19 Jul 2016
Kouchibouguac Star Fest
30th September to 2nd October, 2016
Kouchibougac National Park stretches along the Acadian coastline and offers stunning views of the cosmos. The park's name has Mi'kmaq roots and means 'river of the long tides'; fitting for this region filled with sand dunes, lagoons and marshes.
The first Star Fest ran from 10th – 12 June followed by a second event from 30th September to 2nd October, 2016. Revellers at the Star Fest will enjoy a weekend of hiking and camping under the stars with astronomers from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and will have the opportunity to meet other star gazing enthusiasts, hear talks from experts and share an incredible dark sky experience.
Find out more about the Dark Sky Preserve, Kouchibougac National Park and the Star Fest Event: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/nb/kouchibouguac/natcul/ciel-sky.aspx
Mount Carleton Astronomy Weekend Star Fest
29th – 31st July 2016
Over 42,000 acres of Acadian woods make up the wilderness of Mount Carleton Provincial Park, which will host another Star Party in the series. The area is popular with hikers who seek to climb the mountain after which the park was named, Mount Carleton, which is also the highest mountain in the Canadian maritime provinces. The provincial park is arguably the darkest accessible place in Atlantic Canada for star gazing.
Star Fest activities, including a Telescope Clinic teaching amateur telescope owners how to maximise their view of the stars, will take a place at campsite two. Tent camping and tent – campervan plots are available for visitors and each site comes with a its own fire pit, perfect for cooking or toasting marshmallows before lying back and taking in the exceptional night sky views.
Find out more: http://www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca/Products/Parks/MountCarletonProvincialPark.aspx
Fundy National Park StarGaze
2nd - 4th September, 2016
Designated as a Dark Sky Preserve in 2011, Fundy National Park is home to the Bay of Fundy which boasts the world's highest tides. Visitors can explore these at The Hopewell Rocks, where they can walk around the famous flowerpot rocks at low tide and then watch them slowly disappear as the tide rises. More active travellers may choose to walk a few miles of spectacular coastline along the Fundy Trail Parkway, part of two UNESCO designated sites; the Fundy Biosphere Reserve and the Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark. Find out more about the Fundy Dark Sky Preserve via:
Stargaze at Fundy National Park will offer the same activities as the previous Kouchibouguac and Mount Carleton events. However for a different camping experience, those visiting Fundy National Park can book their very own Yurt, a traditional tent dwelling from Asia and a fun alternative for those who prefer to star gaze at their own pace.
Find out about The Dark Sky Preserve and the Fundy Star Gaze here:
http://www.nb.rasc.ca/starparty/FundyStarGaze/fundystargaze.pdf
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/nb/fundy/natcul/ciel-sky.aspx
Stars come out for the Jasper Dark Sky Festival, Alberta
October 14th to 23rd, 2016
Coming into its 6th year, the Jasper Dark Sky Festival was created to celebrate the Dark Sky Preserve designation that Jasper received in 2011 by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Since that time the festival has grown into a celebration throughout the entire Dark Sky month, highlighting two featured weekends packed with events, speakers and activities, that promote science, space and conservation.
October 21st, 2016
Best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu in Star Trek, George Takei is also recognised as a world leader in social justice, LGBTQ rights and marriage equality. With nearly 10 million Facebook likes, 1.8 million followers on Twitter and an increasingly popular You Tube channel, Takei's strong social media presence allows him to advocate for causes he cares about and keeps him connected to the digital generation. Takei will be at the Jasper Dark Sky Festival on October 21st.
For more about the above and other events that form part of this festival go to www.jasperdarksky.travel
Star gazing of a different sort at Muskoka, Ontario's Best Kept Secret
You can spot stars of a different variety here in Muskoka, a peaceful haven that offers visitor's a chance to relax, switch off and explore Ontario's stunning scenery. The area is a playground for the rich and famous including Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and Kate Hudson. Located just two hours north of Toronto, Muskoka spans 2,500 square miles and is a popular year round destination.
During the warm spring and summer months, there's plenty of water sports to enjoy including swimming, sailing, wakeboarding and water skiing. The area is also home to a number of exceptional PGA rated golf courses including Deerhurst Resort, Muskoka Highlands Golf Links, Taboo Muskoka Golf Course, J. W. Marriot and Bracebridge Golf Club.
With a number of national and provincial parks in the vicinity including Algonquin, Canada's oldest provincial park, Muskoka is one of North America's prime 'leaf peeping' areas during the autumn months when the trees are ablaze with golden and auburn leaves. One of the best ways to see the changing leaves is to hike, bike or canoe along the many trails.
