Calgary
Join the fun at the Calgary Stampede, a 10-day western showcase in the province of Alberta (about a five-hour drive north from Great Falls, Mont.)
The stampede will feature rodeo competitions, a midway, musical entertainment, chuck-wagon races, and the Indian Village. Last year, the event drew more than a million visitors.
The Stampede has lots of ticket packages available, and although they won't necessarily save you money, they will give you the ease of one-stop shopping.
The cheapest package is $156 per person ($159 Canadian) for a rodeo ticket, park admission, and some goodies. For a place to stay, try the Calgary Convention & Visitors Bureau; it has an extensive hotel search.
When: July 4-13, 2008.
Details: Does not include taxes of 5 percent.
Contact: 800/661-1767, calgarystampede.com.
Prince Edward Island
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of “Anne of Green Gables” at Kindred Spirits Country Inn. The package price includes two nights' accommodations and breakfast daily, plus passes to five historical sites (including the birthplace of author L.M. Montgomery), tickets to “Anne of Green Gables — The Musical” and “Anne & Gilbert — The Musical,” a carriage ride, the book, a hat just like Anne's, and ice cream.
The island has big plans for the anniversary — a brand new venue, the Montgomery Theatre, opens June 20 with performances of the beloved author's inspirations, such as “The Wind in the Willows” and “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Rates start at $254 ($258 Canadian) per room per night.
When: Through Sept. 30, 2008.
Details: Does not include taxes of 15 percent. Double and single bookings available; single rooms start at $354 ($360 Canadian) per room per night.
Contact: 800/461-1755, kindredspirits.ca.
Manitoba
When you book the Yoga Canoe Weekend, you'll be treated to a two-night adventure in Manitoba's Whiteshell Provincial Park, a 90-minute drive east from Winnipeg.
After meeting with your group members on Friday afternoon, you'll head to the backwoods campsite, navigating by canoe around several of the park's 200 glacier-dug natural lakes.
Your Saturday will consist of meditation and yoga in the outdoors not far from the campsite, where an instructor will lead you through hatha postures. You'll have four yoga classes in all, each about two hours long.
All meals are included (blueberry pancakes with your meditation?), as is a tent for two and plenty of free time for reading, hiking, swimming, and more exploring by canoe. The 1,000-square-mile park has a Precambrian Shield bedrock that is 3 billion years old.
Rates start at $196 per person per night, or $392 ($399 Canadian) for the total package.
When: Weekends of July 25-27, Aug. 22-24, Sept. 5-7, 2008.
Details: Does not include taxes of 5 percent. A private tent is $10 Canadian extra. Guests should bring sleeping bags and rain gear.
Contact: Northern Soul Wilderness Adventures, 866/284-4072, northernsoul.ca.
Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.