Canadians' Favourite Places Hot Events Curious Traveller Capital

Canadians’ Favourite Places Hot Events Curious Traveller Capital Ideas For Commissions

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What A Year Reigning Queens, Religious Protesters, Carnival & The Beautiful Game – There Is Just So Much To Celebrate France...6 Germany...6 Greece...8 Italy...8 Portugal...8 Spain...10 United Kingdom...8

Small Nations, Big Festivals From Cat Throwing To Titanic Tragedy, Europe’s Smaller Nations Offer Up World Class Celebrations Ireland...12 Holland...12 Austria...13 Switzerland...13 Czech Republic...14 Sweden...14 Norway...14 Finland...14 Denmark...16 Iceland...16 Malta...16 Cyprus...16 Turkey...17 Belgium...17

For The Curious Traveller Latvia...18 Hungary...18 Slovenia...18 Poland...19 Croatia...19 Bosnia & Herzegovina...19

Money-Maker$ A Capital Idea...20 There’s More Than One Europe In Your Commission Plan

EXPLORE EUROPE – A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE FEBRUARY 2012 ISSUE OF CANADIAN TRAVELLER

Published 12 times a year by Cover: Olargues, France Credit: Paul Atkinson/Shutterstock

201-2080 Hartley Avenue Coquitlam, BC Canada V3K 6W5 THE DESTINATION SALES RESOURCE FOR TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS Contents © 2012 by ACT Communications Inc. Tel: (604) 699-9990 Printed in Canada All Rights Reserved. ISBN 1207-1463 Fax: (604) 699-9993 Explore Europe 2 012

What a There’ll be coins, there’ll be mugs, there’ll be souvenirs. There’ll be fireworks and dancing in the streets. Londoners are celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (60 years on the throne) AND the summer Olympics this year. Year!

4 EUROPE I FEBRUARY 2012 Canadian Traveller 24 s tock/Becky Stare s Shutter

By Christine Potter The Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II followed by the London Summer Olympics makes for a pageantry-filled year in the UK illustrating Reigning Queens, celebrations and festivals, pomp and ceremony are more Religious Protestors, evident than usual in Europe this year, despite gloomy Carnival & The Beautiful economic news. Game – There Is Just So There are thousands of festivals, from weird to Much To Celebrate wonder-filled. And with our strong dollar, it’s all about bargains. Turn the page and join the party.

00 25 Canadian Traveller 00 FEBRUARY 2012 I EUROPE 5 Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site, dates to the 6th century BC v tock/Nickolay Vi n okuro s Shutter

Carry On In excellent Picasso museum. The three-day celebrated between April 28 and October 28 September festival features demos, dining, in Potsdam at his New Palace in exhibitions Carcassonne and all things gastronomic. (Dates from like Friederisiko (Frederick’s Risk). France is a land of many faces, www.lesetoilesdemougins.com.) Predating him by half a millennium is from the sophistication of Paris Also new is the Jean Cocteau museum the church of St Thomas in Leipzig, where to the wild, storm-lashed Brittany coast. in Menton on the Cote d’Azur. The the St Thomas Boys’ Choir commemorates There’s so much to see, it’s tempting to cram 8,840-square-metre, eight-year-long the building’s 800th anniversary in a year- too much into one trip. Take time to discover project was built to house Cocteau’s long program of events and concerts one or two areas and, ideally, bookend your cubist-influenced art. Better known for (www.thomana2012.com). Johann Sebastian vacation with a couple of nights in Paris. his literature, Cocteau would love the vast Bach was cantor here from 1723 until 1750. Last summer we discovered Languedoc- structure which, from above, looks like a It all blends harmoniously with The Roussillon, staying in the medieval village spider with black leg-like pillars sprawling Year of Reformation and Music theme, of Caunes Minervois. From there, rental- over the building. www.franceguide.com part of the Martin Luther decade car day trips took us to arcassonne C ending in 2017 celebrating 500 years (glorious), to Mediterranean beaches, to the since Luther’s world-changing act of Canal du Midi, and to local wineries with Luther Makes His Mark defiance. It was October 31, 1517 when vineyards hemmed by fields of sunflowers. Prussian king Frederick the Great, a military the monk nailed his 95 Theses to Carcassonne, a UNESCO World wunderkind, is now known as an a church door in Lutherstadt Heritage site, dates to the 6th century “enlightened despot.” The 300th Wittenberg, triggering the BC. It’s one of the best-preserved anniversary of his birth is Protestant Reformation. medieval towns in Europe, and a s Singing in church was part stroll around its ramparts yields s mu of the change. Before Luther, amazing views. The Festival of ouri only monks raised their Carcassonne draws thousands.

ger T ger voices in praise. Almost 120 shows – opera, theatre, n Enter the Handel Festival huri

jazz, classical and more – run from T featuring select operas (May mid-June to mid-August on 10 31 to June 10 in Halle) and an stages, one of which is a Roman international festival of world Theatre. Many offer free admission. religious music, Himmel auf Erden New on France’s events (Heaven on Earth) in Lutherstadt calendar is Festival International Wittenberg from June 14 to July 22. de la Gastronomie, launched last It’s in Luther Country that the Old year in Mougins, another medieval Synagogue in Erfurt, lost for centuries village seven kilometres from The Martin Luther decade, ending in and discovered a decade ago, was Cannes. Mougins is renowned for 2017, celebrates named “Europe’s best new tourism having the most Michelin-rated 500 years since attraction” by the British Guild of restaurants of any region in the Luther’s world- Travel Writers. It casts light on daily country. It was home to Picasso changing act of life 650 years ago. in his later years, and has an defiance.

