Festivals and concerts to spotting majestic wildlife. Brilliant Scenary to HelicopterSkiing.

Or perhaps you just want to see the Mounties riding off into the sunset!

  TORONTO CITYPASS: ON TOP OF THE WORLD
The Toronto CityPass, is now on sale online and at all participating attractions. The pass provides entry to 6 spectacular Toronto

attractions, such as the CN Tower, the World’s Tallest Building. This Wonder of the Modern World offers amazing views,

a spellbinding Glass Floor, motion simulator rides, interactive arcade and fantastic shopping.

Art Gallery of Ontario, Casa Loma, the Ontario Science Centre, the Royal Ontario Museum, and Toronto Zoo
PRICE CHECK
Is Canada affordable? The answer is an emphatic YES! 22 quid: dinner for two at the authentic New Sky Chinese restaurant,

followed by drinks while listening to live music at Grossman’s Tavern, the oldest blues bar in town. So it’s true:

there has never been a better time to visit Canada! 
FOUR SEASONS IN THE MOUNTAINS
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts have just opened its first mountain resort in Canada. Find it in Whistler, British Columbia,

which is, of course, the site of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. At the base of Blackcomb Mountain, the new 242-room,

ski-in, ski-out retreat is in the heart of the largest ski area in North America, popular year-round fine dining,

shopping and nightlife. For more information: www.fourseasons.com/whistler

BANFF with Virgin snow!

Banff ski village & snow boarders log cabins in the natual beauty of the nature reserve & national park. Close by is

Lake louise & Calgary. Half pipe Terrain park. Beginners 25% Intermedediate 45% Advanced 30%.

Nordic Skiing - Heli skiing - Ice skating - Snowmobiling - Dog sleds - Sleigh rides - Hot! springs & Apres...

SHIP AHOY!
Up to 40 schooners will sail into Halifax for the Tall Ships Challenge 2004: A Salute to l’Acadie.

The theme celebrates the 400th anniversary of the founding of the French settlement here. Among the festivities planned

Louisiana, Québec, Ontario and Acadie then the Tall Ships sail on to Saint John, New Brunswick,

www.novascotia.com  www.halifaxinfo.com 

WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM
Herds of buffalo roaming free across the prairies - Canada still has two herds, both in Saskatchewan.

Although Europeans called them buffalo, because of the resemblance to animals in Africa and Asia,

the correct name is ‘bison’. You can see two species, the plains bison and the wood bison.

Mature wood bison bulls can weigh in at 900 kilograms! Slightly smaller,

with a thick beard and full mane are the plains bison. There are over 200 in and around

Prince Albert National Park (125 miles north of Saskatoon),

with a further 100 on Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range.More information: www.sasktourism.com

QUEBEC
The old city on the banks of the St Lawrence relives the 16th and 17th centuries during the Festival of New France.

There are over 1,000 shows and 750 street entertainers, dancers and singers, plus concerts and plays.

Even the residents dress up in colonial clothing to complete the effect. Why not rent a costume and join in?

There’s food from local farmers and from as far afield as Louisiana. : a mix of history and entertainment.
 
A MOMENT IN HISTORY
Back in 1776, Canada almost became part of the USA. with the battles between British Redcoats and

soldiers from the 13 rebel American colonies. 

MARINE LIFE
Steveston Seabreeze Adventures combine an exciting whale watching adventure with the comfort of a covered 40-foot boat,

with inside and outside seating. Just 20 minutes from Vancouver, these Whale Watching Tours cruise the Fraser River,

Gulf Islands, and Strait of Georgia to view the earth’s largest mammals, plus other marine life.

A naturalist is on board and ‘hydrophones’ let you eavesdrop on whales singing. Till October, cost $95 per person.
Details: www.seabreezeadventures.ca

 
MORE THAN JUST SHOPPING
West Edmonton Mall, the world’s largest shopping centre, is plumbing new depths.

The Deep Sea Adventure, home of the mall’s four submarines, has introduced a new thrill: Sea Trek.

This is the world’s premier underwater helmet diving experience. Imagine donning a space-age helmet and

walking in zero gravity, surrounded by an incredible array of aquatic life. Sea Trek is the first phase of a long-term plan

to create a fully interactive aquatic environment at Deep Sea Adventure.
Details: www.sea-trek.com

HAMILTON  RE-DISCOVERED
Focusing on the waterfront, Hamilton is undergoing a renaissance. Set on Lake Ontario, the best know attraction

has long been the Royal Botanical Gardens, Canada’s largest. Covering 2,500 acres, they include the world’s largest

lilac collection and spectacular nature sanctuaries. New is the eco-oriented Parks Canada Marine Discovery Centre,

opening at Pier 8 on July 17. Docked next door, at Pier 9, is HMCS Haida, a naval destroyer.

THE OTHER SIDE OF OTTAWA
Guided walks are a great way to discover cities. If you think Ottawa is sedate, then think again.

The Naughty Ottawa Pub Walk

exposes the risqué history of this city-on-three-rivers, from the misbehaving citizens of Lowertown to political scandals,

affairs of the heart and the reasons why Ottawa became the Capital. The walk lasts 2½ hours; adults C$14.
  
STRIKE GOLD 
Spend a day “Gold Panning With the Pros” from Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley.
British Columbia’s rich mining heritage out in the province’s spectacular hinterland. Learn panning skills in

a real gold creek environment,

complete with sluice box, rocker box or high-banker. From C$120 for the day, including sandwiches and drinks.
 
IF YOU CAN’T GO TO ATHENS, GO TO CALGARY
Hop on a bus for a guided tour of the site of the Calgary Olympic Winter Games. This 2-hour excursion includes

admission to the Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum and a tour of Canada’s only Olympic Bobsleigh/Luge Track.

Enjoy photo opportunities by the Olympic cauldron in the spectacular Flags of Nations concourse,

then take a chairlift ride up to the COP Ski Jump Complex. There, you can tour the 90m Ski Jump Tower -

the highest point in Calgary. From C$15.
 
WWW.SPIRIT-OF-CANADA.COM
We can’t promise that it’s all singing and all dancing, but it’s certainly full of news, views and information

about holidays in Canada. Do take a look at our all-new Spirit of Canada website.

Let us know what you think of it, and what you would like to see there  
Details: www.spirit-of-canada.com