It's time for a cruise to Canada's majestic north

Canada's majestic north has many bewildering and pristine coastlines and landscapes. If you want to truly get away this summer without leaving the country, Exclusive Tours -representing Inuit owned-and-operated Cruise North Expeditions -has savings of $1,000 U.S. to $2,000 U.S. per person on low deck cabins on two northern Labrador and Arctic cruises if you book by June 15.

The Spirit Mountains tour sails July 2-13 and departs St. John's, NL, and travels to Kuujjuaq, Que. Along the way, you'll visit the 1,830-metre high Torngat Mountain range with its uncharted fjords, narrow channels and breathtaking views of sea ice and icebergs. On zodiac boats or hiking, the journey into the Hudson Strait also offers close encounters with polar bears, seals and whales. You can get a one-way flight from Montreal to St. John's for around $250. The tour company can arrange for a flight back to Montreal from Kuujjuaq for $570 U.S. With the savings, the total price for this trip -with flights -would be about $3,215 U.S. Taxes are extra. The High Arctic trip sails Aug. 19-29 from Kuujjuaq to Resolute Bay, Nunavut. (The company offers flights from Montreal to Kuujjuaq and back from Resolute Bay to Montreal for $1,740.) This adventure takes you to the top of the world, and features some of the Arctic's most spectacular scenery, including jagged mountain peaks, treeless valleys and cascading glaciers. You'll also probably see seals, walrus, beluga whales and the rare narwhal. The trip, with the savings and airfare included, comes to $7,335 U.S. Both trips are on the Lyubov Orlova, an expedition vessel with a capacity of 122 passengers and 63 crew. Average temperatures in the summer hover between 9C and 18C. Food and shore excursions are included in the price. For more details, contact your travel agent or Exclusive Tours at 800-268-1820, or visit www.exclusivetours.ca.

Vermont culture and heritage days. Our stateside neighbours are celebrating their past and current traditions through July 5 with a range of activities that will make you want to roll out your Ben & Jerry's ice cream T-shirt, or buy one. On Vermont Days, June 12-13, all state parks and historical sites offer free admission, and June 12 is the one day of the year when residents and non-residents can fish in the state without a licence. Other events to look for: the Strolling of the Heifers, the Vermont Dairy Festival and Independence Day celebrations throughout the state. The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing will be offering tickets and products on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/VermontTourism).For more information and lodging suggestions, visit www.VermontVacation.com.For other lodging specials, like a room for two at the Stowe Inn & Tavern for $105 U.S. per night or a room for two at the Essex Resort & Spa with a bottle of chilled wine awaiting you in your room, a three-course dinner and breakfast for $284 U.S. per night, visit www.vtliving.com/lodging/packages.

Quebec bed & breakfasts and

country inns. A group of 365 Quebec B&Bs and inns has a website with nifty vacation ideas. Say you want to get away for some rest and relaxation. Just click on the appropriate box and indicate the region you want to visit. You could book a room for two nights at the Baker's Inn just downstream from Quebec City for two people for $132.95, including a five-course gourmet meal. Built in 1840, the five-room Baker's Inn has been carefully restored; each room has a private bathroom and antique furniture. Or, if you want to spend your days bicycling in the Laurentians, you could book two nights at the Maison de Baviere in Val David for two people for $200. The inn is next to the Riviere du Nord and borders Le P'tit train du Nord, a 230-kilometre linear park and bikeway along an old railway. For more B&B and country inn ideas, visit www.inns-bb.com.

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. Father's Day is June 20, but the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino has designated June "Father's Month" with three dad-friendly packages. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada chain, the Hyatt is the only resort directly on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Thirty golf courses are within a 45-minute drive. Spend three nights at the Nevada resort and enjoy your fourth summer night free. Room rates begin at $245 U.S. per night. And for boating enthusiasts, the 28th Annual Concours d'Elegance (June 18-20, www.laketahoeconcours.com)is North America's premier wooden boat show and includes more than 100 meticulously restored "woodies." As an official sponsor, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe is offering a weekend rate of $199 U.S. per night. For more on the resort's summer leisure packages, call 775-832-1234 or visit www.laketahoe.hyatt.com.

Canadian hotel savings. Great-CanadianHotels.comis offering discounted rates and free nights at 24 hotels and resorts across Canada with its "Wake Up to Canada" promotion through Sept. 8. Stay for two nights or more and receive a free night on your next stay at that hotel. Vouchers are transferable to family and friends. And if you book by June 30, you receive a $40 food and beverage credit to spend in the hotel restaurant, lounge or room service. The nightly hotel rates start from $89. Popular vacation destinations include Victoria from $125, Edmonton from $95, Ottawa from $119 and Quebec City from $109. For more information, visit www.GreatCanadianHotels.comor call 888-422-6232.