Frontier is hoping to entice you to visit more of
this wonderful country and beyond. You could try a Canadian coastal city or Niagara Falls – how about Hawaii, Japan, or Kenya – the world is your oyster!Why not include a city break on your way to the mountains? Any flight stopover costs just an extra £50 per person. Try snowmobiling and whale watching, soak up the sun in Hawaii, or drive your own team of huskies across the frozen wastes.
Last, but by no means least – Frontier Travel is expanding. We now have a wonderful new raft of holiday ideas in East Africa! We invite you to visit www.frontier-safari.co.uk and let us create a different sort of holiday for you.
Vancouver
Set against one of the most spectacular backdrops in the world, on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver offers a wonderful addition to your holiday. You have to drive through it on your way to Whistler, so why not stay a while? Our selected hotels range from comfortable 3-star to 5-star luxury.The modern Marriott Pinnacle, just steps from downtown, is only £31 per person per night whilst 1 bedroom apartments are available at the Pacific Palisades on Robson Street, with prices starting from £29 per person per night. The deluxe Fairmont Waterfront, costs £42 per person for a room with a magnificent view over the harbour. Other choices include the stylish Four Seasons at £35 per person per night, and the chic rooms at the Opus are £58 per person per night.
Whales!
During March and April you could experience one of the most awesome sights western Canada has to offer. Each spring the gray whales migrate from California to Alaska, travelling along the west coast of Vancouver Island in large numbers. You can see this phenomenon from Tofino, a very special place where the rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean, which is easily accessible from Vancouver.Tofino has some glorious hotels, catering for all budgets and tastes. You will need 3 days car hire and 2 nights accommodation; prices include a beachside hotel and whale watching excursion. The Best Western Tin Wis offers good, comfortable rooms and costs from £137 per person. The rustic Middle Beach Lodge has cosy rooms or rustic cabins from £143 per person and includes breakfast, although dinner is only available on certain days. The beautiful rooms at the lovely Long Beach Lodge cost from £237 per person of 2 including breakfast but the crème de la crème is definitely the Relais & Chateau Wickaninnish Inn. Prices here start at £275 per person excluding meals and spa treatments.
Storms
Watch the Pacific rollers on the beach in Tofi no any time between November and January. Travel to Tofi no by air or car from Vancouver. Prices start from £62 for 2 nights at the Tin Wis hotel plus transport.
Toronto
The most accessible of the gateway cities, Toronto makes a brilliant stopover. Use it as a base to visit the spectacular frozen Niagara Falls, or simply enjoy the theatre, museums, shopping and restaurants. Add on a 2 night package complete with sightseeing tour: choose from the prestigious Fairmont Royal York (£137pp), the popular Delta Chelsea (£95) the affordable Days Hotel (£75), or the trendy Soho Metropolitan boutique hotel (£185). An additional night overlooking the falls at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel costs £25pp (plus transport).
Montréal
The entry point for Tremblant and Québec, Montréal has pizzazz; it has countless galleries and museums, not to mention great shopping, fi ne restaurants and a dazzling nightlife. Stay here for the High Lights Festival in February or the Fêtes de Neiges at the end of January. Stay at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth (£45) with easy access to the underground city; the boutique le Saint Suplice (£59) or the more moderately priced Hotel Le Cantlie Suites (£35).
Québec City and Ice Hotel
Unique in North America, Québec is a walled city, and will celebrate its 400th birthday in 2008. It boasts three ski hills, one Ice Hotel, lots of boutique hotels, shops and winter activities.
Spend a week here for a ski holiday (7 nights including car hire at either the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac from £852 per person or Auberge St Pierre from £781 per person); add on a night at the Ice Hotel and a night at the Duchesnay ecotouristic Centre where snowshoes, crosscountry skis and skates are all free of charge from £205 per person for 2 nights accommodation and half board. Optional dogsledding and snowmobiling. See www.frontier-ski.co.uk for full details.
Rocky Mountaineer/Snow Train
Experience winter through the windows of the renowned Rocky Mountaineer! Usually a summer trip, there are a few departures around Christmas between Vancouver and Banff/Calgary. Prices from £750 for 3 nights hotel accommodation and Redleaf on the train. Special offer! 1 child free with Goldleaf and deluxe accommodation for 2 people.
Snow Train
Travel in great comfort between Jasper and Vancouver. The overnight journey departs 3 times a week and is a great way to combine Jasper and Whistler. £270 per person sharing a double bedroom with all meals.
Hawaii
Need some sunshine after your ski holiday? Just over £150 will buy you a return flight from Vancouver to Honolulu and Maui. There are literally hundreds of hotels and several islands to choose from. For sheer convenience, it is easiest to stay on either Oahu or Maui, but connections to the other islands are possible. On Oahu, the choice is really between popular Waikiki Beach, with its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures (staying at the 5-star Hilton Hawaii Village, from £79, or the more standard Aston Waikiki Circle £62), or – our recommendation – the superb Ihilani Resort located on a stunning, white-sanded bay, a 2-hour drive from Honolulu airport £143.
