TORONTO, March 23, 2021 /CNW/ -- After a year in
which vacations were few or far between, what better way to ease
back into travelling than by choosing a destination where you're
sure to receive a warm welcome? While travel remains restricted
across many parts of the country, as travellers continue to dream
and stay inspired about future trips for when possible again,
Expedia.ca ® is helping narrow down the possibilities by ranking
the friendliest Canadian towns and cities for 2021.
Did a local provide an outstanding dinner recommendation? Were
you greeted with smiles and hellos (or at least smiling eyes over a
mask)? Was there just overall feel-good energy? These might be some
of the random acts of friendliness that earned these cities and
towns the highest mentions of "friendly, friendliest, amiable," and
other word associations and related linguistic connections based on
Expedia.ca traveller reviews from January
2019 to December 2020.
20 of the Top Friendliest Towns and Cities in Canada (plus what to do) according to Expedia
users include:
- Radium Hot Springs, British
Columbia A perfect spot to experience the great
outdoors, and for those that enjoy hiking, there are many trails in
the area to explore.
- Digby, Nova Scotia
Experience the east coast, and grab a bite to eat at a local
restaurant.
- Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Ontario Visit this quaint town in Ontario filled with lots of restaurants and
wineries for the perfect weekend away.
- Baddeck, Nova Scotia An
east coast escape on Cape Breton
Island.
- Drumheller, Alberta
Visit the dinosaur capital of the world.
- Saint John, New
Brunswick Soak in the picturesque views of the Bay of
Fundy.
- Gatineau, Quebec Take
in the sites and landscape of this western Quebec city that neighbours Ottawa, and is close to many trails.
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
Calling all outdoor enthusiasts! Thunder
Bay is full of adventure and activities all year
long.
- Banff, Alberta Explore
Banff National Park through a
guided walking tour.
- Charlottetown, Prince Edward
Island Stay in a quaint inn in PEI.
- Whistler, British
Columbia For those that love biking tours, Whistler has plenty of options.
- Osoyoos, British
Columbia A peaceful escape surrounded by nature and
many local wineries.
- La Malbaie, Quebec
Relax in the stunning region of Charlevoix.
- Nanaimo, British
Columbia A place to take in and feel that fresh ocean
air.
- Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
Stroll through the pedestrian village at the base of
Mont Tremblant.
- St. John's, Newfoundland
and Labrador Full of history
and charm, a must-see when visiting the province.
- Gananoque, Ontario A
jumping off point to experience the 1000 islands.
- Canmore, Alberta
Stay in the mountains and take in the breathtaking views.
- Stratford, Ontario A
relaxing escape for those looking for some creative
inspiration.
- Fernie, British
Columbia Adventure in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
In addition to promising the friendliest experience, these
outdoorsy and smaller cities and towns are right in line with
Expedia's future travel trends, as travellers look for domestic and
provincial options that provide more room to spread out, once
travel resumes again.
Tips for travellers in planning and dreaming for the
future:
- Check restrictions including testing requirements, stay-at-home
orders, and quarantine requirements for both local and national
destinations before you go.
- Review safety measures on Expedia.ca by using the "Enhanced
Cleaning" filter to narrow search results including improved
cleaning, contactless check-in, social distancing and more.
- Choose flexibility by filtering for "free cancellation" or
"reserve now, pay later" and making sure to select a refundable
room type.
With COVID-19, it's important to stay safe and up to date on the
latest travel guidance and restrictions. Find out what to expect,
how to find flexible travel and other information on the Expedia
COVID-19 travel guide.
*Friendliest Cities list based on cities and towns with the
highest percentage of positive traveller reviews mentioning words
like "friendly, friendliest, amiable" from January
2019 – December 2020.
About Expedia
Expedia is one of the world's largest full-service travel sites,
helping millions of travellers per month easily plan and book
travel. Expedia aims to provide the latest technology and widest
selection of top vacation destinations, affordable airfare, hotel
deals, car rentals, destination weddings, cruise deals and
in-destination activities, attractions, services and travel
apps.
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Source: Brand Expedia.
SOURCE Expedia.ca