Posts Tagged ‘CANADA’
How Did The Thieves Enter The Museum At Canada Largest Art Theft Netted More Than 2 Million When Thieves Broke
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010Canada: Travel’s Understated Treasure
Saturday, January 16th, 2010The second largest country in the world should by no means stand in the shadow of its more boisterous southern neighbor. Canada’s 10 million square kilometers of land, lakes and life brings its own signature flavor to the North American continent. Travel through Canada is a truly mind-opening experience for even the most seasoned vacationer.
The region has been inhabited since the retreat of the last ice age, creating nearly 10,000 years of aboriginal history. Vikings roamed Canada’s arctic shores long before Europeans began bickering over land rights during the 16th century. The French settlers founded Quebec City in 1608 while British explorers populated the Atlantic seaboard and Hudson Bay. European wars exacerbated Franco-British tensions until the American Revolution sent British refugees north, tipping the balance away from the French. Canada was finally unified under a constitution in 1867, while maintaining ties to the British crown. Since then, a large Quebec sovereignty movement has emerged in the French speaking province and has gained momentum at the federal level.
Canada’s Untainted Urban Gems
Canada’s cities are as diverse as its territory is expansive. French-speaking Montreal is the largest city in Quebec and arguably the liveliest in Canada. After the 1976 Montreal Olympics, the Biodome de Montreal filled in the empty stadium with four actively maintained ecosystems and numerous living exhibits. The collection of species is nothing short of phenomenal. Montreal has a thriving museum culture (buy a 3-museum pass) and an irresistible nightlife, boasting the largest dance floor in the country and a pioneering music scene with an eclecticism not to be found elsewhere. Travel west into Canada’s serene backwoods to discover Vancouver, a metropolitan diamond in the rough of British Columbia’s rugged wilderness. Ski Whistler’s nearby slopes or enjoy a day of sailing, then flex your cosmopolitan muscle in the evening with a stroll through the acclaimed Vancouver Art Gallery and appetizers at Canada Place.
Visit Vancouver for a taste of Canada’s blossoming multiculturalism and international flavor. For a slower and more intimate pace, discover Nova Scotia’s capital of Halifax in the northeast. This revamped harbor town has become Canada’s Hollywood, with a large number of movies and shows being filmed along the charming avenues.
Unlimited Supply of Adventure
Canada’s Northwest and Yukon Territories offer some of the most pristine stretches of natural beauty in North America, along with the best light show around complements of the Aurora Borealis. Kluane National Park protects Yukon’s World Heritage Sites and Canada’s highest peak. In Alberta, Banff and Jasper National Parks provide the most spectacular views from the Canadian Rockies and a visit to Canada’s Glacier National Park, British Columbia, is imperative to witness the retreating ancient glaciers. With 39 National Parks and Reserves, Canada provides an infinite stock of breathtaking encounters.
Due to Canada’s extreme northern latitude, travel is best enjoyed during the summer months of July and August, even if the days are extremely long or endless. Winter sports can be enjoyed in many resorts year-round; however, December and January tend to be unbearably cold and dark, particularly in the northern regions.
Holiday Rentals in Alberta, Canada
Sunday, January 10th, 2010If you’re planning a holiday in the great outdoors, you need look no further than Alberta in Canada.
This Canadian province is perfect for nature lovers, sports enthusiasts and those who crave adventure.
There are a number of regions in Alberta, including Alberta Central, Alberta North, Alberta South, Calgary & Area, Canadian Rockies and Edmonton & Area. Each region offers visitors a wealth of things to see and do.
You will also find a great range of holiday homes here, so it’s an ideal destination for a holiday property rental for all the family.
Alberta is home to five National Parks, including Banff National Park, Elk Island National Park, Jasper National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park and Wood Buffalo National Park. Here you can enjoy the stunning and beautiful scenery, the amazing wildlife and take part in many outdoor activities in this part of the world.
Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park, is in the Rocky Mountains and is a popular destination with tourists. It has mountains, alpine meadows, rivers, glaciers, forests and valleys. Here you can do a wide range of outdoor activities, such as biking, bird watching, boating, canoeing, hiking, scuba diving, swimming, climbing/mountaineering and angling/fishing. In winter you can try your hand at cross-country skiing. Elk Island National Park, meanwhile, is a great habitat for wildlife. Here there are bison, deer, elk and moose, as well as many species of birds. Elk Island National Park is also ideal for hiking, camping and other outdoor activities.
If you have the time, you should also check out one or more of the other National Parks in Alberta.
But whatever your favourite sport or outdoor activity – be it bird watching, caving, climbing, cycling, fishing, golfing, hiking or canoeing/kayaking – you will be able to enjoy it in this fantastic Canadian province.
There is, however, so much more to see and do in Alberta. There are some great cities to discover, along with museums, historic sites, arts and entertainment, shops and restaurants.
All the regions boast many exciting attractions, with something to appeal to everyone. And within the province there are lots of cities and towns, some of which you will want to visit during your holiday in Canada. The city of Calgary is brimming with things to see and do, such as The Aero Space Museum of Calgary, Calaway Park, Calgary Tower, Canada Olympic Park, Fort Calgary, Naval Museum Of Alberta, as well as Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden & Prehistoric Park and more.
Meanwhile, Edmonton, which is the capital city of Alberta, also has plenty to offer its visitors. If you appreciate shopping, this is the place for you! West Edmonton Mall is a huge shopping centre which boasts hundreds of stores and services. And there’s a lot more than just shops here! There are plenty of places to eat here and there’s some fantastic entertainment too, should you get bored with shopping! There’s a large indoor amusement park, indoor waterpark, ice rink, indoor lake and two mini-golf courses. There’s also a sea lion show, and you can see the amazing collection of fish, reptiles etc and also the penguins while you’re there! There is also more to see and do at West Edmonton Mall.
Some other places you might like to visit during your travels in Alberta are Lethbridge, Drumheller, Red Deer, Lake Louise, Fort McMurray and Medicine Hat.
This is just a taster of what this amazing Canadian province has to offer its visitors. Alberta is an ideal holiday destination for all ages and it’s just perfect for a holiday property rental.
Canada Holidays
Thursday, January 7th, 2010Travel to St Johns for a Relaxing Holiday in Canada
Monday, December 28th, 2009ST Johns
Situated on the Avalon Peninsula’s eastern fringe is Canada’s oldest city – St Johns. Well known throughout the world for its historical fishing industry St Johns is now a thriving metropolitan area with fishing, gas and oil industries at the front of its economic growth.
St Johns history dates as far back as 1947 when the first sailor John Cabot arrived into its Harbour. John Cabot was also known as John the Baptist as he sailed into the city to preach to those who would listen to his Hebrew prophets. The city was given its name by fisherman who believed that St Johns resembled a fishing town in Portugal. The climate in St Johns is notoriously known as the snowiest in Canada although its winters are relatively milder compared to other parts of Canada. Sightseeing
The history of St Johns is present in many of gothic style cathedrals and monuments scattered throughout Newfoundland & Labrador. There are many interesting ones to visit including The Anglican Cathedral of St John the Baptist which was built in 1847 and Christ Church built in 1842. For an insight into St Johns Past take the family to Newfoundland Museum, The Railway Coastal Museum and the Provincial museum.
Should the kids find the museums a little boring there are plenty educational and entertaining places of interest to keep them happy – one place not to miss is the Newfoundland Science Centre and the Johnson Geo Centre that informs visitors about the planet and the future – it also has some special exhibits.
St Johns has a lovely coastline and with that in mind organised boat trips into the Atlantic are possible – where you can spot whales, dolphins and puffins. Dining Out & Nightlife
Being a harbour city St Johns has more than its fair share of Sea Food restaurants with the specialty being crab, prawn and lobster dishes. If you are not keen on sea food Paella then don’t despair there are hundreds to be found throughout the city – whether it be a romantic dinner for two, pizza place to take the kids or a restaurant that has entertainment while you dine, you certainly wont be disappointed with the choice.
