A Collaborative Model in the Canadian Arctic

The new excursions, launched for the summer 2025 season, are built on deep collaboration with the Inuit communities of Nunavut, a remote territory only accessible by air or sea. HX’s 25-day Northwest Passage voyages — among the rarest in the world — are the launchpad for these experiences, which are available on westbound sailings from Greenland to Alaska (aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen) and eastbound from Alaska to Greenland (aboard MS Roald Amundsen).

Mariah Erkloo, a Nunavut native and HX Product Planner, emphasized the importance of local ownership and voice:

“This kind of collaboration is exactly what’s needed in Arctic tourism. If this model continues to grow with care, it will strengthen the experience for both locals and visitors. I look forward to seeing the lasting positive impact it will have for our communities and travelers alike.”

How It Works: Revenue for the Community, Experiences for Travelers

In a cruise industry first, HX Expeditions ensures that 100% of excursion revenue is directed to individuals and businesses in Nunavut. This approach is designed to support community economic growth and keep the programs locally owned and operated.

The excursions were crafted with direct input from Inuit Elders and local residents, with each experience designed to reflect the daily lives, traditions, and stories of Nunavut’s people.

What Travelers Can Expect

Guests on HX’s Northwest Passage cruises can choose from a curated set of small-group excursions — typically limited to 10–12 guests per outing. Options include:

• Guided hikes accompanied by Inuit storytelling and discussions on northern life.
• Traditional Arctic char fishing, learning techniques passed down through generations.
• Meaningful cultural exchanges in Pond Inlet, Gjøa Haven, and Cambridge Bay — the three Nunavut communities at the heart of the program.

Excursion prices range from $50 CAD (about $36 USD) to $425 CAD ($305 USD), making these exclusive experiences accessible to a wide range of travelers.

The Future of Exploration: Local Voices at the Center

HX’s Chief Expedition Officer, Alex McNeil, calls this only the beginning:

“These intimate excursions are an opportunity for travellers to create meaningful personal connections with local residents and experience the beauty of Inuit hospitality like never before. We believe the future of exploration lies in collaboration—with the people who have called these regions home for generations.”

With a model built on partnership, respect, and local investment, HX Expeditions is setting a new standard for Arctic tourism — and offering travelers a rare chance to engage with one of the planet’s most remote and resilient cultures.

For detailed itineraries and up-to-date pricing, visit travelhx.com.

The post Inside HX Expeditions’ New Inuit-Led Arctic Excursions: Community, Culture, and 100% Local Impact first appeared on Travel Lyra – Where Travel Stories Spark Your Next Adventure.

Nestled on the western coast of Newfoundland and Labrador – Canada’s easternmost and one of its least populated provinces – Gros Morne is a destination for those in search of solitude and natural beauty. Newfoundland and Labrador covers an astonishing 405,000 square miles but is home to just under 600,000 people, making it a paradise for nature lovers. Interestingly, the province is also home to over 120,000 moose, a species introduced in the early 1900s from New Brunswick for hunting. Today, it boasts one of North America’s largest moose populations, sharing the land with the park’s lucky visitors.

Despite its remote feel, Gros Morne is surprisingly accessible. Travelers can fly directly into Deer Lake Regional Airport from Toronto, then reach the park after just a 25-minute drive. Once there, visitors discover a vast expanse of nearly 700 square miles filled with towering mountains, glacier-carved fjords, surreal barren landscapes, lush forests, and rugged coastal trails. Outdoor enthusiasts can stroll along the Gulf of St. Lawrence, take on the challenge of scaling Gros Morne Mountain for sweeping views of the fjords, or set out on backcountry hikes that require expert navigation and sometimes even a boat to reach the starting point.

Among Gros Morne’s most extraordinary features is the Tablelands, a mysterious, glacially sculpted valley shaped by a rare geological event that pushed parts of the Earth’s mantle to the surface. This billion-year-old landscape is one of only a handful of places on the planet where visitors can witness this phenomenon up close, making it a must-see for geology buffs and curious travelers alike.

Best of all, the crowds are nowhere to be found. With annual visitor numbers under 250,000, chances are high that you’ll have the sweeping views, unique geology, and maybe even a few moose all to yourself.

The post Discover Gros Morne: Canada’s Hidden Gem National Park With Fjords and Wild Landscapes first appeared on Travel Lyra – Where Travel Stories Spark Your Next Adventure.

Many Canadians say recent tariffs on Canadian goods were the tipping point, sparking frustration and resentment over what they see as unfair trade practices. Where cross-border trips and shopping excursions were once routine, families are now weighing the political and economic implications before booking travel to the United States.

The impact is already being felt by airlines and local economies. Major Canadian carriers such as Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter have started to redirect flights away from U.S. cities, adding more domestic routes and canceling underperforming U.S. connections. Flair Airlines stopped flying to Nashville, Air Canada and Air Transat have reduced their American services, and Sunwing has ended all U.S. flights entirely.

