Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

T he hotel Price Index recently ranked Tokyo No. 20 among "the 50 Most Popular Cities for Canadians" in its January– June 2014 report. The successful bid to host the 2020 olympic Games and its status as a technology hub and as a gourmet haven have contributed to Japan's increasing popularity and helped the country jump six spots in ranking. In fact, the trend continued in august with a 24.3 per cent increase in Canadian visitors over august 2013. and starting May 1, 2015, Canadians will have easy access to another one of Japan's amazing cities. That's when air Canada will introduce non- stop service fi ve times a week until October 24 between Vancouver and osaka's Kansai International airport, featuring Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with economy and premium cabins. ilovejapan.ca u niversal orlando Resort announced the return of the resort's popular 3rd day Free offer for u.s. and Canadian residents, which means your third day is free with the purchase of a two-day park ticket. In addition to three days' access to universal orlando's two theme parks—universal studios Florida and universal's Islands of adventure and all the new experiences each has in store— you'll also have access to live entertainment at universal CityWalk. or you can upgrade by purchasing a combo ticket to experience either Wet n' Wild or the Blue Man Group show. This offer is valid for pur- chase through June 7, 2015. Tickets are valid for 14 days from the fi rst day of use and must be used in full by June 20. Blackout dates apply from december 26, 2014 to January 3, 2015. Visitors can also enjoy a special vacation package by adding a three-night stay at selected hotels and resorts, which includes early park admission to The Wizarding World of harry Potter. universalorlando.com visit orlando T rafalgar has launched its much-anticipated 2015 Europe and Britain program, which includes 117 itineraries with 14 new trips and offers 10 trip styles covering 44 European countries. one new trip style is the hidden Journeys collection, which takes smaller groups of up to 26 guests to less-visited regions in France or Italy. another new addition is a 14-day trip to spain, France and Italy. solo guests will appreciate a decreased single supplement rang- ing from 50 to 100 per cent on multiple departure dates for 12 holi- days (including all trips to Egypt) in 2015. There's also an Early Payment discount with savings of up to $1,726 per couple for those who book and pay in full before January 15, 2015. trafalgar.com Courtesy of trafalgar Japan national tourism organization V isitors to Whistler, B.C., will enjoy a more comfortable and effi cient ride up the mountain this winter in a "walk-in" eight-passenger gondola cabin. In response to customer feedback on its high-speed quad chair, Blackcomb has widened parts of the trail, which leads from the Glacier Creek lodge area to the base of the Crystal Ridge Express. Newly adopted Terrain-Based learning promises to get skiers and snowboarders on the slopes more quickly, and the new Garbo's Grill offers customized burgers at the base of Whistler Mountain. whistler.com Coast mountain photo/whistler blaCkComb W i n t e r 2 0 1 4 / 2 0 1 5 61

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