Head Upstream Rather Than Across the Pond
Canada Offers European Flair, Closer Proximity, Better Rates Than Europe
The Signal - Business Section, July, 2006
Visiting Europe is a wonderful vacation. However, if you are like many Americans, the sticker shock to the exchange rate of the dollar is preventing you from making the trip across the pond this year. With kids in tow and limited vacation time, the flight to Europe can seem like a long way to travel.
Not to despair, keep your suitcase handy because there is another option right here in our own backyard. Rather than stay home, consider heading upstream to visit our friendly neighbors to the north. Travel to Eastern Canada!
Here you’ll find the best of all worlds, international travel with a distinctly French flair, closer proximity, family friendly and all for a reasonable price tag. Traveling to Canada is also simpler, especially as far as foreign destinations go. The locals speak English, the time change is just three hours, and still we somehow seem to leave Canada off of our must see lists.
This is a spectacular country with breathtaking scenery and charming cities bursting with European atmosphere. From Montreal City to Quebec City, you’ll find plenty to do and the perfect mix of nature and urban development. Throw in the multitude of opportunities for adventures ranging from soft to extreme, and the fact that a Canadian vacation will not bust your wallet, and there you have it, the North American version of a European holiday.
Another unique aspect about traveling to Canada is that the country is accessible by air, land and sea – plane, train and cruise ship. Airfare is less expensive than a flight to Paris. To ride the rails, the VIA train runs to Canada, offering overnight cabins to most destinations. For cruisers, Quebec City is an absolute must-see. This village is quaint, charming and markedly European in style and distinct from the rest of the continent.
It is these lifestyle differences are what attract travelers to Quebec. Similar to the French, the locals here take food and wine seriously. These true foodies spend leisurely hours talking, eating and drinking in the cafes and restaurants. Rarely rushed and often indulged, visitors will certainly eat well while in Quebec.
Then in Montreal, you’ll find, among other sights, the famed Biosphere museum and exhibition hall, located inside the world’s largest geodesic dome. The Biosphere is committed to raising environmental and ecological awareness among its visitors, offering different levels of guided tours and discovery.
The four seasons of Canada are also worth traveling to see. Summer is lovely since it stays cooler than Southern California. Autumn is picturesque with the fall leaves changing color. Winter offers great skiing and snow sports – think winter Olympics. Spring blooms everywhere, boasting some of the most beautiful gardens and hillsides in the world. Depending on your preferences, Canada is a year-round destination.
Of course we still love Europe. But with international travel available a little closer to home at a price that fits the budget, why would we NOT visit Canada. With all the time and money saved, maybe you’ll decide to go twice.
For more information
contact Nicole Stinson, Public Relations
(310) 312-3368
