News Ways to Sip, Savor and Sightsee by the Sea in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia offers a multitude of diverse signature culinary experiences along its 4,500 miles of coastline.

NOVA SCOTIA  – Nova Scotia, which produces a quarter of Canada’s seafood and boasting a billion-plus dollar fish and seafood export industry annually, offers a multitude of diverse signature culinary experiences along its 4,500 miles of coastline. And, Nova Scotia is now closer to more U.S. travelers with new non-stop service to the capital city of Halifax from Chicago and Philadelphia beginning in June 2019, adding to the direct flights currently offered out of New York City and Boston.

Often a first stop for visitors, Halifax is home to the oldest farmers market in North America and has the notable distinction of having more pubs per capita than any other province in Canada among its many culinary charms.

New opportunities to “sip, savor, and sightsee” in 2019 incorporate experiences for active and adventurous travelers throughout Nova Scotia.

Here are a few highlights:

A Distillery Tour on Foot and by Boat 

Old Town Lunenburg UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to artisan distilleries with award-winning rum, colorful architecture, and traditional foods. Here, on foot and by boat travelers can explore the waterfront of the historic town with their taste buds. The Lunenburg Distilled: Culinary Adventure takes guests on a walking tour with an eighth generation Lunenburger to Ironworks Distillery, the first artisan distillery in the province. Listeners will gain insight on creating spirits and liqueurs from scratch. Afterwards, a boat tour with Heritage Fishing Tours drops visitors at an exclusive Dory Shop to sample traditional foods from the region. The tour ends with a seafood dinner onboard the Teresea D. Conner, a historic schooner from the Lunenburg waterfront. Price is $395 CAD per person. Dates available: June 19, July 14, August 21, and September 25.

Wine Blending on the Bay

A reflection of the region that’s shaped by the sea, Avondale Sky Winery’s crisp Tidal Bay was the first appellation wine of Nova Scotia. This year, guests can be a winemaker for the day with the Avondale Sky Wine Lab Adventure. A tour of the vineyard reveals rolling hills situated on the St. Croix River as it meets the Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides in the world. Samplings are done in the tasting room and experimenting begins in the wine lab, where guests ultimately create their own Tidal Bay blend with a signature custom-made label. Award-winning winemaker, Ben Swetnam, will lead a blind tasting competition of the blends to crown the next master winemaker. The chosen wine is served at a gourmet, chef-prepared dinner for the group to enjoy. Price is $295 CAD per person. Dates available: June 22, July 6, July 20, and August 24. 

Hike, Eat, Repeat 

Active travelers work up their appetite for seafood by hiking, kayaking, and swimming during the Seaside Adventure & Beachside Feast. The day starts with a hike to the Kejimkujik National Park Seaside with Parks Canada interpreters, followed by a two-hour kayak tour through this unique and protected coastal estuary. Participants will fuel up with a lobster roll picnic and cool off by enjoying a swim on the white sand beaches. A final seafood feast will be served at the Quarterdeck Beachside Villas, and a night in a new studio loft at this luxurious beachside resort is included in the experience. The one day and one-night starts at $849 CAD per person or $1,600 CAD per couple. Dates available: July 3, July 22, August 24, August 28, September 7, September 18, and October 5.  

Coastal Helicopter Ride and Picnic 

For a birds-eye view of the stunning Nova Scotia coastline, travelers can journey by helicopter to a sommelier-led picnic on a private island. The Heli-Picnic Island Escape, a two-hour tour over Halifax to Sambro Island, is an opportunity to view the wildlife and coastline from a new perspective. After landing on a private beach, guests will indulge in Nova Scotia bubbly while exploring the hidden coves. The sommelier in attendance will lead a tasting picnic of local wines, smoked salmon, cheese, and chocolate at a lighthouse. Price is $575 CAD per person. Dates to be announced. 

Sunsets and Stargazing 

Storytelling, sunsets, seafood, and stargazing make up the Lightkeeper’s SeaFeast. The tour begins on a Cape Islander’s fishing boat that sets sail from the Yarmouth waterfront. The boat comes equipped with oysters, Nova Scotia wine, and stories with Tusket Island Tours. After landing at the Cape Forchu lighthouse, a chef prepares a lobster feast on the beach, and guests watch the sunset over the water while being entertained by Acadian songs. The tour goes on after the sun sets, with a dark-sky expert leading stargazers through a certified Starlight Tourist Destination. This experience is available on Thursday nights throughout July, August, and September. Price to be announced.