6 EUROPE I FEBRUARY 2012 Canadian Traveller 26

Marostica converts its marbled ch s central square into a huge ir chessboard, where human alf H alf

R figures play out historic championship games. tock/ s Shutter

In the northwest of Kefalonia, of the Candles (Festa dei Crete boasts the must-see Myrtos Beach is famous for its Ceri) in Gubbio (Umbria) Knossos Palace (of the colour, the ocean’s blue and on May 15. Locals walk in traditional dress Minoan civilization). turquoise contrasting dramatically carrying tall shrines to the church on top with smooth, white, marble of Mount Ingino. In the same town on the Documenta13 (June pebbles on the beach. Steep last Sunday in May, the Palio dei Balestrieri 9 to September 16) is mountains form a picturesque backdrop and (Palio of the Archers) pits contestants one of Germany’s top art no doubt helped the place earn its 12-time from neighbouring villages in a medieval exhibitions. Staged in Kassel nomination as the best beach in Greece. crossbow competition. In costume of course. every five years, Documenta focuses Crete boasts the must-see Knossos In northern Italy on the second weekend on modern art from around the world Palace (of the Minoan civilization) as well of September in even-numbered years only, (www.d13.documenta.de). as the Samaria Gorge, a 16-kilometre-long the walled town of Marostica converts It seems odd to call an airport an canyon and National Park. Walking the its marbled central square into a huge “attraction” but that’s how the Germans gorge takes between four and seven hours, chessboard, where human figures play out view their state-of-the-art Brandenburg passing through ancient cypress and pine historic championship games. With some International Airport in Berlin. forests. Tours can be arranged for all or part 500 characters, sumptuous costumes and www.germany.travel of the walk, starting in Agia Roumeli on the colourful banners, the two-hour spectacle Libyan Sea. www.visitgreece.gr. (watched by about 4,000 people) is held over three days. www.italia.it. Heaven For History Fans Sun seekers flock to its beaches and winter Medieval Soccer sports aficionados head to Mt Mainalo in The Italians love their soccer. Even the A Capital Of Culture the Peloponnese. Its popularity is due to police will toast a winning team, drinking Guimaraes in Northern Portugal is a its proximity to Athens and picturesque wine poured by ecstatic fans. So imagine European Capital of Culture this year. mountain villages. the pandemonium in June when Calcio The colourful town centre hemmed with If you plan to travel with school-age Fiorentino revives a 16th-century soccer restaurants, cafes and the iron balconies children in July and August – high season – match in medieval costume in Florence. of old houses (a favourite spot for locals you’ll find the weather hot and the country (www.firenzeturismo.it) to watch the lively action) is reached from hopping. Book your trips early – especially May is special in Naples where labyrinthine streets. ferries and hotels. August is the month the Maggio dei Monumenti (May of Dominating the surrounding hills is the that self-respecting Athenians go on Monuments) takes place every weekend imposing, 12th-century Santa Marinha vacation, and competition for transport and through the month. Originally it was convent, now a luxurious pousada. Nearby accommodation is fierce. about free admission to museums, is Penha Park, part of a National Ecological Shoulder months see comfortable castles, and stately homes but the event Reserve rising 500 metres above the town, a temperatures, and beaches and resorts on proved so successful that more has much loved green space with diverse flora islands like Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini been added, with exhibits and fairs, and fauna, caves, shrines and hiking trails. are at their best. music festivals, cinema screenings, stage Rich nightlife, student activity, and a Everybody knows about the Acropolis, performances and horse races. wealth of new places to stay and visit the Agora, the Oracle of Delphi and other Film – that great Italian industry – has make Braga the 2012 Youth Capital world-renowned sites in and near Athens many festivals around the nation, but the of Europe. Here, too, is Portugal’s oldest but here are a few lesser-known attractions. one in Taormina on the island of Sicily is cathedral. Near ancient Sparta, Mystras exhibits fast gaining international respect, held It’s no surprise that the island of ruins of a different kind. It served as the from May 16 to May 27. Madeira, renowned for impossibly vibrant Peloponnese capital in the 14th and 15th May is a holy month throughout Roman plant growth, has a world-class Flower century BC, was inhabited through the Catholic countries, and among the religious Festival each April in Funchal, the capital. Ottoman period, but abandoned in 1832. celebrations in Italy is the colourful Race (April 21 and 22.) In September, Madeira

8 EUROPE I FEBRUARY 2012 Canadian Traveller 28 6011_CT_EuropeGuide2012 12-01-18 1:51 PM Page 1

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Flights operated by Air Canada. For applicable terms and conditions, consult the Air Canada Vacations brochures or www.aircanadavacations.com. †For terms and conditions of the Aeroplan program, consult www.aeroplan.com. n 1Valid for travel completed by Dec. 31, 2012 on air-inclusive packages. 2Minimum 4-night stay required. 3Canadian airports only. 1 entrance per person, per trip. Hotels of 4 roundels or more. 4Minimum 4-night stay required. Free tour or cruise must be added at time of booking. n ®Aeroplan is a registered trademark of Aeroplan Canada Inc. ®Air Canada Vacations is a registered trademark of Air Canada, used under license by Touram Limited Partnership, 5925 Airport Road, Suite 700, Mississauga, ON. illier atthew H M

