Winter, spring, summer or fall, Canadians love Europe. Sales data shows continued exponential growth in both Europe and cruising, and both portfolios are expanding accordingly at Air Canada Vacations, says Marigold Frontuna, Air Canada Vacations’ General Manager of Sales – Western Canada.
“The demand is there, and we’re happy to see the trade understand the value of what we are offering for Europe,” Frontuna tells Open Jaw. “It’s [a] turn-key product that allows advisors to simplify a European vacation that is packed with inclusions and value for the dollar.”
From Amsterdam to Naples, Air Canada Vacations Tours Have Europe Covered
For travel advisors looking for a comprehensive solution to a European holiday, it’s never been easier to plan your client’s vacation. With over 200 tours to many European destinations, Air Canada Vacations streamlines the process for busy travel advisors like you by including round-trip flights with Air Canada, local flights with Air Canada (select packages), as well as airport, train, and port transfers (select packages). All packages include the first checked bag free, hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, activities and/or excursions, as well as Aeroplan points.
“We have numerous unique selling points that travel advisors can leverage to help them close the sale,” says Frontuna. “Travel advisors educating themselves on our product offerings is fundamental so they can easily differentiate what separates us from our competitors. Also, knowing what our key advantages are, such as our carrier Air Canada, makes us a one-stop shop so they are ‘working smarter not harder.’”
To help you stay competitive, Air Canada Vacations has brought back their top-selling favourites and added several new tour packages for 2025. Tours are already available for booking, with new additions being added regularly. See the current tours available.
Highlights for 2025 that will help you cater to your clients’ needs:
New Tour Classification Makes Choosing the Right Package Easy
Air Canada Vacations’ Europe tour packages are sometimes perceived as only being guided group tours in coach buses. While this offering exists, most of the packages are self-guided, offering plenty of flexibility and free time for travellers to explore.
To help customers and travel advisors navigate the wide range of options, Air Canada Vacations is rolling out a new classification system this December. Designed to simplify the process of selecting the perfect trip, tours will now be grouped into three formats:
Self-guided tours : For the independent explorer.
Partially guided tours : A mix of guided experiences and free time.
Guided tours : Ideal for clients who want to be accompanied throughout their trip and who prefer a more structured experience.
This classification will be featured on the Air Canada Vacations website and in upcoming marketing materials, making it easier to shop the extensive portfolio with confidence.
New Collection Unveiled: Multi-Country Tours
Air Canada Vacations’ Europe collections, cater to everyone from independent travellers and luxury seekers to beach lovers and urban explorers. Now, a 10th collection is rounding out the options: multi-country tours.
The Multi-Country Tours collection, set to launch in December, will encompass all itineraries that include a stay in multiple countries, allowing customers to visit several different destinations within one trip. That means your clients can book and and check two or more destinations off their bucket list. With the convenience of Air Canada’s extensive flight network, visiting several destinations has never been easier, offering a seamless way to maximize the vacation experience.
Whether it’s exploring Viking culture and meeting the friendly people in the Capitals of the North tour, which visits Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm, or falling in love with the winding streets, wine, and food in Lisbon, Madrid & Barcelona, Air Canada Vacations’ multi-country tours provide the perfect balance of convenience, novelty, and adventure. There’s also the Grand Tour of Ireland, an epic loop of Ireland and Northern Ireland that checks off hot spots like Dublin, Belfast, Galway, Cork, and includes a 12-day car rental. an epic loop of Ireland and Northern Ireland that checks off hot spots like Dublin, Belfast, Galway, Cork, and includes a 12-day car rental.
Plus, stay tuned—more tours will be added over time to expand the multi-country tour offerings.
“Multi-country tours allow clients to maximize their time in destination while seeing as many places as possible in one trip… We’re quite confident that we have something to offer any type of client based on how they want to experience and see Europe,” says Frontuna.
Discover all 10 Europe collections by Air Canada Vacations and get started on finding the ideal tour package for your client based on their unique travel interests and preferences.
Europe Tours in New Destinations
Air Canada Vacations is adding three must-visit European hotspots to its tour lineup, offering travellers more options than ever. Here’s what’s in store:
Porto : This coastal gem is all about historic charm, stunning river views, and world-famous port wine.
Prague : A medieval masterpiece in the heart of Europe with Gothic architecture and cobblestone streets.
Naples : Southern Italy’s coastal city rich with history, mouthwatering pizza, and dramatic views of Mount Vesuvius.
Some tours in Porto and Prague have already launched, with more coming soon, and tours in Naples will launch later this fall.
Frontuna reveals that Air Canada continues to expand its trans-Atlantic routes which, in turn, allows Air Canada Vacations to expand its land offerings. Here are the latest European destinations with expanded offerings for 2025:
Germany: Air Canada Vacations is expanding its range of tours that explore the vibrant cities, rich history, and world-famous traditions of Germany, including Christmas market-themed tours that capture the festive spirit like no other. From Bavaria’s capital city Munich to festive Frankfurt and everywhere in between, Air Canada Vacations offers a fresh perspective on this cultural destination.