For more information about the province, visit Nova Scotia or call 1-800-565-0000.

For more information on the four provinces, visit these websites or follow on social media: 

New Brunswick

Web: www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca

Instagram: @DestinationNB

Twitter: @SeeNewBrunswick

Facebook: @DestinationNB

 

Nova Scotia

Web: www.novascotia.com

Instagram: @VisitNovaScotia

Twitter: @VisitNovaScotia

Facebook: @NovaScotia

 

Newfoundland and Labrador

Web: www.newfoundlandlabrador.com

Instagram:  @newfoundlandlabrador

Twitter: @NLtweets

Facebook:  @NewfoundlandLabradorTourism

 

Prince Edward Island

Web: www.tourismpei.com

Instagram: @tourismpei

Twitter: @tourismpei

Facebook: @tourismpei

 

For more travel features, visit:

goingplacesfarandnear.com

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

goingplacesfarandnear.tumblr.com/

instagram.com/krubin0830/

instagram.com/famtravltr/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Come to Atlantic Canada for Foliage, Flavor and Festivals This Fall

Prince Edward Island’s red clay roads are delightful for biking in fall.

ATLANTIC CANADA  – The Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island offer more than breathtaking horizons of gold, crimson and amber leaves in autumn.  This fall, travelers to Atlantic Canada’s coastal region will find fewer crowds, lower rates and a variety of festivals, culinary indulgences and experiences that deliver more than simply peeping at leaves from a car.

Prince Edward Island

Throughout September, the Fall Flavours Festival takes foodies on a culinary journey across Prince Edward Island.  From mussel and lobster shore boils and grilled cheese chef challenges, to made in Canada food tours, the festival also features signature events hosted by popular celebrity chefs including PEI’s own Chef Michael Smith. Pricing for individual events vary.

For leaf peepers, the red clay roads on Prince Edward Island(http://www.tourismpei.com) are lined with trees full of apricot orange, fiery red and bright yellow and showcase best between mid-September and mid-October.  Bicycling on the Confederation Trail, which is built on old railroad tracks and spans about 270 miles (435 kilometers), offers spectacular views of colorful foliage with sections that lead through wooded areas and along the coastline.

Nova Scotia

With a famed heritage for its giant pumpkins, Windsor in  Nova Scotia ( http://www.novascotia.com) hosts the annual Pumpkin Festival and Regatta, where people paddle in hollowed out oversized pumpkins and race across Lake Pezaquid. With a backdrop of autumn leaves, spectators can cheer on the pumpkin racers, children can participate in scavenger hunts and so much more during the festivities on October 9.  For more information, visit http://worldsbiggestpumpkins.com

For nine days in October, Cape Breton Island is alive with music, activities and events celebrating the community’s rich culture during the annual Celtic Colours International Festival.  Held from October 6-14 when the leaves of Cape Breton are vibrant in red, yellow and orange hues, Celtic Colours has grown to become one of Canada’s premier musical events. At one of the many concerts, guests will be entertained by musicians from around the world sharing the stage with Cape Breton’s best singers, dancers, players, story-tellers and culture bearers in venues that range from community halls and churches to modern schools and theatres. For more information, visit http://celtic-colours.com/.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Foliage enthusiasts looking for an offbeat way to view fall colors can head to Newfoundland and Labrador (http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com)and hop on an ATV.  In Western Newfoundland, Mount Musgrave ATV Tours travels along Marble Mountain’s jaw-dropping vistas of Humber Valley. The one and half hour tour brings ATVing guests beyond the chairlift to the summit of Mount Musgrave to spot wildlife such as moose, caribou, black bear, and of course, the vibrant hues of changing leaves. Available through October 31, price is $55 CAD per person.

From October 6-8, Fogo Island celebrates the partridgeberry, the tart red berry that grows in abundance in Newfoundland and Labrador.  The Fogo Island Partridgeberry Harvest Festival showcases local produce of Fogo Island and Change Islands through farmer’s market, crafts, bake-offs, harvest competitions, demonstration of traditional woodworking and quilting, music, jam sessions and much more.

