As a Canadian, are you thinking about heeding the calls from our fearless political leaders asking us stay within our country’s borders when exploring luxury travel options this spring?
Dominating the news this weekend was the threat of a 25% tariff by the new U.S. Trump administration against Canada, which would have devastating impacts on the Canadian economy. Yesterday President Donald Trump announced he was pausing the threat for 30 days after a discussion with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, after getting what he felt were concessions around border security. Trade between the two countries accounts for 77% of Canadian goods exports, with the U.S. being the country of origin for 44% of imports into Canada. A tariff, or tax on those exports into the U.S., would kneecap that, leading to hundreds of thousands of lost jobs north of the border.
Canada under Prime Minister Trudeau had threatened 25% tariffs against $155 billion worth of U.S. goods coming into Canada as retaliation. On Saturday he held a news conference in Ottawa listing all the ways everyday Canadians could join the resistance. One of those that stood out for Regarding Luxury was encouraging Canadians to travel within Canada and skip U.S. travel. Never mind the fact the current value of the Canadian dollar against its U.S. counterpart – 69.65 cents – makes its financially dire to travel south for most.
Still, that got us thinking about 7 suggestions for springtime travel within Canada, from folks who have worked with us.
Luxury Travel Trends
The people at InsureMyTrip did a study that they sent to us, analyzing data from top travel brands and tour operators, compiling a list of the leading travel trends for 2025:
- Group Trips
From all-women group travel to Zillenials seeking to meet new friends IRL (in real life) who are turning to group travel. - Not-Hot or Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations
This is for tourists who have an appetite for lesser-visited places not crowded by over-tourism. “Destination dupe” locations similar to hot spots are gaining popularity. - Calmcations or Quiet Escapes
Vacations that focus on creating a sense of tranquility where you can step away from the clamour of everyday life, including technology. - Noctourism (Nocturnal and Tourism)
Nighttime travel experiences, from museums that are open late to bioluminescent beaches to watching northern lights.
Luxury Travel to the Gateway of the North: North Bay
You can cover at the very last three of those four travel trend items with a trip to North Bay.
North Bay is the gateway to Northern Ontario, with a population of just over 50,000 people, a 3.5-hour drive north of Toronto (a four-hour drive west of Ottawa). It’s perched on the east shores of Lake Nipissing. There’s no better place in Canada than North Bay for picturesque landscapes, with its lakes, rolling hills and forests.
But in the spring? As the snow melts, North Bay comes alive with vibrant greenery, blooming wildflowers, and calming lake views. Trails like the Duchesnay Falls Trail offer waterfall views, while the Laurier Woods Conservation Area is great for birdwatching and a peaceful nature walk. Spring is an ideal time to get out onto Lake Nipissing, whether you’re into fishing, kayaking, or just taking in the sunsets. The warmer weather makes it a great time to explore the shoreline and nearby islands.
And it’s a time to come out of winter hibernation. Spring in North Bay often brings farmers’ markets, community festivals, and art shows. You can check out the Capitol Centre for live performances or explore the city’s rich history at the Discovery North Bay Museum.
Sunset Park, North Bay; Photo by Lianhao Qu on Unsplash
Northern Lights: Yukon Bound
Looking for places that foster a deeper connection to nature? It’s why Mount Logan EcoLodge is seeing a noticeable uptick in bookings from big cities like Toronto and Vancouver, and beyond Canada’s borders. They’re offering direct flights into the area now, to help expedite people’s arrivals there. Nestled at the foot of the Mount Logan mountains in the Yukon, a territory in northwest Canada, next to Alaska, it’s where people are heading to experience the “healing power of nature”.
Mount Logan EcoLodge is located in Haines Junction, a town located along the Alaska Highway, about 100 miles due west of Whitehorse, Yukon’s capital city. There you’ll find a range of accommodations – from spacious luxury suites to unique outdoor accommodations (for a true wilderness experience try a few nights in the mongolian-style yurt on site).
The manager there will play up the cuisine. Guests start their day with a delicious cooked meal with a varying array of choices – like French Toast Topped with Caramelized apples, or Smoked Salmon Eggs Benny. There’s a selection of fresh fruit, yogurt and home made granola. They grow their own herbs and vegetables on site and serve them from June to mid October. Everything is locally sourced. After their day outdoors guests sit down for a three-course dinner.
Natural Beauty Melds with Downtown Living: Sarnia
Ontario is an expansive Canadian province with 15 regions, each with their own unique, off-the-beaten track experiences. One of those is Sarnia-Lambton – due west from London, along Highway 402, just over three hours from Toronto. The city of Sarnia, with a population of over 70,000, sits right on the southern tip of Lake Huron, so there’s the natural wonders of that, plus the fact you’re in a big city. There’s the best of both worlds.
Sarnia is known for its breathtaking waterfront along the St. Clair River and Lake Huron. Spring is a great time to stroll along Centennial Park or the Blue Water Bridge Boardwalk, where you can enjoy fresh air, blooming flowers, and views of passing ships. As the weather warms up, places like Canatara Park come to life with walking and biking trails, sandy beaches, and even a small animal farm for families. The Howard Watson Nature Trail is also perfect for cycling and birdwatching.
