HAPPENING NOW:

Planning a vacation? 3 places to travel to in Canada and abroad

Share this story...

Travel is finally back on the radar for many people thanks to recent government announcements.

For some it will mean trips further abroad and for others it may mean still sticking close to home. Whichever you choose, National Geographic contributing writer Heather Greenwood Davis joined Sylvie Lendvay on Morning Live to share a few places you should add to your list.

Churchill, Manitoba

If you love cute animals and exploring Canada, the town of Churchill in Manitoba may be a great place for you.

Davis said she travelled there to see polar bears. In total, her and thousands of other tourists saw 40 of these white, fluffy bears.

“Sounds great except we were visiting fairly late in the season, which hits its peak in October, and really should have seen only a few,” she said.

The reason for this is global warming, according to Davis. The sea ice that the bears need to hunt and survive was more than 40 days late in forming. As a result, the bears were plentiful on land and getting hungrier by the day.

It can take months to reserve a spot to see the polar bears, but Davis said you can support the researchers there without leaving your home.

Scientists with Polar Bears International head out in a specially equipped tundra buggy, conduct the research and experiments, and share their findings through live cameras.

Canada Goose created a line of jackets and gear that speak to their more than 10-year partnership with Polar Bears International, where they have raised more than five million dollars for conservation and outreach work.

Arcana Mirrored Cabins

If you want to stay close to home, try visiting these mirrored cabins just two hours away from Toronto.

Arcana is in a secret location revealed only to guests. They have three mirrored cabins in the woods, a private sauna with an incredible view of the outdoors and a private pavilion you can book for a cozy analog experience complete with a record player and tea ceremony.

The 275-square-foot cabins are made with a reflective, polished stainless steel and are almost invisible in the surrounding forest.

Saba, Netherlands

For people who are craving warm weather, Davis recommended Saba, a special municipality of the Netherlands.

But the island isn’t located in the Netherlands. It’s actually a 13-minute flight from Saint Martin in the Caribbean Sea.

“The scenery is stunning,” she said. “Perfect for hikes in rainforest and cloud forest. It’s also a favourite for divers and perfect for a day trip from Saint Martin.”

If you do get to stay, Davis said to consider booking the Haiku House in Troy Hill, which overlooks the capital city, has a pool and deck, three bedrooms and a hot tub.