New Brunswick

Indulge, New Brunswick’s annual food and wine festival in St. Andrews by-the-Sea, features three days of food experiences and more from October 13 to 15. From a walking tour and tasting of top chefs’ wares along shorefront Water Street to a farmer’s market, tasting dinners and wine trails, guests enjoy local culinary delights.  On October 14, adventurists can race the tide across the ocean floor on bike during Cyclocross the Tide on Ministers Island.  Pricing for individual events vary.

In Miramichi, New Brunswick (http://www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca), the newly opened Over the Cove Zipline stretches more than 980 feet (300 meters). Adventurers can zip over water and through the changing colored leaves in two directions at French Fort Cove, which also offers walking, hiking and biking trails. Over the Cove Zipline is open weekends through October 9. Price is $20 CAD per person.

For more travel features, visit:

goingplacesfarandnear.com

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

goingplacesfarandnear.tumblr.com/

instagram.com/krubin0830/

instagram.com/famtravltr/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Uncommon Journeys Offers 13-Day Cross-Canada Trip by Luxury Train; Book by Sept 19 for Travel Bonus

Uncommon Journeys is taking reservations for a novel and exclusive train trip for Spring 2015, “Canadian Panorama” that combines a journey across Canada aboard one of the last classic passenger trains in North America, the legendary “Canadian,” a vista-dome train with dining cars under glass.  This 13-day journey, offered only once, features a five-night visit to the Canadian Rockies in addition to deluxe hotel stays in Niagara Falls, Toronto and Vancouver, offering passengers the best of Canada and the Canadian Rockies.  Guests journey in comfort and elegance aboard the beautifully restored art deco splendor of the “Canadian.” complete with sightseeing, a tour manager, stylish dining, transfers.

The 13-day “Canadian Panorama” trip begin at $4,995 per person and guests who reserve by Sept. 19 will qualify for free Amtrak travel from any city in the country to Niagara Falls and for the special air travel add-on fare of $199.00 per person for travel to Niagara Falls from over 189 major U.S. cities.

The Uncommon Journeys adventure begins in Niagara Falls with an overnight stay at the Sheraton at the Falls, a choice location with plenty of free time for enjoying such a lovely setting.  Guests journey to Toronto the next day and enjoy a full day of sightseeing coupled with an overnight stay at the Four-Diamond rated Westin Harbour Castle with special welcome dinner at the stylish Canyon Creek Grill.  Guests then board the vista-dome liner “Canadian” at Toronto Union Station for a three-night journey west to Jasper in the Canadian Rockies.  Passengers are treated to superb “Silver & Blue”  first-class sleeping car accommodations, fine dining in the last real dining cars in North America (all meals on board are included), the famous “Park Car” with its upper level vista-dome, the round-end “Bullet Lounge” and the swank “Mural Lounge” for cocktails- a grand way to cross the continent.

At Jasper, guests have an overnight stay with visits to Maligne Lake and Maligne Canyon before a spectacular tour of the Rockies including the stunning Columbia Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff. Also included is the famed sno-coach ride atop Athabasca Glacier, a continued favorite among guests.  In Banff, guests are treated to the rare luxury of a four-night stay complete with sightseeing of Lake Louise,  brunch at the legendary Chateau Lake Louise,  seldom-visited Moraine Lake and a visit to the famed Banff Hot Springs.

The final stage of Uncommon Journey’s cross-Canada journey is a final night aboard the “Canadian” between Jasper and Vancouver with daytime viewing of the Rockies from the vista-dome cars- the most scenic way to tour this area.  Upon arrival in Vancouver guests enjoy an overnight stay at the Hyatt Regency Hotel with a city sightseeing tour and a special Farewell Dinner before traveling home by train or air.

The 13-day “Canadian Panorama” trip begin at $4,995 per person.  Guests who reserve by Sept. 19 qualify for free Amtrak travel from any city in the country to Niagara Falls and for the special air travel add-on fare of only $199.00 per person for travel to Niagara Falls from over 189 major U.S. cities.

For more information or reservations, visit www.uncommonjourneys.com or call 800-323-5893.

 

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Banff, Lake Louise in Canada are ‘Open for Business’

Banff National Park, the Town of Banff and the hamlet of Lake Louise reported on June 24 to be fortunate to have escaped many of the direct impacts of last week’s storm. “Spirits are up and Banff is OPEN for business,” is the message.

