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Travel News You Can Use
By Cynthia David
Rail is doing the heavy lifting in Europe’s protected landscapes—especially in summer, when airports strain and road traffic peaks. With over 45,000 stations versus 450+ airports, Rail Europe connects directly into regions limiting cars. In Calanques National Park (3 million visitors), travellers come for turquoise coves and coastal hikes, while Saxon Switzerland National Park offers sandstone cliffs and Elbe valley vistas. Rail delivers a markedly lighter, more controlled way to experience both. And for summer travellers, Rail Europe remains the go-to for seamless bookings and cross-border rail itineraries. RailEurope.com
Sheraton Gateway Toronto Pearson offers a Guestroom Day Pass inside Terminal 3, providing a private room with runway or city views for travellers in transit. Available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the pass includes a renovated guestroom with an ergonomic rising desk, reliable Wi-Fi and multiple power outlets, along with access to the fitness centre, pool and Peloton room. Additional fees apply for extended hours or extra guests. Price starts from $269. sheratongateway.idaypass.com
Epic snow, legendary beer, tasty ramen and relaxing hot springs await in Sapporo, Japan. Between December and next March, Air Canada will offer three weekly flights from Vancouver to this world-renowned ski and snowboard destination in Japan’s northern Hokkaido prefecture. The new route, aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, complements Air Canada’s year-round service to Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports plus summer flights to Osaka-Kansai. On board, sample creations by Michelin-starred chef Masaki Hashimoto. Book your winter getaway now. Note: Ski bags and equipment count as regular checked baggage. Aircanada.com
Australia-based Aurora Expeditions has partnered with UK start-up Cleaner Seas Group to combat marine microplastic pollution. As a first step, Aurora is installing advanced filters in all washing machines aboard its new ship Douglas Mawson to keep plastic particles out of pristine Antarctic waters. Cleaner Seas plans to collect and recycle the used filter cartridges into sustainable materials so they don’t end up in landfill. Aurora has been exploring the wonders of Antarctica for 35 years, from the towering icebergs of the Antarctic Peninsula to the wildlife havens of South Georgia and the icy extremes of the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Circle. Aurora-Expeditions.com/ca
Wanted: A small group of active and culturally curious travellers up for some moderate to strenuous hiking in the Western Himalayas. Your reward—stunning views and a lifetime of memories. Wilderness Travel’s 12-day Hiker’s Journey to Ladakh centres on Ladakh, a vast moonscape of 6,096-metred peaks surrounding stone villages rich with ancient culture. Visit the grand hilltop monasteries of the Indus Valley and take in sacred Buddhist dance dramas during July’s Phyang Tsedup Festival. For an easier hike, join October’s Treasures of the Himalayas expedition to the mountain kingdoms of Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. This 15-day cultural tour visits Lhasa’s sacred Potala Palace, Kathmandu’s temples and bazaar, and Bhutan’s spectacular “Tiger’s Nest” monastery carved into a cliff face. Wildernesstravel.com
The W Maldives hotel has ignited a wave of coral restoration on this archipelago of islands in the northern Indian Ocean. Last fall, guests worked with marine biologists to install 400 interlocking, sand-coated steel “Reef Stars” and 6,000 coral fragments on the ocean floor, providing a stable base for new coral to grow. W guests can also join guided snorkelling sessions to learn more about this ongoing program. Restored sites in other countries have seen a 260 percent increase in fish population and a 64 percent increase in fish species. reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com
HADCO Experiences, a specialist in eco-conscious luxury tourism, connects visitors to the natural beauty of Trinidad and Tobago. Stay at the company’s beachfront boutique Mount Plaisir Estate Hotel or rustic Pawi Lodge in Grande Rivière, where ancient leatherback turtles make their nests and ruby topaz hummingbirds dazzle with their iridescent plumage. Visit the Asa Wright Nature Centre in the Arima Valley, a sanctuary for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts offering tranquil accommodation and tours, whether it’s hiking into the heart of the rainforest or tracing turtle tracks by moonlight. Every stay supports local conservation efforts and invites you to be part of something bigger. Hadcoexperiences.com
Travel expert Cynthia David provides updates on the tourism industry in this curated collection that appears in every issue.
