Canada – OFFSHORE

Nova Scotia’s Fox Harb’r Resort debuts new ocean golf course and luxury spa

April 9, 2025 No Comments

As Nova Scotia gains ground as one of Canada’s top golf destinations, Fox Harb’r Resort, Eastern Canada’s only Four Diamond, Five-Star resort, is marking its 25th anniversary with a sweeping transformation designed to elevate the guest experience on and off the course.

Located about a 90-minute drive from Halifax and Moncton airports, or a convenient flight into the resort’s 5,000-foot runway, Fox Harb’r was founded in 2000 by the late Ron Joyce, co-founder of Tim Hortons. It was envisioned as a destination that would blend luxury, nature, and maritime hospitality onNova Scotia’s Northumberland Shore. Twenty-five years later, that vision is evolving under the leadership of his son, Steven Joyce, with major investments reshaping the property’s golf offering, spa experience, and luxury accommodations.

New golf offering for 2025

Now open for the season, Fox Harb’r Resort will debut its brand-new Ocean Course on May 7. This dramatic coastal layout, designed by top Canadian golf architects Doug Carrick and Tom McBroom, features ocean views, natural elevation changes, and strategic shot-making. The course draws inspiration from traditional links-style designs and stretches along the scenic Strait.

“Nova Scotia continues to grow as a golf destination, and Fox Harb’r brings something distinctive to the province’s landscape,” says Kevin Toth, President of Fox Harb’r Resort. “Whether it’s a round of golf, a weekend escape, or time at the spa, we offer a place to truly unwind and recharge.”

A second full 18-hole layout, the Vineyard Course, is under development and expected to open in 2027.

Expanded wellness facilities

Opening May 9, the reimagined Spa & Wellness Centre is a major addition to the resort’s guest experience.

It was developed in collaboration with Core Essence, a Canadian wellness design firm with international expertise and a portfolio that includes leading hospitality brands. The oceanfront facility includes a full hydrothermal circuit with sauna, steam room, cold plunge, and salt lounge. Signature treatments use marine ingredients from the Atlantic, and a new fitness studio offers recovery therapies designed for both golfers and wellness-focused travellers.

“This transformation is more than an investment in luxury wellness. It’s about creating a world-class retreat where guests can fully immerse themselves in renewal and relaxation,” says Toth.

In addition to golf and spa, Fox Harb’r offers a wide range of activities across its 1,400-acre property. Guests can enjoy a deep-water marina, sport shooting, kayaking, and archery. The resort’s Cape Cliff dining room features seasonal menus showcasing Nova Scotia’s finest ingredients, while accommodations include 88 ocean-view suites and a collection of multi-bedroom townhomes ideal for group stays. This year, Fox Harb’r will also unveil a new collection of 18 golf-side luxury residences, designed by Atlantic Canadian architect and Order of Canada recipient Brian MacKay-Lyons.

Travel offers for 2025

With many Canadians reconsidering travel to the U.S. this year, Fox Harb’r is promoting two new packages for spring and summer:

Stay & Play Golf – Includes one or two rounds, access to the Golf Academy, a 20% discount on spa treatments, and deluxe breakfast in the Cape Cliff dining room.

Fourth Night Free – Guests booking three nights receive the fourth night complimentary. This offer provides extra time to explore the nearby communities of Tatamagouche and Malagash, known for their wineries, distilleries, and artisan shops, or simply unwind with more time on the course and at the spa.

For bookings or packages, visit www.foxharbr.com.

Prince Edward County’s hottest resort just opened a spa

January 20, 2025 No Comments

Wander The Spa, the first-ever lakefront Nordic spa in Ontario, is officially open.

A place for intention and restoration, disconnect to reconnect in the tranquility of a 10,000 square foot thermotherapy circuit, nestled among the tall grasses of Wander The Resort on West Lake in Prince Edward County (15841 Loyalist Pkwy, Bloomfield). Passes start at $95 and bookings are now open.

Since opening in 2021, Wander has received international acclaim as one of the top travel and design destinations in the country. The addition of the nordic spa culminates an experience of peace and connection for locals and overnight guests alike, as one of the few in the province to offer onsite accommodations.

“Wander The Spa was built to give our guests what we all desperately need, a place to disconnect and reconnect. Somewhere to experience time standing still for a moment, designed to be an oasis of intention and restoration,” said Shannon Hunter, owner, Wander The Resort. “Opening the first-ever lakefront Nordic spa in Ontario has been years in the making and, together with our award-winning restaurant Gather, culminates the Wander experience of peace and connection.”

Relax and retreat

Begin with a hot session (over 100 F) in the 32-seat sauna (dry heat, beneficial for detoxification and improved circulation), steam room (moist heat, beneficial for opening pores and soothing muscles), or hot soak pool (ideal for easing muscle tension).

