Canada Through the Seasons

Oh Canada, We're Glad You're Back!

After nearly a year and a half, Canada has begun the process of reopening its borders to tourists. With fully vaccinated Americans allowed to visit as of August 9th, it’s safe to say our northern neighbor is about to get a whole lot of attention. From cosmopolitan cities to pristine, untouched wilderness, there is a lot to love. Here’s our guide to the best things to do and places to stay. Let’s break it down, season by season.

Fall in Canada is a time of changing foliage and crisper temperatures. It’s also the perfect time to hop aboard one of Rocky Mountaineer’s luxury trains for their "Journey into the Clouds" experience. Starting in Vancouver and ending in Jasper, highlights of the two-day journey (which is of course, customizable) include cruising along the mighty Fraser River, taking in views of the stunning Pyramid Falls, and even catching a glimpse of Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies.

End your journey at the Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. Inspired by safari-style glamping, you’ll stay in a luxury camp, completely free to immerse yourself in the tranquility of the Canadian wilderness.

The seemingly obvious answer to a winter vacation in Canada is skiing. While many Americans will gravitate towards large resorts like Whistler, checking out a less-trafficked area like Lake Louise Ski Resort is ideal for anyone still easing back into the travel experience.

Spectacular scenery awaits at Lake Louise with uniquely beautiful terrain that is both vast and varied. Located in the heart of majestic, historic Banff National Park, Lake Louise is truly legendary and offers the world's finest terrain. With 4200 skiable acres, Lake Louise is one of the largest ski areas in North America.

While Canada is known for its outdoor activities, visitors can’t forget its cities. The largest city in the Québec province, Montreal is a perfect late spring destination for its mild weather. Spend an afternoon wandering the streets of Old Montreal and its 18th-century buildings. The Basilique Notre-Dame, the Hôtel de Ville, and the Old Port are all notable sites. The Montreal Botanical Garden is also at its peak this time of year—with ten greenhouses, each tailored to a specific theme.

Toronto, Canada’s largest city, is best visited in late summer (around September) when the sudden rains and humid temperatures begin to settle. A fantastic family-friendly destination, it’s easy to keep the kids entertained with visits to the Toronto Zoo and Toronto Islands—which are home to an amusement park and plenty of outdoor recreation facilities.

Keepin’ it Green - Hotels Edition 

Sustainable hotels are at the forefront of environmentally friendly practices within the travel industry. Below is a shortlist of hotels showcasing the efforts of many. These properties are lean, green, luxury machines!

Inkaterra Hotels Collection - First founded in 1975, this collection of seven stunning hotels in the Amazon and Andes Mountains was the first Peruvian business to be certified carbon-neutral. Founder Jose Koechlin explained that his company’s greatest asset to staying green is the natural environment surrounding each property. Each hotel also boasts one facility onsite dedicated to conservation and biology. Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica has a butterfly house, while Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo has a rescue center for South America’s only native bear species.

Turtle Bay Resort - A mainstay of Oahu’s North Shore, Turtle Bay Resort has been devoted to sustainability for over a decade after establishing a Green Committee in 2009 to reduce the property’s carbon footprint. Their efforts are widespread, from installing a solar roof to partnering with the surrounding community to source fresh produce. After a year-long closure, Turtle Bay reopened this July after a series of significant upgrades. Guests can enjoy a new lobby, adult-only pool, and ocean bungalows with an exclusive concierge service.

Forestis Dolomites - A Small Luxury Hotels of the World designated property, Forestis Dolomites effortlessly blends contemporary design with the property’s natural surroundings. Locally owned and designed, the hotel runs entirely on renewable energy. In addition, each of the 62 guest rooms is equipped with biodegradable amenities. Visitors can rest easy knowing that luxury doesn’t come at the cost of the environment.

The Experts of Expedition Cruising

Adventurous travelers can finally check some of the boxes on their bucket lists with this hot new trend. Expedition-style cruising is the best way to get up close and personal with some of the wildest places on earth without sacrificing any of the luxury boutique cruises are known for.

A pioneer of eco-tourism for the past 50 years, Lindblad Expeditions is an industry-standard for expedition travel. Founder Lars-Eric Lindblad brought the first group of non-scientific travelers to Antarctica. Since then, their expanding fleet has brought guests to experience the wilds of the Galápagos, Alaska, Costa Rica, Panama, and much more. A 100% carbon-neutral operation, Lindblad hopes to inspire travelers to explore and protect the planet.

Silversea Cruises is known for curating adventures for the curious traveler. With Silversea Expeditions, guests are whisked off to some of the most remote corners of the world, like the Russian Far East, all without sacrificing their high standard of luxury. By day, you’ll kayak along the coast with one of the onboard experts. By night, guests can enjoy lectures alongside gourmet cuisine and unwind in your expansive suite.

Founded 35 years ago, Seabourn is a mainstay of luxury cruising experiences. However, there’s exciting news on the horizon. This brand will be launching expedition-style cruises this December on the Seabourn Venture. This ship can go where few others can—the Arctic, the Amazon, and Antarctica with state-of-the-art advanced maneuvering technology. With an onboard Expedition Team of historians, scientists and naturalists, guests will leave not only with unforgettable memories but a wealth of knowledge.

Dust Off Your Documents

If you didn’t spend your time in lockdown flipping through the pages of your passport, gazing at those international entry stamps simply to relive trips overseas, then it’s time to make sure your ticket to ride is still valid.

Whether frequent flyers let their documents expire during the pandemic or some other circumstance required applying for a new or replacement passport, the State Department is currently projecting an 18-week delay as it faces a backlog of applications, according to an article by AARP. Even those who pay for expedited service face a wait of up to 12 weeks.

If planning more immediate travel, CIBTvisas is an excellent resource to get your documents processed more quickly. Regular turnaround can be as little as six to eight weeks, while expedited service can get you a new passport in as little as five days as long as you have proof of a booking. 

Departure Lounge is proud to announce a new partnership with the Parking Spot.  Your Departure Lounge advisor can prebook your parking at a special 10% discount off retail rates.  Be sure to ask your advisor about the Parking Spot while planning your next vacation; you can even have your vehicle detailed while you travel.

Preferred Partners Offers

Here are a few of the current promotions available to Departure Lounge clients: