Westworld Alberta

(quebec city) huber/sime/estock photo, (ecuador) luis garcia W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 | W E S T W O R L D A L B E R T A 21 2. Ecuador For such a small country, Ecuador offers great diversity, recommends AMA Travel's Monica Carson. "It's like a tasting menu for all of South America, and you can easily explore Ecuador on a small budget of $50 a day." With transportation costing next to nothing, you can squeeze in mucho value for an adventure that spans the jungles of the Amazon rainforest at the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve to the snow-covered volca- noes of Cotopaxi. Rent a car or take short trips on the Devil's Nose train, the world's steepest railroad track descent. Comb the colonial streets of Quito on a carless Sunday, stop at Achiote restaurant in the Mariscal district for authentic Ecuadorian fare and check out some jazz at El Pobre Diablo. – Shannon Melnyk A friendly smile from a local Ecuadorian woman. TOP 10 Best Value Destinations Bitten by the travel bug but think you need deep pockets to visit your dream destinations? Check out our carefully curated list of places around the globe that give you a lot of bang for your buck. 1. Quebec City With our Canadian dollar as it is, travel within our own country can make good sense, since dealing with an exchange rate won't be an issue. Famous for its cob- blestone streets, Quebec City tops our list as a destination that offers the best of Europe without the transatlantic flight. A city that oozes joie de vivre, it's a culinary, cultural and outdoor destination, all in one. It's also a city divided, with its oldest attractions wrapped in centuries-old ramparts. Within the walls, the old city is split into Upper and Lower Town, together preserved as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Get some background on the site near the Musée du Fort, which uses a diorama and blinking lights to retell years of history. Then wander through the open-air gallery at the Rue du Trésor and over to the Dufferin Terrace and the ice toboggan slide next to the Chateau Frontenac. From there, head for the hills. Mont-Sainte- Anne is just 30 minutes away, up the St. Law- rence River. It's a skier's paradise, with 71 trails running a total of 73 kilometres, a healthy 86 per cent of which are beginner and intermediate. And there's plenty for families seeking other wintry adventures: snowshoe trails, skating, dogsled- ding, ice climbing and even a sugar shack. – Tim Johnson Quebec City's old-world charm and beauty never disappoints. Visit Bonhomme during the Quebec Winter Carnival taking place January 29 - February 14, 2016. Stay at the Best Western Plus City Centre/ Centre-Ville from $108 per night. AMATravel.ca Save up to $4 on regular- price tickets for select Les Arts de la Scène de Montmagny, Ciné-Club and the Grands Explorateurs shows. CAARewards.ca/Quebec Planning a trip to South America? Call Monica Carson, South America Specialist, at 403-724-6098.

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