Where

Toronto

June is perhaps Toronto’s artsiest month, thanks to the annual Luminato festival, which, from Jun 10 – 19 celebrates creativity and innovation by presenting more than 150 ticketed and free theatrical and dance productions, concerts, readings and discussions, and visual art displays. Among the international offerings are a two-part, multilingual performance of the One Thousand and One Nights, and a new, full-length interpretation of Alice in Wonderland, presented by the National Ballet of Canada. Later in the month, music lovers can make the pilgrimage here for the TD Toronto Jazz Festival. Opening on Jun 24 with a free concert by Aretha Franklin, the event subsequently offers hundreds of concerts from such renowned artists as The Bad Plus, Dave Holland, Kenny Barron and even The Roots.

Whistler
Taste the best of Whistler with three-course menus priced at $19, $29, $39 and $49 during Dine In Whistler. On until the end of the month, there are over 30 participating restaurants offering something to delight every palate.

Edmonton

Improvaganza, running Jun 15 – 25 is an improv-based comedy festival spearheaded by Edmonton’s longest running improv theatre. It encompasses a variety of entertainers including sketch comedians, stand-up comedians and improv musicians. The comedy unfolds in the heart of Old Strathcona with four nightly shows in two theatre venues. Get set for the city’s first summer solstice celebration—Utopia Music Festival, a two-day celebration of love, unity and diversity, Jun 17 – 18.  Held at the Heritage Amphitheatre in scenic Hawrelak Park, this eclectic outdoor music fest features folk, reggae, electronic and acoustic sounds with a stellar line-up including folk icon Ani DiFranco and former Moist frontman David Usher amongst others.

Winnipeg

Multiple circus-style tents at The Forks erupt with shrieks and giggles Jun 9 – 12, as world-class children’s acts entertain enthralled little ones at the 28th annual Winnipeg International Children’s Festival. Local favourite Fred Penner headlines and hands-on activities from clay modelling to face painting keep children grinning from ear to ear. 

Canadian Rockies

Pedal power takes over Banff June 16-19 during the Banff National Park Bike Fest. Watch as up to 500 amazing cyclists tackle various bike races including the elite/pro invitational Lake Louise road race, Minnewanka Loop time trial, downtown Banff criterium, Surprise Corner prologue and Tunnel Mountain road race. There’s also a costumed race for kids and family fun events.

Vancouver

Check out the spellbinding musical Wicked as it explores the relationship between Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. This award-winning show is at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre until Jun 26. The annual summer seaside festival Bard on the Beach is back in town until Sep 24. Catch four of Shakespeare’s plays, including As You Like It and The Merchant of Venice, under open-air tents offering views of Vancouver’s skyline.

Ottawa

From Jun 16 – 18, watch in amazement as the National Arts Centre Orchestra teams up with spectacular circus performers for a show that mixes live classic and contemporary music with the acrobatic wonders of circus performers in NACO Pops: Cirque de la Symphonie. Mimes, strongmen, and aerialists perform as the orchestra plays carnival themes like “Night on Bald Mountain.” Meanwhile, Ottawa International Jazz Festival draws scores of jazz fans Jun 23 – Jul 3, from near and far for a jam-packed line-up. Performers to grace the main stage at this year’s event include k.d. lang, Pink Martini, Elvis Costello, and other top-notch acts.

Calgary

The Calgary Stampeders are geared up for another season on the gridiron. Catch quarterback Henry Burris and his talented squad take on their Western rivals, the BC Lions on Jun 15. Enjoy four days of indie and alternative music acts at this year’s Sled Island Festival Jun 22 – 25, which pits international acts like Thee Oh Sees and Alberta Cross besides locals Smalltown DJs and Fist City.

Halifax

Continuing through the summer, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia on Hollis Street hosts a major retrospective of key works from Jacques Hurtubise’s five-decade career. Hurtubise showcases career highlights, featuring over 60 paintings and prints. The exhibition provides an unparalleled overview of this key figure in abstract art’s history.

