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Get on track with Le Massif de Charlevoix


THIS September sees the launch of Le Massif de Charlevoix train, a new scenic rail cruise offering unparalleled views of the Saint Lawrence River along restored historic rail tracks. The 85-mile rail journey runs from


Québec City to Le Massif and is part of a $230m (£140m) investment in developing Le Massif to create an easily accessible all-season destination. The investment has also added hotels,


approval for Ottawa ROYAL


THIS year’s Canada Day (July 1) will get the royal seal of approval as Prince William and his new bride, Kate, join the celebrations in Ottawa. The couple will visit Canada’s capital


from June 30 – July 8 during their first official trip since their marriage. As the media spotlight turns with them to Canada, Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Québec and Ottawa will all get a share of the royal limelight and anticipate this high profile attention will help raise awareness of their destinations among the UK public.


Jazz on the mountain


WHISTLER will play host to the newest jazz festival in Canada this September 2-4. Set in the resort’s pedestrian village,


with free and ticketed indoor and outdoor shows, the three-day event will include performances from jazz greats and will showcase 22 performers and 33 shows. Street entertainment is being programmed in conjunction with the Whistler Arts Council and tickets are now on sale. There will


also be a free street festival


component with


acoustic musicians, face- painters, jugglers and acrobats. www.whistlerjazzfest


Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, said: "Canada looks forward to welcoming the young couple this summer and providing them with all that our country has to offer - including, of course, the special hospitality and warmth reserved for members of the Royal Family." Ottawa, where the couple will be on Canada Day, has recently opened new interactive visitor experiences and had a range of infrastructure improvements. The city has a full schedule of special events for 2011. www.ontariotravel.net/uk


City breaks strong for Virgin Holidays


VIRGIN Holidays reports demand for North American city breaks is strong and that it has extended its portfolio of hotels in Toronto in response to this. Depending on their available budget,


clients can now choose from value hotels in downtown locations or more upscale properties such as the Westin Harbor Castle or the Fairmont Royal York – Toronto’s landmark hotel. There are also boutique options such as the Hotel Le Germain or the Soho Metropolitan Hotel. Three nights in Toronto, including


direct flights with Air Canada from Heathrow to Toronto, 3V room- only accommodation and transfers, start from £789.


facilities and more activity options in the destination which is carved from the steep banks of the St Lawrence and offers expansive views over the river and the ice floes in winter. The route follows the coastline of the


St Lawrence river from Québec City with passengers accommodated in comfortable carriages and served quality regional cuisine. www.lemassif.com/en/train


IN BRIEF ONE of Ottawa’s most famous festivals, the


Canadian Tulip Festival, will next year celebrate its 60th anniversary. This festival is the biggest tulip festival outside of Holland and runs for 2011 for 18 days from May 6. This year’s theme is a ‘Kaleidoscope of Spring’ and will see more than one million tulips in 50 different varieties on show throughout the course of the annual floral celebration. www.tulipfestival.ca


RECOGNISED internationally as a


premier motorsport racing event, The Edmonton Indy is set to run July 22, 23 & 24, 2011, at City Center Airport. With a newly-designed course, this much-anticipated engagement will see the likes of Andretti, Castro-Neves and Franchitti along with other international motorsport stars racing back in Alberta’s Capital City for world of IndyCar racing. www.edmontonindy.com


ROCKY Mountaineer has appointed the The operator also now offers pre-


bookable day trips from Toronto to Niagara or nearby accommodation at Niagara on the Lake. Virgin has also added new hotel


product in British Columbia and Québec to support tailor-made tours. www.virginholidays.co.uk


former managing director of Virgin Holiday Cruises, Leslie Peden, as its new director of sales, Europe. Based in London, Peden will be responsible for all aspects of sales in Europe including strategic management, contract negotiations and business development plans for key tour operators, wholesalers and travel agents. He will also oversee the European sales division. Rocky Mountaineer offers 45 unique Canadian holiday packages and four distinctive rail routes, all of which are rich in history and natural attractions. www.rockymountaineer.com


THE 32nd Montréal International Jazz


Festival will take place from June 25 to July 4 offering an eclectic programme of performers including Diana Krall, Robert Plant, Paco de Lucia, Sade and John Legend, Milton Nascimento, Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman, Youssou N’Dour, Peter Frampton, Return to Forever IV with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White and Jean-Luc Ponty, Madeleine. www.montrealjazzfest.com


THE Laurentide's resort of Tremblant has


been voted the number one ski resort in Eastern North America for the 14th consecutive year by readers of Ski Magazine. The Laurentides is an area of outstanding natural beauty north of Montreal and offers a wide range of activities for summer too. www.laurentians.com


CTC ©BONJOURQUEBEC, HEIKO WITTENBORN


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