From all economic and anecdotal indicators, the ‘Great Canadian Road Trip’ will be the vacation theme of summer of 2016. So far, gasoline prices are lower than they were last summer and the Canadian dollar, while gaining ground in relation to the US dollar, is still well below par. This is great news for Americans, visitors from overseas and Canadians too.
The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) recently substantiated this ‘Road Trip’ premise when it quoted a study from Choice Hotels Canada which says, “88% of Canadians plan to travel within the country in the next two years and a full 92% of Canadians with kids plan a Canada trip in the next little while.”
You can bet that a great majority of those trips will include a visit to a public garden or two, and many people from Canada and around the world will find those gardens on the Canada’s Garden Route, the only Canadian website dedicated to showcasing the gardens and garden experiences of the country.
Garden Experiences are part our ‘cultural terroir’
Alexander Reford, director of Quebec’s Reford Gardens/Jardins de Métis and chair of the Canadian Garden Council says, “Whether you travel to a particular destination to see a specific garden, as millions of people do the world over, or include a couple of garden experiences to check out while you’re travelling – you’re part of an international movement exploring what makes a destination distinctive, authentic and memorable, and this includes its gardens. It’s all about experiencing the essence of a destination – its ‘cultural terroir’ – and, in so doing, being enriched both intellectually and emotionally.
Today’s public gardens are so much more than pretty plants & flowers
Our country’s public gardens have come a long way since the last century! Not only do they showcase some of the finest examples of horticulture on the planet, but they also have all sorts of events and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Things like: sunrise yoga, free music concerts, kid-specific activities, pig roasts, afternoon teas, late night fireworks and so much more. The ‘events’ button on the websites of the country’s gardens are well worth checking out as they’re full of interesting, creative and downright exciting events planned for the enjoyment of the visiting public.