3 minute read
Lakes and Rivers
Canada’s lakes and rivers
Whether it’s a gentle paddle, rafting down rapids, or casting a fishing line, time on or near the water will be a highlight of any Canada trip, says Charlotte Flach
Why sell it
With over two million lakes and rivers and 20% of the world’s freshwater, there are endless ways to enjoy Canada’s waterways.
With more clients looking to immerse themselves in wondrous places and find private spaces to renourish and ease both their energy levels and mental overload, now is the time to suggest activities by the water.
Who to sell to
Recommend Canada’s lakes and rivers to clients looking for outdoor adventure – of both the gentle and adrenalin-rush type – and ‘adventurous and spirited travellers’.
What to sell
Activities include getting out on the water on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), in a kayak or even a traditional Voyageur-style canoe which is offered at places including Sun Peaks, British Columbia. Or book a day boat tour of the Gananoque Thousand Islands in Ontario or Lake Minnewanka, a glacial lake that is a popular spot in Banff, Alberta.
High-octane activities include rafting on the Clearwater River in British Columbia, tackling whitewater on the Ottawa River – top outfitters include Owl Rafting – jet-boating on Montréal’s Lachine Rapids or on the Niagara River, and tidal bore rafting in Nova Scotia.
strathcona Provincial Park, British coluMBia
SUPing the Yukon River is an unforgettable experience and one of the most unique ways to experience the vastness of Canada’s north, while kayakers can go off-grid in bear country on a challenging multi-day trip out of Dawson City. Great fishing is available across Canada. Top spots include Miramichi, New Brunswick, to fish for salmon; British Columbia for sturgeon and halibut; and Manitoba for pike. Specialist Go Fishing Worldwide offers various Canadian fishing holiday packages.
How to sell it
Include lakes and rivers on an east-to-west road trip or cross-country itinerary. A cruise package, from New England to Montréal or out of Vancouver for a west coast and Alaska cruise, offers clients the chance to see wildlife and scenery from the water.
What’s new
Viking Cruises has new Great Lakes options taking in Niagara Falls, kayaking through the UNESCO Biosphere of Georgian Bay, visiting Toronto and learning about Anishinaabe indigenous heritage in Thunder Bay.
New Air Transat flights from Gatwick to Québec City (from May- September), open up the Saguenay Fjord and Lac St. Jean areas, two beautiful spots around Québec’s lakes.
Book it with...First Class Holidays
The 15-day West Coast Island Discovery selfdrive tour features the quiet bays, shorelines, and waterside resorts of the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island. It is priced from £3,559pp, including flights. fcholidays.com
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Five reasons to visit New Brunswick
NATURAL BEAUTY: Hike past waterfalls in stunning national and provincial parks or kayak the world highest tides at the Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy. Take a road trip across New Brunswick where all routes lead to adventure and unspoiled charm.
COASTLINES AND STARS: Explore over 5,500km of wild coastline, from the rugged Fundy region to Canada’s warmest saltwater beaches on the Acadian shores. Then check out one of the Dark Sky Preserves, such as Kouchibouguac National Park, for stargazing.
HERITAGE AND CULTURE: Descended from French settlers, Acadians are known for their joie de vivre! Museums, historic sites, and living-villages bring their 400-year history to life, while restaurants and galleries provide a modern twist. Visitors can sample traditional food, participate in a craft workshop, listen to First Nations stories or even sleep in a traditional teepee.
WATCH THE WILDLIFE: The Bay of Fundy is a habitat for some of the world’s rarest whales, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale. They visit this spot every year to seek shelter, feed and give birth, making New Brunswick one of the world’s best places to whale watch.
URBAN EXPERIENCES: Foodies can sample fresh seafood in Shediac, the ‘Lobster Capital of the World’, and experience farm to table produce paired with local beverages. Allow time to explore the hub city of Moncton, Saint John (the City on the Bay), New Brunswick’s capital Fredericton, plus quaint coastal communities and villages.