Amsterdam: Holland’s capital city offers charming neighbourhoods, renowned museums, and historical sites to explore. With the Amsterdam & More tour, your clients can take advantage of day trips to nearby must-see destinations like Rotterdam to Volendam.
Expanded program in Scandinavia out of Copenhagen and Stockholm: For a true Scandinavian adventure, your clients can choose from a range of itineraries that combine iconic Northern European destinations. From the colourful capitals of Copenhagen and Stockholm to the charm of the Baltics, the allure of Oslo, and other Scandinavian highlights, they’ll experience the best the region has to offer.
Expanded program in Iceland: Geysers, hot springs, lava fields, unique hiking trails, and more—Air Canada Vacations’ Iceland tours cover all the must-sees of this mystical land. Whether it’s a Fly & Drive, a fully guided tour (available in French as well!), or a deep dive into Reykjavik and the surrounding area, your clients can explore Iceland their way.
Expanded Offering for Tours in French
In response to increasing demand, Air Canada Vacations is broadening its range of guided tours to provide additional options in French. A modern motor coach is used as transportation throughout the guided tours, which also include a French-speaking guide, some meals, and access to sightseeing spots.
The new tours offered in French are:
Essential Iceland/L’essentiel de l’Islande – This tour takes travellers on an 8-day loop around Iceland, exploring the best the country has to offer, from the capital of Reykjavik to the East Fjords.
La Belle Emeraude, French guided/La belle émeraude, circuit en Français – From Dublin, this guided tour takes your clients to Kerry, Limerick, and Galway before ending back in Dublin, exploring Ireland’s iconic must-see destinations.
Scotland’s Mystical Lands, French guided/Écosse, terres mystiques, circuit en Français – Perfect for those visiting Scotland for the first time, this tour showcases all the country’s key highlights.
More Premium Tours
Consumers are asking for more premium products, and in response for 2025 Air Canada Vacations has created premium versions of its best-selling European tours.
Here, popular tried-and-true tours are upgraded with a few more luxurious add-ons, including five-star and superior accommodation, private transfers from the airport and between cities, private driver or tour guide (select packages), train transfers in higher class of service (select packages), and activities or excursions as private or semi-private (select packages).
Portugal with Style, for example, explores the finest spots of luxury Lisbon, Porto, and the Douro Valley have to offer. The package includes five-star accommodation in hotels like Pousada de Lisboa, a small luxury hotel set in a historic building over two centuries old and featuring an opulent golden façade located. Guests on this premium 9-day tour enjoy private deluxe sedan transportation, daily breakfasts, and a variety of More Moments activities like a half day private tour of Lisbon, dinner at Porto’s famous Barão Fladgate restaurant, and much more.
Over in Italy, the 12-day Unforgettable Italy premium tour is a Fly & Rail tour that explores Rome, Florence, Venice and its neighbouring Murano and Burano, Naples, and Capri before ending back in Rome. It includes train tickets on a high-speed train in business class, private airport transfers in Rome, and other inclusions. Experiences like a full-day Capri excursion and a golf cart tour of Rome are just some of the activities included.
There are so many more premium tours offered by Air Canada Vacations, catering to the whims of luxury travellers. Dive into the full list and see if your client’s dream destination is among the options available.
Ski Packages
Travellers can plough down world-famous slopes in the Swiss Alps with ski (or après-ski!) packages to Zermatt, St. Moritz, Jungfrau, and the newest destination, Andorra. Besides the flights, hotel, ski lift tickets, and airport transfers, their first checked bag is free and they’ll earn Aeroplan points on their booking.
New for the 2024-2025 season is the Ski Vacation in Andorra tour. Andorra is a small country in the eastern Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain that packs a punch with its outstanding ski experiences and diverse terrain. After landing in Toulouse, France, guests can look forward to a stay in Grandvalira, one of the best ski resorts in Andorra, and a 6-day ski pass included in the package.
Learn more about Air Canada Vacations’ Ski Vacations and explore all the options available.
CareFlex Travel Protection
Planning that ultimate European vacation far in advance means needing to also protect those precious plans in case changes arise. For only $99, the CareFlex travel protection guarantees stress-free travel. This way, the trip is secured, can be changed, transferred, or cancelled for a full refund up to 21 days prior to departure—no questions asked.
Click here for the lineup of all their travel protection options.
Aeroplan: A New Way to Earn on Europe tours
As an added perk for Aeroplan Members, travellers can now earn 4,000 extra points on Spain, Ireland and Venice tour packages, in addition to accumulating points on the flight portion of the trip.
Click here for more details.
”Lastly, booking early is essential,” reminds Frontuna. “Europe continues to be a desirable destination for many, so booking early not only allows best pricing and access to early booking savings, but also guarantees inventory which will be limited as you get closer to the departure date.”
