Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

DREAMSCAPES SPRING/SUMMER 2019 44 TRAVEL GALLERY >> BY CYNTHIA DAVID DS H istory happens at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The official residence and workplace of the Governor General of Canada is situated in an idyllic, 32-hectare oasis just minutes from Gatineau and our capital's downtown core. It is the only official residence in the national capital that is open to the public and visitors are welcome to tour the historical site and its expansive grounds year-round. In fact, why not plan to spend the whole day? A wide array of free activities for all ages is offered on-site every summer and it's the perfect place for a picnic. The site is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from May 18 to September 2. https://www.gg.ca/en/visit-us/rideau-hall RIDEAU HALL/MCPL VINCENT CARBONNEAU T hose seeking sustainable travel options are looking to brands and resorts that maintain the ecological integrity and natural beauty of the landscape, while also respecting the local culture and environment. By 2021, Club Med seeks to have 100 per cent of its eligible resorts Green Globe Certified. The Green Globe certification is a merit earned when day-to-day operations meet the highest standards of sustain- ability. Criteria categories to achieve this standard include sustainable management, community development, incorpo- ration of culture and resource conservation. As part of this commitment, Club Med resorts in the Americas, including the highly anticipated Club Med Québec Charlevoix, are working to be single-use-plastic free by 2020, and the brand is also seeking to remove plastic straws from all of its resorts globally through its Bye Bye Single-Use-Plastics initiative. ClubMed.ca CLUB MED QUÉBEC CHARLEVOIX O ntario-based tripcentral.ca is the first Canadian travel company to offer a new payment option. The partner- ship with California-based Uplift allows travellers to pay for their dream vacation in monthly instalments. It's simple to use. Book your trip, fill out a loan application online and check the rate. Once the loan is confirmed and you've booked your trip, you're free to travel any time, even before you've paid off the balance. There's no penalty for paying off the loan early. Uplift is already available on U.S. websites such as kayak.com and Norwegian Cruise Line. tripcentral.ca; uplift.com NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE H ead off the beaten track to discover New Zealand's hidden gems. In the Wairarapa region of the lower North Island, the Putangirua Pinnacles loom. Don't miss the Castle- point Lighthouse, a 90-minute drive from the Wairarapa town of Martinborough and a great place to spot fur seals, dolphins and small whales. For dramatic views, trek the 16-kilometre (one way) Cape Brett Track through native bush and book a cosy hut for an overnight stay. Walk through ancient rainforest to the massive limestone Oparara Arch in Kahurangi National Park. Visit the Motueka Saltwater Baths, built in 1930, best experienced at high tide in the early morning or at sunset. Or view wild kiwi on the celebrated Rakiura Track on remote, beautiful, and often over- looked by tourists, Stewart Island. NewZealand.com/ca TOURISM NEW ZEALAND

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