The recent severe weather triggered flooding in many communities across southern Alberta, cutting off key transportation routes, disrupting power and water supplies, and interrupting communication channels.

“The coordinated efforts of the Town of Banff, Parks Canada, and the RCMP, ensured public safety at all times. The Town of Banff’s water supply was never compromised and continuity of essential services was maintained.

“Today, the majority of the national park’s highways have been cleared for travel. Our park information centres are busy welcoming visitors. And our businesses, from lodging to restaurants, retail to attractions, are welcoming guests,” the Banff Lake Louise tourisn bureau said.

What Travelers Need to Know:

· Airport shuttle companies have resumed service between the Calgary International Airport and Banff National Park.

· There is unrestricted visitor access to Banff and Lake Louise via Hwy 93 North (the Icefields Parkway).

· There is unrestricted visitor access to Banff and Lake Louise via Hwy 93 South.

· The Trans-Canada Highway is open to and from Banff from the west.

· Local Roam bus service has resumed operation.

· Most major attractions and classic national park visitor experiences are open.

· Food and fuel supplies have been restored.

Intensely proud of its heritage as Canada’s first national park, businesses this past week were steadfastly responsive to visitor needs, while the local volunteer community stepped up efforts to help visitors and residents alike. Banff National Park looks forward to hosting visitors and extending a world-class welcome throughout the entire exciting summer season.

For information, contact Banff Lake Louise Tourism, www.banfflakelouise.com

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Street Performers add to Festivities, Family Fun at 46th Festival d’été de Québec July 4-14

Festival d’été de Québec street performers, sponsored by Leclerc, are back again for 11 days of creative and original shows! This year finds them not only on Rue Saint-Jean and at Théâtre de La Bordée, but also in an exciting program of circus performances at Parc de l’Esplanade.

The 46th edition of the Festival d’été de Québec will be held from July 4 to 14, 2013.

“Street performers always give the Festival d’été de Québec a special flair. They grab our attention and make us laugh, they can inspire or astound us, but they never leave us indifferent,” says Michel Barette, who is in charge of the street arts program. “Circus is a type of performance that fascinates us the most, so we decided to give it a special place at Parc de l’Esplanade,” he added.

Parc de l’Esplanade

David Dimitri puts on a totally unique show inspired by his tours with Cirque du Soleil and the Big Apple Circus. Dubbed ‘Lord of the Wire’ by the New York Times, he is truly a one-man circus. Five Foot Fingers features five burlesque characters in a variety of stunning and daring circus cabaret acts. Vague de cirque perform their latest show, Carrousel et cordes à linge, whose highly acrobatic numbers are rooted in the tradition of travelling fun fairs. Also at Parc de l’Esplanade, audiences will love the quirky Fanfare Le S.N.O.B brass band, the antics of Rosie Volt the clown, the street music of Semèl Rebel, circus acts by Théâtre Attrape, the original mini-show by Toxique Trottoir, Kabir Percussions, and the theatre of objects performed by Elvis alAtac, the Sages Fous and the CréatureS Compagnie.

Shows at Parc de l’Esplanade: Free.
Every evening starting at 6 pm.

Smashed, at Théâtre de la Bordée

Smashed! treats festival fans to an exceptional circus performance. In a combination of high- precision juggling and theatrics, London’s Gandini Juggling pays tribute to the great German dancer, Pina Bausch. On stage, nine master jugglers transform their art into a form of dance, using everyday objects like apples and dishes. Composed of a series of live tableaux reminiscent of old photos depicting war scenes, strained relations, love and innocence lost, Smashed! promises to be a uniquely dramatic experience. The Festival d’été de Québec is putting on this show jointly with Montréal Complètement Cirque.

Smashed by Gandini Juggling: $13 phone reservation, $10 at the door or Festival pass.
Thursday July 11 to Sunday July 14 at 8:30 pm.

Rue Saint-Jean

The ever-popular street performers, sponsored by Leclerc, will be taking Rue Saint-Jean by storm from Place d’Youville to Côte du Palais. With street performers from France, the Netherlands, Spain and Québec, spectators can expect original artistic performances every evening. Festivalgoers are advised to keep their eyes and ears open if they don’t want to miss any of these wild and wacky shows! Watch for:

Street theatre in all its forms with Le Filament, Le Gestuaire, Poupées [K]rinkées, Mobile Home and NomadUrbains

The Teatro Pavana stilt walkers

Acrobatics by Bulles de Zinc

Musical street theatre with L’Aubergine

An original artistic techno creation by Marc-Andrée Goulet

Theatre of flying objects with Cal y Canto

Giant fan juggling with Shintaï JonGlo Théâtre

Shows on Rue Saint-Jean: Free.
Every evening starting at 6 pm.

