As seen on Breakfast Television
Not all glorious winter getaways involve an airplane. If Canada does anything beautifully, it’s winter. We have fantastic destinations within driving distance of Toronto and Aeroplan can help us get there.
Whether you are looking for skating on the St. Lawrence, skiing through the snow or exploring our nation’s capital, use your Aeroplan loyalty reward points to save on a hotel or goodies from the Aeroplan eStore, for the ultimate Canadian family getaway.
With so many wonderful places to explore, people to see and things to do in this amazing country of ours, it can be hard to know where to go on a winter road trip.
Here are my top four road trip destinations for you and your family this winter:
Niagara Falls
One of the great wonders of the world is just on our doorstep. Not only does Horseshoe Falls look magnificent when iced over, the area surrounding the Falls is sparkling with holiday lights, trees frosted and the entire city buzzing with winter energy. Use the prepaid Visa card that you bought from the Aeroplan eStore to buy some world famous ice wine from one of Niagara’s famous wineries. You can also stock up on some of your favourite wines from the region by visiting your local LCBO and you will earn Aeroplan loyalty reward points. Once you have enjoyed the wineries, pay a visit Madame Tussaud’s on Clifton Hill before having a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants overlooking the thunderous Falls.
Quebec City
Use your Aeroplan rewards to rent a car and make the drive to beautiful Quebec City. It is like visiting a European town without leaving the country. Snow covered cobbled streets wind through charming shops, cafes and restaurants serving scrumptious French eats and warming hot chocolate. Winter also brings Carnival, a celebration of winter hosted by the timeless Bonhomme de neige. Ice sculpturing competitions, massive snow castles, live music, exciting performers, and yummy food trucks and more make this a must visit for the entire family.
Mont Tremblant
In the heart of the Laurentians, this mountain has 102 ski trails and is the number one ski hill in Eastern Canada. Whether you’re skiing, snowshoeing, enjoying après ski fondue or hiking through the sparkling snowscape, Mont Tremblant is the perfect place to indulge in the Canadian winter. Aeroplan credit card holders can save up to 30% when they book their Tremblant adventure through HotelSavers and can even extend their stay. Enjoy the picturesque pedestrian village filled with French charm, and the exhilarating music, food and drinks that Mont Tremblant has to offer.
Ottawa
What is winter without Winterlude? Attracting over 600,000 visitors annually, Ottawa-Gatineau’s famed winter festival has been running since 1979. This February, thousands of colourful lights will light up the city as you skate on the Rideau Canal while cultural and artistic programming lines the streets of Canada’s capital. Watch the Bed Race, Waiters and Waitresses on ice or the horse race while you enjoy a delicious poutine with mulled wine. Stay warm with your favourite hot beverages from Starbucks and link your Aeroplan account to unlock exclusive linked member perks.
Winterlude also provides a fantastic opportunity to connect with indigenous culture, making this festival one of Ontario’s flagship events and one of North America’s top 100 events. And if you want to extend that road trip, don’t forget Aeroplan credit card holders can redeem for 3 hotel nights but stay for 4!
If you are going to take a road trip this winter, don’t forget to keep an emergency kit in your car with a first aid kit, shovel, blankets, flares, and snacks. Make sure that your tires are fully inflated and make sure that your gas tank is more than half-full at one of the Parkland retail fuel stations along your route and earn more Aeroplan reward points.
To learn more, visit aircanada.com/aeroplan.