Nightlife in St Johns isn’t sleepy, there are themed bars, and plenty sports bars where you can watch the game, have a beer and feast on clam chowder. There is a predominant Irish influence to be found in St Johns so expect to find plenty traditional themed bars selling Guinness. Travelling to St Johns
St Johns International Airport is where you will arrive into from the UK. Cheap flights through flyglobespan. com are available departing most UK airports with one or two stopovers at either Toronto or Edmonton. Flying time to St Johns varies depending on flight changes but is in the region of around 11 hours.
To enter Canada as a holidaymaker you are required to hold a current valid Passport and complete a visa waiver form. For some citizens born outside the UK may be required to have a medical check-up before being allowed entry into Canada.
Ten Places You Will Definitely Enjoy Visiting In Canada
Friday, December 25th, 2009Canada is a very beautiful country that offers a lot of majestic views of its natural beauty. It is a country full of lakes and mountains and famous historical sites. Because of this, Canada is fast becoming a popular tourist spot not only by Americans but by the Europeans as well, so when in Canada, make sure that you visit these ten wonderful places.
1. ) Gros Morne National Park
When you are in the Atlantic Provinces of Canada, make sure that you visit this national park. It is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an area that will give you a grand view of its natural beauty. You can take boat tours here as well as see majestic waterfalls.
2. ) L’Anse Aux Meadows National Historic Site
In this area, you can see three Norse buildings that were reconstructed and preserved. This is an archeological site and, as such, is also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you will see exhibits of what Viking life used to be like and some of their artifacts as well.
3. ) Saint John River Valley
This is located in New Brunswick, Canada, and this valley is home to old wooden-covered bridges. You can also take ferry rides here along its river to visit some of its falls. You should also visit the King’s Landing Historical Settlement where you will see a museum that features what the village looked like during the 19th century.
4. ) Kejimkujik National Park
This is an inland national park and is the only one of its kind in Canada. You will see a lot of rivers here that is perfect for a canoe trip. Because it is a national park, it is also abundant in wildlife where you will definitely enjoy bird watching.
5. ) Casinos of Quebec
Quebec has three casinos that it is very much proud of. If you get tired of the usual hiking and canoeing as well as historic site visiting, then you can always play a good round of poker and blackjack in one of these casinos. The casinos are Casino de Montreal and Casino de Charlevoix as well as Lac-Leamy Casino.
6. ) Gardens of Quebec
Walking along the gardens of Quebec is very refreshing. Enjoy the flowers in Montreal Botanical Garden and Redford Gardens. Visit also the Insectarium where a large variety of insects are housed, or you can go to Gaspesie and watch the International Garden Festival.
7. ) Museums of Quebec
Quebec boasts of more than 400 museums. By visiting some of them, you will get to know more about the culture of Canada and its people. You will also get to see beautiful modern arts as well as artifacts of ancient times.
8. ) Parliament Hill of Ottawa
In Ottawa, any visitor should visit the Parliament Hill. This is the main attraction here in Ottawa where you can get a tour inside the building itself. You can also explore its grounds and get to see a nice view of the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
9. ) Niagara Falls
Of course, when one thinks of Canada, one automatically thinks of Niagara Falls. This is a must-see here in Canada that anybody who visits the country should always go and see this wonderful view. This is also called Honeymoon Capital of the World because its grandness adds romance to the newlyweds’ honeymoon vacation.
10. ) Thunder Bay
There are lots of places to visit here. Among them is the Raven Ecoventures where you can take a canoe trip as you travel along its body of water and see its natural floras and faunas. You can also find here the Fort William Historical Park as well as the Kakbeka Falls.
Stay in Montreal Canada Hotels to Imbibe the Live and Historic Culture of the City
Monday, December 21st, 2009Montreal is heart of the French Canada. Its flair and sophistication is something that is missing in most of the mega cities in Canada and even in North America. It is second largest city in the Canada is home to many tourist attractions. Its cultural and historic landmarks are source of attraction to tourists. Even some hotels in Montreal Canada have heritage status. It will be worth while to pay a visit to these hotels even if you do not stay in them.
