TORONTO — In anticipation of an increase in domestic tourism, Trafalgar has unveiled a new series of home-grown itineraries designed reconnect Canadians with their own backyard.

Created by Canadians for Canadians, the ‘Near Not Far Limited Series’ includes three guided vacations departing this fall that highlight authentic Canadian experiences in the Maritimes, the Rockies and Ontario & Quebec.

Meet the Guinn family, owners of Boundary Ranch in Alberta, during a ‘Connect With Locals’ and intimate ‘Be My Guest’ experience on Trafalgar’s Escape to the Rockies journey

Wolf Paunic, President of Trafalgar and Costsaver Canada, cited a recent study conducted by Leger 360 in which 51% of Canadians stated they would feel comfortable travelling regionally within two months of COVID-19 protective measures being lifted.

“We know Canadians are as eager as ever to start exploring their own backyard, just as much as travel agents are to start selling, and the ‘Near Not Far Limited Series’ trips begin this fall 2020,” he says. “We’ve been hearing that they are getting excited to explore their own country and support local economies while making a difference to the communities visited. These trips were created with the right size groups, hygiene and physical distancing standards in mind to give your clients peace of mind to travel with confidence.”

Peggys Cove Nova Scotia

The new itineraries are as follows:

• 9-day Maritimes Adventure: Guests will visit the oldest farm and inn on P.E.I., which has been run and operated by the Shaw family for four generations. They’ll get the chance to meet Robbie Shaw, the current proprietor of the historic property, before settling in for a ‘Bey My Guest’ lunch featuring local ingredients from the land and sea.
• 7-day Escape to the Rockies: This comprehensive itinerary dives deep into Canada’s official national winter sport – hockey! Guests will visit Canmore, Alberta where they will meet a real Canadian hockey player, go inside the players’ dressing room and put on full hockey gear before taking to the ice. They’ll also travel to the Guinn family ranch in Kananaskis Village and enjoy an evening of country line-dancing.
• 9-day Enchanting Châteaux of Ontario and Quebec: Highlights include an exclusive experience on the grounds of the Canadian Museum of History, which includes a traditional Pow Wow performance and a guided visit of the on-site Indigenous village. Guests will also enjoy an interactive beading workshop, and learn about the Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot School, which aims to revive traditional arts.