Family Place, sponsored by le Lait

With something happening under the big top, at the amphitheatre or the Ephemeral Gardens, Family Place, sponsored by le Lait, is taking over the entire Espace 400^e site! From Friday July 4 to Sunday July 14, there’s a great choice of free family activities to choose from every day from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.

“We’re lucky to have this outstanding venue for our activities at Family Place. Every year, we try to come up with an exciting new program that makes the most of the site. And with even more interactive activities planned this year, the kids will love it!” reports FEQ general manager Daniel Gélinas.

The big top will feature a slew of popular kid’s stars, including Arthur l’Aventurier, La Comtesse d’Harmonia, Carmen Campagne and Koukoulia, to name just a few of the shows that will have the whole family singing, dancing and laughing along.

This year there will be a new tent just for puppet shows. Everyone loves a puppet show, and the original and inventive creations produced by Aliona Munteanu, Puzzle Théâtre, Belzébrute and many others are sure to set the imagination free.

The program at the amphitheatre opens with the Brazilian drums of Le Bloco. In the days that follow, Le Filament and Artéfacts et Artifices will be presenting their street theatre, Strada its Fanfare Monfarleau and Shintaï JonGlo Théâtre will display their remarkable fan handling techniques. More fun and exciting shows will also be taking place around the Ephemeral Gardens.

Along with all these shows, Family Place also has a wide range of activities and sports, artistic and discovery workshops planned. Kids will be thrilled with the new ÉducaZoo and Repti-Zone exhibits where they can learn all about reptiles and other cool pets or exotic animals. Also offered: an acrobatics course, a skate park, a visual arts workshop, a wooden toy-making workshop, a workshop for budding scientists, extreme face painting and much more!

For festival information, www.infofestival.com.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

                                                                               

Pop Artists, Living Legends, New Discoveries and Rising Stars to Perform at 46th Festival d’été de Québec, July 4-14

The Festival d’été de Québec has released this year’s outdoor shows in a program covering a broad range of musical genres. Pop artists and living legends, names to discover and rising stars ─ for festival fans, choice is the operative word. The Black Keys, Bruno Mars, Tiësto, Wu-Tang Clan, Def Leppard, Weezer, Rush, Wiz Khalifa, MGMT, Foreigner, Bad Religion, Bassnectar, Belle & Sebastien, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Passion Pit and Ellie Goulding are just some of the big names on this year’s lineup.

“Again this year, we’re proud to say that the Festival d’été de Québec is in the vanguard. The depth of talent on our program clearly puts us right up there with the biggest and the best,” said General Manager Daniel Gélinas.

As Program Director Louis Bellavance explained, “This depth can be seen in the number of shows that have a slate of big names from start to finish, and this goes for international and francophone artists, whatever the style or the venue. It’s one of the biggest plusses in this year’s programming.”

ElectroFEQ

The 2012 ElectroFEQ show was a surprise hit that drew crowds of electro fans and more than a few curious festivalgoers to the largest venue, the Plains of Abraham. ElectroFEQ is back this year even bigger and better than ever, with shows at four different venues on four consecutive nights, starting at the Impérial and reaching a crescendo on the Plains!

Kicking off at the Impérial on July 8 with Le Matos, Keys N Krates and Austra, the ElectroFEQ moves to the Hydro-Québec Stage at Place d’Youville the next day, with the world beat grooves of the Mexican Institute of Sound, 3Ball MTY and A Tribe Called Red. On Wednesday, July 10, dubstep takes over the Loto-Québec Stage at Parc de la Francophonie with Zeds Dead and Bassnectar headlining the show.

And to top off ElectroFEQ on Thursday, July 11, the Plains will be plugged into Madeon, Martin Solveig and Wolfgang Gartner, with superstar Tiësto the highlight of the show. This evening of electro house music will call for one of biggest technical deployments in the history of the Festival.

