Five cool-cations you should consider in 2025
Flight Centre Canada's recent research showed that Canadians are more concerned about weather disrupting their travel plans than ever. It turns out that concern is quite real. More vacations are actually getting disrupted by bad weather than ever before. That doesn't mean you can't travel.
This era of travel is also seeing the rise of cool-cations, holidays to cooler locations in their off-seasons. Flight Centre Canada included a list of ten great cool-cation destinations, all of which are intriguing. That being said, a few of them stood out above the rest for good reason for Canadians.
Riga, Latvia
As a country, Latvia isn't exactly high on most people's travel lists. Maybe it should be. This small European country offers a relaxed atmosphere that mixes urban amenities and rural charm. Riga is the capital city of the country, home to stunning architecture and numerous museums. It's also a great place to experience the unique flavors of Latvian cuisine.
Churchill, Manitoba
Heading into Northern Manitoba seems like a bad idea. But if you're into nature, fishing, and endless outdoor activities, this is the place to go. Tours to Churchill in particular are becoming more popular, particularly among Canadians. Being right on Hudson Bay offers great opportunities for wildlife spotting, particularly beluga whales and polar bears.
Portland, Maine
Depending on what you're interested in, there really is no off-season in traveling to Maine. Hunting, fishing, boating, winter sports, wildlife spotting, and more can be done at different times of year, depending on what you choose. Sampling the seafood in Portland is always a great idea. It also has several museums and landmarks to explore, in addition to being a starting point for many great tours.
Yellowknife, NWT
Not a lot of Canadians make the trip to the Northwest Territories. The extreme north of the country doesn't tend to get the number of tourists it should, likely because people don't think there's much to do. They couldn't be more wrong. Yellowknife provides unique opportunities to learn about Inuit culture as well as one of the most interesting environments on Earth.
Ladakh, India
Ladakh is a region in the far north of India. Given its location, it's been involved in a political dispute between India, Pakistan, and China for decades. That doesn't mean it isn't safe to visit. It's close to the Great Himalayas and the Kashmiri mountains, so you have tons of gorgeous mountains, plains, and lakes as well as monasteries and more. It is a region filled with natural beauty and cutural wonders.