This past winter was one of the longest, coldest and most unpredictable we’ve experienced in recent history. Honestly, Polar Vortex’s visit was brutal!

We have just begun to enjoy the first days of spring but the wind and snow that fell a couple of days ago made us want to fast forward to the most beautiful and most awaited season of the year: SUMMER!

I don’t know about you but for me it means that I need to prepare my vehicle for the upcoming road trips I will be going on (and I also intend of enjoying every minute of it!).

As you know driving is one of my passions in life, so a little bit of planning and preparation way ahead of time makes my heart skip a beat and I simply can’t wait to hit the road!

That’s why it is such an honor and a great pleasure to announce that I’ve teamed up with Best Western International, the world’s largest hotel chain, for the I Dream of Summer campaign!

Are you curious to know where I would like to go? *Hint, it has a common theme: water* 😉

Without further ado, let me present you my Summer 2014 Travel Wish List. I hope this inspires and encourages you to go out there, explore and enjoy the beautiful season!

1-    Saguenay Fjord in Saguenay-Lac St-Jean

As you know, some people say that first you truly need to appreciate what you have in your own backyard and I find that to be true.

Last year I had the wonderful opportunity of traveling to Helsinki, Finland and on my flight back home, I saw the Fjords in Norway from the air. It was stunning!

I remembered that we do have our own, and the only one in North America, right here in my province of Quebec. So I said to myself “hey, why not go there when it’s so close to where I live”? No one close to me has ever gone, so this would make an awesome family trip.

I am sure it will leave me speechless and I will take photos to my heart’s content!

2-    Eastern Canada: New Brunswick and Nova Scotia

For as long as I can possibly remember, I have always wanted to go to Eastern Canada but since my travels have taken me to the four corners of the world, I have never able to go there 😦

Almost everyone I know has been and I’ve heard nothing but great things about the beauties and attractions found in that part of the country!

Those who know me know that I just LOVE being near the water.

I would like to go to sea kayaking in New Brunswick (yes that lesson learned in SW Florida was well worth it!)

And drive along the Cabot Trail

a coastal highway which offers spectacular scenery surrounding Cape Breton in Nova Scotia.

It will certainly open my eyes and allow me to live new experiences and appreciate more what we have at right here at home!

3-    Maine

Why haven’t I been to this beautiful green state that is so close to where I live? That is the question I have asked myself over and over again.

I would love to visit a national park such as:

Swim in pristine lakes, visit small yet charming towns and stroll along beaches on the Atlantic coast (again notice how much I love the ocean!)

4-    Georgian Bay, Ontario

I fell in love with this area a few years ago when I lived and worked in Toronto. Did you know that Wasaga Beach is the longest (14 km/8.7 miles) sweet water beach in North America? Oh did I even mention that it is a sugary white sand and turquoise water beach? Don’t believe me? then look at the photo below.

It’s kind of hard to believe that you are in Canada but you sure are!

Discover Ontario like you never have before 🙂

5-    Canadian Rockies, Alberta

The Canadian Rockies, especially the snow-capped mountains, emerald colored and magnificent lakes, such as Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Alberta,

look spectacular, amazing, out of this world and simply phenomenal. It’s a postcard perfect location that my family and I have always dreamed of.

I am sure the Rockies will blow me away and make me fall in love!

 

So there you have my summer 2014 travel wish list!

Only time will tell what I manage to see and do. Notice that these destinations are in North America and I’ve not even mentioned any of my international trips that I have planned. It gets even more exciting 🙂

Now it’s your turn! You too can create your own I Dream of Summer Travel Wish list by heading over to Facebook and like the Best Western page.

You will be able to create and share your list with family, friends and followers on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram accounts by using #IdreamofSummer and you will be eligible to win a “Dream Summer Vacation” which includes free hotel nights, gas cards and Best Western rewards points!

Do you need help or would you like to ask a question? No problem! Simply compose a tweet along with the above-mentioned hashtag and a Best Western expert might reply! Don’t waste another minute! Go and do it NOW 🙂

Simply can’t wait until the warm, sunny and glorious summer days? Then you’re in luck! Best Western is currently offering the Jump Start to Summer promotion.

From now until May 18^th, Best Western Rewards members who stay two separate times at any of the brand’s more than 4,000 hotels worldwide will earn a $50 USD Best Western Travel Card^® to use for their summer stays. More details can be found here.

 

Special Giveaway!

Would you like to stay at one of their establishments anywhere in North America? I am very happy to offer two $100 USD Best Western Gift cards to 2 lucky winners! Want to participate in the draw?

Here is what you need to do:

1-    Go to like my Facebook Page

2-    Tell me which destination you would like to visit most by using #idreamofsummer in the comments below the post.

3-    Contest is open to residents of the USA and Canada (except Quebec) and it ends on May 9, 2014 – Update: Contest is now closed.

4-    Winners will be drawn at random and will be notified via email or private message.

Good luck everyone!

 

I invite you to follow Best Western® on the following social media channels:

Website: http://bestwestern.com

Rewards: http://bestwesternrewards.com

Blog: http://youmustbetrippin.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/BestWestern

Twitter: http://twitter.com/thebestwestern

Instagram: http://instagram.com/bestwestern

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/thebestwestern

 

I can’t wait to read your I Dream of Summer Travel Wish lists!

Until then, I wish you many safe and happy travels!

Kay 🙂