This text is part of the special Pleasures notebook
News from the tourism world, here and elsewhere.
Christmas at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
It’s not just the Christmas markets that are worth visiting in Europe at this time of year. In London, Christmas at Kew has become a holiday classic. The three kilometer long light trail takes place at dusk in the gardens created in 1759. I had the opportunity to experience it at the 10th edition last winter. We meet both families and couples, both English and tourists, all generations together.
This year, eight new installations will be added to the site’s natural architecture and enhanced by the decorations. For the first time, contemporary artwork ‘The Hive’, depicting life in a beehive, will be part of the route. The multisensory creation of the British artist Wolfgang Buttress creates a connection to a real bee colony. The thousand LED lamps are brought to life by the vibrations of the insects living in the gardens. They shine this winter thanks to a new soundscape designed for the occasion.
In an effort to provide the most environmentally friendly experience possible, the team managed to use half as much energy in 2022 as they did in 2021. All generators now run – using as little as possible – with HVO biofuel (hydrotreated vegetable oil ) powered by renewable diesel made from vegetable fats and oils.
At the time of writing, it was still possible to get tickets. And yes, it is better to dress (very) warmly! Until January 7, 2024.
Nantes in winter
In Nantes we never tire of discovering the hundred works of public art scattered throughout the city. If you plan to take advantage of Air Transat’s direct flights, which have increased their connection from Montreal to one year, there’s another reason to get there before January 7: The Winter Journey, a festival version of the artistic journey that has been taking place since then takes place in summer 2012. Christmas markets, concerts and various activities complement the program of must-see sights such as the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany and Les Machines de l’île, inspired by the “invented worlds” of Jules Verne and the mechanical universe of Leonardo da Vinci. The most poetic image of this second winter edition of Voyage à Nantes, according to Jean Blaise, general director of the local joint stock company (SPL)? The four bells are on loan from the royal Fontevraud Abbey. The bells, engraved by artists, hang at water level in the moat and “ring and create waves in the winter light”. Of course, we take the opportunity to also stop at the city’s emblematic places, such as the magnificent Art Nouveau brasserie La Cigale and the Passage Pommeraye, a shopping arcade whose construction began in 1840.
Via Rail launches its new reservation platform
Slowly (like its trains, evil tongues say) Via Rail is moving towards better use of technology. The new reservation platform’s more intuitive user interface allows you to quickly identify departure days and the cheapest prices directly in the calendar when selecting dates. In addition, it is now possible to select your own seat using a map of the car and indicate various specific needs, for example if you are traveling with a pet. Also note that, unlike its predecessor, this new reservation system is designed to evolve. Can we now dream of more efficient WiFi on board?
Not new, but still nice!
This content was created by Le Devoir’s Special Publications team, reporting to Marketing. The editors of Le Devoir did not take part.