What's new this fall à la Montréal

Tourisme Montréal | 1555 Peel Street, Suite 600, Montréal (Québec) Canada, H3A 3L8.

September 2012

Fall is a favourite time of year in Montréal and for good reason! The season’s vibrant colours are already beginning to emerge across the city, with a wide range cultural activities ranging from expos to festivals to concerts to gastronomic events filling the city’s autumnal calendar. Annual fall favourites such as the Magic of Lanterns that lights up the Botanical Gardens or the Montréal POP Festival with its habitual series of incredible concerts are back once again, while great new additions such as the TASTE MTL culinary festival comes to town with an irresistible invitation to sample the flavours of local restaurants at reduced prices. With such an agenda, Montréal remains, without question, one of the most exciting cities to visit this season!

What's hot and new at Big White Ski Resort For 2012/13

From wine and ski packages to a private ski day with a champion,  Big White tempts skiers this winter season 

KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA – It’s all about the skiing, savouring, and sipping this year at Big White Ski Resort. Maximizing it’s unique location in the heart of Canada’s wine country this award-winning family resort has put together some new events and packages that highlight its location, as well as its commitment to value and family fun both on and off the slopes.

Hailed for its champagne powder and most ski-in, ski-out accommodation in Canada, Big White has built its reputation on offering an easy and authentic winter vacation experience for all ages. “Coming into our 50th year as BC’s second most popular resort we are proud of what we’ve built over the years. After a busy summer of upgrades and renovations the team is looking forward to welcoming guests to another round of Okanagan champagne powder.” Says Michael Ballingall, Senior Vice President.

Story Ideas from Tourism British Columbia, Sept. 2012

Here is a captivating collection of Fresh Story Ideas from Tourism British Columbia. Gibsons: Seaside TV Town Takes It Beyond the Small Screen Vancouver Island: Rest & Relaxation at Vancouver Island Coast Visitor Centre Thompson Okanagan: Wine, Women and 3 Mile Estate Kootenay Rockies: Do It All, or Nothing at All, at Wing Creek Resort Northern BC: You Know the von Trapps. Time to Meet the Hobsons Gibsons: Seaside TV Town Takes It Beyond the Small Screen: In the hearts of most British Columbians, the town of Gibsons will forever remain the setting for The Beachcombers, one of Canadian television's biggest success stories (the weekly "dramedy" aired from 1972 until 1990). But given the quaint community's proximity to the ocean, perched on the hillside overlooking the harbour and islands of Howe Sound, there's little wonder these days why Gibsons is best defined by its scenery, artists and fishing boats. Want to see the small-screen wonder yourself? A quick hop, skip and a ferry ride from West Vancouver will deliver you to this sunny community that has long been a haven for creative souls.

Four Points by Sheraton to debut in New Brunswick

Four Points by Sheraton Edmundston Opens Next Summer

Stamford, CT – September 18, 2012 – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced its Four Points by Sheraton brand will open its first hotel in Edmundston, New Brunswick.  Four Points by Sheraton Edmundston will open in July 2013 in an ideal location at the centre of downtown Edmundston.

The former Clarion hotel will undergo an extensive $2.5 million renovation prior to flying the Four Points flag. With 160 hotels open worldwide and the second largest pipeline among all Starwood brands, Four Points offers a “best for business” proposition for travellers seeking great hotels at great rates.

New Alberta fall road trips

Drumheller, Alberta- No wonder Tom Cochrane filmed his hit tune, Life is a Highway, in the Canadian Badlands of South-Eastern Alberta.

 

Less-traveled roads crisscross a 90,000 square kilometre prairie intersected by river valleys with incredible badland formations.

 

Stretching east from Calgary to the Saskatchewan border and south to the US border state of Montana, the Canadian Badlands is the perfect fall road trip.

 

Guided day trips and overnight packages include ghost town tours, theatre, a wine and food festival, and fall hiking.

Travel news from Quebec City and Area, September 2012

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is undertaking a massive $66-million upgrade, which includes renovations to the hotel’s 618 rooms and suites; the expansion of the Fairmont Gold floors; a major transformation of the main lobby; the expansion of the fitness centre by adding a luxury spa; the implementation of an entirely new restaurant concept; and the enhancement of heritage elements by carefully integrating artefacts and pieces by Quebec artists. The Fairmont will continue its regular operations open until the end of the work in 2014. You can follow the work’s progress online at the following microsite: nouveauchateau.com/en/ www.fairmont.com/frontenac-quebec/

Canadian tour celebrating the 100th Grey Cup: VIA Rail Canada welcomes the Grey Cup on board its train from Vancouver to Halifax

Vancouver, September 10, 2012 - VIA Rail Canada is pleased to welcome the Grey Cup on board its train as part of its cross-Canada tour.