Bell Stage on the Plains of Abraham

July 4: As was announced a few weeks ago, the Festival will open in French on a grand scale with Quand le Québec chante. Five solid names in Québec song, Paul Piché, Daniel Lavoie, Richard Séguin, Michel Rivard and Laurence Jalbert, accompanied by a chorus of 400 voices, will be playing their most popular hits along with some of Québec’s best-loved standards.

July 5: Hip-hop could make history this night with the legendary Wu-Tang Clan playing here for the first time! Big name rapper Wiz Khalifa is up just before the American group, along with Classified, known for the hit single Inner Ninja. Anodajay, Dramatik, Koriass, Manu Militari and Samian, in a hip-hop celebration of the 10th anniversary of Disques 7e Ciel, will be opening the show.

July 6: Since The Black Keys’ wildly popular Festival appearance in 2011, they’ve racked up Grammy awards and hit the international scene big-time with their new album. Now on top of their game, it’s an honour to have them back on the Plains. Eagles of Death Metal and Father John Misty will be up first.

July 7: With their latest album J’aime ta grand-mère, and their concept show Les Trois Accords with a bunch of chicks, a big brass band and balls of fire, the Trois Accords embrace the absurd. And they have more than one guest artist and surprise in store for the audience! They’ll be preceded onstage by French star M, whose incredible personality and energy really shine in a live show. Caféïne will be opening in what promises to be an evening Festival fans won’t want to miss.

July 8: The announcement that pop superstar Bruno Mars was coming to the Festival really got things rolling. His fans should also go for Ellie Goulding’s world-popular electro pop, and for Toronto’s own Diamond Rings.

July 9: Passion Pit, MGMT, Weezer ─ the Festival has pulled out all the stops with this hard-hitting lineup. This will be the first time MGMT plays here in Québec City.

July 10: Rush is back with a new, highly-acclaimed super production, the Clockwork Angel Tour. Packed with impressive projections and special effects, this will be the tour’s only stop in Québec.

July 11: ElectroFEQ

July 13: The legendary Def Leppard needs no introduction, and it goes without saying that this show will bring hardcore rockers out in droves. Talented US rock band Foreigner is up first.

Loto-Québec Stage at Parc de la Francophonie

The Loto-Québec Stage has always held a special place in the heart of Festival fans as a venue where new talent is revealed and musical memories are made. With the spotlight on French music, some of Québec’s most popular artists are slated to play here this year. Cœur de pirate will be putting on her only band-style show of the summer in an evening that starts with talented young singer-songwriter Chloé Lacasse followed by promising artist Karim Ouellet, from Québec City. Lisa Leblanc, whose debut album went gold, will be onstage right after performances by none other than Bernard Adamus and Keith Kouna. And in a night to remember, look for Richard Desjardins and Ingrid St-Pierre, accompanied by a string quartet, as well as Gaële. To close the Festival, Robert Charlebois will sing hits from a career spanning fifty years, with David Giguère and Hôtel Morphée up first.

Big name indie band Belle & Sebastian is sure to draw crowds for their first ever Quebec City appearance. Here We Go Magic and Born Ruffians will set the tone for an evening of indie pop. Then punk rock takes over with Bad Religion, whose new album is making records sales. First up will be The Hunter, The Balconies and the winner of the Clic ton band contest. So get there early!

For metal fans, Parc de la Francophonie is the place to be! In their only canadian appearance and their first in Quebec City, the 15 musicians of the German band Avantasia, known for their symphonic metal sound, are here with a grandiose rock opera. Voivod will be celebrating its 30th year, up right after Never More than Less. The Festival is also welcoming folk legend Emmylou Harris and her guitarist Rodney Crowell, with songs from their country-folk duo album Yellow Moon. Bears of Legend will be opening. Look for big crowds for Canadian pop rock band Marianas Trench, who just won the Juno Award for Group of the Year. Down with Webster will get things rolling along with Quebec City’s own Final State.

Hydro-Québec Stage at Place Metro in Place d’Youville

A lively program of world beat, blues, soul, reggae, pop and electro music will have the Hydro-Québec stage hopping every evening this year!

World music fans, get ready to dance to the music of Amadou et Mariam, Kassav’, Fatoumata Diawara, Locos for Juana and the inimitable Balkan Beat Box. Afrobeat is out in full force with Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, a big name in afrofunk, and The Souljazz Orchestra.