Late November to March Muskoka transforms into a winter wonderland and with it the opportunity to mush with huskies, ski, snowmobile and snow show. For an experience that is hard pressed to be found elsewhere, the Arrowhead Provincial Park Ice skating trail is a must –do – taking skaters through the wilderness on a dedicated 1.5 km trail. Visit during one of the park's Fire & Ice nights when the trial is illuminated by hundreds of tiki torches for a truly unique experience.
Sprinkled with charming villages and luxurious holiday homes, Muskoka is a favourite holiday destination amongst celebrities including Steven Spielberg, Kate Hudson, Tom Hanks, Cindy Crawford, Shania Twain, Martin Short. One of the best ways to see some of Hollywood's most stunning estates is to take the scenic cruise Millionaires Row aboard the Wenoah II or R.M.S Segwun and marvel at this stretch of shoreline famous for its grand summer homes. Other A –list hot spots around Muskoka include The Waters Edge Wine Bar and Grill at the Lake Joseph Club Resort, a favourite eatery amongst Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell and Kate Hudson and the Mexican restaurant, Grand Electric Muskoka in Port Carling, a favourite of Cindy Crawford.
For more information on Ontario please go to www.ontariotravel.net
Sleep under the Stars
Mountain top views from Canada's peaks are almost always guaranteed to be spectacular. But then its time to go back down, often after a visit that seems too short. A new programme at Fernie launching this July and August, in British Columbia, has solution for this dilemma - just stay at the top. Relax at their Rocky Mountain pinnacle, take in the sublime scenery as the light changes through the day, hike the upper alpine trails and then settle in for an overnight camping stay.
Fernies Lift – Access camping programme offers the first lift access camping in North America, says Resorts of the Canadian Rockies. Guests can sleep under the stars in a high alpine meadow at the top of the mountain at prepared campsite “pads”. There are about five of these pads, and they offer views of a massive rock wall and a peak named 'Elephant's Head'.
A washroom is available as a basic service but campers do have to bring their own water and food – portable backpack stoves are permitted. During the day, campers can refuel themselves at the Lost
Boy's Café at the top of the Timber express chairlift. The sites sit at a height of 1,725 meters up and the price is still to be set. Star watching optional.
Find out more:
Meteor Showers at Kicking Horse
August 12th – Perseids Meteor Shower – Stargazing at 7,700 ft
Get closer to the stars at 7,700 ft for an intimate viewing of the Perseids Meteor Shower from Eagles Eye Restaurant at the top of the Eagle's Eye Gondola. A local astronomer will host an interactive binocular astronomy presentation, bring your binoculars!
Find our more: http://kickinghorseresort.com/events/
Snorkel with the Stars
British Columbia's Desolation Sound awaits – an eco system of protected inlets and islets, of towering coastal mountains, of misty rainforest and of multifaceted marine life. Slip into snorkeling gear, jump into its emerald waters and explore an undersea world bursting with colourful creatures – a natural aquarium, vibrant and vital. A snorkel tour with Powell River Sea Kayak will see you immersed in an intertidal zone renowned by divers the world –round – and illuminated by a knowledgeable and engaging guide. Visit BC's Sunshine Coast and snorkel with the Stars – StarFish that is!
Find out more: https://www.bcseakayak.com/tours-packages/cabana-desolation-eco-resort/#Snorkeling
Take me to the Stars?
More Flights to Canada this Winter
Air Transat, has announced that it is to increase flights to Toronto, Canada this winter by offering a daily service from November through to April. This now means that the airline will fly year round daily flights to Canada's largest city. London Gatwick to Vancouver also gains a second weekly flight commencing in December. Passengers travelling on this service from London Gatwick will benefit from even more lower fares with return flights starting from £339.00 per person.
Air Transat will continue with its seasonal winter flights direct to Toronto from Glasgow and Manchester weekly. Passengers can also fly direct from London Gatwick to Vancouver twice weekly from December offering easy access to Canada's number 1 ski resort, Whistler. Air Transat assists winter customers by offering FREE ski carriage (1 bag per person) in addition to the standard baggage allowance depending on their cabin Economy or Club Class.
For more information and reservations call 00 800 872 672 83 or visit www.airtransat.co.uk
For more Canada information please go to www.explore-canada.co.uk
For more media information please contact Ms. Nim Singh, 0207 389 9983 singh.nim@destinationcanada.com @canadanim (not for publication)