On Maui we recommend the luxury of the Fairmont Kea Lani (from £147) or the 3-star beachfront Kaanapali Beach (from £49).
Dogsledding
Dogsledding or ‘mushing’ is exhilarating. You will learn to ‘mush’ a team of 6 dogs, either on your own or sharing a sled. (Children can ride with parents.) Day trips are available in Whistler, the Rockies and Québec, as well as Marble Mountain. Longer trips are possible in Québec, the Yukon and the Algonquin Park in Ontario. All are guided, and equipment is provided. Guide Price: £605 for 3 nights in Ontario.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiles, or skidoos, are basically motorbikes on skis and are both a practical way to get around and an exhilarating sport. Snowmobiling is available in or near most of the ski resorts and there are some splendid 3 to 6-day tours available in Wells Gray Park, Revelstoke, Ontario and Québec. Outfi tters will provide warm snowmobile suits, boots and gloves. All you need is a sense of adventure and a driving licence. Guide Price: £1039 per person for 4 nights at Glacier Lodge, Revelstoke.
Heli- and cat-skiing
Reach the parts of the mountains that others can’t reach. The pinnacle for skiers and boarders alike! Helicopter and snow catskiing both offer unbelievable skiing, but in a slightly different way. The terrain can be similar but the caterpillar truck is obviously slower and somewhat cheaper than the helicopter but can access almost as much terrain. So long as you choose the right company, this excitement is open to anyone from intermediate to expert.
Please talk to us about your wishes and your ability so we can recommend the best option for you. We can guide you to one of over 20 companies in different parts of Canada and Alaska. Each is slightly different and we know them all. They cater to different abilities and offer everything from a 1-day taster, to a week in a backcountry lodge or on a luxury yacht! A 3-day package with Great Canadian starts from £1959 per person
Ski and board camps
These clinics are great news for anyone of any age travelling alone or with a group. It is a real chance to improve your skiing and boarding whilst meeting new people and having a good time. They range from 1 to 13 weeks and they definitely come with the Frontier ‘seal of approval’. Ask us for more details of Yes Tours, Mike Dempsey, the Silver Star Academy and Pro Ride.
Cross-country skiing
Available all over Canada! With a quick learning curve and using natural motions, including those of skating, this is a sport open to the very youngest and the most mature! Silver Star (page 24) is home to the Canadian National Training Centre and there are miles of trails in the Rockies. We can also offer Callaghan Backcountry Lodge near Whistler, Mount Assiniboine Lodge and Skoki in the Banff Area for true ‘get away from it all’ experiences.
Upgrading the quality of your holiday
There are many way to improve your holiday experience, some cost a lot, others not so much. An easy upgrade is to a private transfer between the airport and your chosen resort. The obvious advantage is that you do not have to wait for anyone else’s luggage and you are taken straight to your hotel. Another is to buy a lounge pass for your UK Airport. Relax in a luxury lounge at the airport enjoying complimentary drinks and meals and many other facilities for around £39 per person.
No matter where you live, we can arrange a Chauffeur driven car to/from your local airport – a jolly nice start to the holiday and a huge bonus when you return home.
Many of the hotels have larger rooms with better views and amenities than in their standard rooms. For instance most of the Fairmont hotels offer Fairmont Gold; an exclusive ‘hotel within a hotel’ service. Offering a dedicated private floor with excellent concierge service and private check-in area; a private lounge with honour bar and cocktail hour canapés; complimentary deluxe continental breakfast and access to high speed internet in the guestroom, An upgrade to a Fairmont Gold room is available from as little as £25 per person per night. The Delta Hotels have a similar idea with their Signature Club, with an exclusive lounge and private concierge service.
The ultimate upgrade would be your flights. Air Canada has recently upgraded their Executive First Class, with new fl at beds and an enhanced level of service, it is a wonderful way to fl y at a cost of £865 EXTRA each way. The low cost carriers have a much more reasonable upgrade starting at a mere £79; however the service is at a very different level of comfort.
Festivals
As winter is a time to be celebrated in Canada, some of the most exciting festivals and events take place during the winter months, and you can plan your holiday around them. The fabulous Winter Carnival in Québec is one of the most famous and colourful (Feb 1-17) and highlights include the night parades and snow sculpture show. See the city of Montréal illuminated like never before at the High Lights Festival (Feb 21- Mar 2) or sample the incredible Ice Wines on offer in either Niagara (Jan 18-27) or Sun Peaks (Jan 14-19).
Honeymoons
Honeymoons are really special and they need a special destination. We are experts at helping you to plan this once-in-a-lifetime holiday. Whether you choose a holiday in Canada or our new range of holidays to East Africa, every detail will be carefully looked after. Please have a look through the brochure or visit www.frontier-safari.co.uk then contact us so that we can start the planning process. Wherever you choose to stay, you will be guaranteed friendly and discreet service. If you would like to discuss your honeymoon with a specialist consultant, please do not hesitate to telephone us or email: honeymoons@frontier-travel.co.uk. We also operate ‘Honeymiles’. This is a programme where your friends and relations can buy vouchers to go towards the cost of your honeymoon.
