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Travel News You Can Use
By Cynthia David
Buckle up—Sir Richard Branson touched down with fanfare befitting a royal comeback when his Virgin Atlantic landed in Toronto this past April, launching daily direct flights between Toronto and London. What kind of on-board mood should you expect? Curated music, TV shows and films care of Vera, the airline’s entertainment platform, Wi-Fi in the sky, and tasty food and drinks that are included in economy fares will surprise. Premium service offers two checked bags with on-board bubbly. And for Upper Class seats, think London lounge meets sky-high sass, with bubbly flowing as you enjoy those beds that beg for a mid-flight nap. Dressed in their signature Vivienne Westwood uniforms, the crew could strut the aisles like it’s fashion week at 35,000 feet. Between the posh service and a playlist worthy of Soho House, the flight feels less like travel and more like an airborne soirée. Canadians are going to be seeing a lot more red this summer—and it’s not just the maple leaf. virginatlantic.com
Beat the high cost of vacations by choosing destinations that stretch our weak Canadian dollar. Travel company Goway Travel says bookings to Egypt are up 250% in the past year, and with $1 CAD fetching 35 EGP now is the time for that bucket-list trip. Australia and New Zealand both offer an economical escape, says Goway, and Zanzibar’s inexpensive bars, restaurants and beaches offer balance to the cost of a pricey Tanzania safari. Enjoy a discounted vacation to South Africa’s bustling cities, where local wines and big game await. Japan is also surprisingly affordable this year. Unwind on a beach in Bali and spot wildlife in Indonesia’s Komodo National Park. If you fancy travelling in luxury for less, prices in Vietnam can be shockingly cheap. Goway.com
The elegant northern city of Turin, Italy’s first capital, enchants with its sweeping piazzas, sumptuous royal palaces and historic cafés. Buy the Torino+Piemonte card to access the most famous sites easily. Don’t miss the National Cinema Museum in the monumental Mole Antonelliana, conceived as a synagogue in 1863. Reserve a spot in the glass elevator and rise 85 metres up through the dome to survey the city and the Alps beyond. Dive into archaeology at the century-old Egyptian Museum, one of the most important collections of Egyptian antiquities outside Cairo. Take a city sightseeing bus with your card or take the shuttle bus to the baroque Venaria Reale palace and gardens where your card offers discounted access. turismotorino.org
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will revolutionize wellness in the Canadian Rockies with the summer opening of its BASIN Glacial Waters thermal bathing spa on the shore of Lake Louise. Dramatic arched windows overlook the turquoise lake, a natural basin flanked by mountain peaks and glaciers. Hotel guests can personalize their visit by choosing hot, cold, wet or dry options. Hydrotherapy harnesses the healing power of water in all its forms, from the crushed ice to steam mists. For a quick, invigorating reset, try the outdoor cold bucket drop. Warm up in the traditional Finnish sauna or outdoor Aufguss steam bath. After bathing, meditate in the glow of a Himalayan salt wall then settle onto a heated stone slab bed for full-body relaxation before adjourning to the Glacier Lounge. chateau-lake-louise.com
A rustic two-bedroom fisherman’s cabin on a secluded island in Norway welcomes stressed-out urbanites eager to disconnect from daily life. With no internet, no neighbours and limited electricity, the Nusfjord Village Resort’s new cabin instead offers a chance to completely immerse yourself in nature. Wake up to breathtaking views, spend days hiking and serene evenings on the deck under the midnight sun after preparing your own food in the well-equipped kitchen. A minimum two-night stay includes the 10-minute boat ride to and from the island, a hamper of local snacks and a satellite phone, just in case. nusfjord.com
Heading to Australia this summer? Try these hot foodie destinations. Casual, three-level Farmer’s Daughters in Melbourne offers the ultimate farm-to-table experience, celebrating the produce and wines of Victoria’s Gippsland region. Or dine with a view among coconut palms at Nu Nu, a beachfront restaurant nestled in Palm Cove, 30 minutes north of Cairns on Australia’s east coast. The modern menu showcases the bounty of rainforest, reef and outback cattle stations, along with tantalizing cocktails and breakfast delights. farmersdaughters.com.au; nunu.com.au
El Zonte, a laid-back coastal town in El Salvador, is beloved by serious surfers and renowned for its sandy beaches and Bitcoin connection. This hidden gem is gaining fans for its mountains-meet-ocean setting, delectable local cuisine and new tours of the nearby Tamanique coffee region. It even boasts a new upscale 19-unit condo hotel. Visit the magical towns of scenic Ruta de las Flores, two hours away or lean into adventures from motorbike tours to river canyoning, surf lessons and jungle horseback rides. elsalvador.travel/destination/el-zonte-beach
According to the latest Flight Centre survey, Canadian travellers are trading beach chairs at all-inclusive resorts for new destinations and experiences. Think Malta as an alternative to popular Italian destinations and preservation-minded Costa Rica instead of crowded Mexican resorts. Though beach vacations remain popular, the survey found Canadians are looking for authentic cultural connections through food, markets and community-led tours. Gourmet and adventure travel remain popular, whether you’re travelling solo, coupled or with family. Quiet travel is also trending, choosing a calm, relaxing stay in smaller, more secluded places far from busy destinations overrun by tourists. Plan off-peak travel for even more authentic experiences and better prices. Flightcentre.ca
Fly Air North to a memorable vacation. Join a wellness retreat in Whitehorse, learn about the Gold Rush in Dawson City, hike in spectacular Kluane National Park, home to Canada’s tallest peak (Mount Logan), and many other high summits. Be dazzled by the Northern Lights, well, anywhere here. To celebrate its 48th birthday, the Whitehorse-based airline has added two new aircraft and expanded its service for tourists and corporate clients between the North and B.C., Alberta, even Ontario. A key Yukon employer, Air North is 49% owned by the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation. Flyairnorth.com
Award-winning Alberta wildlife biologist, writer and activist Lorne Fitch has published a new book of essays on the environment called Travels Up the Creek. Fitch’s real-life stories and reader-friendly science lessons captivate readers, regardless of their background. Of water he writes: “A substance more precious, more useful, more perilous in supply than oil or gold or rare earths, one without which we would still be cosmic dust.” This powerful, eloquent read cuts through the misinformation out there and encourages us all to become stewards of the land and understand what we’ve lost, what we have and what we can do to create a better world. rmbooks.com/products/travels-up-the-creek
The Travel Corporation’s not-for-profit TreadRight Foundation has a new partner in the fight against climate change. The Barena Foundation works to protect and restore the salt marshes, flora, fauna and cultural traditions of the Northern Venetian Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To prevent further erosion caused by human contact, 150 metres of biodegradable barriers are being installed in the marshes with the help of local fishermen. Barena is TreadRight’s fifth nature-based project developing solutions to safeguard the planet, people and wildlife. Treadright.org
West Coast Wilderness Lodge, a heritage property on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast, is now open year-round with the addition of 20 spacious self-catering one-bedroom villas. Look for whales as you take in the serene beauty of the Sechelt Inlet from your private balcony. Located a three-hour drive or 40-minute float flight from Vancouver, the lodge is surrounded by lush rainforest with easy access to many natural wonders. Hike, kayak, dive, relax, whatever you desire, then enjoy a meal in acclaimed Inlets Restaurant. Wcwl.com
Travel expert Cynthia David provides updates on the tourism industry in this curated collection that appears in every issue.
