BY CLAUDE-JEAN HAREL
Tourism trails, it seems, enjoy a kind of renaissance these days, as a way for regions to articulate their tourism offerings along themes that target specific consumer groups.
But not all trails are created equal. Some, like the ever-evolving Trans Canada Trail, propose an alternate passage across Canada — the labour of love of volunteers from all over the nation.
Once completed, the Trans Canada Trail will be a shared-use recreational trail that will wind its way through every province and territory. It will be the longest trail of its kind in the world, spanning approximately 18,078 kilometres; and accommodating five core activities: walking, cycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Other trails have more of a less travelled road function, proposed as itineraries in guidebooks around iconic destinations as a way to go off the beaten path. Reader’s Digest’s Back Roads and Getaway Places of Canada comes to mind as a resource worth mentioning.
A more recent publishing development is Jacques Dorion’s Les Terroirs du Québec, roughly translated as The Soils of Quebec. The groundbreaking work is not so much a pedology treatise — as the name would suggest — as an insightful look at Quebec’s regions with a view to allowing visitors to discover how over 400 years of agricultural activities have produced distinctive flavours in ciders, raw milk cheeses, poultries, sausages and pâtés, endowed with rich character and ready for the palate.
At the other end of the spectrum, are the trails born to market destinations. Between the Rocky Mountains and the Canadian prairie, in the high ranching country of Alberta, is the historic Cowboy Trail. This 700 km route along highway 22 is a noteworthy source of western vacations and adventures. The creators of this path to Western enlightenment propose stays at a guest ranches or working ranch experiences offered as farm and ranch vacations.
Experience a horseback trail ride or pack trip with an outfitter into some of Alberta’s prettiest country. Take in a rodeo, festival or a pow-wow for a day. And if you are hungry for more, there is always the Boomtown Trail.
This one is my favourite because of the linkages with what is known on the Prairies as the Steel. Boomtown Trail communities sprang to life almost overnight around a century ago, spurred on by the expansion of the railways. This rapid development led to a very distinctive style of architecture, characterized by a grandly designed front, covering a more humble building behind it.
Known as Boomtown architecture, it was typical of many buildings in the North American west at the turn of the 20th century. As proponents of Great Plains settlement studies will tell you, it is becoming more and more of a rarity to see false fronts now anywhere other than in the movies.
This observer and trail enthusiast would venture to say that trails are coming of age these days. They are increasing in their specialization and complexity as tourism offerings, to the point where they no longer need to be trails and can assume an identity all their own as consumer experiences.
Toronto’s Horizon & Co. is the leading small group luxury tour operator in Canada. After having launched their very successful New York on Stage in December, an exploration of the theatre of New York City through the eyes of an established theatre director; the hottest Broadway shows; a chat with a Broadway manager and private workshops and meals at the swankiest restaurants in the Theatre District, Horizon & Co. now proposes Ontario on Stage.
Markus Schale is President of Horizon & Co.
“This fits in with the overall direction our company embraced when it moved to more experiential products. We wanted to bring in someone with expertise in the theatre world who could take our guests literally behind-the-scenes. We hired a theatre director who makes the theatre come to life — who has privileged access to the world of theatre — through his friends.”
Here is how the invitation is formulated: “Join us as we embark upon the theatrical trail in Southern Ontario, from the vibrant metropolis of Toronto to the quaint streets of Stratford, from the rolling hills of the Niagara wine region to the well trodden stages of the renowned Shaw Festival.”
Guests will visit Timothy Findley’s private study; they will have tea with his former life partner William Whitehead. They will have breakfast with the producer of one of the plays and actually take part in a rehearsal at Stratford in the afternoon, to experience what it is like to be an actor.
Of course, there is a trail for everyone out there. What matters is that you find the one which suits you best.
As spring rolls in, our mind starts gearing up for new adventures. May the path you choose to follow — whatever it may be — bring you the kind of fulfillment you so richly deserve.
As my friend and dog mushing veteran of many races on trails intented for hardier folks Brad Muir would wish for you:
“Long may you run!”
