Children Under 12 Travel Free to Canada's Most Exciting Summer Festivals
and Special Events
MONTREAL, June 26 /CNW/ - Canada takes summer seriously - as in serious
celebration. With fireworks, marching bands, and festivals for music lovers,
performance art fans and of course, the kiddies. On virtually any weekend,
pull into any city from Vancouver to Halifax and chances are there will be a
parade, party or special event celebrating history, heritage, food or the
performing arts.
For families looking for a memorable, enriching and affordable vacation,
Canada is the answer, and there is no better or easier way to make the most of
a weekend or a week than by taking the train. Three VIA Rail Canada services
in particular connect the country's most fabulous summer events and provide
comfortable, value-added travel along the way. During the summer, children
under 12 even travel for free when accompanied by an adult age 18 or older in
Comfort (economy) Class.
THE VANCOUVER-JASPER-TORONTO CANADIAN TRAIN
The flagship of VIA's services, the Canadian, travels between Vancouver
and Toronto, taking in the awesome Canadian Rockies (Jasper), the western
plains (Edmonton, Winnipeg), and the picturesque lakelands of northern Ontario
(Sudbury) enroute. Special events this summer along the way include:- Vancouver's 2007 annual fireworks competition, the HSBC Celebration
of Light, runs from July 25 to August 4. Watch the competing
countries light up the sky with spectacular multicoloured effects set
to meticulously selected music.
- Edmonton, Alberta - Canada's Cultural Capital for 2007, is host to
over 30 festivals over the summer period including Canada's first
fringe theatre festival, one of the world's finest folk music
festivals and the popular Capital Ex Festival (formerly Klondike
Days) which runs from July 19-28, 2007.
- Winnipeg, Manitoba is home to Folklorama, the largest and longest
running multicultural festival of its kind. From August 5 to 18,
visitors can delight in the food, song and dance of a multitude of
ethnic communities.Families will find that service on the Canadian exceeds all expectations,
from the variety of activities featured in the "Activity Car" to the
magnificent scenery along the route. In VIA's premier Silver & Blue class
meals, which are included in the ticket price, feature such regional
delectables as Atlantic Fish Chowder, Alberta Bison Rib roast, Canadian
cheeses and a decadent chocolate torte, all prepared by an on-board chef.
Silver & Blue Class travellers also enjoy sleeping compartments with large
picture windows and down duvet bedding, as well as the opportunity to take in
the scenery from VIA's trademark domed-observation "Park" car with its 360-
degree viewing.
THE ONTARIO-QUEBEC CORRIDOR SERVICES
VIA's Corridor services are the ideal way to festival-hop between
Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal and Québec. Among the highlights this summer:- The Toronto Jazz Festival, from June 22 to July 1, is beyond a doubt
one of the best known in the country. With 1500 concerts on over
30 indoor and outdoor stages located throughout downtown Toronto,
this renowned international festival attracts Canadian artists from
the jazz scene, from traditional to fusion and from blues to bebop.
- On July 1, head for Canada's birthday party on Parliament Hill!
Whether you come to visit our National Capital or to join in the
Canada Day celebrations, there are many ways to mark the occasion
including picnics, barbecues, parades, concerts and fireworks. Watch
our country's artists perform on stage. There's no better way to
celebrate Canada than in Ottawa!
- The Montréal Jazz festival has been alive for close to three decades.
This June-July tradition now welcomes over a million spectators to
roughly 500 concerts annually. Choose from Jazz, Blues, Latin-Jazz,
Brazilian, Cuban, African, Reggae, Contemporary and Electronica
concerts presented both indoor and outdoor, each day of the festival.
- Québec City is home to Loto-Québec's International Fireworks
competition, from July 21-August 8, 2007. Prepare to be amazed by the
magic as five competing teams light up the skies with their magic.
The grand finale on August 8th is sure to blow you away!Travellers can choose from Comfort Class (economy) or premier VIA 1
Class, where passengers are pampered with a hearty meal and beverages included
with the ticket price.
THE MONTREAL - HALIFAX OCEAN TRAIN
The whole family will learn a thing or two from a visit to Montréal and
while travelling on VIA's Montréal - Halifax Ocean service. Travellers won't
want to miss:- The Halifax Busker festival, the largest festival of its kind! For
eight days, see the city's waterfront transformed into a huge
theatrical stage. Artists and performers will come together to
entertain through acting, dancing, acrobatics, fire throwing, and
more.The Ocean's Easterly Class: A Maritime Learning Experience, operating
from June 13, to October 14, 2007, continues to make the grade with
experiential learning presentations at conveniently scheduled times throughout
the trip. Learning components presented by an on-board learning coordinator
include history, geography, culture and cuisine of Atlantic Canada. Regionally
inspired meals, private sleeping compartments and exclusive access to VIA's
signature 360-degree domed observation car are included in the learning
experience package.
For a full listing of events happening across Canada, visit
viarail.ca/events.
CHILDREN TRAVEL FREE
From June 1, to September 15, 2007, those over 18 purchasing a senior,
student or adult-fare ticket in VIA's Comfort Class (economy) can bring a
child aged two-11 for free. Available on every VIA train system-wide, the
"Kids Travel Free" program makes it even more affordable to make travel with
VIA part of a perfect family getaway, exploring some of Canada's most exciting
destinations. For more information and complete conditions, visit
viarail.ca/kids.
Travellers can even purchase VIA's reduced Supersaver fares, which are
available by booking well in advance of travel dates.
About VIA Rail Canada
VIA Rail Canada is the national passenger rail service, connecting some
450 communities from coast to coast. Demand for VIA's rapid inter-city
services in the Québec City-Windsor Corridor has grown in recent years, as
more Canadians turn to train travel as a hassle-free and cost-efficient
alternative to congested roads and airports. For further information on Kids
Travel Free and Senior's Companion Fares as well as any of VIA's 2007
promotions, products and services, please call 888 VIA-RAIL (888 842-7245),
TTY 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired), visit VIA's website at viarail.ca or
contact your travel agent.
For further information: Media Contacts: Catherine Kaloutsky, Corporate
Communications, (416) 956-7683, catherine_kaloutsky@viarail.ca; Seychelle
Harding, Corporate Communications, (514) 871-6119,
seychelle_harding@viarail.ca
