Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/809166
fact, 100,000 or so lakes and rivers cover about a tenth of the province, providing some of the best freshwater fi shing anywhere. Local waters, furthermore, have yielded many trophy catches over the years. Consider the walleye, Saskatchewan's offi cial provincial fi sh and its most popular game species. An average walleye weighs less than 1.5 kg (3.3 lb.): the world-record holder caught here by an ice fi sherman was an astounding 8.33 kg (18.36 lb.) ( www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/things- to-do/fi shing). 4 BEAR ESSENTIALS: MANITOBA You can see a polar bear just by picking up a "toonie"—the two-dollar coin. But if you want an up-close look at the planet's largest land predators, make tracks for Churchill. This tiny community on the western shore of Hudson Bay is one of the only human settlements where they can be seen in the wild. Because it sits on a polar bear migration route, hundreds pass through as they travel to the ice fl oes in October and November. Cool Tundra Buggies—complete with oversized wheels and an outside viewing platform—take guests to observe them on unforgettable day tours ( www. everythingchurchill.com). 5 THE PLAY'S THE THING: ONTARIO Shakespeare said "All the world's a stage," and Stratford—a small city in southwestern Ontario named for the Bard's birthplace— actually feels like one during its signature event. Each year, from April through October, the Stratford Festival draws nearly half a million theatregoers to four separate venues. Founded in 1953, it had humble beginnings: plays were originally performed in a tent. From the start, however, the festival attracted luminaries from the theatre world. Sir Tyrone Guthrie was its fi rst artistic director and Sir Alec Guinness starred in its inaugural production of Richard III ( www.stratfordfestival.ca). 6 COOL ACCOMMODATIONS: QUÉBEC What beats walking in a winter wonderland? How about sleeping in one? At the Hôtel de Glace, every- thing—including the glittering guest room furniture—is made entirely of ice and snow: 30,500,000 kg (30,500 tons) of it to be exact. Its thick walls act like a thermos, so you can chill without getting too chilly; and the ice-block beds, topped with specially- designed mattresses, thick woolen blankets and Arctic-rated sleeping bags, are très cosy. Built anew each year, the Hôtel de Glace is in Valcartier Vacation Village and open from January to late March ( www.hotel deglace-canada.com). 7 ALLURING LOBSTERS: NEW BRUNSWICK Shediac, a cute Acadian fi shing community, bills itself as the "Lobster Capital of the World." Whether or not that's technically true, this town obviously loves the King of Crustaceans. One is proudly displayed on its coat of arms; another—a 55,000-kg (55-ton) whopper, albeit made from metal—is its main attraction. Moreover, since 1949, it has honoured the catch du jour each July during the fi ve-day Shediac Lobster Festival. The highlight of the event is a nightly contest during which recruits attempt to crack and consume three lobsters as quickly as possible ( www. shediaclobsterfestival.ca). ICE HOTEL, QC • CTC STRATFORD FESTIVAL • ON TOURISM/J. SPEED CHURCHILL, MB • TRAVEL MB 13