Porter Airlines’ chief commercial officer Edmond Eldebs explained, “Our goal is to fly where our customers want to travel, and this is a moment when Canada is at the top of many people’s list. We are adding routes and increasing flights in regions across the country to meet this demand.”

The changes are having a real effect on small U.S. border towns, which are seeing customer drops of up to 43 percent as fewer Canadians cross over to shop or dine. Popular vacation spots in Florida and other states are also feeling the loss, with rental agencies noting a wave of last-minute cancellations by Canadian tourists.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, Canadians are the largest group of international travelers to the U.S., spending $20.5 billion in 2024 and supporting 140,000 American jobs. Even a modest 10 percent reduction in Canadian tourism could eliminate 14,000 jobs and cost the U.S. economy $2.1 billion.

Industry experts warn this is not just a passing phase. Many Canadians are intentionally choosing destinations where they feel welcome and their spending power is appreciated. Melanie Fish of Expedia noted, “Canadian travelers are increasingly interested in summer travel to destinations like Europe, Japan, and sunny spots such as Mexico and the Dominican Republic.” Domestic travel is also booming, with Canadians opting to rediscover cities like Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, and Toronto, along with trending spots such as Tofino, St. John’s, Nanaimo, and Gaspésie.

For a growing number of Canadians, this summer is about celebrating their own country, whether that means hiking the majestic Rockies in British Columbia or relaxing on Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coast. As political divisions and economic tensions continue, America may find itself missing its northern neighbors in more ways than one.

The post Canadians Shift Travel Plans Away From U.S. Amid Political Tensions, Border Issues, and Tariffs first appeared on Travel Lyra – Where Travel Stories Spark Your Next Adventure.

BookRetreats’ Holiday Relaxation Report: A Global Ranking of Peace

In early December, BookRetreats — a leading platform for wellness and retreat bookings — unveiled its Holiday Relaxation Report. The goal? To identify the world’s most peaceful and restorative travel destinations. The team evaluated 76 locations across five core criteria: safety, solitude, serenity, natural environment, and wellness infrastructure.

How the Rankings Were Determined

The methodology included nine data points such as:

• Percentage of protected land
• Forest coverage
• Population density
• Noise and light pollution
• National peacefulness index
• Number of wellness experiences available

Each destination received a final score out of 100, helping BookRetreats narrow down the most restful corners of the world. And in North America, Canada was the undisputed leader — and the only entry from the continent to make it into the global top 25.

Canada: Nature’s Retreat

Ranked second overall globally — just behind Australia — Canada emerged as a sanctuary for those seeking calm. BookRetreats praised its immense biodiversity, citing a Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII) above 90 percent, putting it in the company of conservation standouts like Finland, Sweden, and Norway. A BII above 90 suggests not only a rich natural habitat, but one that’s resilient and minimally disturbed by human activity.

Solitude in Every Square Kilometer

Canada’s vast geography supports just 3.9 people per square kilometer — a dream statistic for travelers who want to escape crowds. This low density earned the country the fifth spot globally for solitude, just behind Iceland, Namibia, Australia, and Mongolia.

The report also ranked Canada ninth for safety and sixth for wellness — metrics that help reinforce its status as a holistic travel destination. Whether you’re camping under the aurora in Yukon or unwinding at a silent lakeside retreat in Ontario, the country offers something for every type of wellness seeker.

Wellness Without Borders

One of Canada’s standout qualities is its commitment to holistic experiences. BookRetreats highlighted Canada’s 4,724 wellness-related activities, including thermal springs in the Rockies, nature-based yoga escapes, and mindfulness retreats embedded in the wilderness. In fact, it beat out Australia in this specific category, underscoring its growing presence in the global wellness travel space.

How Canada Compares Globally

While Canada claimed the top spot in North America, it held its own globally, securing the second place overall behind Australia. Here’s how the top 10 most relaxing destinations shaped up:

• 1. Australia
• 2. Canada
• 3. Iceland
• 4. Finland
• 5. New Zealand
• 6. Austria
• 7. Sweden
• 8. Estonia
• 9. Norway
• 10. Portugal

Additional noteworthy mentions include Botswana (11), Japan (15), Malaysia (20), and Namibia (23) — proving that relaxation is not confined to one continent or climate.

A Perfect Escape, Closer Than You Think

Whether you’re watching the northern lights dance over a frozen lake or soaking in a geothermal pool beneath alpine peaks, Canada offers a different kind of luxury — one built on stillness, space, and natural beauty. In an increasingly busy world, the country provides the ultimate invitation to slow down and reconnect with what matters most.

The post This Is the Most Relaxing Destination in North America — With Crystal-clear Lakes, Northern Lights, and Untouched Wilderness first appeared on Travel Lyra – Where Travel Stories Spark Your Next Adventure.