Danakil, Reggae Meta and The Cornerstones will fill Place d’Youville with the laid-back sound of reggae, with some help from French reggae masters Alpha Blondy & The Solar System.

Soul fans will be happy to see soul funk legend Booker T. Jones in a lineup that includes The Dynamite featuring Charles Walker and Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, who lights a fire everywhere she goes. Gospel soul is also on tap with The Relatives and Naomi Shelton & The Gospel.

Blues lovers won’t want to miss James Hunter, The Slide Brothers, and Dr. John, the Night Tripper, here directly from New Orleans.

There will also be plenty of music in French at Place d’Youville, with Loco Locass playing songs from their latest album, Le Québec est mort, vive le Québec! Noir Silence and Canailles will be playing at Place d’Youville that same evening. Festival favourite Daran will also be back, with Zaz headlining.

The beating heart of the Festival, the Hydro-Québec Stage will also host Socalled, Nomadic Massive, Nick Waterhouse, Charly Yapo, Sagapool, Coyote Bill, Kodiak, Gotta Logo Project, William Sevigny, Jeanphilip and Ampli de Québec artists Julielle, Maude, Équinoxe and The Seasons.

“Year after year, the FEQ is a driving force for the local economy that helps keep the financial outlook sound. But in addition to the millions of dollars the Festival brings in, it also builds a level of technical expertise that can’t be beat,” Board Chairman Mario Girard pointed out.

Geneviève Borne, President of the 25th Prix Miroir

The Prix Miroir, sponsored by SODEC and awarded at the end of the Festival d’été de Québec, recognizes the talent of local and guest artists. Geneviève Borne will preside over the jury in this 25th anniversary year. Active in the cultural milieu for over 20 years, and co-host of Belle & Bum (a Quebec tv show), she has always been a music lover above all. And this Quebec City native has never been shy about saying that the Festival d’été de Québec is her pick! Organizers are pleased to have this outstanding communicator as the spokesperson for the 25th Prix Miroir awards.

Again this year, the Festival is looking for an avid music lover from the public to sit on the Prix Miroir jury! Interested candidates will find details on the Festival website. Go for it!

The 46th edition of the Festival d’été de Québec will be held from July 4 to 14, 2013.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Festival d’été de Québec Passes Now on Sale

Look for 75,000 passes for the 46th Festival d’été de Québec have just gone on sale starting at noon on Saturday, February 16. This early-bird sale will be held exclusively online and by phone, ending Friday, March 15 or when passes are sold out. The price is $66, taxes and service fee included. Starting March 16, 2013, an additional 75,000 passes will go on sale at the regular price of $76, taxes and service fee included.

– 2 dates: February 16, 2013 and March 16, 2013
– 2 prices: $66 et $76
– 2 modways to buy: Internet and telephone

Online: www.infofestival.com

By phone:

– 1-418-800-FEIQ (3347) Quebec City area and international (outside North America)
– 1-855-800-FEIQ (3347) Canada and US (toll-free))

The Festival pass includes a Bell RFID wristband and a blinking pin, and is good for all 11 days of Festival shows, at all the outdoor and indoor venues. As in past years, you can buy up to 4 passes per transaction. Postal delivery is recommended even though passes can be picked-up in person at the Colisée Pepsi box office from May 1 through June 1.

For full details on this special sale go to www.infofestival.com.

Everyone who purchases a pass before Friday February 28 could win VIP passes for the next Festival! Open to all Festival Facebook page fans who fill out the entry form on this page.

The 46th edition of the Festival d’été de Québec will be held from July 4 to 14, 2013.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

                                                                               

75,000 Passes for 46th Annual Festival d’été de Québec to Go on Sale Dec. 1

Look for 75,000 passes for the 46^th Festival d’été de Québec to go on sale starting at noon on Saturday, December 1. This early-bird sale will be held exclusively online and by phone, ending December 31 or when passes are sold out. The price is $66, taxes and service fee included. Starting February 23, 2013, an additional 75,000 passes will go on sale at the regular price of $76, taxes and service fee included.

The 46^th edition of the Festival d’été de Québec will be held from July 4 to 14, 2013 in Quebec City.

