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Canada Standard
3 minutes ago
- Canada Standard
Travel with intention: Here's a guide to 'soft adventure' experiences across Canada this summer
A growing number of Canadian travellers are embracing "soft adventure" travel. This trend blends a desire for active engagements in nature and educational and culturally relevant experiences with the chance to reset and relax. Low-risk outdoor activities such as wine tasting, canoeing, fishing, whale-watching and cycling are all examples of this growing trend. This shift reflects a "growing desire for peace of mind and rejuvenation" among Canadians in their travel experiences. A recent survey found 61 per cent of Canadians plan to focus on "soft travel" or "calm-cations" in 2025. While this trend spans all age groups, it's particularly strong among Gen Z, with 81 per cent showing a preference for it. At the same time, many Canadians are searching for travel opportunities closer to home amid tensions between the two countries. In these times of global uncertainty, soft adventure tourism offers affordable options for Canadians and international visitors to explore and experience all that Canada has to offer. As tourism experts, we have some suggestions for destinations that provide travellers with a chance to pause, breathe and recharge. Along the coast of Vancouver Island, orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, seals and porpoises draw visitors each summer. Tourism operators offer whale-watching tours all over the island, giving travellers a chance to experience its marine life firsthand. Just a day trip from Victoria, the Kinsol Trestle is a chance to walk or cycle through nature. For a closer look at the region's wildlife, travellers can join sea kayaking tours in Port McNeill on Vancouver Island with Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures. Here, visitors might spot grizzly bears and they can hear stories from Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations guides and interpreters. British Columbia is home to more than 200 distinct Indigenous communities that offer tourism experiences ranging from pristine beaches to savouring cuisine in award-winning restaurants and more. On the mainland, Harrison Hot Springs, B.C. offers visitors the chance to relax in mineral hot springs for a nominal fee. Other soft adventure experiences include beach-front maintained trails for walking and hiking, as well as picnicking locations. Visitors can take the short drive to Rosedale, B.C., where a brief hike brings them to the base of Bridal Veil Falls Park. Alberta's landscapes have served as the backdrop for many films and television series, including Brokeback Mountain , Game of Thrones , The Last of Us and The Revenant . For film tourism enthusiasts, the province offers no shortage of iconic film locations to explore. Some scenes of Game of Thrones' final season were shot in Banff National Park. In Saskatchewan, Lake Diefenbaker is known for golfing, boating and walleye fishing. It's the largest body of water in the southwest of the province, and it offers an opportunity to traverse a picturesque parkland while witnessing wildlife like elk, caribou, cougar and lynx. In Manitoba, Churchill offers sightings of both beluga whales and polar bears. Each summer, hundreds of belugas enter the Churchill River, and the town offers kayaking, boat tours and paddleboarding to see them. While you're in Churchill, you can also see the northern lights up to 300 nights a year, along with numerous historic sites like the Prince of Wales Fort. With 250,000 freshwater lakes, remote canyons, more than 1,200 canoe routes and 22 diveable historic shipwrecks, Ontario is filled with soft adventure travel opportunities. Travellers have countless ways to connect with nature and history in the province. In Tobermory, a harbour village on the province's Bruce Peninsula, travellers can take guided tours to explore underwater shipwrecks, as well as visit the region's distinctive "flowerpot" rock formations and natural grottos. Quebec offers an experience that at times feels distinctly European. In Old Montreal and the Old Port, cobblestone streets and artisan vendors make it feel like you're stepping into the past. Both locations are steeped in history and culinary excellence. In New Brunswick, Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park, nestled along the Bay of Fundy, offers guided tours for travellers. Visitors are encouraged to check the tidal wave schedule to see the rock formations known as sea stacks, which are caused by tidal erosion. Nova Scotia's capital, Halifax, is a vibrant coastal city known for its lively nightlife and flourishing culinary scene. Across the harbour in Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, visitors can go bird watching or take part in a cycling adventure on the easy-to-moderate Salt Marsh Trail. A visit to Peggy's Cove is a must. The province is also home to tourism initiatives that reflect the region's diverse cultural heritage. Among these is Elevate and Explore Black Nova Scotia, which is designed to enrich the travel experience for Black people visiting or living in the province. Over on Prince Edward Island, visitors can explore Lucy Maud Montgomery's birthplace, the author of beloved childhood classic Anne of Green Gables , in Cavendish. Nearby at the museum, visitors can reimagine Anne Shirley's iconic adventures in a return to the magic of storytelling and place, before making their way to Greenwich Beach via the boardwalk through P.E.I.'s largest sand dunes. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Gros Morne National Park offers visitors views of "soaring fjords and moody mountains" alongside the chance to spot puffins in their natural habitat. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park also provides opportunities for fishing. If closer to historical Gander, take a ferry excursion to Fogo Island, which offers bird watching and boat trips. In the Yukon, travellers can engage with Indigenous tourism, arts and culture through experiences offered by the Yukon First Nation and Tourism Industry Association. Visitors to the Yukon can cool their feet in the cold mountain streams while trying their hand at gold panning in historic Dawson City. Once a hub of the 19th-century Klondike Gold Rush, it still features several preserved frontier-style buildings. In the Northwest Territories, travellers can witness the aurora borealis and take guided photography tours to see wildlife up close. Further east, Nunavut offers a range of adventure tourism opportunities, including sea kayaking, whitewater kayaking and canoeing. Together, these northern destinations offer travellers a chance to immerse themselves in the natural beauty, history and living cultures of Canada's North while embracing the slower pace and meaningful experiences at the heart of soft adventure travel.