honours Christopher Columbus, who The release of lived on the archipelago for several years. Martin Sheen’s Music, exhibitions, and a historical parade The Way will likely run week-long. boost the already large On the Azorean archipelago (mid- number of walkers along the Atlantic between Canada and Portugal) 800-kilometre Route of Saint James, The Sanjoaninas take place each June on from the Pyrenees in the east to Santiago de Terceira. The celebrations date to the 16th Compostela in northwest Spain. Santiago century, and include bull runs and bullfights, is about more than Saint James, however, parades and sport events. even though the saint’s bones are said to Each August on the island of Santa Maria, be housed in the great cathedral. It’s about Yorkshire was recently voted Britain’s Happiest Place August Tide (Mare de Agosto) – a major a colourful carnival held each year just to Live. Why? Gorgeous natural beauty, historic York international music festival – brings leading before Lent (the weekend starting February and photogenic abbey ruins names from world music to perform. Check 8 in 2013) and celebrations on the saint’s www.maredeagosto.com for dates. feast day (July 25) with a not-to-be-missed will carry the Queen and Prince Phillip at Lisbon’s Coach Museum is the most fireworks show the evening before. It’s the head of a flotilla of 1,200 vessels from visited museum in Portugal, and by the end about the markets, galleries and lively café around the globe. Such pomp and ceremony of 2012, new premises will be added. The culture befitting a university town. hasn’t been seen for centuries and more coach collection is the world’s largest. Spain has several bull-running festivals than a million spectators are expected. www.visitportugal.com. but none as well known as the week-long No sooner will London recoup from event in San Fermin, Pamplona, beginning these celebrations than it jumps into the Toss A Tomato the second week in July. It’s round-the-clock Olympic Summer Games (July 27 to August The Spanish love any excuse for a party, non-stop fiesta from the official firecracker 12) and the Paralympic Games (August 29 and this year the excuse is La Pepa, launch to the finale song sung by all, Pobre to September 9). That involves more treats the nickname for a set of ponderous de Mi (Poor Me). Pamplona, on the fertile for Royal watchers, with the Duke and documents that created Europe’s first plain of the river Arga, is one of Spain’s Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William and Liberal Constitution in 1812. The party runs greenest cities. Kate nee Middleton) and Prince Harry as all year in Cadiz, Andalusia, with concerts, It’s a crazy festival, but so is Tomatino Olympic Ambassadors. food tastings, historical re-enactments, in Bunol, Valencia. During August trucks No visit would be complete without dancing, maritime displays, and shows – a are loaded with over-ripe tomatoes for the a Shakespeare play and this year you full calendar, in fact. (Cadiz is also the Ibero- throwing (don’t wear good clothes). www. can choose your language, as London’s American Capital of Culture this year.) spain.info/en. Globe Theatre stages all 38 plays, each in a different tongue. The six-week season Jumpin’ For The Jubilee starts on the Bard’s birthday (April 23). There’ll be coins, there’ll be mugs, there’ll You can watch Henry VIII in Spanish, The be souvenirs tasteful and tacky. There’ll Tempest in Arabic, or The Taming of the Home to Portugal’s be fireworks and dancing in the streets. Shrew in Urdu. It’s part of the Cultural oldest cathedral, Londoners are running around like dogs Olympiad leading up to the Games. Braga is the 2012 chasing their collective tail because this year Performances (in English) will also be held Youth Capital of in Stratford-upon-Avon (Will’s birthplace), Europe. sees the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (60 years on the throne) AND the summer Olympics at the Eisteddfod in Wales, and the in the capital. Edinburgh Festival, among other venues. The sensational summer starts Walkers celebrate the completed Wales with Jubilee celebrations held Coast Path opening in May, hemming June 2 to 6. The focus is on the principality’s coastline – a distance the River Thames, where – of 1,386 kilometres. The Isle of Anglesey on June 3 – a magnificent, is another beauty spot, with quaint 64-metre-long royal barge farmhouses, storybook castles, and picturesque inns and B&Bs. Oh yes, it’s mo de Portugal de s mo also home to William and Catherine. ouri T

tock Yorkshire was recently voted Britain’s s Happiest Place to Live. Why? Gorgeous natural beauty, historic York with its Shutter annual Viking Festival in February, and photogenic abbey ruins (and the locals of course) are a few reasons. We haven’t mentioned the many attractions in Scotland or the long list of The release of Martin Sheen’s The Way haunted houses and mansions (of which will boost the number of walkers along the the nation is perversely proud). But you can 800-kilometre Route of Saint James, from find out all the information you need from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela. www.visitbritain.com. l

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The Titanic Quarter in Belfast resembles small nations the bows of three big festivals luxury liners. From Cat Throwing To Titanic Tragedy, Europe’s Smaller Nations Offer Up World n d rela Class Celebrations it I it s Vi