“First, we took into account the criticism and comments we’ve been hearing in the past few years. Then we looked at what was being done elsewhere, by the other big festivals drawing tens of thousands of participants, like us. We settled on what seems to be the fairest and easiest solution for everyone and the most widely-used. Plus, by extending the purchasing period, we hope to avoid overloading the system,” explained the general manager of the Festival d’été de Québec, Daniel Gélinas.

So take note:

– 2 dates: December 1, 2012 and February 23, 2013
– 2 prices: $66 and $76
– 2 ways to buy: Internet and telephone

“By concentrating sales online or by phone, we’ll be able to get contact information for all our buyers and build a genuine community that we can communicate with from now on,” pointed out Festival chair of the board, Nancy Savard.

The Festival pass includes a Bell RFID wristband and a flashing badge, and is good for all 11 days of Festival shows, at all the outdoor and indoor venues. As in past years, you can buy up to 4 passes per transaction with a choice of delivery by mail or pick-up in person at the Laurier Québec shopping mall.

“Laurier Québec has agreed to work with us to make it easier for people to pick up their passes locally, and we really appreciate their collaboration,” Gélinas added.

For full details on this special sale go to http://www.infofestival.com.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Eastwind Cycle Unveils Custom Bicycling Journeys in Canada, Mexico

Eastwind Cycle, Atlantic Canada’s small, but dedicated premium cycling tour company, has been operating mainly behind the scenes to support the cycling programs of large tour operators and cruise lines, since 1995. But in 2012 Eastwind has changed gears by offering their custom cycling journeys in Canada’s east coast, Quebec and Puebla, Mexico to the travelling public for the first time. To kick it off they’ve revamped their website and introduced a creative newsletter and social media plan.

“We’re excited to do more custom cycling trips in our all-time favourite places to ride,” says Peter Williams, Eastwind Cycle’s founder. “We welcome all skill sets and group sizes. All you need is a passion for the good things in life like food and wine, and the willingness to hop on a bicycle. It’s that simple, and that’s what makes cycling travel extraordinary.”

Eastwind Cycle’s team of highly skilled cyclists, there to support guests at all times along the road, specialize in journeys as small as four people to as big as 40. Through their years on the road, they’ve gained countless nuggets of first-hand knowledge of the best of each region they travel to. Eastwind Cycle takes guest’s ideas for a dream journey and combines them with the finest regional ingredients … quaint country inns, boutique hotels, phenomenal and fresh local cuisine. Williams spent his past life as a restaurateur, and great food at all levels (markets, roadside eateries, high-end restaurants) is at the heart of every Eastwind Cycle journey.

For more information, visit www.eastwindcycle.com.

For more travel features, visit:

www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

Vacations By Rail Offers Upgrade to New Silverleaf Service on Select Rocky Mountaineer Rail Trips

Vacations By Rail is one of the providers of new Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf rail service, available on select routes and vacation dates in 2011. To entice travelers to experience this new class of service, Vacations By Rail is offering customers a $50 per person savings when upgrading from RedLeaf to SilverLeaf service from April 1-30, 2011.

Travelers in the SilverLeaf class of service enjoy panoramic views of Western Canada and the Canadian Rockies through oversized windows in a single-level dome coach, choice of entrees served at their seat, complimentary beverages including a morning toast and wine and beer at lunch, service and commentary from onboard attendants, and GoldLeaf-equivalent accommodations in Kamloops with luggage service.

SilverLeaf service is available on select departure dates through October 2011 on all First Passage to the West rail vacations between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Banff, Alberta as well as two-day rail journeys along the same route.

To book a Rocky Mountaineer rail vacation and save $50 when upgrading to SilverLeaf service, contact a Vacations By Rail travel specialist at 877-929-7245. For more information about Vacations By Rail’s train vacations aboard the all-daylight Rocky Mountaineer train, visit www.vacationsbyrail.com.

Vacations By Rail is a leading seller of rail travel and tours in North America and an authority on rail vacations. Travelers can choose from the largest selection of independent rail vacations, escorted rail tours, and luxury rail journeys around the world.  Vacations By Rail also provides virtually every European rail pass and ticket. For more information on Vacations By Rail and the company’s products, visit www.vacationsbyrail.com or call 877-929-7245.

See our story on riding Amtrak’s Autotrain, the world’s largest passenger train and the only one where passengers and vehicles ride the same train, AMTRAK’S AUTOTRAIN IS UNIQUE WAY TO TRAVEL TO FLORIDA