In Celebration of Canada’s 150th (it lasts all 2017 duh..) PUMA is set to release a trio of “Clyde” sneakers inspired by Canadian money. The collection features shoes with design cues from our $20, $50 and $100 CAD dollar bills.
Each model is designed with a pastel nubuck suede upper in the colors of Canadian currency, with the bill denominations embossed on the laces and heels.
Each Clyde sneaker from the “Canadian Money” pack retails for $130 CAD and is available through Puma and select retailers
In lieu of Canada’s 150th anniversary, more and more Canadians are getting outside to explore their backyards. In fact, 60% of Canadians said they had plans to travel this year. While there are national favourites and obvious go-to’s like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, there are also plenty of beautiful areas to visit off the beaten track.
This year, InterContinental Hotels Group invited Canadians to share their favourite travel destinations from coast-to-coast to create the ultimate list of Canada’s top 150 Hidden Gems. The list is expansive, and filled with dozens of must-visit locales, and below you’ll find 10 of the most underrated Canadian destinations, vouched for by your very own neighbours.
Take a peek and start planning your next vacation, or check out InterContinental’s full crowdsourced list here.
Alexandra Bridge, Quebec
This romantic bridge connects between Ontario and Quebec, allowing pedestrians to both walk or cycle across. You’re able to view both downtown Ottawa, as well as picturesque Gatineau. Whichever side you chose to stay on, you’ll catch a wicked view of the sun setting.
Altona Sunsets, Manitoba
We’d never leave out gorgeous Manitoba! Altona Beach has one of the best spots to catch a gorgeous sunset, so be sure to pause and soak one in on your next country road trip.
Basin Head Provincial Park, PEI
Located east of the town of Souris, this park includes a white sand beach, play area, food on site with washroom and shower facilities. Sounds like it’s got your family day out covered!
Ferryland Lighthouse, Newfoundland
Look no further for your next idyllic picnic location. With gourmet sandwiches and desserts offered in takeaway picnic baskets, you’ll kick yourself for not stumbling across this hideaway sooner.
Grassi Lakes, Alberta
These lakes lie in the southern Canadian Rockies, overlooking the idyllic city of Canmore. It is tough to find water bluer then these, as you follow the trail past a waterfall, eventually leading to the majestic, turquoise lakes.
Heart-Shaped Pond, Nova Scotia
This popular spot in Hemlock Ravine Park was created by Prince Edward, shortly after he arrived in Halifax, to commemorate the time his grandfather spent with his mistress. Explore this historically romantic, yet scandalous, spot hand-in-hand with a loved one!
Kakabeka Falls, Ontario
The second highest waterfall in Ontario (who knew we had more than one?!), provides incredible views all-year round. The Kaministiquia River has cut deep into the rocks of the falls, revealing 1.6 million year old fossils at the bottom.
Onaping Falls, Ontario
Another great hiking hidden gem – with lots of rocks to climb and explore through with the kids. It’s easily accessible just off the highway, making it an opportune pit stop to stretch your legs on family road trips.
Quidi Vidi, Newfoundland
Considering a neighbourhood in St. John’s, this area was originally famous for its provincial historic site, which had significance as a battery during the War of 1812. It’s now equipped with its own local microbrewery, as well as numerous other scenic places to visit.
University Bridge, Saskatchewan
Appropriately located in ‘The City of Bridges’, aka Saskatoon, this bridge spans the South Saskatchewan River. It’s most recognizable feature are its descending arches, which have been described as ‘like a stone skipping across water’.
Are there any other underrated Canadian destinations that are worth a visit?
Featured Image: Instagram/@eric.belleville
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Canada’s turning the big 1-5-0 this year, and millions of people across the nation are celebrating. The birthday is such a big deal that even international companies like WOW air are celebrating, too.
In lieu of Canada 150, the no-frills Icelandic airline, known for its super affordable prices, is offering one-way flights to Frankfurt, Stockholm, Dublin, Edinburgh, Cork, Lyon, Dusseldorf, Bristol and Berlin from Toronto or Montreal for just $150. Now that’s a deal that’ll make you say Oh, Canada! Even better, this deal, like every WOW air flight, comes with a WOW Stopover, meaning you can stop in Iceland before or after you travel to your chosen destination for no additional cost.
Head to WOW air and book fast because the offer is only available for a limited time, and it’s not often you come across flights to Europe for just $150.
Things to note about this deal:
- Return flights are regular price
- Flights to Bristol are from Toronto only
- Montreal travel between July 1-31 and September 14-December 10
- Toronto travel between July 1-31 and October 10-December 10
- For the destinations of Lyon and Dusseldorf, this offer is valid for the travel period of July only
- For the destinations of Cork and Bristol, this offer is valid for the travel periods of July and September to October.
Take advantage of this WOW air Canada 150 deal at en.wowair.ca.
