CELEBRATING THE FAMOUS BLUENOSE

A Canadian icon is celebrating its 100^th birthday.

The Bluenose was born in the Smith and Rhuland shipyard in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia in 1921 and went on to become the most famous ship in Canadian history.

The U.S. and Canada competed in the first-ever International Fisherman’s Cup in 1920, a race in which a U.S. ship from Gloucester, Massachusetts defeated the Delawana, which was built in Lunenburg. Upset at the loss, the Canadians decided to build a new schooner that could both serve as a fishing ship and race like the wind.

She was built in just 97 days and launched in 1921 as the Bluenose, which at one point was a derogatory name for Nova Scotia folks but came to be a beloved term. (Why Bluenose? Some says Nova Scotia sailors wore blue mittens and rubbed them on their noses when out at sea, but a Bluenose expert this week told the media it’s more likely because of bluenose potatoes that grow in the province.)

The ship went on to win the 1921 Fisherman’s Cup … and never lost a race.

The original ship was sold and in 1946 foundered on a reef off the coast of Haiti. The Bluenose II was launched in July, 1963.

It’s a different kind of year, but there are tons of great plans to celebrate the ship, which is on the back of the Canadian dime and remains a revered part of Canada’s history. You can take virtual tours, see virtual presentations by her captain or, if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of the real Bluenose II on a series of sail-past events that will allow folks on the shore or in boats to get reasonably close. The first sail-past is scheduled to take place June 11 in North Sydney, Nova Scotia.

For more information, visit https://bluenose100.ca/

CLAYOQUOT WILDERNESS LODGE B.C. OPENS JUNE 17

Baillie Lodges’ new-look Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in the remotes of Canada’s beautiful Vancouver Island will open on June 17 this year following an extended closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has offered an opportunity for the Australia-based luxury lodge operator to complete a $2 million makeover on the acclaimed property.

Upgrades include a full renovation of interiors for the iconic property’s 25 luxury tents for a more contemporary look and feel, while specially commissioned furnishings from local designers will create a real sense of place. Meanwhile, a refreshed itinerary of wilderness adventures will also be introduced, including a series of signature experiences to be included in the rate.

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge will join Baillie Lodges sister properties Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island, Longitude 131° at Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Huka Lodge in New Zealand and Silky Oaks Lodge in Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest which is set to open on October 1 this year. The company’s flagship property Southern Ocean Lodge was destroyed in the wildfires on Kangaroo Island in early 2020, an event that drew global media attention. Baillie Lodges is currently planning its rebuild.

(Note from Editor Jim Byers: Longitude 131 in Australia is amazing, as is Capella Lodge.)

The first stage in Clayoquot’s renovations has seen an interior refurbishment of its 25 luxury tents, leading with a lighter, more clean-lined vibe with luxurious linens, new king beds and generous lounging areas. The tents maintain their individual styles with views opening directly to Clayoquot Sound and its wilderness surrounds. A second stage in the renovations will take place after the 2022 season, and include a significant refurbishment to the Cookhouse Restaurant, bar and central guest facilities, as well as a makeover for the Healing Grounds Spa.

Renowned for its range of exhilarating adventures from horse-riding, whale and bear-spotting to canyoning and scenic helicopter flights as well as spa treatments and daily yoga, the new-look Clayoquot features an itinerary of signature experiences to showcase the natural highlights of Vancouver Island, and align it with the all-inclusive nature of the existing Baillie Lodges properties. 

HUMANITI HOTEL MONTREAL OPENS NEXT WEEK

The all-new Humaniti Hotel Montreal, Autograph Collection officially opens in Montreal on Tuesday, June 1. Guests who check-in this summer will be among the first to experience the hotel’s 193 spacious, light-filled guestrooms and remarkable public spaces. 
  
For weary, would-be travellers seeking a break from the everyday, the stunning new hotel is launching with a special, time-limited offer. To celebrate, Humaniti Hotel is offering exclusive ‘Grand Opening’ rates starting at $199/night for the month of June. Afterwards, the rate will be $300. 

The hotel’s Staycation Package invites guests to safely experience a stay, while enjoying breakfast in bed for two, a 20% discount at the luxurious on-site spa, complimentary parking and electric car charging, as well as a late check-out, to help guests make the most of their stay. Special introductory rates start at $225/per night in June. 

Featuring three distinct dining concepts conceived by executive chef Jean-Sébastien Giguère, a rejuvenating spa, rooftop pool, state-of-the art fitness facilities, a French bakery, healthy grocery store, and more on-site, Humaniti Hotel is truly a city within a building.
 
The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Montreal in the Quartier International, next to the city’s iconic Palais des Congrès convention centre. Historic Old Montreal and the Quartier Des Spectacles are just steps away. 