Next to the steam room, visit the scrub area to exfoliate and refresh your skin before quickly cooling down with a 1 to 3 minute cold plunge (50 F) to invigorate the senses and enhance circulation. Rest in the sunken fireside lounge or the Terrace lounge overlooking the spa, with views of sparkling West Lake.

An equally restorative experience, skip the full circuit to spend more time unwinding in any of the amenities, which also include two warm soak pools (98 F); and the temperate dip pool (temperature adjusted to the season), where guests are soothed by the sounds and views of two waterfalls and multiple fireplaces year-round.

Whisper Beach on West Lake offers 200 feet of waterfront exclusively to spa guests for a natural cold plunge experience, with two more intimate saunas and cozy Hygge Huts nearby.

Laidback luxury lives here

Wander’s acclaimed attention to detail continues in the spa and here the laidback luxury transitions to an oasis of serenity. Curved interior walls and domed ceilings are hand parged in parchment-toned microcement and highlighted by soft indirect lighting, reminiscent of candlelit hallways. This textural subtlety is juxtapositioned against the clean and simple lines of white oak millwork and black iron hardware.

Finishing touches such as arched doors featuring black pane glass, custom backlit LED mirrors, acoustic panelled ceilings in Treatment rooms, and integrated speakers throughout encourage contemplation and reverie.

Natural materials are carried outside where cedar establishes warmth and intimacy in The Cove, the spacious subterranean pool deck that provides a protected all-season experience. Here, natural Baltic Ivy-covered concrete is the backdrop to renewal, and guests can disappear among the 10’ by 10’ waterfall, or reconnect around one of three fires.

Ascend the floating concrete staircase to the Terrace Lounge or venture inside the Clubhouse for access to The Market, where the signature Wander x Sunday’s Company spa scent, with notes of eucalyptus and wild spruce, is available to take home as a diffuser, a candle or as Wander’s new line of body products. Enjoy the resort’s award-winning culinary offerings at Gather, where Chef Justin Tse’s balanced menu takes cues from the seasons and highlights the flavours of the County, marrying global influences with locally-sourced ingredients.

With two private treatment rooms, Wander The Spa is launching with Reiki, an ancient Japanese method of healing that uses light to touch to channel energy into the body; as well as a Relaxation Massage that aims to restore balance, using gliding strokes of varying pressure to stimulate circulation, to smooth tight muscles and reduce stress. Wellness practitioners will also offer daily Aufguss sauna rituals, infusing essential oils, heat, steam, and sound for a 10-minute multisensory experience.

Wander The Spa is open daily and is also available for private bookings. Visit wanderthespa.com for more information.

Whales, trails and Viking tales await in Newfoundland and Labrador

December 6, 2024 No Comments

Western Newfoundland and Labrador have long been on my list of places to visit for barren wilderness–and remarkable human migration history at its furthest reaches. When it’s not about flavourful seafood, sweet berries and sweeping history, Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula is all about wild, wild nature. Whales breach and icebergs glisten just offshore a tuckamore laden coastline. Add in Labrador—a landscape with granite boulders strewn like a giant’s marble game—and you have an incredible drive.

WALK THE MANTLE OF THE EARTH

Heading north up the 526-kilometre Viking Trail (Route 430), the first detour for our carful of friends was Gros Morne National Park to stroll the UNESCO-designated Tablelands Trail.

With its red, Mars-like terrain, a half billion years ago, the Tablelands lay below sea level, until shifting plates forced ancient continents together and thrust up the ocean floor.

In the park’s northern section, we walked an orchid-dotted trail to reach a boat tour on Western Brook Pond, the most dramatic way to experience this inland fjord, where waterfalls descend from green 600-metre cliffs higher than Toronto’s CN Tower.

A BASQUE WHALING STATION ON LABRADOR

Continuing to St. Barbe, we traversed the Strait of Belle Isle to Labrador and loaded our car onto the Blanc-Sablon Ferry, which takes roughly two hours to cross. Fares range from $9.50 for a senior to $35.25 for a vehicle and driver and depart morning and afternoon every day from May 1 to Jan. 7 and once in the morning Jan. 8 to April 30.

Here, we spotted our first berg. Rapt by the dramatic coastal bluffs, we drove an hour north along Labrador’s Expedition 51 route to Red Bay Basque Whaling Station National Historic and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the best preserved example of early industrial scale whaling anywhere in the world.

Inside the station, a massive 400-year-old bowhead whale skeleton, as well as an original whaling boat are on display. On the site’s west side, a couple of us climbed 689 steps up Tracey Hill for an expansive—and very breezy—view of the sheltered harbour.

WHALE WATCHING IN NEWFOUNDLAND

Back on Newfoundland, we continued north up the Viking Trail to where the road meets the saltwater at St. Lunaire-Griquet.

Clad in flotation suits and looking like a waddle of orange penguins, we marched into Zodiacs with local tour operator, Dark Tickle Expeditions, and headed out into the heart of Iceberg Alley. Operating from mid May to Oct.1, the company runs public tours (private charters are also available) for viewing icebergs, whales, dolphins or birds.

