SASKATOON: BEATING TO ITS OWN RHYTHM
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Western Development Museum Boomtown 1910 ➤ The Berry Barn ➤ The Ivy Dining Experience ➤ Boating on the South Saskatchewan River ➤ Batoche Historical Visit
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Saskatoon We begin with a hearty traditional breakfast at the Western Development Museum, Boomtown 1910, a typical early settlement Saskatchewan town. We don’t just visit this museum, we live it! We travel through Saskatoon, stopping at River Landing, the new shopping and entertainment center. A 20-minute drive down Valley Road brings us to The Berry Barn, where we can pick the famous Saskatoon berries (when in season), savour home-style cooking, relax with a view of the South Saskatchewan River, and purchase wonderful local crafts and Saskatoon berry products. Back in Saskatoon, we stroll Broadway, the first commercial area and important historic thoroughfare in the original Temperance Colony. We visit the quaint shops, stopping for a specialty coffee or tea or Saskatoon berry scone. At day’s end we enjoy a delectable dinner at The Ivy.
DAY 2: Saskatoon We begin our day at one of the most beautiful university campuses in North America, the University of Saskatchewan, featuring Canada’s only Synchrotron. We visit the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, which houses original paintings by William Kurelek, and the Mendel Art Gallery with an extensive permanent collection, and exhibitions of international, national and regional artists. Leaving the Gallery we board the Shearwater Boat Cruises for a trip down the river, featuring commentary on the history of the city as well as current developments. We have the afternoon to relax before our trip out to the Whitecap First Nation’s Dakota Dunes Casino, a short 20-minute ride from Saskatoon. We try our luck at the most dramatic gaming facility in Western Canada and enjoy a leisurely supper or entertainment in the Show Lounge.
DAY 3: Saskatoon – Batoche – Fort Carlton We venture farther afield and explore the fascinating history of the Metis people and the Northwest Resistance of 1885. One hour north of Saskatoon we visit Batoche National Historic Site, the location of the key dramatic battle of the Northwest Resistance. Here we learn about the history and traditions of the Metis community through an interactive experience that shares the story of Louis Rield and Gabriel Dumont. Guides in period costume provide interpretation. We enjoy a traditional lunch of bannock and touritere. We travel to Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park and a guided tour of the Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading post. Heading back to Saskatoon we stop at the Duck Lake Interpretive Centre, with artifacts from the Northwest Resistance. We shop for Saskatchewan-made gifts at the Glen Scrimshaw Gallery. Trip Option: As Saskatoon is the home to a diverse listing of festivals and events, we have the option of timing our visit around a major festival, such as the Saskatoon Fireworks Festival, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan or Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival.
CONTACT: Tourism Saskatoon
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Shannon Cossette • www.tourismsaskatoon.com 101–202 4th Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0K1 Phone: 800-567-2444 • Email: scossette@tourismsaskatoon.com
➤ Nature Lovers Delight ➤ Zoo Visit ➤ Culture and Art – Hand in Hand
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QUEBEC’S FESTIVAL EXTRAVAGANZA
Montreal, Shawinigan, Quebec City, Drummondville, Tremblant
HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Two days at the International Jazz Festival of Montreal ➤ Quebec City Summer Festival –
Eclectic music from around the world ➤ International Festival of Blues at Tremblant ➤ Cirque du Soleil performance in Quebec City ➤ Mondial des Cultures and Eclyps stage show
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Sunday, July 5 – Montreal Crowned by the New York Times as the “King of Jazz Festivals,” the International Jazz Festival of Montreal is 11 days of non-stop music. Drop your bags at the hotel, then join the celebration as several city blocks are turned into pedestrian thru-ways. Your wristband lets you to wander among 10 outdoor stages, stopping at concerts, bistros and cafes as you wish.
DAY 2: Monday, July 6 – Montreal One day is never enough for all the International Jazz Festival has to offer. Breakfast at your leisure, then head to the Festival Site at noon for the start of musical programming. If you want a break from the sun, duck into one of the nearby museums or shopping malls. The evening stays alive with performances after dark.
