WEST PALM BEACH — With cold temperatures breezing in, Canadians make a convincing case for needing a warm escape. This travel season, escape to the warm shores of South Florida’s The Palm Beaches with the return of WestJet’s seasonal non-stop service between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI). Service resumed on Dec. 11 aboard WestJet’s Magic Plane and Travelweek was there to celebrate the occasion on a special fam trip hosted by Discover The Palm Beaches Florida and WestJet.

“We’re thrilled that WestJet is providing another easy and convenient direct flight option for our Canadian visitors,” said Jorge Pesquera, President and CEO of Discover The Palm Beaches. “We’re confident that with our significantly increased marketing and sales investment in the Toronto market, this additional direct flight option will result in increased Canadian visitation. This WestJet route will encourage even more Canadians to discover what makes The Palm Beaches the best way to experience Florida.”

Florida has long been a favourite sun destination for Canadians fleeing winter because of its close proximity, accessibility and best-in-class services and amenities. In 2014, approximately 3.8 million Canadian’s travelled to Florida according to VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism marketing organization. During that time, more than 360,000 Canadians spent an estimated $470 million dollars and occupied 343,000 hotel room nights in The Palm Beaches alone.

“We are pleased to provide non-stop, twice-weekly service between Toronto and West Palm Beach,” said Robert Palmer, WestJet Manager of Public Relations. “We look forward to providing Canadians with easy access to the Palm Beaches, as well as Floridians with the opportunity to visit any number of Canadian destinations via connections from Toronto Pearson.”

Robert Palmer, WestJet Manager of Public Relations.

With the return of WestJet’s flight service on Fridays and Mondays, it is the ideal winter extended or weekend getaway. The Palm Beaches (also referred to as Palm Beach County) span 75 kilometres of unspoiled beaches on Florida’s Atlantic coast; an area that stretches from the eco-adventure town of Jupiter in the north to the exciting city of Boca Raton in the south.  Its location, two hours south of Orlando and one hour north of Miami, makes it a great addition to any Florida itinerary.

According to a recent study by Brand USA, Canadian travellers look for five key experiences when vacationing in the U.S.: beaches and seaside attractions, culture and history, local lifestyle, dining and gastronomy, and urban attractions and nightlife. The Palm Beaches provides all that and more with 15 tourism districts that offer world-class hotels, golf, shopping, dining, spas and outdoor adventures. This is a destination with something to suit every traveller’s vacation needs.

When Palm Beach’s founding father, Henry M. Flagler, declared it a “veritable paradise” and opened what would become the legendary resort, The Breakers, he gave birth to ‘America’s First Resort Destination’. Today, that destination is regarded as ‘Florida’s Cultural Capital’, where time-honored history and culture can be explored at over 200 museums, theaters and arts centers throughout the county. Among them Henry’s former Beaux Arts-style winter estate, now home to the Flagler Museum, and the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.

In addition to its iconic resorts, The Breakers and Mar-a-Lago Club, the area has also seen an influx of new hotels to its shorelines like the arrival of the contemporary Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa, Palm Beach – A Kimpton Hotel; as well as major renovations on existing properties like the gorgeous Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, once a Ritz-Carlton property, that was recognized as one of Florida’s top resorts in the 2014 Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards. The Palm Beaches is as popular as ever.

The Breakers Palm Beach.

On Palm Beach’s famed Worth Avenue, take in the area’s historical beauty while indulging in some open-air retail therapy or sit at an outdoor café to people watch. A drive along the mansion-lined streets of Palm Beach will unveil why this is the richest zip code in America according to the US Postal Service.

In recent years, this iconic resort town known for its wealthy seniors, has revamped its look to appeal to the next generation of travellers. The result is an effortless blend of glamour and leisure that offers all the luxury with less of the pretention.

In West Palm Beach, stroll the open-air CityPlace, an Italian-inspired centre with an array of shops, entertainment venues and restaurants that cater to people of all ages and tastes. For local flare, head to the Clematis Street Historic District, home to an award-winning waterfront and the weekly GreenMarket held October through May.

Recently named ‘Most Fun Small Town in America’ by USA Today, downtown Delray Beach is one of the great redevelopment success stories of South Florida. Explore local fare along its colorful arts district, Pineapple Grove, or walk along trendy Atlantic Avenue filled with sophisticated bars and bustling night spots like Salt7.

Palm Beach County also offers plenty of activities for the active traveller. From snorkelling the coral gardens of Phil Foster Park, to paddle boarding the calm waters around Singer Island, it boasts a diverse range of water activities thanks to its specular shoreline. Off the northeastern corner of West Palm resides Peanut Island that was recently ranked among the 12-best snorkeling spots in the U.S., according to a recent Yahoo! Travel article.

Home to North America’s winter bread basket, Palm Beach County offers an excellent array of dining options at acclaimed eateries such as the contemporary American brasserie Kitchen with flavourful flare in West Palm Beach and the French-American inspired Café Boulud by celebrity chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud in Palm Beach. For a fun and laidback vibe dine at Guanabanas, a waterfront restaurant set amidst a lush, tropical setting in Jupiter.

For information on flights, visit westjet.com or for more information on The Palm Beaches, go to palmbeachfl.com.