Victoria

Ten hot days of cool jazz fill downtown Victoria later this month when the 27th annual Victoria International JazzFest welcomes some of the hottest artists from around the world, Jun 24 – Jul 3. Highlights include Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Mae Moore, Adonis Puentes and more. 

Whether you’re looking for that perfect accompaniment for a special dinner on the town, or wanting to stock up your cellar with samples from some of Canada’s best wineries, these wine boutiques offer extensive selections and friendly staff to guide you along your way.

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US tour operators visit Egypt hoping to restore large-scale tourism

A delegation of representatives from the U.S. tourism industry visited Egypt over Easter weekend, meeting with officials from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and the U.S. Embassy in hopes of convincing hesitant international travellers that Egypt is now safe and stable enough to resume large-scale tourism.

Business travel takes toll on health: study

Business travellers often complain about the exhausting and stressful rigours of being on the road (or in the air) for much of their working lives. Now a study confirms that frequent business travel leads to increased health risks.

European cruise operators hit troubled waters

High cost of air travel and unrest in popular ports of call including Egypt and Tunisia have dampened demand for European cruise operators, who will be forced to turn to discounts to fill the ships this summer.

A: At 6 ft. 5 in. (1.95 m), the world’s largest bottle of wine was produced by Plantagent Wines in Western Australia. According to Guinness World Records, the bottle contains 76.72 gallons (290 litres) of red wine—that’s over 210 normal bottles or enough to fill one thousand wine glasses.

Q: I’m looking to take my wife and young children on a camping trip over the May Long Weekend, what are some safety precautions with wildlife, bugs and plants that I should be aware of? – Jim Dixon, Mississauga ON

A: While camping can be a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and get back to nature with friends and family, there are a few things you should know before pitching your tent.

Wildlife

Remember when you are camping out in the wilderness you are guest in their home. Be respectful, keep your distance and clean up after yourself to avoid any unwanted confrontations.

Bears: As cute and cuddly as they look—do not approach them or feed them. Avoiding bears is for your safety and theirs. Bears that scavenge for food will associate food with humans and become “food conditioned.” Food-conditioned bears loose their fear of humans and will roam through the park in search of a convenient meal, threatening the safety of visitors. Unfortunately it is very difficult to correct a food-conditioned bear. They may have to be destroyed should they become aggressive towards humans.

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Ottawa

The annual Canadian Tulip Festival is one of Ottawa’s biggest tourist attractions of the year, colouring the city’s landscape with more than one million blooms in 50 varieties, May 6 – 23. Head to Commissioners Park where 300,000 tulips are on view, along with live entertainment, activities, and attractions at Major’s Hill Park, including a whimsical tea party, outdoor concerts, and a Lego community garden. (more…)

Crave in Calgary (Photo: Calgary Reviews)

Where editors across the country sought out the most decadent treats their city has to offer, from deep dark chocolate sourced from thousands of miles away, to homemade, colourful cupcakes that are as pretty as they are delicious. (more…)

Oncoming British Airways strike could snarl travel for royal wedding

British Airways cabin crew have voted to strike for the fourth time in two years, raising fears of travel misery during Easter and next month’s royal wedding. Although no strike date has been set as yet, a week’s notice must be given before a strike begins, and any industrial action must start by April 25—four days before the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Countries ease travel restrictions for Japan, despite radiation risk

Governments, including those from Sweden and Denmark, are easing restrictions on travel to Japan, but citizens should continue to avoid areas near the troubled nuclear plant in Fukushima, which has been deemed “particularly risky.” Other countries, including Canada, are still recommending against all travel to the country, following the magnitude 9.0 offshore earthquake on March 11, which triggered a devastating tsunami.

Attractions seek out tourists through online group discount offers, at a boon to consumers

Travel attractions are turning to group buying websites to increase sales to locals and visitors alike with discount offers. Social shopping sites like Groupon and Wagjag are being used by tourist destinations to advertise their offerings, where for consumers, the savings can be substantial, often saving 50 per cent or more.