Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
TRAVEL GALLERY
History happens at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The official residence and workplace of the Governor General of Canada is situated in an idyllic, 32-hectare oasis just minutes from Gatineau and our capital’s downtown core. It is the only official residence in the national capital that is open to the public and visitors are welcome to tour the historical site and its expansive grounds year-round. In fact, why not plan to spend the whole day? A wide array of free activities for all ages is offered on-site every summer and it’s the perfect place for a picnic. The site is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from May 18 to September 2. https://www.gg.ca/en/visit-us/rideau-hall
Head off the beaten track to discover New Zealand’s hidden gems. In the Wairarapa region of the lower North Island, the Putangirua Pinnacles loom. Don’t miss the Castlepoint Lighthouse, a 90-minute drive from the Wairarapa town of Martinborough and a great place to spot fur seals, dolphins and small whales. For dramatic views, trek the 16-kilometre (one way) Cape Brett Track through native bush and book a cosy hut for an overnight stay. Walk through ancient rainforest to the massive limestone Oparara Arch in Kahurangi National Park. Visit the Motueka Saltwater Baths, built in 1930, best experienced at high tide in the early morning or at sunset. Or view wild kiwi on the celebrated Rakiura Track on remote, beautiful, and often overlooked by tourists, Stewart Island. Newzealand.com/ca
Those seeking sustainable travel options are looking to brands and resorts that maintain the ecological integrity and natural beauty of the landscape, while also respecting the local culture and environment. By 2021, Club Med seeks to have 100 per cent of its eligible resorts Green Globe Certified. The Green Globe certification is a merit earned when day-to-day operations meet the highest standards of sustainability. Criteria categories to achieve this standard include sustainable management, community development, incorporation of culture and resource conservation. As part of this commitment, Club Med resorts in the Americas, including the highly anticipated Club Med Québec Charlevoix, are working to be single-use-plastic free by 2020, and the brand is also seeking to remove plastic straws from all of its resorts globally through its Bye Bye Single-use-plastics initiative. Clubmed.ca
Ontario-based tripcentral.ca is the first Canadian travel company to offer a new payment option. The partnership with California-based Uplift allows travellers to pay for their dream vacation in monthly instalments. It’s simple to use. Book your trip, fill out a loan application online and check the rate. Once the loan is confirmed and you’ve booked your trip, you’re free to travel any time, even before you’ve paid off the balance. There’s no penalty for paying off the loan early. Uplift is already available on U.S. websites such as kayak.com and Norwegian Cruise Line. tripcentral.ca; uplift.com
Latin America’s leading resort developer and tourism operator is taking to the sea with the debut of Vidanta Cruises, scheduled to be launched in fall 2019. The group’s first ship, Vidanta Elegant, offers 149 spacious, luxurious staterooms and suites with a personal concierge assigned to each cabin. The ship is outfitted with six public decks and dining areas, 11 bars and lounges, a full-service spa, a fitness centre and a top deck pool. Award-winning French chefs guarantee gourmet dining experiences. With just one check-in, travellers can seamlessly split their trip between the cruise ship and Mexico’s Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta for a combined cruise-and-resort vacation. vidanta.com
Westjet celebrates summer 2019 with a new route between London, Ontario, and Montréal. Daily service will be offered from June 24 through October 15 on Westjet Encore. The airline also operates flights from London to Calgary and Toronto. From Montréal, take advantage of 23 daily summer flights including two to Vancouver, three to Calgary, one to Edmonton and Winnipeg, 13 to Toronto and two to Halifax. By peak summer, Westjet will be operating more than 750 daily flights to 92 destinations. westjet.com/flight-schedules-new
The Canadian Photography Institute of the National Gallery of Canada recently launched its new website, Photostories Canada, a searchable resource of more than 800 photostories created between 1955 and 1971 by the National Film Board of Canada’s Still Photography Division. Meant to inspire a variety of audiences, ranging from teachers to the general public and academics to photojournalists, these photostories depict charming scenes of small-town life across Canada and offer Canadians the opportunity to learn more about each other as well as engage in, share and appreciate our nation’s history from coast to coast to coast. photostories.ca
Orlando, Florida, is always reinventing itself and this year the Theme Park Capital of the World is welcoming new immersive experiences for all ages. A new Sesame Street-themed land at Seaworld Orlando as well as the Lego Movie World at LEGOLAND Florida Resort opened in spring 2019. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens late fall 2019. New thrill rides and family-friendly attractions include an all-new rollercoaster at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and a Mickey-themed ride-through attraction called Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway as well as Lightning Mcqueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Beyond the theme parks, check out Dezerland Action Park, Wild Florida and, for ages 13 and over, Epic Axe Throwing. Visitorlando.com