Click here for more information on hiking, cycling and horseback riding
Click here for more information on cross country skiing and snowmobiling
Tourism trails, it seems, enjoy a kind of renaissance these days, as a way for regions to articulate their tourism offerings along themes that target specific consumer groups.
But not all trails are created equal. Some, like the ever-evolving Trans Canada Trail, propose an alternate passage across Canada — the labour of love of volunteers from all over the nation.
Once completed, the Trans Canada Trail will be a shared-use recreational trail that will wind its way through every province and territory. It will be the longest trail of its kind in the world, spanning approximately 18,078 kilometres; and accommodating five core activities: walking, cycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Other trails have more of a less travelled road function, proposed as itineraries in guidebooks around iconic destinations as a way to go off the beaten path. Reader’s Digest’s Back Roads and Getaway Places of Canada comes to mind as a resource worth mentioning.
A more recent publishing development is Jacques Dorion’s Les Terroirs du Québec, roughly translated as The Soils of Quebec. The groundbreaking work is not so much a pedology treatise — as the name would suggest — as an insightful look at Quebec’s regions with a view to allowing visitors to discover how over 400 years of agricultural activities have produced distinctive flavours in ciders, raw milk cheeses, poultries, sausages and pâtés, endowed with rich character and ready for the palate.
At the other end of the spectrum, are the trails born to market destinations. Between the Rocky Mountains and the Canadian prairie, in the high ranching country of Alberta, is the historic Cowboy Trail. This 700 km route along highway 22 is a noteworthy source of western vacations and adventures. The creators of this path to Western enlightenment propose stays at a guest ranches or working ranch experiences offered as farm and ranch vacations.
Experience a horseback trail ride or pack trip with an outfitter into some of Alberta’s prettiest country. Take in a rodeo, festival or a pow-wow for a day. And if you are hungry for more, there is always the Boomtown Trail.
This one is my favourite because of the linkages with what is known on the Prairies as the Steel. Boomtown Trail communities sprang to life almost overnight around a century ago, spurred on by the expansion of the railways. This rapid development led to a very distinctive style of architecture, characterized by a grandly designed front, covering a more humble building behind it.
Known as Boomtown architecture, it was typical of many buildings in the North American west at the turn of the 20th century. As proponents of Great Plains settlement studies will tell you, it is becoming more and more of a rarity to see false fronts now anywhere other than in the movies.
This observer and trail enthusiast would venture to say that trails are coming of age these days. They are increasing in their specialization and complexity as tourism offerings, to the point where they no longer need to be trails and can assume an identity all their own as consumer experiences.
Toronto’s Horizon & Co. is the leading small group luxury tour operator in Canada. After having launched their very successful New York on Stage in December, an exploration of the theatre of New York City through the eyes of an established theatre director; the hottest Broadway shows; a chat with a Broadway manager and private workshops and meals at the swankiest restaurants in the Theatre District, Horizon & Co. now proposes Ontario on Stage.
Markus Schale is President of Horizon & Co.
“This fits in with the overall direction our company embraced when it moved to more experiential products. We wanted to bring in someone with expertise in the theatre world who could take our guests literally behind-the-scenes. We hired a theatre director who makes the theatre come to life — who has privileged access to the world of theatre — through his friends.”
Here is how the invitation is formulated: “Join us as we embark upon the theatrical trail in Southern Ontario, from the vibrant metropolis of Toronto to the quaint streets of Stratford, from the rolling hills of the Niagara wine region to the well trodden stages of the renowned Shaw Festival.”
Guests will visit Timothy Findley’s private study; they will have tea with his former life partner William Whitehead. They will have breakfast with the producer of one of the plays and actually take part in a rehearsal at Stratford in the afternoon, to experience what it is like to be an actor.
Of course, there is a trail for everyone out there. What matters is that you find the one which suits you best.
As spring rolls in, our mind starts gearing up for new adventures. May the path you choose to follow — whatever it may be — bring you the kind of fulfillment you so richly deserve.
As my friend and dog mushing veteran of many races on trails intented for hardier folks Brad Muir would wish for you:
“Long may you run!”
Click here for more information on hiking, cycling and horseback riding
Click here for more information on cross country skiing and snowmobiling
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