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You already know about the giant rubber duck headed to the city for our nation’s 150th birthday, and now joining the larger-than-life roster is a massive 20,000-year-old iceberg!
In lieu of celebrations, Canada’s own Iceberg Vodka is sending one of Canada’s national wonders on a tour. The 20,000- year-old iceberg will travel all the way to Ontario from Newfoundland, making pit stops on an Ice-Bus in Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, Toronto and Kingston, before it lands in Ottawa for Canada 150.
Also on the Iceberg Tour will be Canadian personality and iceberg enthusiast, Shaun Proulx, who will serve as the host, meeting-and-greeting with Canadians along the way. And because icebergs are the purest source of water on the planet (thanks to formation pre-industrial pollution), Proulx will be helping visitors chip n’ sip off a piece of the iceberg! In addition, visitors will be asked why they think it’s cool to be Canadian, and the answers will be recorded on a Canadian flag which will stand erected on the floating iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean on Canada Day.
The 20,000-year-old iceberg
Here’s where you can find the iceberg:
Monday, June 26: Kitchener-Waterloo
Tuesday, June 27: Hamilton
Wednesday, June 28: Toronto
Thursday, June 29: Kingston
Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1: Ottawa
To keep up with the 20,000-year-old iceberg, visit Iceberg Vodka on Facebook.
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This year the Great White North turns 150! That means its been 150 years of poutine eating, maple syrup obsessed, “eh” saying, polite Canadians – now that’s something to celebrate! And we think there’s no better way to honour Canada, and our confederate fathers, than by exploring all that this great nation has to offer. From chowing down on fresh lobster in the East Coast, to watching the Aurora Borealis illuminate the sky in the Yukon, to partying until the sun comes up in the country’s capital, this is the year to #ExploreCanada.
Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with more than one million incredible places to stay, helped us find some of the best spots to visit for those considering a coast-to-coast journey to mark the milestone birthday.
Start at Mile 1 – St. John’s, NL
Buckle up and head out on the first mile of the Trans-Canada Highway, beginning in St. John’s, NL. You can smell the salt and hear the roar of the Atlantic Ocean from Signal Hill, Canada’s easternmost-point. At the first leg of your trip check out the The Luxus Boutique Hotel – your first cocktail is on the house and its prime downtown location will place you near all the fun festivities for Canada Day.
Bluenose Country – Lunenburg, NS
Next stop is at Lunenburg, home of the famous Bluenose schooner that adorns the back of our dime and is a prime fixture in Canadian culture. You’ll want to be sure to experience the city at one of their historical inns or bed and breakfasts, nestled among their narrow streets. Properties such as the Mariner King Inn, built in 1830, have endured for generations. The inn’s unique colourful wooden architecture and extensive history, provides an authentic Nova Scotian experience.
Get out your lobster bib – New Glasgow, PEI
Known for its red-sand beaches, fertile farmland and breathtaking beauty, nowhere in Canada is the sea more dominant than in Prince Edward Island, (no wonder Canada’s founding fathers agreed on the terms of Confederation there). But there is another big reason to visit Canada’s tiniest province – the renowned seafood of course! Known as Canada’s Food Island, its succulent seafood is world famous.
One of the best places in PEI to enjoy seafood is New Glasgow, near Cavendish Beach National Park. Your dinner starts with all-you-can-eat fresh, hot rolls, seafood chowder, tomato basil soup, steamed Island Blue mussels, coleslaw, green salad, and potato salad. The main course is up to four pounds of fresh-caught lobster boiled in saltwater and served with clarified butter. While your there, stay 10 minutes from the beach to ensure you’re served only the freshest seafood, at the cozy B&B The Lookout Inn!
Loyalist Province – Fredericton, NB
Following the American Revolution, thousands of Americans loyal to Great Britain – known as United Empire Loyalists – played a dominant role building towns and cities in eastern Canada, especially in New Brunswick. Thousands left the U.S. to move to Fredericton, the province’s stately inland capital on the St. John River. You’ll want to make sure to emerge yourself in east coast culture by checking out Historic Garrison District, an 18th-century British army base now home to the Changing of the Guard ceremony, artists’ studios and an outdoor theatre.
Luckily, Fredericton, also known as Freddy Beach, Celestial City, and the City of Stately Elms, boasts one of the best B&Bs in Canada. The Quartermain House on historic Waterloo Row is the perfect place to rest your head during this stop on your great Canadian road trip.
A taste of Europe – Old Quebec City, QB
Considered the “most European city in North America”, Old Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure, is the only fortified city north of Mexico. Its cobblestone streets exude European charm, romantic ambiance, exquisite cuisine, and charming hotels.