BOUTIQUE WESTLEY HOTEL COMING TO CALGARY

In advance of its official opening on Thursday, June 24, 2021, The Westley Hotel – Calgary’s newest boutique hotel is now accepting reservations on Hilton.com. Part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection Hotels, The Westley Hotel invites future guests to plan ahead and be among the first to enjoy the hotel’s distinctive character and offerings including Fonda Fora, the newest dining concept by Calgary’s Thank You Hospitality.

Centrally situated near the city’s Eau Claire neighbourhood on 4th Avenue between 5th & 6th Street SW, The Westley will bring a fun, spirited energy to downtown Calgary. With an open transition from the restaurant to the hotel lobby, two functional meeting spaces, a sunlit fitness facility, the pet-friendly hotel will serve as a versatile destination where discerning locals and guests can meet, work and play.

The hotel’s interior has been completely reconstructed and redesigned from its former office building layout, resulting in 104 fresh, modern guest rooms, an open-concept lobby lounge area and an outdoor patio. Contemporary art is featured throughout the hotel

The Westley Hotel is also set to be a must-visit dining destination as notable Calgary restaurateur Cody Willis of Thank You Hospitality launches Fonda Fora, his newest contemporary Mexican concept located on the hotel’s ground floor. 

To mark the upcoming opening, The Westley Hotel and Fonda Fora are hosting a giveaway on Instagram via @thewestleyhotel. Locals can take to the comment section to nominate the person in their lives who they feel is deserving of a two-night staycation at The Westley. The prize also includes dinner for two at Fonda Fora and a curated gift basket.

Pre-booking is now available. To book your stay, please visit www.hilton.com.

A NEW ISLAND PARK IN NEW YORK CITY

Little Island, a new, free public park at 13^th Street in Hudson River Park, opened this week, providing New Yorkers and visitors from around the world with a unique greenspace unlike any other in New York City. The park – one of the first to open in the city since the COVID-19 pandemic – provides serene spaces to explore, new venues for live performances and cultural events, and unique vantage points to view the surrounding area.

Primarily funded by The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation, Little Island is opening as New York City prepares for the summer season and after more than a year of restrictions and closures, and adds sweeping space to the popular Hudson River Park, which spans four miles along Manhattan’s west side. With its own independent arts programming set to begin in June, Little Island will host hundreds of local artists and performers, and offer free programming for visitors of all ages.

Components of the park, nestled among more than 350 species of flowers, trees and shrubs, include a 687-seat amphitheater (“The Amph”), a central plaza with seating and serving food and beverages (“The Play Ground”), an intimate stage and lawn space (“The Glade”), and dazzling views of the park, New York City, and the Hudson River. Little Island was designed by Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick Studio, with landscape design by Signe Nielsen of MNLA.

AEROPLAN AND ROCKY MOUNTAINEER PARTNERSHIP

With Rocky Mountaineer, Aeroplan members will be able to earn and redeem points and enjoy premium benefits when booking a scenic rail journey.  Also, as a special introductory offer, members can earn up to 20,000 bonus points for each eligible traveller booked with Rocky Mountaineer.

• Members can earn 20,000 bonus Aeroplan points per customer for booking in Rocky Mountaineer’s GoldLeaf® Service and 10,000 bonus Aeroplan points per customer for SilverLeaf® Service bookings for travel in 2021;
• For travel in 2022 and beyond, Aeroplan members will earn 2 points for every $1 CDN spent on a GoldLeaf Service booking and 1 point for every $1 CDN spent on a SilverLeaf booking;
• Aeroplan Elite Status members 50K and above and Aeroplan Premium Co-Brand Cardholders receive an upgrade from Rocky Mountaineer’s SilverLeaf to GoldLeaf Service, and two nights of upgraded hotel accommodations while travelling;
• Aeroplan Elite Status members 25K and above receive two nights of upgraded hotel accommodations while travelling;
• Members can redeem Aeroplan points on the Aeroplan eStore for either dollar eVouchers starting at $50, or entire Rocky Mountaineer vacation package eVouchers.

To earn points and access these special upgrade benefits, Aeroplan members simply have to complete their booking by calling Rocky Mountaineer at 1-800-875-9149.  Members can provide their Aeroplan number at time of booking or they can call to add their Aeroplan number to any existing booking made after May 27, 2021 to be eligible for Aeroplan points accumulation and upgrades. 

Starting at the end of June, Aeroplan members will be able to apply their Aeroplan number during Rocky Mountaineer’s online booking process to be eligible for earn and upgrades. 

Editor’s note: It’s a truly remarkable train trip.

For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com/rocky mountaineer.