Peak viewing season for icebergs is typically from late May to early July for icebergs, early June to late August for humpbacks, minke and fin whales, late July to late September for Atlantic white beaked dolphins and early June to mid-August for Arctic terns, guillemots and kittiwakes.

We circled a massive one glistening in the sunshine, revealing contoured blue and white striations.

While zooming out to another unique berg, guide Mo Hyduk, declared “I think we have whales, people!”

Motoring up the coast, we watched in awe as two humpbacks fed in White Cape Harbour, one breaching in front of us.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF VIKINGS

Continuing even further north up the Great Northern Peninsula, L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site —remains of an 11th century basecamp—depict the Vikings earliest landing on North America about one thousand years ago.

The visitor centre leads you through the tales of exiled murderers and Viking explorers who came from Greenland to establish an outpost. While the centre is full of intriguing artifacts—such as Icelandic fire starters and bronze cloak pins—the Viking encampment in the distance beckoned. This place at the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula felt like the end of the world.

Past the low berms—remains of what would have been sod dwellings—a large, reconstructed sod hall is filled with weapons and sheepskins. Viking interpreters sat around the fire, telling stories while crafters wove sailcloth and spun wool.

History in Newfoundland and Labrador, whether cultural or geological, is captivating. Being outdoors at these sites, however—walking a windswept point, climbing ancient granite, or cruising a sheltered bay—was what entrenched me fully in the experience. And what made the Great Northern Peninsula memorable.

This story first appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of OFFSHORE. Click here to read the digital magazine. Click here to subscribe to the print magazine.

All-day pampering awaits at the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa

October 14, 2024 No Comments

Suspended on limestone cliffs above the rushing rapids of the gorge below, the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa provides an indulging, five-star retreat in the heart of nature.

Walking through the streets of Elora, you’d be forgiven for thinking you might be anywhere else but a small, Ontario town. All along Metcalfe and surrounding streets, stores housed in 19th century limestone sell everything from handmade silk lampshades spun in art deco designs, to locally-made home furnishings and used books.

Like any good small town, there are also a handful of comfortable cafes and ice cream shops selling those nostalgic Moosetracks and Bubblegum scoops.

But the lifeblood of the town is the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa, a five-star, luxury boutique property with a fine-dining restaurant and full-service spa that’s perched above the rushing waters of the Elora Gorge.

About the Elora Mill

Opened in 2018 under the Pearle Hospitality Group, the Elora Mill has a long and colourful history that dates back nearly 200 years, to 1832 when William Gilkison, a Scottish naval captain, purchased 14,000 acres of land and settled the town on the banks of the Grand River. In 1833, Gilkison constructed a sawmill which served the town until the early 1900s.

Over the years, the property also had stints as a distillery (the site of the hotel’s present-day kitchen), as well as a flour mill that ceased operations in 1974, when it was converted to the Elora Mill Inn. Following the old inn’s closure in 2010, a $27 million renovation project saw the property reopen eight years later in June 2018 as the four-storey Elora Mill Hotel & Spa, turning the tiny town of Elora into a full-fledged luxury destination flanked year round by guests from all over the world.

Farm-to-table dining

On the first floor of the hotel, you’ll find the two-storey restaurant which features floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the rapids. Using a farm-to-table dining approach that extends to all menus, highlights include the lobster and smoked halibut agnolotti with seasonal hand-picked chanterelles and the field greens salad with pan roasted chicken, made using locally-sourced produce from the Pearle Farm.

Down below, guests can visit the restaurant’s recently opened wine cellar, which is home to more than 4,000 bottles. The Elora Mill’s team of friendly in-house sommeliers can also provide expert pairing advice on any dish.

Rooms with a view

Working with the original footprint of the mill, luxury interior designer Lori Morris was picked to decorate all 30 rooms in three styles—rustic, modern and French. There are eight room categories to choose from, with no two designed identically. Soft neutrals blend harmoniously with the natural limestone walls and exposed wooden beams. Lavish touches create an atmosphere so indulging, you find yourself longing for just one more day on a weekend getaway.

Throw open the balcony doors of the Terrace Suite and gaze at the rushing rapids of the Elora Gorge below. Additional in-room highlights include a king-sized bed, a seasonal indoor wood burning fireplace perfect for autumn nights, and a Nespresso coffee machine. At the end of the evening, retreat to your terrace and lounge by the outdoor fire with a glass of wine, or one of the afte rdinner cocktails that can be ordered to your room—we recommend the Campfire Nightcap, made with a smoky Sombra mezcal, sweet Amaro Montenegro, Crème de Cacao, cold brew espresso and agave. Or, slip off your oversized plush robe and into the soaker tub.

