTAINEER
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In Montréal, the Biodôme is a family-friendly destination, offering an immersive and interactive experience with science and nature.| PHOTO: COURTESY OF MARC CRAMER, JAMES BRITTAIN
Take a road trip to… Montréal
Distance: 660 km from Niagara Falls, Ont. to Montréal, Que. Drive time: 7 to 8 hours, driving straight through, more with traffic or with stops
Put your favourite playlist on and set your sights on Montréal for your next road trip. Nightlife, food, fashion, culture — it can all be found here.
Solo: Even when driving alone, the stops made along the way are all part of the fun. Break your journey into segments: a stop in Prince Edward County, a hike in the Canadian Shield, a visit to Ottawa’s National Gallery of Canada. Arriving in Montréal, enjoy wandering the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal, grabbing a pastry along the way. Have some fun with fashion and shopping along Rue Sainte Catherine in Centre-Ville. Pair wine with a planche (charcuterie board) at Bar Mamie in Rosemont, or enjoy a band at Casa del Popolo on Boulevard Saint-Laurent.
Romance: Surrounded by the language of love, this bustling city is a great place for couples to enjoy l’amour. Pack a picnic and settle in by the Old Port. Have a romantic dinner — Little Italy’s Mon Lapin was voted number two in the list of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants and is ideal for an intimate evening. The music scene here makes it easy to dance the night away.
Family: Join the tam-tam (drumming) circle on Mount Royal on Sundays. For a fabulous family-friendly day, visit the Biodôme, part of the Space for Life complex — the largest science centre in Canada. With renovations completed in 2020, the new, immersive experiences, such as Mégaceta, an exhibit featuring life-size humpback whale projections, are thrilling.
Friends: Montréal is one of North America’s most acclaimed culinary cities. As if the bagels weren’t enough, Montréal’s foodie scene has something for every palate. There are more than 50 Michelin-reviewed restaurants, so you’ll have to plan out those reservations. Prepare for the boulangeries to draw you in for French pastries, too. And don’t leave without a taste of Montréal smoked meat at Schwartz’s. CAA
Mon Lapin provides a delicious opportunity for an intimate dinner. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF DOMINIQUE LAFOND
No matter the Canadian destination you choose, check in with CAA Niagara. Take advantage of the knowledge and experience of a CAA Travel Consultant, who can help you book tickets and hotel stays, rail passes and Rocky Mountaineer expeditions — or create a TripTik® for your road trip.
Something to consider: travel insurance. CAA Insurance Company can help you there, too, with trip interruption and cancellation insurance as well as health insurance. It’s important to have health insurance any time you leave your home province — OHIP may not provide adequate coverage in other provinces. If you don’t have supplemental health insurance and need health care out of province, you’re responsible for paying any difference out-of-pocket. CAA Members enjoy savings of 10 percent off.
Members enjoy 10 percent off. *CAA Travel Insurance is underwritten by Orion Travel Insurance ®, a division of Echelon Insurance. Terms and conditions apply.
*Applies to CAA Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). Ten percent (10%) savings applies to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Subject to change without notice.