DAY 3: Tuesday, July 7 – Shawinigan We’ll depart not too early for a visit to Trois Rivieres and Shawinigan. We’ll tour the National Biennale of Art in Trois Rivieres, in the public parks and outdoor spaces of the city. We’ll lunch as a group, then head for the City of Energy at Shawinigan. There’ll be time for a tram tour of the city or gardens and dinner, before seeing Eclyps. Set at a revolving, heated theater in magnificent natural surroundings, this show combines theater, music, dance and the circus arts.
DAY 4: Wednesday, July 8 – Quebec City We’ll travel to historic Quebec City for its award-winning Summer Festival. This walled city will quiver, as more than 1.7 million visitors pick up the intense beats of rock, jazz, hip-hop, funk, blues and classical well into the evening.
DAY 5: Thursday, July 9 – Quebec City A second day of Summer Festival awaits. In 2010, Cirque du Soleil will
pitch it’s tent in the Old Port, so you can book group tickets to this new show. Or, there is the free Cirque street performance Les Chemins Invisibles converging on the highway underpass for a highly interactive show. Relax this evening with a stroll along the city walls to enjoy the light show Image Mill projected in the Old Port.
DAY 6: Friday, July 10 – Drummondville We’re on to Drummondville for the Mondial des Cultures (World Culture Festival). This popular event hosts performance groups from around the world. We’ll organize a group dinner with a selection of local specialties.
DAY 7: Saturday, July 11 – Station Tremblant Station Tremblant in the Laurentian Mountains is today’s destination. This world-class ski resort is home of the International Festival of Blues of Tremblant. Several outdoor stages come alive with backto-back programming of the best of the genre. Fans and artists can meet at the Aired u Blues autograph and workshop venues from noon to 10 p.m. each day.
DAY 8: Sunday, July 12 – Montreal/Depart We’ll be departing through Montreal. We’ll either head directly for the airport, or spend some time in Montreal for the Just For Laughs comedy festival. The festival runs another 10 days, so you can extend this visit as long as you like.
CONTACT: Tourisme Québec
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Debra Ruzbasan • www.Bonjour.Quebec.com/us 2158 45th Ave., #218, Highland, IN 46322 Phone: 219-937-2280 • Email: QCDER@aol.com
➤ Quebec’s Winter Playground ➤ Quebec’s Kings Route and Historic Days
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NOVA SCOTIA AND CANADA’S MARITIMES
Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick
HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Halifax, Nova Scotia touring including Peggy's Cove ➤ Two nights on Cape Breton Island; drive the Cabot Trail ➤ Ferry to Prince Edward Island; Anne of Green Gables home ➤ Musical performance at Confederation Center;
Lobster dinner ➤ New Brunswick's amazing Hopewell Rocks;
cross the Confederation Bridge
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Halifax, Nova Scotia Arrive in Halifax with included transfers to your hotel. Meet your Tour Manager at 6 p.m. for dining suggestions.
DAY 6: New Brunswick DAY 2: Halifax Touring Today tour Halifax and Citadel Hill, travel to Cape Breton Island and see the Alexander Graham Bell Museum.
Visit New Brunswick and cross nine-mile-long Confederation Bridge. This is your chance to see the amazing Hopewell Rocks and Bay of Fundy.
DAY 7: Peggy’s Cove DAY 3: Cabot Trail Enjoy an amazing day of sights; travel the Cabot Trail complete with a picnic lunch. The beauty of Cape Breton Highlands National Park is yours.
Travel to Peggy’s Cove, one of the most photographed fishing villages in the world including the lighthouse. Tonight’s farewell dinner is in Halifax.
DAY 8: Return Home DAY 4: Prince Edward Island
Transfer to Halifax Airport for flights home.
You will enjoy a ferryboat ride to Prince Edward Island. Tonight enjoy a musical performance at Confederation Center.
Call for dates, land and air rates and schedules from your city to and from Halifax.
DAY 5: Anne of Green Gables Today tour Charlottetown and visit the Anne of Green Gables home. Tonight enjoy a lobster dinner on Prince Edward Island.
CONTACT: Mayflower Tours
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Sherri Guiborat • www.mayflowertours.com 1225 Warren Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60515 Phone: 800-728-0724 or (direct) 630-435-8239 • Email: sherri@mayflowertours.com
➤ Canadian Rockies (Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise) ➤ Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria)
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