Elements of relaxation continue throughout the hotel, starting on the first floor at the spa, where cliffside views immediately transport you away from the stresses of daily life. Recently, Elora Mill introduced a series of day packages which include the Daybreak ($350 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.), with a complimentary breakfast; the Midday ($425 from 12 to 5 p.m.) which includes lunch, and Seize the Day ($750 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), which is perfect for those looking for a full day of pampering.

Along with a signature body treatment, highlights of all three packages include use of the Nordic dry sauna, eucalyptus steam room, hot tub, and heated rooftop pool, which stays open year round. Cocktails, wine by the glass and small bites, like warm marinated olives, can be enjoyed pool side or in the relaxation lounge.

For rates and availability, visit eloramill.ca.

This article first appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of OFFSHORE travel Magazine. Click here to subscribe to your free copy.

Luxury motels are trending—but should you book a stay?

March 13, 2024 No Comments

Boutique motels, with their modest room count, old school hospitality and all-around affordability are an ideal choice for travellers from all walks of life.

A few years ago, if you’d told me that I would be willingly spending my weekend at a motel, I probably would have laughed.

If countless road trips across Canada—and one too many reruns of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 horror flick, Psycho, taught me anything— it was that these places, whose flickering neon signs beckoned slyly from the parking lot, offered cheap rates for a reason.

It didn’t used to be like that, though. Motels as we know them started dotting North American roadways in the 1920s. Their origins were primitive at best, offering weary travellers a place to wash up and lay their heads.

The term “motel” was actually coined from the words “motor hotel” because these accommodations primarily targeted travelling motorists. After the Second World War, motels spiked in popularity, as more attractive features, like outdoor pools or kitchenettes were introduced. But by the 1960s, as chain hotels emerged, motel bookings tanked. While hotel brands continued to reinvent themselves to cater to an ever-changing clientele, motels remained entrenched in the past.

Now, decades later, motels have entered their renaissance era.

Motel mania

A far cry from the seedy, roadside fixtures with their often sleazy connotations featured in Hollywood cinema, boutique motels are having a moment. Often refurbished or completely gutted from the ground up, these new motels include thoughtful amenities, sought-after perks and contemporary decor that give select high-end hotels a run for their money.

From on-site wine bars and farm-to-table eateries, to full-fledged room service and generously stocked minibars, in-room spa treatments and on-site after-hours socials, these motels leave dingy stereotypes in the dust.

And so, on a Saturday afternoon, I found myself checking into The Beach Motel.

As a travel editor, I’ve lost count of the five-star hotels I’ve stayed at around the world. From private infinity plunge pools overlooking the Caribbean Sea, to signature scents in-room and even pillow menus, luxury properties are constantly coming up with new ways to make your stay feel extra special. But after stepping into the lobby and receiving a signature welcome drink and a hot towel during check-in, The Beach Motel immediately felt very on par to the level of hospitality I’ve come to expect from those high-end properties.

An elevated stay

Stepping into my suite, the elevated hospitality continued—there were chocolates on the bed, the heated floors had been turned on, and general manager, Amanda Deer, was eager to help answer any questions or attend to special requests.

Located on the shores of Southampton, one of Ontario’s best summer beach towns, the property is owned and operated by Dane and Samantha Buttenaar. With backgrounds in landscaping and real estate, the couple opened The Beach Motel in March 2022, successfully transforming the old Huron Haven motel that occupied the lot years before.

“I think since the shift to hotels, motels have been neglected and always been a ma and pa type establishment. Normally owner occupied, they were understaffed and not well kept,” said Dane Buttenaar, co-owner, The Beach Motel. “More recently, there’s been a shift from hotel accommodations to Airbnb and boutique properties that allow a more personal touch. We enjoyed embracing a guest-focused experience that allowed guests to not only have great service, but the chance to all interact and converse about travel and our beautiful town, Southampton.”

Home to 17 suites, each room is outfitted with either a king or queen-sized bed, a soaker tub and a rainfall shower and heated bathroom floors. Additional in-room, hotel-like amenities include a Nespresso machine stocked with a selection of coffees and teas, matching robes, a hair dryer, a mini fridge and even an ice bucket as well as wine and cocktail glasses.

The Beach Motel also houses a spa that offers massages and facials, a two-person sauna and an on-site restaurant, with a weekly farm-to-table menu executed by chef Carey McLellan. Inside the restaurant, which doubles as a lounge, guests can take their pick of complimentary board games and plenty of paperbacks, and on cooler nights, enjoy a drink by the cozy stone fireplace. It’s that smaller setting coupled by its communal spaces, that make you feel so much more connected to the property and the staff.

Of course, it’s important to also point out a few key differences between a high-end motel, such as The Beach Motel, and a true five-star hotel, too. With fewer rooms and a lower guest-to-staff ratio, you can expect an intimate atmosphere and a more personalized approach to service. However, many boutique motels don’t offer a 24-hour concierge; instead the front desk follows a dedicated hourly schedule. Parking may also be limited in busier months, and on-site restaurant hours close earlier than the restaurants in town.