The most dominant landmark overlooking the St. Lawrence River and Old Québec is the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac which has undergone a multi-million-dollar renaissance project. The restoration blends the charm of the hotel’s rich history with modern innovations, creating a special guest experience. The perfect stay for this historian, both Notre Dame Cathedral and the Citadel of Quebec are less than a five-minute walk away.
Celebrate Canada’s Birthday in the Capital – Ottawa, ON
Hundreds of thousands of Canadians will be flocking to the nation’s capital this summer to celebrate Canada’s epic milestone birthday. While you’ll want to be sure to check out the downtown staples like Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal and the National War Memorial – don’t discount the lesser known attractions. ByWard Market’s Tin House, the Wilson Carbide Mill and the Diefenbunker (a 100,000 square foot underground bunker originally built in case of nuclear war) are definite must sees.
One of its most iconic places in the capital just so happens to be a place you can stay while you’re visiting – the historic Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel. Named after Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canada’s first francophone Prime Minister, the property has hosted royalty and leaders from around the world. It has often been referred to as “the third chamber of Parliament”. Designated a national historic site, its 429 guest rooms breathe Canadian history. Designed in the French Gothic Châteauesque style to complement the adjacent Parliament Buildings, the hotel features original Tiffany stained-glass windows and hand-moulded plaster decorations dating back to 1912
“Friendly Manitoba” – Selkirk, MB
For those seeking a true prairie experience, it’s worth venturing 22 kilometres northeast from Winnipeg to Selkirk on the Red River. One of the flattest parts of Canada, with fields of wheat and canola surrounding the city, Selkirk is also home to the Marine Museum of Manitoba and the site of a Canadian Coast Guard base.
Get some shut eye at the ivy-covered Evergreen Gate Bed & Breakfast, located within a half hour drive of Downtown Winnipeg and Lake Winnipeg beaches. You’ll be able to get a true feel for one of the flattest places in all of Canada by touring on the bicycles available right on the property.
Turquoise Treasure – Lake Louise, AB
A celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday isn’t complete until you have seen the turquoise waters of Lake Louise surrounded by the Victoria Glacier, soaring mountain backdrop, and stayed at Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise in the Rocky Mountains.
Lake Louise is nestled in Banff National Park, Canada’s oldest national park, established in 1885. Surrounded by jaw-dropping sights and adventures, it is nature’s beauty at its best. In summer, the lake is an intense shade of turquoise, the result of light refracting off the glacier silt deposited in the lake by glacier runoff.
Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise is the perfect place to take in the panoramic views of Lake Louise and the Victoria Glacier. The best part? Guided hiking, horseback riding, mountaineering, and canoeing in the pristine waters are readily available at the hotel.
Experience VIP Luxury – Vancouver, BC
When British Captain George Vancouver sailed into what is now the city named after him for the first time in 1792, he probably thought he was in Shangri-La, that fictional place that exudes natural perfection. With snow-capped mountains providing an incredible vista surrounding the city, Vancouver is one of the most naturally beautiful cities in the world.
You’ll want to be sure to stay close to the waterfront to stroll along famous Robson Street or visit the beach or the Vancouver Art Gallery. Check into the 5-star Shangri La Hotel in downtown Vancouver for a luxurious getaway that is the perfect home-away-from-home.
Turn on the Lights – Whitehorse, YK
If you’re looking for a supernatural experience, make your last stop in your great-Canadian adventure the Yukon in late August and September. You will be treated to a multi-colour experience provided by Inn on the Lake, 55 kilometres south of Whitehorse. Its “Feast Your Eyes Tour” lets you marvel at the visually breathtaking colours of the land and sky.
The Inn offers autumn, winter, and spring Northern Lights packages where the ever-changing colours of the Aurora Borealis entertain guests right from their suites. The night skies are lit up with neon pink and green swathes of colours. While it can never be guaranteed that you’ll get to a glimpse of the bucket-list worthy sight, the beauty and abundant wildlife throughout the territory makes the trek to what is truly the great white north, worth it!
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With Canada’s 150th birthday coming up, there’s a long line-up of things to do. And if you’re sticking around Toronto, we have one more exciting thing to add to your list.
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is offering free admission to the museum’s permanent galleries and select special exhibitions on Saturday, July 1, 2017. That means that from 10am to 5:30pm, visitors are invited to discover 40+ galleries and ROM-original exhibits like The Family Camera and Anishinaabeg: Art & Power.
Of course, you won’t want to miss the ROM’s current feature exhibit, Out of the Depths: The Blue Whale Story, which shows off a massive 80-foot blue whale skeleton, one of the largest and most-complete blue whale skeletons on display globally, as well as the first and only real preserved blue whale heart. While that specific exhibit isn’t free, tickets are just $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-14 and $8 for youth ages 15-19, students and seniors.
Keep an eye on StyleDemocracy.com for a full list of Canada Day activities in Toronto coming soon.
Featured Image: Instagram/@carlos_10lux
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