Lonely Planet’s best for 2013
How about a visit to Montréal (tourisme-montreal. The city has been named one of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Cities To Visit In 2013, mentioned as best for culture, events and value for money. Ranked No. 8 by the travel publisher, Montréal is one of only two cities in North American — with San Francisco which was ranked No. 1 — and the only destination in Canada to be included on the annual list. The entire list is at lonelyplanet.com /themes/best-in-travel
EXPLORE BHUTAN
G Adventures is hosting an exclusive tour to the Kingdom of Bhutan with scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster David Suzuki. The 12-day journey leaves March 23, returning April 3. Highlights include visits to Paro, Thimpu and Punakha, celebrating the spiritual festival of Tsechu, and learning about Buddhism. Twenty spots are available and are up for auction with a starting bid of $6,000. G Adventures will donate $1,000 to the Planeterra Foundation and $1,000 to the David Suzuki Foundation for each traveller. The auction closes on Nov. 16. See gadventures.com/bhutanwithdavidsuzuki.
CANADIAN EPASSPORTS
Canada has unveiled the new ePassport with images that showcase the country’s history and building of our nation. The complexity of the images is a security feature that makes the passport more difficult to counterfeit. See ppt.gc.ca/eppt/photos.aspx?lang=eng for what the new ePassport looks like and read a little about what is behind each of the 16 images which are spread over two pages of the new document. Among depictions are the Aboriginal People, the Fathers of Confederation, the Canadian North, Niagara Falls, the Last Spike, 1885, Canadians in War and the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, France. The first new fiveyear ePassports are expected to be issued early next year with full availability for both the five- and 10-year ePassport in early summer.
CLUB MED SALE
It’s time for Club Med’s Semi-Annual Sale at over 60 resorts worldwide in such destinations as Brazil, the Caribbean, China, France and Mexico. For example, land-only, all-inclusive seven-night couples’ getaways start at $999 per adult while a family vacation starts at $749 per person. You must book by Jan. 9 and complete travel by June 28. Contact a travel consultant.