Downtown Montreal is an example of live history. Old Montreal part of the city has been preserved in its historic flavor. Oldest buildings here date back to beginning of the seventeenth century. This area is quite vibrant and hotels and shopping centers in the area offer great tourist attraction to its visitors.
Hotels in Montreal Canada
Area wise hotels in Montreal may be divided into following major regions:
• Cote des Neiges District
• Dorval
• Downtown Area
• Golden Square mile
• Latin Quarter
• Laval
• Longueuil
• Old Montreal
• Olympic Stadium
• Others
Old Montreal is known for its boutique hotels. Some of the popular hotels in the old Montreal are Auberge du Vieux – Port, Hotel place d’armes and hotel St. Paul. Of these first one occupies a heritage building and offer excellent riverfront view from its roof top terrace.
Last Minute Travel can help you find accommodation in any region of the city of the Montreal. They also offer services doe flights and car rentals. Whether it is last minute package search or package in advance you will find services at last minute travel really useful.
Things to do in Montreal
First and major attraction of Montreal is old Montreal. Besides enjoying the culture and history of this place city has lot to offer to it visitors. You may do any of the followings:
Visit to Mont Royal
Mount Royal has never ending fascination for tourists as well as the dwellers of the city of the Montreal. A trek or hike to the mountain is popular among the tourists.
Shopping at Saint-Denis Street
If you like to shop in the historic city visit the shopping district of St. Denis St. and St. Laurent Boulevard. Vibe of the area is eclectic and restaurant, boutiques and shops are treasure trove to any shopping fan.
Point-a-Calliere Museum
This archeological museum provides a visual treat to the history of the Montreal.
Guided tour at the museum is worth taking, one should not miss it. It is free with admission. What is special about the museum is that it conserves in situ remains and it has a river view restaurant in the building.
Montreal Bio dome
Home to four different ecosystems this zoo is must visit for students and families besides eco friendly enthusiasts.
Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art
With more than 7000 works of art of more than 1500 artists it is one of the grand galleries in the Canada. The Gallery offers free admission and guided tours on Wednesday evenings.
All this is not an end to the activities one can get involved in the Montreal city. Thriving city life with rich culture and living history offers diverse activities and treats to its tourists. To enjoy all these activities one needs good accommodation. Hotels in Montreal Canada offer excellent value for money and services of last minute travel will prove invaluable in search of these hotels.
Unique Canada
Friday, December 18th, 2009Canada’s size and diversity makes finding its unique points difficult. Each Canadian city has its own unique landmarks and the indigenous, French and British traditions are enhanced by cultures brought by migrants. The result is a vibrant. complex multicultural society. Royal Canadian Mounted Police
However, there are certain institutions which are quintessentially Canadian and here we look at three – the RCMP, seafaring and the national sport of ice hockey.
Probably the most Canadian of all the country’s institutions is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) formed as the North West Mounted Police in 1873, not long after Canada became a country in 1867.
Spending a day at the RCMP museum in Saskatchewan, Regina offers you insights into this uniquely Canadian law enforcement agency. Located in the RCMP Academy, the Museum draws 250000 visitors each year
You can browse exhibits such as weapons, uniforms, personal effects and memorabilia of the RCMP. Photographs and archive material also tell the Mounties’ story. You can study about how Chief Sitting Bull sought sanctuary in the region after defeating Custer and his army in the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Among the other exhibits are Red Indian clothing and artifacts .
If you’re at the museum at the right time, you can enjoy the Sergeant Major’s Parade held Monday to Friday at 12. 45pm and the Sunset Retreat, a lowering the flag ceremony, from July to mid-August on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm. And don’t miss the hisatoric RCMP chapel which dates back to 1883. It features impressive stained glass windows. St Roch.
Canada’s Pacific Rim city of Vancouver has a long seafaring tradition much of which is archived in Vancouver Maritime Museum. Located in Vanier Park, just west of False Creek on the Vancouver waterfront, this museum is themed around a preserved RCMP schooner named St Roch.