Celebrating its 100th edition in 2012, yesterday, the Cup began a coast to coast journey to visit one hundred Canadian communities. VIA Rail's Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Paul G. Smith, joined Mr. Mark Cohon, Commissioner of the Canadian Football League (CFL), Ms. Wai Young, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, Ms. Adriane Carr, Deputy Mayor for the City of Vancouver, Mr. Karim Salabi, Executive Vice-President, Marketing at RONA, and Mr. Dennis Skulsky, President and CEO of the British Columbia Lions, to highlight the official opening of the VIA Rail train carrying the Grey Cup as it passed through Pacific Central Station in Vancouver on its way to Halifax.

The train will end its great journey in Toronto on November 17th 2012, while the 100th Grey Cup Festival is taking place.

Food and wine stories from British Columbia

(News Release)

Here is a captivating collection of Food and Wine Fresh Story Ideas from British Columbia.

Want to learn more about wineries in BC? Visit www.HelloBC.com/wine or order your 2012 British Columbia Winery Touring Guide at www.HelloBC.com/brochures.

• Vancouver, Coast & Mountains: Whistler's Moveable Feast
• Kootenay Rockies: One Fairmont Hot Springs Kitchen Works From Scratch
• Cariboo Chilcotin Coast: Make a New World Order in Cowboy Country
• Thompson Okanagan: Toast BC Vintners During the Fall Okanagan Wine Festival
• Northern BC: Travel the Alaska Highway in Search of ... Cinnamon Rolls
• Vancouver Island: Say Cheese!

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Tried and True: Consistently Great Hotels in Mexico

News Release             Mexico Boutique Hotels has been scouting and promoting what we consider to be great boutique hotels in this country for over a decade. Twelve years to be exact! During that time, hotels have come and gone and with so many using the 'boutique' label nowadays, it's harder than ever to know what's what.   It's always fun to read about the newest properties. The 'in' places. The Travel + Leisure Hot list. It's also exciting to check them out and put them on our bucket list. We do it too. Having said that, we happen to think it's pretty amazing to be on another list. The we-set-the-standard list. The we've-been-consistently-great list. And don't just take it from us. The following hotels have had great reviews over and over again. For over 10 years. They've reinvented themselves when required, they've grown with the industry and they've listened to their guests. They make people happy. Often. We like that and we think you might like that too.

California Travel News Bulletin for September 2012

 
OVERSEAS VISITORS FLOCK TO SAN FRANCISCO
California is more popular and accessible than ever, say global online travel agency Jetabroad, as new figures reveal that San Francisco welcomed a record number of visitors in 2011. These numbers are expected to increase after three theme parks opened new attractions this summer, and airlines have announced new routes to the Golden State to accommodate eager travellers. (eTN Global Travel Industry News)
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AAA CAA hot deal for stays with Starwood in Western Canada and Pacific Northwest

(News Release)
Limited Time Offer Ends September 7^th for stays completed by December 2^nd

VANCOUVER, August 29, 2012—Starwood invites AAA and CAA members to get away and enjoy the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada this fall with fantastic savings of up to 30% off regular published rates.  Many participating hotels are offering additional value adds such as parking, daily breakfast and more, exclusively for AAA and CAA members.

This Hot ‘AUTODEAL’ special is valid at participating Starwood hotels and resorts in Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, Bellevue, Victoria, Anchorage, Richmond, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Kamloops and Red Deer.

Brands include Westin, Sheraton, Four Points, The Luxury Collection, Aloft and W. This exclusive limited time offer is valid for bookings made by September 7, 2012 and stays must be completed by December 2, 2012.

What's new at Silver Star Mountain Resort in Vernon, British Columbia

(News Release)

New all-inclusive pass, bowling alley and ladies-only heliski package are only a taste of what is on offer this year at Silver Star 

VERNON, BRITISH COLUMBIA, August 30, 2012 – This will be a winter to remember at Silver Star Mountain Resort with so many new offerings complimenting the 700 centimeters of champagne powder that falls annually on its slopes.

Highlighting the season is the introduction of Canada’s first all-inclusive season’s pass and day ticket and Western Canada’s largest groomed XC trail system. Whether it’s challenging the resort’s new bowling alley, combining skiing and golf with the Ski to Tee package or gathering the girls for a heliski program aimed just at the ladies, Silver Star is poised for yet another exciting season.

Elevated risk of rip currents expected along some Florida beaches this week

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) reminds residents and visitors to use caution when visiting the beach, as a high risk of rip currents is expected along some of Florida’s coasts this week.

Along the Atlantic Coast, from Nassau through Martin County, ocean swells from Tropical Storm Leslie are generating a high risk of rip currents. The risk of rip currents will also increase along the Southeast Florida coast, from Palm Beach County through Miami-Dade County later this week.