But if it’s small town hospitality and a charming experience you’re after, give the humble motel another chance.

More motels to explore in Ontario

The Drake Motor Inn

Dubbed Prince Edward County’s most retro inn, The Drake Motor Inn is operated by the same owners of Toronto’s beloved Drake Hotel and Wellington’s Drake Devonshire. Wrapped in bright, funky colours, this pet-friendly motel features 12 guestrooms, all decked out with art and photography. Guests can enjoy plenty of perks, including complimentary use of Polaroid cameras for the perfect selfie, as well as a plethora of dining options at the Drake Devonshire.

thedrake.ca/drakemotorinn

Penny’s Motel

A laid back, old school vibe, minus the bubblegum pink bathtub awaits at Penny’s, located in Thornbury, Ont. on the coast of Georgian Bay. The swanky-looking motel offers 13 pet-friendly rooms, stocked with Malin + Goetz bath products, heated floors and rainfall showers. Locally-sourced food, including build-your-own s’mores abound at Apres, Penny’s snack bar. Other amenities include complimentary bikes, communal fire pits and heated patios.

pennysmotel.ca

Somewhere Inn

Outside of Ottawa in Calabogie, Somewhere Inn, opened in August 2021, breathes new life into an old motel from the 1970s. Its oversized, dog-friendly rooms that can sleep up to eight are TV-free (encouraging you to explore somewhere new, duh) and furnished with comfortable queen and king-sized beds. Nespresso machines, soaker tubs, Endy mattresses and fluffy duvets make this spot feel just like home for you and your furry friend for as long as you’d like.

somewhereinn.ca

ARHOME is a design-forward guest suite like no other

January 15, 2024 No Comments

Experiential hospitality brand arcana is excited to announce the launch of its infinite arcana experience with ARHOME, design-Forward guest dwellings delivered fully assembled, available for individual purchase.

To celebrate the launch, ARHOME is offering an introductory limited release of 25 guest suites starting today, built in Canada and delivered Spring 2024.

All elements of ARHOME are intentionally designed to orientate guests towards nature while ensuring complete comfort. The combination of fine craftsmanship, hospitality grade finishes, and materials chosen with sustainability at the forefront, results in a one-of-a kind, fully assembled, prefabricated alternative to those looking to add guest accommodations.

About ARHOME

ARHOME is 275 square feet and designed with hospitality in mind. It can be your very own private weekend hideaway, the perfect guest house or short-term rental and is custom built in Canada and arrives fully assembled.

ARHOME starts at $225,000 CAD and can be delivered and shipped across Canada within eight to twelve weeks from purchase. Hookup to electrical, water and waste is required for use.

Canadian-designed and built, ARHOME is conceptualized with sustainability in mind by award-winning Vancouver-based architect, Michael Leckie of Leckie Studio and built by Oakville-based Hummingbird Hill Homes and Toronto-based Studio Morro.

About ARHOME

ARHOME highlights include:

Red oak interiors, heated floors and air conditioning
Premium kitchen appliances: Porter Charles stove-top, oven and hood range, complemented by a whisper-quiet, 4.1 cubic feet built-in Vitrifrigo fridge
Built-in Sonos speaker system, controlled through smart panels
Rain shower and private water closet
Lunos system that filters air and eliminates the need for in-wall ducting
Discrete storage solutions
Choice of three exterior finishes: Corten steel and natural or black stained wood cladding. The arcana iconic mirrored steel cladding is available upon request.

For pricing and additional information, visit findarcana.com.

Riding the rails with Rocky Mountaineer

September 13, 2023 No Comments

“Quick! Look out the window,” called my seatmate, Pam.

“What was it?” I asked, simultaneously getting up from my heated, plush leather reclining chair, which was quickly proving to be a necessary add-on feature to this journey. Despite being the end of July, the temperature outside this morning was winning against all of the clothes I’d brought from Toronto.

“I think deer maybe, or a wolf? Or it could have been a moose,” Pam pondered, groggy from an early start combined with still adjusting to the time change from her home in England.

“I didn’t see it!” I said, lowering my camera, knowing that here in the belly of the Canadian Rockies, all three wildlife sightings were possible. “Did anyone catch what it was?”

“It was an elephant! It was definitely an elephant!” hollered Charlie from his seat in front of me, giddy from an impromptu morning cocktail, but also revelling in the tight-knit comradery our little group seated at the back of the train had formed just one day prior.

As laughter rocked the back of the coach, I shifted my focus to my surroundings, sank back, and enjoyed the start of my adventure aboard Canada’s only luxury rail-tour company, Rocky Mountaineer.

All aboard

My three-day trip started the day before, when I caught a flight from Toronto to Vancouver. The next day, I set out at 6 a.m. from the company’s private rail station. Rocky Mountaineer offers its guests two service levels onboard: GoldLeaf and SilverLeaf.