The St Roch was an arctic exploration vessel and was the first craft to traverse the Northwest Passage in both directions. You can take a tour of the vessel in which crews lived for periods of up to 2 years. The St Roch is fitted out with magazines and canned foods dating from around 1935 to create an uncanny air of authenticity.
Other than the St Roch, the museum contains galleries of model ships and a workshop where you can see craftsmen at work. You can also see historic ships berthed nearby. The nearby Children’s Maritime Discovery Centre offers a host of hands-on activities for children. Hockey Hall of Fame
Now we’ll continue to Toronto, Canada’s business capital and largest city, and the heart of Anglo-Canadian culture and media. It’s also the centre for the Canadian national sport and passion – ice hockey. And to learn everything about ice hockey in one place, head for the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF), a museum dedicated to this tough and fast-paced sport.
Here you can enjoy interactive sessions that bring the sport to life. You can take shots at real-time goalies and guard the net yourself to try and stop the shots of Gretzky and Messier. You can admire such exhibits as goalie masks, skates and sticks, the jerseys of hockey legends and a replica of the Montréal Canadians’ locker room. All together the HHOF offers over 57000 square feet of interactivity, hands on games, theatres, and the Stanley Cup.
Visiting these 3 uniquely Canadian museums will bring the country alive and help you understand the vast diverse nation that is Canada. Before travelling to Canada, make sure that the hotel reservations are in place. Hotels in Toronto and hotels in Vancouver can easily be booked in advance through the Internet, and then you will be able to enjoy Canada at the best.
Have Anyone Been To The Brant Museum In Ont Canada?
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009Have anyone been to the Brant Museum in Brantford ont Canada
if so wart did you think. . ?
Holiday Rentals In Canada
Friday, December 11th, 2009If you’re planning a trip to Canada, you should visit the country’s great capital city, Ottawa.
It is a city rich in history and has a wealth of attractions, activities and entertainments to suit everyone.
Whether you want to take a short break or a longer vacation, you will enjoy Ottawa and all that it has to offer!
There are numerous museums to visit, such as the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Canadian War Museum, National Gallery of Canada, Canada Agriculture Museum, Canada Aviation Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Billings Estate Museum, Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada, Royal Canadian Mint, Canadian Museum of Nature and Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography. So there’s something to interest all tastes.
If you want to make the most of your visit to Ottawa, there are various tours available. You can go on walking tours, cruises and bus tours. What’s more, you can even take an Amphibus sightseeing tour of the city, and see Ottawa from both the land and the water!
Ottawa has many parks and open spaces where you can unwind and take a break from all the sightseeing, maybe enjoy a picnic or take the kids to play.
There are lots of opportunities in the area if you want to get out in the great outdoors during your holiday. There are plenty of sporting facilities and activities that you can do, including rafting trips on the Ottawa River, cycling, golf and swimming. And if you happen to be in Ottawa during the winter, you’ll be able to go ice skating on The Rideau Canal, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site!
Ottawa also has many child-friendly attractions, so it’s an ideal destination to take all the family on holiday. The kids will love Saunders Farm, Laser Quest (one which the adults will also appreciate!), Midway Family Fun Park, Pirate Adventures and Valleyview Little Animal Farm. So there’s plenty to keep the youngsters entertained in Ottawa!
The city also has a great selection of restaurants to suit all tastes. There’s somewhere for just about everyone to dine here, whether you’re looking for a high-class restaurant or a take-away.
Ottawa is also a shopper’s paradise! It has a wealth of shopping centres as well as other stores. While you’re in the city, try to visit the historic ByWard Market Square, where you will find a wide variety of items on sale. Here you will be able to buy bread, delicious chocolate, Indian food and spices, jewellery and a whole lot more!
And if you’re looking for a good night out, you need look no further than Ottawa. Having enjoyed what the city has to offer by day, why not also take the opportunity to sample some of the nightlife here? There are various nightclubs and bars etc where you can have a fun evening out.
Ottawa is an ideal Canadian holiday destination for everyone. Whether you’re planning a fun-filled family vacation, a sightseeing holiday or just a relaxing break, Ottawa has it all!