Trip Planner 2016-17 Trip Planner For Group Leaders | Page 29

Canada MONTRÉAL JEAN-FRANÇOIS GRATTON, SHOOT STUDIO PARKS CANADA/SCOTT MUNN EDMONTON Cité Mémoire Elk Island National Park Canada’s Elk Island National Park is gentle wilderness that is home to aspen woodlands and prairie meadows, bison and elk, and rolling hills and wetlands. Located just east of Edmonton, the park provides a quiet oasis for travelers looking to connect with nature and learn more about Alberta’s earliest settlers. Groups can hear stories of the First Nations tribes—primarily Cree and Métis—who inhabited the area for hundreds of years. Ranger-led programs detail the natives’ hunter-and-gatherer lifestyle, as well as their customs and traditions. Wildlife viewing is a popular option, with the resident plains and woods bison being the stars of the show. As part of the Bison Backstage Tour, participants get a VIP pass to the park’s bison handling facility. They learn about the conservation staff’s work with the animals and take part in hands-on activities throughout the tour. There also is a Grazing with Bison Experience featuring a gourmet meal prepared by a local chef that’s served overlooking Astotin Lake as wild bison graze in protected aspen stands nearby. The park also provides a nearly endless array of outdoor activities ranging from hiking, biking and canoeing in warmer months to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. To learn more, contact Katherine Florence of Edmonton Tourism at [email protected] or visit exploreedmonton.com. TOP ATTRACTIONS West Edmonton Mall, Rogers Place/Ice District When a group of French missionaries founded Montréal in May of 1642, it is doubtful they could foresee that their new village on the shores of the St. Lawrence River would become one of North America’s most vibrant cities. Montréal will host a 14-month-long 375th birthday celebration starting this December and running through January of 2018. The commemoration will be focused around four themes—Montréal Lights Up, Montréal Gets Moving, Montréal Ignites and Montréal Reinvents—which will be the base of the more than 175 activities and programs that will take place. Some of the celebration’s signature events are: Montréal en Lumière This popular annual festival, held each February, includes many immersive interactive activities that are focused on light. Cité Mémoire Every night at dusk, images presenting scenes from the city’s history are projected on walls, trees and other surfaces. The Giants The oversized marionettes of the Royal de Luxe theater company will be roaming the city’s streets and waterways in May. Jacques-Cartier Bridge Illumination Beginning in May, the bridge will be the backdrop for a series of artistic light installations. “Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera” The Opera de Montréal will present the world premiere of a production based on Pink Floyd’s legendary album. To learn more, contact Isabelle Cyr of Tourisme Montréal at icyr@mtl. org or visit tourisme-montreal.org. TOP ATTRACTIONS Au Sommet Place Ville Marie, Belle Centre TOP FESTIVALS Silverskate Festival (Feb. 10–19, 2017), Edmonton International Street Performers Festival (July 2017) TOP FESTIVALS Montréal en Lumiere (Feb. 23–March 12, 2017), Montréal Jazz Fest (June 29–July 8, 2017), Montréal Completement Cirque (July 6–16, 2017) TOP CULINARY EXPERIENCES Shake and Taste: A Cocktail Adventure, Dutchess Bakery, Taste of Edmonton (July) TOP CULINARY EXPERIENCES Local Montréal Food Tours, Spade & Palacio: Beyond the Market Tour, YUL EAT Festival (Sept. 1–3, 2017) ntaonline.com 27