By Christine Potter Gear Up For The Gathering conference and a number of science- from April 5 to October 7 in Venlo (near Next year, 2013, is the Big One for the driven events through the year. the German and Belgian borders) and Irelands – Northern Ireland and the While you’re in Dublin, don’t miss complementing the stunning array Republic – when anyone claiming Irish a visit to the Guinness factory, Trinity of plants is a daily program of visual ancestry might feel the tug to attend The College with its ancient library and the and performing arts, plus sustainable Gathering, a year-long festival celebrat- magnificent Book of Kells, and Grafton architecture and environmental displays. ing Ireland and its people. Street, Dublin’s smartest shopping area. Another famous Dutch horticulture Meanwhile, this year, Belfast honours More from www.tourismireland.com. event is the annual show of flowering the centennial of the Titanic tragedy. The bulbs in Keukenhof Gardens, this ship was designed, built and launched Floating Buses year from March 22 to May 20 with a in Belfast and exhibitions about the Flower Parade April 21. Named the most & Flower Shows beautiful spring garden in the world, vessel and Belfast’s maritime history Think Holland, think flowers, think can be seen at the Titanic Quarter, Keukenhof covers more than 32 hectares Floriade, the World Horticultural Exposi- with 4.5 million tulips. Its 15 kilometres a new $160-million visitor attraction. tion staged once every 10 years. It runs The building resembles the bows of of footpaths can be explored on foot three luxury liners: Titanic, Olympic, and or by bicycle. (Rentals Britannic – all built in Belfast. are available.) And TC it’s not only about The city is also part of the Olympic NB Games, with the Torch Relay on June 3, flowers. Keukenhof is beginning its route to more than 60 towns also Holland’s largest across Northern Ireland, including pass- sculpture park, with art ing such iconic locales as the Giant’s set among thousands Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope of trees. Bridge, and into Derry-Lon- Passengers with long donderry (next year’s UK City layovers at Amster- of Culture). dam’s Schiphol Airport Dublin, capital of the will welcome the Float- Republic, is designated Euro- Keukenhof Gardens, the ing Dutchman, a boat- pean City of Science for 2012, most beautiful spring bus designed for tour- garden in the world. and in July hosts a huge science ists, daytrippers, and

12 EUROPE I FEBRUARY 2012 Canadian Traveller 32 s s mu oritz ouri T n St. M n ei W gadi En His work made waves around the world, and his best-known piece, The Kiss, resides in Vienna’s Belvedere Museum, home to the world’s largest Klimt collection. A series of exhibitions runs through the year. (www.klimt2012.info) Switzerland’s alpine beauty is showcased It’s easy to fall in love with Vienna along its historic hiking routes. and there’s always so much happen- Vienna celebrates artist ing. Current highlights include the including drama, film, music Gustav Klimt and his works. 29th Vienna City Marathon on April and literature) in unusual 15 taking runners through 42 kilo- venues such as abandoned metres of favourite sites while some factories, swimming pools, transferring air pas- 250,000 fans cheer them on. The Vienna and mine tunnels. More from sengers. The amphibious Festival – May 11 to June 17 – draws thou- www.Austria.info. vehicle embarks at Schiphol sands to City Hall Square for world-class Plaza, drives to Amsterdam, and enters concerts. Standbys like the Vienna Boys Alpine Cattle Drive, the water at the Splash Zone near Nemo Choir or the famed Spanish Riding School Science Centre, continuing its journey as with its magnificent Lipizzaner stallions Historic Hiking a water launch through the canals. (Check continue to grow in popularity. Switzerland is tiny but packs a big punch out the YouTube video!) After the trip, the Across the rest of the country celebra- for year-round tourism with some of the bus returns to the airport. Bookings can tions include the August Salzburg Festival best snow sport locations in the world and be made through www.floatingdutchman. of classical music and La Strada Street charming summer attractions. nl and at the airport. More from www. Theatre Festival in Graz, during the first Check out historic hiking routes (put holland.com. week of August with performers including together in a neat website package) like puppeteers and acrobats. the hike from the Rhine in Basel to the Music & a Marathon Graz is also the locale for Steirischer Hungfraujoch or “Top of Europe.” Vienna is in love with Gustav Klimt, espe- Herbst in early October, a showcase for You might catch an Alpine cattle drive cially in this, the 150th anniversary of the contemporary art (performing and visual, in summer, or one of many open-air artist’s birth. performances around the country. You

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00 33 Canadian Traveller FEBRUARY 2012 I EUROPE 13 e m s . s n ouri wede s k. zech T zech n a C b /image n di n u lf L U lf

Stockholm’s Tekniska Museet hosts 100 Most Important Innovations, its biggest exhibit ever.

Music echoes throughout the town, brings in top-line artists to the his- about the man, Czech Republic at festivals torical setting. (July 20 to August 25.) the writer, and the including the Five-Petal Rose Other events range from costumed me- social activist. Festival in Cesky Krumlov. dieval festivals – like Cesky’s Five-Petal This year Stockholm’s Rose Festival (June 17 to 19) with Tekniska Museet (National Museum might help celebrate the knights, jesters, and costumed nobles – of Science and Technology) stages its big- centenary of the amazing to an international bagpipe festival gest exhibition to date: 100 Most Impor- Jungfraujoch railway spiral- (August 23 to 26 in Strakonice) which, tant Innovations showing the greatest ling into the mountains. they say, overcomes all language barriers. change-making events of all time. Lucerne is known as a city of fes- A unique show in Prague is the Invisible (www.visitsweden.com.) tivals and offers a year-round program rich Exhibition running through April 1, 2013. in culture and cuisine and this year plays It’s an interactive journey into an invisible Extreme Sports host to the World Cup Final of Interna- world where your guides are blind or par- Easter is definitely different in Norway’s tional Rowing (May 25 to 27). tially sighted. It’s intended to give sighted north, where the Sami people celebrate In winter, take advantage of a Snow- people an understanding into the world of with World Championship reindeer races. Card package, saving up to 30 per cent the blind. (neviditelna.cz/en) Dress in warm layers and watch the Sami on ski passes and accommodation in 13 For more information go to “cowboys” prepare their reindeer. It’s an ski areas. Find out more from www.czechtourism.com. adventure seen this year from April 4 to 8. www.myswitzerland.com. Norway’s patron saint St. Hallvard (May ABBA & Strindberg 15) is commemorated with folkloric con- Bagpipes & Blindness In Sweden, you can now explore Stock- certs and family entertainment throughout The Czech Republic resounds with music, holm with the ABBA City Walk, following the country. In Henningsvar, Codstock especially in summer. Prague Spring is one in the 1970s footsteps of the dynamically (May 25 to 27) has nothing to do with fish of the country’s top music events and this popular group. but is a blues festival with a big following. year the line-up features 50 concerts with The entire country commemorates the Extreme Sports get their own festival