Both top-notch options, my ticket was in the GoldLeaf coach, and as I walked the red carpet to board, I quickly realized why it lived up to its name. Travellers who opt for GoldLeaf service are seated in a spacious, bi-level glass dome coach complete with oversized glass dome windows and a glass roof. Unlike most airplane cabins, the luxurious seats provide ample legroom, even allowing for reclination.

On the contrary, SilverLeaf guests ride on a single-level glass dome coach with full-size glass windows. The major difference—and it’s a big one—is the sweeping outdoor viewing platform that allows for panoramic views of Western Canada while the train is in motion, where you’ll gawk at everything from larger-than-life mountains, to rushing rivers and soaring bald eagles, all without trace of a single other person or vehicle.

For more than 30 years, Rocky Mountaineer has been transporting travellers through the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta and, more recently, through the U.S. states of Utah and Colorado. The company began in 1990 with two routes: First Passage to the West (running between Vancouver and Lake Louise/Banff via Kamloops) and Journey Through the Clouds (between Vancouver and Jasper via Kamloops).

By 2006, a third route, Rainforest to Gold Rush, was added to showcase the rarely seen interior and northernmost parts of British Columbia. The Canadian-owned company offers dozens of trips to suit any vacation style and trip lengths can range anywhere from a short stint of one to three days to upwards of 10 to 12 days.

Short Journeys start at roughly $2,000 per person and allow for two days of exploration of the Canadian Rockies or the American Southwest. Circle Journeys let you combine two different rail routes, like the eight-night Lake Louise Circle Journey, or the 12-night Best of the Rockies Circle Journey, which does a complete loop of Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Quesnel and Whistler. Circle Journeys begin at $6,000 per person. Rockies Highlights, curated to show off the best views of the West, offer nine unique rail packaged adventures that start at around $3,400 per person.

Travel back in time

First Passage to the West, the trip I took, is the company’s flagship route. It continues to be one of the most popular. Retracing the historic Canadian Pacific Railway, which originally connected British Columbia to the rest of Canada more than 125 years ago, this slowed-down, tranquil journey begins by following the Fraser River and the surrounding Fraser Valley. The journey from Vancouver to Kamloops covered a whopping 460 kilometres in the first day and took roughly seven hours to complete, during which I had plenty of breathtaking photo opportunities.

At the height of summer in the Rockies, the boreal forest was undeniably green, thanks in part to Vancouver’s temperate rainforest.

During this leg of the journey, as the train followed the ebb and flow of the Fraser River, time stood still as we passed by sleepy towns and endless mountain backdrops straight out of a postcard.

At the halfway point between Vancouver and Kamloops, we descended upon one of the top attractions on this route, the infamous Hell’s Gate canyon, suspended 36.8 kilometres above the town of Yale. Named in 1808 by Canadian explorer and fur trader Simon Fraser, Hell’s Gate is a narrow passage of towering rock and rapids so furious that a page from Fraser’s diary describes it as “…a place where no human should venture, for surely these are the gates of Hell.”

Further along the journey, another geological wonder, Rainbow Canyon, appeared just past Lytton, which is where the Fraser River becomes the Thompson River. A pop of colour bled into the rockface, Rainbow Canyon gets its name from the mineral deposits in the soil: copper turns green and purple when oxidized, iron paints the ground a burnt orange and red, while sulphur deposits leave streaks of brilliant yellow.

As we continued our journey to Kamloops, the landscape gave way from emerald green to beige, as the rolling valleys were replaced by dusty desert soil and hearty wild sage brush. With a semi-arid climate, Kamloops is also home to a series of rock and clay formations called hoodoos, which formed at the end of the last ice age. Spending an overnight in Kamloops, the second day of the journey took us through the glittering Shuswap Lakes region, which, with its sparkling lakes and rivers was a stark contrast to the dry and sparsely-treed South Thompson River valley we’d left behind.

The final stretch of our journey from Kamloops to our end destination in Banff encompassed a 497-kilometre journey. As we passed through Salmon Arm and Revelstoke, just before Golden, we encountered the Stoney Creek Bridge. Located on the eastern slopes of Mount Tupper, the original wooden bridge was replaced in 1893 by a steel arch. By 1929, the weight from the new locomotives was so great that CP Rail was forced to redo the bridge a second time. Due to the terrain around the bridge, no other foundation could be used and so the new bridge was built directly on top of the old one. The new bridge, which remains in use today, spans 484 feet and hovers 295 feet above the creek bed.