Epoch Times
5 minutes ago
- Business
- Epoch Times
If US, Europe Don't Move on Greenland's Minerals, the Island Could Partner With China: Minister
A Greenlandic official has raised the stakes in the contest for its minerals, suggesting that the Danish territory could turn to China if the United States and Europe do not move fast enough. Greenland's minister for mineral resources, Naaja Nathanielsen, hinted at that possibility in an interview with the Financial Times published on May 27.
CTV News
6 minutes ago
- General
- CTV News
‘Everything I ever wanted to do in my life': Riders' Hardrick still young at heart
Jemarcus Hardrick was a participant in practice sessions this week, as the Riders prepare for their final pre-season game on Friday. (Jacob Carr / CTV News) Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick was one of the team's biggest free agent signings in 2024. Unfortunately, his season was ended by a quad injury after only five weeks, but 2025 is a new year. 'It's amazing, at the young age of 23 still being able to do what I love,' Hardrick joked. 'No, I actually enjoy the game and just being able to miss it last year and watch it from the sidelines and just thinking it was over, this is everything I ever wanted to do in my life.' Hardrick was a participant in practice sessions this week, as the Riders prepare for their final pre-season game on Friday. However, the team's coaching staff knows that at 34 years old and coming off a serious leg injury, they need to be smart about getting Hardrick up to full speed again. 'We're trying to be smart in how we deploy him,' Saskatchewan Roughriders Head Coach Corey Mace said. 'It's a fine line of knowing if he's going to be in game shape too even as big of [a] man that he is, but also just being cognizant of him coming off an injury last year.' Mace said Hardrick has an infectious personality and is one of the team's unquestioned leaders. 'He always comes out with energy but he's the guy that's 15, 20 yards down the field chasing the football whether it's a run or pass. He's communicating his tail off with his offensive line and even the receivers and backs. He's just a consummate pro and has all the intangibles that we look for.' The Riders have already lost two offensive linemen to long-term injuries before the commencement of the regular season. Philippe Gagnon to a torn bicep, and Sean McEwen to a torn ACL. You won't hear excuses from Hardrick or any of his linemates, though. 'Everything is perfect, we can't control anything and whatever comes is perfect, that's the mindset. And Logan is doing a great job, he's the best example of it just last year playing everywhere. if Logan's not complaining, nobody should complain,' Hardrick said. Hardrick will not be on the active roster for Friday's preseason finale at Mosaic Stadium. The Riders then have a quick turnaround for the CFL season opener on Thursday June 5.
Associated Press
6 minutes ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Christian McCaffrey returns to 49ers practice, showing no ill effects from injuries
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers returned to the practice field this week with a very important piece back after missing most of last season with injuries. Running back Christian McCaffrey is fully recovered from the Achilles' and knee injuries that limited him to just four games last season in a major boost to the Niners. McCaffrey took part in the first team practice open to the media this season on Thursday, showing no ill effects from the injuries that led to a frustrating 2024 season. 'Christian is as ready as any player I've ever been around,' coach Kyle Shanahan said. 'When he gets hurt, he's got to rehab and get better. Right now he's healthy as can be. We've got to kind of protect him from himself, but Christian has a good idea of what he needs to do right now. He's doing a lot less than he normally would do, but I know he is excited on how healthy he feels and the fact that he can get out there.' McCaffrey looked like his old self in drills, showing the speed and explosiveness that helped him win AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2023. McCaffrey skipped the voluntary portion of the offseason last year awaiting a new contract and barely got any time on the field. He went down early in training camp with Achilles' tendinitis that sidelined him for the first eight games. He returned and played four games before injuring his right knee in Week 13 in Buffalo, then missed the final five games. He rushed for just 202 yards on 50 carries in four games and was unable to match his sensational 2023 season. The Niners hope having a healthy McCaffrey will help them bounce back from a 6-11 season in 2024. 'He's still really good at football, so that's exciting,' tight end George Kittle said. 'One year removed from being Offensive Player of the Year. Still very good at football, looks great. ... Having Christian out there is awesome.' McCaffrey won the award after leading the NFL with 2,023 yards from scrimmage and tying for the league lead with 21 touchdowns. McCaffrey had missed just one game combined in 2022-23 — a meaningless Week 18 game in the 2023 season for San Francisco when he had a sore calf — after missing 23 games because of injuries in his final two full seasons with Carolina. The Niners have had good attendance this offseason thanks in part to getting lucrative contract extensions done early with stars Kittle, quarterback Brock Purdy and linebacker Fred Warner. That's in sharp contrast to recent years when contract disputes didn't get resolved until after the start of training camp or later. 'I'm a huge fan of getting all the things done early,' Kittle said. 'I'm glad they decided to do that. That's awesome for us because now we have everybody in the building that's just focused on playing football, and focusing on just getting a little bit better every single day. I'm huge fan us getting them all done. It's good for football because now all we're focused on is football.' The one notable absence has been star left tackle Trent Williams, who took part in the start of the offseason program but has been away the past couple of weeks. Shanahan said he expected Williams back soon with mandatory minicamp starting June 10. Injury updates The Niners have several players still recovering from injuries and not taking part in the start of offseason practices, including receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and safety Malik Mustapha (knee). Shanahan also said that safety Ji'Ayir Brown had ankle surgery in the offseason and will be out until training camp. Receiver Ricky Pearsall injured his hamstring during offseason workouts and likely won't be ready until training camp. Rookies Alfred Collins (calf) and Marques Sigle (unknown) also are currently sidelined with injuries. Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos is also away from the team awaiting the birth of his child. ___ AP NFL:
CBC
6 minutes ago
- Business
- CBC
Canada caught in Trump tariff uncertainty
At Issue this week: How will another week of back-and-forth on tariffs from the U.S. change Canada's negotiating position? The changing dynamics in the House under a new government. Plus, the prime minister looks to sell his plans to the premiers.