DHTOUR BROCHURE guest performers from around the world. 100th anniversary of August Strindberg’s and competition in Voss, when Extrem- (May 12 to June 3.) death, the writer known as the father of sportveko (June 24 to July 1) showcases Smetana’s Litomysl international opera modern Swedish literature. Sixty plays skydiving, rafting, kayaking, hang glid- festival runs from June 14 to July 8 and the and more than 30 works of fiction bear his ing…you get the picture. renowned International Music Festival in name, and the Strindberg Museum A maritime nation like Norway natu- Cesky Krumlov, the picturesque UNESCO in Stockholm has a wealth of information: rally celebrates the bounty of the sea, and the narrow, cobbled streets of Mandal are filled with long tables of shellfish, cray BRITAIN & BACK-ROADS fish, and other ocean delicacies from Au- EUROPE TOURING CO. gust 9 to 12, accompanied by lively entertainment. Finally in December, along with § Exclusive Queen’s Diamond § Small Coach Tours Jubilee § Maximum 16 passengers the Christmas markets, the Nobel Peace § Floriade & Chelsea Flower Show § Corners of Cornwall § Battlefield Tours § A Scottish Journey Prize is awarded in Oslo from December § Wales - Land of my Fathers § Provence & the French 10 to 12. (www.visitnorway.com.) § 100,000 Welcomes Riviera § Cornwall & Devon § La Belle France § Channel Islands § Tuscan Treats & the § Dresden & Colditz Cinque Terre Social Saunas § London Packages § Spanish Inspiration § Lots more... § Lots more... Any visitor to Finland would be remiss For more information or copies of our brochures contact: not to try out the famed sauna. It’s the social thing to do, and they do it clothed. www.dhgrouptours.com [email protected] In some cases, you’ll eat herring roasted DHTour 2289 Fairview St. Ste 313, Burlington ON L7R 2E3 on the coals as you bake alongside. Even London & U.K. Specialists 905-639-9954 or 1-888-597-3519 #50012768 in summer. Finns love the outdoors and 14 EUROPE I FEBRUARY 2012 Canadian Traveller 34 b:8.375” T:8.125” s:7.125”

Giant’s Causeway, Co. Antrim.

IT’S ONE OF OUR MOST b :11.125” T:10.875”

PRECIOUS NATIONAL s :10” TREASURES. FEEL FREE TO STOMP ALL OVER IT. Perch on the edge. Taste the salty Atlantic spray on your lips. Skip across its magical stones, as centuries of history splash around you. To know this legendary, mystical place is to love it. Until it’s no longer the Giant’s Causeway. But yours. For more information and great travel deals, visit discoverireland.com

IRE_M_12_100_A.indd 1 1/23/12 5:50 PM

production notes

APPROVALS BY DATE • images are linked to supplied Studio Client: Tourism ireland Art Director: none Project: TiTanic prinT adapTaTion Copywriter: none Type Mgr. Docket: ire_12100 Print Mgr: jacquie baker Client Code: none Client Serv: c mcarThur Proofreader Colour: 4c Print Mgr. Fonts: TT slug oTF, archer Title: gianT’s causeway V.O.: 8.125” x 10.875” Trim: 8.125” x 10.875” Art Director Pubs: canadian Traveller Safety: 7.125” x 10” Bleed: 8.375” x 11.125” Copywriter Date: 1-20-2012 3:03 pm Creative Dir. region/layer code: Artist: opTic prepress Typesetting: optic nerve ad number/component: LASER% Acct. Mgmt. This advertisement prepared by PuBLiCiS none Client iRE_M_12_100_A

REVs PDF cyan, magenTa, yellow, black due date: jan 23 0 1 July 1 is the Icelandic Horse competition in Landsmot, where the sturdy creatures compete in a variety of events. (www.visiticeland.com.)

Calypso & The Church Malta and her sister islands Gozo and Comino (car free and carefree) offer variety, sunshine, a plethora of festivals, and loads of history. Myth suggests Gozo is Calypso’s isle of Homer’s Odyssey. Baroque churches, historic forts, and a well-preserved temple mark n e can be seen on this tiny green land.

it D Copenhagen celebrates the taste, s

Vi smell and sounds of Nordic cuisine. Malta’s religious festivals celebrate the Roman Catholic calendar and are colourful and frequent. You’ll also find plenty you can find out about the many national in Cophenhagen spotlights Nordic Culture of secular events, such as the Fontana events from www.visitfinland.com. with performers, filmmakers, and writers. Fireworks Festival June 16. The year-round If you happen to be in Denmark dur- re-enactment of an historic fort inspection ing November and December don’t miss Golden Days, Magic Nights in Valletta (In Guardia Parades) hap- Tivoli Gardens. It’s magic. So is the Hans Another royal jubilee, this time in pens every Sunday except in August. The Christian Andersen Christmas Market in Denmark where Queen Margrethe II 40-minute show features a costumed gar- his home town of Odense in Funen. celebrates 40 years on the throne. Marking rison of 70 showing off a range of military (www.visitdenmark.com.) the occasion is an art exhibition by Her drills from the past. (www.visitmalta.com.) Majesty at Arken Art Museum until July 1. Copenhagen resonates with the taste, Snow Or No Snow It’s The Wine smell and sounds of cooking from August Hikers, birdwatchers, nature lovers and Cyprus, off the Turkish coast (divided 19 to September 4 when Nordic cuisine those who are merely curious are drawn between Greek Cyprus in the south and takes the stage. Food expos, street kitch- to Iceland where thermal springs provide Turkish Cyprus in the north) has a wealth ens, classes and reduced prices at some of heat and fun all year round. of archaeological sites, a contagious joie the best Michelin-starred restaurants are Iceland Airwaves cranks up plenty de vivre (especially when sampling mez- on the agenda. of heat of its own from October 31 to zes, a tapas-style platter of 10 to 20 dishes, Thousands descend on Horsens in November 4 in Reykjavik. It began as a washed down with Cyprian wine) and Jutland August 24 and 25 for the Euro- showcase for local DJs but is now a full- some of the best beaches in the Med. pean Medieval Festival and the following blown international music festival. Flower Festival (Anthestiria) on May month sees Golden Days in The first day of summer is celebrated 12, 13 and 20 covers the island with Copenhagen, focusing on April 19 across the country – that’s blooms and is celebrated with parades and on the city’s history. according to the old Icelandic calendar chariot races. On June 4, the Flood Festival In late October, the – with parades and plenty of fun events. (Kataklysmos) commemorates the Greek 10-day Ting Festival Whether it snows or not. And June 25 to

