Vancouver Island is located off the West Coast of mainland Canada. At 290 miles in length and 50 miles wide, it is the world’s 43rd largest island and a place that manages to condense most of the highlights of Canada. James Butler, Programme Manager for this area, recounts his arrival on the island and proceeds, like the other members of the Canada team, to pick out his own personal highlights of the island.
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Articles in the 'Canada, Alaska & The Arctic' Category
Alaska is one of the most rewarding destinations to visit. It is a land of monumental scale with unimaginably panoramic landscapes, virtually undisturbed eco-systems teeming with wildlife, and adventure opportunities second to none. A trip there requires careful thought though, because the travelling season is short and it can take quite some planning to avoid the tourist crowds that disgorge from cavernous cruise ships and articulated coach tours during the all too brief Alaskan summer. We are proud to offer a different approach, actively steering our clients away from the crowds, giving travellers an authentic flavour of this northern state.
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The beauty of Québec is that its history is so perfectly intertwined with its cuisine. The Québecois have a great affinity with food that stems directly from the first permanent French colony of Nouvelle France established by Samuel de Champlain in 1608. Today’s simple, rustic fare continues the tradition of the trappers and the earliest settlers of the colony, whilst the elegance of haute cuisine pays homage to the king’s nobles and seigneurs who once held court here.
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For humans travel is a passion or an enjoyable break from daily life but for some species it’s a necessity and one that take’s them considerable distances in search of food or as a means of escaping predators. Here we look at some of the most spectacular migrations that can be witnessed around the world.
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Canada is such an immense country that it is often difficult to know which part to explore first. Some prefer to visit the non-stop cities or the iridescent mountain lakes, whilst others like to get away to the endless tracts of wilderness that lie to the north. Such an enormous country is the perfect destination for lovers of wildlife and beautiful scenery and my perfect trip would encompass getting off the beaten track to experience the best of this natural world, whilst contrasting this with the sophistication of the cities.
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Boarding a boat for a cruise in the polar regions is the start of an incredible journey, and one that will most definitely have wildlife encounters of the most unbelievable kind. Over the next four pages we have had a look at the animals you will definitely or hopefully see, and how they fit into the polar food chains. Deciding to write this piece was a challenge and something of a break from the usual format of articles, and we also couldn’t resist sharing some of our personal polar wildlife moments, including ones where we ourselves could have become part of the food chain (so we would have ourselves believe)…
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I do not believe it is an overstatement to describe a visit to a polar region as a trip of a lifetime. And I believe that if you visit one end of the earth you will feel an inexorable pull to visit the other. Well, that is what I, a couple of my colleagues, and many of our clients have discovered over the last few years, and this has led to the development of our dedicated team of Polar cruising specialists.
The easiest way to visit a polar region is on a cruise, in our summer time to the Arctic and in our winter time to Antarctica, but these cruises are unlike any other. They are journeys of generally between 7 and 21 days on boats specially designed for navigating these waters.
If you are unsure which to visit first, then I would say where better to start than with a simple question: polar bears or penguins?
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Newfoundland feels like the end of the world. For many, the name conjures an image of a barren bulk of rock lurking in the fog somewhere in the North Atlantic. Glimpsed from an aircraft, its stark outline is often surrounded by specks of ice.
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Nothing draws people together like food, whether it’s the preparation or sitting down to taste local delicacies, barriers are broken down and conversation flows. We asked our specialists to choose some of their favourite culinary experiences from around the world.
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Canada still remains one of the most scarcely populated countries in the world, covering a staggering 9,984,670 square kilometres (second only to Russia) but with just over 33 million people. Although small, the population has been formed from a base of indigenous people and then supplemented with waves of immigrants, mainly from the shores of Europe.
Peter Stanley-Jones, Regional Manager for Canada, takes a look at the history that conspired to create what is now a modern, passionately patriotic country and a hugely fulfilling destination for the traveller.
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The dramatic Alaskan coastline is rich with wildlife and natural beauty; Audley’s Elizabeth Beeson explores the coast and describes the various types of cruise ships available on this wonderful journey.
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Audley’s specialists pick out some of their favourite music, dance and drama performances from around the world.
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Polar Bears are one of the world’s iconic wildlife sights and a must see for any visitor to Canada and the Arctic. James Butler, Audley’s Canada & Alaska Manager, explains how and where to see these wonderful animals.
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Fall is a magical time to visit Canada, and Ontario is no exception. Fiona Pearce’s recent visit started with the iconic Niagara Falls and she then moved on to explore lesser-known parks, wildlife and culture.
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Immerse yourself in rural life on a working farm or ranch. From tea plantations in Africa to the fertile floodplains of Brazil’s greatest wetlands, friendly family-run properties introduce frontier life as it interacts with nature. Our specialists reveal their favourites.
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Just 130 years ago the windswept peaks and glimmering lakes of Canada’s Rocky Mountains were only experienced by aboriginal communities and itinerant trappers. In 1885 the Canadian Pacific Railway opened up this wonderful wilderness to a wider world and Canada’s greatest secret was out. Jane Robinson says that some highlights just can’t be missed but also suggests other, less visited attractions.
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There are some immensely clear and gloriously spectacular night skies across the world, many that must be seen to be believed. Here, our specialists choose their favourites.
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The word ‘Arctic’ conjures up images of polar bears prowling the ice floes, Inuit hunting in sealskin kayaks, of whales and
whale hunting, the Aurora Borealis, and of intrepid explorers of history attempting to reach the North Pole or find a route
from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans through the Northwest Passage. In terms of what a visit to the Arctic means to an Audley
traveller it is small-ship expedition cruising within the Arctic Circle (at 66°32’ and beyond), within the Arctic Ocean.
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Untamed expanses, snow-capped mountains, craggy glaciers and roaming wildlife. Aaron Cork finds America’s far north lives up to all his dreams.
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The Canadians are proud of their country and have been something of pioneers in responsible travel. Aaron Cork visits Gaspésie Peninsula, a fine example of this ethos.
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Peter Stanley-Jones tries heli-hiking in Canada’s beautiful Columbia mountains.
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The march to globalisation of certain sports may seem unstoppable, but more localised pursuits are still extremely popular in certain corners of the globe. Our specialists reveal some of their favourites.
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Jane Robinson finds her inner cow girl at Canada’s Calgary stampede.
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Whether you’re a serious wine buff, teetotal, or simply enjoy the odd tipple, winegrowing regions are always fascinating places to visit.
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Olly Clayfield spends a week travelling the Yukon River as one of the pioneers of the recently launched Great River Journey.
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James Butler reveals some of the unique wildlife encounters to be had in Canada, Alaska and the Arctic.
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