Family travel trends: Canada's Festivals by Rail

Canadians are finally setting their sights on the vitality and new life that summer brings. Nothing conveys this new spirit and vigor better than Canada's summer festival season. From Ontario to the Maritimes, an endless festival of fun, entertainment, culture and cuisine is to be enjoyed.

In an effort to experience as many festivals as possible, travelers across the country are planning ahead and looking for creative ways to attend some of our most exciting summer events.

Jane Gordon, an executive from Toronto, devised a unique vacation plan for her family with the help of VIA Rail. "We picked the train because it's a fabulous way to festival-hop in comfort and convenience during the summer vacations," Gordon explained. "It's a very relaxing and enjoyable trip, especially in first class. With the train we're going from downtown to downtown and we don't have to worry about the stress of driving and parking."

Their planned itinerary starts off with the Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa on July 1st. They follow that national party with the Internationally acclaimed Jazz Festival in Montreal and then the summer festival in Quebec City, before finally returning home.

Jane's family is not alone in choosing the train. According VIA's Malcolm Andrews, Senior Advisor, External Communications, more and more travelers are leaving the driving to VIA when it comes to taking in the festival season.

"Street performers in Halifax and Toronto, Atlantic seafood in Moncton, jazz in Montreal, the Festival d'été in Quebec City…More people are finding the most convenient, comfortable and sensible way to do it all is by train," Andrews added.

That's because there are big savings for families choosing the train. Children aged between two and 11, teenagers from 12 to 17, full-time students of any age and seniors aged 60 and over enjoy substantial discounts with VIA. While babies and infants under 24 months travel for free.

The Quebec City to Windsor Corridor is VIA's busiest artery, and its trains ply the leg frequently. The Ocean, VIA Rail's service between Montreal and Halifax, is the ideal way to take in the summer festivals of Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

The following are some of the major summer festivals and special events along the Corridor and Ocean routes:

• From June 26 – July 6: The International Jazz Festival in Montreal.

• From July 3-13: The Quebec City Summer Festival.

• From July 10-20: The Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal.

• From July 4-6: The Toronto Street Festival.

• From August 7-17: The Buskers Festival in Halifax.

• From August 20-24: Moncton's annual Atlantic Seafood Festival.

For further information visit www.viarail.ca  or call 1-888-VIA-RAIL.

- News Canada

For more information on VIA Rail Canada's Services, Fares and policies for Families go to VIA Rail Canada - Policies, Fares and Services for Children

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