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Why 2017 is the year to do Canada

2017 marks the 150-year anniversary – or sesquicentenary – of Canada’s Confederation. Cities across Canada will welcome guests to unique celebrations and vibrant events this year. With so much going on, this is your perfect time to give Canada a go. In fact, Canada has been voted the top holiday destination to visit in 2017 by Lonely Planet and the New York Times, so don’t miss out on this year’s hottest destination! Charlottetown Charlottetown is the capital of the Prince Edward Island Province. Known as ‘the birthplace of the confederation’, it makes sense that this city will celebrate with its guns blazing all throughout 2017 – watch this space! Although lesser-known, this city is definitely one to visit. Charlottetown In a special event hosted exclusively for Charlottetown, the trans-Atlantic 150th Celebration Regatta will be making an impressive stop which will leave you amazed for days. Although Charlottetown is not on the official route, the boats are scheduled to stop for a few days over summer. Seize this opportunity to explore and interact with the mighty boats, known as ‘cathedrals of the sea’. A (rather delicious) tradition honoured since 1995, ‘The Festival of Wines’, takes place in May and showcases over 250 types of incredible wine. Incorporating different aspects of the region, this festival is sure to be a hit with anyone who appreciates fine wine and food. As the winner of the 2014 World Boutique Hotel Award in the Classic Elegance Category, the Great George hotel in Charlottetown has been internationally acclaimed for years. Besides the elegant suites and traditional rooms, this hotel even offers luxury condos for those seeking a bit more privacy and a home away from home. Food lovers can enjoy a culinary package at the hotel, or a celebration package may even be in order. One special feature of this hotel is the ‘Digital Detox’ package which lets you escape from the incessant buzz of our digital world – something that we all need from time to time! The George Montreal Possibly one of the most mesmerising cities in Canada, Montreal combines elements of North America and Europe to form a city like no other. 2017 is not only iconic for Canada, but also for Montreal. This year celebrates the 375th anniversary of its founding. Expect a rainbow of events throughout the year, to suit all tastes. Montreal If you are seeking art with a twist then we recommend ‘Illuminart’, which combines art, technology and design all in one. These pieces can be found throughout the thriving city from the 23rd of February to the 11th of March. Part of the ‘Montréal en lumière’ celebration, which provides guests with shows, fine dining experiences and much more, this is sure to be an unforgettable event. Montreal Looking out towards the historic Old Port, The Nelligan hotel has been renowned for 150 years. With three restaurants serving different interpretations of Montreal, staying at this hotel captures all of the vibrancy and charm of this incredible city. Combining the history of the building with cutting-edge luxury, guests are able to enjoy the best of both worlds. With over 100 rooms, suites and penthouses, there is a space for everyone – and each one expresses the historic feel with the contemporary luxury that The Nelligan wholly embodies. This incredible hotel goes above and beyond, creating an unparalleled luxurious experience for their lucky guests. The Nelligan Ottawa Where better to celebrate Canada day than the capital? Ottawa is throwing parties and luxurious events throughout 2017 to celebrate the country’s birthday. You are sure to find a host of things to do, especially on Parliament Hill – the epicentre of the 2017 celebrations. On Canada day, July 1st, Parliament Hill will host one of the biggest parties in the capital. If you love to ‘go with the flow’ then simply wander the picturesque Ottawa streets to see the variety of pop-up performances. Ottawa Interested in fine dining? Then the Sky Lounge, running from the 7th of July to the 22nd, is the perfect event. Enjoy a culinary experience of fine dining 150ft in the air, with spectacular panoramic views of the capital. There is the option to indulge in a 3-course gourmet meal with the finest Canadian wine or to enjoy aperitifs and cocktails. The choice is yours. We recommend a stay at the Fairmont Château Laurier to perfect your trip. Standing next to the Parliament buildings, this statuesque hotel is situated right in the centre and there are multiple celebration packages available for those looking to spend Canada Day in luxury. Fairmont Chateau Laurier Toronto The most populous city in all of Canada, Toronto is renowned as a hub of diversity, culture and entertainment. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is preparing for the ‘Canada Mosaic’, a project designed to explore and display the musical heritage of Canada. A unique event, the mosaic performances will be an unforgettable collaboration of talent. CN Tower A trip to Toronto is not complete without a visit to its famous landmark, the CN Tower. With unparalleled views, a meal at the 360 restaurant is an experience that you certainly won’t forget. The more adventurous among you may be tempted to visit one of the daredevil attractions the CN Tower offers, such as the outdoor ‘EdgeWalk’ or the SkyPod. The International Film Festival, TIFF is already a world-renowned event for film, but this year they are making it even more special. Beginning in January and running throughout the year, ‘Canada on Screen’ is a celebration of Canada’s film heritage. Any film aficionado would do well to catch any of these screenings which celebrate Canada and its national identity. Toronto Situated in the bustling downtown Toronto, The Hazelton is a luxury hotel surrounded by the best designer shops, galleries, and cafes. There are several special packages on offer at this high-end hotel – try the ‘Celebration Package’ for champagne, fresh fruit and flowers, and even two tickets to The Royal Ontario Museum. Other packages include the ‘Spa package’ and the ‘Shopping Spree package’. Something delightfully appealing for everyone! Vancouver An incredibly diverse city, Vancouver has a myriad of events for those looking to do something a bit different. Celebrate Oktoberfest in style with a visit to Harvest Haus. Celebrating its fourth year, this event is located in the plaza outside of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. VIP tickets are available for those who want that touch more luxury. Rosewood The Rosewood hotel, which was once frequented by the likes of The Beatles and Elvis Presley, is undoubtedly one of the best hotels available. With touches like a glass-bottomed pool, a speakeasy bar and rainforest showers, it’s the ultimate in luxury. There are several offers that allow you to make the most out of your time there. Whether it is a spa escape, a dining package, or even a romantic trip, Rosewood has everything you need to make your stay perfect.  Rosewood Hotel The Great Outdoors In Canada you are never far away from nature. Enjoying some of the most splendid vistas, Canada is indeed one of the most beautiful countries in the world.  This year, to celebrate the sesquicentenary, all national parks are throwing open their gates at no cost. Visit the mountains of Banff, the coastline and rainforests of the Pacific Rim, or the lakes of Jasper National Park, all for free. With beauty like this on offer, your stresses will melt away. Great outdoors Kathryn Munro is Managing Director at Canadian Affair. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

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6 Comments

  1. We agree.. so much to experience in Canada! Hotel Nelligan is a favorite in Old Montreal and may we suggest taking a short train ride to the charming city of Vieux Quebec… perfect weekend getaway!

  2. Thanks kathryan for this vivid topic. This country is full with wander and good people. Talking to the local residents is real fun. And the weather makes you to do more.

  3. Don’t forget the Canada Summer Games happening in Winnipeg, MB! July 28 – August 13. We are expecting a huge turnout from not just atheletes and coaches, but media and other tourists too.

  4. One thing worth pointing out is that with the current exchange rate, American tourists (with USD) do fairly well to travel to our northern neighbors for comparably well-priced travel. Vancouver happens to be of my favorite cities in the world, so I’m def. taking advantage of the favorable exchange rate.

  5. Don’t forget Newfoundland & Labrador, such a beautiful province to explore with so much to see 💕

  6. Wow, I had no idea this was the sesquicentenary of the Canada confederation. You don’t hear enough about this amazing country outside its borders.

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