MANITOBA, Polar Bear Capital of the World
Focus on Canada: By Frances Kiradjian, CEO, North America, TravelMole.com
The Province of Manitoba sits right in the middle of Canada, just above Minnesota. It is known for Churchill, the polar bear capital of the world. Here you have only 6 weeks to visit the bears at the tip of Manitoba which is reachable only by air or rail. Manitoba is full of whales and birds, northern lights and a very vibrant art and cultural scene.
Touching down in the largest city in Manitoba, Winnipeg, I quickly realized that this city had a very rich past that people were very proud of. The Canadians are enormously friendly, helpful and courteous. This was felt immediately by stepping onboard Air Canada. Flights were comfortable and efficient with the best entertainment in the sky. Winnipeg is known for being the Chicago of the north and rightly so with its modern architecture. Connecting in Calgary was easy and the airport was new and nicely designed.
The Travel Manitoba and Destination Winnipeg teams were great hosts and went out of their way to create a great itinerary during my stay in Manitoba. From visiting Winnipeg’s French Quarter with the historic Saint Boniface to a view of Queen Elizabeth’s office in the Legislative Building, all the way to Hecla Island 2 hours north of the city; Manitoba has much to offer the American traveler looking for adventure, history, culture with a European feel.
Recognized as a birder’s paradise, Manitoba attracts two-thirds of Canada’s more than 500 species of birds. Arriving in winter, I missed the birds who fly north in amazing flocks in the hundreds of thousands over lakes, marshes and forests as noted by a visit to the Marsh Hammock Interpretive Center.
A stay on Hecla Island at the Radisson Spa Hotel, newly opened in May, proved relaxing and full of outdoor activities, classes on the study of Hecla’s unique owls, an enormous spa and gourmet kitchen run by a well known European chef. Rooms were well appointed and meeting space was ample for groups.
Reaching the hotel from Winnipeg was a straight shot on a highway dotted with small towns and lakes and very entertaining to watch the ice fishing in the middle of the frozen lake. A real sight for someone coming from California!
Manitoba, a real treat for the senses!
David
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