If you're in Toronto this holiday season, be sure to stop by the Hudson's Bay Company at Queen and Yonge to see this year's festive window displays. In the tradition of Macy's or Bloomingdales in New York City, Toronto's Hudson's Bay Company windows are glorious and detailed works of art that lend a special holiday touch to downtown Toronto.

Related reading:

• Guide to Bay Christmas Windows
• Pictures of "Enchanted Christmas" Window at the Bay
• Holiday Windows at NYC Department Stores

Jolly Ol' Saint Nick will greet the people of Vancouver at this year's Rogers Santa Claus Parade on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 1:00 pm.

The weather looks promising, sunny even, but as always, rain is a definite possibility. Remember though, that umbrellas aren't great for the person standing behind you - stick to lots of waterproof clothing instead.

Related reading:

• Rogers Santa Claus Parade Guide
• Top Things to Do with Kids in Vancouver
  

Porter Airlines is a short-haul carrier serving eight destinations in central / eastern Canada and the U.S. Porter is extraordinary for its "old school" approach to customer service. Imagine free WiFi and cappuccino while you wait for your flight. How about complimentary snacks and your choice of beer or wine - in an actual glass - on your flight. Unheard of these days you say? Not with Porter. Read more about the Porter experience.

Having recently returned from Whistler, I can tell you not only is Whistler open for business, right now is one of the best times to visit this premier ski resort. Why now? In the lead up to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Whistler is all polished up in preparation for its February guests; it's like arriving early to a party and getting the first crack at the best hors d'œuvres and cocktails. Book a stay and ski package now and enjoy skiing Whistler Mountain, venue of the alpine events of the Vancouver Games. Ski and stay packages are cheap (starting from about $100 CDN per person per day in November, December and January) and the snow is falling in record amounts.

Related reading:

• Vancouver Olympics 2010 - Skiing
• Whistler Visitors Guide
• Getting from Vancouver to Whistler

^{Photo of Whistler Mountain on November 19, 2009, courtesy Steve Rogers via Flickr}

It's not the sexiest aspect of the Olympics. It won't bring a tear to your eye like the underdog getting Gold, but it will move you. Transportation at the Olympic Games is something you'll want to learn about if you're going to be in Vancouver or Whistler during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games. The two best bits of advice: plan ahead and don't rely on your car to get around. With no parking at any of the Olympic venues and restrictions on vehicles going to Whistler, public transportation is the way to go.

Related reading:

• Transportation During the Vancouver Olympics
• How To Get From Vancouver to Whistler
• Getting to and from the Vancouver International Airport

This Sunday, about half a million people will hit the streets of Toronto to see the Santa Claus Parade, one of the overall largest parades in the world. Few hotels actually offer rooms from which guests can easily view the parade; however, many hotels have special rates this weekend with late check-out times available.

Related reading:

• Hotels along or Convenient to the Santa Claus Parade Route
• Metropolitan Hotel at CAD$105 per night with free parking
• 2009 Toronto Santa Claus Parade Visitors Guide
• Pictures of the Toronto Santa Claus Parade

The gorgeous resort town of Whistler in British Columbia is about a two-and-a-half hour drive away from Vancouver. What's the best way to get back and forth between these two destinations, especially with loads of ski gear? After talking to bus drivers, taxi drivers, tourism professionals and skiers, I've summarized the best ways to get from Vancouver to Whistler.

^{Photograph: Chris Cheadle / Getty Images}

Many of the best spas in Canada take advantage of the country's vast natural resources. Aqua-Mer Thalassothérapie in Quebec, for example, pumps in sea water from the Chaleurs Bay to use in restorative treatments. Le Scandinave spas in Collingwood and Mont-Tremblant offer Nordic-style water therapy in picturesque Canadian settings.

Related reading:

• Canada's Best Spas
• Ste Anne's Spa
• Spa Etiquette - Stripping & Tipping

Today, November 4, 2009, marks the 100-day countdown till the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

In Whistler where many of the alpine and nordic events are taking place and in the Host City Vancouver, pre-Olympic buzz is tangible. Monday, snow fell on Blackcomb and Whistler mountains, getting people excited for the resort's November 26th opening. Whistler is offering great deals before the games start, including a stay and ski special starting at CAD$88. In addition, did you know that during the Olympics, the ski hills in Whistler are 90% open for business and accommodation is still available for this time.

Related reading:

• Whistler Travel Guide
• Vancouver Travel Guide
• Vancouver 2010 Official Site

Lots of people need it........many people don't. I'm talking about a visa to visit Canada. Applying for a Canada visa is not a huge deal, that is, unless you've forgotten to do it. Be advised you can't get a visa once you've arrived in Canada.

Find out who needs a visa and how to get it done.

Related reading:

• Visa for Canada
• Do U.S. Citizens Need a Passport?
• Passport Equivalents