Just past Field, B.C., we came upon the famous Spiral Tunnels. During the first 23 years that the Canadian Pacific Rail was in service, one of its weakest links was the “Big Hill”, a 13-kilometre stretch between the towns of Field and Hector. Built in 1884, the route was supposed to be temporary, because not only was it an incredibly dangerous run, but it caused enormous repair costs. In 1907, construction started on the Spiral Tunnels. Designed after a similar system in Switzerland, the project cost $1 million dollars and took 1,000 men 20 months to complete. As the train entered the tunnel, we shot into pitch blackness for several minutes. The Upper Spiral tunnel follows Cathedral Mountain, during which it turns 290 degrees and emerges 50 feet higher than its entrance. The Lower Spiral tunnels through Mount Ogden and also turns 230 degrees and comes out 56 feet higher than its starting point. The experience ultimately sees riders double back twice, while crossing the river twice as well, which, from the glass coach of the train, was visible on the opposite side of the coach once the tunnels ended.

Though the landscape never swayed from trees, rivers and mountains, at no point did I ever close my eyes, both afraid of missing out on spotting my first-ever moose, but also because I was enjoying every minute of the ride. For the first time in as long as I could remember, I was fully present in my surroundings, unbothered and undistracted by the consistent pile of work emails and notifications that usually bombarded my phone—there’s no WiFi onboard the train, and cell phone service is limited, which lets you disconnect and lose yourself in the journey, not to mention, connect with your host and fellow passengers.

Each route comes equipped with a dedicated on-board host who, through impeccable storytelling, expert knowledge and hospitable service, ensures your journey is as comfortable as it is memorable.

Savour the journey

On both mornings, my journey onboard started with a hot cup of coffee and a delicious treat, including a homemade lemon loaf baked by one of the chefs that same day.

For GoldLeaf guests on Canadian routes, breakfast and lunch are served in a separate dining room coach with an exquisite menu helmed by Executive Chef Kaelhub Cudmore. Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Cudmore honed his skills and passion for the culinary industry at an early age.

He has previously worked at Victoria’s iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel and spent nearly a decade as part of the team developing the world-renowned Clayoquot Wilderness Resort into the exclusive Relais & Chateaux property it is today. He sailed aboard the top luxury cruise line, Seabourn, as a leader in the Thomas Keller program and has made guest chef appearances in exclusive resorts and destinations.

With a deep passion for not only food but travel, experiential tourism became Cudmore’s home as he worked through various locations offering everything from salmon fishing to heli-skiing. As an “ingredient-driven chef,” he puts high-quality local ingredients at the forefront of his menu, supporting local agriculture and artisans in his kitchen while creating a connection between food and land.

“I want to reflect the scenery that guests see outside and bring it inside onto their plates,” says Cudmore. This ethos is reflected in the meals he’s created for Rocky Mountaineer, from iconic Canadian flavours and ingredients like the Alberta beef short rib, Dungeness crab-stuffed ravioli and Lois Lake steelhead trout, to the handmade pasta from Port Moody, bee pollen from Surrey and macarons from Granville Island that are incorporated into additional onboard snacks and meals. “Guests can see where their food comes from while they enjoy their journey,” he adds.

As with the culinary program, Rocky Mountaineer’s wine program reflects the Canadian landscape that guests can experience during their journey, with a robust selection of wine from British Columbia’s most revered wineries. All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including fresh juices, coffee and tea are also included and delivered to your seat in GoldLeaf coaches.

This story first appeared in the Fall 2023 issue of OFFSHORE. To read the full digital version, click here.

Azamara Cruises returns to Canada for the first time since 2017

July 14, 2023 No Comments

Azamara has released 73 itineraries for 2025, including two brand-new voyages visiting Canada for the first time since 2017.

Along with these itineraries comes the debut of double night stays, giving guests two overnights to explore one destination at their leisure.

With Azamara’s new double night stays, guests can spend three days and two nights in Bordeaux, France. Due to their small size, Azamara’s ships can dock in the centre of the city, allowing guests to explore the stunning architecture and renowned museums, as well as the world-famous surrounding wine region.

Azamara guests can also sail seven hours down the Guadalquivir River to enjoy an extended stay in the heart of Seville, Spain, where they can fully immerse themselves in the local culture and traditions of Andalusia by indulging in tapas, watching authentic flamenco dancers and bullfighters, and admiring historic palaces – all at their own pace.

“We are thrilled to return to Canada in 2025, and we’re excited for our guests to experience these unique itineraries visiting lesser traveled ports in Quebec and Newfoundland as well as Iceland and Greenland,” said Michael Pawlus, Head of Itinerary Planning at Azamara. “As demand for our Country Intensive sailings remains strong, we’ve also added a range of these specialty voyages across Europe for 2025, so our guests can discover smaller ports and hidden gems within a single country.”

New sailings

Marking the cruise line’s return to the country for the first time in more than five years, Azamara’s new sailings will stop in six Canadian ports, including:

Cap-aux-Meules, Quebec (maiden port): Known as the center of the Magdalen Islands, this small fishing town boasts incredibly fresh seafood, stunning coastal trails, and over 300 species of birds.
L’Anse Aux Meadows, Newfoundland (maiden port): L’Anse Aux Meadows is the only authenticated Viking site in North America. Guests will be transported back 1,000 years as they explore the recreated Viking Encampment and discover original Norse artifacts.
Harve Saint Pierre, Quebec (maiden port): With panoramic views and never-ending sandy beaches, Saint Pierre sits on the north shore of Quebec’s Saint Lawrence River and is the gateway to the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, home to an abundance of wildlife.