Turkey’s health tourism includes natural hot springs like those in the Roman ruins at Hierapolis.

16 EUROPE I FEBRUARY 2012 Canadian Traveller 36 myth of Deukalion and the biblical flood. August 18) when it can be somewhat dif- This, too, is the year to see the massive Ceremonies last several days with games, ficult to find meals during daylight hours, flower carpet covering Grand-Place, from folk dances and boat races. except in resorts and the capital. In the August 15 to 19. It’s worth spending three Cyprian wines come to the fore from evening, banquets reign. Euros to access the Town Hall balcony for a August 30 to September 9 with free- Among the non-religious events is panoramic view. flowing vintages poured free of charge each Instancool, May 25 to 27. The festival fo- It’s also time for the Throwing of the evening. (www.visitcyprus.com.) cuses on film, literature, fashion and design Cats, a May festival occurring every three and this year’s speakers include Nobel Lau- years. Happily live cats are no longer One Huge Museum reate Wole Soyinka, and Academy Award chucked from the highest Ypres belfries It’s no surprise that Turkey has become winning director Michael Cimino (The Deer and fun fake ones have taken their place. one of the world’s most popular destina- Hunter, Heaven’s Gate). Another event for It’s a major event with parades, medieval tions. Visitors bring home tales of magnifi- movie lovers is Golden Saffron Film Festi- costume and pageantry and it all began cent buildings like Topkapi Palace, Hagia val – featuring national and international when cats were used to control rodents in Sofia and the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, documentaries – held each September in the Cloth Hall. Once the cloth was sold, the of an East-meets-West ambience, of the UNESCO town of Sefranbolu in North- cats were superfluous and met this grue- mouth-watering cuisine, ancient ruins like ern Turkey. (www.Goturkey.com.) some end until 1817. Ephesus and Hierapolis, and extraordinary Personal stories of ordinary people in topography like the surreal desert forma- Toss A Cat, Race A Duck and after the First World War are part of tions of Cappadocia and the travertine Good things to eat and quirky festivals the expanded museum In Flanders Fields terraces of Pamukkale. await travellers to Belgium, its capital Brus- opening in Ypres this June. It’s one of a The country boasts beautiful beaches on sels, and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg series of projects preparing for the 1914-18 the Mediterranean and Black seas, and the – two tiny countries with a big impact. war centennial. (www.visitbelgium.com.) Taurus Mountains are loved by hikers. It’s Belgium’s Year of Gastronomy showcasing In Luxembourg, 10,000 numbered Today’s Turkey also embraces health Brussels and Wallonia as foodie destinations. rubber duckies are raced on April 21 tourism, focusing on its hot springs, heal- Dine as you sightsee from the Food Tramway, and the winner’s owner wins a car. Less ing waters and rich muds. enjoy a taste magician as he roams the streets tongue in cheek is Summer in the City It’s a secular country but Islamic holidays concocting spontaneous dishes, or eat eggs in from June 21 to September 8. are celebrated, such as Ramadan (July 20 to the Giant Omelette Celebration of Malmedy. (www.visitluxembourg.com.)l

With Six Product Lines In 65 Countries, Tauck Has The World And You Covered Tauck has the perfect journey for each of you, no matter what your taste is: Tauck World Discovery: In-depth, expertly choreographed Tauck Culturious: Immersive, small-group adventures land tours exploring the cobbled streets of Tuscany, the that expand the boundaries of active, culturally curious, Tanzanian Serengeti, and everywhere in between. boomer-age travellers. Tauck River Cruising: Enriching land explorations in the Tauck Small Ship Cruising: Cultural exploration, from heart of Europe aboard elegant riverboats; named the Iceland to the Med to the Galápagos, aboard intimate “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure magazine. yachts and purpose-built expeditionary vessels. Tauck Bridges: Fun, engaging and stress-free family Tauck Events: Signature exclusive events with “insider travel that encourages intergenerational bonding through access” ranging from private Vatican dinners to shared enrichment. after-hours visits to museums and historic sites.

