Communities across the country are celebrating Canada today. From pancake breakfasts to outdoor concerts to fireworks, there are 2010 things to do.
Helen, a friend of mine who works with Ontario Tourism, had a great recommendation on how to spend the day; attend a July 1st Citizenship Ceremony. Check out http://www.cic.gc.ca for listings of where you can attend. The ceremonies are touching, educational and inspirational.
I am going to celebrate the day at a friend's cottage. For me, Ontario's cottage country ranks up there as one of the best destinations in the country. Every Friday in July I will be helping you plan your great Canadian vacation by showcasing the best in travel across the country; accommodations, attractions and outdoor experiences.
Canada AM wants to hear from you too. Send us a photo of your favourite Canadian landmark to traveltips@ctv.ca. and I'll present the "Top Five" at the end of the month.
Friday's segment is the first in my series and it's all about discovering those secret places you have never heard of. Here are some hidden gems:
The Osoyoos Desert: Tucked into the southernmost tip of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. This extraordinary habitat is among the most fragile and endangered ecosystems in North America. The Osoyoos Desert Centre is a 67 acre nature interpretive facility where visitors can learn about desert ecology. Guests are invited to explore Canada's desert by taking a guided or self-guided tour along a 1.5 km elevated wooden boardwalk. http://www.desert.org/
Frank Slide: In 1903, at 4:10 a.m., the entire face of Turtle Mountain peeled away, pummeling the town of Frank, Alberta and killing 92 people. The tales of survival, bizarre warning systems, luck, fate and how those in the mine were spared, are legendary in these parts. A renovated interpretive centre is full of local anecdotes, award-winning films and a seismic monitoring system. There's no vegetation, just a 90-ton jumble of jagged boulders in the shadow of the mountain. It's a two-hour drive south of Calgary. http://www.frankslide.com/
Quirpon Island: This is a deserted island off the coast of Newfoundland that offers the longest whale and iceberg watching season in the province. Stay at the Lighthouse Inn, and watch the humpback, minke and orca whales come right in to the rocks so you can almost touch them. They are there all summer due to the never-ending food supply delivered to the cove by the currents coming from Labrador and the Strait of Belle Isle.
From the island you can paddle to the Viking site of L'Anse aux Meadows and nap in the shade of a shipwreck. To get there most people fly into Deer Lake and then drive north. An alternate choice is to fly into St. Anthony but the frequency of flights and the timing make it a second choice for most. linkumtours.com/site/inns_quirpon.htm
Fishing Cove: The only backcountry camping area found in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The trailhead is located between Cheticamp and Pleasant Bay, on the west coast of Cape Breton Island. From the parking area the trail descends over 300 m and follows the Fishing Cove River roughly 8km to the ocean. The end of this trail opens onto expansive fields at the mouth of the river, once the site of a lobster cannery, long since abandoned. There are still signs of old foundations and equipment. Several well developed campsites (with tent pads) are scattered throughout the fields and there are outhouse facilities. This is one of the most beautiful coves in Cape Breton with breathtaking sunsets. It is not uncommon to view whales outside the cove or moose strolling across the fields. http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/activ.aspx
Churchill: Well known to most Canadians as the polar bear capital of the world, but in the off-season (summer), you can snorkel with beluga whales! Thousands of them come to feed in the rivers emptying into the Hudson Bay, arriving in mid-June and leaving at the end of August. You can watch them from a boat but adventurous types actually get into dry suits and swim with them. Zooming beneath the boat, the whales greet swimmers with a chorus of cheeps, honks and twitters. Located 1440 km north of Winnipeg, Churchill is only accessible via air or train. Packaged four-night tours range in price but are around the $3,500 mark or you can book tours, accommodation, air/train separately. www.travelmanitoba.com
Loren Christie appears regularly on Canada AM. If you have a travel question, email us at traveltips@ctv.ca.