Sarnia’s farmers’ markets start to thrive in the spring, offering fresh local produce and artisanal goods. Plus, events like the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Sarnia bring live music, art exhibits, and great food—perfect for soaking in the local culture.
East Coast Charm: Edmundston
Time to take the cover off the luxury car that’s been storage for months and head east as the weather warms up. Edmundston, New Brunswick, sits right along the U.S. border, with Maine to the south, and right along the Quebec border to the west. Edmundston is the entry point, the gateway to Canada’s east coast region – New Brunswick, then Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island further east, and Newfoundland northeast from there.
Spring brings Edmundston’s landscapes to life, making it perfect for exploring De La République Provincial Park, where you can hike, bike, and enjoy fresh spring air. The park’s scenic trails offer stunning views of the Madawaska River and surrounding forests as they wake up from winter. The New Brunswick Botanical Garden is a must-visit in the spring as flowers start blooming, filling the gardens with color and fragrance. It’s a peaceful and beautiful place to walk around and admire themed gardens, sculptures, and even a butterfly house.
Like some of the other locations we have highlighted, outdoor markets start to pop up again around this time. Spring marks the return of farmers’ markets and food festivals, where you can try local Acadian specialties like ployes (buckwheat pancakes). You can also explore the Petit-Sault Blockhouse, a historic site offering a glimpse into Edmundston’s past, or visit local microbreweries for fresh craft beer.
The Southern B.C. Wilderness
According to statistics, more younger people are turning to recreational vehicles to take a holiday. Go Rving Canada says says 67 per cent used to be under the age of 55 but that number is growing. Now more people under the age of 35 are coming to it. Nowhere is the marriage of RVing and natural beauty more on display than British Columbia’s interior, in places like Princeton, located on the banks of the Similkameen and Tulameen Rivers, 100 miles southwest of Kelowna, 75 miles north of the Washington state border.
A town of around 3,000, Princeton’s RV park and camping site is jammed from Victoria Day through Labour Day, and gets another bump from European tourists through the fall. People travel there because Princeton is a real representation of how people envision B.C.’s interior when they read about it or see it portrayed on social media. It’s the postcard experience.
People go there for outdoor recreation – hiking the Trans Canada Trail (Kettle Valley Rail Trail), a scenic, historic route with breathtaking views of the Tulameen River, or fishing or kayaking on the Similkameen River. Manning Provincial Park, just a short drive away, is a must-visit for alpine hiking, wildlife spotting, and stunning landscapes.
The region’s diverse landscapes include rolling grasslands, pine forests, and dramatic river canyons, offering endless photo opportunities and quiet places to reconnect with nature.
Time Machine Back Into History: Old Montreal
Old Montreal is one of our nation’s jewels – over 370 years old, when it was first a fur-trade town, now a cosmopolitan city. Old Montreal was declared a “historic district” in 1964. Your arrival there marks a re-generation of sorts. As the snow melts and flowers bloom, Old Montreal’s cobblestone streets and historic buildings come alive with energy. It’s all about atmosphere there – The weather is perfect for strolling through Place Jacques-Cartier, Rue Saint-Paul, and along the Old Port without the summer crowds.
Terraces and patios open up, so you can enjoy a coffee, cocktail, or French pastry al fresco while soaking in the European-style ambiance. Spring is an ideal time to explore Montreal’s culinary scene. Try classic spots like Olive et Gourmando (for brunch), Maison Christian Faure (for pastries), or a classic smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz’s.
Saving Vancouver?
I ask that because our last visit to Vancouver was awful, and pretty much blew apart all the warm, romantic memories I had from living there in the mid-1990s. My wife and I walked all over the downtown. It was soul-less, filthy, drug-ridden. However, I believe in comebacks. Our hotel, Opus in Yaletown, our regular stopover when we go to Vancouver, is always welcoming. During that last visit it served more as a relaxing respite after those depressing downtown walks.
A drive up the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler during spring is highly recommended, to get away from the downtown. The coastal views of Howe Sound, towering mountains, and lush forests make this one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Stop at scenic viewpoints like Cypress Lookout, Shannon Falls, and Tantalus Range Viewpoint for incredible photos. Spring brings fresh greenery, waterfalls at full flow, and snow-capped peaks, creating a stunning contrast.
I am a 50-something Torontonian who loves everything about my city. It’s been my home, my playground, for my entire life. I went to school here. I met my wife here. I own real estate here. I love writing about the transformation of my city on the world stage, which hasn’t been anything short of dramatic. That continues on, as I write this. I write on the real estate scene. I write on travel and fashion. I like following the world of luxury watches.
But I love writing about cars – check that, luxury cars, a level of superior, engineering sophistication, high performance and style, that transports you not just from one destination to another but also out of whatever you are going through on a particular day, whatever mood you are in, all to another head space. It’s complete and total exhilaration, head to toe.
Check out my stories, and email me direct at mkeast@regardingluxury.com
