RVC 2015 round-up: 7 truly Canadian destinations

Rendez-vous Canada 2015 recently took place in Niagara Falls, bringing more than 900 vendors together under one roof. Although there were plenty of big players present with flashy booths and brightly coloured banners, plenty of smaller, independently-owned businesses also took advantage of the opportunity to showcase their product. 

PAX scoured the trade show floor and found some singularly unique destinations that if you aren’t already aware of, you should absolutely experience.

1. Wilderness North, ON

A short private plane ride away from Thunder Bay, Wilderness North offers full-service cabin accommodation in Ontario’s most remote region. A self-described mix of exploration and escapism, the property offers activities and amenities to cater to guests’ preferred level of adventure, such as paddling excursions, foraging hikes where guests eat what they find, and free craft beer happy hours. Given that its collection of lodges and outpost cabins are only accessible by float plane, Wilderness North is also a popular destination for anglers, boasting more than 250,000 lakes to fish from. http://wildernessnorth.com/

2. Sucrerie de la Montagne, QC

This highly-acclaimed maple grove and rustic lodge is a Québécois Heritage Site, recognized for its authenticity as a traditional sugar shack. A father-son operation since the 1980s, Sucrerie de la Montagne is a step back in time, encouraging visitors to slow down, explore the 120 acres of maple forest and learn a little about maple syrup production. The property’s village-type setup includes a bakery, general store, and communal dining hall, and is available for day-tips, weddings and overnight stays. Guests can sleep in one of its four cabins (each built in the 1800s), and enjoy sleigh rides, snow-shoeing, and cozy home-cooked meals as well as live musical entertainment. www.sucreriedelamontagne.com

3. Northern Tales, YK

Previously known as Aurora Borealis & Northern Lights Tours, Northern Tales in the Yukon Territory offers guests the opportunity to experience one of the world’s most impressive wonders as part of several overnight packages. Typically running from August to April (the best time to witness Aurora Borealis), Northern Tales’ packages are available in two- to four-night increments, and include all accommodation, transportation, hot drinks and snacks, as well as guided city tours and informational presentations within the company’s Northern Lights viewing station.  http://northerntales.ca/

4. Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort, BC

Located in the temperate coastal region of the Great Bear Rainforest, BC, Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort is a family-owned luxury lodge that began as a float house in 1980. Nestled in a lake only accessible by plane or helicopter, this symbol of rustic luxury hosts up to 18 visitors at a time in its nine private inter-tidal chalets, and offers each guest a variety of all-inclusive adventure packages that include personalized excursions as part of their stay. Heli-hiking, glacier trekking, bear or whale watching and fly fishing are only a few of the activities available. http://nimmobay.com/

5. The Village of Baddeck, NS

Situated in the heart of Cape Breton Island, The Village of Baddeck in Nova Scotia offers travellers the opportunity to revisit a simpler time, at a quieter pace. Summer home to Alexander Graham Bell, the village’s commemorative museum and interactive historic site celebrates Bell’s work as a main tourist attraction. In spite of its reputation for quaintness, Baddeck’s placement at the mouth of the Cabot Trail means it welcomes guests year-round from all over the world. Visitors can experience everything from fine dining to four-star accommodations, as well as hiking, cycling, golf, and traditional maritime musical gatherings called ceilidhs. http://visitbaddeck.com/

6. Torngat Mountains Base Camp, NF

Combining science and hospitality with an unlikely destination, Torngat Mountains Base Camp and Research Station is 200 kilometres north of Labrador’s most northerly community, and hosts international researchers and Inuit community members in addition to world travellers each summer. The base camp is comprised of a range of accommodations that include design shelters (comfortable, furnished soft-wall houses heated by pellet stove), Intershelters (insulated domes with electricity) and backpacker tents (four-season tents for true adventurers). The base camp facilities include a commercial kitchen and dining room, a laundry area, and hot showers. Guests can explore the land around them using the base camp’s fleet of zodiacs, long liner boats, or by helicopter. Guided hiking trips are also available, led by Inuit Bear Guards.    http://www.torngatbasecamp.com

7. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, AB

More than 5,700 years ago, First Nations people gathered from all over the plains of Alberta to participate in one of the largest organized hunting parties known to date. Using their excellent understanding of bison behaviour, hunters would stampede entire herds over a precipice, sharing the kill with cooperating clans and securing a main source of survival. Now an historical and archeological site located northwest of Fort Macleod, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the world’s largest, oldest, and best-preserved buffalo jumps. Guests can learn about the practice at the site’s architecturally-acclaimed Interactive Centre, visit the jump site and enjoy First Nations educational programming. A must-see for history, anthropology and archaeology enthusiasts alike. http://history.alberta.ca/headsmashedin