Travelterrific

Explore the Natural Beauty Seeing is believing why visitors love Canada By Toby Saltzman From sea to shining sea, Canada abounds with wondrous places, where seeing is believing in forces that shaped the planet, where experiencing is immersing yourself in landscapes like nowhere else on earth. In a vast terrain chiseled by nature’s whims, Canada harbors some of the globe’s most treasured iconic sites. Thirty recognized by UNESCO – 15 as World Heritage Sites; 15 as World Biosphere Sites – are magnets for intrepid travelers keen on communing with nature. Blessed with incredibly diverse charms across 10 provinces and 3 territories, Canada appeals to international travelers. If you are among the curious, free-spirited, demographic, you are among the authentic experiencers and cultural explorers who are looking for immersive, engaging experiences in Canada that combine natural beauty with sophistication and comfort along the way. You are interested in connecting wi...

Forget your inhibitions of taking a journey by train. Try it once and you'll agree: riding the rails makes getting there half the fun, especially if you opt for the domed car with panoramic windows and private sleeping accommodations. In a world of iconic train rides, VIA's OCEAN Train between Montreal and Halifax rates sensational status. Rolling out of Montreal's urbane hub, crossing bridges over water to landscapes that vary from gentle fields to dense wildernesses fragrant with pines to meadows rich with wildflowers and agriculture to the historic maritime city of Halifax, is a journey into memorable scenes and experiences. Imagine nestling into a cushy seat under a glassy dome, seeing the scenery change as daylight darkens to night, revealing stars against the indigo sky before you tuck into a cozy sleep, then waking to see hills and lakes swathed in a rosy glow from the rising sun. To call the ride beautiful understates the views, and the feelings it arouses - of a...

Memories are made of wonderful experiences. Among my most memorable is rolling east to Halifax on The OCEAN Train VIA Rail’s OCEAN train travels a scenic route on its overnight journey from Montreal to Halifax, skirting the St. Lawrence River before crossing the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Rolling out of Montreal was a festive affair as we toasted sparkling wine, though we barely had time to sip the bubbly as we realized that stunning city scenery was passing us by. Quickly scrambling for cameras, we shot the cityscape, the river, the bridges as a sweet family with young kids settled in for the ride, excited with anticipation for their first ever train trip.

On Board VIA I to Ottawa. 6:58 and all is well that starts well…at official start, that is. Never one to think that if anything can go wrong, it will, this morning I was inclined to an inkling of that believe. For starters, while gathering together all the stuff needed for a writers’ convention in Ottawa, I suddenly remembered that I hadn’t printed my VIA Rail ticket. My first time as a Preference Member (which gives oodles of perks, including privileges to pre-book seats and choice meals), I was intent on getting the perks. Well, the printer jammed. So I e-mailed proof of the confirmation to my BlackBerry. Arriving at Union Station’s Panorama Lounge, I discover their computer is down. With no ticket, I’m ushered to the kiosk, which doesn’t accept my booking due to VIP status. Lucky me: the ticket agent finds my booking, tickets and sends me off to VIA I just in time for boarding. The attendants are sweet (not to mention handsome!): they lift my bags on to the train, shuttle the...