Oksana Szwaluk | The Great Canadian Travel Co.

STAFF PICKS

March 14, 2023 | Pearl McCallum

We want to paint a picture for you.   Imagine you’re at a gathering with friends and acquaintances. It’s a fairly large group, let’s say around 15-20 people. Just as you begin to get hungry, someone brings out a large, layered cake. It’s smothered in rich, chocolate buttercream frosting – …

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June 29, 2022 | Lois Farley

Way back in 2017 I wrote a blog in recognition of Canada Day; 50 Great Things Canada Contributed to the World. Since I wrote that blog I’ve been studying about the Indigenous peoples who have lived on this land we now call Canada for millennia – the First Nations and …

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March 17, 2022 | Lois Farley

Saint Patrick’s Day brings Ireland and all things Irish to a lot of people’s minds. And, those of us lucky enough to be Irish or are of Irish descent, particularly so! My ancestors on both sides of my family emigrated to Canada from Ireland back in the mid to late …

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March 1, 2022 | Allison Silvaggio

There are so many things that we miss when it comes to travel, such as exploring new places, trying new things and meeting new people.  What I miss the most, are those extremely peaceful moments where you can just take it all in.  Whether you are enjoying a beautiful hike, …

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Naujaat -A Part of the Community

July 04, 2017 | Oksana Szwaluk

Naujaat (ᓇᐅᔮᑦ – ‘seagulls nesting place’). Where’s that? What are you doing there? Questions when I advised family and friends of my trip. It took 3 flights to get there, but it was worth every minute.

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River Cruising

April 19, 2017 | Oksana Szwaluk

Have you ever wondered about the hype surrounding river cruises?

The relaxed pace of river cruising is one of the major benefits of this type of travel. Picture yourself enjoying a European coffee while sailing serenely down a scenic river. As you are travelling with only 100 – 200 other guests, you may experience the comforts of a luxurious ship without feeling crowded. Take in the view from the outdoor sun deck, the comfortable lounge, or perhaps even your own stateroom’s panoramic window or balcony. Staterooms are well designed to maximize space. Motion discomfort is rarely an issue, as the ship’s movement is extremely smooth.

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Where can I see Polar Bears in the wild?

February 24, 2017 | Oksana Szwaluk

Now that’s a great question! Polar bears are an enigma of the great north, a symbol of raw power, unbearably cute, and now the poster-child of climate change. Experiencing the rush of seeing a polar bear in the wild is one of life’s greatest thrills, and it may not be something our descendants get to do. And there are several places where you can go and experience the world’s largest land predator for yourself! Read More >

Alaska, Northern Lights and More

August 19, 2016 | Oksana Szwaluk

Alaska’s tourism slogan is “Beyond Your Dreams, Within Your Reach” and my trip there was definitely both of those things! Alaska was a place I’d always had on my “wish list” to visit and I had the chance to go there on a Northern Lights tour.

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The tour I did was our Northern Lights, Alaskan Nights with Anchorage added on at the beginning.  We did a lot of interesting, fun things in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, like visiting the Anchorage zoo and the Anchorage Museum. The zoo was really different from what people think of as a zoo – it is set amongst a forest with paths lined with wood chips and the wildlife is housed amongst the trees. We were also very lucky to be in Anchorage at the same time as the famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race – 56 teams racing over 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. That’s a lot of mushing (and barking)! Cool to see them race through the city on the start day.

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Duty Free – what you can bring back to Canada

March 01, 2016 | Oksana Szwaluk

It can be a minefield to know what you are allowed to bring back into Canada without paying duty (extra taxes) on your goods.  And if you knew in 2015, you may be surprised now in 2016 as some of the allowances have changed!  So, here’s a rundown of the basics so you can make the most of your duty free allowance on your next trip out of Canada Read More >

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