May 6, 2004 -- Canada is one big country, and despite its massively small capita-per-square-mile ratio, it's amazingly diverse in attractions and activities, especially as temperatures climb out of the basement. Even better, the dollar is still strong there for those things you have to pay for; don't worry, we've found plenty of free events as well to fill your time.
Air, Hotel, Plus a Bonus Night
United Vacations (888/328-6877; www.unitedvacations.com), affiliated with United Airlines, says it will give you a free night's stay in Toronto when you book a summer vacation to this wonderful town. The offer is good through August 31 and includes roundtrip airfare on United or Air Canada, four nights' hotel accommodations and 24-hour traveler assistance.
Base prices start include:
- $444 from New York or New Jersey
- $459 from Boston, Chicago or Washington, D.C.
- $489 from Dallas or Houston
- $579 from Denver or Phoenix
- $619 from San Francisco
- $624 from Los Angeles or San Diego
You'll be put up at the Bond Place Hotel, and add a fourth night, free of charge. Rooms are also available at the Sutton Place Hotel, the Westin Harbour Castle or the Sheraton Centre at slightly higher prices -- it's only $10 more, for example, from New York or New Jersey at the Sutton Place, $110 more at the Westin Harbour Castle or the Sheraton Centre.
Canoe with a Canuck
In pristine northern Ontario, you can experience an unusual white water canoe expedition this August. You'll paddle through the provinces' forests to the sub arctic tundra and saltwater shores of the Hudson Bay, reaching your final destination -- Ontario's Polar Bear Provincial Park, one of the world's largest nature parks and home to polar bears and beluga whales. The two-week "Paddle to the Polar Bears" program is operated by Canoe Frontier Expeditions (866/285-8618; www.canoefrontier.com). You paddle up the Winisk River much of the way from Winisk Lake, which you fly to from Pickle Lake, at the end of the road. The 14-day package costs $2,875 per person before adding in taxes and fees and runs from August 8 to 22.
Included are flights from Pickle Lake to Winisk Lake, from Peawanuck back to Pickle Lake, paddling equipment and camping equipment, meals, guides and instruction. Not included are transport to and from Pickle Lake, lodging in Pickle Lake, sleeping bag, tips, taxes and meals when off the river.
BC Freebies
In charming (but not so little) Victoria, capital of British Columbia, four free events worth going for will keep you amused this spring, and another one, too, at low cost. From May 29 to 31, the city is host to the 61st Swiftsure International Yacht Race, the oldest and largest annual yacht race in the Pacific Northwest. Clover Point will be the best viewing spot for the start on May 29th. For more details, see www.swiftsure.org.
Victoria fancies itself as the Canadian cycling capital, so it's no wonder they are having the Times Colonist Victoria Cycling Festival from June 4 to 6. One highlight race, the Bastion Square Grand Prix, winds a closed loop on city streets around the square, but there are at least three other events that can be seen free of charge, as well. Check out www.victoriacyclingfestival.com.
An as-yet-to-be-determine number of tall ships (including Victoria's own S/V Pacific Grace) will sail into the Inner Harbour on June 6, to kick off the Victoria Tall Ships Society's countdown to the Tall Ships Challenge 2005. More than 30 tall ships and at least a quarter of a million spectators will head to Victoria's Inner Harbour on June 23-26, 2005. The ships will be open to visitors and there will be on-shore entertainment (bands, face painting, general fun and the like). For more details, see www.tallshipsvictoria.ca, which was still under construction at time of writing.
The fourth free event in Victoria this late spring is the Edge-to-Edge Marathon, held June 13. At least 400 individuals runners and 60 teams will complete the 26-mile route through Pacific Rim National Park. You can find more information at www.edgetoedgemarathon.com.
Fringe Festival, Canadian Style
Finally, shell out a few bucks for Canada's one-and-only annual festival dedicated to one-person theater, the UNO Festival. This year it will be held June 12-20 at the Belfry Arts Center. Artists from across Canada and America will appear. Package prices can be had for as low as CDN $49 (US $43) for five shows, CDN $99 (US $72) for all shows. Purchasing deadline is June 9. More information can be seen at www.intrepidtheatre.com.