00 37 Canadian Traveller FEBRUARY 2012 I EUROPE 17 Explore Europe 2 012 for the curious They may not spring to mind as readily as Spain or Portugal when you think European vacation, but the following countries have fascinating things to share, showing many different faces of Europe. traveller

Latvia Latvians are gearing up for 2014 when Riga is the European Capital of Culture with new conference halls and a library building known as the Castle of Light. Meanwhile, opera and ballet festivals draw thousands. Sigulda Opera Festival at the end of July is just one of many. This is also the time of the

Cesis Art Festival, and in August the Saulkrasti Jazz J

Festival. Music continues to rule with the Baltic rock a

festival, Positivus, July 20 and 21. (www.latvia.travel.) S i

v a

Hungary Nature lovers flock to Hungary’s Puszta (or Steppes) for the birdlife, the spiral-horned sheep, buffalo and Riga, European Capital of Culture, 2014. horses grazing on open plains. The UNESCO site also offers abundant thermal springs, drawing health seekers. Around the Tisza Lake region, gastronomy reigns,

showcased in folk festivals (the

plum jam is unsurpassed) and wine e

tastings. a

Hungary goes glitzy in Budapest, i n g

sizzling with nightlife. The two-part 1 city (Buda and Pest on either side of the River Danube) offers spas galore. Thermal baths are a big thing here, a social thing. Another city divided by a river is Kaposvar, reached by road or rail from Budapest. It became Thermal baths, Budapest. a modernist artist colony in the last century, and now celebrates an annual City of Painters festival, this year from May 24 to May 27. (www.gotohungary.com.)

J u

Slovenia

y Snuggling across the top of Croatia, Slovenia n is in the spotlight this year as Maribor shares European Capital of Culture honours with Guimaraes in Portugal. About 130 kilometres from Ljubljana and a 2.5-hour drive from Vienna, Maribor is Slovenia’s second largest town with its historic centre on the Drava River. A popular ski resort, it’s also known for its summer sport opportunities. And its old town, Lent, is a photographer’s dream. (www.slovenia.info.) Maribor on the Drava River.

18 EUROPE I FEBRUARY 2012 Canadian Traveller 38 Poland As soccer fans will know, the finals of the European Football Championships are held in Poland and Ukraine between June 8 and July 1. You might also want to check out St. Dominic’s Fair in Gdansk, running for 23 days in August. It’s one of the largest cultural and commercial events in Europe, with more than a thousand merchants, music, actors, and all the fun of the fair.

Visiting a salt mine sounds about as exciting as

e l

l watching laundry dry. But the Wieliczka mine and u

c museum in Krakow is breathtaking. And unique. i

e J UNESCO recognized it as such. Begun in the 13th century and operating until the 1960s, miners have carved out huge halls, chapels, figures and monuments, as well as a subterranean lake. The tourist route starts 64 metres below ground and descends to 135 metres. Wieliczka salt mine, Krakow. (www.poland.travel.)

Croatia Just below Slovenia on the Adriatic Sea, Croatia is home to Dubrovnik, Split and a pattern of islands to delight tourists of any taste. Taste is what Croatia’s Days of Asparagus are all about, between March 23 and May 1, celebrated across the Istrian peninsula, d r a famous for its wild asparagus and for o

s truffles. (Truffle season is celebrated

u from September to November.)

a Dubrovnik is known for its rich

t a

o cultural program and its annual Summer r C Festival (July 10 to August 25) and now it adds Shakespeare to its roster, from April 23 to May 7. A more modern art form, animated film, has its own festival – Animafest – in Zagreb, May 29 to June 3. And in Split, the city founded by Emperor Diocletian, summer is celebrated throughout July and August Summer is celebrated in Split. with music, drama, and dance. (www.croatia.hr.)

Bosnia & Herzegovina Sitting 99 percent inland on what was the former Yugoslavia, Bosnia & Herzegovina has plenty to offer the curious visitor. In the northern town of Banja Luka, for instance, the Kozara Ethno Festival in June and July focuses on songs and

customs from ages past performed by H

& the Kozara people. Traditional cuisine is

. also on the menu.

s Festivals and carnivals block the

i calendars and they cover the gamut of r

o t topics from children to literature. When the weather cools, November is the time for Fashion Week in Sarajevo when Bosnian style gets its own show. (www.bhtourism.ba.) Festivals cram the calendar in Sarajevo.

00 39 Canadian Traveller FEBRUARY 2012 I EUROPE 19 Explore Europe 2 012 Let’s Sell

EuropeWhat a Capital Idea!

By Steve Crowhurst, CTM As you read through this Europe Guide you’ll come to realize, as if you didn’t know, there’s more than one Europe to think into your plan. There’s all of Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Euro Zone and the European Union! Hang on…nope, we’re good. Thought one more country had joined. This started off as a capital idea but there so many to consider I suggest we turn these capitals into capital – you know the stuff that commissions are made of. Stuff like dough, moolah, rhino, spondulicks, bacon, scratch, beans...you know…MONEY!

The OMG Plan! In the shortened vernacular of IM (instant messaging) codes, the OMG Plan translates to “Oh My Gawd! Where do I start?” So many things to do, places to see and people to meet. Wow! Now that’s just what your clients are thinking and especially those clients just starting out, taking their first trip, period. Or perhaps they have travelled but not to Europe. So what will you advise?

Start Here Alright. You need to start somewhere and There’s a business here – touring here’s an idea for you. You can check out the gourmet cafés of product offering that your preferred suppliers Europe. Tie in high- have created for you to sell. Look for the generic, end hotels where basic capital tours and think about whether or not many cafés are these ‘introductory’ itineraries would service your located. new-to-Europe clients. The next level of tour might include more capital cities and a few more days in which to get it all done.

The Niche Europe Your clients generally have a travel passion and so let’s take on the religious passion. This might be a passion n for you, too. If it is, then you know you are selling into

ckerma a well-planned program as Religious Tours and Faith Based Travel is big business. Now you can draw on all

Sarah A your suppliers that offer this type of niche product and once again, offer your clients a generic introduction to religious sites and then build up to a more, shall we say, advanced product which comes in the form of an FIT – flexible independent travel arrangements.