2025 itineraries

Azamara’s signature Country Intensive sailings continue to see high demand, making up more than half of the newly released 2025 itineraries.

These specialty voyages encourage guests to dive deeper into countries such as Italy, Spain, France, Norway, Ireland, and Scotland by providing more time to discover the local culture and hidden gems. Two of the fleet’s four ships will visit Greece in 2025, a destination Azamara knows best as its ships visit more unique ports throughout the country than any other cruise line.

Azamara’s 2025 itineraries include a record number of 15 golf cruises in collaboration with longtime partner PerryGolf. Golf lovers will want to book the 2025 British Isles Golf Cruise, which includes weekend attendance to the final two rounds of The 153^rd Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

To book one of Azamara’s immersive itineraries for 2025, please visit www.azamara.com/europe-2025.

Meet the tour operators offering incredible wildlife encounters in Manitoba

July 3, 2023 No Comments

Travel Manitoba says tourists can see some pretty impressive critters in the northern part of Manitoba and much farther south as well.

The tourism promotion body’s Karin Schreiber told delegates at Rendez-vous Canada 2023 that those visiting the northern Manitoba community of Churchill can spot polar bears in a destination that bills itself as The Polar Bear Capital of the World, with guided tours providing sightings of the huge bruins.

Schreiber also told her late May Quebec City audience that Hudson Bay-fronting Churchill also has tours that enable people to spot some of the thousands of beluga whales that gather nearby in the summer.

Churchill-based Lazy Bear Expeditions has a “wildlife-viewing boat” that enables people to comfortably view belugas, and adventurous clients can opt for “beluga AquaGliding,” which sees people wearing wet or dry suits and masks and snorkels lie on floating mats tethered to Zodiacs on the Churchill River or Hudson Bay. Curious but harmless belugas often approach the mats, giving tourists close-up looks at them.

“The belugas come close to the mat and follow it,” Lazy Bear Expeditions’ Melissa Perry later said of the “naturally curious” marine mammals.

Perry said clients are “on top of the water, not in it” but the provided wet or dry suits prevent them from getting wet from splashing.

More information can be found at lazybearexpeditions.com.

Schreiber also said that northern Manitoba’s “cloud wolves of Kaska Coast” aren’t wary of people, which in turn leads to sightings of them by nature enthusiasts who venture to the Hudson Bay-fronting region they live in.

But she also noted that the “Prairie oasis” of Riding Mountain National Park — found in southwestern Manitoba — is home to such imposing creatures as bison, black bears and moose.

“Manitoba is best known for its compelling wildlife,” Schreiber said.

She said the huge province has over 100,000 lakes and can provide great winter sightings of the Northern Lights.

Glamping’s popularity increased during the pandemic.

But Schreiber also said visitors should experience urban Manitoba, adding “hustling and bustling” Winnipeg sees world-class performing arts performances.

Aviation enthusiasts will appreciate the city’s Royal Aviation Museum, she added.

Winnipeg’s Qaumajug Art Museum in turn has the largest Inuit art collection anywhere, she continued.

Schreiber also noted that The Wyndham Gardens Ode Akiing Hotel (also called the Wyndham Gardens Winnipeg Airport Hotel) is Indigenous-owned. The hotel has Indigenous art and an Indigenous chef.

—IAN STALKER

Canada’s billion-dollar casino announces grand opening

June 9, 2023 No Comments

The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto officially opens June 20, 2023.

This landmark development will revolutionize Toronto’s entertainment landscape, creating an exhilarating experience for gaming enthusiasts and entertainment lovers alike.

With transformative architecture, the new, modern Great Canadian Toronto encompasses a staggering 328,000 square feet of gaming space, including more than 4,800 slot machines and 145 table games, solidifying its position as the largest casino in Canada and one of the largest in North America.

With an unparalleled variety of gaming experiences, exclusive VIP rooms, and state-of-the-art sports betting kiosks, Great Canadian Toronto promises an entertainment experience like no other.

A Vegas-style casino in Canada

Situated adjacent to Woodbine Racetrack, this all-encompassing resort will seamlessly integrate a modern, Vegas-style casino, a 400-room hotel, 5,000-person live entertainment venue, and an array of exceptional on-site dining options.

Great Canadian Toronto will deliver superior gaming, entertainment, and hospitality experiences, all within its impressive 33-acre domain, conveniently located near the interchange of Highways 401 and 427.

Casino Woodbine will continue to operate without any interruption until the grand debut of the new Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. This seamless transition ensures that guests will continue to enjoy gaming experiences until the new facility opens.