20 EUROPE I FEBRUARY 2012 Canadian Traveller 40 The Europe Within Europe market come alive. If you know of these CGC (consumer generated content) and If you happen to know Europe well and types of places – then you have something package it for use in your next promotion. let’s go deeper, if you happen to know to sell that no one else would have. Now there is someone who is all over certain areas, regions, streets, cafés, the iPhone scene offering audio tours of bookshops, antique shops and out of the Something New Europe via his iPhone audio app. Very way “neat” places that offer tranquility, How about you stepping up to the plate clever. Here’s the link: http://itunes.apple. bustling local markets and so on then you and taking yourself and your client to a com/us/app/rick-steves-audio-europe/ have what we call a niche within a niche. place that you have not yet visited? It’s id414357125?mt=8 This information and knowledge is what not the usual way to do it – but then the you use to package your own FIT tour excitement is in the discovery. You could The Common Thread product, using the group planning services even tag this as your latest trailblazing So what’s the common thread that ties of your suppliers. program. A, “…come with me, explore, Europe together? You might say the Euro, discover and help me write the tour.” As but I’m thinking the railway network. This My Special Spot – you read through this guide once more… common connection is one of the best what is jumping out at you that makes you ways to see Europe as there are always Your Special Spot think: “I gotta go there!” grand stations ‘downtown’ or in the city As we’re talking about special places you centre. Get off and walk and your clients know and love, let me tell you and sell would be ‘right there’. There’s a rail pass you mine. A few years ago I was invited The iTour for any or all countries. I’m thinking to speak to a travel and tourism audience With travel gadgetry taking over HP a “Rally Round The Rail” tour as you in Sarajevo. During my two weeks there wizardry, you would be well positioned lead your rail enthusiasts through the I travelled with a supplied car and driver to offer a tour of Europe for iPhone chosen itinerary. to tour the countryside, visiting adventure aficionados. Now the concept doesn’t companies. Absolutely pristine rivers and end there. Part of this tour is that your more… but back to the city. Imagine, up at tour participants engage in capturing The Gourmet Coffee 5 am, walking to the old city of Sarajevo, the iEurope through photos and videos Lovers Tour of Europe the aroma of fresh baked bread wafting shot on their iPhones. At the end of the Food is in. Wine is in. Coffee has always en route, sitting on a bench to watch the tour, you collect (download/upload) all been in and no one has noticed yet! Come

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00 41 Canadian Traveller FEBRUARY 2012 I EUROPE 21 on – there’s a business here. Touring hit tour staring you in the face. When Test Your Knowledge gourmet cafés of Europe. Naturally you I heard the opening theme by Sydney Okay and now for some fun! Head to tie in high-end hotels and many cafés Bechet I knew I had to watch the movie this link and test your knowledge of are located in these same high-end Midnight in Paris. Sydney and I go back Europe in an activity that can involve hotels – a real plus. Now where could a long way. I’ve collected his vinyl for the entire office team. Let’s see – have you start your research for this idea? many years. When his alto sax played I everyone at their PC, online and How about YouTube! Here’s a link that was hooked to watch the movie. Loved ready: Say “GO! and see who scores leads in with “our favourite spots for the movie. Loved the soundtrack. A tour the highest. lounging and lingering in six European called Midnight in Paris would draw www.purposegames.com/game/ cities” and now the link: www.youtube. a crowd. Check out the western-european-countries-quiz com/watch?v=ipQfT354Kvg and here’s movies shot in Europe What a great way to get your one more link for you: the ten best cafes at this link and see if sales team focused on European of Europe www.travelandleisure.com/ there’s something you geography and ready for when articles/the-best-cafes-in-europe could package: a client asks, “Do you know http://en.wikipedia. where ___ is? Knowing Films Shot in Europe org/wiki/ European capitals is Here’s another theme you can package Category:Films_ one way to show you and it all comes down to films shot in shot_in_Europe know and fulfill on the Europe. As you know, there is a huge capital contribution following of Harry Potter books that your agency requires. have spawned tours of the UK. Every Bon chance! l new movie with a well-known backdrop tends to drive up tourism to that You know you are selling destination. It seems that people just into a well-planned want to go ‘there’, stand ‘there’, walk program as Religious Tours and Faith Based ‘there’. Tie it all together with a Travel is big business. memorable theme and you have a They Said It Jackie Coulson Jayne Nathalie Tanious Canada Country Manager Shackleford Air Canada Vacations Tauk Manager, Vice President - International Our more inclusive product also Canada Upsell! Why leave money on means that your clients won’t Tourism Ireland the table! Offer day trips, constantly be incurring out-of- We are currently car rentals, train passes and pocket expenses, and they won’t be relaunching our much more at the time of subjected to ongoing sales pitches travel specialist booking! Remember you from their tour director because we program (Ireland HQ) in February earn commission on don’t sell any options on tour. and we would encourage any agents everything you sell! looking to gain greater knowledge to Gordon Burwood partake in the four module course. Brett Walker President This new program offers many General Manager Canada DHTour benefits to agents including greater Collette Vacations Buying packages that include hotel, product knowledge, use of our Ireland Agents should always promote our transfers, travel cards, sightseeing specialist logo and unique access complimentary roundtrip home to etc. is usually cheaper, and always to valuable information and updates airport sedan service, offered on all more convenient, about our product offering. air-inclusive departures when within than waiting until 100-kilometre radius from most major you arrive at your Wesley Bosnic

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